I’m tempted to throw on a cutesy floral frock, adorable heels, grab this fresh handbag and walk around the park just to show it off. I’ve never felt quite so interested in a Cole Haan bag before (though they have some great pieces), but the Sabra Canvas Tote is so bold and ladylike. It makes canvas look attractive with its leather kelly green trim, and the interior is built to function with pockets galore. Did we mention the $295 price? So reasonable. Available at Neiman Marcus.

posted: June 13th, 2008     comments: No Comments

My cell phone has been ringing constantly these last couple of weeks from my Hermès SAs. On top of the July forum talk, and the sudden availability of some products I’ve been searching for, there’s been constant chatter of another price increase. Just this past February, Hermès raised their prices across the board and now there’s more talk of a price increase. The details are not in yet, but so far, it looks like Hermès fans will be paying from 5% to 18% more than they already do. I’ve yet to get confirmation on exactly what to expect a price increase on and how much, but all my SAs have been telling me the price increase is expected in August or early September. So what are you waiting for? Grab your credit cards and get yourself to Hermès - a penny saved is a penny earned! *wink*

posted: June 12th, 2008     comments: No Comments

I guess Jessica Simpson got bored of pimping out her own line of purses, and decided to find a brand-new bag. Entrez the Dolce & Gabbana Patchwork Snakeskin Clutch, a multicolored masterpiece boasting python leather in every pigment. I like the contrast of the richly hued, almost autumnal purse against Jessica’s yellow California beach babe sundress, and it definitely gives this mainstream pop tart some high fashion edge. The clutch is a bit large for my tastes (what’s she got in there, a ferret), but overall I’m a fan of this look.

Photo from People.com

posted: June 12th, 2008     comments: No Comments

Not in NYC or LA? Can’t get away from the office to shop? Budget tight, but luxury taste undiminished?

Gianfranco Ferre is having a private online sale RIGHT NOW until tomorrow. Prices are reduced a hefty 2/3 from the original retail. An exampler, the black leather tote with ivory lining was $975, but online it’s now $325.

Click here and use entry code TOPBUTTON for your invite-only entry to the sale.

posted: June 12th, 2008     comments: No Comments

Every Tuesday, I bring you PursePage’s Luxe For Less feature, where I scout out and recommend handbags based on the philosophy that you (almost) never have to pay retail for a great designer purse. Lately, with all the talk of a recession, and the cost of living holding steady or steadily climbing, many of my friends and acquaintances with similar shopping habits have started talking about the awful B word: budget. Judging from the fantastic deals to be had on the resale market of luxury goods lately, partially due to the dropping number of buyers, it would seem that many purse aficionados have already started trimming back on their handbag budget. Luxury goods usually are the first items to be cut from a budget, so I’m wondering how the economic downturn and uncertainly has affected PursePage readers.

photo from fashionindustrytoday.com

posted: June 12th, 2008     comments: 1 Comment

Now how about THAT for luxury? All of my experience with drawstring backpacks usually involved punch high school gym clothes or college laundry in a cotton or nylon bag. Bottega Veneta however, has transformed this dorm room staple into an upscale, Italian-made, intricately woven item for $3480 (Available at Barney’s). It seems a shame to carry such humble items of my school days in such finery now, unless you upgrade to a cashmere blanket and silk pajamas for your girlfriend’s sleepover.

Shop more designer purses from Bottega Veneta

posted: June 12th, 2008     comments: No Comments

Kate Bosworth was traipsing all over the globe, teasing us with an unidentified handbag the last few months. She’s been seen at movie premiers, shopping, running errands and everything in between with a taupey-muaveish colored leather bag with gold hardware and a distinguishing decorative feature on the front. While it’s an interesting purse and it fits Kate’s style quite well, it’s not a bag that I would personally choose for myself. However, simply for the fact that none of my purse-obsessed friends have been able to identify it and I could not find any information on it after exhaustive search, I became obsessed with Kate’s bag. Finally, after calling and emailing multiple retailers and designers, I have located it!

Kate has been driving us mad with the Chloe Paraty Shoulder Bag. I’m told it will be released this coming season in 3 or 4 different colors, including a grass green and a chocolate, and will be available at Chloe as well as through a few large retailers. Luisaviaroma.com offers it on pre-order for €1,195, so expect the stateside retailers to affix a sticker of about $2,400!

Photo from PopSugar

posted: June 12th, 2008     comments: No Comments

This Sunday is Father’s Day, which means you might want to put your Saturday night bar-hopping plans on ice until next weekend. If you think your typical hangover is bad, try enduring the Day-After Death while defending your choices of career, boyfriend, and apartment with mom and pop in some brightly lit booth at Red Lobster.

Unless your pops is, say, Ozzie Osborne or Joe Simpson, you might also want to play it safe style-wise too. Avoiding low cuts and lots of skin can help you steer clear of any Angela-Chase-in-the-hallway moments. This ASOS Frill Sleeve Belted Tier Hem Dress is perfect; it’s trendy and fun, but ‘conservative’ and girly enough to coast through a church service and brunch with the ‘rents.

Bag-wise, you need something cute, but unassuming - how do you expect Daddy to fork over some play money if Mom’s tipped him off that you’re clearly solvent enough to be toting a Fendi? This sweet little Marc by Marc Jacobs Lovely Clutch (on sale for $175 at Eluxury!) should do the trick with its simple but stylish white topstitched leather. Bonus: Your annual gift of a tie will fit juuuuuust right.

Dress: http://www.asos.com/Asos/Asos-Frill-Sleeve-Belted-Tiered-Hem-Dress/

Bag: http://eluxury.com/estore/browse/product_detail.jsp?id=11601290

posted: June 12th, 2008     comments: No Comments

It’s no easy task bringing together red and orange and actually making them look great together. This Kate Spade Malea Tote does a decent job, though, by fashioning the shades into a trendy color-block pattern and breaking it up with a hefty front flap and logo plate. The smooth leather gives it a sleek, slightly shiny finish, and the spacious size makes it especially useful for summer outings. Available for $395 at Nordstrom.

posted: June 12th, 2008     comments: No Comments

You almost have to feel this to believe just how soft it is. Lockheart’s designs are generally practical with a fashion-forward twist, and this Color Theory Beth Satchel is no exception. The leather is so buttery, it may be reason enough alone to purchase it. Fortunately, the purse itself is also great; from the understated red to the sensible shape, it has all the bases covered. Also available in green and dark brown. Purchase it for $550 at Nordstrom.

posted: June 12th, 2008     comments: No Comments