This Prada Straw Tote screams not only fun summer color, but “shape, shape, shape!” The pocket alignment, the angles, the wide buckled strap, and the cute heart-esque top curve all mark this bag top-notch in design.

Additionally, the sizable straw body (10 1/5″H x 13″W x 5 1/10″D) makes it the perfect upscale bag to bring on picnics and trips to the beach.

It all makes it the best bag for this summer, and now it’s marked way down to just under $800, from $1,140!

Popularity: 4% [?]

Now that I have my camera phone,
I can show you great products that are only available in-store and can’t even be found in a jpeg on the web. Express is one great brand that has quality clothes - even handbags! - but has a bare-minimum-gallery-only website. One can’t even view the handbags on its online presence.
Tsk Tsk.

My camera - and thus this post - came late, Express’s Spring collection stock is dwindling, as Summer officially approaches, and their big sale is booming. But now you’ll know to check out the soft leather bags and luxe evening clutches. So fabu!

The bags shown are the matching (how nifty) brown paisley tote and clutch. Click the image for a larger view in the same window.

Popularity: 2% [?]

I got a new cell phone (more details below), so I was searching for a cover. You’d be surprised by what is available. It’s not all tacky or hot pink, well, it’s mostly tacky.

But I really like the look, maybe not the infringement, of designer print faceplates. The manufacturers have Louis Vuitton down pat. (There are also really bad Coach imitations, and I saw one “Gucci” cell phone case.) They come in rainbow or pretty brown/pink, but the styles vary for each phone.

They cost about $12 online, but if you pay $20 at a mall, the person working can quickly “slap” the cover on for you, which might be worth it, but there are also, of course, less colors available. I had to settle for dark purple, instead of maybe a light, shiny one. I wanted my cover quickly, since I’m traveling this week.

If you want to browse cell phone covers, search Froogle; replace my phone type with your own brand and number, or just try designer cell phone cover or case. Better yet, try eBay.

Continue to read more bag love »

Popularity: 3% [?]

The Manolo is a Super Fantastic fashion journalist, I say. But in his shop of apparel, etc. featuring his well-known expressions, he attempts to sell very un-fantastic, plain manila, ill-shaped tote bags. They feature sayings like, “Manolo Says, Manolo Loves the Shoes! Super Fantastic!” I am sorry to The Manolo, I love The Manolo! but I want to point this out to the public, for he is treading (uphill) against my world of fashionable handbags.

I partially blame the Café Press. Just look at the floating look of the text on the back image. At least the self-design-and-sell service doesn’t offer shoes with text or images on them.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Sometimes, we like to show our obsessive love for bags and shoes on our apparel and accessories. (I’ve even created my own product line based around that! LaFashionista t*s.) Illustrated purses on our handbags might just be too much (as in too much print or cutesy). And in these bags, note the too little design in shape. But a handbag or a pump on a t-shirt is a great way to dress up when dressed down!

This Purse Print Novelty Tee by Liz Claiborne is adorable and so accurate, saying “addict.”

This top is available in Misses and Petites and just went on sale for $23.99!

Popularity: 4% [?]

Father’s day is the 19th of this month of June. It is the perfect excuse for we girls to take a look at the other side - the men’s designer accessories, specifically; wallets.

Coach, my favorite handbag designer, also creates fine leather wallets for men. Some have logos, some don’t, but all are fairly simple, yet oh, so sophisticated and full of class. If your father is like any man I know, his wallet is old and ratty. He needs a new one! Even if you can’t afford giving a Coach present to your dear old, this might give you ideas.

Pictured here is the Textured Coin Wallet. I like it for its large coin pocket. I also recommend the Textured Leather ID Wallet, the English Bridle Passcase ID Wallet, and the English Bridle Compact ID Wallet.

While you’re giving the thoughtful gift of sprucing up your dad (although, to me it seems self-helping, as well, to make those around you look good) you might want to suggest he forgoe the wallet-in-the-jeans’-pocket.

Our male peers tease us for carrying handbags, while they walk around with a lump in their pants - in the wrong spot.

(Feel free to suggest your favorite name-brand wallets for men, to be posted here.)

Popularity: 2% [?]