Thanks to Amanda for holding down the virtual PurseBlog fort while Vlad and I spent Christmas in Germany and the Czech Republic. I planned to do some work while abroad, but we spent every minute of every day exploring new cities and taking in the culture (and cuisine). For this reason, I took a straight eight days off work and it was glorious. But now I am back and Amanda will get a little downtime before 2012 begins.
I’m not the only person who spent the holidays traveling, as this is the season for millions to leave home. I have finally come along to the idea of having a more luxurious carry on bag, and the Bottega Veneta leather travel trolley is my latest want.
Ok, so I know it seems like a total waste to spend money on bag that gets banged up and thrown in the dirty luggage scanning belt, but I still have an easier time justifying an expensive carry on versus expensive checked baggage. Bottega Veneta is known for their premium leathers and superb quality, and that gets me thinking that this trolley would be the ultimate luxury.
The chocolate intrecciato leather is the perfect hue of neutral that will also not show wear as quickly as other colors. The black acetate handle extends as you would expect from any trolley and the inside has a zip-fastening compartment, padlock, and detachable protective twill sleeve. Seeing as how Bottega’s classic Veneta bag costs nearly $3,000, the price tag for this spacious piece of luggage seems reasonable. Buy via Net-A-Porter for $4,900.
Images via Chanel
The posting of any Chanel collection brings a wide range of responses – joy, rage, the sounds of overcome shoppers fainting and terrified credit cards weeping. Sometimes, it also brings consternation from fans of the traditional Chanel aesthetic – where have our classics gone? What is Uncle Karl doing with our beloved brand?
For those of you who fall into that last group, Chanel Cruise 2012 Handbags should be a sight for sore eyes. Even with the addition of the Boy Chanel bags and a few new takes on the quilted flap, most of these designs are the sort of stuff that quickens the pace of a Chanel fangirl’s heart. Be careful, the pictures after the jump may cause spontaneous shopping – after all, these bags are available now at your friendly local Chanel boutique.
Gucci Soho Medium Boston Bag, $1395 via Neiman Marcus
Perhaps it’s merely the inevitable grind onward of the fashion industry that’s causing me to feel this way at the moment, but I’m really sick of winter clothing. We’ve all been looking at the bags, shoes and clothes that are currently on the sale circuit since they debuted at the various global Fashion Weeks nearly 10 months ago, and although resort is starting to slip into stores, it’s stil winter outside and in our closets. Frankly, I’m done with it.
Cold weather may bring with it lots of great texture for accessories, but it usually means darker colors, more neutrals and less fun. What’s the best way to cure that ennui with something that is still totally appropriate to carry right now? Winter white, darlings. Winter white. May I suggest the Gucci Soho Medium Boston Bag?
This is a slightly different Gucci Boston Bag than the one we all know and love, and I think it’s a worthy alternative. The details are a little simpler, the lines a little cleaner, the overall feel a little bit more modern (and, it must be said, more high-end). This slightly ivory shade of white fits in well with winter’s darker mood, but it still stands out as a shining beacon of hope that one day, sometime in the next few months, we’ll all once again be able to wear graphic white with abandon. You know, if you’re not prone to spills. Buy through Neiman Marcus for $1395.
