Functional and fun: check out this neat toiletries case from Anthropologie. It’s laminated in colorful paisley; attractive to all ages. The inside is lined with various useful pockets. What a fun way to travel in style! If only the pattern were sold on other travel pieces, it would attract focus on a luggage belt. It’s even cute enough to design the whole bathroom with, or place decorative pieces in a bedroom.

Popularity: 3% [?]

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: 2% [?]

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% [?]

Lulu Guinness offers different variations of feminine wallets, referred to as coin purses, on her website. Her designs, such as Lips and high heeled shoes, make us very pleased.

There’s a wallet for every occasion, but I prefer the look of the Card Case; I just love that small coin pocket clutch shape. I feel that its form compliments the lips design very well; it follows the angles of a lip!

There is also the Small Wallet, a Large Wallet, and the adorable kiss-lock Coin Purse.

This second design, also in the form of the attractive card case, is named “Fishnet” for it’s webbed stockings pattern. We love anything shoes as well as handbags!

Popularity: 2% [?]

Coach recently debuted their new “Signature Tie Dye” collection of handbags (reminiscent of their Holiday Patchwork collection). Some colors/styles are not all that attractive, but I kind of favor this Demi in brass/white. It has a bit of a silvery sheen with upscale-looking shimmery white Signature jacquard fabric, also with leather, patent and suede.

On the other end of the scale are the Patchwork bags, with

“calfskin, metallic leather, suede, metallic suede, tie dye signature fabric, Signature fabric, Mini Signature fabric”

They’re a bit of monstrosities, and I can’t imagine them really being “every day” or matching much. Are they even “any day?” I will admit, though, the Coach whore in me is almost drawn to the line. I wouldn’t look down upon anyone who really likes this bag enough to sport it, I’ll say that.

If you do like the Tie Dye, I’ll suggest a wallet. Just as expensive in some cases, but they carry a higher taste. It’s nice in pink and it’s the only item, I personally feel, which is nice in denim. (Many bags are nice in pink.)

So, no, I’m not going to tear this apart with a review, but I will say this about Coach; they know they can appeal to their biggest fans with such bags, which many are priced reasonably, and are exploiting it.

Popularity: 5% [?]

I’d heard of handbag hangers before, that hook onto restaurant tables and hold a lady’s purse, but I was concerned about them fitting to tote in my small handbags. Precious designer handbags are often petite, is there protection for them, too?

Yes, there is! These Handbag Hangers, from My Blue Feather, are fold able to fit flat “to fit perfectly in even the smallest evening bag,” and are small themselves. The length of the gold bar is 3″. The support bar (what the handbag would hang from) is 1″ and the diameter of the circle is 1 3/8″.

These nifty - and pretty - little hangers are made with genuine mother of pearl or abalone and set in gold-fill. So they’ll be pretty enough to be quite proud to display, themselves. You’ll be the lushest fashionista in the joint!

No more purses on your seat back, an extra chair, or even the (yuck!) floor.

Popularity: 2% [?]

This, Burberry’s “Candy Check iPod Case,“ is my favorite iPod case that I’ve seen.

I love a little suttin’ of Burberry. I love plaid (I’ve got some dork in me), and this case is subtle and lilac. It perfectly matches the cover on my Dell Pocket DJ (more storage capacity than iPod Mini), but sadly, being strictly made for the iPod Mini, at 4″ x 2″ x 1″, it is not big enough in width for the Pocket DJ. Wahh. Oh, well, since this little item is $150, my wallet will thank me. (Which is good, because I have a newfound desire to own more than one - more than two - wallets.)

Popularity: 4% [?]

Dooney & Bourke now offers bracelets, quite nice bracelets at that.

I’ve been swamped with work of both professional and college finals varieties, but I’m taking some time out to do this, also important, work. You matter! I’m late in bringing this news to you, but here it is.

Dooney offers

- Silver charm bracelets, with either heart or crystal (yep, not rhinestone) D B detail.
- Various color Nile (crocodile) bracelets with either DB or heart logos.
- A plain, colored, Nile band.

and more newly added:

- A gold or silver Interlock Heart Bracelet, with clear crystals.

Prices are not bad, ranging from $35 to $75. Personally, I plan on buying more quality jewelry, and I think it’s nice to have designer accessories so accessible (perhaps for my birthday). It’s also neat that there are different ranges of taste available, from cute to quite classy.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Great Expectations Straw Tote from Liz Claiborne

As you may have noticed, I am on the hunt for a summer / beach tote. I found the perfect mix of sophistication, summer hues and styling, and fun, youthful accents. Combine that with an affordable sale price, $49.99 down from $67, and we’ve got something here.

This faux croc trimmed, straw tote comes with bonus accessories; make-up bag and attached mirror/I.D. case combination, in a fun, bright paisley floral pattern, that also lines the interior of the bag. Like a little bit of whimsy for summer, but want to retain your Autumn sophistication? Keep it hidden inside the bag!

Popularity: 3% [?]

INSTYLE WRISTLET
Liz Claiborne has so many nice styles for great deals, but I especially couldn’t resist posting right away about this one. This sequined wristlet is so glitzy and cute. It comes in cool multi and warm multi, so there are two options for the perfect fit, depending on the purses you already own or your outfits. I almost can’t resist grabbing one for myself at $15 (off from $20), but my mom would kill me. If you go out on glamorous dates or girls’ nights out, you need a little number like this, though.

- 97% cotton/ 3% spandex
- 3 3/4″ H x 5 1/2″W X 1″D
- Twist snap closure silver tone
- Faux leather trim
- Wrist handle
- Detailed with beautiful sequins throughout

Popularity: 3% [?]