Handbags


Beach bags for summer 2014

One of the necessities for summer 2014 is a fabulous beach bag! When the sandy beach calls, the last thing you want to do is bring your prized designer tote to the beach where it can be bleached by sun, filled with sand, get wet; or who knows what?! Beach days call for a beach tote which is playful and reflective of the fun times that can be had while playing on the sand, in the water, and around a beach town.

There are so many things to look for in the perfect beach tote. The main features a beach tote needs for the summer season is to be sturdy, roomy, easy to wear over the shoulder (never know when you need to free up your hands for a boogie board, surf board, cooler, etc.), colorful, and lightweight. For summer 2014, there are many beach bags on the market which fill these needs. Since this is the case, it is time to start looking for a pattern, print, color combination, and style which fits your personality; and your hot-off-the-runway beach-wear!

For summer 2014, beach bags are being shown with classic nautical stripes, in bright colors, clear PVC, with playful prints, catchy sayings and in timeless straw. Since beach bag styles for summer are a little bit different than the trends we saw on the runways, they are not in line with the trends we are seeing in swimwear and beachwear for the summer 2014 season. 

When wearing beachwear or swimwear in graphic prints, stripes and with sporty inspiration, look for a solid colored beach bag, clear PVC, or one with a solid background and kitschy saying in one color. This way the beach tote will stand on its’ own without competing with your overall ensemble.

If you are going for a classic, all-black look on the beach, or a brightly colored ensemble in solid hues, look for a beach bag with stripes, a playful print or straw. This will add dimension to your solid hued look and make your beach bag a focal point in your overall look. Love that!

I found a few fabulous beach totes around the web for summer 2014 and assembled them into the shopping widget below. I hope you love them! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉

What are your favorite beach tote styles for summer 2014?


Kicking off summer vacation

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Pictured: Lipstick: c/o Dolce & Gabbana “Petal” / Necklace: c/o Sterling Forever / Earrings: John Hardy / Top: Mink Pink (past season: also love this one and this one) / Skirt: ASOS / Bracelets: Tory Burch, Beau Bijou (similar here) / Nail Polish: c/o Laura Mercier “Attitude” / Handbag: c/o Jill Milan / Shoes: Chanel (past season. also love SAVE or SPLURGE)

I wore this outfit to my son’s graduation from Kindergarten. Not only was it adorable to see my son wear a graduation cap, it was amazing to see how proud he was to graduate! He is really excited about entering first grade next year and I am excited to have all three of my kids on the same schedule!

Don’t get me wrong, as “freeing” as it is to have the kids in school, the school year can be hectic and downright stressful! In addition to driving the kids to and from school, once I pick them up after school I become a taxi driver; taking them from activity to activity. I am fortunate to be able to work from home and be there to drive them around after school. Although, I have to admit, summer vacation is just as fun and relaxing for me as it is for my kids!

I am thankful to have this fabulous drawstring  bucket bag from Jill Milan’s fall 2014 collection. It is perfect to wear now and into fall; not just because of the neutral metallic hue, but because it is so practical! This bag fits everything I need for work and taking my kids from activity to activity. I can fit a few iPad’s inside, plus a novel, snacks, water bottle and everyday purse essentials. Practical + fabulously fashionable = love!

I am so thrilled about the bucket bag trend right now. Drawstring bucket bags are perfect for everyday life and they are not as heavy and bulky as totes. I am looking forward to wearing my Jill Milan bucket bag for a very long time 🙂

To view more of Jill Milan’s handbag line, please visit JillMilan.com.

Shop the look:


Fall 2014 handbag wishlist

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From top left: Red Satchel / Black Shoulder Bag / Brown Suede Fringe Mini Bag / Color-blocked Mini Tote

There are so many fabulous handbags on the market for pre-fall 2014! I am in love with these four handbags for fall; now I need to decide which one will join my collection!

What do you think? Do you have a favorite pre-fall 2014 handbag?