Bay Area Fashionista

Mansur Gavriel drawstring bucket bag and Pretty Living feature

 in Announcements / Handbags  tagged bucket bag / drawstring bag / interviews / mansur gavriel / pretty living magazine / spring 2014 by

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Photo: Mansur Gavriel handbags online here and here /  Nail Polish c/o Laura Mercier

I cannot contain my excitement; I got my hands on a Mansur Gavriel drawstring bucket bag! This beautiful handcrafted handbag is vegetable dyed and made from exquisite leather. The interior is carefully finished with a beautiful red hue and looks just as beautiful on the inside as the outside. I love pieces which are carefully crafted and exude pride, quality craftsmanship and timeless appeal.

Aside from being the “IT” handbag of the moment, the Mansur Gavriel drawstring bucket bag offers a classic look which I look forward to enjoying for many years to come. The leather will soften and eventually display scratches which will give the handbag character much like vintage Coach handbags with their famous patina everyone longed for back in the 1980’s and 1990’s when Coach’s baseball glove leather was in high demand.

The Mansur Gavriel handbags have a cult following, and since they are handmade in Italy, they are not mass produced in high quantity. This has made the demand for the Mansur Gavriel bag far exceed supply; resulting in a seven month wait, on average. I absolutely adore well-made handbags and I love the ease of being able to reach in and out of the top of the handbag without needing to fiddle with a zipper or unreliable clasp. I have my eye on the light tan with pale pink interior drawstring bag by Mansur Gavriel. I may need to add my name to the waitlist for it!

I would also like to thank “Pretty Living” magazine for the recent feature! You can read the article at PrettyLivingMag.com.

Where to find Mansur Gavriel online. Be prepared for a wait list!

Bella Schneider Beauty Culmine Caviar & Carat review

 in Beauty  tagged bath products / face / labelle day spas and salons / local shops / spa treatments by

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Pictured: Bella Schneider Beauty Culmine Caviar & Carat c/o LaBelle Day Spas & Salons.

There is a famous, luxurious spa treatment which can be enjoyed right here in the San Francisco Bay Area. The facial is called a “Gold Facial.” Gold has been used in skin care for centuries in order to help skin look younger, stimulate collagen and renew cells. Its’ use dates back to Ancient China. 

On April 3, 2014 International Supermodel Bar Refaeli treated herself to a gold facial and Instagrammed the moment to her followers. A media frenzy followed the moment and speculations ran crazy about the possible cost of a gold facial; some suggesting the treatment cost over $1000! The reality is that Bar Refaeli’s gold facial cost less than $200; making it an affordable spa treatment for anyone seeking a little luxury, and younger looking skin!

This fabulous facial treatment can be had at LaBelle Day Spas & Salons located in Palo Alto and San Francisco. Of course, if you are not local to the San Francisco Bay Area, and you are not planning a trip here anytime soon, never fear, you can find these products online! They are online at labelledayspas.com which means you can indulge in gold while in the luxurious comfort of your own home! Love that!

I did indulge in the comfort of my own home. As a busy Mother of three, finding time for a facial is next to impossible! Thankfully I was able to try two gold products from Bella Schneider at home. And yes, they are fabulous and indulgent!

I tested out Bella Schneider Beauty Culmine Caviar & Carat “Exfoliating Gommage” and Bella Schneider Beauty Culmine Caviar & Carat “All-Day Cream.” 

The “Exfoliating Gommage” by Bella Schneider Beauty Culmine Caviar & Carat was an incredible way to cleanse my face. Everything from the scent to the texture to the silky feel of the product was luxurious. The “Exfoliating Gommage” did am amazing job cleaning my skin. It took away any dry spots on my face left from the sun and cleansed my pores. I found that it does such a good job I only need to use it one day per week. 

I also tested out the “All-Day Creme” from Bella Schneider Beauty Culmine Caviar & Carat and it too offered a silky texture and luxurious scent. It left my skin even and perfectly moisturized throughout the day. I am thrilled! 

Since these products are so amazing at home, I can only imagine how fabulous the actual facial at the spa must be! This summer when school is over, and my schedule is less hectic, I plan to take a day and indulge in a gold facial from LaBelle Day Spas & Salons. 

I rate Bella Schneider Beauty Culmine Caviar & Carat products five out of five stars!!!

To learn more about Bella Schneider Beauty Culmine Caviar & Carat products and LaBelle Day Spas & Salons in Palo Alto and San Francisco, please visit labelledayspas.com

 

Balenciaga handbags are about to have a price increase

 in Handbags / Shopping  tagged balenciaga / news / spring 2014 / totes by

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That’s right! On May 1, 2014 Balenciaga will be increasing their price points. The increase is rumored to be as much as 20%. This means if you have been eyeing a classic Balenciaga City Tote, you may want to act on it before April 30, 2014. Of course, which styles will experience a price increase has yet to be seen. It could be all Balenciaga handbag styles, or it could be a select few. But, do you want to risk waiting to see if the style you have been coveting will experience a price increase or not?

After May 1, 2014, the prices could go up by 20% and you may need to either continue to save up for the Balenciaga bag of your dreams, or abandon the thought of purchasing one altogether. Now no-one wants to abandon a purchase!!!

Over the past few years handbag fans everywhere have watched as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Mulberry and more have rapidly increased their price points. Many of the price increases have been due to the fact that there are less suppliers in the handbag industry producing high quality materials.

A few years ago, during the economic downturn, many suppliers in Europe did not weather the storm. This meant the usual suppliers used by the top luxury design houses went out of business. When the economy recovered and the demand for luxury handbags bounced back from a small dip, designers such as Chanel, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent, and the like, went scrambling to fill their orders. Unfortunately there was a smaller supply of luxury leather and materials than had been available before the economic downturn. As a result, there are less materials today than there were eight years ago for luxury handbag designers to purchase. This is simple economics. Low supply +  increased demand = higher prices. Those costs end up being passed on to the consumer. 

In addition to an increase in materials, labor has gone up since the economy rebounded. As with materials, smaller manufacturers did not weather the economic downturn. These were manufacturers who had been in business for over a century. Again, less manufacturers and increased demand will result in higher manufacturing costs; which causes prices to rise.

It was only a matter of time that the supply and demand issues in Europe would reach the House of Balenciaga. As a result, on May 1, 2014, the prices of Balenciaga handbags will increase. Buy now, or empty out your wallet.

Balenciaga around the web: