Handbags


Valentine’s Day Gift Guide to Santana Row

Hasn’t January flown by? This means it is 14 days until Valentine’s Day! Which also means, 13 shopping days until Valentine’s Day! Eeeek! Well, never fear, my Valentine’s Day gift guide to Santana Row is here to help you find the perfect gift for that perfect someone.

Whether you are shopping for a friend, a special friend, or a loved one, Santana Row has you covered. There are fabulous gifts for friends from shops such as Annie Glass, BCBG,  and LuLuLemon (for your fitness buddy of course!). If you are looking for something a bit more special, you can splurge at Spence Diamonds, or save at Jest Jewels.

There’s this ring at Spence Diamonds . . .

spence diamonds santana row

Or maybe . . .

Sometimes a special day is more fabulous then a gift! Why not treat your special someone to a spa day at Burke Williams followed by a fabulous meal at Blowfish Sushi, Cielo or LB Steak! He or she will LOVE a special day for the two of you on the row. Of course, when you need to put a bow on it. . .

Here are my favorite gift ideas from Santana Row for Valentine’s Day this year:

Tesla

tesla santana row 2017

Tesla is undeniably the hottest car on the street these days. Why not surprise your special someone with a fabulous ride? The red is perfect since it will remind your loved one the car was a special Valentine’s Day gift from you. Nothing says love better then no emissions and a design to-die-for!

For more information, visit Tesla at Santana Row

Kendra Scott’s Spring 2017 collection and Valentine’s Day special collection

Kendra Scott is the perfect place to find something for the fashion-forward friend, or special friend, or loved one, on your Valentine’s Day list. The spring 2017 collection is a-ma-zing!!! Since blue is such a hot color for spring 2017, I photographed the blue pieces for you to peruse. . .fabulous right?!

For more Valentine’s Day gift ideas from Kendra Scott, visit her store at Santana Row or call the store at 669.231.0300.

My picks from Kendra Scott for Valentine’s Day and spring:

Gucci

Gucci is having a moment, a BIG moment. The hottest IT items in fashion right now come from Gucci. If your special someone loves fashion, this is your ONLY possible destination for a Valentine’s Day gift. The current must-haves for Fashionistas include a pair of these slides, this belt, and the Marmont bag. Buy her all three, and you win Valentine’s Day!

For these items and more hotter than hot pieces from Gucci, please visit their shop on Santana Row.

My Valentine’s Day gift picks from Gucci:

Sugarfina

Need some sweets for your sweetie? Sugarfina is your Valentine’s Day destination! They have fabulous Valentine’s Day themed sweet treats and Bento Boxes so you can create the perfect confectionery box for your special someone.

To learn more, please visit Sugarfina at Santana Row.

Still can’t decide what to get that special someone for Valentine’s Day this year? Visit the concierge at Santana Row and they will assist you in purchasing a gift card which can be used at retailers and restaurants throughout the Row. Nothing says fabulous like picking out your own gift! Love! If you cannot make it in person, you can purchase a gift card online here.

For more information about Santana Row, please visit Santana Row.com.

Happy shopping, Happy Valentine’s Day, and stay fabulous 😉

*Thank you to Santana Row for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.


Top 5 IT bags under $1000

mansur gavriel lady bag in black

For those of us who love handbags, the search for the perfect IT bag is an ongoing process. Styles and tastes change every year, and most disturbingly, every season. Keeping up with the IT bag fury can cost thousands of dollars! Thankfully, there are some IT bags which are also considered classic “must-have’s” for every fashion girl’s closet, that are under $1000. One is even under $500! Whaaaaaaat?? Here they are!
top 5 it bags under $1000

Pictured from top left: 1) Mansur Gavriel bucket bag / 2) Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC convertible shoulder bag-clutch. Under $200! / 3) Philip Lim Pashli large size / 3) Philip Lim Pashli mini which is under $700 / 4) Tory Burch Robinson current version / 5) Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag

Mansur Gavriel has mastered the IT bag market with high quality handbags that offer clean lines, and classic styling. It is no wonder the drawstring bucket, which put Mansur Gavriel on the map, is ranked #1 on the list of the top five IT bags under $1000. Thier more recent design, the Lady Bag, has proven to be just as desirable as the bucket bag over the past couple of years, elevating it to the list at #5.

Coming in at #2 on the list is the classic Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC bag. This cute little handbag has been around for what seems like forever! It comes in new colors every season. If you want longevity, pick it up in black. It offers the best IT bag value at a price point under $200. Plus, the mini MAC converts from a clutch to a shoulder bag. Love that!

The third moderately priced IT bag on the list is the Philip Lim Pashli. This bag was on the IT bag throne a few years ago, but it has moved into classic IT bag status by continuing to be highly sought-after by handbag fans everywhere. Philip Lim puts out new colors every season, but for longevity, look for black or beige. This bag is also hot in the mini version and large version; hence the reason both sizes are featured on the collage above. Pick your size, and you are hotter than hot!

The forth hot IT bag is the Tory Burch Robinson satchel. This bag reinvents itself every season in new colors, textures, and fabrications. This season’s version is a beautiful woven, black and white design. It is a classic color combo and texture; perfect for resort, spring, and summer, why not grab it for under $1000!!

While many of us feel the pressure to purchase a shiny new IT bag for $3000, we don’t have to! These five bags prove we can carry an IT bag for less than a mortgage payment.

I own the Mansur Gavriel bucket bag and Lady Bag. They are both high quality, and extremely functional; which adds to their allure in the marketplace. I also own a Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC which my teenage daughter stole from my closet and refuses to give back. (It’s coming out of her allowance!) It too is high quality, and easy to use. I highly recommend these bags!

A few of the top 5 IT bags under $1000 around the web:

What is your favorite IT bag under $1000?

mansur gavriel classic bucket bag


Top 10 classic handbags right now

It seems every season we are seeking the current IT bag of the moment. While there are many IT bags on the market, there are always classic handbags out there which catch our eyes.

What is a classic handbag? To understand this, we need to ask ourselves what makes one handbag more classic than another handbag? A classic handbag is one which withstands the test of time. Timeless handbags have stood on the IT bag pedestal, and when another IT bag du jour stepped into the limelight, the previous IT bag never faltered; it never became cliché.

The reason I have titled this article “Top 10 classic handbags right now,” instead of saying “all time,” is because this list will change very year, or every few years. There are always new IT bags emerging in the fashion world which will eventually fall into obscurity, or rise to classis status.

There are several IT bags on the market right now which are hot for the moment. They may, or may not, become classics over time. To see the hottest bags on the street right now, visit my post here. For classic handbags, read on!

Without further adieu, here are the top 10 classic handbags right now.

  1. Hermes Birkin or Kelly: Groundbreaking right? You already knew this one! The Birkin and the Kelly have sleek lines and they are customizable in different sizes, colors, and fabrications. There is nothing gimmicky about the styling. The silhouette is chic and timeless, making it a classic handbag.

    How to style wide leg pants for spring
  2. Givenchy Antigona: Say whaaaat? Oh yes, this is the perfect example of a recent IT bag turned classic IT bag. The Givenchy Antigona has slid into the closet staple category; everyone feels the need to own at least one. It has a classic doctor bag silhouette and is offered in mini, small, medium and large sizes as well as several colors, and different fabrications. This is must-have for the modern age.

  3. Chanel Classic Flap or 2.55 shoulder bag: Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! Every handbag fan out there needs at least one in her closet. The classic flap and the 2.55 come in mini, small, medium, and jumbo versions. All sizes are hot, all colors enviable, and all fabrications lust worthy.

    Chanel Boy Bag styled for summer.
  4. Chanel Boy bag. Another example of a recent, modern IT bag turned classic. This bag has an edgy slant to it, surprising many when it became an instant hit. Since Chanel keeps reinventing this now-classic style every season, it is one of the most sought-after handbags of all time. Invest in at least one. It is the ultimate classic, casual shoulder bag to own.

  5. Chloe Marcie satchel: This casual, closet staple has held IT bag status for over a decade. The popular colors include black, beige, and caramel. This is a great everyday bag Chloe Girls love to own! It has an unique design which is slightly boho. The bag is easy to use and extremely durable, making it the IT bag for everyday.
  6. Gucci Boston Bag: This is a classic duffle satchel. It has been around fooooor-eva! The Gucci Boston is an everyday bag which is quite casual. It has a roomy interior making it great for girls who like to tote a lot of things around. Vintage versions can be found for well under $1000, making it a budget-wise purchase from the pre-loved market.
  7. Stella McCartney Falabella Tote: This vegan handbag is loved by celebrities and comes in small or large sizes. The Falabella is also available in many different colors making it a fun, everyday bag. The smaller versions can be worn for dressier occasions; not formal, just dressy.

  8. Balenciaga City Tote: The City Tote put handbag zippers and tassels on the map. This soft and scrunchy bag is roomy and practical, making it a go-to everyday bag on casual days. Balenciaga introduces it in new colors every season creating a market of superfans who collect the bag in every color imaginable. The most popular color among handbag lovers is Anthracite.
  9. Louis Vuitton Neverfull tote: This might be one of the most recognizable totes on the planet. The plain, simple design of the Neverfull has made it an easy go-to tote for Fashionistas everywhere. Almost everyone has it in their closet. It is a go-to when traveling, beach-bound, and the like.

    chloe drew
  10. Chloe Drew: This chic, 1970s inspired shoulder bag has a very of-the-moment saddle bag silhouette, yet it has proven to withstand the test of fleeting IT bag status. The Chloe Drew is extremely sought after, and continues to sell well in every color, fabrication, and unique style Chloe has thrown to market. This is most the modern of the current, classic IT bags.

What do you think of the handbags that made the list? Any surprises or bags you felt were missing? Data for this list was compiled through social media post frequency, natural observation throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, and online popularity. I worked on collecting data for this list over the course of six months, I hope you enjoy it! Feel free to comment below, I would love to hear what you have observed where you live too!

Thanks for stopping by

XOXO

Cathy