Haute Bag Lady Bag of the Week

I am having SERIOUS heart palpitations over this week's bag. Check out Cole Haan's Vintage Valise Jenna Shoulder Bag.

Isn't she a beauty? Can't you just smell the rich leather? Come on, inhale that buttery leather with me, nice huh??

Small in size but big on details, the Jenna is a gorgeous bag to carry your essentials while having brunch with friends or an afternoon lunch date. Yes, I plan my handbags according to what I'll be doing. I'm known among my friends as the Purse Whisperer.

What do you my bag loving ladies think of this week's pick?

Picture courtesy of Nordstrom.com

The Stylish Life: Haute Bag Lady Bag of The Week

This week's Haute Bag Lady pick are these absolutely adorable grosgrain boxy bags by ASOS. These bags make me want to channel Audrey Hepburn. Can't you just see rocking a cute black sheath, large sunglasses, a hot pair of pumps and carrying this little bag? The pink one is on sale for $41.38 and the black one is $51.72. A real steal for either one and a great alternative to a clutch for a night out. Quite vintage-esque, wouldn't you agree?

What do my fashionistas think of this week's pick?

Haute Bag Lady Bag of The Week: Dooney & Bourke

Oh Dooney and Bourke, how I used to really like your bags. In high school, D&B bags were the low bag on the totem pole. Coach, Gucci, and Fendi were the "It" bags during that time. I have only owned two D&B bags in my life.

The Classic Satchel has caused me to rethink this legendary brand which has been somewhat quiet in recent years. The bag sells for $195 and comes in twelve colors.

The buttery soft calfskin, contrasting trim and simple logo make this classic style a win-win. Every woman should have a satchel style handbag. I think I'll add Dooney and Bourke back to my handbag watch list ;~)

Haute Bag Lady Bag of the Week

It was bag love at first sight when I spotted Marcie at Neiman Marcus last year. I am really starting to love Chloe bags (not loving the price tag though). The four digit price tag is way too steep for this working girl. I knew I had to back away from the bag when I was thinking about having my friend who was with me fake an asthma attack to create a diversion, thus providing me the opportunity to run like hell towards the exit, hop in one of the many cabs racing down Michigan Avenue and head home with my haute stolen bag.

Sadly fear of eternal damnation and the shame I would bring upon my family, brought me back to reality. My friend looked at me like I was crazy when I casually mentioned my asthma attack heist idea. Some friend she is! LOL!!!

The Marcie style is one of the most popular Chloe bags out now. The small and large version are both around $2,000. There is a python version  *swoons* that costs $4,000.

What do you think of the Marcie bag by Chloe? Haute or not?












Photos

Update on The Dilemma: My Fall 2010 Bag

After much debate and browsing I chose my fall bag Monday night. Actually the bag chose me...

My new baby: Coach Kristin Hobo - please ignore my messy desk, work is busy

Monday after work I went to Nordstrom to exchange a blouse and I decided to take a peek at the handbags. There was a table of reduced bags with two of the Kristin hobos among the selection. The bags did not appear to be marked down so I asked an associate to scan it for me. Hang on to your hats kids, this is where it gets interesting...

The bag was $100 off  of the original price of $298. Score!!!! Besides the price being to good to pass up, the bag met the rest of my criteria: the option to carry across the body, roomy, and any color but black.  I promptly whipped out my debit card and made my purchase! After two days of carrying my new bag, I am quite pleased. The leather is lightweight but very sturdy and I have received a lot of compliments about the color, aubergine (isn't that fancy?) Say it a few times, aubergine, aubergine. See? Now don't you feel just a little bit fancier? LOL!!

Well I have to get back to work! Ciao!!

The Stylish Life: Haute Bag Lady Bag of The Week



Mulberry Python Bayswater

Mulberry's classic Bayswater  bag in metallic gold python makes me want to curl up in a little ball and just cry. Where oh where is my billionaire boyfriend???

This is a gorgeous bag. It has a brown suede interior and the buckles on the side expand to make the bag larger. I would carry this haute bag whether I was dressed up or down. The Python Bayswater is a bag that says "Yes, I do have it all and you should envy me." Just kidding...

By the way, it costs $4000 and my birthday is in 2 months. I implore you all to feel free to donate to my handbag fund at anytime or just send the bag to me. I love getting gifts. *smile*




pictures courtesy of  Netaporter.com

Haute Bag Lady Bag of the Week Lauren Merkin Clutches

                      
This week’s Haute Bag Lady Bag of the Week is the gorgeous Lauren Merkin clutch, Allie. This version of the Allie is a wine colored snakeskin with gold shimmer piping.

Lauren Merkin clutches were recently featured on Access Hollywood and it was love at first sight for me. I logged onto her website and fell more in love. My favorite bags are the snakeskin clutches. I think they add a little edge to a basic black dress or basic top and jeans.

Check out all of Lauren Merkin’s bags on her website: http://www.laurenmerkin.com/

Haute Bag Lady Bag of the Week {Brahmin Vanessa Rose Flap Bag}

I haven’t done a Haute Bag Lady Bag of the Week in a while and with everyone eagerly anticipating Fall fashion and accessories I think a haute bag pick is in order.


I am quite shocked that a Brahmin bag has managed to tug at my heartstrings. I saw the Vanessa Rose Flap Bag in the September issue of Marie Claire and I was even more shocked when I saw that it was a Brahmin bag.

Years ago I worked in the handbag department at Nordstrom and Brahmin bags were our biggest seller. In my opinion, the bags were impossibly dowdy and I never showed them to shoppers unless they specifically asked for them. It was very hard for me to fake liking the bags and even harder for me to suggest them to someone. My manager talked to me on more than one occasion about my disdain for the bags and my reluctance to show them, lol!

I see Brahmin has new designs that are very much on trend. I prefer carrying this particular bag like a satchel as opposed to on the shoulder but to each their own. The bag comes in Walnut and Citron (shown above). Both colors would compliment this season’s neutral monochrome trend:
 
The bag retails for $325 and it is made from anaconda leather. I think this bag is a timeless silhouette in a to die for material that would add a bit of flair to a pair of jeans even.

I also have my eye on the Brahmin Amata Rose Flap Bag:

Absolutely adorable!!!!

I’d love to know what my fellow handbag lovers think about Brahmin bags.

For more information:
Brahmin

Haute Bag Lady Bag of the Week {Longchamp Le Pliage Eiffel Tower Duffle}

The newest addition to my bag family is the much coveted, hard to find, possibly sold out Longchamp Le Pliage Eiffel Tower Duffel. This is a very chic carry on bag and I adore the tilted Eiffel Tower print. I thought this bag was completely sold out until fellow Chicago blogger, Nikia, featured it in a blog post. Luckily the bag was still on their site and in my haute little hands within a week. Yay me!

Longchamp Le Pliage bags are high on my list of bag love because they are as durable as they are classy. The fact that they fold up so neatly is a nice plus as well. I have two mini Le Pliage totes in gray and new navy. I plan to use my Eiffel Tower tote for a few upcoming weekend trips. I tend to over pack even when I go to my mom’s for an overnight visit so my goal is learning to pack better. I want to be a savvy and chic traveler. Here’s hoping. I know I’ll definitely be traveling in style carrying my Longchamp!





As always for more information: http://www.longchamp.com/

Haute Bag Lady Bag of the Week

My new bag is this week's Haute Bag Lady Bag of the Week. This gorgeous tote is the London Fog Metallic Paige. I picked it up at Loehmann's after work yesterday and since I have the Loehmann's Gold Insider Club card, I automatically get 10% off all purchases. Saved $9 and some change (every little bit counts!)

Even though I spent an extra hour stuck inside Loehmann's due to the horrendous storms that hit Chicago, my new bag made up for the extra long communte home. I love all the pockets and slots and the roominess inside. I have a pretty full bag most days and what annoys me the most is a bag that doesn't hold its original shape and everything falls to the bottom making it impossible to find anything. The structured design of my new bag is what appealed to me. I had to have it ;)

Haute Bag Lady Bag of the Week

How adorable is Banana Republic's Cork Roll Clutch? This darling little bag also comes in Bronze but the silver appeals to me more. The bag is $60 but I plan to stalk it until I catch it marked down. Ya'll know I style stalk in my spare time.

Until next time! The Haute Bag Lady has left the handbag department...

Haute Bag Lady Bag of The Week

My handbag collection so desperately needs the Hayden-Harnett Welles Large Hobotote. Look at that vibrant Poppy color. Can’t you just tell from the picture how supple the leather is? I die!!!!

What I love most besides the gorgeous color and size is…

The bag folds over and can be worn across the body. A bag with multiple functions is always a winner to this Haute Bag Lady. I’m keeping this one on my radar for awhile to see if I can catch it on sale.


For more information:

Hayden-Harnett

Haute Bag Lady Bag of The Week

This week's Haute Bag Lady Bag is from French fashion house, Lanvin. The Happy Snakesin Shoulder Bag on the left is BEYOND gorgeous. I love shoulder bags. When I was little, I used to carry one of my mom's around and pretend I was going to run errands and pick up the kids. I would also wear her high heels too. I was destined to be a diva, lol!

The Lanvin bag just says classy lady to me and with a price tag of $2230, it really says classy, rich lady. Aldo's Dotts is a cute (much less pricey) alternative. There's no lush snakeskin, tonal stitching, brass hardware, or gorgeous satin bow, but for $38 I can get past all that. Maybe...

Loving that Lanvin!

Haute Bag Lady Bag of the Week

Yet another throwback for this week's Haute Bag of the week:

The infamous Dooney & Bourke Duck Bag.

Somewhere at my mom's house, among some of my old junk the duck bag resides. I'll have to dig it up and bring it home with me.

This bag was quite popular back in the day and I thought I was oh so fly whenever I carried it.

I haven't been on Dooney & Bourke's site in a very long time. They have some new styles and their price point seems to have dropped considerably. There are quite a few stylish leather bags I'd like to add to my collection.

Are you a Dooney & Bourke bag lady? Tell me about your D&B bag.

Check them out:
http://www.dooney.com/

Haute Bag Lady Bag of the Week

Still on my vintage fix so this week's Haute Bag Lady Bag of the Week is another Etsy find from Cheeky Vintage Closet.

Hopefully one of my fashionista readers can snatch this cutie up:

This is a 1960's patent leather frame bag and the best part is that it only costs $10.50!!!! Don't sit there with your mouth hanging open, click here & order it!!!!

Haute Bag Lady Bag of the Week: Vintage Coach

From left to right: Janice Legacy in Mahogany, Coach Day Pack in Black, and a small Coach bag in British Tan (I forgot the name of it, lol)

These are a few of my Coach bags from the '90s. I'm proud of these three bags because I bought them with my own money earned from my first big girl job. There is nothing like Coach leather. All my bags are still in great condition. I used to rub them down with the Coach lotion and the special cloth. I was a proud purse mommy taking good care of her babies.

I should start carrying these bags again, especially since long strap shoulder bags are back in style.

Haute Bag Lady Bag of the Week

Big Buddha's Hibiscus Tote and hobo are GORGEOUS!!!! I saw a Dillard's ad in the March Glamour and the model was holding the tote bag. It was love at first sight, so off to the internet I went for some more information.

Both bag scream spring/summer to me and the hibiscus give them a very unique look.

Big Buddha is a seven year old vegan handbag line that has been featured in O, Lucky, and People Style Watch. The bags are designed by 25 year old Jeremy Bassan. He handles design and production.

Which do you prefer the tote or the hobo?

Have you ever carried a vegan bag?

Haute Bag Lady Bag of The Week

From the classic Burberry print to the patent leather handles and trim, this is an all around chic tote. I have a really cute outfit in mind that would go perfectly with this bag. I especially like the attached small zippered case to hold loose change, bus and train passes, candy, and other random items that end up lining the bottom of our bags.

I love a well made tote that is both stylish and functional. I think the Burberry Nova Check Tote Bag is a perfect representation of both. My life is carried around in my bag and I need it to look good, hold its shape, and be prepared to get used... A lot!


The Nova Check tote retails for $595.

What do you think of this week's bag?

Haute Bag Lady Bag of The Week

This week's Haute Bag is a purple sequin clutch by Jessica McClintock. Lately, I find myself obsessed with sequins - the sparklier an accessory is, the more I want it. The flower detail is a lovely touch without being "cutesy".

This clutch would be perfect with a pair of skinny jeans, fitted black blazer, a camisole or halter, and a great pair of pumps. Let the clutch work its magic. I have quite a few clutches but not a sequined one. Just may have to add this haute item to my collection.

It's $58 on Nordstrom's website.

picture courtesy of Nordstrom.com

Haute Bag Lady Bag of the Week

This week's Haute Bag Lady pick is the Louis Vuitton NeverFull PM in Damier Ebene Canvas.

Isn't she gorgeous! I love, love, love, Louis Vuitton. Lately I'm more partial to the Damier Ebene print. The NeverFull is the ideal luxury tote, perfect for work, travel, and weekend errands. Its a classic style in a classic print that would work with a variety of outfits.

This haute bag is $700.00. A great investment to make if the price is within your budget because you'll have the bag forever.


Check out the world of Louis Vuitton