And It All Started
with a Tweet: Mk Totem
December 15th, 2011 By

A simple tweet led me to Mk Totem and I am thanking the social media gods for it. Leather goods, like totes and envelope clutches, all at a contemporary price point? You had me at leather goods. I’m eyeing a saturated red coin purse that boasts heavy fringe, and an uber ’80s one-shouldered knapsack which is perfect for my non-existent bike. Plus, their logo is super-duper cool: Simple and and not overly flashy, just like the bags.

coin Pouch with FringeShoulder Sac

started with a tweet, l-r: COIN POUCH WITH FRINGE, $97.00; ONE SHOULDER SAC, $360.00; available at Mk Totem.

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We’re Always Stockpiling:
Roomy Totes
October 31st, 2011 By

roomy toteswe’re always stockpiling roomy totes, l-r: NEED SUPPLY CO. NO 9 MASTERTEX-CANVAS, $245.00; NEED SUPPLY CO. FIELD BAG, $125.00, both available at Need Supply Co.

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Having Their Moment:
Backpacks
September 30th, 2011 By

Grown-Up Backpacks

having their moment: backpacks, l-r: MILITARY INSPIRED STYLISH BACKPACK, $29.99, available at Amazon Marketplace; L.L. BEAN MAINE GUIDE LEATHER RUCKSACK, $229.00, available at L.L. Bean; ADIDAS BY STELLA McCARTNEY BACKPACK, $130.00, available at net-a-porter.

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Totally Smitten: Boticca.com September 29th, 2011 By

So, admittedly, I have a bit of a jewelry problem, which is why I just spent the better part of two hours looking at every single page on this UK-based site (good news for us here in the states, they ship worldwide). It’s like a global bazaar for little-known designers, and everything feels one of a kind (often, the items are). Trouble, trouble.

 

clockwise, l-r :JOLITA JEWELLRY “RHEA” NECKLACE, $184.00, Boticca.com; STEVEN HARKIN “BOHO” EVENING BAG, $212.00, Boticca.com, HELEN RUTH “TITIANA” SCARF, $208.00, Boticca.com, PAULA MENDOZA “ERUPCION” RING, $500.00, Boticca.com.

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Crushing on:
Chevron Prints
September 26th, 2011 By

chevron prints l-r: OLIVE WOOD SALAD SET: $21.75, Amazon Marketplace; COLE HAAN JITNEY TOTE: $158.40 (20% off), Zappos.com; TOSS PILLOW IN VILLAGE GREEN (SET OF 2): $31.90, Amazon Marketplace; TROUVE BEHAVE SANDAL, $54.90 (50% off), Nordstrom; PLATINUM ZIGZAG ACCENT PLATE (SET OF 4): $39.99, Mikasa; HOUSE OF HARLOW 1960 WRAP RING: $30.00, Endless.com; PARKER ZIGZAG SHIRTDRESS: $242.00, CUSP.

 

Must Haves:
Daytime Clutches
August 18th, 2011 By

Whether it’s a lunch date with your main squeeze, or a summer bbq with your most stylish friends, daytime clutches are a fun way to make you look casual yet pulled together. Of course, avoid these pretty clutches when you go shopping – your hands will be full otherwise.

Milan Stripe Clutch1

Ecote Embroidered Leather Clutch1

TOP PICKS:

1. Ecote Embroidered Leather Clutch, $49.99 at Urban Outfitters (featured)
2. Milan Strip Clutch, $38.00 at Nasty Gal (featured)
3. BCBG Edith Clutch, $68.00 at Macy’s
4. Cleobella Valetta Clutch, $220.00 at Beauty.com
5. Kimchi & Blue Etched Clutch, $9.98 at Urban Outfitters

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The Best Weekend Bags July 15th, 2011 By

Sometimes, taking a weekend off is totally necessary. Forget the dry cleaning, and don’t run those errands; you need to get out of town for the weekend—fast! We know you’re packing the cutest duds and accessories this summer, but the overnight weekend bag you’re packing them in is equally important.

Franklin Covey Weekender Duffel Bag by BodhiHalsea Little Harbor Weekend BagSomething stylish and sleek, but sturdy enough to throw into the trunk or the overhead bin is ideal. A classic carry-all like the Franklin Covey Weekender Duffel Bag, pictured on left, is perfect. The buttery leather detailing, the heavy canvas and metal rivets make this weekend bag a worthy investment. Not to be outshone, we also like pretty printed weekend bags like the Halsea Weekend Bag which has a unique bamboo print. Add to that a dash of red for the straps, and you have got yourself the prettiest weekend bag in (or out of) town.

SHOP IT: Trend: Weekend Bags >

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How to: Packing Tips
for Your Summer Trips
July 13th, 2011 By

Summer is a time for relaxing, having fun, and traveling.  When you’re about to hit the road, the last thing you want to do is have to worry about what to bring with you.  Today, we have several tips that will help make packing for your next summer trip a breeze.

Fossil Key-Per Weekender BagTIP 1: Start with a color palette or theme to narrow your selection of what items to pack.  Whether you choose shades of blue, all neutrals, or earth tones, packing accessories becomes much easier with limited options once you decide on a color palette.

TIP 2: Include versatile pieces that can be worn several times during your trip such as a straw tote, wedge sandals, Bermuda shorts or a lightweight jersey dress.

TIP 3: carry a travel size version of your daily beauty essentials in your carry-on bag to save space.

TIP 4: If you’re traveling by plane, wear bulky items like your jacket, pants and sneakers so you don’t have to stuff them in your luggage.

TIP 5: Having a great weekend bag is essential for a fun and easy summer trip.  Having enough space is manditory, and a unique bag can help you find your luggage quickly in a crowd.

BONUS FEATURE: Find out what our jet set editor’s are packing this summer!

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Summer White Bags May 27th, 2011 By

Memorial Weekend is here so now you can break out your white sandals, white jeans and white bags for summer!  We don’t usually stick to the rules of wearing white because when it comes to fashion, there are no rules!  If it makes us look and feel good, we buy it.  White bags are a great summer investment since they can be worn with just about everything.  Check out some of our top picks and let us know your favorite.

BCBGMAXAZRIA Antique White Leather Femme Fatale Crossbody Bag, $198.00 $119.00 (40% off) at Bluefly

BCBGMAXAZRIA Antique White Leather Femme Fatale Crossbody Bag

kate spade new york Victoria Falls Madeline Ostrich Shoulder Bag, $525.00 at Bloomingdales.com

kate spade new york Victoria Falls Madeline Ostrich Shoulder Bag

Alexander Wang Jade stingray, leather and suede wristlet, $795.00 at Net-A-Porter

Alexander Wang Jade stingray, leather and suede wristlet

Rebecca Minkoff Main Squeeze Foldover Crossbody Bag, $395.00 at Nordstrom

Rebecca Minkoff Main Squeeze Foldover Crossbody Bag

B. Makowsky Sadie Drawstring Shoulder Bag, $328.00 at Nordstrom

B. Makowsky Sadie Drawstring Shoulder Bag

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Top 5 Linen Bags April 30th, 2011 By

On our radar right now are summer-worthy linen bags.  Foley + Corrina, Fendi and Tory Burch are just a few of the designers who’ve picked up the fabric and added their own twist.  It was so hard to choose just 5 for this feature.  A few other we would’ve liked to include are the Nanette Lepore Linen and Leather Bag and the iconic Fendi Linen Zucca Baguette Shoulder Bag.  Which is your favorite?


Oryany Whitney Italian Linen WH776 Hobo, $425.00

Oryany Whitney Italian Linen WH776 Hobo

Etienne Aigner Venice Linen Satchel, $80.00

Etienne Aigner Venice Linen Satchel

Foley + Corinna Bora Hobo, $235.00

Foley + Corinna Bora Hobo

Fendi Medium Roll Bag, $840.00 at Nordstrom

Fendi Medium Roll Bag

Tory Burch Tory Turnlock Small Tote, $495.00 at Tory Burch

Tory Burch Tory Turnlock Small Tote

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Eco-Friendly Envirosax Shopping Bags April 23rd, 2011 By

Envirosax is helping to create a better future for our planet by spreading the environmental message through eco-friendly reusable bags.  Envirosax shopping bags are lightweight, portable, waterproof, and each one holds the equivalent of two supermarket plastic bags.  We love that there are so many colorful designs to choose, with more collections introduced each season. 

Envirosax Nomad Bag #3, $8.50Envirosax - Nomad Bag #3

Envirosax Organic Series Shopping Bag, $25.00

Envirosax Organic Series Shopping Bag

Envirosax Animal Planet Kids Pouch Bags (Set of 3), $19.99

Envirosax Animal Planet Kids Pouch Bags

Envirosax La Boheme Pouches (Set of 5), $40.00Envirosax La Boheme Pouches

Envirosax Oragami Pouches (Set of 5), $37.95Envirosax Oragami Pouches

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Top 5: Eco-Friendly Bags April 22nd, 2011 By

We love Earth Day and would like to share with you some of our favorite eco-friendly bags.  There are more and more designers out there who are conscious about the products they distribute, and how their products impact the environment.  We appreciate sustainable accessories that we can feel good about wearing without compromising our style.  We’d love to hear about some of your favorite eco-friendly brands, too, so please share in the comments.

A Cared for World Bag by Collina Strada, $254.99 $223.99 (12% off), is made from organic canvas and leather.

A Cared for World Bag by Collina Strada

amykathryn Snap Dragon Terra, $39.00 $31.20 (20% off), is made from animal-friendly & eco-conscious custom printed ultra suede fabric.

amykathryn Snap Dragon Terra

Amerileather Eco Recycled Leather Tote, $62.99, is made from recycled lambskin leather for a luxurious eco-friendly design.

Amerileather Eco Recycled Leather Tote

Urban Junket – T.O.T.E Large Convertible Eco-Friendly Tote, $115.00, is made from coated canvas, with 100% organic cotton and azo-free dyes.  $1.00 from the sale of each T.O.T.E. bag will be donated to carbonfree.org to help mitigate the emissions created in the production and transportation of the bags.

Urban Junket - T.O.T.E Large Convertible Eco-Friendly Tote

Nahui Ollin Ritual Tote, $210.00, is created with woven recycled candy wrappers and soda labels using an ancient Mayan binding technique.

Nahui Ollin Ritual Tote

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