Archive for August, 2008

Sunday, August 31st, 2008

All Work and No Play, Makes a Dull Joy

A friend of mine (Joy), who is a real estate agent, told me that she wanted a black bag that wasn’t boring. She told me that so many of the women at her company have Louis Vuittons that it was like part of the dress code. And being that she never really liked the whole brown thing anyway she wanted me to recommend her a great black leather bag. I couldn’t be happier to recommend one of Rioni’s Devotion Collection bags because it was perfect for her, it was all black leather with stained brass hardware outside and had a racy animal print lining inside. It was a bag that said, “I’m all business but I am still not afraid to have some fun!” She was getting so many compliments and the people that knew her kept on saying that the bag was meant for her. I love playing match maker don’t you? =)

Saturday, August 30th, 2008

Kitamura Handbags of Japan

Besides their Kamakazi pilots, ninjas, and amazing electronics, Japan is also known for their strong influence in the fashion industry. So today I will be talking about “Kitamura,” a Japanese handbag company.

It all began the other day when I was chatting with my friend from Japan. We were just having a good time catching up with one another and within only a few minutes into our conversation, we began talking about handbags. Girls; got to love them! She started discussing the changing trends in fashion and how she noticed that all the big bags seemed popular nowadays. And finally we somehow got onto the subject matter of handbags in Japan. She was telling me about a handbag brand in Japan by the name of “Kitamura.” She said it was comparable to “Coach” and that everybody recognized their signature “K” on the bags. Most of their bags consisted of leather in many different colors. The price range was also pretty reasonable too (ranging from $100 - $300 USD). Now, for the pictures…

Sorry girls, I have bad news… I couldn’t find any pictures of their handbags because I couldn’t find them on our USA search engines. However, I am going to ask my friend to send me some pictures. So once I receive the images, I will post them up immediately! Patience is a virtue, so hang tight.

Saturday, August 30th, 2008

Man-made purse using a book!

 

Ever thought what a purse would look like if a man made it? No, I don’t mean Marc Jacobs; I mean your typical Do-It-Yourself (DIY) man. While browsing some websites for some DIY projects I stumbled on a YouTube video which I thought was clever. Apparently, the guy in this video made a step by step process of how to make a handbag using primarily just an old book.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4RFH0q0Osk

There are tons of videos on how to make different style handbags but I thought this one definitely took the cake for uniqueness. If I were to make one of these, I would use fabric straps instead of the plastic handles but that’s just my preference.

Saturday, August 30th, 2008

Solar Powered Handbag

         

Who would have thought? This is definitely the first time I’ve heard of such a thing. Don’t be misled by the name. It doesn’t light up the bag, but helps powers and charge gadgets that you may need energy for inside your bag, such as cell phones.

This bag is completely made with mini solar panels covering the entirety of the bag.  The bag was designed by Joe Hynek a student at Iowa State University. The bag uses solar sun rays and then converts it into electricity. The power is sent through a circuit linked to two batteries hidden inside the lining of the bag and to a USB port. The bag needs about two full hours in the sun to fully charge a cell phone, but it can also charge small devices such as cameras and organizers. When the batteries are fully charged they can last up to a month.

This item hasn’t fully hit the markets for consumers yet, however it as an estimated price of $300 which is not too shabby. There are predictions that they want the product out by the end of the year. I’m not sure if I would carry it, but it is definitely eco-friendly, which is always a plus.

Saturday, August 23rd, 2008

Handbags & Politics

                           

I’m sure the mention of handbags does not necessarily suggest politics to you, however politics are involved is so much of our daily lives that we don’t even know it. Depending on the handbag you carry, the designer name that’s printed on the front, all screams class and social status. Politics are everywhere!

I was reading on the upcoming elections, and what do I find but some very interesting news. The celebrity designer, Timmy Woods is creating a Barack Obama inspired handbag for women. Once finished the first one will be given to the current Senator’s wife. The bag is supposed to be a representation of the signs seen at his rallies, speeches, and events. His bags have been featured in shows like Sex in the City. This bag will be made of Acacia wood and portions of the sales will go to charity.

There is no expected date of release or a ballpark price on the bag yet, but you can bet it will be pricey. I’m not sure how popular this bag will be. Any thoughts?

Wednesday, August 20th, 2008

Sale at Net-a-Porter!

Sales will turn my frowns upside down, that much is for sure. And now, I’m all smiles because Net-A-Porter is giving us a very nice summer sale…

For the rest of August, you can get an additional 20% off of items in their Summer Clearance section. Some of these items are already up to 40% off… now take off that additional 20% at checkout… That’s a pretty sweet deal, wouldn’t you agree?

It’ll tell you on the site which items are eligible for the additional 20% off, and all you’ll have to do is enter the promo code “summer” at the checkout and voila! Beautiful designer handbags, shoes, clothes, or accessories at a beautifully low price. Don’t miss out of this great sale! It ends on Sunday, August 31st!

Tuesday, August 19th, 2008

Want to Try Something Unique & Different?

RIONI offers a vast selection of designer handbags to ensure that you may continue to be the unique and special individual you are set out to be. That is why today I will be narrowing my focus on a special bag from RIONI’s Safari Collection. This bag is sure to make a strong fashion statement wherever you are in the world. Introducing the RIONI - Safari (Large Sling Messenger)…

This Messenger Bag is great for many reasons. The RIONI – Safari was designed to stand out with its one-of-a-kind textured Italian leather. Lined with a light-weight silky smooth rich black satin, not only is the bag extremely light-weight, it is also durable and sturdy. The design does remind me of the Amazon jungles, but that’s why I’m digging it! I also like the fact that the entire shoulder strap has bullets (holes) so you can adjust the strap to be worn in any fashion. For example, I could simply extend the strap to be worn as a bag across the body or even shorten the strap to be worn as a one-sided shoulder bag. The bag is also flat; therefore, when the bag is being worn, there isn’t any unnecessary bulk by your waist.  But, don’t underestimate the flatness of the bag, for this Messenger Bag can pack a sack lunch, a can of soda, cosmetics, a matching wallet, and still have plenty of extra cargo room to spare. Also, another plus factor of this bag is that it contains both a rear zipper pocket on the outside and an inner zipper pocket on the inside. What else can you ask for… this bag has it all!

RIONI – Safari (Large Sling Messenger) $210
RIONI – Safari (Checkbook Wallet) $78
Grand Total: $288 for the matching set.

In my humble opinion, a great bargain!

Saturday, August 16th, 2008

The Way You Close Your Bag

     

Does how your handbag closes or doesn’t close play a part in your purchasing decision? Well, if not then it probably should. Often we buy our handbags based on how they look, but I’ve noticed that some designers create their handbag in such a way the closure of the bag is non-practical or even nonexistent.

Types of Closures:

>Top Zip: This method is very practical and probably found on most handbags on the market. It’s a simple top zipper that secures all your items. This is best if you tend to drop you bag a lot. This method is also easy to open if you need to get something out of your bag. If you like this kind, I suggest looking for bags that have an extended tab, charm, or keychain on the end of the zipper to make for even easier opening and closing.

>Tab Snap Closure: This type is mostly open. Think of it as like a dog collar type that runs across the length of the bag and snaps close. This is definitely not one of my favorites. If you tend to leave you bag lying around or drop it by accident, things will come falling out. Plus it doesn’t look too attractive.

>Flap Over: There are usually two kinds of flap over closures. One is just with the flap itself and the second type has a top zip closure with the flap over. I think flap over closures become quite a hassle because they make it harder to get into your bag when you need to get something quick such as your cell phone or your wallet at the cash register.

>Open:  Bags that tend to be open without any type of closure are usually large totes. These are easy to get into and are best for trips. I like to keep a bag like this organized and secure by placing smaller zipped cosmetic bags inside that hold wallets and keys. This way you don’t lose all of your items.

>Layover: This type of closure is usually found slouchy or large hobos. The tops tend to have over extended fabric from the bag that lay over each other nicely. There’s nothing that securely closes your bags, however none of your personal items are in plain view. This is easy to get into and aesthetically pleasing. If you’re not the clumsy type I would recommend this bag for fashion and practicality purposes.

>Magnetic Closure: This type is one of my favorites because I like to get in and out of my bag quickly. Magnetic closures tend to be a singular disc placed in the middle towards the top of the bag. While it doesn’t securely close the length of a bag like a zipper, it does keep everything in its place if you accidentally drop your bag. The big plus is you can get into your bag a lot faster than a zipper top with the security that’s almost just as good.

Let me know if you’ve found the perfect bag closure top because the little things do matter in a handbag!

Thursday, August 14th, 2008

The Italians Do It Best!

Besides pizza and mafia gangsters, the Italians are also well known for their leather. Did you know that Italian leather is considered the highest quality and most expensive leather on the market? Well, of course there is a reason for this factoid. Read on…

First of all, the composition of Italian leather is significantly different that other types of leather. Many different types of leather are derived from cow hide, while the majority of Italian leather is derived from ostriches. Shocked? Well, it’s true. That is one of the primary reasons why Italian leather is so much more costly and unique compared to other generic leather.

Secondly, Italian leather consists of a different texture compared to other types of leather.  This is because the Italians only use the best—“full grain” leathers. The full grain leathers are considered the first and most-top layer of the hide. The uppermost layer is the most durable and soft to the touch; also, the most expensive. J Other leathers come from underneath; which are less expensive and less supple.

Finally, Italian leather is natural. What the heck is the difference between “natural” and unnatural leather? Well, natural leather simply means that the leather is adaptable and responsive to the environment. Natural Italian leathers will caramelize or darken over time. The natural leather is like human skin—exposure to sunlight will cause it to tan and darken. The natural oils from within the leather will emerge outwards to the surface; giving the leather an incredibly rich and expensive look.

I hope this post was educational. This concludes our lesson for today brought to you by “Italian Leather Basics 101.”

Wednesday, August 13th, 2008

True love?

 

My oh my. With this Christian Louboutin Braided Clutch, it’s love at first sight.

The burgundy patent leather is just so beautiful. The color of it just makes me weak in the knees. It was the first thing to catch my eye. The two outside zippers make it quirky and unique. It makes the handbag stand out even more. I love the pleated detail and I truly believe that the braided handle is the perfect touch.

The love of my life is just so very gorgeous.