May 4, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: BrS

Great Gifts for Mom
Mother’s Day is just around the corner, why not get mom something really special this year? What about a nice handbag? Whether she’s a bag fanatic just like you, or you simply want to share one of your many interests with her, no gift is more personal that a great bag that you know she’ll love! What a wonderful way to let mom know how much you care!

Now that you’ve decided to get mom a new bag for Mother’s Day, you’re going to need to pick one that suits her tastes. Oh dear, that could be a bit tricky. Maybe you don’t like the same things. Or worse yet, you do like the same things and you might end up wanting to keep the bag you pick out for her! LOL! Well don’t worry girls, I have picked out some mom-worthy gift ideas and I’ve included a little something for everyone (different mom’s have different tastes). And, since I know you girls would rather be putting your money towards handbags for yourselves, all of the bags I have here are less than $400!

For the casual mom:
1. Coach Signature Carly with Patent Trim - $348
New for Spring, Coach has put a patent-spin on their very popular Carly bag. It looks great with jeans and its big enough to hold everyday essentials.
2. Eric Javits Shop Hop Satchel - $380
This light and airy bag would be great for summer. This satchel gives the look of straw, but its very durable at the same time.

For the funky mom:
3. Elaine Turner Medium Gabby Shopper in Tahitian Dream - $345
Have a funky mom? Well check out this giraffe print! This little shopper puts a fresh spin on the animal print trend.
4. Kate Spade Fisher Island Small Devon Bag - $295
Zebra print… need I say more? Wait, why is it called “Fisher Island”?

For the mom that carries everything with her:
5. Longchamp Roseau Embossed Tote - $370
Great everyday tote that’s appropriate for both work and play. This baby will hold a lot too, thanks to its expandable gusset sides.
6. Juicy Couture Premier Carry-On Tote - $225
Huge size and durable PVC fabric, plus it comes with its own little zippered pouch to hold the little stuff.

For the workaholic mom:
7. Steven by Steve Madden High Society Large Tote - $185
This croco-embossed leather tote features a divided interior. It would be great for organizing folders and files.
8. Monsac Iris Gloss Tote - $398
Large enough to fit a laptop computer, this patent tote is sleek and sophisticated.

All of these bags can be found over at Nordstroms. And don’t forget that they offer free shipping everyday on all orders over $200. So hurry now, Mother’s Day is just a short week away!

[ The Bag Forum: Great Gifts for Mom ]

March 17, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: Vanessa

Kate Spade Tarrytown Quinn Handheld Tote
Kate Spade has introduced us to the Tarrytown Quinn handheld tote. This timeless bag is named after a quaint town in New York’s Hudson River Valley. This bag was made to represent the town’s modesty and appeal to many of the nation’s wealthiest and turn of the century, stylish families. This historic town draws in visitors with its natural beauty, grand homes, and luxury.

Modest, classic, stylish, naturally beautiful and luxurious are exactly what this tote represents. It’s classic, boxish figure along with vibrant coloring and soft texture make this bag a truly sensible addition to your handbag collection. It is a timeless bag to last throughout the years. This bag is made of pebbled-leather and measures in at 9.4″h x 11.5″w x 4.5″. It comes with 14-karat gold plated hardware, cotton twill lining, an open top and a center zip divider, and a leather license plate signature.

This bag retails at a fair $395.00 on KateSpade.com and comes in a variety of colors including, black, snow, orange, pink, or yellow. The Tarrytown Quinn is a great bag for every occasion, for women of every age and of every profession…whether it be a corporate diva or a funky fashionista.

Discover Kate Spade Bags: KateSpade, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue

December 29, 2007

WWD: Top 12 Designer Handbag Brands of 2007
WWD recently published their top 12 picks for 2007, and I am so disappointed. I mean who did they interview? Label whores? When I think of last years best sellers, or even memorable bags that could have been found on the lists of thousands of handbag fans, I wouldn’t pick a bag by some of the designers below. Coach number 1? How can that be. And Ralph Lauren? The only bag that comes to mind is the birkin-looking Ricky bag. I have nothing against the brands below, I’m a fan of a couple, but I don’t think this list is very accurate.

Click here to continue reading this post and view the top 12 list.

November 25, 2007

Did you Know? Kate Spade in 1994
Kate Spade: Considered naming the brand “Olive” and “Alex Noel” but after much thought Kate Brosnahah designed to take her finance’s last name, Spade.

In 1994, just one year after the birth of Kate Spade designer handbags (at the time Kate Brosnahah & Andy Spade), Kate along with her team sold their first batch of Kate Spade signature nylon designer handbags to Barneys, while at the same time working with Todd Oldham to design the handbags for his runway show.

Also in 1994 Kate and Andy get married.

November 5, 2007

Designer Handbag Chat @ The Bag Forum
Due to many great tips, the Bag Forum has added designers such as Jimmy Choo, Bottega Veneta, Yves Saint Laurent, l.a.m.b., Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Mulberry, and Zac Posen to the quick search “Designer Discussion”.

Want to see more purse designers? Drop me an email @ Jennifer@BagBliss.

Continue designer handbag discussion over at the bag forum….

October 30, 2007

Kate Spade “Your Designer Handbag is Fake”
Would you ever call anyone out for carrying a replica designer bag? Mrs. Kate Spade would….

In a recent interview with NYTimes, Kate Spade revealed her most recent encounter with a Kate Spade fan carrying a fake designer handbag. “I knew all the bags that were on the street, and this one I didn’t know had hit the street yet, but I knew it wasn’t real. I’m telling you, I was across the street and I could tell.” she said. So what did Kate do next? She walked on over to the lady and asked, “Where did you get that?” The woman instantly recognized the designer. “She was like, ‘Oh, my God, you’re Kate Spade!” And what was her reasoning for sporting a fake designer purse? “She said, ‘Oh I didn’t buy it, my husband did,’” said Kate. Hah! I’m sure that’s what they all say… blame it on someone else.

October 8th, 2007

Kate Spade Kensington Jocelyn Purse
Kate Spade’s newest family member, the Kensington Jocelyn was named after “one of the loveliest neighborhoods in London. Kensington townhouses are often host to festive cocktail parties and elegant dinner parties. these small evening bags are the perfect accessory for a night on the town.” – Kate Spade

This is one of my favorite Kate Spade creations of all time. It’s designed with a 2-in-1 body style technique, which allows you to either carry it as a long north-south styled tote or simply transitions into an oversized, unstructured handheld clutch. It’s also available in four different colors of supple suede - Black, berry (my fav & pictured above), chocolate and navy.

Discover the Kate Spade Kensington Jocelyn Purse
Price: $255

September 20, 2007

Designer Kate Spade Snowmass Stevie Bag
located near the well-known town of aspen, colorado, is snowmass mountain, a trekkers paradise. isolated and rising up on the horizon to a prominent peak, snowmass holds an immense snowfield on its eastern slope. inspired by brightly colored puffy down coats, a classic winter accessory present on any ski slope, these bags are both playful in color and shape and chic in attitude. – Kate Spade

When I think of puffy insulated quilted nylon material I get the image cold winter-ey snow days and down jackets. Kate Spade stuffed that image into one little bag, the Snowmass Stevie.

Designed with channeled puffy nylon (silver, black, red or yellow) with natural vachetta cowhide trim, accessorized with the kate spade signature 14-karat light gold plated hardware and features a super roomy larabee dot cotton lining interior that zips shut with a jacket zipper closure.

Discover the Kate Spade Snowmass Stevie Bag
Price: $295

August 24, 2007

Purse Deal: Kate Spade Cannes Flower Adelaide Purse
“Cannes: Grace Kelly and Cary Grant zipped through in a convertible in “to catch a thief”, and it was on these shores that Brigitte Bardot first cavorted in a bikini and made herself a star. In sunny Cannes, glamour is as omnipresent as the shoreline. Our jewel-toned satin clutches, featuring custom hardware, will take you wherever you need to go with just enough room for your passport and lipstick in your favorite shade of red.” – Kate Spade

This petite unstructured evening clutch is designed with midnight blue satin on the 14-karat gold plated hardware framed body. The mouth of this mini evening essential pops open to reveal the Italian poly sateen lining with the signature gold larabee dot pattern. Measurements are 3.8″ height x 7.7″ width x 2.2″ depth. And right now this gem is 50% off the almost $800 price tag. Sweet deal!

The Kate Spade Cannes Flower Adelaide is available in two versions, a midnight satin with a bold sapphire flower and black satin with a black flower. Of course my favorite is the jewel blue on the deep blue background. It’s so much more vibrant and eye-catching than the simple all black version.

Discover the Kate Spade Cannes Flower Adelaide Purse
Price: $795 $397

July 30, 2007

Kate Spade says goodbye to Kate Spade
“This is a hard decision, and I feel very emotional about it. But the emotions would be more about melancholy if I thought we weren’t doing the right thing. We are with the right partners - we wouldn’t make this decision otherwise. This an opportunity for employees, the fabulous teams we have in place, to take the baton and run away with it.” – Kate Spade

The accessory label was founded in 1993 by husband and wife team Kate and Andy Spade. But back in November the two have been talking about calling it quits.

Since Liz Claiborne bought-out Kate Spade it turns out that since then Mrs. Spade has been unhappy with the transition and has decided to exit her own line, immediately. Andy will stay and continue to work until the end of the year.

How can there be a Kate Spade label without the creativity of Kate Spade? Anyone think this will last or die off now that it’s under the Liz Claiborne umbrella?

July 9, 2007

Kate Spade ww2 Painted Satchel
“during WW2, soldiers painted their bags so that they could be easily identified. a tribute to unwavering american spirit, the painted satchels have been replicated using distressed leather and aged hardware. each is hand-painted and uniquely authentic. we hope you enjoy this quiet salute.” – kate spade

One of the new additions to the Kate Spade family is this vintage style satchel, designed out of heavy weight cotton canvas, trimmed with waxed vachetta, accessorized with rusted antique hardware and is available in a light baby blue color with hand painted deep red roses. This satchel newbie also features the double leather buckle closure that pops open to reveal the unlined interior. Measurements of this large shoulder bag are 11.6” height x 13” width x 1.5” depth

Price: $395
Discover the Kate Spade ww2 Painted Satchel

July 4, 2007

Introducing: Kate Spade Montserrat Mini Anne Purse
“Known as the emerald island of the caribbean, montserrat is a lush, mountainous locale. The vibrant street life is a colorful display of citrus hues which reflect the warmth and charm of the local people. The Montserrat handbag group embodies the colorful and vibrant spirit of this Caribbean region with an array of brilliant metallic colors in a diverse assortment of silhouettes elegant for evening and stylish for day and weekend.” – Kate Spade

At first glance, when one of my friends showed me this bag I seriously was a bit shocked that it was by Kate Spade. I guess I was a little stumped on who designed it because I have never seen it before. I, yes the bag obsessed was thrown off my the thick velvet twisted shoulder straps, although the shape of the bag is familiar to the Kate Spade house as it has been used over-and-over again in their other lines.

This bag is definitely a night bag, one that will surely glam-up your evening outfit. The purse is dressed in slightly textured tumbled metallic nappa leather, trimmed with velvet ribbon and accessorized with 14-karat light gold plated hardware. The mouth of the bag is kept shut with a leather drawstring that opens to reveal the Kate Spade signature dot twill lining.

Price: $345
Discover the Kate Spade Montserrat Mini Anne Purse

June 18, 2007

Purse Deal: Kate Spade Cape Cod Lobster Bags
“cape cod immediately conjures up images of lobsters, sea shells, and schooners gliding into harbor. inspired by these symbols of summer, the kate spade cape cod collection is a bold, playful print with a nautical theme.” – Kate Spade

Teen Vogue (may 2007) and Vanity Fair (June 2007) declared the Kate Spade Cape Cod lobster print bags a “Must Have Summer Essential” and should be on every fashionista’s checklist. Well judging by how these bags remain on the KateSpade site where they sit collecting dust in the sale section, the bags weren’t as big of a hit as those magazines predicted. It’s a nay on my side because whenever I look at the print I can’t help but get a slight craving for a lobster meal - Red Lobster anyone?

What do you guys think? Is this a hit or miss from Kate Spade?

Discover the Kate Spade Cape Cod Bags
Price Range: $100 - $400 (sale prices)

May 30, 2007

Kate Spade Yellow Submarine Purse
“We all live in the yellow submarine. The yellow submarine. The yellow submarine….” As a product of the 80’s and not music-educated I don’t know anymore of the song than that weak little bit. But every time I look at Kate Spade’s yellow submarine that little bit repeats in my head, like a broken record

What can live in your yellow submarine Kate Spade pouch? Well the measurements are 4.7″height x 6.5″width, which is just right for coin storage. The body of the underwater ship is made of smooth calfskin leather with larabee dot cotton twill lining.

Price: $75
Discover the Kate Spade Yellow Submarine Purse