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.

Apparently Barack’s message of change and hope brought “designer” Timmy Woods hopelessly back to vintage style. Even if you love true vintage, you may be bummed by this red, white and blue homage to Obama’s “logo”. I imagine most recessionistas and even Obama-crushers would not feel a strong desire to show off this branded symbol, even for we who think it holds a better message than Ls, Vs and flowers. Woods’s work was previously showcased in Sex and the City and I’m afraid poor, classy Michelle Obama will be forced to “flaunt’ this creation, possibly at the Democratic National Convention.

But will she be alone? This garbage bag will sell to the public, with partial proceeds going to charity. I picture this dressing up the walls of handbag-enthusiasts’ collection areas much more than dangling far below their shoulders.

I bet, no know, that fellow fashionistas and Etsy crafters could sketch better and more stylish interpretations of political idolatry and ideology. In fact, I’d love to see your work, especially if there’s interest in a contest! Leave me a comment.

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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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They’re bras with … breastises inside (check 2nd picture–mature)! This is the most inventive handbag creation since the first person correlated purses with vaginae (probably the first man to see a woman with one, and I vouch for the concept).

These wallets are open inside like pouches, with one zippered pocket, so they could double as small clutches, too. Just be careful who’s around when you pull your cash out of the - um - cups. Whoo! Bag flash!

What a riot! This custom Money Bag (different bras/skin tones) is available from Freckleface for only $35. Beyond a steal for a must in any purse collection!!

And for more fun, check out the beyond saucy baldie lady, the Britney - it’s the um, other part. Click for more (story, photos, etc.) »

There aren’t more fabulous bags than the more colorful or textured Chanel purses to make a girl happy this dreary winter. This resort season, the funkiest bag is this Sequined Denim Flap Purse. It features little bows of striped denim with large white sequins fluttering about the otherwise classic flap bag, complete with chain strap.

If this bag makes you gleeful, consider contacting Chanel for purchase info. Click for more (story, photos, etc.) »

This bag is all silver and gold, and perfect for the holidays. That’s gold metallic leather (very structured) with silver hardware. This “Crystal” clutch by Gucci would be a great gift for your girlfriend if you’re still stuck on what to get - as good as jewelry! Hey, it’s much better than some afterthought “present” - natch. All you need to do is take a trip to your nearest *nice* mall and go in to Neiman Marcus, look for the Gucci section or room (it’s really nice in that store fellas, can you handle it?) and of course fork over the $495 dollars. Trust me, that’s a pretty good price!

It’ll work out, with gifts like these, you’ll be virtually written a pass to get out of the dog house until your choices for Valentine’s day materialize. Plus when she carries this beauty to your New Year’s Eve event, you’ll definitely get a nice kiss at midnight … or something more later.

Single ladies, or less fortunate coupled gals who won’t get such a nice treat, you might want to use your card money and invest in this fabu clutch as your New Year’s party evening bag. This on your arm is better* than a man tying you down anyway!

*Apologies to the fabulously in love, it all depends!

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 (story, photos, etc.) »

Sometimes one just finds the most unique accessories when searching for the more budget-friendly brand handbags. This opalescent clutch, the Nannette, from Claire Sanchez, features the pop of a little faux fur tuft. The mixture of shine and powderpuff is really interesting, and surprisingly attractive. Plus it makes this bag a fun, refreshing choice for holiday parties.

The bag is sized 10″ x 7″, made from iridescent silk dupioni, and currently going for a holiday sale price of $57.60. Buy it soon for the holidays at www.ebags.com! (affiliate)!

(By the way, it’s also great that it comes in blue; the color of Hanukkah!)

Click for more (story, photos, 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!

When does the phrase “hand made” really mean something? “Designer bags” are “hand made”. Yeah, right — we can’t actually know the level of strictness that label really means for most brands (below Hermès). And then there’s the hand made for which straight stitching means it’s, well, “cute” straight - if-ya-know-what-I-mean. And that’s great! Nothing wrong with a little amateur purse making.

But when we get something hand made, and not in China, that appears to be the same creativity and quality as any high end brand, like Coach or higher perhaps?—and then .. it’s the same price point as those Coach bags. Well -

It’s certainly SOMETHING Special!

Take the bag above; look at the lines, the uniqueness, the leather, the hardware (and the symmetry, thank you)! This bag was made by an Etsy seller, and it sold (yes, it’s sold) for (only) about $200.

They’re not all bags this spectacular and luxe over at Cha Cha’s shop, but there is a nice demi flap purse going for $145. If you fell in love with the bag above, though, one other great aspect of indie design and shopping is that you may ask the designer to make another - and she probably will!