i literally had this post ready to share this morning with no knowledge of the following:  shopbop is letting you take a huge 40% off their entire designer boutique section all this week with code DB40.  be still my heart!

this gorgeous travel wallet from anya hindmarch is rubbing me all the right ways.  i love the fabulously glam metallic exterior, and i love the patent coating that will keep it from getting all scratched up and ruined in my mess of a purse.  i love the very thoughtful notes embossed inside, telling me where to put everything - i’m so OCD that i’m sure to follow the instructions exactly, and therefore never lose anything again.  i love all wallets with a zipper - they’re all i use now, as they just make so much sense.  plus, that tassel zipper pull is freaking adorable.  and i love this beauty’s potential to serve as a clutch in just about any situation.

at 40% off…well, i’m in serious trouble.

when i first saw this stylish clutch, i had a really difficult time coming to terms with the source.  i expect basics from banana republic:  cardigans, classic pants, maybe the occasional lovely piece of costume jewelry (they do an amazing job in this department, i admit).  i don’t expect something with a vintage, high fashion edge to come out of a store like banana republic.

and yet, the drake clutch is all that and more.  i love the bright, orange red hue, and the texture of the quilted suede is absolutely perfect.  this looks like something your very chic mother or grandmother might have begrudgingly parted with when you admired it for the umpteenth time.  it’s a little pricier than i’d like at $140, but use code CELEBRATE to get 20% off (good on any purchase over $125 through 11/13).

every so often, an email hits my inbox and i just exclaim “yes, exactly!” when i open it.  such was this email i received yesterday from kirna zabete.  kz is every new yorker’s secret source for the latest and greatest in fashion lovelies, this fantastic store is finally offering its designer wares online.

i think each and every one of their picks is a flawless, investment-worthy choice…and, if you can swing it, you absolutely should.  if nothing else, you should at least spend some time playing on their site…there are so, so many lovelies to ogle.

but i love this look so much that i’m going to give you some budget-friendly ways to get the look…so that you can look as hot as this picture without walking the streets begging for spare change to finance your fashion.

i love this version of the tie-neck blouse from banana republic (in the lovely purple, not that blah tan color), and it’s just $69.  equally lovely is this version from marc by marc jacobs, marked down to $78 at nordstrom.  but best of all is this stunner from roberto rodriguez, which i may even prefer to the original, on sale for $200.

and if those loooovely lanvins just don’t fit the budget, i’d swap for this version from bloch london for $163 - gorgeous (and a perfect match for the banana republic top above!)!  for an even better steal, i have to admit that i would never have thought to check here, but plus-size site silhouettes has a quite lovely satin cap-toe flat (in sizes 7-12) for a cool $40.  i’d go for the wine color, i think…perfect for this time of year!

the clutch is vastly more complicated, as i adore their choice and hate to mess with it.  so…how about if i find the exact same alexander wang clutch for you at 50% off?  yep…$325 at shopbop.  don’t say i never did anything for you!

i’m curious - what do you all think of this new bag from jimmy choo?  it’s a patchwork pattern comprised of two different varieties of snakeskin, topped off with some truly unique hardware accents.  i can’t seem to stop staring, but i can’t decide if that’s because it’s utterly fabulous or a complete train wreck. 

i do think i love those little mini-bangles on the strap, though we know how bracelet-obsessed i’ve been this year.  perhaps the non-snakeskin-patchwork version would be a more subtle approach…

so, readers, what do you say:  fug or fab??

(in other news, this new release from the house of choo is most definitely fab, with not a drop of fug to be found.  i’m calling it right now:  kelly green will be THE color next year.)

once again, gotta love this recession.  get 30% off most of minkoff’s fall collection (go here to see exactly which bags are eligible), plus free shipping with code ‘habit‘.  oh yeah, and shipping’s free too. 

i considered saving this until tomorrow, but the deal’s only good through friday…and if i know minkoff’s fans (and i think i do), the best styles will be gone by noon today.

it’s official - the much-anticipated bargain lines from anya hindmarch and sigerson morrison have finally hit target.com, and should make it into stores by monday.  and not a moment too soon…i think we could all use a cheap thrill this week, don’t you agree?

it’s no secret these are two of my favorite designers - both have the unique ability to make styles that are youthful but still sophisticated.  and both have done a fantastic job for target.  the hindmarch line is my absolute favorite - possibly my favorite target designer collaboration yet.  i can’t wait to see these in person, and am crossing my fingers they work as well in real life as they do in pictures. 

the sigerson morrison collection has a lot more misses mixed in with the hits, but i still think it has potential, and i’m anxious to check out these wares.  i’ll definitely be splurging on those silver flats (this color is available online only, god knows why), as i can never seem to keep metallic flats looking new for very long, so i’m happy to scrimp in that department.  and if you’re just aching to rock the bootie trend this fall, despite my advice to the contrary, at least you can do it for under $50 here…just please, steer clear of the bedazzled versions.  if you simply can’t resist the sparkle, i suppose these gold peeptoe pumps could work for a holiday look, or add a heavy dose of ’80s irony to a casual ensemble.

so, tell me - what piece(s) will you be picking up from these new collections?

how i’ve missed this beauty in my borderline-stalking of rebecca minkoff’s line is seriously beyond me.  i can’t even find it on her fall linesheets, but there it is at shopjake.com, just staring me down.  yes, please to the lovely eggplant hue, the snakeskin-embossed detail, the ruching, and that fabulously hip hexagonal frame (6 is ‘hex’, right?  sigh…fashion, yes; math, no).

this might also be one of the more rationally-priced clutches i’ve featured lately…at $285, it’s downright reasonable.  especially when you use that trusty code over in my left sidebar for an additional 10% off.  code is thelatest, in case you’re too enamored by this beauty to tear your gaze away.  i understand.

normally, a piece like this isn’t one i’d run toward…but for some reason, the new happy clutch from tory burch ($395) is exactly what i want this week.  colorful, fun, and unpretentious…yet still stylish.  and i love the optional chain handle, which makes this work as a clutch or a ladylike shoulder bag.  i think it’s making my inner 7-year-old want to come out and play.  those bright purple and fuschia colors, the polka dots…it’s the perfect antidote to my boring fall wardrobe palette of black and grey, but it’s still bright enough to use right away.

so, what do you think…fug or fab?

yes, i’m still coveting an anya hindmarch bag.  and i do think it’ll be my next serious splurge in the handbag department…her bags are fabulous because they’re impeccable in every way, yet don’t take themselves too seriously.

the latest addition to the anya hindmarch family is the perry bag - i passed this one over the first few times i saw it, but then i saw the perry being modeled, and readers, all i can say is this bag has serious personality.  from a practical standpoint, the colors are as neutral as they get - but in combination, they speak louder than neon.  it’s the perfect blend of sophistication and fun, and i just can’t get enough.

the perry does come in solids as well, but really - how could you pass up this stunning tri-tone version?  especially when you find out that those black details on the front are actually pony hair.  the fun never ends.  pick up your fun at net-a-porter, for $1,250.

ps:  for a slightly more cost-effective statement bag (ie, FREE!), don’t miss out on this week’s amazing giveaway from nest bags…click here to enter!

now that labor day is behind us, it’s officially fall!  in celebration, i’m thrilled to introduce our first fall giveaway, sponsored by the fabulous people at nest bags!  i am absolutely crazy about this pleated frame bag, and was thrilled when they offered it up to one of you lovely readers (after only briefly considering just keeping it for myself!).

this gorgeous jacquard bag (which retails at $154) encompasses so many fall trends, i hardly know where to begin.  that lovely rich navy shade is the ideal pop against traditionally drab fall tones, and jacquard prints are absolutely everywhere this season.  add to that the stylish structure on this frame bag and those fabulous pleated details, and you have an accessory guaranteed to stop traffic.

lately, i’ve been eschewing the pile of big-name bags in my closet, because the reality is that my more under-the-radar bags are, without fail, the ones that get the most compliments and the most attention.  plus, i get so very tired of going out and seeing 15 other women carrying my bag.  nest bags really are perfect for that casual, attention-grabbing style that i’m after from my accessories. 

so, for those of you who are drooling over this lovely design from nest as much as i am, here’s how to enter:  drop a comment telling us what trend for fall you’re most excited about, and i’ll draw a winner on monday, sept 8 (yes, we’re running this contest through the weekend).  and as always, to get a bonus entry:

1. use that cute little “share this” purple heart at the bottom of the post to pass the contest along to the group of your choice,
2. come back and leave a comment telling us where you shared it (you do have to leave a second comment!),
3. poof…bonus entry!

don’t forget to check back on monday to see your name in lights…you’ll have 24 hours to claim your bounty!