The Dilemma: My Fall 2010 Bag

Hello Stylish Ones!


The hunt for my fall bag is on and I'm way behind schedule in choosing something. There are some amazing bags out this season and I’m tempted by them all. Too bad my budget isn’t in the position to buy them all. As always dear readers feel free to contribute to my handbag fund, lol!

All jokes aside, my bag needs are changing as many new and exciting opportunities come my way. In the past, I just required a bag to be designer and cute. Now I need functional, cute, and yes I still love a designer bag – I can’t help it. I’d also prefer a bag that I can carry across my body to keep my hands free as well as deter purse snatching. Safety first!

Here are a few bags that are in the running for my fall bag campaign:

Coach Madison Patent Leather Sophia Satchel - the red would be a nice pop of color during the drab fall & winter days.

Coach Madison Gathered Leather Sophia Satchel - the grooves give this style a bit of edge.

Hugo Boss Star Patent Handbag - Very cute. I saw this in person but I really need a bag that can go on my shoulder. I love the color too - I don't have any blue bags...

Tory Burch Verona. Doesn't the leather look buttery soft? Gorgeous color too!

So which bag should I get? Let me know what you think in the comments section! Thanks =)

The Fall Blues

While most bloggers are happily embracing their love of fall, excited for the chance to toss on cozy sweaters and rock a pair of hot leather boots, I am alone on my island crying and bemoaning the inevitable. I have the fall blues which will turn into the winter blues as is the case every year.

I despise the fall and winter gets no love from me either. I only get excited about September because of the magazines. I have a great appreciation for fall fashion and beauty campaigns.

The fall season brings all the things I loathe such as rain, high winds, bone chilling cold temperatures, and sometimes snow flurries. Here in Chicago, all of those can occur in one day. I fall shop out of sheer necessity not because I actually like sweaters, coats, and boots. Trust me. I don’t. My color palette for the fall and winter season is black and gray. I really don’t care what the hot colors and trends of the season are. I dress for warmth because my only goal is to stay warm and dry.

The fall is such an ugly time of the year. The sun rarely is seen, the city has this gross gray hue covering it and my mood takes a major nose dive. I need sunshine and warm temperatures to thrive. Please miss me with the leaves littering the sidewalk, the crisp (cold) air, and all that jazz.

 Nevertheless I have a VERY short fall and winter shopping list.

 **At least 4 more sweaters in Gray and black

** Stretch trouser cords from J. Crew

** Black Frye boots

** Dark gray North Face down coat

 **Thick wool socks

 **Knee length wool coat

So I’ll be pushing through this fall and winter season as best I can, like I do every year. The less I have to be outside in the elements the better for all involved.

Are you excited about the fall? I’d love to know why, so please leave a comment!

Lanvin for H&M {Fashionistas Everywhere Faint}

Early yesterday, Twitter was abuzz with tweets about a possible Lanvin and H&M collection. Lanvin???? Uber luxe, high end, sky high prices Lanvin collaborating with H&M? Shut the front door!!! Thankfully this was not just a rumor. My heart soars just thinking about it! *squeals*

“H&M approached us to collaborate, and see if we could translate the dream we created at Lanvin to a wider audience, not just a dress for less. I have said in the past that I would never do a mass-market collection, but what intrigued me was the idea of H&M going luxury rather than Lanvin going public. This has been an exceptional exercise, where two companies at opposite poles can work together because we share the same philosophy of bringing joy and beauty to men and women around the world.” Alber Elbaz, artistic director of Lanvin.

On November 2nd, the entire Lanvin for H&M collection debut in a film on http://www.hm.com/

On November 23rd, the pieces will be in 200 stores. I plan to take that day off work and I'm sure there will be a line, so I will be standing outside my local H&M very early.

I can't wait to see the collection and I will be on the lookout for any sneak peeks that may come out before November.

Are you excited about Lanvin for H&M?

essie Fall 2010 Collection

Top to bottom: In Stitches, Limited Addiction, Little Brown Dress, Sew Psyched, Merino Cool, Velvet Voyeur

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

MaxMara Fall/Winter 2010 Ads

Now that the August magazines are hitting the news stands and appearing in our mailboxes, we are reminded that fall is just around the corner. The new ad campaigns will be featured in the August and September issues.

This week I will post my favorite brands and their Fall/Winter 2010 ads.

{MaxMara}

Model: Freja Beha Erichsen
Photographer: Mario Sorrenti



I love that MaxMara is using black and white photos. There’s a whole 'I'm cooler than you' feel to these images and Freja’s aloof expression fits right in with the the sophistication of each piece. The 2009 ads used a color palette of camel, black, and dark brown, shot against a plush red couch. This year the company went for a more sleek look. I like.

The big bags, the coats, and the dress are all chanting my name. I despise cold weather but these classic pieces are giving me tons of inspiration for the change of season.







 
Pictures courtesy of http://www.fashion-spreads.com/

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2010 Collections Schedule