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!

Don’t have a reason to party? You might if you had this clutch by Zagliani (at Browns). Taking python to a new elegant level is this skin’s ruching. How do they do it? It’s clear there’s some major craftsmanship behind this purse, so you shouldn’t feel too sad to read its price: $1165. Not convinced it’s faaab enough to merit the UK Pound exchange rate (nothing is worse paying more than double, to moi!)? Well how about its truly innovative closure: not only does this purse have a toggle in the center, but each side features zippers, so one may optionally undo the bag further. Fun! At least, in the mind.

Still, we Amercian chicks will mostly just enjoy the photos on this blog, while the UK bagistas can snatch this clutch for a mere 565, their currency.

Bullocks! Party on, you lucky, fabulous ladies, you’ve won again. (But don’t forget to check out those pictures!)

Click for more (photos: angles, colors, etc.) »

This post is part of our Early Gift Guide Week.

For the handbag lover, the perfect gift above a certain budget range of course depends on the specific (bag) lady, but one choice, and my top pick, is the Louis Vuitton Mini Lin Speedy Croisette (only in size 30). How many fashion-minded women wouldn’t be thrilled with a Louis Vuitton, especially one both classic and modern. What put this pattern over the top for me was its new color option; an understated red with overall pale tones, making this bag subtly festive for the holiday season, while classic enough to tote all year round; for years to come.

The LV Mini Lin Speedy Croisette (not a direct link, as the LV website [where it’s only available] is flash, apologies.) only costs $750.00, too! Not bad! It would be the best gift of the holiday for most women out there!

And if you want to pass this on to someone as a hint -> there’s an e-mail forward linkto the side, above ->>. Or if you’re wishing for something only similar by Vuitton, browse or pass on this link for eLuxury’s LV Holiday Gift Catalog.

Furthermore, please leave your comments on how you feel about this pick (hey, it’s a tough call) and what would be your choice. (Better for forwarding to others, my dear.)

Click for more (photos: angles, colors, etc.) »

Combining a few of the hottest trend aspects of the season: unique closures, gathered leather and … maybe a high price point; is the new range by little-known Smythson; the Nancy bags.

In the styles of clutch, small satchel and large, and standard colors of white, tan, black and dark brown; there’s almost something for every fashionista this Fall with the Nancy collection … except that these bags are propelled into the IT race with a price range of $1,032 to $1,981. Somewhat much for a little-recognizable status bag, but the purses really are nice. And did I mention trendy? They have a lot of the appeal of a Stam, plus the more practicalities of a medium size option and no heavy hardware. The gathered leather is done in a sophisticated and unique way; sort of appearing like a diamond quilt pattern but not - and the clasp is not only fresh, but covered in luxurious leather - the same calf skin the entire exteriors are made of.

Besides the major minus of toting your new prize causing some to think you merely have a brandy inspired bag, is the lack of a fun color - which to me is the most important trend of today. A punch, some jazz! Still, these are purses meant to display elegance, maybe they need only be subtly beautiful.

And who knows what we’ll see in the future if the Nancy catches fashionistas’ fancy!

Seeping in the sophisticated and elegant with the past (and current) quirky and oft even western purse styles, is designer Isabella Fiore. The brand is my new favorite for intricacy, quality and ladylike-ness mixed with that COACH pricepoint.

The line seems to be increasingly popular on eBay, too, for I lost an auction. Oh drat! Well, I need to save my pennies, ’cause I think I’ve found an apartment to move into!! Oh yes.

While it’s hard to admire such great work as Fiore’s from afar, when even the small house now demands drooling attention. I can do it. Because - afterall, I can’t afford all the styles I see that I then want, can I?

Most of you have heard the crazy frenzy involving Anya Hindmarch’s “I’m Not a Plastic Bag”, which is indeed made of cotton. The 5 pound bag (currency, not weight) sold out in the UK within one hour of being released. Then resellers reaped hundreds of dollars of profit via eBay.

Now a U.S. version is coming stateside (pictured). And the wait-listing is set to begin.

So why do I make the bold claim that Anya is an eco-poser? The bags are limited edition, with a 2 tote-per-customer limit. But to use these at groceries, one would need oh say five. When they sold out, what happened? Well, they didn’t immediately continue production, just lived it up from the buzz. When limited edition colours hit stores in outside countries, UK will be stocking more at Sainsburys stores. (So hopefully the correct steps will be set in motion.)

I understand that buzz is very good to make people want to follow this earth-friendly trend, but Hindmarch is 1: just hawking a fashion for fellow faux environmentalists, girls who will do it because it’s trendy, and 2: it’s just plain ironically twisted that these bags can’t serve their intended function, and most people who want one for that function can’t get one. The eBay buyers, by the way, in no way intend their main desire to be to help the Earth. They want a piece of IT, ’cause hey, even at $400 it’s not too-too bad a price to catch a HOT celebrity-toted designer bag. And the ones who sell, are they anti-green and pro the greens (if you know what I mean)? Yes, but who can blame them, when I’m sure 90% of you reading this would sell one if you had two. Click for more (photos: angles, colors, etc.) »

�A new great style from Marc Jacobs is this Deborah Bag, a shoulder tote with zipper details. Selling now in white, the bag also features a signature push lock (on�the zipped attachment closing the large front pocket) and classic square strap buckles, in addition to the double zipper feature toward the top of the bag.

The Deborah measures 15″ x 10″ x 2.5″ and costs $975.

I’m hoping this purse at some point, or in another store, is released in other colours. Yes, white is trendy and attractive, but practical alternatives need to be offered. I like this bag, and it has a little bit of everything Marc (aside from quilting, a chain strap, or anything Stam-y) but I don’t desire it nor see IT in it. Still it’s a very pretty purse, with a great price especially for its size and amount of style. If this is your dream bag, grab her!

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I don’t often like Juicy Couture bags enough to think of them as blog-worthy, but this ‘It Girl’ framed satchel is pretty attractive, and Juicy’s signature crown is really working here!

The large-sized bag has a shoulder strap, gathered body, and crown-shaped oversized kiss-lock frame closure. is 14″ w x 8″ h x 6″ diam, comes in white or black leather, with silver-tone hardware and sells for $625.

Now Juicy just needs to shed their ‘Teen Girl’ image, and more fashionistas will drool over nice bags as this!

Zac Posen, a hot and popular ready-to-wear designer with celebrities and in-the-knows, has now put out a line of handbags. The bags are on the simple and sophisticated side and quite well designed.

My favorite is this Aurora bag, a tall satchel with kiss-lock closed straps over its framed closure. In creme at 12″ x 9″ x 6″, it costs $1,400. What a way to make an entrance!

Purchase Posen’s bags at eLUXURY and Neiman Marcus.

Continuing with their style of a very geometric logo print, is the design on Fendi’s Crossword Clutch. In a word: “smart”. With cleverly laid out “tiles” or strips of silver letters on white leather, which spell Fendi in a perfect rectangular “U”, this bag has name appeal and is attractive “to bag”. Complete with a silver metallic handle with “Fs”on each side, appearing similar to their Zucca logo, the clutch is sized 12″ across x 6″ down. This pieced together bag doesn’t have too steep an expense, yet it’s not being given away in a game! It’s $920 at Neiman Marcus.