Stylish with Substance

Very detailed, yet less overdone and more sophisticated (even mature) for Dolce & Gabbana are their upcoming Fall 2008 bags. Seen on the recent runway:

Burnt Orange Python & Leather Satchel Handbag w/ Shoulder Strap

 

Silver & White Satchel Handbag w/ Shoulder Strap

 

Brown Patchwork Leather Shoulder Bag

 

Multicolor Suede & Leather Demi

 

Over all, really nice, quality bags - but in a dream world they'd run for less than an IT price.

It's so important to do. It could help this "career" and improve chances (at least from 0.001%) of attending shows. It's expected, prudent, required(???) and I'm crazy not to.

Blog about the shows during the fashion weeks. And why the heck have I mostly not blogged 't all?! (With just one post on a show, and nothing about my Marc Jacobs!!!)

I'm sick of it. What's expected, what's done by everyone ... and like our current subtitle reads, a basic issue with the "style-us quo." It's no good excuse, really, I know. But I couldn't bring myself, somehow, to do it.

And why not just blog about other things? Possibly the guilt of not doing what I should be doing ... and probably the fact that runway shows are unavoidable.

I don't even really support my decision ... I'm just burnt out - yes, burnt out from past years. Back when I covered as much as possible while attending college. With that issue behind me, what the fab is my un-fabbing problem??!

I'm working on thinking of creative alternatives to mass-produced, media-marketed, model-splayed, over-saturation of the mundane and force-fed. Posts in the near future (not long term 100%) will feature the anti all-that. See what's caused my ill-feelings toward prêt-a-porter is my resurrection of crafting and designing bags after being moved into my apartment enough to justify the extra time spent. Recently, I've taken up my destiny-craft; weaving, and it's allowing me to work faster and I feel confident I can produce purses on a regular basis from now on. Even though I make negative money from it so far, it's what I really-really-really wish I could be doing full time.

And that interest in indie flows into almost every part of my life, which causes a desire to blog differently. Yet I know that's not what my long-time --- and new-discoverers through old-style posts --- want. I need to maintain a balance, and most importantly, just publish. It is my hope I can do it regularly again.

As for the past few weeks, I'm sure many of you understand my woes. Anyone feel similarly?

Oscar de la Renta's bags at Fall 2008's fashion show were all about animal skins. The rulers of this purse kingdom were:

Dutchess:

A taupe patent gathered tote

Princess:

a variegated grey patent round-top handle clutch - divine!!

And, the Queen:

Lizard skin clutch with front poofy pocket - to die!

 

A brief look at what BCBG Max Azria is putting forth for apparel in Fall 2008 gives me a sense of disregard for the usually appealed-to northern weather of Fall and Winter. Funny thing.

 

Not even my recent move down south to Florida changes my mind about this being a slightly negative thing, but c'est la vie. Enjoy the shows!

 

They're bras with ... breastises inside (check 2nd picture--mature)! This is the most inventive handbag creation since the first person correlated purses with vaginae (probably the first man to see a woman with one, and I vouch for the concept).

These wallets are open inside like pouches, with one zippered pocket, so they could double as small clutches, too. Just be careful who's around when you pull your cash out of the - um - cups. Whoo! Bag flash!

What a riot! This custom Money Bag (different bras/skin tones) is available from Freckleface for only $35. Beyond a steal for a must in any purse collection!!

And for more fun, check out the beyond saucy baldie lady, the Britney - it's the um, other part. ;-)

Do you give your lady high-priced items or more fairly priced yet quality gems?

Well, here are some ruby jewelry options for three budgets:

Budget Blower:

Cushion-Cut Ruby Ring
highest price, but synthetic stone,
plus cubic zirconia accents
by Fantasia by DeSerio
$630

Quality Keeper:

Poinsettia Flower Pendant/Necklace
with 5 ct. center ruby, fine silver
by Lucinda Fox Wood

$299

Passionate Cheap Thrill:

Jewels of My Heart
shaded rubies & sterling silver
by Sky Dreams

$89

Notice the materials get more quality, truer gems or silver, when the price decreases? Take a lesson. Although the fake ruby and the "fine" silver (aka silver plated, etc.) look more expensive, and are more expensive, they're less of the "true" fineries. Hmmmm?

That being said, there's nothing wrong with fine silver, or any of these items. But $630 for faux stones is wrong, imho. Thanks, Needless Markup.

What fun! How cheerful! In Nemain Marcus's Spring Preview for Manolo Blahnik shoes, are these pink poppy-printed Slingback Mary Janes with peep toes. I think the best feature of these, even with their powers of anti-depression, is the green top-stitching. High design meets indie funkiness? Love it!

With a high high heel, these shoes cost $675, and right now Neiman Marcus .com has an offer that gives a free Blahnik sketch book with a Manolo purchase over $650.

But really, you'll buy this shoe for the joy & jubilation!

Not tacky, too bright, or with a spot of logo on them, these slippers are just 100% cashmere luxury. In assorted sophisticated colors, this yummy indoor footwear is cable knit. They're lightweight, surely to suit any climate this winter.

One thing, the cashmere goat shorn material is given a more expensive pricetag ($110) by the Dooney & Bourke name, which means they cost more than say sheepskin thong slippers by Ugg. Hmm. Personally, I'd recommend either, and at least these are fairly on par with other 100% cashmere items out there. 100% of this fiber doesn't just mean price, it means infinitely more softness and virtually no itch.

One can then look at price differently, when comparing to other accessories. A Burberry scarf is usually around $200, and these mean total comfort for the feets. (And don't require other accessories to match.)

And anyone can buy these whether you're into names or not, bigger or smaller names, or prefer no names, even. With no distinguishing marks, what does it matter? These are simply quality, and there's barely any competition for these lovelies.

Just bringing you some different views for your two feet.

I love my bold, large, yet apparently understated - compared to these - giraffe print Medium Sac. Now Dooney & Bourke has new Zebra-printed handbags in several over-the-top color schemes, for their new twisted-strap Sacs. With their slight metallic sheens, I do love the white/grey, as a large day to night, "I'm-fabu" bag. But if you still need a little more tameness in your already sassy animal prints, then the Twisted-Strap Sacs in the zebra line are still available in black/white!

The Medium Sac is sized 15.5" w x 12" h x 5" d; the Large Sac: 19" w x 14" h x 5" d. Despite equality in size and a snazzier design, the new sacs are actually lower in price from the basics, from $325 and $395 to $240 for medium and $260 for large.

And all that's "less" in this version is a thinner strap, as far as I can tell. So really, it's a win overall. A serious no-brainer. There's no sin in this temptation, why not make the kill and buy one of these wild steals.

*Via Purseuing*

There aren't more fabulous bags than the more colorful or textured Chanel purses to make a girl happy this dreary winter. This resort season, the funkiest bag is this Sequined Denim Flap Purse. It features little bows of striped denim with large white sequins fluttering about the otherwise classic flap bag, complete with chain strap.

If this bag makes you gleeful, consider contacting Chanel for purchase info.