The bag that got away

*head desk* I cannot believe what an idiot I’ve been. Loeffler Randall’s Rider bag was on a ridiculous sale at Saks Off Fifth for about a week now and I found this perfect natural color that I wanted ever since I laid eyes on the style, I have no idea what the hell I was waiting for. I finally have the funds for it, all I have to do it add it to chart. The price of the bag is originally $525.00, Saks was selling it for $220!!! Now they are all sold. Last weekend I signed up on the LR’s website for a “surprise” in my inbox everyday. Today I got an e-mail saying some of their Riders are $200 off but it is not the color that I wanted. Powder Blue is not bad but it is not my first choice either. I’ve become this impulsive shopper to a undecisive one, I am not sure which is worse.

Help! Should I wait for another sale of the natural color or just settle with the blue? Will the natural be ever available at the price I wanted again? Or should I just give up and put the $$$ towards a more investment type priced bag?

 vs.

Review: Zara Mini – City Bag

Lately I’ve been on the satchel slash cross body style of purses and the Zara Mini City has been on my watch list. It is the perfect size (10″x12″x4″) and shape for an everyday office use. It fits all my basic essentials: full size wallet, make up pouch, travel size lotion, sanitizer, small notebook, clear zipper pouch for small documents and other knick knacks. The outside material and the strap  are made of 100% polyurethane which have the saffiano like feel. The inside lining is cotton. I love the sturdy structure and the navy shade, it is perfect. It is a neutral color for what I have in my wardrobe.  The gold plating on the padlock hardware of the bag is also of high quality, I expect the shine to last a little bit longer with a help of a polishing cloth. Over all the bag is well made and price is just right.

Love the bag? Buy yours here

The perfect summer purses

Purses are very crucial in accessorizing, I rarely see a female sans handbag draped in her arm. It is just not possible, the stuff in our bags or as the male species would call it “junk” have to be placed somewhere else right? Our environment is demanding we use less plastic in these generation, so most grocery shopper either have a recycled non-woven tote bag in their midst. Mothers like me, either carry a baby bag or an oversized tote to haul all the stuff for our babies, but now that he is 2 years old, I can actually pack light with the use of a medium size crossbody bag. Club goers op for the cutest clutches, working woman either gets a tote bag, brief case or any top handle that would look professional yet still incredibly stylish. Said handbag suggestions also comes in different colors, occasions, etc. Like the different styles, every season, the female population also match everything we wear with the season. You can’t wear long sleeves or jacket in the summer that would be insane, well it goes that same with bags, sure not to much but still… Anyway, this leads to my original subject, “The Perfect Summer purses” I think most of us can agree that bright colors and pastels are it or prints / patterns that screams summer! He are different summer perfect purses for every style, what’s best about it is it won’t break the bank. (click the images to but the bag)

Perfect Beach / Day totes

ModCloth – When in Venice Beach Bag

Zara – Large Perforated shopper bag

The working gal

TJ Maxx – Miztique Mini Dome Bag

TJ Maxx / Badgley Mischka  Camo Tote

 

Street Style

Nordstrom / Sole Society Nellie Backpack

 

The Fashionista Mom

Kate Spade NY – Bow tile Francis baby bag

Statement piece fan

Nordstrom / Nila Anthony – Geo Beaded Clutch

Ashlynd – Goldy clutch

 

Perfect boho babe purse

ModCloth Busy Day Beauty Bag

Top Shop – Patterned suede bucket bag

 

The new satchel

There is something about buying an item at it’s full price that makes me feel guilty and partially cheated. Working with manufacturers opened my eyes on how high mark ups can get. I especially feel this way when I buy top notch designer duds, there is something very very wrong and stupid when I want to buy an item valued more than our monthly rent on the house so no matter how much that though depresses me I always walk away. I also get the justification of mark ups (for the most part) overhead is a bitch, raw material increase every time they order for restock, some brands are handmade not mass produced, we are paying to flaunt the brand, etc. but as a consumer especially on a budget and if it is available in a different brand with same material and comparable quality, I would love it if I can get them at a discounted price. I’ve been wanting the Kate Spade Wellesley / Prada like frame, something sturdy and structured since I carry a lot of papers for school and work, I need it to fit a folder. I am so sick of carry totes, I put something in there and my items are all over the place, I have to fish for something before I find it. I got a bag from Just Fab (photo below) 3 months ago, it is cute and the size is perfect but I want a leather bag, so I’ve been searching since.

So last Friday the fam and I visited our cousin in San Diego who celebrated his 27th birthday. The next day while they were all hang over, I got bored and decided its time to buy a new purse. My 12 year old and I went to Nordstrom Rack Mission Valley. Hunting for that style bag. I was really hoping that they would have some of those Kate Spades but I was out of lock, instead I saw these two

I would have picked the Furla because I am more familiar with the brand, it is made in Romania and the size is perfect but it was not as structured as I want it to be and the color is just blah, it is too tan for me, I’d go with a lighter tan. The Pour La Victoire though has more pizzazz to it, sure it is not really the frame type that I am actually looking for but the weave flap design pulled me in. I was a little hesitant at first because of the size, it will not exactly fit a folder unless I fold it in half and it is made in China, don’t get me wrong the quality and craftsmanship is superb but I am really trying to buy more made in USA or European ones (personal choice, no need to politicize it over) but over all the gorgeous design and that oh so cute logo won all the cons. Yeah most I bought it because it is more of a work of art than what I needed, go figure. LOL.

Here are more pictures of the bag

And this is my today with the bag