You know what I love about this Leather Shopper by Hogan? I love its clean and crisp feel. There’s no fancy frills or elaborate embellishments—just a creamy leather tote with a pop of blue trim, along with the perfect silhouette. What I don’t love is the price—$895. Regardless, this is one of those purses that reminds me that sometimes a moment of simplicity is just what we need, especially in the hustle and bustle activity of life.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Express got a recent shipment of items for Spring, among them were some interesting bags. The brand doesn’t have an online store, so when I find great items, I like to snap some camera photos and inform you all!

So summer-ready are the lukewarm-toned wooden beaded wristlets and beaded sack hobos. While showin’ some toesies and baring arms, it’s also fun to celebrate the sultry and carefree time with special accessories just for the momentous period; like espadrilles in shoes and for bags: raffia, straw, wood, bamboo and … and … the hot new trend: tortoise shell.

But Summer is also fleeting, so it’s great to participate in its trends for bags at stores like Express, with lower prices. Except with no online shop and an early stock primed to sell out, are we in the mood enough to brave these winter winds and snow flurries, in time to buy?

Popularity: 6% [?]

The I am Fashion girls question for the Carnivale of Couture is

Surprise darling! You have just won the lottery! How will you, the super fabulous fashionable blogger, spend your US$10m winnings? Tell us all about your money-spending plan!!

My plan would be to put my dream into actual motion: start a handbag design company. Yes, just like Mallory! And like Mallory, I practically could have said this myself:

“I’m pretty particular about things, so they’d have to be the best, which in turn would lead my handbags to become major sellers in the industry.”

Great minds! great … compulsive minds!

I was so excited when I saw that we had the same idea, I was inspired to work more on this thought.

The Basic Plan Ideas:

I’d decide which handbag line to open with (I want to have 3!). We’re assuming I don’t go for clothes, because handbags are my biggest weakness, therefore the first fantasy in mind.

Should I pick the line with the least expensive bags to make (the fabric, sometimes quirky-cute bag line)? Or the line that would send me straight to the IT list, with quality leathers and signature styling (not logo, but side belts [yes, that into them], side decorations & horizontal details, but not all one gimmick)? That’s an expensive one, though. Of course, there’s the one with my name all over: Elle, the line with jacquard signature bags (and some leather bags, of course, with a huge focus on outside/cell pockets). That might be best for being more known, and my alignment attention will make the bags expensive. I can’t decide, at this point.

All three will aim for *logical* pricing, practical wearability, lots of pockets with easy to reach cell phones, etc. I should fill needs in consumer’s shopping (and my own, quite importantly).

I would put together a team to help. I need a math person (maybe my best friend) to calculate and make sure every little thing on the bag is aligned right, symmetrical, standard, perfect. I need the fabrics expert, the studied designer. Then I need business people.

We invest in company trademarks and logo copyrights.

From there, we set up a studio and offices. Get a manufacturing team and design, business and techie employees. And we need seriously Monkish obsessive-compulsive inspectors (I can’t overview every bag!).

We get PR. Make a website. Etc. Etc.

Don’t ask for a monetary breakdown or even a solid business plan, at this point. I am so not that girl, and this is so not the medium! (Besides, The Bling Blog pointed out that after taxes, we only have $6.5M. Well, I don’t know if that’s the same in all states, I know nothing of such sorts. So forget that!)

But I can dream about when things take off, and how many levels I can take it to. Then I go nuts!

I could go on and on … but it’s depressing thinking about it in technical terms when it’s fantasy, and not just my ideals that keep me urgently dreaming. It’s all depressing in the end, because I am definitely not winning the lottery (well, there’s a big jackpot, tonight!). But who knows, I could work hard and earn enough income. But it won’t be like a fantasy!

Now, read Mallory’s dream plan for this money, it’s much more breezy!!

And you really must read my more detailed, general plan on Kiss Me, Stace, which includes a few things about my clothing and shoe design ideals!

Popularity: 5% [?]

I admit, I’m not a fan of purses made entirely from beads. Beads can be gorgeous as embellishments and sparkly details, but I always fear that a purse made from beads will snag on something or get too much inside it and the purse will fall apart. So, it’s only natural that I’m not a fan of the new Samoa Hobo by The Sak, especially in the bright colors. I know beads are a big part of the popular bohemian look, but this one just isn’t for me. One pull at the handle and I picture myself chasing beads as they roll across the floor!

As a side note, I have to mention that I love The Sak’s new ad campaign featuring the little chick!

Popularity: 4% [?]

Delight, the blog that shops and discovers new delightful things, has discovered and featured Pursed Lips, with a focus on our speak out against knockoffs!

Do you know how to spot a knock-off Coach from the designer original? We didn’t either - that is, until we checked out Pursed Lips and its super-interesting “knock-off speak-out” section. That’s right, this site covers buying designer bags on eBay and even profiles some fantastic sales and new styles. If you’re interested in spending some hard-earned cash on a designer bag, stop by for the full scoop. ‘Cause if it’s a deal that seems too good to be true, maybe it is.

Thanks for the compliment, but we’d like to remind visitors that Pursed Lips is a total handbag blog, literally obsessively covering the hottest styles!

Popularity: 3% [?]

The ladies of I am Fashion are hosting this week’s Carnivale of the Couture VII and the thought-provoking topic is: Surprise darling! You have just won the lottery! How will you, the super fabulous fashionable blogger, spend your US$10m winnings? Tell us all about your money-spending plan!!

There are so many directions I could go with this amount of money; my head is swirling with ideas, but I’ll try to limit them. First of all, to satisfy the sensible side of me, I would immediately pay off my car and college loans and invest part of the money. I would also share the wealth and give some to my parents and brother.

But with the rest, I would have some fun! I would take some of the money and start my own handbag design company, making beautiful purses in gorgeous fabrics and hiring people to help me. I’m pretty particular about things, so they’d have to be the best, which in turn would lead my handbags to become major sellers in the industry.

Of course, I would have to take a large sum of my winnings and go on a shopping spree with my mom, buying things that I know I will never buy with my current income such as the Dolce & Gabbana Drawstring Shopper, the Miu Miu Buffalo Frame Bag, the Chloé Paddington Hobo and the Marc Jacobs Daria Shoulder Bag. Even though I love purses, I’d have to buy some new shoes and clothes, such as these ballerina slippers, these leather slides, this jacket, this skirt and how about a cute little dress.

This is actually a very difficult task trying to decide what to do with that much money, but I doubt I’ll ever have that problem.

Popularity: 4% [?]

With a purse that measures 15.5″ l x 8.5″ h x 5″ d, you’re probably going to be carrying a lot and you’re not going to want to be struggling with a zipper. That’s one of the best things about Kenneth Cole’s Make The Braid Large Hobo—it has a drawstring closure with a covered magnetic snap tab inside, making the purse much easier to get into when you’re searching for something. It also has three interior pockets, including one for your cell phone, which we all know is very important.

This purse, available for $301.95, also has lots of detail, including braided leather, pleats along the front, back and bottom, and the same gorgeous light blue leather trim inside. I always think it’s a good sign of well-thought design when the inside of a purse is just as pretty as the outside.

Popularity: 3% [?]

I don’t consider myself a diva, but that doesn’t mean I can’t carry the Diva Satchel by Guess, right? Made from Italian leather, it measures 16″ l x 8″ h x 4.5″ d and is available for $225. This purse comes with a detachable shoulder strap and while I like the versatility of that option, I much prefer carrying this handbag by the twisted handles. I’ve been seeing several purses lately with twisted handles and I’m really liking the look. My only wish for this purse is that it didn’t have the “Guess” logo tag hanging right there on the front—of course, I probably wouldn’t mind it at all if my name were “Grace” or “Gillian” and it would just look like an initial tag!

Popularity: 3% [?]

Satchels are my favorite style of purses and one of the reasons is that the straps are usually short, yet just long enough that I can fit them over my shoulder, leaving my hands free to shop, of course! The handles on this Vintage Tan Satchel look like the perfect fit, unless I’m wearing something with more bulk, such as a winter coat.

Plus, check out that price—$139! That’s a really great price for a leather purse with this much style. It features the popular side straps that Ella has been dreaming about, but at 14.5″ l x 7″ h x 4.5″ d, I think it’s a bit wider than what she’s looking for. It also has a beautiful mix of colors with light tan trimmed with a yummy dark brown and highlighted with goldtone hardware. Staying true to its name, it also features hammered stud details that help give the purse a bit of vintage style.

Popularity: 5% [?]

I recently spotted Kate Spade’s Arabella Jocelyn clutch in a recent magazine and since I hadn’t spent a lot of time on her site lately, I decided to look around. Of course, the previously mentioned clutch was not only completely out of my price range ($945), but also on backorder. But, I was not disappointed when I happened upon the Lexington Ava clutch, which is only $195. Still expensive for most of us, but not completely out of reach.

This clutch (12.3″ l x 5.5″ h x 1.7″ d) caught my attention because it looks so much like springtime, which I’m really into right now because I’m looking forward to a vacation in March! The white raffia with yellow calfskin trim looks so fresh and light, plus it’s lined with a bright paisley print. It’s very easy to see how this purse was partially inspired by the annual Kentucky Derby, since I can quickly picture it among the vast array of elaborate and embellished hats. But for those of us who probably will never attend the Kentucky Derby, we can still easily pair this clutch with a great pair of jeans or an adorable full skirt!

Popularity: 5% [?]