it’s been quite literally years since i’ve wanted a bag from kate spade.  but when the brand comes back, it’s back with a bang!  this sweet little scout bag has made the rounds in the blogosphere, and has had a full-page ad in every single spring magazine, but its overexposure isn’t stopping me from some very serious coveting.  tiny crossbody bags are insanely big for spring, and this one just takes that carefree, dashing-across-the-street-to-hail-a-cab-while-wearing-polka-dots thing to a whole new level.

(by the way, i just now noticed the model is wearing polka dots. i swear. weird, right?)

i can tell it’s bad because i don’t just want one.  i want a whole candy-colored rainbow of them!

my only heartbreak here is that the orange, my favorite, only comes in the smaller size, which is seriously itty bitty.  i guess i’ll need one orange and a larger version in the hot pink.  it’s the only solution, right?

a dear friend (thanks a lot, A) has me back in the mood for bags. i’d taken a hiatus from wanting any new arm candy…in fact, it’s been almost a year since i found something legitimately crave-worthy.  but here we are.

it’s be&d’s harley bag, and it’s just so right in so many ways.  i’ll be talking more about crossbody bags in a few days…they’re everywhere right now, i know.  which means, of course, that they’ll also be gone in a flash (in fact, i saw all totes and clutches on the fall 2011 runways).  and so, i’m not lumping this one in with the rest of the crossbody lot – i think it has serious long-term style potential.  that long chain strap can be doubled, much like a chanel chain strap, so it has all the versatility (and most of the uptown prep) without the name-dropping recognition.  plus, the combo of black, tan and that peony pink is just working for me this season.  the harley is one of the first things i’ve seen this year that’s making me feel ready for spring…and, as a girl who loves her scarves, cashmere and boots, that’s saying something.

at $550, i realize it’s a splurge for most of us.  but that’s still about half the price that most be&d bags retail for, so you’re getting a bag with serious high-end quality for a relative steal.  justification, it’s my game.

the agony of the ‘luxe or less’ debate haunts me a little too often, i have to admit.  do i buy the one i really adore, or do i save a substantial sum by going for the “almost there, but not nearly as spectacular” steal?

last week, for example, i succumbed to the “less” version of an hermes notebook i lost long ago (some little punk that broke my car window is now carrying hermes…can you believe it?!).  it’s a style i showed you in this year’s gift guides, and it’s lovely – in fact, in person, it’s better than the photos made it look.  it’s a dead ringer for my beloved hermes…but it’s just not the same.  still, in this case, when we’re talking $265 plus $60-80 for a refill, versus $35 including two refills (!), my frugality won out.

you can see how my bargain-buying tendencies have been pushed to the max.  so, i need some help if i’m going to brave the “luxe or less” debate yet again.  that’s where you come in, dear readers.

i’ve been looking for a great, ultra-slim laptop tote for months (hmm, probably more than a year, actually), and have now come across two that would work.  when it rains, it pours.  first, the luxe option – this divine tory burch “alice” quilted laptop case:

i go into palpitations just looking at this one!  the quilted leather, the slim profile, the subtle logo…it’s somehow professional and chic at the same time.  but at $195, for something i’m essentially using to tote my macbook over to starbucks to blog, it’s giving me pause.

in the “less” corner, we have this chevron-embossed version from acme made:

cute, right?  and not nearly as perfect as the splurge.  i know.  but it’s only $30, which helps immensely with the cute factor, i think.  still….oh, that tory burch version is just so lovely.

so, help me out, dear readers:  luxe or less?

loving the latest releases from cole haan…they seem to really be stepping up the design these days (ahem, pun not intended).

those camel pumps ($298) in particular are absolutely lovely.  the zipper detailing on the toe keeps them from being too bland, but they’re still incredibly versatile.  and that military olive messenger bag ($378) reminds me ever so slightly of the proenza schouler bag that’s been absolutely everywhere this season, but it’s cleaner, simpler…and about $1,300 cheaper.  but i’m pretty sure the “most likely to end up in my closet” award goes to those darling air bacara leopard flats, which are exactly what i’ve been searching for all season.

check out the rest of what’s new at cole haan right over here.

i’ve been cruising the “what’s new” section at shopbop a little too much this week, and there are more than a few accessories that i just can’t get out of my head.

starting at the top, from left:  loeffler randall meg booties ($575) that i still can’t figure out how i’d wear, but love nonetheless.  if there’s one thing on this list i’ll actually end up buying, it’s this vanessa mooney dagger necklace ($140), which would be absolutely beautiful layered with a longer pendant necklace – i think jewelry’s trending that way for fall.  gara danielle druzy ring ($144), just because it’s blingy and pretty.

as for the bottom row, from left: halston heritage stingray satchel ($495), an unbelievable steal for a style so luxe and unique, and i predict it’ll be gone in an instant.  tory burch eddie beaded flats ($175), which would look amazing peeking out from trouser jeans, or with a flippy black skirt right now. loeffler randall’s shearling lowe boots ($695) are a serious splurge, but they’re also a serious step up from uggs, with all the cozy warmth!

happy friday, everyone!

if you’re in the market for a new bag (and really, readers, when are we not in the market?), hayden-harnett’s sample sale starts this morning!  and believe me – these people know how to do a sample sale right, which means there are some serious bargains to be had.  plus, they’ve teamed up with few of their favorite accessory designers to add even more extreme-sale goodies to the pot.  the sale runs online from today through wednesday (july 13-15), but i’d suggest buying fast…hayden-harnett has some pretty devoted fans.

sigh.  so many pretties, so little time…

i’m not even going to pretend there’s rhyme or reason to this week’s list.  try to just sit back and enjoy the randomness of it all.

i came across some earrings by gabriela artigas in a magazine this month, became obsessed, tracked her down, and am now coveting at least half of her line.  she makes some of the most unique, edgy and wearable pieces i’ve seen in ages, but this vintage art deco sterling spheres necklace ($320) is by far my favorite. it has that perfect mix of hip and timeless, and i simply can’t think of an outfit this wouldn’t improve. time to start that birthday wish list, i think…

i’ve been dying to test out the latest from relastin, but had a weird fixation on finishing up my last moisturizer before i cracked this one open.  readers, i have no idea why i waited so long.  much like my obsession with their eye silk, the skin revitalizer has this texture that’s just indescribably luxe…kind of silky, and thoroughly indulgent.  if i were a millionaire, i’d use it head to toe.  it’s perfect for summer, as it’s not the least bit greasy or over-moisturizing.  and, looks like it’s on sale at amazon for $40! trust me…you so want to try this one.

stuart & wright is having a serious sale right now, if you’re into the hipster lines like a.p.c. and acne.  as i’m usually not, i was about ready to pass this one by until i spied these handmade sandals by ariana bohling, now marked down to the realm of the reasonable. decisions, decisions.  (incidentally, if you’re of the smaller foot set, check out the sale on ndc’s equally lovely summer sandals too.)

and last but not least, this tote from hayden-harnett is just singing my song this week.  the tie-dye-ish chevron print is so fresh next to everyone else’s same old stripes, and i love that this has just a bit more structure than your typical summer tote.  plus, it doesn’t hurt that the line’s designer is an absolutely lovely human being…but you’ll be hearing more on that later.

have a great weekend, all…see you back here next week!

i’m resurrecting this end-of-the-week mishmash of my latest favorite things…but i think we need a better title, don’t you?  suggestions?

to start, i can’t forget to tell all of you that bloomingdales is having its annual friends & family sale through sunday 3/28.  you can nab 20% off just about everything with code BFF.  there are just too many finds to post, but trust me…it’s worth a look!

british chef jamie oliver makes my favorites list this week not just because i have a huge tv crush on him (and i do).  it’s partially because of his new cookbook, jamie’s food revolution, which is full of some great recipes that are easy and fast, including loads of excellent curry recipes, which are hard to come by.  but also, my tv crush is coming back to tv!  he has a new show coming on that starts tonight on abc, and i can’t wait!

speaking of crushes, i have an official crush on this dress by eskell (courtesy of the always-enticing le train bleu):

normally, i am thoroughly unenthused by warm-weather attire.  but this dress is utter perfection. for those of you dying to try the bold layering/color contrasting trends that are so hot this spring, this dress is a foolproof way to go about it.  it would so easily go from office to weekend with just a change of shoes, and it has the most flattering cut i could imagine!

i’m almost embarrassed to show you this scarf by yigal azrouel, because it is so hideously expensive ($380.  i know, i know.):

but then, it’s soooo beautiful, how could i not share?  oh scarf, the lovely things i could do with you…all my jeans and tees would suddenly be chic and perfect. (and by the way, yes, the expression on that model’s face does make you think that maybe you accidentally slept with her boyfriend.)

as penance for making you lust after a $400 scarf, i’m going to show you my favorite bag for the summer (ahem…well, so far, at least), which happens to be an utter steal.

i love everything about this bag from mothology – the rough cotton/hemp cloth, the nautical french stripe, the leather handle…it’s total warm-weather perfection, and it’s only $82.  it reminds me of something elegant ladies would carry to the seashore.

have a fabulous weekend, all!

ever since moving to rainy portland, i find that i spend a lot less time carrying my expensive handbags.  it’s just not worth the heartache when a spring shower descends.  instead, more often than not, i turn to an easy, no fuss tote to get me through the day.  and these new duck bags from baggu may be my favorite yet!

i love that they have both a tote handle and a shoulder strap (which, by the way, also works as a crossbody strap, making it awesome for travel).  i love the bright, cheery rainbow of colors, and the fact that they’re light as a feather but surprisingly durable (i’ve been using mine as a magazine tote, and it shows no signs of surrender, even under the weight of the spring fashion issues).

yes, i love a lot of things about this bag.  but i positively adore the price tag:  $20.  how’s that for a thrill?

as some of you know, i’ve been in that ‘new bag’ state of mind for the last few months.  one of the curses of writing a style blog is information overload – when i decide i want a new bag, i start looking through literally hundreds of designers, department stores, boutiques…it’s exhausting!

but then, suddenly, i’ll come across something that i just know is perfect – it just snaps into place.  and i think, dear readers, the ‘snap’ for this latest bag itch has come from a brand new line called romygold, which launched just this month.  personally, i’m partial to the biker slash collection, if only because it’s utterly unlike anything else out there right now.

aren’t they pretty?  while i love them all, that slashed tote on the left is definitely calling my name – i think i’ve found my new bag.  in black, it’s the perfect tough counterpoint to all of spring’s sweet florals and tiered miniskirts, but it’s so much more subtle than all of those studs out there!

though i love the tote best, the messenger and micro mini are fabulous too. i’d love to see the messenger as a work tote for someone with a less conservative job, and the micro mini is a great, slightly tough version of the tiny crossbody bags we’re seeing everywhere, which can get a bit too sweet for my taste.

you can check out the full collection on romygold’s new site – and, best of all, prices are definitely in the attainable range, running from $275 up to $695.  my biker tote is $475…a little more than i was hoping to spend, but you never know when the handbag fairy will show up (fingers crossed)!