Let's cut to the chase: we're looking for another handbag staple to add to our purse collection, and said task is proving to be quite tedious. In effort to sidestep the classic blacks and browns that we're typically drawn to, we landed on some of these crisp winter white bags, all of which can be found on ASOS. While considering the versatility factor, winter white seems to be a perfect way to tone down that emerald sheath or ruby sweater... or to play up your favorite patterned ensemble. What do you think??
Pining for Purple
For the past couple months we've been working with one of our sweet clients to design fun & elegant invitations with pops of amethyst. As the job has been coming back from print, we've been ecstatically ripping open the boxes and swooning over the whole invitation suite and have developed a love for this jewel tone. Consequently, today's purseday pick is a dreamy violet bag from Prada that we've been eyeing for the last couple of weeks. Isn't she stunning!?!
Clockwise from top left:
Magnolia Gloves {via}
Marc Jacobs iPhone Case {via}
Square Stud Earrings {via}
Prada Saffiano Satchel Bag {via}
Kate Spade Franca Sunglasses {via}
What do you think of this hue? Are you crushing on it or avoiding it?!
The Perfect Shopper
Why change up a perfectly good thing? Well, when it comes to handbags we can't think of a reason and THANKFULLY, Zara is in agreement with us on this one. The Braided Shopper has been making an appearance with slight variations for over a year now and it has proved to be quite a staple in any handbag collection! We're just swooning over the statement shape that exudes elegance {thank you for showing us how to rock it, Olivia Palermo!} and being made of 100% buffalo leather, can you IMAGINE how silky & soft this bag is?!
Hey Junior!
Happy Thursday Purseday! Today we're excited to share a round up of purses that fall in the category of a recent handbag trend: Mini Bags! We've noticed this super cute miniature style from designers across the board and truly love the idea of lightening our load... and giving our shoulders a break. Perfect for a night out on the town or for a day of exploring!
{1} Tory Burch
{2} Rebecca Minkoff
{3} Milly
{4} Coach
{5} Loeffler Randall
What do you think?! Love it or hate it?
Lugging that laptop
Being part of a small business, most of my days are spent toting my laptop across the city and back again. While it's not ideal, I love, love, LOVE my job so I can't complain. Today I'm excited to highlight one of my favorite Christmas gifts this year:
Yes, I can now lug my computer around with the help of Marc- in the chic-est way possible. Agh, I'm in handbag heaven and just couldn't resist sharing with you on, in light of the first Thursday Purseday of the season! Did anyone else get a handbag for the holidays that they're swooning over?!
Give give
In the spirit of giving and as our last Thursday Purseday of 2012, we felt compelled to share another company whose proceeds benefit a cause that we believe in. Give Give is a fair trade company that produces fashion accessories made in Nepal. Hear more about their story here and jump on board with their mission! All proceeds go to providing workers with direct access to health care, education, and good wages.
In addition to getting a ridiculously cute bag, what more could you hope for than to empower hard working people and support people who are less fortunate than we are?! A bit pre-mature perhaps, but thinking ahead to our New Years resolutions, supporting some of our favorite non-profits will be much more of a priority. Have you started thinking about resolutions yet?
FEED
What's better than a handbag that benefits a good cause?! In our purseday opinion, not many things. Regardless of where you stand on that question, we're absolutely loving the FEED Foundation's collection of handbags, and think that they would make a fabulous, re-usable, stylish, all around "good" holiday gift! Check out their collection of bags and other items, where a percentage of the profits go towards FEEDing underprivelaged countries and struggling cities.
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There's even a bag dedicated to supporting those affected by Hurricane Sandy! The iconic FEED logo on each bag represents a movement and gets people talking. And raising awareness for a good cause is pretty stinkin' fashionable, right?!
Phillip Lim
Lately we've been loving layering {how else would we survive autumn in New England?!} and in effort to keep the look fresh, we've been stalking and studying some of our favorite fashion blogs. While over on My Style Pill the other week, we spotted this stunning polka dot combo... and a luxe leather handbag by none other then Phillip Lim that we're trying oh-so-hard to not drool over!
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Gold hardware, zippers and soft, textured leather... oh my!! The purse is so breathtaking that we nearly forgot to take notes on how to replicate the rest of the ensemble!
Another sparkly year
Alas it's here: another birthday. One of my favorite parts of birthdays is to reflect on all that has happened in the past year... and to anticipate all that is to come. Year 29 has been a wild ride, but I bid it farewell feeling stronger then ever and filled with thankfulness that I've been blessed with so many beautiful relationships and a job that I adore. So today, I eat cake and anticipate what 30 has to offer. One thing I know, it that it's going to be FABULOUS. What better to kick off this year {or any year} with a little bit of sparkle to set the tone?! I've had my eye on this Miu Miu inspired cake for some time now, and it couldn't be more appropriate to feast on today!
Find out how to make the glitter cake {here}
And my purseday pick is going to be a staple for this year to come: a glittery gold envelope clutch. Though I really have my eye on this Anya Hindmarch clutch, I found this similar style for next to nothing! It's probably best to save the splurges for classic, timeless pieces, right?
Have a sparkly day!!!
Emerald
Those of you that have been following Thursday Purseday for awhile know that I am so stinkin' excited that colorful handbags are a trend. If you're a recent reader, please note that the vast majority of my 20's was spent wearing shades of grey, black, brown and the occasional pop of white... and I'm still mourning the time I lost. ;) The jewel tones that are flooding stores as of late, have us swooning completely, and this round up of stunning emerald bags nicely sums up our adoration:
1. Michael Kors
3. BCBG
4. Olivia Joy
5. Fendi
Pretty sassy, don't you think?? What is your favorite jewel tone that's trending right now?
Engraved
Since we spend our days creating and sorting through beautiful letterpressed paper, it probably doesn't come as a surprise that we're OBSESSED with all things engraved and pressed with a similar texture- such as this stunning glossy aborigine Louis Vuitton bag. Yes, meet the handbag of our dreams:
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Gah!! Could she be more radiant or perfect for fall?! I think not. Happy Purseday!!!
Feminine Fall Clutch
How was your Halloween?! We spent the evening camped out on the front porch while one by one the costumed neighbor kids cleaned out our candy supply... naturally! Having a chance to catch up with neighbors has got to be my favorite part of the holiday. Seriously, what other day in the year can you knock on a random person's door, just to strike up a friendly conversation and share candy?! Since we're ready to welcome November, today's Purseday pick is another fall fave. In our humble opinion, this Deux Lux clutch would be the PERFECT accessory for bridesmaids in an autumn wedding. What do you think?
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Equestrian Obsession
We're completely embracing the studded trend that is popping up all over these days and this equestrian influenced Multi-Zip Horse Clutch is on our list of faves right now. Truth be told, when it comes to real life horses we get a little skittish, but these gold stallions are pretty awesome. And for only $53 it's almost a must-have, don't you agree?! The nude version is pretty cute too...
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Monogram that!
I'm not sure if you know, but we have this little obsession with monograms. Creating custom monograms for our clients is a complete joy and when we see them pressed into cotton paper with letterpress or foil printing, it's simply exhilarating. ;) Yes, we're easily amused, but that's ok. Anyway, we're pretty much adoring these customizable jewel toned travel wallets from Neiman Marcus and the gold lettering is just the cherry on top!
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What a sweet gift idea too, don't you think?
Colorblocking is the new black
When we caught wind that brights are the new neutral, it was elating to say the least. :) I mean seriously, we spent the first quarter of our lives stocking up on black, grey... and the occasional pop of brown and it's high time to spice things up. For their winter/ fall collection, Coach brought back some 1960's inspiration and released the Colorblock Legacy collection. Oh and are we ever glad that they did...
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{1} Slim Envelope $228
{2} Leather Flap Carryall $498
{3} Medium Skinny coin purse $78
{4} Large Clutch $168
Have you sported the colorblock trend yet? Would you rather have a classic piece like these Coach beauties or something priced for trending such as these crossbody bags?
Amanda Pearl
Today, our purseday pick is a shout out to a Seattle native, Amanda Pearl who has built quite the brand for her luxury evening bags. With previous experience designing for Marc Jacobs, she brings vintage fabrics, funky designs and unexpected materials to construct her ADORABLE clutches. We love that her designs are inspired by antique jewelry, modern art and the fashion and culture of the Fifties and Sixties!! Yes, they indeed have character...
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Jet Setting
This week is just flying by faster than ever and since I {Anna} am heading out of town next week, I have all things travel on the mind. Packing for an 8 day trip to Seattle, Portland and San Diego is proving to be quite the chore and my mental check list is taking up way too much brain space. You know what I'm talking about. So we're having a little "travel edition" on this Thursday Purse day because I can't help but to dream of sporting a sophisticated luggage set such as the Private Jet II set from DVF...
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It's not that I don't adore my current oh-so-preppy powder blue luggage, it's just that something chic from DVF would be much more fun!!! In order to help ease the burden of packing, I stumbled across this adorable packing list from Pinque blog...
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Indeed, this should help. And if you have traveling in your future, I highly recommend joining me in printing out & using this checklist too! Happy Purseday!!!
Bringing it back
The other day, our dear friend Erin {from One Two Summer} came over and was toting along a cobalt blue backpack in lieu of a purse. Now, let's preface this by saying that Erin could convince me to buy into just about any trend... it's kind of ridiculous how this girl seems to make everything look brilliant. Ridiculous and awesome! Had I not already started to notice this throwback style returning, I would have been massively skeptical, but some of the lovely ladies of Boston have been rocking it around the city. What do you think- would you dare bring back the backpack?
{1} Nine West- $75
{2} Dooney & Bourke- $188
{3} Madewell- $248
{4} MCM- $920
{5} Longchamp- $125
*All photos from respective sites
Pining for python
Several years ago when we met Elliot Lucca, {the younger but oh-so-chic sibling of The Sak} we fell in love. Their signature woven leather bags stole our hearts, but now looking into their fall handbag collection, it's time to admit that they've taken python printed leather to a whole new level. And this level is one we want to stay on for a long while...
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Gilded Leather
What goes best with your fave LBD {little black dress}? Well, besides a pair of saucy heels of course, a breathtaking clutch is an absolute necessity. We spotted these incredible Bottega Veneta gems and we're still hanging on every last detail. Indeed they are a splurge, but can we pretty please try to rationalize the gorgeous gilded leather with this adorable waxed leather knot closure?!
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Yes, this would make a statement indeed. But alas, at $1300, it will sit on the wish-list until we can find enough "pros" to outweigh the con of going in debt for this work of art.