kate spade, rebecca minkoff, proenza schouler
love moschino, balenciaga

Cheers, my lovelies! Perhaps the Royal Wedding coverage is getting to me just a bit? But I do want to talk about something cheery-the gorgeous, saturated colors we are seeing in handbags lately. Talk about adding a punch to a plain ole outfit! From deep blues to corals and even cornea-burning fluorsecents (my fave)-bright colors are found everywhere, in almost every style, and at every single price point. The most obvious way to rock this style is with a giant statement bag. It says, “Hi! Look at me…I’m fabulous!”. The crossbody is a bit more sly, but definitely gives you a little hipster edginess. And a clutch is a simple, quiet burst of color-this works well with outfits you feel don’t “go” with the bag, as you aren’t technically wearing it but carrying it. Which color/style combo is your fave? I’m not even gonna lie, I lurve them all!

It’s not often that I can purchase a product that I love and also support the arts at the same time.  Scratching your head yet?  Nankeen creates stylish bags, pillows, ties, cosmetic bags, and other accessories that are created from 100% cotton and indigo dye using a technique that dates back to the Song Dynasty over three-thousand years ago.  It is literally an ancient art form turned into modern design.  The white sections that you see on the bag are created by pushing a paste made of soya bean flour and slaked lime through a handmade stencil.  Once the paste dries, the fabric is dipped into indigo until the desired color is acheived.  Once the fabric is dry, the paste is scraped off to reveal the white designs.  The fabric is then washed and ironed before it is used to create the bags and other products that you see here.

I was able to review the Lily Tote, which I absolutely fell in love with.  It is sturdy but roomy, and I love the bright pink interior.  The jumbo knot serves as a hook to close the top, but still leave it open enough for things to stick out of it, should that need arise.  For instance, on a recent flight home, my bag was 11 pounds over the limit.  I had filled my Lily Tote with my laptop, a sweater, some books and a magazine, but then I was forced to put additional inventory in it.  So I walked through the airport in a sweater with two coats on top, holding my Lily Tote that now had bright pink ballet flats, jeans, and a hairdryer (in addition to the aforementioned items) sticking out of the sides.  Thank goodness for that knot closure!

Nankeen Lily Tote

Win it! The folks over at Nankeen have graciously offered to give away a tote bag of the winners choice to a very lucky CSC reader (a $130 value)!  To enter to win, leave a comment below with which tote you would choose if you were to win!  Something more than “I wanna win the Lily Tote” is necessary, effort is appreciated.  After your initial comment, every other (pertinent) comment left on this site on other posts from now through April 18th will count as an extra entry each.  You don’t need to come back to this post and tell me you commented on another post, I can stalk track you via your email/IP address.   As usual, extra entries are also available for stumbling Chic Shopper Chick (leave your stumble name), subscribing to my site, listening to the Feel Good Fashion radio show on Friday nights at 9pm EST/8pm CST, following me on Twitter, and blogging about this giveaway with a link back here.  That’s it, so good luck!

BONUS!!! BONUS!!! BONUS!!! BONUS!!! Tomorrow night on Feel Good Fashion we will also be giving away a Nankeen Cosmetic Bag.  The winner MUST be listening live to our show at 9pm EST (8pm CST).  Even if you don’t win the bag on the show tomorrow night, listening to our show will qualify you for an extra entry for the bag.  Make sure if you listen to come back and leave a comment so that I can verify that you were there!

US entries only, winner will be chosen via random.org at the end of the contest. Winners are posted here, please leave a valid email address or blog address if you’d like to be contacted should you win. Winner has 72 hours to claim their prize. This contest ends at 11:59 pm CST on April 18th, 2009.

And then angels started singing.  This Avion bag in Petits Points Nuit caught my eye — ok more like it gave me whiplash and eye strain trying to get a better look.  The description says it “holds magazines, laptop, pens, a pair of flats, and a sweater, with room to spare for souvenirs.”  When I read that I wanted to get up, wave my arms around and cry, “Yes, that’s me!  That’s exactly what I need!”  My wallet immediately suspected that something was amiss, and when I went to look for it, it was gone.

Ahh, but a girl can drool dream, right? 

Hayden-Harnett Avion Tote in Petits Points Nuit

But at that moment, it doesn’t matter.  None of it does.  All I know is that I NEED that bag.  So far today, I’ve had several of those lustful moments. The upside to the whole thing is that I won’t have to pay designer prices to get them if I go through Avelle (formerly Bag Borrow Or Steal).  As a matter of fact, Avelle is the perfect thing to soothe my handbag lust, because if I decide I’m tired of this new bag after a month, or even a week, I can just send it back with no regrets.  Of course, I’ll have to pay for the time I used, but I knew that upfront.  If I decide in the end that this actually IS the bag for me, well then my rental fees have allowed me to invest some equity in the bag, which allows me to buy it at an even better rate.

So, you wanna see the bags I’m currently in lust with?  I’ve been looking for a new handbag for spring that is bold and bright.  I’m also looking for an elegant evening bag/clutch that can fit in nicely with almost any outfit and place, depending on my mood.  So what does that mean?  Versatile is key.

THE “EVERYDAY” BAG

It’s Spring, and color is in, so I immediately found myself drawn to this purple “Natasha” Tote by Kooba.  It has side straps that allow you to adjust the shape of the bag, and I love how whimsical it feels.

I am in love with the Gucci “Hysteria” Embroidered Leather Handbag because they are different, fun, and yet still rather classic.  No doubt you will be the only woman in the room carrying this.

I’m noticing that I have a “thing” for bows this season, so I’m loving the look of this Gustto Oreillo “Cokera” Handbag.  Yes, I know it’s black, I’m drawn to black bags, but I’m trying to branch out.  I’m so predictable, right?

THE CLUTCH/EVENING BAG

I love this Leather Bow Clutch from BCBGMAXAZRIA and I think I would go for the basic black, mainly because it’s an evening bag, and most of my evening wear will include some black.  This clutch is girly, classic, and SO me.

I’m also loving the BCBGMAXAZRIA “Cassidy” Evening Handbag in Bronze, and am so tempted to buy a new outfit just to carry this bag.  However, the practical side of me will probably just take over, and borrow the Cassidy bag in black instead.

I swooned over this unique “Baroque a Go Go” bag by Isabella Fiore.  Elegant and sophisticated, I think it would be a great fit for my personality because of how expressive it is.

Lastly, on the Recessionista end of things, there is the “Megan” Metallic Clutch by Franchi which is understated and classy.  It retails for $90, but you can borrow it as a member for $9/week, non-members for $21/week.

Be sure to let me know what bags you’re lusting over in the comments! I’d love to hear from you!