totes


Best fall handbags under $1000 and under $500

fall-handbags-under-1000

From top left: tan satchel (under $150) / leopard print shoulder bag (under $200) / bag strap (HUGE trend under $100) / navy suede tassel shoulder bag (under $500) / black box bag (hot emerging designer under $500) / classic navy bucket bag (under $500 and IT bag) / burgundy bucket bag (premier designer-great deal!) (under $600) / black embellished shoulder bag (hot fall trend under $600)

The fall season is upon us, and so are the hottest handbag trends from the runways to the street! For fall 2016, we are looking at embellished bags, saddle bags, bucket bags, boxy camera bags or train cases, and vintage appeal. Many of these trends can raise the price of a handbag; especially the embellished bag trend! It is hard to spend over $1000 on a handbag; especially when it might have a shelf life. So I scoured the web for the hottest, most fashionable, IT bags of the season-all under $1000 with some under $500 or under $200! Love that!

To sweeten the deal, many of these hot handbags are under $500, or under $200, or even under $150! How fab is that!?

When shopping for a fall handbag under $1000, there are a few things to keep in mind this season in order to ensure the handbag you purchase is 100% on trend. Look for one of more of these trends in a handbag when you shop this fall season: 1970s vintage inspiration, embellishments, thick shoulder straps, suede, saddle bag silhouettes, single top handle satchels or lady bags, and also dark colors such as black, grey, hunter green, burgundy, burnt orange, mustard, and shades of brown. Classic autumn is in!

If you are wondering about size this season when looking for the best of the fall handbags under $1000, don’t worry about it! Any size goes. Fall 2016 is all about totes, roomy hobos, any size of shoulder bag, any size single top handle satchel, and any size clutch. You cannot go wrong! If you plan to buy a basic color such as black in the hopes that the bag carries you through 2017, then stay away from mini bags. Spring 2017 will be moving away from mini bags.

Another hot trend for the fall 2016 season in handbags is the personalized strap. You can find funky, fun straps for under $1000 in the shopping widget below which easily attach to any one of your satchels at home. It is an inexpensive way to update you current handbag wardrobe without buying a new bag. I bought this one for fall. So excited to use it on my black satchel, which you can see in action here.

There are also several IT bags which are hot on the street this fall, and under $1000! You can find Mansur Gavriel’s iconic bucket bag in stock online here, and this hot boxy bag from an emerging designer online here. I really want to get my hands on the small version in black. Isn’t it cute!

So many fall handbags are under $1000 this season, and so many of them happen to be from hot, established and iconic designers, as well as emerging designers to watch. This is a great season for handbag shopping! Love that!

What is your favorite handbag style this fall 2016 season? Are you more of a shoulder bag girl? Or do you prefer the structure of a single top handle satchel? Perhaps you are feeling boho and gravitate towards fringe or tassels? Or perhaps you love chic and interesting designs such as embellished bags? I have found myself leaning towards saddle bags, buckets bags, and single top handle satchels. List your favorites in the comment section below!

Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉

Designer fall handbags under $1000

Designer fall handbags under $500

Designer fall handbags under $200

Statement making handbag straps under $150


Summer totes for summer 2016

best totes for summer 2016

Summer totes from top left: black tote (designer classic) / straw tote (under $70) / classic red tote (under $300) / straw tote (under $500 and packable) / red tote (timeless designer bag under $1000) / black tote (hot designer on major sale!) / tan tote (under $175) / navy straw tote (on trend & under $150)

Summer is here! This means we all need the perfect tote for the pool, the beach, and traveling to fabulous summer destinations! Since I am in the market for a cute summer tote, I decided to compile the most fabulous on trend, and timeless summer totes, in various price ranges, into this post.

Straw, shades of tan and brown, pom poms, embellishments, and shades of red, are all hot trends in handbags for summer 2016. I love having a classic summer tote on hand which can be worn with a casual outfit, or a dressier ensemble when a roomy tote is needed. (let’s face it, when you have kids sometimes the cute shoulder bag gets left behind and your tote is paired with a dressy outfit despite the unfashionable nature of the look)

I love the idea of an on trend, hot off the runway, embellished tote! The pom pom tote pictured above embodies all the hot handbag trends of the season, and it is super cute to boot! It will also be perfect for beach, and pool days. I am definitely leaning towards the navy straw tote as my summer 2016 tote.

The red totes are also calling my name. I would love a classic, red tote which can easily be worn during the summer months, as well as into the fall, and winter seasons. Red is an important color for the upcoming fall season; and it plays well with the 1970s inspired color palette for both summer, and fall. A red tote definitely has longevity with the current trends; plus it is a timeless bag that can be worn for years!

Which totes are your favorite for the summer 2016 season?


Proenza Schouler medium tote bag review

proenza schouler medium tote in turquoiseproenza schouler hidden magnetic closure proenza schouler medium tote in turquoise tassel detail proenza schouler medium tote review proenza schouler tote interior

Pictured: Proenza Schouler medium tote handbag in turquoise / blanket scarf (on sale!!) / lipstick / hand cream / book

The Proenza Schouler medium tote bag instantly caught my attention when it debuted just before Christmas. I have always wanted  a Proenza Schouler handbag, but never actually pulled the trigger and purchased one. When this luscious tote bag appeared on my laptop screen in a beautiful turquoise color, succulent green color, beautiful brown, dark classic black, and crisp white, I knew I had to have one in my life!

Since blue is my favorite color, the turquoise tote bag was the obvious choice for me; I finally found my Proenza Schouler bag! The Proenza Schouler medium tote bag in turquoise was a pre-order item, so I didn’t think I would get my hands on it until early spring. Then, FedEx came to my door less then a week after I pre-ordred the bag and surprised me with it! Imagine my excitement! It was a Christmas miracle 😉

I was more than thrilled to pull the medium tote bag out of the shipping box. The leather is extremely buttery soft. If you are familiar with Balenciaga, imagine the softness of their leather, but a bit thicker. This leather is not only feather soft, it is thick and durable. Perfection!

I was instantly drawn to the details and craftsmanship of  my new Proenza Schouler medium tote bag in turquoise. The closure is a hidden magnetic closure which is strong, yet easy to get in and out of. I love having a tote bag which is secure; so many are wide open, and tempting for pick pockets. The magnetic closure adds a bit of security to the bag which makes me feel a bit safer when I am in the city; especially on public transit in the city!

The interior of the Proenza Schouler medium tote bag feature a roomy zipper pocket, and suede lining. I am a girl who loves luxury inside and out; and Proenza Schouler delivers on this tote! The little fringe charm is eye-catching as well. It features a hidden key fob in case you want to hide your keys in it! 😉

There are two, semi-thin tube straps on my Proenza Schouler medium tote bag. They are soft and comfortable. The straps are long enough to throw over my shoulders; making this a shoulder bag and giving it an almost-hobo-like look. Love that!

Proenza Schouler offers their tote bag in both a medium and large size. I have the medium which is extremely roomy. Although I didn’t picture it above, I can fit my small laptop in this tote. I don’t normally carry my laptop with me unless I am traveling, so I photographed what I normally carry with me; a blanket scarf, wallet, lipstick, keys, book (I am always waiting for my kids), hand cream, and iPhone. With these items, there is still plenty of room for snacks, a water bottle, and random things my kids will hand me when we are out somewhere.

Although this tote in black or neutral would be practical, I am in love with the bright, yummy turquoise Proenza Schouler created for their medium tote bag. It is cheerful, and brings a bit of sunshine to me on a dreary winter day. Plus, this will be a hot color as we move into the spring and summer seasons. Love that!

You can find the Proenza Schouler medium tote bag in five colors online here. The larger version is online here and here. A fringe version is online here. There is a canvas version online here.

I rate the Proenza Schouler medium tote bag five out of five stars!