Kate Moss Fall 2011 Longchamp Collection

Check the latest Longchamp collection of Kate Moss for Fall 2011.




Photo Source: InStyle

Chanel New Boy Bag Collection for Fall 2011

Do you want to know the upcoming fashion trends for Fall 2011? Read the rest of this entry.

For the upcoming Fall 2011, Chanel launches a new collection of bags. The new collection is called "Boy Chanel". According to Karl Lagerfeld, “Coco Chanel used men’s underwear to make dresses; she had this boyish attitude, in fact it is the very spirit of Chanel. She got it from Boy Capel, the great love of her life, which, incidentally, explains why the new bag is called the Boy Chanel”.

Chanel's new boy bag collection includes clutches, purses, and totes and ranges from $2500 to $4300. If you're interested to have one of these bags, you should wait until September 2011.



Source: fashionologie.com

LV accessories, for a change

Before I forget, can I mention that the LV boxes are the cutest ever - they open like a drawer!

I didn't get a belt. It's a long strap for my pochette. It seems straightforward but it wasn't. 

I've had this pochette for years (it was one of my first designer bags), as you can see from the colour of the leather (far right, below) - it's a caramel brown. So when I went into the LV boutique a few weeks ago to get a replacement for my old strap (short) that was falling apart, I asked if there were any dark ones and they said no (which isn't true, as I found out later)... I reluctantly bought the really, really light-coloured strap (short) that you see in the picture, which looks silly! Then when I was in LV again, buying the agenda (details below), I asked again ("do you happen to have...") and the guy brought me a dark brown strap (I wanted a long one)! It's a bit wider but I think it looks better than the light brown.

I actually went in to buy an agenda. Yes, I know it's already May and it's not exactly the usual time of the year to buy calendars but I'd suddenly had an urge to write stuff on paper. Actually, it's because I've had some problems with my iPhone lately - whilst synchronising (with two computers, that's the problem), I've lost data or had them replaced with wrong data etc etc... 

Sorry LV, but Louis Vuitton wasn't my first choice. Of course I went and asked at Chanel but they told me that all the good stuff comes in December. So I'll probably get a Chanel diary at the end of the year but for now... I got this one from LV. 

Hermes So Kelly

My husband offered to buy me this bag. It's the Hermes So Kelly, which is the newer, younger, sportier version of the Kelly. It's in the colour etoupe - taupe - which I love.

Of course I was tempted to get it, just because it was an Hermes (how shallow am I?) and it was immediately available (vs a +/- one year wait for the Birkin or Kelly). But it's not a wow bag. Is it?

I walked out of the boutique... twice (had to go and think about it first, then went back for another look)... empty-handed. I actually said no to an Hermes!

My love for Chanel was too strong. Especially when my husband said, "You could get two Chanel bags for the price of one Hermes"... Imagine a cartoon character whose eyes turn into Chanel logos - that's me. I mean, there is no way my eyes have ever turned into giant H's. Or ever will. Maybe when I'm 60? Who knows.

Just out of curiosity: do you like the bag?

Chanel bag favourites - Spring 2011

I don't know why I torture myself like this every season. But I've done it again and I've picked out my Chanel bag favourites.

Actually, this is my top favourite. I saw this bright bag when I was in and out of the Chanel boutique for the earrings recently. I'm now regretting that I didn't buy it there and then - my bag instincts are usually pretty good :-) Looks heavy but... L-O-V-E.

I definitely like Nicky Hilton's choice, too.

This beige one reminds me of Louis Vuitton's speedy bags, which I don't (want to) own because they are too 'common', in my opinion. This would be a good alternative. I also want a Chanel bag for summer (the three that I have are all black) and the colour is spot on. However... is it a bit boring? Not elegant enough? My heart is not pounding (hard enough) at the sight of this...

So simple and practical - is it really Chanel? I prefer this to the beige one above but generally I like my Chanels to be more ladylike...

Do you like the new Mademoiselle bags? I wouldn't mind the one Blake is carrying here.

And here is Blake looking gorgeous. Lucky girl.

Kate Middleton's handbags

Here are some of Kate's handbags. She's been photographed with the white bag quite a lot and I like the small brown one - they're both Prada. I'm not particularly keen on the other ones, though. Which is your favourite?

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 

It's in the bag!

It's my turn today! This is the "It's in the bag" blog crawl! It's perfect for me - you know how much I love handbags!

I'm actually going to show you my evening purse. Chanel, of course!

It's the classic flap bag in black. I'd wanted it for years and I finally got it about a year and a half ago as a wedding anniversary gift! I still admire it when I take it out of the equally wonderful Chanel box and I take good care of it.

Celebrities are often seeing with this bag during the day but for me - as much as I hate to criticize anything Chanel and I would never ever tell my husband this! - it is too small. I cannot fit everything in there. Also, using it less often makes it more special. I have a bigger Chanel bag that I use on a daily basis.

Because it's for evening, I take as little as possible, and I have narrowed this down to:
- my keys in the red Louis Vuitton key case, which you have seen before here
- money and a credit card in a little I heart London purse from Accessorize - they have the cutest stuff!
- Chanel face powder
- a Shu Uemura retractable powder brush
- Chanel lipstick, Rouge Allure Laque 74 Dynastie (see swatch here)
- L'Occitane hand cream
- toothpick - I think having food stuck between the teeth is embarrassing (for me and for others) so I always, always check in the bathroom mirror after a meal
- hair claw from H&M
- oh, and chewing gum, which I forgot
- and my iPhone, which I used to take this photo.

Not much, is it? But you have to squeeze everything in.
Still, it's a Chanel and it's one of my favourite bags!

In case you missed it yesterday: Inspired Design.
Coming up next: Photography Getaway.
Thanks to Ashley for organising this fun blog crawl!

Maybe Miu Miu?

So I have been popping into all the boutiques to look at the latest handbags. My first stop this time was Prada but I couldn't find any of the ones I wanted (here). They had similar ones, though, so I got a good idea of how big the bigger ones are. Is there such a thing as a perfect size? I usually carry larger bags, then put too much in and get shoulder aches. So I switch to a smaller one, then curse that I can't fit anything other than the essentials in. Sigh.

At Miu Miu I did find something that I liked. The bow bag (vitello lux satchel): this has been around for two years or so already, which I always think is a good sign because I don't want highly recognisable 'it' bags that go out of style quickly. It comes in two sizes and I like the smaller one. It has adorable bows on the sides! It has a zip closure, which is usually a must for me (but I'll forgive the Hermes Birkin for not having one, just because.), and it folds over.

It does not open very wide so it's not the most practical bag but it is roomier than it looks and I can fit all my essentials (+ room for a bit more) in.

It comes in various colours. But as I need a brown bag (first), the dark grey-brown shade called argilla (a new colour) is what I should get. The lighter brown / dark camel is also gorgeous....

What do you think?

I don't own any Miu Miu yet so I am unfamiliar with the quality. I have read one horror story about a letter falling off but I am thinking (hoping) this is an exception. Does anyone have any experience with Miu Mius?

Next: Prada?

I love designer handbags, you know that, and when I got my classic Chanel bag (which I will show you soon) I swore to myself that I would only buy Chanel bags from then on. But then I fell in love with a red Dior (see it here). And once I had that, I felt I had enough handbags (I have more than just these two) and I should start saving up for an Hermes Birkin. And I have kept my word... for a year.

But I am starting to realise that maybe this is not such a good idea. Because even if I argue that the Hermes is the ultimate bag and I would never need another, the truth - I think - is that I get bored. So I would probably sleep with the Hermes for a year (literally, probably), then start flirting around with other bags again... and at some point the Hermes would just become 'another' handbag in my collection.

I've sort of decided that I desperately need a brown bag and I like this one from Prada more than I would like to admit.

Large Cervo Satchel

But... and this is where I start to lose sight of that "I need a brown bag" argument (didn't take long, did it?)... I do like this grey one, too.

Vitello Daino Half Moon Hobo

And these are not what I had in mind at all but I like them, anyway. I'm already trying to decide between the big one or the small one...

Soft Calf Framed Satchel

Which one do you like best? Should I even go for Prada at all?!

How about some (Lulu) Guinness?

I don't drink beer but there is a kind of Guinness that I do like...

Ever heard of Lulu Guinness? I've always liked her designs. Especially the lips. The Union Jack lips in particular (it's a clutch, in case you're wondering).

Obviously this last one isn't for sale... but I just found it in her visual archive: "Mini kissed by Lulu Guinness"... you know I'm a Mini fan so this makes me like her even more! 

What's in my bag...

Bag: Dior (remember I showed you that big Dior box? This is what was in it.)
Wallet: Chanel
Cosmetics bag: Accessorize
Key case: Louis Vuitton
Hand cream: L'Occitane
Pen and case: Mont Blanc
Car key: Mini
iPhone: not pictured but always in my bag!

Rachel Bilson Taylor Swift Debut Roberto Cavalli’s ‘Diva’ Bag

At the 40th anniversary show of Roberto Cavalli in Milan, his "Diva" bag was launched. This new purse is available in three sizes and seven material. Diva comes in denim, python, calfskin leather and others. Rachel Bilson and Taylor Swift sported the bag at the Milan Fashion Week. Roberto's Cavalli Diva bag will be available in November.




Source: InStyle

My other bag is...

Aren't these cute / funny? Apparently you can also get Fendi, Gucci, Hermes and Prada.
I can't decide between Chanel and Hermes... What about you?

Ivanka Trump Handbag Collection

After the successful launch of her signature fine jewelry collection, Ivanka Trump will begin selling her handbag collection on February 2011. They will be available on Nordstrom, Lord and Taylor and Macy’s stores.

Ivanka Trump's Handbag Collection will include clean lines, exotic leather and textures of satchels, totes, chain strap purses and clutches. Here's a preview of the collection.





Photo Source: InStyle.com

Looking after your handbags

This little red clutch used to belong to my mother. Cute, isn't it?

But look inside and you'll see that it's falling apart: the leather is now peeling! Like confetti. 

Isn't that sad? Don't let this happen to any of yours.

What the experts say:
"Stuff the inside of the bag with acid-free tissue."
"The best way to store handbags is to hang them from S-shaped hooks on a rod in your closet or lined up on a shelf. Be careful not to hang them too close together, or they may get damaged or entangled."

From this book by Melanie Charlton Fascitelli, mentioned first in my luxury wardrobes post.

Kate Moss Autumn Longchamp Bags Ads

Here's the second installment of Kate Moss' ads for Longchamp Bags! See the must-have bags for autumn 2010. I love them!






Photo Source: Fashionindie.com