Stylish with Substance

Celebrities love Louboutin, so it was only a matter of time before I spotted his new hot handbag on a star, this is model Cindy Crawford, with a general Spring-is-coming vacation look.

The handbag above is Louboutin's Metallic Hobo, which sells on Neiman Marcus for $950. There's also the "Gathered Hobo" with metallic brown leather going for somewhat more at $1020. Buying one would be a not-too-too expensive way of grabbing some star style. And a piece of history, as this gathered design is Louboutin's first handbag!

Good choice, Cindy.

Source

Coach has actually made an accessory line printed with a red/pink fragrance theme in celebration of their new perfume. They've also made up a limited edition compilation of the LE Jasmine XL Straw "Basket" bag filled with pieces from the line, plus a pair of shades and the exclusive to the "gift basket", bronzer compact (which I think is a pretty awesome little beauty case).

The main feature of this LE gift set is the Jasmine XL Straw Basket ($998 separately, limited on its own as well) which features a rounded body of straw, orange leather and snake skin trim, brass hardware with ringed full-height straps and fragrance-print lining with 5 interior pockets. It's sized 24" x 13.5" x 10.5"!
The official list of items included is: Fragrance-print crusher hat, beach towel, Framed coin purse, Patti sunglasses, and an exclusive Bronzer Set in the Fragrance Print Case.

The cost of the package is $1600 (eek) too steep for me even though I'd love to own this, but instead I can pick up a little piece of the "fragrance" line separately. My choice is the unique "Brush case" which can be used as a beauty case or even a clutch! Love it. If you can't get the package, which is in limited quantities, perhaps look on eBay for that exclusive bronzer, as I will. (No low price guarantee, though.)

If you have the cash/budgeting and love for Coach or just plain cute accessories, go for it, it's sold online at coach.com or in select boutiques, but you can always have it shipped free by calling your favorite store location/favorite SA.

Below are photos of what's included in the Limited Edition Fragrance Straw Gift Basket:

And here are photos of separate items from Coach's Fragrance-Print collection:

 

Coach has actually made an accessory line printed with a red/pink fragrance theme in celebration of their new perfume. They've also made up a limited edition compilation of the LE Jasmine XL Straw "Basket" bag filled with pieces from the line, plus a pair of shades and the exclusive to the "gift basket", bronzer compact (which I think is a pretty awesome little beauty case).

The main feature of this LE gift set is the Jasmine XL Straw Basket ($998 separately, limited on its own as well) which features a rounded body of straw, orange leather and snake skin trim, brass hardware with ringed full-height straps and fragrance-print lining with 5 interior pockets. It's sized 24" x 13.5" x 10.5"! The official list of items included is: Fragrance-print crusher hat, beach towel, Framed coin purse, Patti sunglasses, and an exclusive Bronzer Set in the Fragrance Print Case. The cost of the package is $1600 (eek) too steep for me even though I'd love to own this, but instead I can pick up a little piece of the "fragrance" line separately. My choice is the unique "Brush case" which can be used as a beauty case or even a clutch! Love it. If you can't get the package, which is in limited quantities, perhaps look on eBay for that exclusive bronzer, as I will. (No low price guarantee, though.) If you have the cash/budgeting and love for Coach or just plain cute accessories, go for it, it's sold online at coach.com or in select boutiques, but you can always have it shipped free by calling your favorite store location/favorite SA. Below are photos of what's included in the Limited Edition Fragrance Straw Gift Basket:

And here are photos of separate items from Coach's Fragrance-Print collection:

 

It's a summery tote with gold metallic fabric. It's quite trendy, I suppose, but that won't cut it. Where are the Louboutin signature elements? They should think of some - I can:

They have platform shoes, espadrilles, and wedges right? So the bags could be raffia, have wooden elements, or even have pockets on the bottom a la the Zippy by Chloe. That compartment could be a different colour - a tan, perhaps in raffia?

Then of course all Louboutin shoes have the red sole - I think bags could be subtler; red fabric lining. That is a definite must and I will lose all hope if all bags don't have that already. (The store description doesn't say.)

The details it does have are a chain drawstring strap, nice, gotta hand them that - but then a dangling key charm? Everyone does that!

Oh sigh, why am I such a better designer than the professionals? Hmm? I need this job and this job needs moi!

The plus side, this seemingly (Neimans doesn't give size) roomy bag costs only $950.

Spring Break is here, with sandy beaches calling to us and actual sightings of green grass. A great travel handbag for your later winter getaway is this Prada Frame Bag. Natural straw with green leather trim, it's just enough Summer sand with greens of Spring for the upcoming weeks. Featuring a removable green leather luggage tag, it's good to go as your carry-on purse, as well!

13" x 9" x 5" this cute satchel costs $1,350. That's probably less than a trip to Disney World! So if you cut back on the fabulousness of your March break trip, perhaps you can afford this purse. Hey it will last a lot longer than a mere 7 days! (Two seasons, year after year!) Putting it that way, it almost seems like you need a new bag!

From resort right through Spring and Summer, Burberry offers a cute little (well, big) plaid check satchel with white leather trim and rope detail. Measuring 14" x 8" x 7" with shoulder handles, the breezy beauty plops down on the counter with a large $890 pricetag. But it's so worth it with the details including others such as bias check print and three outer pockets. This cute bag isn't a practical steal, but it's luxe and fun.

Ahhh resort, they call it a vacation line, but I call it gearing up for Spring. Resort collections are for early Spring buyers or those excited by "lighter" designs, anxious to go on to the next round of bag buying and of course, those making wish lists. Resort collection time is also the time to plan what to buy oneself after we once again have self-spending-money come January. I'm getting a Paddington and sometime later definitely a Marc Jacobs.

But anyway, what excites me in resort is the scarf tote, done best by Gucci. This season the company offers many bags in the general style, so be sure to check them all out, but perhaps most notable is the "Positano" medium tote.

Actually far from medium, it's 15.6"L x 5.1"W x 12.2"H! With a high-quality straw body and a gold chain link printed silk scarf woven through slots at the tote's top. Add in platinum-colored metallic leather trim and as always, Gucci's light gold hardware.

This ray of sunshine (in a winter so unseasonably not lacking of the sun) runs down at $1,350.

Shop Gucci Resort.

Glam.com is holding a contest to win an "Ultra-Luxe" reversible beach bag from Le Sport Sac. All one has to do to enter is take their "What Kind of a Beach Babe are You?" quiz and fill out the follow-up form.

So why do you want to win this? All the goodies inside!

Some of the freebies include,

• 7 for All Mankind denim skirt


• Flip-flops from FlipFlop Trunkshow


• Decleor SPF 20 spray


• Fr�d�ric Fekkai "Beach Waves" haircare


• J.Lo aviator sunglasses


• Dashing Diva nail kit


• The latest beach reads from Melissa de la Cruz


• Eau d'Italie signature fragrance

A dear two-tonal maize straw tote with a cute printed lining and matching fabric tie closure---that is this J. Crew Bicolor Straw Tote. With a triangle shape and a juxtaposed tie to match its cotton poplin lining, this bag is sweet to stroll the boardwalk and I'm even thinking it would be a wonderful accent around the house to hold knitting or magazines, or stand on a table in a sitting room. Call me crazy! But at only $48, this tote could serve any duty.

I suddenly feel like discussing the longevity, throughout a single year, of straw handbags.

They first pop into style right before Spring begins, and as soon as we see a sign of the season, we rush out to buy a straw bag or start feverishly using a straw bag we already have.

It's novelty, and this original fever wears off.

But the straw bag trend picks up in the heat of summer. On vacations, at the beach, in country club luncheons and upscale sea food shacks -- whatever---the straw bag is again hot.

Then in late August, we use (or hunt for) our straw bags with a passion--like they're going out of style---because they are.

The straw bag is a novelty, but as I see it, it will come back every year. And a few times every year says "worth it" to me, but I wanted to warn you ladies about the practicality before the breezes turn to scorchers!