Favorite (FAVORITE!) handbag designer (of the moment)

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:35:39 -0500

I shop online everyday. I don't buy, I just browse. And seeing as how I plan on starting my own boutique in a few years, I keep a running list of my favorite designers. For handbags, admittedly, this can be tough, because if I was making triple what I make now, I would have a closet full of Chloe handbags, but at $2,000 a pop, sadly I have none. While every now and then I come across a particular handbag that I am obsessed with, I rarely (meaning never if Chloe doesn't count) come across a handbag designer that I am obsessed with. Until now.....

Recently, I fell in love with a small studded number by Rebecca Minkoff at Bloomingdales. It was the perfect day to night transition bag and it had studs, which if you have read past articles of mine, you know I die for. It looks and feels well crafted though, which is sometimes hard to find when dealing with studs, where all it takes is one lost stud to ruin the entire item. Before purchasing the bag, I went to her website (www.rebeccaminkoff.com) and was delighted to discover that I was not only in love with the little studded number I found at Bloomingdales, but her whole collection was fabulous! Every last piece. The handbags come in an assortment of varieties from bags you can carry along when you are dressed in your best work suit to bags that would perfectly compliment a laid back look for a day of shopping to night on the town bags. They also come a lovely selection of colors from basics (white and black and camel) to brights (think neon). I'm in love, so much so, that if I had $2,000, I might just buy four Rebecca Minkoff bags rather than one Chloe, and dolls, thats saying a lot, because Chloe handbags literally take my breath away. If the photo on this page doesn't turn you into a fan, I assure you the lookbook on her website will.

Your question

Sun, 03 Jan 2010 18:46:33 -0500

What bra is the best bra to have if I want to show some cleavage?

Emerging Designers Part 2: Jewelry

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:37:14 -0400

In part two of my emerging designers series I will be focusing on the jewelry artists I was able to see while at The One of a Kind show. Below are four designers that stood out to me during the show.

1. Lindsay Staniforth Design

Using wood, Lindsay turns a natural resource into simple, unique, contemporary pieces of jewelry. According to the Designer:

The concept behind the jewelry line is simple: accentuate the natural colour and grain of wood by designing simple, elegant accessories. Include a high level of attention to the finish and you're left with a beautiful piece.

Wood’s precious nature allows us to appreciate the beauty in exotic and local species, while sterling silver inlays accentuate the three dimensional quality of wood grain. Wood is unique by nature and personal attention makes each piece one-of-a-kind.

All the jewelry is hand-crafted at my local Vancouver studio.

You can find Lindsay's jewelry in stores across Canada and in a few U.S cities. Her website lists all stores and contact information.

2. Luxe Design

Using 14k Gold coated, Solid 14k Gold and Sterling Silver charms Luxe Designs let's the customer become the designer. You can pick charms with inspirational messages, Zodiac symbols, simple colored beads, Hearts, and birthstones and then a chain. You can mix and match the stylish charms to match your mood, outfit, or season. But no matter what each piece of jewelry will be uniquely yours. You can purchase the jewelry online through Luxe Design's website.

3. Billy Would Designs

Yes they are another designer using wood for their jewelry but it is reclaimed wood. Plus they had one of my favorite pieces from the show. Would Designs makes belt buckles out of used/former skate boards. I loved them!

From the Designer:

Craving sustainable fresh jewellery Billy Would was created offering beautiful and chic designs not found anywhere else.

Each unique piece is handmade from reclaimed hardwood. Rescuing exotic hardwoods from various local woodworkers and factories where the size of the wood is no longer usable for them. The wood is shaped, carefully hand-sanded and then finished with a natural oil. All jewellery is accented with sterling silver (unless otherwise stated) and uses as little "first-use" packaging as possible. Billy Would Designs are funky, original and eco-friendly. Constantly creating new enticing designs. Enjoy!

Adea Chung
Designer and Creator

Though in Canada you can purchase Bill Would jewelry from their website.

4. Foxy Originals

Quite simply put they make really fun costume jewelry. It's funky and fun and makes you want to go to a party. I love the word necklaces which are pendents where the same word is cut out into a jumble. They design/sell necklaces, bracelets, head bands, belts and bands. You can also purchase their designs through their website.

From the Designers:

Jen and Suzie believe that happiness, excitement and fun are the perfect accessories to a fabulous life! Foxy Originals embodies these sentiments and gives women of all ages the tools to make their own look-and lives-a little more fabulous. Their vibrant and playful designs give their customers a way to add some sparkle and shine, in an individual way that reflects their own distinct sense of style. Behind every fun and bright jewel is Jen and Suzie’s desire to make its wearer feel happy and beautiful.

The $19.99 must have purse

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:36:43 -0400

No, the decimal is not in the wrong spot- this cute purse is in fact $19.99. No ugly patterns or crappy materials about it! It's my favorite find at Target: The Black Belt Bag By Jaye Hersh-Hollywood Intuition.

It has a shoulder strap for comfortable under-arm length that detaches to makes the most perfect clutch. With quality zippers, grommets in all the right spots, and the soft leather look with built-in magnet flap -this purse gets an A and a + for the price.

The New Must-Have Handbag

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:31:49 -0400

I remember when I was a little girl, my mom always carried one of those handbags with the long straps. When my sisters and I played dress-up, we would borrow her large selection of purses and pretend we were adults. When I got to a mature age and required a purse of my own, the style she used to carry seemed to mom-like. At the time, people my age were carrying bags with shorter straps, like Kate Spade, or bags with just handles. The long strap was out of style.

As always with fashion, however, things come back (please, can we bring the overall back? sooo comfy!). And lately, designers are creating a handbag that has both the long shoulder strap and short handles. Personally, I think its fabulous. You can either wear the bag over your shoulder or hold it on your wrists.

Foley + Corinna makes several cute styles. Jack Rabbit makes a real smart and sophisticated looking one called the "Concord." But my favorite is Gustto's "Andrea" bag from their Fiore Collection. Breathtaking!