A Tale of 5 Handbags

If you own or have ever owned a designer bag, you'll know that attachment you feel to a high-end purse. When you first get it, you'll usually handle it with a lot of care, to make sure it doesn't get dirty or lost. You might get a lot of compliments about it at first. As time goes on, and maybe you acquire more purses, you might forget about your first bag a little bit, but it'll never be totally neglected. I think a lot of females have this kind of experience with their first (or tenth!) designer bag.

I got my first designer purse on Christmas of 2008. My mom had gotten her first one a few months earlier and decided it was time that I could have my own. I had no idea that I was getting one, so I was really excited. It was a Coach hobo-style purse, with many different colorful Coach patterned patches.

The next Christmas, I got the Fossil Hathaway Glazed Tote in brown. Even though I love bright and patterned bags, neutrals are always a necessity and I love how simply stylish this tote is. It can hold a lot, too!

A few weeks later, my mom's friend bought a lot of clearanced designer bags from Dillard's and was going to give them to some of her friends. When I found out she had an orange one, I asked my mom to get it for me. I ended up getting the Gianni Bini orange leather hobo bag. The color is so fresh and works in all seasons, and I love the zipper detailing on the body of the purse and the handle.

For my 18th birthday last year, my sister gave me a pink Steve Madden bag. Pink is my absolute favorite color, and since I have so many pink things in my closet, it goes with a lot. It's also very huge (which I like) so I can fit school stuff in there. It worked perfectly on campus last year.

This year for my birthday, I really wanted a Coach backpack. I originally was drooling over the gold sequined one, but when I realized it was going for at least $400 on eBay (!) I decided to find a cheaper one. When I discovered the Coach Poppy Daisy Graffiti backpack, I instantly put it on my wishlist. It was even cuter than the sequined one. This was the only designer bag I got that I wasn't totally surprised by, because a week or so before my birthday, my dad asked me to pick out a specific one, since each backpack had a slightly different pattern. Even though it was a surprise, I still love it a lot.

Honestly, if I had to pick a favorite designer, I think I'd go with Coach. I love their signature hang tags and they have so many different bold designs that I fall in love with every season. But I love my other bags, too :)

What was the first designer bag you ever got? Favorite designer?

Weekly Outfit Highlight: July 21-July 28

This week was a busy one for me, between a picnic with my family, going to a waterpark and my birthday on Wednesday, I haven't had much time for outfit pics but I did take a few that I'd like to highlight this week (along with a few of my favorite birthday gifts)!

1st: hot pink babydoll tank (A&F), pink/orange plaid scarf (AE), pink polka dot headband (AE), brown woven leather belt (A&F), denim cuffed sh, orts (A&F Kids), mixed bracelets

2nd: white pearl and jewel necklace (AE), navy ruffle tank (HCo.), blue plaid shorts (HCo.)

3rd: light green floral dress (HCo.), coral bandeau bra top (VS Pink), pink crystal necklace (AE)

4th: shell necklace (AE), mixed bracelets, yellow/pink floral babydoll tank (HCo.), denim destroyed miniskirt (AE)


I did wear this same scarf last week, but it was with a very different outfit. I'd love to get more scarves to mix and match with, though!

Above is the pair of pajamas I got from Gilly Hicks for my birthday. They didn't come as a set, and the tee isn't technically a sleep shirt, but I think it's super-cute with the koala applique. The shorts are very girly, which is right up my alley.

I've already started reading this book, and it's very useful. I never knew the history of so many things I wear so it's really an interesting read.

This is probably my favorite present: the Coach Poppy Daisy Graffiti backpack! I love how it can work as a school bag and as a purse and the graphic black & white design mixed with a burst of red and magenta. This is my 5th designer bag, and I know it's gonna get a lot of use, just like my other ones.

What is the best birthday present you've ever gotten? Favorite handbag designer?

Christmas Inspiration

Can you believe in exactly three weeks, it will be Christmas? And in four weeks, it will be a brand new year? Neither can I--this year's gone by pretty fast. It's hard for me to grasp that over six months ago, I graduated from high school and I started my freshman year of college nearly four months ago. I guess I can understand what my parents think when they say that just yesterday I was playing dress up and enjoying elementary school! Well, I can't deny it anymore--the calendar says December and it's definitely time to start getting ready for Christmas. I already have a mini tree on my desk, I've been listening to Christmas music on Pandora and enjoying the seasonal Starbucks drinks (peppermint mocha frappuccino, anyone?) Now it's time to start dressing for the occasion!

I put together two outfits--one to wear on Christmas Day, celebrating the holiday with family, opening presents and taking part in other traditions; and one to wear to a festive party or special event.
First up, the party outfit. Instead of sticking with the usual dress or miniskirt, why not try a pair of polished shorts? The AE Sequin Party Shorts ($49.50, online only) are the perfect glammed-up shorts--they're black, which looks great with everything, and sequins are definitely appropriate for the season! Pair them with a simple open cardigan, such as Hollister's Solana Beach cardigan in red ($39.50), and a cute ruffly tank (Westward Beach, $24.50, pink). Don't forget the tights (in black) and a pair of stand-out shoes (try the Nine West Felma in dark red from Zappos.com, $62.27) and you'll be sure to turn heads at any party!
For a simple but adorable outfit that'll look great in all the family photos you're sure to take on Christmas, try a wintery cardigan, like the AE Snowflake Toggle Sweater ($69.95). If you'd prefer to skip out on the red-and-green-overload that this season tends to bring, just buy the sweater in new bell navy--the snowflake pattern will still make it work. Layer a basic white cami underneath (AE Lacy Cami, $24.50, chalk), throw on a pair of light wash destroyed skinnies (AE Skinny Jean, $49.50, medium vintage destroy) and you're ready to exchange gifts!
Of course, no outfit is complete without a few (or a lot of) accessories. The holidays are all about sparkle and shine, so make sure your extras reflect that. For a party, don't leave without a pretty clutch, such as Coach's Madison Leather Checkbook Wallet in silver ($238)--it has enough room to store your essentials, such as credit cards and ID, plus some breath mints for that kiss under the mistletoe! For the big day, don't skimp on the jewelry. Try something simple but blingy, such as the AE Love Script Necklace ($15.50) or the AE Sparkle Fringe Drops earrings ($15.50). Either will help you stand out and shine on this special day.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

"It's My Life!"

At first glance, it looks like an ordinary purse. Handle, front pocket, everything that is typical of a handbag. Except this is my favorite handbag, the one I use nearly everyday...my Coach purse.
I got it nearly six months ago (for Christmas) and it was by far the best present I've ever received. It's my first and (currently) only designer handbag and I guard it with my life. Though I didn't have to pay a dime for it, I still want to have it for years to come, and a replacement isn't cheap. My mom got it online for a little less money than it would have cost in the store, but she reminds me that if it gets lost or stolen, I have to replace it myself. Not necessarily an investment I can make right now, considering I don't have a job.
Nevertheless, I continue to use it all the time, storing most of my "life" in it: my wallet (with credit card and driver's license, as well as various gift cards, most of them expired or used up), my cell phone, my iPod, three flavors of lip gloss, makeup, sunglasses, contacts, a hairbrush and a mirror, along with various other things I stow in there temporarily.
I love this thing, and I hope I can enjoy it for a long, long time!