Mansur Gavriel drawstring bucket bag review

DSC_0941DSC_0821mansur gavriel bucket bag reviewDSC_0954DSC_0952mansur gavriel mini drawstring bagDSC_0946DSC_0956DSC_0966DSC_0960Pictured: Mansur Gavriel drawstring bucket bags. Black bag is vegetable tanned leather. White bag is saffiano leather. Mini bag is vegetable tanned leather. Photos: 2015©

The Mansur Gavriel drawstring bucket bag is one of the most sought-after handbags on the planet. This has made the handbag even more alluring than it would be if it was found sitting alone on a store shelf. Mansur Gavriel’s handbags are handmade in Italy and extremely high quality. This fact, combined with the moderate pricing structure, makes Mansur Gavriel’s handbags a great deal!

I have owned both the large size drawstring bag and mini drawstring bag for about one year. They have both held up extremely well. Although not shown, my DSLR camera fits nicely into both sizes. Even when my DSLR is inside, the handbag still offers plenty of room for everything I need in day-to-life. With the weight of my camera and other items, Mansur Gavriel’s handbags have held up perfectly. They are extremely strong! This is a key feature for a Mom like me.

One of the concerns a handbag fan may have with vegetable tanned leather is how much wear and tear will show on the leather itself. Although it does show scratches, the scratches blend into the leather, and with time, the patina is beautiful and does not look scratched at all. 

While my black handbag, and white handbag, have held their colors nicely, my mini bag has darkened over the past year. It went from a light tan to a medium tan. I like how it looks, but if you are looking for a pale tan or beige bag, this will not be the one you are looking for.

The drawstring handbags by Mansur Gavriel are lightweight, which makes them easy to stuff with things without worrying about making the bag too heavy. The strap is comfortable and the handbag stays put on my shoulder; unless I am bending down or running.

I find the mini drawstring bag to be the perfect size for day to day use. The regular drawstring bag is a little bit big and I find myself having to dig in deep to find my wallet or lipstick. 

My white drawstring bag is only a few months old, but it has held up well too. The white is incredibly durable and does not take any dirt. The saffiano leather is durable and remains scratch-free after daily use. Love that!

Although the regular size drawstring bucket bag comes with a detachable pouch, I have not used it. The pouch is narrow and only seems to be useful for storing receipts or business cards.

Overall, I rate Mansur Gavriel’s drawstring bags; both regular and mini, five out of five stars. They are durable, priced right, offer clean lines, and fit everything one would need to get through the day! Love that!

To shop Mansur Gavriel, please click here, here, or here. If they are currently sold out, please refer to my previous article about getting your hands on a coveted Mansur Gavriel handbag by clicking here.


Pamella Roland fall 2015 New York Fashion Week

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Photos: Cathy OBrien/Bay Area Fashionista 2015©

Pamella Roland showed her fall/winter 2015/2016 collection at New York Fashion Week on February 16, 2015 in the Pavilion at Lincoln Center.  Her collection was vibrant, and energetic. You could hear the crowd gasping; with resounding oohs and aahs. It was brilliant!

For fall 2015, Pamella Roland gave off a 1970’s vibe with luxurious fabrications, flowing silhouettes, and touches of sparkle. The color palette was dark and classically autumn. On Pamella Roland’s runway, hemlines were long, side slits were high, patterns were understated, and sheer fabrications abound. It was a beautiful collection, which is sure to hit the streets this fall 2015 season with fervor.

The black dress at the bottom of my photo set is my favorite. Which look is your favorite?

To shop Pamella Roland’s collection, please click here


Casual spring weekend wear

40 plus bloggerbay area fashion bloggergivenchy antigona black sugar small handbag bloggerbay area style bloggerkendra scott summer 2015 bracelets blogger outfit ideacasual spring outfitstuart weitzman tie flats black suede

Pictured: Earrings: Kendra Scott (sold out, similar here) / Sunglasses: Prada / Lipstick: Chanel 487 Amorosa / Top: Express / Bracelets: Kendra Scott, double strand, single strand / Nail Polish: Chanel Lavanda / Handbag: Givenchy / Belt: Kenneth Cole (old, also love this one) / Jeans: Gap / Shoes: Stuart Weitzman

The weather has been quite mild the last couple of weeks. This means it has been perfect tee-shirt and jeans weather! Since jeans are my favorite pants on Earth, wearing them with a comfy tee-shirt is one of my favorite weekend casual looks. 

I love this 3/4 sleeve tee from Express. It is made from a soft, cotton blend, yet offers more style than your average tee. It looks ultra casual untucked, and very put-together tucked. I am looking forward to wearing this tee often this spring, in early summer, and this upcoming fall.

This season I have been in the mood to wear flats. I normally gravitate towards high heels, but with the current trend towards flat shoes, or platforms; I have chosen flats. These tie up flats from Stuart Weitzman are not only comfortable, they offer a little sass with the ties. They look cute with summer dresses too. Cannot wait to wear them with a dress! Now to find the perfect dress. . .