I’m back in it baby. Back big with COACH. Less signature, though, and more quality, durable leathers.

See, two “quality” brand bags I recently bought started to tear or otherwise fall apart on me and I’ve given up on Wilson Leather’s either plainness or copying high design. Bleh. And COACH is what I can afford (only almost, at the rate I buy, but whatev!), and they can make some really nice details, and even some signatures are done well. They aren’t perfect, but I have to stick with them.

I visited the COACH Factory Store for the first time. No signature products, really, at all. And no shoes. I had wanted to browse shoes and signature wallets (so I turned to eBay). I did see two pebbled leather satchels that I had seen before on eBay. I bought them from the site (ordered green, then divulged in the black) and I did save money from even the outlet prices (and some on shipping).

Also, the start of COACH’s Preferred Customer days came while I was away and at the Boca Raton mall. I went to town. My mother even bought a bag. I preordered a very special bag and also splurged on three small goods. Although, I realized they weren’t exactly, quite perfect for me, and I’m trading them for just two and for less money on eBay (yeah, the signature wallet and a matching wristlet). But the bag, the bag is all mine. Stay tuned for more, because it’s not available on retail, yet.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Another great hobo! Cynthia Rowley is one of my favorite designers, yet I can’t remember ever posting about one of her handbags before, so I think it’s about time. Made from leather, the Cherie Soft Hobo measures 18″ l x 9″ h x 5.25″ d and is a gorgeous soft blue. I love the color combination and the strap details. The rounded shoulder strap and gathered body allow the hobo to nestle underneath your arm, which is good when you don’t want your purse moving around a lot. It’s available for $328.95.

Popularity: 2% [?]

I’m leaving on vacation this week and I have to admit, I really don’t like the travel bag I’m using. So, I’ve decided I need to buy a new one before my next trip—maybe this weekender bag. I discovered it the same time I found the Floral Catchall I previously posted about.

Available in brown or red, it’s $240 and has several inner and outer pockets. I’m going to be gone for less than a week, so the size (18″ l x 14″ h x 8.5″ d) would accommodate most everything—well, come to think of it, I might need two. I always end up taking more than I need—I’d rather have more than suddenly decide I need something I didn’t bring!

Popularity: 4% [?]

Since we all can’t afford expensive handbags all the time, it’s nice to stumble upon a purse that looks stylish and is incredibly affordable. The Worthington Tote with python handles is currently on sale for $23.99! It’s made from linen and cotton with PVC trim and handle. It measures 15″ l x 7.5″ h x 8.75″ d and features on-trend details such as the metallic handles and a strap with gold hardware.

Popularity: 4% [?]

The fabrics on Orla Kiely’s designs are always fun and full of color, including this Floral Catchall. Measuring 7″ l x 4″ h x 2.5″ d, this is a perfect piece to carry inside a larger bag. It has two compartments with pockets inside that will help keep you organized. And it’s waterproof, so you can store makeup inside it and not have to worry if anything spills. Plus, if you’ve never tried an Orla Kiely bag, this is a great place to start for only $68.

Popularity: 3% [?]

DenverPost Blog House: Reading Janse’s book (The Germ Freak’s Guide to Outwitting Colds and Flu : Guerrilla Tactics to Keep Yourself Healthy at Home, at Work and in the World) allowed me to come out of the germ closet with built-in support. Alison, along with co-author Charles Gerba, showed 20/20 how dirty bathrooms really are.

Not surprisingly, the floors were by far the dirtiest, with 200 million bacteria per square inch. This is 200 times higher than a sanitary surface.

Well, if you’ve ever had to put your purse or bags on the floor it affects you. The dynamic germ duo found fecal matter on the bottom of a woman’s purse. Makes you think twice before you lay your purse on the kitchen table, doesn’t it?

Many people don’t wash their hands, either. I witnessed this last week, at school. (After leaving the ladies room, having washed, myself, I used my antibacterial lotion.)

But the purse on the floor thing made this to be my issue. Bathroom floors actually have fecal matter and traces of urine. I won’t go into pondering how they get there.

I’m shocked and appalled when/that people put their handbags on any floor, but the bathroom!!!! I have never done that. I have always only used stalls with a hook on the door. Now I’m afraid to go in at all, touching myself or my things to any surface. I was told that sink counters are infected with bacteria. Now going to the ladies room is a horrifying ordeal, with juggling my coat and large school tote, and getting too wet at the sink.

Oh, the humanity!

And, people, never rest your handbag on the floor! Use a chair or even one of those special hangers!

For chic’s sake!!!

Popularity: 5% [?]

I own a tweed blazer that has little bits of pink, yellow, blue and green in it—my little brother likes to joke that it looks like an Easter egg. Now every time I pull it out to wear, I think of that and it usually ends up staying in the closet.

Well, I may not want to wear something that looks like an Easter egg, but I sure don’t mind carrying a purse with Easter-egg colors. The fabric on this Val Tote by Lauren Merkin reminds me a little of my tweed blazer, except my blazer doesn’t have so much pink in it and the colors are more subtle. Priced at $350 and measuring 16″ l x 12″ h, it features two interior pockets, a magnetic snap closure and bright pink double handles. Perfect to carry as a creative work tote, I think this would also make a cute weekend travel bag.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Too many pretty prints everywhere! I’m usually the girl that wants the solid-colored leather handbag with unique details—I’m not usually the girl who wants the cool printed canvas bag, but I’m beginning to think that needs to change. It seems like everywhere I look lately, I’m seeing another printed fabric purse that begs me to pick it up, buy it and carry it home. The Nola Bali Bag is a fine example of that—I love the color, the print, the yarn piping and the double bamboo handles. Measuring 20″ l x 12″ h x 6.25″ d, it’s $355 and is currently available on pre-order with a ship date of no later than May 15. This would look so adorable with jeans on the weekend!

Popularity: 2% [?]

Coach’s preferred customer 25% off sale event for the Spring season is Wed. March 22 - Sun. March 26.

25% off is actually a good deal with Coach. I think you’ll feel the biggest bang for your buck going for big ticket items.

During this special sale, it is worth purchasing over through eBay bargain hunting, because you don’t have to deal with searching, bidding, and shipping. Plus, you can touch and try.

If you haven’t received an invite, then you’re excluded, but there’s still hope for Coach fans. Start buying a few Coach items every so often, now, and you could be added in time for next season. The best part is that purchases during these periods, only, will keep you on the list!

Note, this event is only valid in store and does not include outlets.

Popularity: 2% [?]

In recent news, contrary to what seems to be eBay’s policies as in writing, eBay has spoken out in refusal to remove counterfeit auctions and denied responsibility to monitor authenticity of sellers’ items.

New York Times News Service — SAN FRANCISCO - EBay refused to remove hundreds of listings for [knockoff butterfly brooches]. It said it had no responsibility for fakes, because it was nothing more than a marketplace that links buyers and sellers.

EBay, based in San Jose, Calif., argues that it has no obligation to investigate counterfeiting claims, unless the claim comes from a ‘rights owner,’ a party holding trademark or copyright. A mere buyer who believes an item is a fake has almost no recourse.

Experienced eBay users say that the fraud goes well beyond eBay’s official numbers, and that counterfeiters easily pass off fakes in hundreds of categories.

This means jeans, jewelry, handbags, almost anything, can be fake. Buyer beware; only buy from a seller who offers to give refund if an item is counterfeit, and get everything authenticated by an official retailer (not department stores).

Popularity: 4% [?]