There are some bags that just mustn’t be shown the normal web page size.

This Marc Jacobs Snakeskin-stamped purse is one.

Marc Jacobs Collection Cecilia Embossed Snakeskin Satchel

“Quilt” Jacquard and croc-stamped leather, all on this sophisticated shape.

Lovely … But why is their logo letter “E”?

I’m all over this shape! (And pink!)

In fact, there are no tacky bags in their current collection!

Juicy Couture Distressed Leather Fluffy, Winter White

I was born and mostly raised in Massachusetts, always south of the heart of the city of Boston. I now live in a dream vacation land of Florida - in the nicest (read: safest) city in the state, to boot. But ah - no boots, not really. Yes, October starts the best of the season here in Sunny F.L., but I do miss my Mass. It started with tiring of the Chinese Food in this state, being the comfort foodie I am. And then I missed out on late-invited NYC Fashion Week events (not that I could afford plane tickets this insane financial year) and then … well life can get tough.

Recently my Facebook friend and fellow fashion blogger, Lady Coveted, posted a photo shoot in the northern crisp air with sweaters and oh - the turning leaves. And yes, I do miss those leaves!

My mother reminded me that the pretty palet changing symbolizes dieing and yet - there is this undeniable appeal, isn’t there?

Sunny Rising: Grape Leaves Clutch

Handbags can always come to the rescue though, or well in this economic crisis if one can’t truly afford a purse, perusing teases but still titillates. My misfortune could be good luck to a reader, though, because the clutch I have in mind can only be in one person’s two hands, for it’s a one-of-a-kind handmade on Etsy.com. (And not inexpensive, at a more-than deserved true-designer pricetag of $239.)

The burnt look of the tooling on this burnt sienna leather accessory nearly perfectly sums up the desire raging in us, no? And on the back, read words perfect for Autumn’s Sweetest Day: “grow love”.

Those are words to end a poem by, let alone a mere blog post.

Based on the style-preference delusion that fashionistas don’t detest big fringe, and seemingly out of the 70’s, has arrived new bag design house MUXO. Designed and crafted solely by Camila Alves and her own dear mother, Muxo’s bags are painstakingly labored over by their own hands, tools and a rarer cowhide from Brazil - no not even sewing machines are used by this team. That’s not to say this indie business isn’t big biz backed or have gone/are going it alone en route to already-instant fame, for the designer is a fashion-and-Hollywood-insider as a former model and current baby-momma to Matthew McConaughey’s newborn son Levi.

So there’s no need for Camila to pray to label namesake, an African goddess of water, for help - which is lucky because what does water have to do with land-animal-skinned accessories? No, with unique “ironing” details and bags that go beyond leather-jacket fringe and long straps, such as a frame satchel and several nice clutches - I even predict mother-daughter team will encounter a bit too much success than four hands and not much more electricity than lighting can handle. Perhaps little Levi will help in the future? The 1 month old was recently quoted, “Dad, mom, I wanna go support mom’s purses”. Aww! I hope this couple is as open-minded as they’d seem.

If you’re interested in these unique bags, they range from $450 to $1,400, are available through their official website, or you can check them out in person at L.A.’s Kitson.

With a flap fastened by their signature turn-lock, no key required or present, this bag is undeniably Coach-style, yet unmistakenly Hermès-inspired.

The Hamptons Leather Flap Tote
(in Coach’s oft-literal naming style.)

I would totally buy one of these, but only if/when…

1. I make more money again… paying rent + utilities now and times are tougher..
2. They shorten the handles a bit.
3. They do some punchier colors. Red or blue? Something still neutral and wearable.

Still I think this goes in the positive ranking for Coach.

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.

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!

Wa-wa-woo! This ritzy Chanel bag is super fab, no? The Crackled Metallic Calfskin Flap Bag with cut-out signature appears to double as a clutch, making it a great party bag. Of course, who goes to such fab parties? Oh well! At least Chanel is playing up the clutch trend, which is huge I’m feeling, bigger than last year even - and that makes this bag even more fun to fancy. I can only imagine its ritzy price, but you should contact Chanel if you more than fancy. Unfortunately its a brand not-too Internet friendly, even if their photography sure is.

This bag looks like it started out with trends from the indie scene. First the designers layered cutout circles atop each other, then added beads. Then the designers moved on from today’s looks, with the most popular of ancient handcrafters’ marks, the Native Americans’ “feathers”, embroidery and thick stitches.

Unfortunately instead of hip and/or homey, the bag looks more like a trashy “professional” in a barely-there fringy skirt complete with diseased boils.

Instead of made with love this $2680 monstrosity is made with extra fug.

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