This Salvatore Ferragamo Leather Zip Hobo is so hot with supple leather, a rich tan color, and a soft hobo shape—but especially fab are those tassel-accented outer zippers. This could be the next tough-chic It bag, with a subtler twist. But can a lady fit a thing in those decorative pockets without bulking up the hobo? I’d suggest they be for aesthetic style, only, which is worth they’re being there. Featuring minimal golden hardware, TRIPLE, cascading zipper tassels, and Italian leather, it’s a covet-able beauty.

Unfortunately, only a yellow (saffron) color is left available, but at $990, we’re just looking, aren’t we?

Popularity: 1% [?]

I am not a fan of perforation, and I detest hearts on fashion, especially bags. But for a very inexpensive bag ($50) with genuine leather (”high quality”), this Gap bag has some perks to its perky, teeny, trendy look. The Perforated Mini Bag has a unique, large ring with large leather tassels (love those) hanging from the front flap. The single strap is nicely detailed with matching horseshoe-esque rings.

If you’re under 25, this could be a great casual bag. It has a carefree, yet hip, look, but with actual quality. Or you could get it for your teen-ager, because it’s less expensive and has a better look than the designer bags that cater or appeal to them. Win, win.

Popularity: 2% [?]

The Paddington Hobo!!! Behold! Preordering for $1,500 and available to ship on February 22nd is this great new addition to the line. The padlock rests upon a slouchy hobo top, and the body is in a luxe ivory-toned distressed leather, but the rest is all Paddington, babies, buckled gussets and all!

Get this: “Due to high demand, a customer may order no more than 3 units of this item every thirty days.”

I’m also deep in love with the Paddington Washed Lizard Bag. Let your eyes linger on the washed. It’s a beautiful thing; the washed luxury skin really does make for a gorgeous effect.

When leather is washed, it gives it a worn, almost suede-like look. And this is lizard, a rare leather.

This version is available, but unfortunately, for an incredible $7,200.

Of course, there are more Paddingtons to choose from … orr to daydream about.

Popularity: 2% [?]

After a day of being out, with my door closed, I returned to the aroma of leather filling my bedroom.

Ahhhh, I have a very obsessive shrine.

Popularity: 2% [?]

This isn’t an original article by me, as I am a new handbag collector. But I find this information so important, that I must pass it on.

I have a great handbag collection, but I’m not sure how to store it and keep the bags in good shape. Any tips?

Allow me to speak from experience about how the importance of proper handbag storage. For years, I shoved my bags into milk crates in my closet, and not surprisingly, they always ended up misshapen, scratched, stretched out—or, in the tragic case of one prized vintage Gucci bag—with the shoulder straps mangled and destroyed. I’ve learned my lesson, and now actually take tender, loving measures when it comes to caring for my bags. Here, some tips: (1) Store like-colored bags together: darks, brights, and pastels/lights. Then, further group by leather and suede. The point of all this is to make sure your black hobo doesn’t rub dye onto to your pale-pink clutch. Additionally, it makes it easier to find what you’re looking for. (2) Purchase acid-free tissue paper (archivalusa.com, $7.50 for 12 sheets; also available at any good art supply store), then loosely ball it up and stuff into any bag that needs to maintain its shape (ones made of extra-soft leather, like deerskin, or those that are slouchy or aren’t overly structured). (3) This may seem obvious, but store your bags in a cool, dark place. Keeping them out on a coat rack, the kitchen counter, the coffee table, or any place in direct sunlight will fade them faster than you might think. One of my favorite leather bags suffered such a fate. Read more…

Courtesy of Lucky Digital and Gigi Guerra.

This is sad for me, because I wished to display my more beautiful, yet less usable purses on shelves, and even ones I use but are designer and expensive, with them. My room doesn’t get too much light, but still it probably isn’t good.

And my closet is probably the tiniest in the free world. I organize it as best I can, it’s actually remarkable what I do with that little box. It’s in my room that’s smaller than the walk-in closet I plan to have when I buy my own condo, someday. Oh, such is life!

So … what can I do?

Well, one hope is that we have awaiting pick-up (and awaiting some organization by moi), a lovely armoire to match my room décor and to consolidate. That might solve some things, nicely.

But the article did not suggest many actual products for us. Here are some things I found:

Pictured is a set of canvas shelves to hang on a hanger, that includes shoe shelves! Ideal for full-height closets at 50″ tall. A second option is the Expanding Closet Shelf, which is much more suitable to those small closets with a shelf divider to make the most out of the space (like mine). Last, is the 8-Pocket Vinyl Handbag File, which might just do the trick, simply and basically.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Not I! Fanny packs make me cringe so much that I wouldn’t even have one buried deep in my closet, much less wear one. Although, I am ashamed to admit, but vaguely recall, that I had a kid’s version when I was little. Now older and hopefully, much fashion wiser, I know they’re one of the worst fashion disasters. Really, who wants to wear something that adds extra width to their waist and cuts their body visually in half?!

It continues to amaze me the amount of people who wear them and feel they look just fine, even great! I suppose they feel they’re being smart; you know, they have all the essentials close by they need wrapped around their waist, keeping their hands free. But, c’mon, there’s plenty of other options. It seems the majority of people who wear them are tourists, so might I suggest a chic shoulder bag, a fashionable tote or a cute backpack (but, be careful with backpacks; get a small, leather one). Just please, no more fanny packs!

Popularity: 3% [?]

When I was an interior design major in college, I had a professor that would occasionally dismiss class early so we could go get supplies for our next design project. Sometimes, I would go by myself to get them, but it was always so much more fun when two or three of us would go together. One of my design friends had a convertible, which was a treat to ride in since the rest of us didn’t have one nor had I ever ridden in one before college. There was something different and exciting about riding in a car that, with a push of a button, you could raise the hood up or down. That doesn’t seem so exciting to me now, but on a bright sunshiny day that I got out of class early, it did.

Well, this suede and canvas Acrobat Bag, available from Anthropologie, sure doesn’t resemble a convertible, but with the click of a couple clasps, it can be converted from a shorter handbag to a longer shoulder bag, which is exciting to me because that allows flexibility in how it can be carried. Selling for $228, it comes with two sets of removable straps that allow the convertibility. It measures 15″ l x 9″ h x 1.5″ d and has a nice fold-over flap that closes with a lobster clasp, giving this purse a relaxed, vintage feel.

Popularity: 4% [?]

While looking at some of the new handbags (and shoes!) popping up for spring, a few purses made from linen have caught my attention. I marvel at how a simple, humble fabric can be crafted into something of refined elegance. A shining example of this is Tod’s Paro Shopping Grande (13.5″ l x 10.5″ h x 7″ d) for $845 (that darn price tag again!). Woven linen trimmed with Italian leather and just a touch of polished silver hardware.

I look at this handbag and I sense calmness, which is probably caused by the softness of the white and grey together. I can just imagine a sophisticated woman carrying this on the weekend when maybe, just possibly, her life is slightly less hectic and she can relax a bit, all the while knowing she’s carrying an elegant and classic handbag.

Popularity: 2% [?]

This small photo of the Woven Tote by Francesco Biasia doesn’t do the purse justice; you really need to click on it to get the enlarged view where you can see the impeccable details. Beautiful white leather woven together in a basketweave, embellished with silver studs and grommets and supported by white leather straps.

At first, I was surprised I was drawn towards this purse—I tend to shy away from studs and grommets, but the more I looked at it, the more I appreciated and liked the design. Plus, the silver studs actually remind me more of delicate silver beads. The zigzag finishing along the top is a fabulous idea—love unique things like that!

There’s also a removable cotton bag inside which means if you happen to have a spill, it makes for easier clean-up. Measuring 15″ l x 10.5″ h x 6.5″ d, it’s being sold for $388. I really need to start looking at more handbags I can actually afford!

Popularity: 1% [?]

The Spring bags are on the shelves, loudly luring us with evil wiles, while we still reel in holiday debt. Even straw materials are offered now from high-end designers, with prices to match. I do enjoy an appropriately suitable straw bag come the heat of Summer, while I vacation and stroll cozy boutiques on a lazy Cape main street, but … it is just too early to truly want to invest so much money in such a thing, even though we know we’ll “need” it come August, at the point that will be too late! Also, I can’t fathom how steep the prices can be for simple raffia bags, such as this $1,200 Celine.

I wouldn’t even spend eBay Coach cash for such a limited and themed bag. Leave straw summer bags to the mid-range brands.

Now let’s talk real design raffia: The Felix Rey Beaded Clutch (above) has allover wooden beads on a rounded oval shaped clutch with kiss-lock closure. At the top and peeking through is golden woven raffia. Le divine! It’s only $120, but do we still have many places to wear it?

Popularity: 2% [?]