It’s your lucky day! Not only is there a Summer Sale occurring at Renée Davíde handbags, but they are offering Pursed Lips readers an extra 15% discount off the current sale prices!

To take advantage of this offer, visit the Renée Davíde web site and enter PursedLips15 in the comments section when you check out. The additional discount will not show up at checkout, but it will be taken off when your order is processed. This discount is available while inventory lasts in their summer sale!

The Renée Davíde line, founded by sister and brother Renée and Dave LaTulippe, offers bright and creative handbags made from luxurious leathers and linens. There are too many classic styles and gorgeous colors to choose from! Ella and I both like the Signature Satchel—Ella likes the green and “cherry,” while I prefer it in the wine color.

Popularity: 3% [?]

I recently discovered Marka handbags, which is a company that produces business and travel bags that not only serve their functions well, but are quite stylish and chic at the same time. This is a feat that is not always so easy to carry out considering the active lifestyles of most people. Functional bags need to be well-made, able to carry a lot and able to withstand a lot of wear and tear, but at the same time, they need to look nice.

Marka bags, founded by Molly Nelson and Katherine Walker Buxton, fill that handbag void of multipurpose bags that are at the same time, functional and pretty. The web site is fun to browse with bags divided by style, occasion and even a special section for laptop bags. There’s bags for work, travel, everyday and even some that would work for new moms. There’s lots of chic color choices and beautiful combinations of Italian leathers and woven fabrics. Plus, the bag prices span a wide range with some in the $100-dollar range and the most expensive around $425.

For a fun twist, check out the “ex-files” which showcases how the bags got their names. Not only are these bags chic, there’s a great sense of humor connected to them too!

Popularity: 2% [?]

Dutchy handbags are a recent discovery for me—I think several of their bags are really cute and I have to admit, the “Dutchy” name sparked my curiosity, so I decided to investigate. According to the handbag company’s web site, Audree Halasz (founder of Dutchy) has been designing and sewing her own handbags since 2001; after receiving lots of positive feedback, she officially began her own company in 2004. The name “Dutchy” comes from her father’s childhood nickname when the term “in dutch” referred to mischief.

The purses, which are all made from 100% genuine Italian leather, range in price from around $174 to $253 and come in several different sizes and styles. The bag featured above is the Nana Doc Medium ($253) and is available in off-white or a shimmery teal. I also really like the Nana Day bag ($174) that has a bit of a retro feel to it; the Nana Hobo ($205) is also a great choice—I love it in the Aloe Pearl color! Many of the company’s purses are featured on CoutureCandy, but be sure to check out the company’s own web site for a few extras!

Popularity: 2% [?]

I never desperately wanted to be a ballerina when I was a little girl, but I do remember there was a part of me that always wished I could have a pair of ballet shoes—there was something magical to me whenever I saw a ballerina dance across the stage with her princesslike tutu and those shoes that laced around her ankles.

Designer Sherry Wolf has created a purse, appropriately named the Ballerina Bag, that has that lacing effect on the side panels. Measuring 16.5″ l x 8″ h x 3.5″ d, it’s available for $540 and you have a choice of a multitude of colors. Made of Italian leathers, it features many pockets and is detailed on the outside with whipstitching. There’s also a Ballerina Tote available for $590.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Cute handbags made from recycled candy wrappers—is that possible?! At first I thought no, but after taking a peek at these handbags, I discovered the concept wasn’t as bad as I first thought.

Ecoist is a company striving to produce products that merge fashion with environmental awareness. Their handbags, which are available in several different styles and range in price from $28 for a small pouch to $238 for a large tote, are made from recycled candy wrappers, food packages and soft drink labels. The materials have been discarded because of printing defects or discontinued candy lines—inventive idea!

And if you’re searching for a specific color of purse, there’s even a section of the web site that allows you to search for purses divided by color.

Popularity: 2% [?]

For the girl who likes a little something different and unique, check out this crystal resin purse from z becky brown. Made in the USA, this box-shaped purse has open panels on each side that allow you to indulge your inner designer. How do you do that? Well, first you pick your purse, which is available with different-color lids and various handle and hardware options. Second, you pick a fabric insert—these come in a multitude of prints and colors ranging from summer grass to zebra skin.

Simply place your fabric inserts inside the open purse panels and you literally could have a different look every time you get the desire. Purses range in price from $68 to $104, while the fabric inserts cost $20. And, if you happen to be feeling a bit artsy, make your own inserts following the layout templates, available on the web site.

Popularity: 2% [?]

I’ll try to weekly feature bag-related posts from other Lipped Media blogs. Even though it’s my idea, I’m forgetful and sometimes, there will be no bags (the horror!).

This week we’re doin’ OK.

• Sharp Byte featured the Begeren Tribeca Laptop bag and Meg-pie didn’t like it that much, but I say she didn’t give it enough chance. I blame poor photography for the black not shining as it should, but just look at the mahogany; it’s supple, detailed; it really is the haute of laptop cases. I will admit that it, being slightly rugged, is not for everyone, especially with its haute pricetag.



• SJS from Style Spotlight pointed out that Jessica Simpson has a Louis Vuitton addiction; just look at that large piece of luggage she’s using as a handbag! Even I think she has a serious problem. (I should know.)
• Pet-Pet’s Darla Kitt loves the spunkier side of style, so she was drawn to a Tattooed Pet Carrier. It floats her boat, I say! I do actually love the little dress the doggie is wearing, though!
• While there was no actual handbag featured, I, yes I myself on Kiss Me, Stace, gave great advice to the fellow handbag addicted who are married. When you bring home your IT bag of joy, fear not for the husband not being thrilled. I give a tip! (It involves lingerie and heels.)

What a week! Ahhh, I love bags. I’m going to love this feature!

Popularity: 5% [?]

On the plane ride down to my last visit to Florida, I designed this bag. It is my perfect rendition of my dream double side belts/straps bag. Please click on the sketch to get a larger image with written descriptions (encouraged).

What I could someday do is get this bag made through a service, like Manolucci Custom Bags.

Even now, there’s great news. While there, I went to the Boca Town Center mall and was fervently preparing to drop a lot of cash for the preferred customer sale, when, near the end—I just barely glimpsed this bag in their catalog: a satchel with side belts with Soho buckles! It’s large with no (*fave*) brown leather version, but no matter! I took a chance to preorder the black! It happened almost like fate (with my mother swooping in to buy her own bag and help with cash.)

Since it arrived, I’ve loved this bag! (Of course, I’ve had some other new things to occupy my time, as well. 0;-)) But this bag looks so much better once owned. It slouches so beautifully, and now those store pictures can’t compare to the beauty that is my real-true-my bag.

I did preorder and it wasn’t in stores for some days since. And now I’m showing it to you: the Soho Leather Zip Satchel. Available in White or Black leather for $358 or Sand Pebbled Leather for slightly more at $398.

Realizing a dream and ending one manic search (plus adding in the bag in question being from my favorite design brand with Soho-recognizable buckles, and has great details—even the back) makes that cost priceless.

Popularity: 2% [?]

If you’re the type of girl who loves unique purses, look no further than this clutch by Hayden-Harnett. It’s certainly different than what I first picture when I think of a clutch, but that’s what makes it so cool! Measuring 12″ l x 9.5″ h x 2.5″ d, it’s part of the MERCER garment washed collection and it’s available for $253. Wear it on your shoulder with the hinged leather strap, or hide the strap and carry it by the chic belted handle—how adorable!

If you tend not to like clutches because they don’t hold enough for you, this clutch includes pockets for your cell phone and iPod—no more trying to squeeze your necessities into an itsy-bitsy compartment!

Popularity: 2% [?]

Have you ever bought a great purse for a party, only to struggle with it the entire evening either falling off your shoulder or having to continuously hold it in one hand? Designer Mary Rambin created the C.L.I.C.K. bag to solve your problem. It’s named after the essentials that every girl needs close by: Cell phone, Lip gloss, Identification, Cash and Keys.

Constructed with a unique strap design, the purse slides onto your wrist and actually stays there while you party the night away. Made from leather, these bags are a fun alternative to the regular clutches I might pick for a party and they come in several colors. I particularly like the metallics.

Popularity: 2% [?]