Rosette Satchel
Last season and going into this season rosette detailing is a hot item. I’ve seen it on dresses and on shoes (uber cute) mostly. They come in many sizes from itty bitty to ginormous. It is one of those details you should only have on one or two items.
Up until now, other than one pair of shoes, I haven’t really loved it. This bag on the otherhand, as soon as I saw it I loved it. I love the fresh spring color and the all over rosettes — they almost look real! This beauty is from Baghaus and at posting was on sale for $69.95.
Happy (early) spring!
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Topic Links
* Get your own Rosette handbag from Baghaus
Handy Bags
Baghaus introduced a few new bags this week. Here are my favorites (videos courtesy of Baghaus). As you can see the majority of them are quite large, with a smaller one for evening.
For those still experiencing warm weather here’s a great weekend bag — Malik Regina Hobo. The right size to throw in a light change of clothes. I love the color. And only $39.95. It comes in five other colors!
The career bag — Melie Bianco Tori Bag. It is big enough for a book a few file folders and the usual staples. It comes in a subdued taupe or a hot lips fuchsia for $90.90.
The every day bag –Lola Tristan Bag — is big enough for all the emergencies that come our way. It comes in tan, black and coffee for $53.95. I especially love the simple texture of this bag.
And finally the evening bag — Melie Bianco Vogue Evening Bag for $49.95. Not too small that all you can carry is your lipstick. It’s a functional evening bag. Currently only available in gold but I imagine they will be getting more black for the holiday season.
There is a small debate as to which size of a bag is more flattering to the plus size body type. Personally, I go more for style and functionality and think if a woman likes a purse she should use it regardless of your body size and the size of the bag. What are your thoughts on an every day bag? Is bigger better?
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Topic Links
* Get your own handbags from Baghaus
The Convertible Bag
Following in line with many online retailers, Baghaus has incorporated video viewing of their products so customers can get a better look at the items they are interested in. I absolutely love this concept as I’m able to see how the product moves and how big it actually looks next some one (dimensions aren’t always what they are cracked up to be). Ultimately the concept must lead to fewer returns.
One of my favorite functional bags is the Sienna Dylan Convertible Bag (which reminds me a lot of a Namaste bag I’ve seen recently) — sorry sold out at the moment). Hot, from the picture? Probably not.
But tell me the shopgirl demonstrating the Sienna Dylan Convertible Bag didn’t put it in a new light. I looked through a lot of videos of so so bags and the videos totally changed my impression of them:
Not every single bag I looked at had an accompanying video but most of them did. Between all the clothing shops (Igigi comes to mind) and accessory shops adding video to their sites we are definitely looking at a new age for online shopping.
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Topic Links
* Go watch some product videos at Baghaus
The Farrah Bag
Retro is still rocking the fashion scene and while I can work with some of it, other stuff needs to be scaled down a bit. Remember the jackets way back with the fringe from arm to arm, they are trying to make a comeback, and in my opinion are way too much fringe for my liking. That’s where this adorable fringe bag comes in. It’s subtle.
This bag, this bag I can do. It is also kind of a fashion tribute to beauty icon Farrah Fawcett (Feb 1947 to June 2009) — and yes I sported the same feathered hair at one time (and I wore it well!) having been impressed by reruns of Charlie’s Angels. It’s amazing how one woman could have such a huge effect on hair and male hormones.
I’m still a huge fan of Big Buddha bags so it wasn’t hard to fall for the Farrah Bag. It comes in six colors (yellow, orange, cream, brown, black, and beige) for about $72. It looks real but it is synthetic suede. It’s a decent size too at 12″ x 11″ with a 17″ handle.
This is the one occasion that I actually like all colors but burnt orange, black and yellow are pretty hot right now. Go get your Farrah on.
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Topic Link
* Get your own Big Buddha Farrah bag from Baghaus
Control Myself Bag
What a hilarious name for an adorable bag. Is that some kind of oxymoron for shopping or what. This Nicole Lee Control Myself Bag is available in five vibrant colors; the purple (which looks like pink to me) shown here, black, white, green and blue (which is also awesome). 
This hand bag measures 15″wide x 11″ high x 4.5″ deep with a 9″ handle. Not too big and not too small. It may look like real snake skin but it’s synthetic leather. And to top it off it is only $59.95.
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Topic Links
* Get your own Control Myself Bag from Baghaus
Avril Bag on Sale
Over at Matt and Nat, the vegan bag store, the red Avril bag is 50% off. This 17″ x 13″ handbag comes in five other colors. 
If you are not familiar with Matt and Nat they are a respected bag designer (for men, women, and babies) out of Montreal, Canada that produces environmentally conscious handbags, briefcases, wallets and diaper bags. Yes, they do the international thing.
I am so looking forward to seeing their fall line up. I’m hoping they will have a less textured line as I’m getting a wee bit tired of the textured bags.
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Topic Links
* Get your own Avril bag from Matt and Nat
The Man Bag
You know how when you visit Amazon, you’re logged in the website and it provides “recommended” products they think you will like. Today I was there and this man-bag was featured in my recommend products. I don’t know how they new it but they were right. I love it. 
I’m not sure what determines a “man bag”. According to Wiki, the traditional man bag used to be a briefcase but today it is the messenger / reporter bags. I love messenger bags and I don’t think they are strictly masculine. This one would even go with the white tunic I mentioned yesterday!
This dark chestnut Pepita Italian Leather Explorer’s Bag is $129 from Amazon. It is “handmade in Italy using real vegetable-tanned Italian leather” and measures 8.25″ x 4″ x 10.25″; a perfect size for little treasures and every day use.
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Topic Links
* Get your own man bag from Amazon
Pink Candy Canes Stripes
There are so many bags at Jumeau that I love. They have a casual and carefree feeling to them. I would stock my closet if I could. But this candy cane striped Atomic bag is my favorite small hand bag for summer. 
It’s official color is Fire Engine and Bark but it makes me think of sweet candy canes. The Atomic bag is part of Jumeau’s “Now Collection” and is only $39. It has an internal zip pocket as well as two Velcro ones. If pink stripes are not your cup of tea it also comes in lemonade, street car and café.
Sweet!
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Topic Links
* Get your own Atomic striped bag from Jumeau
Peace For Your Heart Bags
Bridget Reid and Lizann Grupalo started a company called Peace For Your Heart (PFYH). They produce and sell Alpaca handbags and wraps. If you are not familiar with Alpaca it is an animal that lives in Peru that produces an abundance of fleece (think sheep here). PFYH “returns a percentage of every sale to local Peruvian families and their children in the highlands of Peru”.
Currently their fall line from last year is 50% off at their online boutique. And you know when I say boutique that means pricey. PFYH bags are made with baby alpaca fleece and fine Italian leather. I would definitely consider these luxury items that require more care than your average handbag. See the website for details.
I love the berry red Manhattan Tote for $347.50 (regular $695.00). It comes in other colors and textures.
And the Hamptons Hipster for $247.50 (regular $495). It also comes in black.
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Topic Links
* Get your own Alpaca bags from Peace For Your Heart
Lily Ecolo Eco-Friendly Bags
Lily Ecolo, an eco-friendly carry all bag company in Canada has just updated their website. It’s one of my favorite eco-bag companies providing an assortment of bags both in design and size.
I emailed Josee on the weekend to ask her about using a coupon on my blog and she offered Five Favorite Things readers their own coupon. How sweet is that?
If you use the coupon code: plusshe01 you will receive a 10% discount on all the products in the store. There is no minimum purchase. This coupon will expire May 28th 2009.
Here are three of my favorites:
As you can see I seem to have a thing for stripes today. The first item is the Lily Ecolo change purse which sells for $12 Can. The second is the Lily Ecolo mini which sells for $25 and last but certainly not least is the Lily Ecolo uber practical bag for $59. She also has many bags that are black with subtle fabric trim.
Lily and Ecolo will ship to Canada and the United States. Some of the customer service features like faqs and shipping information are still being posted but Josée St-Amand is very quick to reply to any questions via email.
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Topic Links
* Visit Lily & Colo for eco-friendly bags
