-A good buy will go a long way. If it is original leather, it will last you for years. So choose the right one in a colour that you’re sure you won’t tire of in the near future. 

-Leather bags are an investment piece. Even if you do get tired of your one or you’re the kind of person who loves to update their closet every month, you can always resell them for a good bargain and replace them with yet another.

-We will forgive you if you rock them over and over again. Even celebs carry their statement bags EVERYDAY. think Rihanna and Kim Kardashian with their Celine totes. 

-They complement and add taste to even the simplest of looks. 

If you don’t have a statement bag, don’t kill yourself. It takes time. Hell, I don’t even have my dream one yet. (Alexander Wang rockie bag I’m looking at you). But if at all you’re looking to get one, these are some of the most popular ones right now.

I’m showing off my sturdy leather bag from Autograph at Marks & Spencer here.

Autograph, Edina Ronay and Ebay.

A picture of three totes on my Instagram which I got for a bargain:) 

Henar of www.ohmyvogue.com with a Prada bag

Stella of www.jadore-fashion.com with a Michael Kors bag.

Soraya of www.styleismything.blogspot.co.uk, Mulberry bag

Shirley of www.meek-n-mild.com rocking a Topshop satchel.

Nifesimi of www.skinnyhipster.com with a Zara bag

Folake of www.stylepantry.com rocking a Celine bag

Celine totes:)

BEST FINDS:

SAVE:

Crocodile Doctors bag, £48, URBAN OUTFITTERS (BUY)

Hudson tan tote, £49, MARC B (buy)

Trapezoid city bag, £89.99, ZARA (buy)

Leather Multiway Satchel Bag, £59.99, EDINA RONAY via TKMAXX (buy)

PLAITED SHOPPER WITH STUDS, £129, ZARA (buy)

Studded bag, £29.99, H&M (buy)

SPLURGE:

‘Rockie’ bag, £569, Alexander Wang, (buy)

Bayswater textured-leather bag, £795, MULBERRY (Buy)

Saffiano Lux Tote Bag, £1153, PRADA (buy)

Shoulder Bag Trapeze Calfskin and Stamped Crocodile Bag, £1232, CELINE

PASHLI BAG, £619, PHILLIP LIM (buy)

The runways for Fall 2012 were ablaze with molten-like metals in gold, bronze, silver and jewel-tones. Metallics glimmered in the form of dresses, denim, skirts, shoes and bags. Interpreting runway looks into everyday life can be tricky. Embrace this trend with wearable pieces that will make an impact all season long.

Since metallics create such a bold statement, wearing too many at once can cheapen a look. Choose one key piece (cigarette pant, pencil skirt, statement bag) and let it be the star of the show. Pair these pieces with basic neutrals. Try a cozy knit sweater/slouchy boyfriend sweater for ultimate comfort and understated style. For a dressier look, pair with a structured blazer that will not draw attention from the showcased piece. Keep accessories basic or forfeit them completely.

Metallics offer a fun way to freshen up your look for Fall and update your wardrobe for a new season. Here are a few of my favorite pieces:

J Brand ~ 9202 Low-Rise Metallic Coated Legging: $249.00

Alice + Olivia ~ Connie Metallic Flounce Coat: $798.00

Tibi ~ Lurex Jacquard Strapless Dress: $485.00

AllSaints ~ Metal Pencil Skirt: $95.00

Diane von Furstenberg ~ Tonda Metallic Clutch: $395.00

Jimmy Choo ~ Anouk Metallic Leather Pumps: $650.00

Topshop ~ Jacquard Metallic Shorts: $60.00

I found this gorgeous set of a Blake Lively look on Polyvore – I’m loving the floppy broad rim summer hat, the nude make up with only a strong focus on the eyes and the gorgeous statement ring! To find all the pieces – go to the set on Polyvore!

• Gorgeous teal totebag from Novo Shoes, RRP $59.95
• $100 voucher for amazing online store Thread People
• School of Seven Bells incredible new album, Ghostory
• Schwarzkopf  ’Style Shifters’ in blue/strong control – not yet released in Australia!
• ‘Ultimate Fashionista: The Young Hollywood Style Guide’ – coffee table book with style tips and facts from the most famous of style icons!

 

It’s as simple as that! This giveaway is open to anyone in Australia (sorry OS readers). The winner will be drawn at 5pm on the May 18th CST (+930). Good luck guys!

Chloex

2) A Dog the Bounty Hunter marathon on one of my day’s off.

3) A person I can call for any reason at 3:48 A.M.

4) More than one square foot of space on any form of public transportation.

5) Love that I can feel even if I’m on the other coast of the country.

6) A couple weeks a year filled with flip-flops, tropical sunsets and the sound of steel drums.

7) Fresh flowers once a week.  Self-picked dandelions count.

8) A spa treatement at least once a month.

9) Orgasms on demand, sans or avec partner.

10) A say in whether and when I become a mother.

11) A cat who has a special thing for my lap.

12) A truly exceptional partner in life.

From the start you have: 1. AlexanderMcQueen 2.AlexanderWang 3. AlexanderWang 4. Balenciaga 5. Decent 6. MaisonMartin

Enjoy! I cannot stop looking at them…

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The Boxer...I love this name and this bag is definitely a statement.

Reed Krakoff’s boxer is wonderfully crafted and I love that all the details of the bag are made available to you on the website. It is almost as if the Krakoff team is saying we did it right! We have made the best looking utilitarian-chic tote just for you. In case you are thinking this bag is jogging your memory to the image of strength and sports. It may be due in part to the tie detailing inspired by the boxer’s tape and the tough no-nonsense closures on the flap. This is definitely a weekend bag and at  835 pounds. It is a classic that will be the perfect bag for seasons to come.

Mar y Sol Gigi Contrast Flower clutch worn with a printed maxi dress is instant vacation luxe.

Where would one need to go to get the great woven clutch one has been craving for summer outfits? Well, I went to another of my favourite E-tailers Shopbop to solve my quandary. I have not only been in love with woven clutches but also woven shoes but I have saved this obsession in a post to follow later.

Since I’m impressively low on nudes in my current wardrobe. I thought why not look around for a great nuetral and black bag which can be paired with many outfits. I selected the Mar y Sol clutch because it appeals to my feminine side and the Zimmerman straw offering tugs at the heartstrings of my Caribbean roots.

Which do you prefer? The sexiness of the contrast bow or the antique ease of the straw clutch?

Tough Decision….?  I know.

Shop Bop's Zimmerman Woven Straw Clutch adds lovely resort vibes to your summer outfits.

Bags. You can’t avoid them. They are everywhere. And are involved in all aspects of your of life. From birth to death.

People put babies in a bag to go to sleep. Ahhh. Babies also come with ‘Changing Bags’. These are not as exciting as they sound. You always get the same baby back. Every time.

These babies grow up into children and they get a School Bag. This is just a device to weigh children down with a lot of heavy books and stop them from running away. It works very well.

Schoolchildren have other bags too, like Gym Bags. These are bags that they keep their gym kit in. On one day ever only, they are filled with clean, fresh, lemon scented sportswear. For the rest of eternity they are either lost or filled with an unrecognisable ball of grubby, sweaty fabric. This will continue throughout adulthood until the gym goer gives up and becomes morbidly obese and unable to work a bag zipper with their giant fingers, or manages to cancel their monthly gym membership, whichever is the soonest.

You can keep hands in Hand Bags, but it is frowned upon. Also shoulders.

When you go camping and it is not possible to bring your own bed with you, you can use a Sleeping Bag.

But beware – if you wake up in a bag and there isn’t a label on your big toe you still have to get up. If you don’t wake up and you are in a bag it is a probably a Body Bag.

(Laundry Bags are simply Body Bags without the bodies, just the clothes and the smell).  

When you are old and not in a Body Bag you may have a Bag On Wheels or a Colostomy Bag.

You will often see small dogs in bags. Never cats though. So when the disembodied robot lady voice at the self-service checkout in the supermarket says ‘unexpected item in the bagging area’, it’s a cat. So don’t let it out of the bag. And please don’t confuse these bags with Doggy Bags. Doggy Bags are full of leftover food. Hopefully not leftover dog. Unless you have been to a really cheap kebab shop.

There are also bags that are really just handbags that are called ‘Statement Bags’. The statement that you are making is, ‘I have a lot of spare cash’. Some of these handbags are indeed very lovely, but they can cost many hundreds of pounds.

When you’ve just watched a telethon that tells you that a cataract operation to restore sight to a blind child can cost less than £20, I think it seems rather excessive to spend £1,000 on a statement bag. 

I prefer to spend some money on these eye bags:  

http://www.rednoseday.com/change-lives/focus-on-sight

‘I’m not blind anymore’. What a nice statement.

Here’s the skinny…there are many ways to be stylish and take care of your feet. There are many studies that state stilettos are bad for us as well as some which argue stilettos are good for us.

Well we are going to share with you both sides and allow you to figure out if stilettos are are the shoes for you.

1. Stilettos can help your posture. Most women who wear stilettos tend to stand with shoulders back and stand taller.
2. Putting all your weight on the balls of your feet can put pressure on your joints and cause pain.
3. Wearing stilettos can lead to an array of foot problems such as bunions, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis and arthritis.
4. The American Podiatric Medical Association labels high heels “biomechanically and orthopedically unsound.” Increasing our risk of falling, back pain and knee pain.
5. Stilettos cause lower back pain and can lead to shortened calf muscle fibers.
6. Stilettos strengthen your pelvic muscles because of the posture from wearing heels. Also, they help define your leg muscles.

How many of us are really going to stop wearing stilettos? Please show by raising your hand. EXACTLY… none of us. So here are a few reasonable and not-so-reasonable solutions:
1. Inserts: protect your feet with cute foot cushions such as Foot Petals to increase comfortability (yeah, we know this isn’t really a word) in your shoes.

2. Try different types of heels: There are many other stylish heels that are better with distributing our weight and are very stylish. Such as kitten heels, stacked heels, french heels, wedge heels and pumps.

3. Boxtox: Make your feet less susceptible to pain by getting Botox injections like some of the celebrities. It allows you to wear heels for extended periods of time without feeling the pain. Keep in mind, it doesn’t take away the fact you could be causing damage to your body and feet.

4. Compromise transit: Chose your battles of when and where to wear your stilettos. Keep a pair of comfy slippers at work. When in transit to and from work wear a stylish commuter shoe. There are tons to chose from at sites such as Zappos. It’s all about compromise. Stash those sexy stilettos in your huge statement bag, that’s what the bag is for.
5. Hyaluronic acid injections: In some parts of the world women are getting a 15-20 minute procedure done, which provides 9 months of wearing stilettos pain-free. To read this article in full, click here. Not sure if this solution is a safe choice, but it’s an option.

Life without shoes in itself would be suicide, but perhaps making some better choices will make our feet a little happier. Keep these tips in mind when those stilettos in the store window are begging you to buy them.

Happy shopping!

Here’s the skinny…there are many ways to be stylish and take care of your feet. There are many studies that state stilettos are bad for us as well as some which argue stilettos are good for us.

Well we are going to share with you both sides and allow you to figure out if stilettos are are the shoes for you.

1. Stilettos can help your posture. Most women who wear stilettos tend to stand with shoulders back and stand taller.
2. Putting all your weight on the balls of your feet can put pressure on your joints and cause pain.
3. Wearing stilettos can lead to an array of foot problems such as bunions, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis and arthritis.
4. The American Podiatric Medical Association labels high heels “biomechanically and orthopedically unsound.” Increasing our risk of falling, back pain and knee pain.
5. Stilettos cause lower back pain and can lead to shortened calf muscle fibers.
6. Stilettos strengthen your pelvic muscles because of the posture from wearing heels. Also, they help define your leg muscles.

How many of us are really going to stop wearing stilettos? Please show by raising your hand. EXACTLY… none of us. So here are a few reasonable and not-so-reasonable solutions:
1. Inserts: protect your feet with cute foot cushions such as Foot Petals to increase comfortability (yeah, we know this isn’t really a word) in your shoes.

2. Try different types of heels: There are many other stylish heels that are better with distributing our weight and are very stylish. Such as kitten heels, stacked heels, french heels, wedge heels and pumps.

3. Boxtox: Make your feet less susceptible to pain by getting Botox injections like some of the celebrities. It allows you to wear heels for extended periods of time without feeling the pain. Keep in mind, it doesn’t take away the fact you could be causing damage to your body and feet.

4. Compromise transit: Chose your battles of when and where to wear your stilettos. Keep a pair of comfy slippers at work. When in transit to and from work wear a stylish commuter shoe. There are tons to chose from at sites such as Zappos. It’s all about compromise. Stash those sexy stilettos in your huge statement bag, that’s what the bag is for.
5. Hyaluronic acid injections: In some parts of the world women are getting a 15-20 minute procedure done, which provides 9 months of wearing stilettos pain-free. To read this article in full, click here. Not sure if this solution is a safe choice, but it’s an option.

Life without shoes in itself would be suicide, but perhaps making some better choices will make our feet a little happier. Keep these tips in mind when those stilettos in the store window are begging you to buy them.

Happy shopping!

It is cute and simple...kinda reminds me of a lower end Bottega-esque bag.

Love this little clutch from Revolve Clothing by one of the most underrated accessories designer Rebecca Minkoff. I think she designs really cool, classy and uptown bags with a downtown price. This royal blue ditty is no exception with it’s cute fringe tassle. Available at the featured E-tailer today
http://www.REVOLVEclothing.com

Dior

In my search for fabulous bags, I keep returning to gaze in admiration at this Dior Lady Dior bag. Is it the color? The shape? The retro style? The label? Maybe it is a little of all those things. I love Dior, but the Jackie O inspired style, morphed with the color trend and hardware to update, speaks loudly to my fashion sense. No, it actually screams to me! This bag is ladylike but packs a punch. I guess that twist is what I adore, in Dior ~

A view from the penthouse ~ Avery

Dior Lady Dior, medium patent top handle

P120-150 each.

shop online at

http://kabanbags.multiply.com