Stylish with Substance

I've been disillusioned with COACH. I snatched up a Mini Signature Pocket Tote in black at a special sale, recently. I thought I lucked out with the signature aligning just-so from the pockets to the body. Saving it for Christmas, I pulled it out (among other bags) to examine and make-with-the-happy, once a night. Until one late night, I noticed something. Let's just say strike 12 and my COACH turned into a pumpkin. The signature on the back and the front, where the two meet on the sides, was completely off, horizontally they weren't even on the same, level field.

I threw into a fit of mania! (Addictions have their bad sides, of course.) For one black-magical night, I couldn't imagine continuing with blogging or the life I've been leading. I thought I would give up COACH and find lesser known designers (I have). But I also recently purchased a python stripe Signature bag that is perfect (confuse me, much) that I can't return or make a profit of selling. And my Chelsea Bouclé demi, I have nothing but love for. I think our affair will last, that little tweed darling.

I've decided that I will keep a careful eye on COACH Signature and still buy a few leather bags. Their up-and-coming designs show that the company is putting money into luxe details; they've just abandoned the standards for Signature I once saw in them!

Let's examine: The new Signature Pocket Satchel doesn't even have symmetrical pockets! The horizontal alignment is, again, not even level!

I've also decided that I should be hired by COACH to design for them. Oh, yes. I would whipstitch them into structured shape, or at least guide forward motion. Money cuts can be made elsewhere, not on the company logo!!

I do stay confused over how I want to proceed with them, and am leaning back on my thoughts of being brand loyal. Although, I am happy with a new wristlet and currently want two new COACH bags and a new pocketed mini skinny (and perhaps the wristlet).

Where was I? Oh. Sigh, sigh, sigh. (The only answer really is to hire me! Yes, yes!)

We recently discovered and wrote about Liz Mole's bag creation of the double-duty Detachables. Now, we've been informed of a promotion by the company for Lucky Magazine. And Ms. Mole shared the special code with Pursed Lips! The code is "LM05" (for Liz Mole, Lucky Mag, or Ella & Mallory; which ever!) and entering it at checkout will get you 25% off your order, the deal lasts through January.

I love so many of their bags, including the previously mentioned Squash_It. It has that inverted chef hat shape that I love, and don't you?! Leather and sizable at 13.5" wide, this beauty is only $219 (plus that discount!).

Sales can be exciting, like a department store offering that bag you've eyed from the beginning at over $100 off. But sometimes the marked-down selection can be small or disappointing---or barely a bargain. So I'm scouting out my favorites at the eLUXURY Post-Holiday Sale.

For handbags, it's these two Marc Jacobs Collection Guinevere style bags. The Soft Calf Medium Guinevere is a satchel made of soft leather, in a divine teal, with a dark, matching suede flap, and refreshingly different push lock. Nearly a hidden secret, is a horizontal belt, cinching its gathered sides.

Even more interesting and kicky, if relatively less of a bargain, is the collection's Soft Calf Cosmetics Pouch. The drop-shaped flap is aligned on one side of the bag, and when the top is unzippered, the open clasp reveals funky hardware that really works it. In the same fine materials as the Guinevere Satchel, and at 7.5" width and 2" diameter, I'd definitely carry this as a clutch---but it still carries that high end price of $228. Le sigh.

Now, the shoe section is where this gets really exciting for me. The Pucci Ankle Rain Boot, similar to the Pucci Printed Rain Boots I posted about in October, are on sale from $145 to $89!! A designer shoe (if rubber and for the rain) with a famous Pucci print is selling for under $100! Well, since I've been eyeing them for a discount for months, now. I scooped a pair right up.

There are a lot of gorgeous shoes on sale, although not for as little, and not in as many sizes as that boot (36, 37, 38, 39, 40). So, I'll just encourage you to shop around for yourself. I hope you luck out!

Representing the foot luxury I'm desiring right now, is this Manolo Blahnik Fabric D'Orsay in brown and créme printed fabric, with a petite bow on the cutout vamp. It sports a modest 2" heel in a pointy-toed D'Orsay style. The footbed is lined in a matching stripe. This shoe is just-so-cute blended with sophistication, that could take a girl from work to play.

It's winter, and most of us need to add warming layers. But make sure they are thin and chic. To start off, I love putting on an undershirt for just a little extra protection against the cold. Comfy, colorful, and cheap are the Classic Tank Tops by Jockey. The fit is great, and they come in enough colors to choose a few to flatter your skin and mesh with your long sleeved tee (which then will be covered by a fitted sweater). They are basic, but stylish enough to be seen under a v-neck top, in any season.

And I know it's tempting, but don't skip the bra, unless your ladies are youthfully perky and petite.

Though shalt not create false idols or worship any other designers but the haute, right?

Well, putting a false logo on a knockoff is wrong, so probably is putting key signature elements of a designer on a brand name bag, and definitely is trying to sell replica bags as authentic. But what about when a known brand takes inspiration from big designers of bags with even bigger pricetags? What about if this bag is actually well-made with genuine leather, and doesn't do one of the 3 Deadly Purse Sins I mentioned?

There will be big disagreement on this issue, but perhaps what we have then is a great Style Steal Bargain.

Wilson's Leather crafts well-made genuine leather bags, but their own design team isn't leading in original thought. The nicest bags from them are copied from true inspiration-worthy sources. Is this wrong? Well, at least you know this bag won't fall apart, and nothing's a blatant knockoff. Wilson's Leather is a reputable source of leather goods, from jackets to wallets.

I even bought for myself this Turn-Lock Handbag (now $60 from $200). The bag doesn't have a lock and key, zips at the top, with a faux flap for decoration, and has two shoulder straps. It's those little convenient differences that caters this bag more to my needs---apologies to Hermes.

Here are two bags with I can tell where the inspiration comes from, but these have different design elements, definitely: the Rhinestone Leash Briefcase, a la Luella (but $280 from $400); and this un-marked Marc inspired, Push-Lock Satchel (marked down to $42 from $140).

Finally, is my favorite for it's shape, perfect details, and quality leather-on-tonal-trim-leather; the Gathered Drawstring Bag. There is a real argument for a Theda look without the overpriced Louis Vuitton monogram or cheesy "canvas" used on those bags. This bag looks even better at a delicious $48! (from $150).

Is this less of style for a steal, and more stealing style? You may let me know. If you want a different take on this issue, visit Pursed Lips.

It's Treat Yourself Days at Kiss Me, Stace, whether it be with peeks at luxury, great ideas for spending your holiday money (or leftover cash, holiday bonus, or new paycheck), or wrappable warmth for these wintry days.

I may even offer a few surprises AND entertain the intellectual part of your brain (the part that cares about other things besides preety shoes).

So relax, this time is about you, and it's about lavishing yourself in the way you deserve. Stay browsed in this time of enjoying the gifts of the season!

It is my inspired opinion that imitation bags, yes I mean especially ones that copy design without logo, lower the value of the original, creative and unique designs of the big designer handbags, thereby raising individual bag costs due in part to lower sales, but also the mere essence of the original look being perverted and disbursed to the masses!

Think about this, an ever-increasing pricetag for a line with an ever-decreasing value? You don't want to carry that, even if you rock the income and covet the style.

But what should low-end consumers do when faced with a reputable brand-name's copy? It is under $100, or on sale for so, it might even be genuine leather. Maybe one wants to "stick it" to the pricemakers of $4,000 ... $7,000 ... $11,000 bags.

I know when I saw this Wilson's Leather Turn-Lock Handbag that was in the style of Hermes Birkin, I suddenly liked it, and it was suddenly perfect for my needs. I bought it, I love it, and I'm into it more than the original design. (But sometimes I feel guilty.) What do you think is crossing this fine line (or perhaps it's large yellow tape)?

For another angle on these bags, visit Kiss Me, Stace, our fashion and shoe blog.

What do I want for Christmas from my true-love-to-be?
12 whole days of gifts would be my first dream!

And for the 12 days of Christmas, my dream man gives to me ...

12 COACH handbags,
$11,000 Birkin,
$10,000 Visa Gift Card,
9 Pocketed, D&B Medium Saddle Bag,
$8,000 Dior Watch,
$7,000 Lizard Chloé,
6 pairs of Manolo Blahniks,
Chanel No. 5,
4 Burberry Winter Accessories,
3 Elliot Lucca Bags,
$200 Marc Quilted Velvet bag,
And a Cole Haan Mini Lunch Tote!

Happy Holidays! Over the coming days, I'm going to feature a few of the items from this list!

Santa baby, slip some cashmere under the tree, for me
I've been an awful, good girl
Santa baby, and hurry in the front door tonight

Santa baby, an iPod mini 6gb, too, in pink
"Discontinued" cannot stop you!
Santa baby, I'll leave the front door unlocked, tonight

I haven't overdrawn all that much,
Think of all the items that I haven't bought.
Next year I could be oh so good
If you'd leave me with nothing to want!
Boo doo bee doo

Santa baby, Fill my stocking with COACH gift cards.
Cash will do, but sign checks with a nom de plum,
Santa baby, although I do believe in you!

Santa cutie, there's one thing I really do need, the deed
To a condo in sunny Florida!
Santa cutie, and I'll let you vaca overnights!

Hurry in the front door tonight

Hurry

- - -

I am a big fan of Santa, so I had to do this song tonight. I put my own little jokes in here, including one on moi! Yes, this list comprises the things I truly want (and I do need that home in Fla!). See my *dream* list tomorrow, in the final installment of Carols of the Blogs; Shopping Carols.

Merry Season, Happy Holidays!!