Stylish with Substance

Juicy Couture Distressed Leather Fluffy, Winter White

I was born and mostly raised in Massachusetts, always south of the heart of the city of Boston. I now live in a dream vacation land of Florida - in the nicest (read: safest) city in the state, to boot. But ah - no boots, not really. Yes, October starts the best of the season here in Sunny F.L., but I do miss my Mass. It started with tiring of the Chinese Food in this state, being the comfort foodie I am. And then I missed out on late-invited NYC Fashion Week events (not that I could afford plane tickets this insane financial year) and then ... well life can get tough.

Recently my Facebook friend and fellow fashion blogger, Lady Coveted, posted a photo shoot in the northern crisp air with sweaters and oh - the turning leaves. And yes, I do miss those leaves!

My mother reminded me that the pretty palet changing symbolizes dieing and yet - there is this undeniable appeal, isn't there?

Sunny Rising: Grape Leaves Clutch

Handbags can always come to the rescue though, or well in this economic crisis if one can't truly afford a purse, perusing teases but still titillates. My misfortune could be good luck to a reader, though, because the clutch I have in mind can only be in one person's two hands, for it's a one-of-a-kind handmade on Etsy.com. (And not inexpensive, at a more-than deserved true-designer pricetag of $239.)

The burnt look of the tooling on this burnt sienna leather accessory nearly perfectly sums up the desire raging in us, no? And on the back, read words perfect for Autumn's Sweetest Day: "grow love".

Those are words to end a poem by, let alone a mere blog post.

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!

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.

Unearthed, an exotics worker who makes accessories for sale on Etsy.com, seriously amazes me. She often uses these exotic skins, like lizard, for wrist cuffs and bags. And she's a reasonable artist, too. I'm talkin' a python purse would run in the mere low hundreds, NOT $10,000!!!

The bag I'm featuring tonight has rich brown leather trim, fun studs; all surrounding a funky, textured wool body. The bag is slightly reminiscent of COACH, but would compare to their $700~ish bags. The pricetag of this purse? $345, but it's honest pricing folks! The designer chose the finest of leather and you can clearly tell the purse it well put-together.

I say, if this (The Unearthed Oslo Bag), is what Indie can do - let it be the future!

Red. It's the hottest color of the season. And why not? We're living in spicy times, and autumn is aflush with warm hues that fight any bad weather.

I'm scouting red bags around the web - preferrably more affordable ones, since it's trendy, bold and we DO want to collect collect collect! So .. how about COACH?

Hamptons Leather-Signature Hobo - $368

Carly in leather - red - $398 (I personally want this one)

Hamptons Leather-Signature Flap Satchel - $498

Plus there's more! Search Coach bags by color at www.coach.com!

When does the phrase "hand made" really mean something? "Designer bags" are "hand made". Yeah, right -- we can't actually know the level of strictness that label really means for most brands (below Hermès). And then there's the hand made for which straight stitching means it's, well, "cute" straight - if-ya-know-what-I-mean. And that's great! Nothing wrong with a little amateur purse making.

It's certainly SOMETHING Special!

Take the bag above; look at the lines, the uniqueness, the leather, the hardware (and the symmetry, thank you)! This bag was made by an Etsy seller, and it sold (yes, it's sold) for (only) about $200.

They're not all bags this spectacular and luxe over at Cha Cha's shop, but there is a nice demi flap purse going for $145. If you fell in love with the bag above, though, one other great aspect of indie design and shopping is that you may ask the designer to make another - and she probably will!

Ooooooooooooh! No, they didn't! Chloe made a to-die key chain styled after their 'Edith' bags. I swear this is an IT key fob if I ever saw one! Featuring a clasp-closure (no annoying "ring" to break your nails whilst attaching keys) and a mini little pocket with Edith-style buckle.

Oh, no. Not another Chloe key chain I want to buy! I already have one. (Plus 6 bags.) *blush*

And it's an expensive one, at $280!

But hey it comes in whiskey (dark tan) coloured leather, so it doesn't match my Chamois large Edith (too bad, it'd be dear to hang off it, because it's a pocketless style).

I don't need it, I don't need it. Tell myself that. Oh, no, if this pops up on eBay, I know I'll cave.

*Via Purseuing*

I appreciate the effort and exciting anticipation behind old favorite Coach when they put out something different, but the mix of high saturated colours in their new Hamptons Weekend Patchwork makes me think it was made for clowns, not fashionistas---maybe not even the typical teenage girl!

Featuring far too much going on with all those dark, spotlight-steal-attempting, shades the new Hamptons Weekend Satchel shape is at least something nice. I love that Coach keeps introducing new satchels, my favorite style by far. Another new detail is the hang tags with circular "splotches" of a contrasting colour - although I'm not sure why that's necessary.

It's your typical new Spring's approaching attempt at cheer from Coach, but more. They simply went too far.

The Hamptons Weekend Satchel is sized 13" x 7" x 7" and won't be setting me back $288.

Maybe all you have to keep yourself warm this Valentine's are your sweaters. I'm sorry, that was depressing. You also have your bags! Put your two hands together and hold this Sweater-Knit bag by Gerard Darel.

In gray or natural, this large shoulder bag is made of 50% wool, 50% acrylic. Sized 15.75" l x 12" h, this designer bag costs $368 at Neiman Marcus .com.

Whether you have a sweetheart (& his loaner sweater) or just family & friends and your own fashionista wardrobe, this warm sweater bag is perfect for the wintry season. I'm snatching one up, perhaps on a lonely tomorrow night.