Stylish with Substance

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!

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.

Mischa Barton really loves her Chanel.

Oh, to own not one, but two Chanels. Not one, but two tweed Chanels. The life, the luck, the closets of bags!

If you have some extra cash lying around (I don't because of early Christmas gift shopping), you may be in luck if you dream of these bags like I do. I've found the exact bag in the first picture on eBay, currently no bids at $699! Or .. shop now, pay after the holidays. Click the pic for more info or to shop.

Credit to MischaStyle.com.

I love tweed. I love bouclé - I love nerdiness - I even love plaid but that's straying from this posts' topic.

So although I'm not usually drawn to Dolce & Gabbana, I love D&G's Tweed Doctor's Bag. (They have a tote too, but it's not as cute.) It's packed tightly with shape and style, but the best part is the multi-flecked cool-toned bouclé! With two short shoulder straps, four outer pockets, and mahogany grained leather, this satchel is cu-ute.

At 13 x 8 x 4.5, this Italian creation has a darn cool $645 pricetag.

I love tweed. I love bouclé - I love nerdiness - I even love plaid but that's straying from this posts' topic. So although I'm not usually drawn to Dolce & Gabbana, I love D&G's Tweed Doctor's Bag. (They have a tote too, but it's not as cute.) It's packed tightly with shape and style, but the best part is the multi-flecked cool-toned bouclé! With two short shoulder straps, four outer pockets, and mahogany grained leather, this satchel is cu-ute. At 13 x 8 x 4.5, this Italian creation has a darn cool $645 pricetag.

For my flight this recent trip, I had an idea. I took my sketch notebook and planned to draw handbag designs. It went really well, and the flight down was the best I'd ever had. I'm going to now share some designs with you, and hopefully when I get ideas, I will take time out to draw them, in the future.

This is a satchel for a Fall/Winter collection, made of red woven wool. This design had been in my head for a while.

Click on the picture to see the full image with text notes. What needs explaining now is that longer shoulder strap: it's removable, with a reinforcement (the scribbled part). Those two fobs are removable to move between the two spots shown.

Thanks for allowing me to share! Let me know if you like this feature.

Tweed is the new cool. It's no longer for librarians, but perhaps for chic school girls, whom like to study and shop; drink a cocktail with the girls, and write her own grade-A essays, learn chemistry and experiment on boys--no, men.

Maturity is sophistication, and it's a growing trend. But this tweed (or bouclé) appeal has roots deeper than that. If you put on your (face-flattering, of course) eyeglasses and examine a true designer bag weaved with wool and threads (including subtle shimmering threads for this Coach bag), you'll see the beauty and intricacy.

Yes, this COACH Chelsea Bouclé Demi embodies everything one might desire in a tweed accessory, or any designer handbag, perhaps? Each bag, due to the handmade crafting, is unique. With my perfectionist predilection, I found my absolute perfect dream bag. In my new fall bag, the bolder orange "stripes" are aligned in an even, balanced manner. It speaks to my symmetrical eye.

There are more details, of course, including trimmings of leather and soft suede. Two brass buckle rings wrap in a leather strapped flap. And along the edge of the classic Coach reinforced edges, is golden piping.

You should be aware that the online store's photo is incorrect. The strap is simpler, with a one-side dog leash clip. I suspect with that design removal, is when they added the sparkling threading. My calculations say it is quite worth it.