Browsing Gap
and suchlike stores is fun; one finds the nifty secret of truly unique, stylish and adorable handbags.

Gap.com is out of this Scalloped Mini Clutch (Chocolate), because I decided to space out my Gap posts, and waited too long, but you can still grab this little gem in stores.

This bag is delectably irresistible with its girly size and shape, scallops & sequins. I especially adore it in brown (chocolate), but it also comes in turquoise and fuchsia. It’s the perfect night-out bag, and the “chain link strap can be tucked inside for hand-held carrying.” The best part is that it’s surprisingly roomy underneath its kiss-lock closure.

The clutch is priced at $34.50, but perhaps you can snatch it on sale.

Popularity: 2% [?]

I’d heard of handbag hangers before, that hook onto restaurant tables and hold a lady’s purse, but I was concerned about them fitting to tote in my small handbags. Precious designer handbags are often petite, is there protection for them, too?

Yes, there is! These Handbag Hangers, from My Blue Feather, are fold able to fit flat “to fit perfectly in even the smallest evening bag,” and are small themselves. The length of the gold bar is 3″. The support bar (what the handbag would hang from) is 1″ and the diameter of the circle is 1 3/8″.

These nifty - and pretty - little hangers are made with genuine mother of pearl or abalone and set in gold-fill. So they’ll be pretty enough to be quite proud to display, themselves. You’ll be the lushest fashionista in the joint!

No more purses on your seat back, an extra chair, or even the (yuck!) floor.

Popularity: 3% [?]

This, Burberry’s “Candy Check iPod Case,“ is my favorite iPod case that I’ve seen.

I love a little suttin’ of Burberry. I love plaid (I’ve got some dork in me), and this case is subtle and lilac. It perfectly matches the cover on my Dell Pocket DJ (more storage capacity than iPod Mini), but sadly, being strictly made for the iPod Mini, at 4″ x 2″ x 1″, it is not big enough in width for the Pocket DJ. Wahh. Oh, well, since this little item is $150, my wallet will thank me. (Which is good, because I have a newfound desire to own more than one - more than two - wallets.)

Popularity: 9% [?]

Dooney & Bourke now offers bracelets, quite nice bracelets at that.

I’ve been swamped with work of both professional and college finals varieties, but I’m taking some time out to do this, also important, work. You matter! I’m late in bringing this news to you, but here it is.

Dooney offers

- Silver charm bracelets, with either heart or crystal (yep, not rhinestone) D B detail.
- Various color Nile (crocodile) bracelets with either DB or heart logos.
- A plain, colored, Nile band.

and more newly added:

- A gold or silver Interlock Heart Bracelet, with clear crystals.

Prices are not bad, ranging from $35 to $75. Personally, I plan on buying more quality jewelry, and I think it’s nice to have designer accessories so accessible (perhaps for my birthday). It’s also neat that there are different ranges of taste available, from cute to quite classy.

Popularity: 5% [?]

I hope all the moms had a great day yesterday. I’ve been swamped with severe finals work, but my mom and I went to a Red Sox game. I also gave her this Coach Hamptons Weekend Small Tote and the Scribble Bandana scarf.

It is a fine, fine bag. The body is made of soft, luxurious nylon. It feels so rich. The handles are made of the softest leather. It’s lined with signature fabric. It is also big enough to tote … a whole buncha crap. As a nifty little feature, the zipper is not attached to itself, leaving the bag free to be as wide as needed to hold even more.

The scarf is newly available on Coach’s website.

Both are steals at only $158 and $38, respectively.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Great Expectations Straw Tote from Liz Claiborne

As you may have noticed, I am on the hunt for a summer / beach tote. I found the perfect mix of sophistication, summer hues and styling, and fun, youthful accents. Combine that with an affordable sale price, $49.99 down from $67, and we’ve got something here.

This faux croc trimmed, straw tote comes with bonus accessories; make-up bag and attached mirror/I.D. case combination, in a fun, bright paisley floral pattern, that also lines the interior of the bag. Like a little bit of whimsy for summer, but want to retain your Autumn sophistication? Keep it hidden inside the bag!

Popularity: 6% [?]

I spotted this handbag on a girl today. At first I was like ooh, Coach, cute (I mean look at the colorful C’s)! But I quickly realized that this bag was a fake.

Wondering hot to spot a fake Coach purse, yourself?

Compare it to the Real, Authentic, and Not Counterfeit Coach Scribble Small Tote: the replica has smaller C’s and is wider and larger. The real Coach scribble tote doesn’t come in a larger size. The fake isn’t as boxy; it’s elongated. The straps also just struck me as not the same; not as nice; thinner?

The moral of the story? Do not buy fake designer bags, because Fashionistas - the ones who will care about those C’s or other signature prints, etc. - will know. Read more about the horror of knockoffs, here.

For some humorous extras: Continue to read more bag love »

Popularity: 6% [?]

Curious about the handbag seen on The Apprentice Season 3, as carried by Kendra? (She wore it tucked under her shoulder, as the last three candidates walked to the boardroom that set Kendra in the final two, then there was a closeup shot, as she and Tanna were celebrating!) You’re lucky to have found me, then, because I recognized one of my favorite bags right away. It’s the Dooney & Bourke Ostrich Pocket Zip Top satchel in Brown w/ Brown Trim. The bag is made from fine, soft leather embossed with faux ostrich. It comes in a variety of colors, and sells for $335. That’s probably within the budget of a successful business woman, but it’s not too expensive for the regular gals, with a little bit of saving and a lot of desire for a beautiful purse.

Can’t wait to afford this purse? eBay has some discounts, including a Pocket Zip Top in White (which is one of the more beautiful colors for the Ostrich), currently bidding at only $100!

I’ve commented on this lovely line of purses before, click here to read more about the bags.

By the way, go Kendra! Watch her win(??) next Thursday night for the two hour live finale!

Popularity: 5% [?]

I’ve decided I need a really great, designer-ish tote bag for the beach. I feel this way, even though I am not a big beach goer, and I need to lose some weight before I can really feel confident about going. I did find the cutest bag however, by Fiorelli!

This tote features a girl fishing her bikini top out of the sea, and reads, “wish you were here.”

There are 4 days left on this hot find, and the price is still pretty low!

Popularity: 2% [?]

While browsing eBay for a prospective beach bag, I discovered handbag manufacturer, Janine King (with Janine King Designs). Janine features common prints that some home-made and even custom handbag designers use, but the quality King uses when making her handbags stands her apart from the rest.

# Handmade with Pride in the USA in our in our pet free and smoke free design studios.

# JKD bags are comprised of several fabric layers and professional grade facings and are sewn on industrial sewing machines.&nbspAll stress points are double/triple stitched and reinforced for added durability and firmness.

# Fully lined (No raw surged edges!), with gorgeous turquoise Sunbrella® canvas that repels moisture and stains.

Continue to read more bag love »

Popularity: 2% [?]