Did you ever want to be an artist, living the life right out of a New York Minute fairytale? Preferably wearing black from head to toe, kicking back looking acquisitive and relaxed at the same time at your huge gallery opening down in SoHo. Ahhhh, I wish…..at least, I think that would be, like, totally, awesome.

But, wait, I’m not an artist, and even if I have a smidgen of talent, I’m so insecure and full of self-doubt that I wouldn’t even be able to enjoy the moment of satisfaction and exhilaration after completing my pièce de résistance. So, it’s pretty obvious that Fendi’s version of paint your own ceramic (except it’s canvas and not for holding your favorite tea or coffee or flower), is not for me. My word, I wouldn’t know where to begin…what if I pick the wrong palette and mix yellow and brown by mistake? It’s not like I could gesso over it or *gasp* chuck it in the trash since I plopped $1,300 for the blank slate, garnered from either Neiman Marcus or eLuxury. Rendered in coated canvas, with a removable shoulder strap, gold metal logo appliques and an acrylic double “F” logo, the bag is accompanied by 10 Pantone permanent markers which makes me shudder more as because for the price, I expect real gold dust mixed in. Oh, yeah, it’s not returnable after you scribbled on it.

Admittedly not the most original, but the huge bursting rose on a handbag is unequivocally tantalizing, making the heart beat faster, the palms get sweaty, and thoughts of taking the pocketbook out for some major spending. Yes, it looks very much like the larger and maturer version of YSL’s Nadja, or more aptly, as if Nadja and the Muse had a child, and all their best qualities were passed down. It boasts top handles and a shoulder strap for when you want to carry more then your personal effects. The soft, smooshy leather is played up by the ruffles-cum-petals. Yes, yes, I know, it’s just not original to make it an iconic handbag…..but, isn’t imitation the highest form of compliment to an old friend (albeit it’s also a nod to Tom Ford and Stefano Pilati), and so that should be good enough to garner YOUR approval, yeah? Clocking in at about $2,400, it is available on pre-order at Neiman Marcus. Bold and feminine, austere and artful, roomy yet dressy….it’s quintessential Valentino.

Heart’s desire realized in corporeal form. Appearing to the left, visions of red and white posies tied together for the blissed walk down the aisle. Ripened excitement of the day’s event is cusping. This techno-laced petite sac from Marni appears to float in at one with the ethereal good tidings and well-wishers gathered for the sole purpose of celebrating love. However, if love is not what you seek, but which you find overrated, a change of hue turns blushing to scarlet. Both seek happiness….in different ways. The innocent is available at Net A Porter for $945, while the alter-ego is available directly from Marni for $1,082.

The fashion world has lost an icon. We will miss Yves Saint Laurent, a great visionary, a great artist.

I love all things preppy. LL Bean’s classic boat totes are de riguer for me as much as Hervé Chapelier might be for others. No matter which side you like your bread buttered, they are ostensibly very similar. Stenciled cut, squared off, and formatted in colors one would find on a Pantone chart. Great staples. I would like to welcome a third partner with a 21st century twist into the mix. From the Gap, this tote looks to be a product of a brainstorm from an ingenue who got together with her sophisticated femme of a mentor who got together with a modernist. Utilitarian at its core, it succeeds in incorporating summer playfulness, thus making it convertible from office file bag to summer beach or picnic bag to boarding the next catamaran to Catalina Island. So, so, so, incredibly affordable for under $35.00. In durable nylon with two charming bows that tie at each side, it’s perfect to hold everything for every kind of occasion.

Of this quartet of images, let’s look at the very top left. This is the most “accessible” of all, meaning that it’s available online for a mere $1.5k to anyone who comes along. Pretty swanky still, but of course as this is from the luxury jewelry brand, Bulgari. The other three accompanying are special order, wrought from snake skin combined with ancient coins integral to the Greek and Roman origins of the company. Bulgari, known for bold, even somewhat brash, design is equally upfront in their leather goods design. Showcasing quality skin, each handbag carries a modicum of concern for additives other than their iconic roundels. Consequentially, the Graces smile upon with satisfaction.

Starting from left–

• Bulgari, Gathered Sac, black soft calf leather with palladium plated hardware and light blue lining, two handles, one internal compartment closed by magnetic flap with one inside zipped pocket, 15 x 8.3 x 4.7″, $1,550.
• Bulgari, Python Monete, black python leather pochette with “Monete” 18kt yellow gold hardware. This special pochette is enriched by two unique and original ancient coins. If you are interested in this creation please contact us at 1-800-BVLGARI.
• Bulgari, Python Twist, black python leather “Twist” bag with “Monete” 18kt yellow gold hardware, enriched by two unique and original ancient coins. If you are interested in this creation please contact us at 1-800-BVLGARI.
• Bulgari, Python Monete Pochette, white python leather pochette with “Monete” 18kt yellow gold hardware, enriched by a unique and original ancient coin.If you are interested in this BVLGARI creation please contact us at 1-800-BVLGARI.

If you always wanted a Mombasa handbag, which was created in the Tom Ford era for Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, but have had trouble finding one on eBay or anywhere else for that matter, feast your eyes on this. Not bad, eh? It even has a gosh darn real horn handle attached with antiqued-brass O-rings. Thanks to affordable and chic J Crew, for only $398, it is a third of the large-sized deer-horn muse. Honed from “mountain leather” (wtf????) and tumbled in Italy, it comes in Terra Cotta and Champagne. The size is not given straightforwardly on the website, but as you can see from the following modeling shot, it’s a decent size to carry lots. Part of the J.Crew Collection. Import. 7″ handle drop. 9″H at center x 10″W at top x 3 3/8″D. Catalog/jcrew.com only.

A uncomplicated silhouette, but heavily laden with intricate surface decor mimicking Moorish ceramic design, the Margaretha bag by Escada is clearly an iconic resort bag. The large, boxy satchel is functional for holiday’s day and evening, offering versatility by tightening the vertical straps anchored on either side from bottom to the small horizontal straps situated just nether of the opening. Named after Escada co-founder, the late Margaretha Ley, it embodies her vibrate personality and taste as it sparkles in bright citrus hues, sun and deep cyan waters cast over trompe l’oeil tile created by weaved cotton and buoyed by leather. As for the minor details, such as price and dimensions, they are somewhat impossible to verify as Escada makes such perfunctory stuff obsolete on its website. Inquiries are preferred by contacting your nearest store via this link.

Have I been under a rock? Perusing the web per usual instead of doing something of necessity (like folding laundry and picking up toys….boooooorrrrring!), I found The Sak. Yes, the same Sak that you see our mothers wear (no insult intended if it isn’t for your mother) or our grandmothers. Everytime I looked at a Sak at our neighboring Macy’s or Dillard’s, I knew through the core of my heart that I couldn’t pull off wearing one without conjuring up visions and sensory disgust over Mylanta or Metamucil. I have heard of late that the brand was changing directions and courting a younger age group, but that wasn’t enough to get me excited to make a special trip, virtual or literal, to find out. Well, well, well….I like what I see. Granted, I see that these leather bags are not original as they are too-close-for-comfort inspired by Botkier and HH. Given that this might make some of you who are real bag snobs (I’m just a wannabe) cringe, I can live with it if the quality is really spot on. So, what is a ‘quality’ leather bag, in my opinion? Of course, the skin has to be supple and strong, and sometimes exotic, but most importantly, the stitches have to neat and even. I have been lured over to racks and shelves of bags because they looked nice but once I examine the stitching, my crush is crushed like the first sign of a pimple on a pretty face. Shallow, yes, but we’re talking about handbags (and my concept of love back in 7th grade). Incredibly, while they may look pricey, they cost at the most $200. Perhaps this has to do with the fact that The Sak is a large company with an equally large well-connected, established, and high volume producing business model and a long-running TQM, while the smaller indie brands they mimic are still in their toddler years. How else can they offer free shipping for granted as much as we take to breathing air?

Starting from left–

• The Sak, Dakota Leather Satchel in Luggage, luxurious Italian, crinkle-glazed leather is textured , 21″ detachable shoulder strap and braided leather handle, front and side zippered pockets, ‘wine’ colored satin lining, brushed nickel hardware 14″ x 9″ x 5.5″d, 5″ strap drop, $169.
• The Sak, Silverlake Convertible Leather Satchel in Black, satchel converts to a stylish hobo– slide the shoulder strap out of the bottom loops and connect it again over the top to convert. Soft leather, brushed gold hardware, lining is a gorgeous colorful print created exclusively for The SAK by Paris born graffiti artist Gilles Jourdan. Main compartment zippered closure and a front flap pocket. Shoulder strap has a 13″ drop, 16″ x 10″ x 5″ d, 6″ strap drop, $199.
• The Sak, Silverlake Leather Flap Bucket in Cream, roomy hobo in soft leather and brushed gold hardware, lining is a gorgeous colorful print created exclusively for The SAK by Paris born graffiti artist Gilles Jourdan, main compartment zippered closure and a front flap pocket, 12″ x 14″ x 2″d, 8″ strap drop, $199.