I may blame today’s activity to the current boredom in my life. With the fiancee gone, I have nobody to waste time with and the usually desired alone time became a bit too much. I also partially blame the boredom on having just moved down to Florida not too long ago, most of my buddies are still up in Ohio.
While chatting with Megs over iChat (what would we do without the modern technology that is the Internet), she pointed out this interesting little gizmo that was going to break the chains of boredom off my neck and engulf me in pre-schoolish activity for the day. How sweet of her to think of me that way.
What Meaghan pointed me to was a new feature on the Hermes US web site, called Les Ailes d’Hermes, the wings of Hermes. The animated micro site allows you to discover and travel the world of Hermes. You learn about the origins of box calf, the complex coloring of their iconic scarves, you see a glove crafter work the smooth leather, there’s mini-games and much more. The part that transformed me back to being a 6 year old was the I want it, I’ll have it feature. It allows you to pick between 8 different Kelly motifs, download it as a PDF, print it at home and assemble your own mini-Kelly. How fun. If it only wasn’t for me being entirely finger challenged when it comes to fine crafting. Paper is quite delicate, which I learned the hard way. On my first attempt I miserably failed to follow the primitive instructions, folding where I was supposed to cut and vice versa. Eventually, I got her done and the result is displayed above. Click the thumb to enlarge the image. Good job me? A new sense of accomplishment fills my life.
Check it out for yourself, it’s a fun little time waster and a great way to bridge the time that you spend waiting for your own, real life Hermes Kelly bag.
Juicy Couture California Go Green Canvas Bag
Somehow it seems to be an oxymoron that a trend is saving the planet. Don’t we always want to save the planet? Breathe clean air? Eat hormone free food? Or maybe we don’t, hence we are in the position we are now. I love to see designers who offer eco-friendly bags. I just picked up a new favorite green bag which I will be sharing later. Today I ran into a great organic canvas bag, the Juicy Couture California Go Green Canvas Bag, which will work for a small grocery trip, the beach, or everyday carrier. I see many women who use their handbags as a triple threat, a do-it-all. The bag is made with organic canvas and sports a cute heart-shaped green logo on one side and double shoulder straps. There are two open pockets and dimensions are 20½”W X 17½”H X 1″D. Nothing to write home about, but with the green trend, the slow economy, and summer around the corner, this is an option. Buy through Saks for $75.
Mulberry Jody Tote
The logo-lovers are not in Spain (that is except for one brand that I will go into detail about after this trip). As I walk the streets of Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, I see mostly plain leather bags. Nothing flashy, and the lack of flashiness has me walking disturbingly close to some women to check out the designer of their bag. I find it fascinating to see different trends in handbags in different parts of the world. Today I saw about five women carrying Mulberry, which is obviously a well-loved brand in England as well as other countries. I saw a new design on this incredibly fashionable woman leaving Corte Ingles today, and it just happened to be on Net A Porter today too! The Mulberry Jody Tote is roomy, lacks logos, and has the simple black bag appeal. The leather on many Mulberry bags is sturdier, which at times can be heavier, but is part of the appeal. The gold hardware adds a sophisticated touch and the signature postman’s lock closure is found on the front. There is a zip across top, double handles, and press stud fastenings at the sides. This all adds up to make this bag great for traveling, which is top on my list right now. Just under $1000 via Net A Porter.
Hilary Duff with her Prada Fairy Bag
I am now a regular contributor to the SeenOn! Blog, which focuses on what is being worn by some of the most talked about stars today. I first did a piece for them on Lipstick Jungle, and now will be contributing once a week for them.
It has been a little while since I have even seen or heard about Hilary Duff. As the young star lays below the radar, she is working on shedding her Disney image and moving into her own shell. We have seen this young gal carry bags from Rebecca Minkoff to Chanel handbags and now she is sporting one of the most talked about bags of the season, the Prada Fairy Bag. Hilary was spotted wearing her Prada Fairies Bag with a funky outfit, including cowboy boots, short short shorts, and a striped cardigan. I find it perfectly fitting that Hilary is carrying a bag that some find to have more of a young appeal compared to the older celebs that have sported the bag thus far. Sure, her ensemble is a bit of a mess, but she is young and in LA, which means she is somewhat pulling it off!
Original entry found HERE at SeenOn!
If there’s one thing I’ve learned working on a bag blog for the past three years, then it is that women take a lot of pride in their handbag collections. To most males, the realm of the bag is a ridiculous one, after all it is just a bag that allows you to carry your lipsticks around. Guys, wake up and stop being so dense. We all have our cars, our watches, our collections of vintage collectible comic books or silk ties. Let the women indulge in the passion of their own.
This being said, I’ve met a few ladies through tPF whose handbag collections sum up to a combined worth higher than the GDP of a country like Luxembourg. PBC comes to mind, star3337’s collection ain’t shabby, either. It is hardly a requirement to have the world’s most amazing, rare and expensive bags in your closet in order to impress. In our Bag Showcase forum, 1100 people have already showcased their bags, ranging from small indi designer collections to the aforementioned cream-o’-the-crop. One of the latest in collections was resident Purse Blogger Megs’ collection, that I shot by the pool a few days ago. You are welcome to check it out and more importantly, sign up at the Purse Forum and post your proud collection for the world to see.
Charity: Water
While many of us are thinking about what additional materialistic good to get for our mother (or self) for Mother’s Day, there are mothers and children around the world worrying about having some clean water this coming Sunday. Many women and children walk up to three miles a day carrying 40 lbs of contaminated water to their families. Each day 4500 children will die from water-related illnesses. Saks is pairing up with Charity: Water to help bring clean water to those who need it most. Charity: Water is non-profit bringing clean and safe drinking water into impoverished communities. In less than 2 years, we have funded more than 600 projects in 11 nations that will provide 250,000 people with clean water. Through Saks you can purchase a bracelet for $5, send an E-card to your mom for $20, or sponsor a fresh water well for $5000. There are options to do as much as your budget allows and this will show your mom that you care this Mother’s Day; not only about her but about other mothers and children around the world. Read more at Saks and through Charity: Water.
If you have been reading this site for at least the past month, you will realize that I travel very regularly. Many times within the States, to NYC and Ohio to see family, but I am also an avid traveler abroad, mostly Europe. This trip to Spain has been amazing, providing us the most beautiful weather and eye opening experience. I always knew that many large European tourist cities have a plethora of tourist traps, but Barcelona and Madrid have seemed to show a little more this trip. I absolutely love both cities for different reasons. The art of Gaudi in Barcelona is absolutely stunning, the Madrid Royal Palace is breathtaking, but the cities are infested with those who can easily pick a tourist out of the crowd and lure them in. I am by no means calling myself perfect, but I have not been sucked in. Since Vlad and I are in Europe regularly, he has taught me the ropes of many of the different countries and cities and I am more ’street smart’. Even better is that most people think I am German rather than American. I can not tell you how many times someone asks me in German where I am from in Germany, it always makes me laugh. I suppose Vlad’s growing up in Germany has rubbed off on me! The fact of the matter is in the big cities many people are looking for an easy rob; most of these people are not looking to hurt you, rather grab your wallet and run. Even better, grab your entire purse. I brought two bags on this trip, my Rebecca Minkoff Wine Matinee and my Bird Handbags Ostrich Lil Lady. Both have perks in navigating the crowded streets where people are looking to grab and go with your belongings. For the Rebecca Minkoff Matinee if someone wanted to unzip and steal something, that proves to be near impossible. I love every single extra added pocket, some even hidden! Becky has said that she would like to re-vamp the Matinee and remove some pockets, but having all of these hidden compartments has been nothing but a savior for me. Either way I still must carry this bag close to my body and hold tight. This way, if anyone is going to try to take it they will have to pull it out of my lifeless arms. The perk of the Bird Handbags Lil Lady is that it is worn across my shoulder, but I can hold it in front of my body very easily. The long strap allows the bag to have a large shoulder drop, making it simple to pull it forward and carry it close. A downside of this bag is the open top, which can be reached into, but when I hold it close to my body it is not an issue. So both of these bags are fairing well right now, as I interchange them. But the trend I see here, even with the locals, is that they all carry their bags in front of their bodies. This makes it more of a confrontation if someone is to try to steal the bag or the contents. I am by no means scared walking through the streets of Spain, but I am a tad more cautious. Then again, this could happen in any city in the US.
So my question is: what is the perfect travel bag for you? Do you take into account the area you are in?
New for Spring/Summer 2008 is the Louis Vuitton Watercolor Speedy 35. This unique line is the iconic House’s newest take on the classic Speedy shape, releasing the beautiful color palette on canvas just last Thursday. More expensive exotic bags with the print had been out since mid-March, from the best of my knowledge.
Meaghan had been on the waiting list for a while, thanks to the wonderful staff at Louis Vuitton Bal Harbour, FL, I was able to pick up this gorgeous bag for her while she’s out touring through Spain. I attached my trusty 60mm Micro Nikkor to the D300 body, and we had ourselves a cozy photo shoot in the back yard by the pool. The colors of the watercolor printed canvas complement the Florida weather well, today’s sunshine really made the colors stand out. I am sure my fiancee will enjoy the Speedy thoroughly after getting back from Europe!
Sadly, this special edition Speedy runs for a whole lot more than the regular Monogram canvas version: $1,270.00. However, it represents a “financially responsible” alternative to LV limited editions without having to dash out many thousands for an exotic bag. If interested, inquire at your local LV boutique to have your name entered on the waiting list.
Click here for high resolution pictures of the Watercolor Speedy...
5.2.2008 | by Vlad | under: Giveaways |
Purse Blog and Delcina present tPF’s May Giveaway - the Rebecca Minkoff Steady in Ocean!
What’s to win?
The Rebecca Minkoff Steady in Ocean is best described by its name. Steady - it’s here to stay. Satchel style with roomy duffle shape in luxurious supple leather. Added functionality with top magnet strap opening, detachable cross-body strap and exterior slit pockets with magnet snaps.
How do I win it?
As usual, the rules are painfully simple. Browse Delcina’s store and tell us which bag, accessory or jewelry piece strikes your fancy the most.
Post your pick in this tPF thread until May 31st, 2008.
Best of luck to all of you and thanks to Delcina for sponsoring this month’s tPF giveaway!
Today I will be in the airport again, this time flying to Madrid, Spain. This trip is sans-Vlad and sans-work (hopefully!). My brother is doing a study abroad program and my mom and I will be sight-seeing with him for a week and a half before he gets started. First of all, I regret never doing a study abroad. The whole athletics thing clashed with being able to up and leave for more than two weeks a year, no joke. This is why after my swimming career ended, my traveling career began. My problem is always packing. Over-packers-anonymous? HERE!
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What Meaghan pointed me to was a new feature on the Hermes US web site, called Les Ailes d’Hermes, the wings of Hermes. The animated micro site allows you to discover and travel the world of Hermes. You learn about the origins of box calf, the complex coloring of their iconic scarves, you see a glove crafter work the smooth leather, there’s mini-games and much more. The part that transformed me back to being a 6 year old was the I want it, I’ll have it feature. It allows you to pick between 8 different Kelly motifs, download it as a PDF, print it at home and assemble your own mini-Kelly. How fun. If it only wasn’t for me being entirely finger challenged when it comes to fine crafting. Paper is quite delicate, which I learned the hard way. On my first attempt I miserably failed to follow the primitive instructions, folding where I was supposed to cut and vice versa. Eventually, I got her done and the result is displayed above. Click the thumb to enlarge the image. Good job me? A new sense of accomplishment fills my life. 