BagBunch.com has recently posted a very popular and controversial argument against celebrities appearing charitable yet lavishing themselves with luxury purses. Read the article to learn a thing or two, if nothing else. But what are the ethical answers to my two questions: #1 Does a good person not deserve the best of what they love if it barely adds up to their total income? #2 Do you consider celebrities receiving free gifts so they in turn advertise the merchandise?

Feel free to discuss this issue here or on the original webpage.

I’ve included this “quiz” the webmaster suggests other sites share:

Chloé has put out soo many fantabulostest bags this season, it’s mad! Many aren’t happy with new (and recently sacked) designer, Paulo Melim’s clothes, but come on - those bags! I’d hire him if I didn’t do all my own designing and well, owned a huge company. Just for bags, of course. To me, this will be Chloé’s big year, aside from 2005 - there are just way too many bags I’m dying to blog about, even with my newer philosophy to stick to only the most notable (good or bad).

So yes, I’m behind this Spring… and where to start? Well why not where I have a little pun already popped into my mind - even though it’s just an update on my favorite, and I recently blogged about the Paddington, but oh well! It’s a fave for a reason, perhaps.

Yes, the Paddy, that I have dubbed…

The Pattenton

Basically, the Paddy’s out in patent now, which actually is notable for a bag known largely for its smooshy leather. I say since they recently failed to keep up with the quality, why not just go patent? Not forever, but it’s amusing, aaaaaaand surprisingly gorge! I love the matching tone on the new padlocks, too, and that blue is giving me cravings! Other tiny details were altered, as well, which always keeps the bag-candy browsing interesting … even if I can’t afford such a bag right now. And it’s not one I can easily “copy” and make, either. But that does just keep the love deeper.

If you want to and can snatch one up - good luck - Paddies are widely sold out, at least online.

It’s Florida (my first year living here), it’s June and I’m …. not feeling Summer.

It doesn’t feel like it to me. Bring on the plaids, the tweeds, the knits… sighhh…

I look at this:

Pucci Bag

And I’m blinded. It’s not a bad pattern, I just cannot take the bright hue right now.

I’m truly afraid I’m going to have to either phone it in, to praise such bags as this “Sundial” - or just look ahead to the Fall collections.

Humph.

Perhaps proving that Juicy Couture designers never had true talent, and have now run out of trend-scoping steam, they’ve come out with this tote.

It. is. a market. - read - grocery - tote. in. leather. Oh, with a. little logo. creed. %&I$&#$@

Yeah, I say it right back to Juicy. You’re NOT “couture”. You produce this in the name of the purse, I say to you, f*(k you right back.

Poor animal that died in the name of this line.

Even though the Paddington is my favorite designer bag, it’s not for the lock. In fact, it’s quite despite it’s more silly features and is largely about those side belts.

But the silliness does not end at that huge padlock, I suddenly this morning found myself pondering why the Chloé brand is so insistent on using only the silver-tone (nickel?) metal for their zippers, no matter how aged-brassy the rest of the hardware is. Apparently it glides better - but the problem is the bag is still a pain in the tush to zip up! Half the time those unsecured ends come undone.

I’d say give us a little less “quality” metal and give us a feature that will actually help speed up the toting of this purse, because most of us just “fling the lock over”, and we could use at least one easier step.

… On the other hand, it kind of tickles me that the bags may seem fake to some when they are the true ones (however I’ve never seen a matchy-matchy fake, sigh).

Now I must go remind “Choccy” I love her. (”Mama didn’t mean it!”)

Meant to be worn on the outside of even your clothes, the new limited handbag collection by Victoria’s Secret is comprised of luxe, soft leather. Originally designed and made only for their lingerie models, Vickie’s is now offering a line of 4 styles to its customers - but only in brick and mortar stores. Unfortunately that means pictures are scarce (anyone got a mall spree and a camera phone?) - but I have this preview. The collection consists of only the Manhatten Bowler, the London Tote, the Luxe Weekender and the Coin Purse. Prices have not been revealed online, either.

From lingerie to leather? I find it’s silly when not the dominatrix step in between - however those skins look ultra scrumptious! I do hope to get a chance to check out the bags.

Suffering succatash!!! OK enough with the S alliteration, but my tongue is practically hanging out of my mouth anyway. Or it’s closer to my eyes bugging out. After I saw this new bag from Marc Jacobs my mind went into a tizzy.

Buy the Marc Jacobs Cecilia

I think I like it better than the beloved Stam! It’s such a refreshing re-take, which is confoundedly rare in the bag design world, actually. First of all, doesn’t that strap give hope that it can rest on one’s shoulder?? The gathers are made even better, and you know what, that straight horizontal zipper on the Stam always looked too much like a grumpy mouth anyway. This is a bit less edgy, aside from the lack of the frame closure with HUGE kiss lock - and I really like the classicism of the Stam look. (And finally, I hate to say it but the Stam also has an odd look, sure its uniqueness is amazing, but um hmmm…. me lovey this more!!)

The good news for all is that unlike many designers, this new and later version does not come complete with price hike. This Quilted Cecilia sells for the same as the standard Stam - well just a few dollars, literally, more - at $1375.

The bad news for me is that I now have rent to pay and have less to spend on fashion, since my money goes mostly to purse making and fibre art supplies (oh yes, after bills ;-)). I did just get a new job that starts in a month, but … mmmmmmm. That’s supposed to go toward me *not* “borrowing” rent money from my mother, actually. Te he. (Hey I’m still weak, weak Designer Ella, even with my new making the bags things!)

Now I’d love to sell off a bag to get this, I would really looove to buy this bag, but I sure don’t actually want to sell my Stam. Someday though, I hope hope for someday.

Until now I plan on making a details-altered inspired bag. More inspired, less knock off, trust me. I’m going to chronicle this journey here on the blog, too! Stay tuned, and please, if you love, see in person, find more colors or buy the bag (affiliate, but not subliminal), comment and let’s chat!

At least this fuglyfabulously ugly bag is pure joke … um, right, Etro?

Bag + Chicken = ??? Chickbag! Able to confuse www.etro.com visitors with a single bawk.

Seriously, this company does make nice bags, what’s up with their odd language-referencing campaign? (Visit the website and click on “fish” for English to see what I mean.)

The name of this clutch is the “Perfect Touch Leather Wristlet” (catalog name). And even just by looking at the picture, you can tell it’s made from that buttery leather that goes even beyond a 2005 Paddington, with the velvety softness slightly moving closer to suede. (I recently bought some deerskin exactly like that for making bags, so I know it’s not only nubuck!) But with that luxurious feel, it’s something one can still afford (leading us away from thoughts of nubuck bucks.) And it’s all good, for pesky nubuck is as difficult to care after as suede, anyway. No this wristlet, while being as cute as can be, is also super practical for tucking in essentials on a Spring walk or casual afternoon date.

Yes, at only $39.95, you get rich-feeling leather with great design, and no plastic-y rainbow logoed fabric. At 5.5″ x 4″, this bag comes with a trendy tassel and chain wrist strap. Buy it only through North Style.

Seen on Rihanna, an Olsen and Rachel Bilson…

DO wear your bright accessories with more neutral clothing.

DON’T wear them with equally bright clothing.

DON’T turn 80s by pairing bright with too much black!

Now have fun shopping!