Putu by J. MacLear

Love the new straw and wicker handbags coming out this season but hate the ridiculous designer price tags? You might want to check out the latest offerings from Putu by J. MacLear. Their Spring/Summer 2005 line is full of cheerful, bright handbags that are much more reasonably priced.


Photos courtesy of putubag.com

The Christine Bag (left) pairs circular tortoiseshell handles with a bold floral graphic lining. Nice little touches include an interior cell phone pocket and key hook. Available in pink or black for $128. The Wendy Bag (right) flirts up the basket look with bamboo handles and a floral drawstring closure. Available in brown (shown), natural, black, and pink for $98.

Gucci Studded Flap Bag

Gucci's Studded Flap Bag is one of the "It" bags of the season, and it's being toted around by the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker and Jessica Alba.


Photo courtesy of neimanmarcus.com

While velvet is a little strange for spring/summer, it contrasts nicely with the extravagant crocodile. I'm enamored with the dark pink velvet (I know, you're shocked), but it's also available in green. Both are available for pre-order now, with an expected early June release. The mini size (pictured) retails for $3,790, and the medium size goes for a whopping $5,380.

Take note that Saks is imposing a limit of three of these bags per customer every 30 days due to high demand... Sadly, I don't think this will be much of a problem for me.

Vigotti Kaya has not the skill of the Great Manolo

You know how the Manolo would write those hilarious posts about the times he was so poor that he had to fashion footwear from old pages torn from the phone book, naugahyde from an old sofa, and other such things scavenged from the dump?

Well, I think Vigotti Kaya took those posts a little too seriously.


Photo courtesy of zappos.com

Comics and faux zebra fur? Those two things really don'’t belong in a sentence together, much less a pair of wedges. These “elements” just clash horribly and end up looking aggressively ugly. And at over two hundred dollars, this is a classic example of spending a lot of money to look very cheap.

Poor Mary Worth. I bet she never thought it would end this way.

Metallic Leather Clutch by Jimmy Choo

Versace, please take note. Jimmy Choo would like to show you the right way to do a metallic clutch.


Photo courtesy of bergdorfgoodman.com

The copper leather is kind of an unexpected twist, and the golden hardware sets it off nicely. It comes with a detachable wristlet, and is lined in luxurious suede. It kind of reminds me of a shiny new penny. Unfortunately, it costs a great deal more than that.

Banana Republic

You can always count on Banana Republic for having at least a few great bags every season. They're almost always chic yet tasteful. Best of all, sooner or later they always go on sale, so why pay full price? So you imagine that I'm eagerly awaiting the markdowns of these beauties:


I just crave this bamboo-accent leather slouch. In pink and white. All the different elements seem to work together without being overwhelming. It's relatively reasonable at $98, but I know it can go lower.


This white leather tassel tote is also gorgeous, and huge. I'm not a girl that schlepps a lot of stuff around, but it's so pretty that I wouldn't mind carrying nothing but lip gloss, keys and a wallet in this.


I know that this clutch looks spectacularly underwhelming in this photo, but I saw this in the store and spent a few minutes cooing over and petting it. It's got a shimmery bronze finish on it that doesn't show up here, and it's just lovely in person. At $42, it's kind of a bargin even at full price.

Photos courtesy of bananarepublic.com

Fluffy loves it!

Could someone explain this handbag to me?

Photo courtesy of yoox.com

Actually, I have a cat toy that looks very much like this. But that only cost me $15.

And now for something a little different...

While I was browsing the wallets at wishingfish.com, I came across a really weird, really cute wristlet.


It's a pink, crazy-eyed owl with a four leaf clover key fob. Why? Who cares? It appeals to the nine-year old girl in me, and it's only $12.99.

Other neat things:


The Glamour Girl contact case brings a bit of fun and style to the mundane task of transporting your lenses. It has a mirror under the lid and an ID tag for your name and address.


I'm also intrigued by these wish necklaces. You close your eyes, make a wish and put it on. When the thread breaks, your wish is supposed to come true. Whether this works or not, these sweet little charms make simple, beautiful jewelry. I've pictured the Wishbone here, but also available are Heart, Peace, Twinkle Twinkle, Friends, Key to Success, and New Mom.


I know this is a bag blog (though I think I could safely file this under "Other Ridiculously Shallow Topics"), but this cheeky little Farm Fresh panty set is too hilarious to pass up. They come in a cute little keepsake box, and they'll cost you less than your average pair of Victoria's Secret knickers.

Photos courtesy of wishingfish.com

Wallets, Part II

So, continuing with the whole wallet fixation, here are the remaining wallets that have caught my fancy.


Photo courtesy of neimanmarcus.com

It's hard not to be charmed by this Continental Wallet from Isabella Fiore. I love the green and pink leather pairing, and the strawberry appliqué is just so darned sweet. Plenty of of credit card slots, an ID window, and full-length billford make this wallet as practical as it is cute.


Photo courtesy of neimanmarcus.com

Salvatore Ferragamo also has some very beautiful wallets. Pictured here are the pink and black Circle French Wallets. Something about the circular texture of the leather and the little dangling charm make them so elegantly feminine. The old-fashioned kiss-lock clasp on the coin purse is just the icing on the cake.


Photo courtesy of neimanmarcus.com

This Dolce & Gabbana Leather Wallet Clutch has a detachable thin shoulder strap, so it does double duty as a wallet and evening purse. It's made of luxurious textured calfskin, and the flashy golden logo plate on the flap announces to all that you've got some serious money to burn.


Photo courtesy of brand.co.jp

When money is absolutely no object, the Hermès Bearn wallet is definitely the way to go. The painstaking craftsmanship that their handbags are famous for also goes into their wallets. Of course, expert hand-stitching and the finest leathers in the world come at a high price, and you should expect to shell out at least $1700 for a beauty like this. This wallet is also available in patent crocodile with a diamond clasp, and it will set you back $10k. Have I cursed my non-fabulously wealthy status yet? Yes? Okay then.

Well, I think that does it. Hope something in there is helpful for you, Claudia!

Wallets, Part I

While I like wallets, I don't desire them nearly as much as handbags. I view them as being mostly functional, and I'm not the type of person who takes the time to match their small leather goods with their handbags. Consequently, I only own one wallet, the Porte-Monnaie Billets Viennois, basically a Vernis French purse:

Photo courtesy of eluxury.com

I was immediately seduced by the glittery, shiny finish of the patent calfskin. (I secretly have the taste of a drag queen, remember?) It's a great compact size and is flashy enough to be used as a clutch in the evenings. It has four credit card slots, so I keep the extra cards in the coin purse with the golden kiss-lock clasp. Since there's no room for a check book, I keep a couple of loose checks with the bills in the long currency pocket. For those with more subdued tastes, this wallet also comes in the epi leather and signature monogram canvas.

That being said, if I had infinite wealth, I would definitely add these beauties to my collection:

Photos courtesy of coach.com

If you're the type of girl that has tons of credit cards and likes to keep them organized, then Coach's Soho Slim Envelope wallet may be just what you need. It has ten credit card slots and a full-length, gusseted billfold. There is a inside zip coin compartment and a handy outside pocket to keep your receipts. Available in the Optic signature jacquard and leather.


Photo courtesy of coach.com

If you want less plastic storage and more whimsy, there is also the adorable novelty mini wallet. While it has only four credit cards, it does feature two multi-function pockets, a full-length bill compartment, outside zip coin compartment, and most importantly, patent leather and beaded ladybug applique!


Photo courtesy of neimanmarcus.com

From Gucci we have this glorious Continental Wallet. Not much of a description for this one, but it appears to have nine card slots. What I love most is the vibrant orchid pink leather trim, which brings an unexpected pop of color to the ordinarily drab beige GG fabric.

There are few more wallets I would like to mention, but this post has gotten ridiculously, ponderously long, and I've already lost portions of it four times between the Preview and Edit HTML screens. Thanks, Blogspot, your "Recover Post" function works like complete crap!

So, thanks to Claudia's innocent request for some wallet suggestions, a long-dormant wallet lust has been awakened. See you tomorrow for more small leather goodness.

Affordable handbags from Ann Taylor Loft

Since most of us liked the bags from Old Navy, take a peek at these chic purses from Ann Taylor Loft:


I saw this straw flower tote today in the window, and it is really quite fetching. Straw is really big this season, and this is one way to sport that look without having to shell out a whole mess o' cash.


The unusual shape of this cotton canvas bag caught my eye as well. I like the way the dark wooden handles contrast the soft rose print. It's an excellent bag for spring with a casual, feminine look.


I also like this suede mini tote with bamboo handles. It's simple and elegant, and very versatile. Best of all, it's a leather handbag for $34.99.


Lastly, I wanted throw in this printed clutch. I love the pink and black color combo and its vintage-inspired look. On sale for $19.99.

Photos courtesy of anntaylorloft.com

Grrrrrrrrrr...

I was browsing through my Google ads today, and I happened upon this one:

Top Designer Bags
100% Customer Satisfaction Free Wallet,
2005 Styles
www.FancyTrend.com

Of course I took a look, because who loves designer bags more than me? Perhaps I'm terribly naive, but I was unprepared for these hideous montrosities:



My eyes! Dear God, they're burning!

Okay, this is one of the many reasons I hate counterfeit bags. People carry this crap around and it sullies the name of the designers they knock off. Louis Vuitton never made these bags, and you only need to take one look at them to see why.

But do you know what really pisses me off? The fact that sites like this are actively trying to rip people off. Does it say anywhere in the item description that it's fake? Nope. You have to dig deep to find their disclaimer for that info. But the very worst is that they've stolen pictures of authentic bags to hawk their cheap crap! Let's take a look at some pics from the site.

vs.

Note the difference in quality. Guess which pic was stolen, and which they had to take themselves due to the lack of an available pic on eluxury.

Don't fall for this! If an $800 bag is being sold for $69, it's too good to be true. In all likelihood, you'll get something that will fall apart in a month or so.

Incidentally, if an LV bags comes with a "certificate of authenticity" or that little tag with the round plastic thingy, it's a fake for sure. Same goes for this yellow card:


I'll get off my soapbox now, but if you want more info on how to protect yourself from unwittingly buying fakes, check out MyPoupette.com for some great information.

Singed eyeballs courtesy of fancytrend.com

Catching up on emails...

Someone sent me an email requesting that I post some wallets, and I accidentally deleted it without responding. Sorry! So if you're still reading, I am not ignoring you! I am a little swamped this week, but I promise to do some small leather goods early next week. Thanks for reading.

Gucci does Hermès

I really like this Medium Hobo by Gucci.


Photo courtesy of neimanmarcus.com

Yes, it's a shameless ripoff of the classic Hermès Trim bag which Jackie O made famous all those years ago, but it's also about a third of a price.

This is one of those iconic bags that has been and will be in vogue for decades, so you can tell yourself that you're making a sound handbag investment while you're paying it off for the next few months.

Handbags: More fun than ink blots

Let's play a game. Take a look at this picture and tell me what you see. It's kind of like a Rorschach test, but with purses.

Photo courtesy of yoox.com

I'll go first. I see:
-A pair of half-melted hot pink Legos
-A disembodied cow's udder
-A gob of chewed bubble gum

You know what I definitely don't see? A $418.00 bag.

I'm back!

Wow, New York is just amazing. I didn't have much time to look around since I spent most of my time attending a wedding and wedding-related activities, but I did make sure to hit the Upper East Side, especially Madison and Fifth Avenues.

My God. The people there are freaking loaded. I haven't seen this kind of wealth concentrated in one area anywhere on the west coast, including Rodeo Drive. While I was having lunch Monday afternoon on Madison Avenue, I counted no less than 35 Birkins (including many of the crocodile and ostrich varieties), 10 Kellys, and I don't even know how many Balenciaga motorcycle bags. I enthusiastically pointed these out to my rather disinterested husband, who joked that this was like my version of whale watching.

Of course I wandered through the accessories sections of Barneys and Bergdof Goodman, and I had to fight the insane desire to grab up everything in sight and make a mad dash for the door. Such beautiful things. The museum-like displays inspired a strange feeling of reverence. I was almost afraid of touching anything, as I didn't want to befoul the gorgeous creations with my bourgeoise hands. Still, the experience was thrilling and fun.

Now I'm back in comfy, relaxed LA, and it's good to be home. Let the purse snarking recommence!

New York, here I come

I will be in New York until the middle of next week, so I won't be updating. Until I return, feel free to ogle the beautiful luggage at eluxury.


Ribera GM, $1,130.00


Epi Keepall 45, $1,170.00


Annette, $1,780.00


And my personal favorite, the Alma Voyage MM, $1,100.00

Hope to see you back in a week!

Photos courtesy of eluxury.com

The purse hook

I'm pretty obsessive with my bags. I've spent a rather large amount of money on my beauties, so when I'm not using one, I make sure to tuck it away in its sleeper bag, dehumidified and safe, until I'm ready to take it out again.

So the thought of putting my bag on the floor of a restaraunt or bar where it can be kicked, spilled upon, or otherwise abused causes me to break out in a cold sweat. What's a girl to do?


Photos courtesy of thepursehook.com

Invest in a handy purse hook, and you'll wonder what you did without it. This little gadget uses counter-balance to hang your handbag from the edge of your table, and the hook swivels a bit to accommodate different surface thicknesses. Pop one in your purse to make sure that you always have a safe place to keep your bags when you go out.

Hurts so good

I have a secret. I'm only 5'4". But almost no one knows this, due to the fact that I will not go out of the house in flat shoes. In fact, I don't even own kitten heels, because I've never even considered anything with less than a 3-inch heel. I know that I'm courting sprained ankles and eventual long-term foot and leg damage, but I can't help it. The taller, the spindlier, the more precarious the heel, the more I love it.



Photos courtesy of saks.com

Don't these look absolutely excruciating? They're beautiful. I want them.

I need help.

Old Navy is my methadone

To scratch the handbag itch before you have to pay Uncle Sam his yearly due, here are some really cute and affordable handbags from Old Navy.


The clutches are on sale for a ridiculous $8, and the handle purses are $10. Stock up on all four for less than half the tax on a Marc Jacobs bag!

Photos courtesy of oldnavy.com

Xtina loves the Dior

HANDBAG NEWSFLASH: PageSixSixSix just featured a picture of Christina Aguilera this week in LA carrying a white Dior Detective Bag, and it looks more fabulous than Ms. Aguilera herself.

Photo courtesy of pagesixsixsix.com

I'm a sucker for photos of celebs carrying beautiful bags.