shrimpton/marketa limited edition clutches...

what can be better then mixing a little vintage with contemporary...introducing the shrimpton/marketa "limited edition" clutches...les sigh...so many colors to choose from...click here to see them all...vintage fabric from shrimpton couture collaborating with new york bag designer marketa psenickova...

photo credit

basically...every bag incorporates a vintage fabric detailing used for the interior pocket material...cherie...the owner of "shrimpton couture"...one of my most favorite places to shop for vintage...has personally selected the interior vintage fabrics...cut whole cloth from unusable vintage dresses that are beyond repair...

i don't know about you...but that seems like a great way to re-use some beautiful pieces from days of old...

you had me at hello: the perfect bucket bag...

be still my beating heart...the perfect bucket bag...and in the most incredible shade of kelly green...you had me at hello...very few things i lust after...but this...just might be my next purchase...although...i already have a green handbag...do i need two? they are so different from each other...

 yes...this is how i justify a purchase...work with me...

bcbg maxazria bucket bag scanned by moi

color color color...

i was flipping through my march issue of california lifestyle magazine...and came across these lovelies...can you stand all the bright colors? doesn't it just make you yearn for spring & summer? and who can just stop at one?

phew...

looks like they are available at bloomingdales in lots of hues...michael by michael kors...i'm thinking a bright new handbag is definately in order to kick start this upcoming very bright & cheery season...

scanned by moi

the long awaited purse...

two things that i don't mind spending some money on...are shoes & handbags...i want good quality...good leather...well made...and with this criteria...i have shoes & handbags that last a really really long time...in fact...most times when i get complimented on my shoes or handbags...the next question is...who are they by...and did i purchase them recently...and i usually need to say...that i got them years and years ago...

so...about six months ago...i was having coffee with a girlfriend of mine...and she was commenting on my handbag...and how she just couldn't afford a good handbag...but yet...she would spend little to no money on bags...that well...didn't look to hold up well...and usually didn't...nothing wrong with that...if you don't mind continually buying new handbags...

as we talked further...she seemed to think that a good handbags cost in the thousands...which i then let her know that there were plenty of great handbags to choose from without spending thousands of dollars...but still getting a good quality leather classic handbag...

so i challenged her...as she was not able to "just run out and spend money on a good handbag"...but i knew that she was an extensive coffee drinker...put aside your daily $4 for a latte in an envelope marked "handbag"...i mean...let's do the math...$4 multiplied by 5 days...multiplied by 4 weeks equals $80...times 5 months equals $400

guess what we went out to purchase today? isn't it a beauty? she is over the moon excited...

michael kors large bedford bowling satchel
neiman marcus

you had me at hello: dot love...

if someone were to ask me what appeals to me more...leopard or polka dots or stripes...i would have to say..."how can you choose?" if would be like asking me which cat i love more...although i have two beauties...both so different from the other...i just couldn't choose...

now...i know i know...we are comparing...in this case...handbags to cats...worse would be people...but i'm just trying to make a point...as much as i love leopard...stripes and polka dots are right on up there as well...

so...as i was perusing my december issue of vogue...i feasted my eyes on these beauties...well...the polka dots had me at hello...but look closer...these are polka dot hair calf...be still my beating heart...is this not a classic one needs in their arsenal? brahmin...redefining timeless style...i would say so...

tyler polka dot hair calf
scanned by moi

here is a smaller version...both are gorgeous...i'm liking the one that is a tad bit bigger...for some reason...

olivia rose polka dot hari calf
scanned by moi

hello clutch...

"how about clutching it?" was one of my posts back in 2010...click on the link if you'd like to see my top clutch purses...that i use quite frequently...

seems they haven't gone away yet...and although i will never be completely ready to say goodbye to my purse...clutches are they way to go...when you don't want the bulk or worrying about the extra weight...what i love is that the newer ones are definately made big enough to actually hold your things...

when you've got a busy day...and carrying alot...sometimes a clutch is just what you need...especially when you are already carrying a briefcase or laptop case...a clutch can nicely fit in...and save you some shoulder pain as well...

the key is knowing what your essentials are...when finding the perfect clutch...make sure those essentials fit..be it your favorite lipstick, phone, car keys...

and then as always...have fun with color...texture...and size...see if you can stop at just one...

diane von furstenberg 'tonda' printed cotton clutch
nordstrom

it's all about the accessories...

...at the savvy chic boutique...just finished setting up for our next big opening...starting tomorrow July 14...all the details are below...if you are not local...and see something you like...let me know...we can always ship!

and...if you would like to see more of the wonderful items in the boutique...visit us on facebook...where pics are being added daily...

hand woven silk scarves - so many colors!


jackie jones collection

plus...we have a full line of jewelry from designers that are shown in saks & neiman...so if you buy your costume jewelry at high end department stores...you may want to come in and take a look...as all of ours will be at 60% off...alexis bittar, ben-amun, fonsi roma, kenneth jay lane, kotur, mesi jilly...to name a few...


grab a bag is back...
any size, any color $35

Savvy Chic Boutique
ACCESSORY SALE...

jewelry, scarves & purses


all at a minimum 40-60% off!

July 14-16

and

July 21-23

11am to 5:30pm
(open till 7pm on Thursdays)

319 Primrose Rd, (upstairs)
Burlingame, Ca

pulling strings...

you would think with my vast collection of handbags...that i would already have one...maybe two of these drawstring handbags...but alas...i don't...and lately...i'm really loving all the ones that are currently out...

i saw this nice collection in the june issue of allure...the one on the bottom left is seriously calling out my name...the bally...what would make it pretty much perfect would be if that blue...was green...les sigh...so i will keep searching...ok...the tory burch in the top right is kind of calling out to me as well...decisions...decisions...

do you have a favorite?

scanned by moi

dear fashion advisor: traveling handbag...

Q...I'm getting ready for summertime travel and am wondering what is my best choice for a handbag that will take me through airport security, shopping and sightseeing?

a...all three of the activities you mention definitely are easier when you are 'hands-free'...and have we got just the bag for you...

the crossbody bag is very popular right now...and you can find it in a wide variety of colors and prices...your hands will be free to snap your photos or sort through great buys on your travels...and you won't have to worry about the security of your purse...
eric javits 'lark - squishee®' crossbody bag
nordstrom

if you have a fashion question...please feel free to ask via formspring...or email me...

the signs all point to orange...

so this morning i saw this cute little article in the wsj "classics with a twist" which i posted to my fabulous finds facebook page...(feel free to follow me)...

the article line that caught my eye was "a splash of citrus, a flash of orange to brighten everyday essentials"...which got me to thinking...that i should probably pull out my little orange handbag that i got years and years ago...it truly is such a happy color...don't you think?



fast forward about 6 hours...i showed up at my parents house...and there on the kitchen counter...be still my beating heart...peeps! and orange ones! apparently...my mom had bought them for me (gotta love her) and forgot to give them to me at easter...now you know about my love for peeps in color...but i had never seen them in orange...aren't they the cutest?



so all signs are pointing to orange...what do you think that means?

you had me at hello...green with envy...

the magazines are full of colors...bright bold colors...makes me smile...how can it not? and my wish list? my wish list that forever is growing...just got an additional item added...

feast your eyes on this beauty...how appropriate with st. patty's day being tomorrow...it was one of those "you had me at hello" moments the minute i laid eyes on her...yes please...

scanned by moi
cole haan
vogue march 2011 issue

how about clutching it?

so you've been running around all day...with your big handbag...on a side note...do you notice how they seem to get bigger and bigger?? which is great for lugging things around...but not so much on the back...if you know what i mean =) but back to my intro...so you're running around town...and then it's time to meet some friends for drinks and/or dinner...or perhaps you are off to a cocktail party...please tell me that you switch out your purse...it only takes a few moments...

and seriously...how much more chic do you look with your clutch...and not the big handbag full of everthing you have accumulated for the week?

what i love about clutches...well...their size for one...picture this...you are at the restauarant or bar...and your big shoulder bag...which i hope you don't place on the floor (so not good) and it ends up on your tired shoulder...getting heavier as the nite progresses...on the other hand...picture the clutch...safely tucked under your arm...freeing you to shake hands...hold a cocktail & appetizer plate with ease as you make your rounds in the room...

much.more.comfortable...no?

a clutch is also a great way to complete your outfit...need color? need texture? whatever your need is...it can be incorporated within your clutch...

some definate do's when looking at purchasing a clutch...make sure it fits your essentials...now essentials...does not mean...receipts, checkbook, wallet, sunglasses, make-up bag, and everything else you stuff in your big handbag...no! a clutch should hold essentials such as a lipstick, cell phone, identification, credit card, cash...etc...

here are my top 4 that i use the most...

of course i have one in leopard print (it's my neutral...you know) and black patent leather...
can't go wrong with this one

i adore this beauty with croc print & the "shining" crystal knob

the look of this one...i adore...but...it didn't fit all the essentials criteria...
the cell phone takes quite a bit of manuevering...sigh

and...when i need/want a pop of color...
nothing gives more pop then a red patent leather

do you clutch it?

the speedy...revamped...

ok...i still remember the feeling when i got my very first louis vuitton "speedy"...given to me as a gift by a dear dear friend...i think he was a little taken back by my squeal... =) you know...it's the little things...i thought i would wear that thing out as much as i used it...but interestingly enough...the more it was used...the better it looked...isn't that just how it is with the lv's?

my second one came years and years later...wanted something a bit smaller...and found i great little find...but i found that through the years...it was a little too small...and didn't get as much use as my first...

then came my first trip to paris...and of course...i needed wanted to visit the louis vuitton store there...i wasn't prepared for the lovely treatment they give there customers...but i quickly got used to my very own concierge following me around answering my questions...and smiling at my happiness...i left that trip with a new and much loved (to this day) louis...

but...seriously...how many can you own of the very same type of bag...limited in difference only by the size? =)

well...i have to say...i was pretty excited when i saw the fall 2010 ad for louis vuitton...the speedy has been revamped! now...there is one that looks like a brocade...be still my heart...louis & brocade? it is actually sequined canvas and leather monogram flocage...not only that...but so many styles & sizes to choose from...even a gorgeous clutch with embellishments like sequins, metallic thread & fur!

i may just end up with a new louis!

but enough about me...take a look at these gorgeous pics with christy turlington, karen elson & natalia vodianova - the clothes, the bags...the overall look...such a beautiful era...sigh...












photo source

completing your look with the right handbag...

i will never understand when a woman goes all out..to make the most perfect outfit...and stops at the handbag...as if it doesn't matter...this is almost as bad as stopping at the shoes..but i guess that could be a whole different post...

one of the surest ways to add distinction to a rather ordinary street ensemble is to carry an elegant handbag...but it is also the surest way to downgrade a lovely outfit...by carrying a shabby, cheap or wrong for the outfit handbag...

this practical accessory is so important that it merits a very thoughtful selection...and even a generous share of your clothes budget from time to time...

so what do i mean by this? for example...you walk into a wedding reception...and there she is...a beautifully dressed woman...gorgeous dress...elegant up-do...strappy sexy shoes...and she is carrying her "every-day" handbag...no no no no no! and yes...i've seen this more times than i care to mention...

another item of contention...would be the size of the handbag...yes...size does matter...in proportion to your body size...generally speaking...the size of a handbag should be in proportion with your own...it is just as comical...and needless to add...not very elegant...to see a tiny woman lugging about an enormous satchel...as it is to see a larger woman clutching a tiny purse to her ample bosom...

the larger a handbag...the less dressy it is...the most elegant form of evening bag is certainly a tiny clutch or fitted vanity case...which can practically fit in the palm of your hand...

elegance in handbags is synonymous with quality...and quality...alas...is very often synonymous with expensive...however...one well-made top-quality handbag will outlive three or four cheap ones...and is therefore often a profitable investment in the end...

so...know how to choose the right one for the right occasion and the right ensemble...while it is always shocking to see a sports bag with a dressy outfit...it is quite possible to add formality to a simple dark dress or suit by selecting a handbag that is somewhat dressier than the ensemble...

another reason...

ok...as if the clothes are not a big enough reason to come check out the trunk show...currently going on now...in redwood shores, ca...(personal one on one appts still available)

for the first time ever...we have a collection of stella page design handbags...

stella page handbags can be found exclusively at fine resorts and shops around the world...AND at the jana kos fall/winter collection trunk show now thru november 9th...

stella page collectors include angelina jolie, demi moore, goldie hawn, jada pinkett smith, california’s first lady maria shriver and salma hayek...and you could be one too!

each stella page design is a limited edition collectible numbered work of art, complete with a registered certificate of authenticity...

so...come on by...and check out these beautiful pieces...

jana kos fall/winter collection trunk show

redwood shores, ca

oct 28 thru nov 9

is it an alligator or a crocodile?

do you know the difference between an alligator and the crocodile??

many retailers often misidentify the two or use the terms interchangeably...

the alligator family includes the american alligator and the caimans (from south america.)
the crocodile includes the porosus (mostly from australia) and the nile (niloticus). these four are the only legal skins traded legally in the u.s.

the easiest way to tell the difference between the two is that crocodile has a dimple in each scale, whereas american alligator is totally smooth...caiman alligator has a varied texture and a more "savage" quality...

porosus crocodile is the most preferred skin (read: most expensive), while american alligator is used most often by designers because its skin is softer...however, the caiman alligator has its following and is certainly more affordable that the others...athough none of these skins are for the faint-of-pocketbook!

do you have an alligator or crocodile? (i'm talking handbags...of course) please share!