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!

not technically a “deal” unless you win, i realize, but if you manage to score this gorgeous $300 rebecca minkoff bag from the girls at the daily obsession (seen here on the lovely agnyess deyn), it’s a serious deal indeed.  and you all know how i love ms. minkoff, so this deal is a personal favorite of mine.

to enter, go leave a comment on their post - what else do you have to do on a friday afternoon at work? 

editor’s note:  i am thrilled to introduce the lovely and talented jessie, of prior shoppingsmycardio fame, as our newest contributing writer!  let’s send her some welcoming warm fuzzies, shall we?

once upon a time, flying was glamorous. ladies would dress up in a suit with hosiery and a hat to fly. lately when i travel, i feel like the coach cabin is the equivalent of a greyhound bus. gone are the smart suits and chic hats - these days, you are more likely to see travelers in their pajamas.

i am not advocating that we all step out in pillbox hats to fly, but who doesn’t want to feel chic after a day of travel?  fortunately, it is possible to look great and be comfortable.

let’s start with a fabulous carry on.  it needs to be large enough to hold your essentials but not so big you are cursing the weight of it when your flight is delayed. keeping in mind that said bag is going to slip under the seat and the plane floor is not the cleanliest place, don’t carry a bag that you will be devastated when it gets gum or whatever else is lurking under your seat on it.  with that in mind, for $118 you can’t go wrong with this aer satchel (even if it is by jessica simpson).

i like to wear jeans when i travel: a wide legged pair in a dark wash looks put together yet effortless. the faye jeans from citizens of humanity ($194) are perfect for travel.  they have stretch in them so they will hold their shape, and they are really soft for your comfort. best part, the darts on the back do wonders for your posterior!

travel days can be long, so wearing a fabric that won’t wrinkle is key, you never know when you will be late and have to run straight to dinner.  a solid tee is perfect travel wear, you can always accessorize to dress it up. michael star’s tees wear beautifully; they have great lines and come in fun colors. i love the cotton scoop neck long sleeve in eggplant ($52), one of my favorite colors for fall. if you are more of a neutral girl, go with the java color. the longer length is perfect when bending down, so you aren’t showing anything you don’t want to. 

i heard someone say once that animal prints are either fifth avenue or call girl (and not the fabulous call girl, belle de jour, on showtime). this gorgeous leopard wrap by kashmere is definitely uptown chic, and you can pick it up at bluefly for the bargain price of $90 (marked down from $195). wearing a scarf when traveling is key, if you are cold you can use it as a blanket, or in a real crunch as a pillow.

airplanes can be chilly, so layer a chic blazer like this cotton blazer from banana republic ($125). in khaki, it will work with most anything you have packed for your trip, and is sure to become a classic in your wardrobe.

finally, footwear.  who are we kidding…it always come back to the shoe!  i am going to suggest wearing a classic heeled boot like the classic campus boot from frye ($398).  this boot will look amazing under your wide leg jeans or over your skinny jeans. i have been coveting frye boots, ever since i was in high school and i would wear my mom’s vintage pair. i recommend a boot over flats because when you are enduring the humiliation of security and you have to take your shoes off, don’t add insult to injury by having your bare feet touch the floor! boots = socks!  wearing your boots will also save room in your luggage for all your other shoes!

now that you are gorgeously dressed for your travel, enjoy your trip!  and don’t worry…all that staring is only because your fellow passengers wish they looked that chic!

when i first spied bringing home the birkin in my friendly neighborhood bookstore, i was instantly intrigued.  the hermès birkin, for those that aren’t familiar, is widely regarded as “the” handbag.  it’s the one that’s impossible to get, that’s a symbol of wealth and success for everyone from socialites to celebrities - or, for a more direct route, it’s the bag that samantha in sex and the city had to use lucy liu’s name to procure.

hermès possesses this unique brand mystique that’s unlike any other design house in the world.  they have somehow managed to convince us all that we are lucky to shop there, and not the other way around.  pretty amazing, actually.  so when i saw a chance to learn a little about the inner workings of the mother ship from a very notorious (and highly controversial) reseller, i couldn’t help but check it out.

the premise of the book is the author’s rise to “greatness” (a term i’m using very loosely) as one of the main resellers of hermes items on ebay.  it chronicles how he got started, how he acquired his merchandise, and dabbles a little in travel-writing along the way, as he describes trips to various regions to buy hermes items from stores around the world.

ultimately, i got about what i expected.  for those that are hermès devotees, or just insanely curious about how the “who’s who” set actually obtains these gorgeous bags, it’s well worth a read.  whatever opinion i have of the author personally, there’s no question he was able to acquire a lot of birkins during his time - by hook or by crook.

but fair warning:  the author is, frankly, not a great writer (not that i’m hemingway…).  he’s also incredibly pompous, self-serving, and even annoying at times.  i suffered through until the end due to a combination of insatiable curiousity and train-wreck-voyeurism.

in the end (spoiler alert…that should not come as a shock in this case), tonello is blacklisted at hermès.  but, at least according to him, that doesn’t happen until he’s already “lost his taste” for the reseller business.  personally, i found the timing comically coincidental, and couldn’t help wondering about the order in which the final events in the book actually occurred.  but then, it’s his biography…he can play with timelines all he wants.

so, what do you think - will you be adding this “weekend read” to your bookshelf?

the more i use a clutch, the more i fall for the versatility it offers.  some people think they’ll get frustrated having to hold a clutch, but the reality is that i so rarely use a shoulder bag, i’m carrying something no matter what - usually a big satchel bag.  and honestly, a clutch can just be tucked under your arm, rendering your hands free for whatever you need.  plus, i love the minimalism that a clutch requires - i have to actually think about what i “need” to have with me versus what i “want” to have, and carrying just the essentials feels so liberating.

in terms of hardware, i am head over heels for this soft, semi-structured grey clutch from ndc.  the shape and color really makes this perfect for day or evening - if you’re looking for one clutch to do it all, this is the best option i’ve seen.  pick it up at shopjake.com for $410, and try using code ‘thelatest‘ to score 10% off.

ps…as long as you’re there, most of their spring sale items are marked down to 70% now, and you can use code ‘15offsale‘ to save an additional 15% off.  that really qualifies as “so close to free it’s not even worth discusisng” in my book…so get to shopping!

the marc jacobs stella bag is a definite classic.  during its original release, it reached near-cult status with its devotees, and with good reason - the bag is stylish, timeless, and a perfect everyday tote.

so, i was thrilled to see the old become new again - jacobs has re-released the cult classic for fall, complete with a gorgeous, crinkly calfskin and a messenger-length strap (which can be detached using the subtle gold rivets on the sides - a detail i love).  now you truly have the best of both worlds.

it’s available in more classic shades, but i love this dark plum color, above.  it’s a nod to the trendy jewel tones of fall, but you’ll be amazed by how neutral the color really is.  great with denin, greys, blacks, and even other deep, fall colors - there’s a reason this bag has been a staple of stylish women everywhere for years.  this lovely new version is sure to become a staple in your closet too.  pick it up at saks before history repeats itself, and the stella is just a faint fashion memory.

i know, it sounds a little frightening.  but the new incarnations of tie dye are so much cooler than the original 80s version i remember concocting in my back yard with a pack of hanes undershirts, some rubber bands and a tub of rit dye.  the colors are much more muted, the pattern is more subtle, and the result is this sort of soft, ethereal quality that’s just perfect for summer.

i love these fab jersey dress options by shopbarbara, and the prices can’t be beat.  this v-neck style ($35) is great for those of us that don’t like to show quite as much skin, and i can’t get enough of that deep purple hue. 

it’s a little pricey for a trendy piece, but i was still taken in by this suede tie dye tote by stephane verdino ($695).  i love the idea of tie dyed suede - it feels so over-the-top decadent.  this might just be the perfect summer tote:  the structure and suede keep it sophisticated, but the dye keeps it fun.

and you know i can’t get enough of scarves these days, so this hand dyed scarf from sunshine & shadow ($82-115) just hits me in all the right places.  it’s the perfect size and shape to just throw on - even a tank top and shorts will be so much more chic with this colorful topper.   plus, if you’re not quite ready to embrace this 80s reincarnation, it comes in a super-subtle grey and white version that’s the perfect touch of the trend.

so, what do you think?  are you ready to give tie dye another chance?

it’s not often i agree 100% with anyone about fashion.  but when anthropologie’s new denim guide dropped into my email box this morning, i couldn’t help loving just about every look they put together, particularly their skinny denim look.  even that floral-print bag above, while it’s not something i’d normally pick up, is just the right balance of unique and subdued.  add to that the super functional dual-strap feature, the weather-friendly canvas, the right-on-trend grey/yellow combo, and the under-$100 pricetag (talk about a cheap thrill!), and it’s a wonder i haven’t clicked “complete this order” already.

whatever you do, don’t miss the late harvest wrap, the layered rugby, or that lovely american beauty blouse.  any or all would be perfect summer-to-fall additions to your wardrobe.