Holiday Handbag Suggestions (that will help you cut calories too!)

So the holiday season is upon us and with this time of year comes work parties, open houses, festive cocktails and many other opportunities to indulge.  December can really do a number on your wallet and your waistline.  As I ate homemade peanut butter cups at a Christmas event recently I realised that the clutch really is the best holiday handbag, and not for the reason you might think. 

Obviously clutches are great because they dress up a fairly casual outfit.  They can be a perfect pop of colour (like this Furla Clara Croc):

...or bit of bling with a little black dress (like this Coach Sequin Wristlet or Calfskin Firelight Swarovski).   

Aesthetically clutches were just meant for the holidays.

But here’s what I thought of the other day following the peanut butter cups with chocolate candy cane bark, if you are holding a clutch in one hand it only leaves one hand available for gathering food.  The clutch slows down your calorie consumption!  If you have your glass of wine (mulled or otherwise) in one hand there’s no hand left for food.  It would have been physically impossible to unwrap that peanut butter cup! 

On the other hand, if you’ve been hitting the gym all Fall in preparation for the holiday season then grab a cute, shiny hobo (like this Gucci that Bling Borrowers JUST got in!) that should sit nicely over your shoulder freeing up your hands.  

I’m going to pass things over to the fabulous ladies of Bling Borrowers to fill you in on great rates/deals/general wonderfulness they’re offering right now.  Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa!

Leigh-Ellen Thomas lives, loves and shops on the East Coast of Canada with her husband, golden retriever and the cat who rules them all.  For more fashion, travel and pet peeves visit her blog at http://littlewaterlily.blogspot.com/  

Note: If you are interested in any evening bag, clutch, or the NEW Heart bit metallic Gucci Leigh-Ellen mentioned in this blog, just post a comment with your email address and we'll be in touch with a SPECIAL OFFER!!  Much love and happy holidays!  The Bling Girls

Metallics for Fall

Well ladies (and fashionable gentleman... sorry I keep forgetting you!) I’m afraid there’s no avoiding it; it’s time to start talking Fall fashion trends. While it’s sad that means summer is over, and what a short summer we had out here on the East Coast, there are some exciting things to look forward to in Autumn (including sweaters that cover my arm fat!!). A major trend this Fall is Metallic. Metals are everywhere, including fabulously on fingers. Check out Chanel’s Autumn/Winter nail colours here.

Luckily this trend is pretty easy to incorporate into your current wardrobe through accessories. Obviously nails are one way to add a little shine, as are shoes, but a great metallic handbag is definitely a must this Fall. I tend to be a silver/pewter kind of girl so I’m loving this Michael Kors Hamilton East/West Tote which happens to vaguely resemble my beloved Gansvoort or this adorable little Coach Audrey Sequin Wristlet for fancier occasions.

If you’re a golden girl I really like this Michael Kors Camden Medium Shoulder bag. If you’re looking for super shiny Limited Edition Monogram Louis Vuitton bag will quite literally stop people in their tracks. It’s a statement piece.

Can’t make up your mind? This Coach Julia Op Art bag lets you have your metals both ways and for an incredibly reasonable rental price.

Bling Borrowers has a helpful “Metallic” tab on the left hand of the website so you can check out the options for this Fall/Winter trend for yourself. Oh, don’t forget to check out the jewelry section for some actual metal to add to a special outfit on a fabulous occasion.

Leigh-Ellen Thomas lives, loves and shops on the East Coast of Canada with her husband, golden retriever and the cat who rules them all.  For more fashion, travel and pet peeves visit her blog at http://littlewaterlily.blogspot.com/

Handbags to go with Every Outfit

by: Leigh-Ellen Thomas

If you’re anything like me you’re looking to get the absolute most from every fashion dollar in order to justify what is fundamentally a splurge.   I have certain pieces that every time I wear them I calculate what it cost per wear.  Don’t try that with your wedding dress by the way... or bridesmaids dresses.  Love and friendship don’t have a dollar (or pound or yen) value.  Remind yourself of that as you wear lavender taffeta.

Ok, I feel I’ve gotten off topic now.  Obviously when looking at renting a piece you want to make sure you get the most bag bang for your buck.  You’ve decided to get a bag for a week or a month or a season and you want to use it every single day until you feel like you’re making money on the rental.  The following are my suggestions for “Go With Everything “ pieces that are under $50 a week.


First up are big, black, and shiny that will take you to work and all about town:

Badgley Mischka Brigitte Shine Large

 

Coach Poppy Patent Spotlight

Kate Spade Tracy Yardley

If you want something on your arm that everyone is going to recognise as special but that you can wear whether dressing up or down it would have to be the iconic Louis Vuitton Monogram Neverfull MM.

Metallics are going to be big for Fall and I love that this Julia Op Art Perry from Coach will work whether you’re going with gold or silver.

But my number one choice for go-to bag is Michael Kors’ Gansevoort Large Leather Tote.  You might think I’m crazy but I think that colour can go with pretty much everything from jeans to summer dresses to business suits.  I should know, the month I had it I took it to work, the movies, the mall, Cirque du Soleil, out to dinner, everywhere.

So what’s your everyday choice?

Leigh-Ellen Thomas lives, loves and shops on the East Coast of Canada with her husband, golden retriever and the cat who rules them all.  For more fashion, travel and pet peeves visit her blog at http://littlewaterlily.blogspot.com/