The bag edit: arm candy under £100

Whilst I sincerely understand the desire of owning a designer handbag, I do believe that beautiful treasures don’t have to cost a fortune to add the stylish final touch to an outfit, especially when the choices are so wonderful that a girl would certainly find herself feeling like a kid in a candy shop. Only this time it will be a different kind of candy - it won’t increase your chances of caries, but rather make you feel chic (and hold your belongings, too) – all within a very sensible budget. An absolute win-win.

Where to buy: 1. Tan boxy cross-body bag, Fiorelli (£45), 2. Flip lock clutch, TopShop (£38) + in blush, mint, grey and watermelon, 3. Battleship zip clutch, Nine West (£50) + in blush, 4. Dino Italian leather clutch, KG (£95) + burnt orange snake embossed, 5. Lexi crossbody, Vince Camuto (£79), 6. Prisma textured clutch, Alexander Wang (£99), 7. Pop diva shoulder bag, Nine West (£40) + in black, python or orange/pink duo, 8. Marlow top zip cross body, Fossil handbags (£83), 9. Striped coated cotton-canvas shoulder bag, Sonia Rykiel (£92), 10. Horn clutch in tan, Vince Camuto (£79) + in black leather, ivory, rainbow python, leopard, burgundy or peacock, 11. Charlie raw silk clutch, Wilbur & Gussie (£75), 12. Blush fish box clutch, DP (£25) + in black, 13. Ullum tote bag in taupe, Aldo (£50) + in white, navy, black, forest green or burgundy, 14. Large soft holdall, TopShop (£38), 15. Darrel quilted barrel bag in blush, Dune (£69) + in black or tan – also must-see oversized suede clutch, 16. Rust leather tan tote bag, River Island (£70), 17. Burgundy padlock oversized shopper, Warehouse (£38) – also have a look at this zip-tote and this chic cross-body bag, so fab. 18. Two-tone leather Wooster tote bag, Whistles (£75).

I am in love with 2, 4, 5, 10, 16 and 18 and feeling particularly tempted with the woven clutch as I have been looking for one for a while and the burnt orange colour will work wonderfully with my existent wardrobe. What about you?

 

Photo source: Elle US August 2003 (photographer: Gilles Bensimon)

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Couture now in Elle US October 2003

Sparkling couture steps out as daywear on pages of the October issue of US Elle 2003. Givenchy, Lacroix, Gaultier, Dior and Versace mixed with classic Burberry trench, Levi’s jeans and Manolos. The beautiful stranger is Maja Latinovic photographed by Gilles Bensimon.

P.S. Have you noticed that a classic Burberry coat only costs $525? In other words a price of two sleeves of its younger counterpart. Wish I thought of investment pieces back then…

 

Photo source: Elle US October 2003

via bwgreyscale.com

 

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Autumn delights

In my books November was always a month of hibernation. It felt as if the world would slow down wrapped in a thick blanket of fogs. It was a month of rain, clouds and cold wind – none of which have never been appealing. And then one day, just an ordinary day, like many other ordinary days, I realised that there’s no point of getting depressed about the weather or lack of sunshine – November, just like any other months of the year, is the time to live and enjoy life as it comes.

All it takes is a few cosy layers that would keep you warm indoors and protect from the elements when the rain and wind seem unbearable, a huge scarf that makes you feel happy, a few scented candles that bring a feeling of warm comfort to your home, a cup of hot cocoa (or chocolate if you like) and a pile of good movies, books and magazines to bury your nose into when the world outside becomes dark and unwelcoming. And then you realise that November isn’t that bad after all and really is worth living, not existing through it.

Photo source: Elle US September 1999, ???, Pirelli Calendar 1995, Vogue Italia March 2000, Max Mara Fall 2004 campaign, Flikr, ???, Michael Aram Candles, Max Mara Weekend Fall 2012 campaign.

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