Whether it’s a reaction to the economy, a growing plague of back & neck pain or simply a natural response to extremely oversized handbags, every major designer is showing a mini bag this season. Sure, they have had little bags for evening, the cross-body last season, but the mini bag for day is the next great thing. Or to use an over-tired analogy, the mini-bag is the new “black”.

There are so many great offerings out there it’s hard to choose for an review. You can obviously find sparkly and satin ones for evening, but leather, nylon and pony hair are readily available in a host of colors choices. Strap lengths can be long enough for cross-body, shoulder length or short. The beauty of a short strap mini-bag is that it is small & lightweight enough to easily carry securely on your forearm still rendering you hands-free when necessary. The user must be more particular about what they stash in their mini. Small wallets or card holders, a lipstick and your phone is about all you will carrying.

Blending classic lady-like chic with a touch or rocker studs, the Valentino Rockstud Small Leather Mini Bag is featured in a beautifully sophisticated sand color perfect for resort through summer. The silver accents up the ante by appealing to those of us ladies who have a little bit of edge. This 8″ x 4 1/2″ x 2″ bag is loaded with pockets to increase its functionality. There is an outside open pocket, an inside zip pocket and four inside open pockets all secured by a flap with a silver tone turn-lock closure. All of these details come with a price of $1395, but I think you will find that it will be in your wardrobe for many years to come. Also available in black.

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In a sea of black and gray, camel is this seasons stand-out, surprise, trend color! From camel hair coats, to the beautiful, sophisticated sheath dresses of Michael Kors and Chloe, this season’s color that speaks of sophistication, classics and luxe is camel. Camel is a warm soft color that makes you feel safe & cozy in chunky knits or sleek and sophisticated in leather jackets, boots and bags. In my humble opinion, Chloe is doing it better than anyone else. The sleekest example of shear genius utilizing this color is the Aurora Top-Handled Bag.

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The cross body style trend is so huge for summer, but there is a con to this style that you need to be aware of.

Earlier this week I witnessed one of the biggest wardrobe malfunction bloopers that could happen. True story..

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The Anniversary shopping sale party is happening now over at Nordstrom!

Below is just a small handful of my top favorite 4 online picks.

I live in Seattle, and even though the weather has been all good, bright and sunny the last couple days, I know there’s a rain shower waiting for us on the other side of the rainbow. Which means, any season is a good season to grab a pair of boots, and when a pair of designer boots reaches the sale section, I of course jump on that.

The Burberry Rain Boots are currently on sale for $169.90 (after sale $250)

Shop the Burberry boutique at Nordstrom!

A color that can easily transfer from Summer to Fall with ease. The Heloise in a yummy honey nutmeg brown shade. By the way, worth noting, this purse is full price at all other online department stores. Crazy deal happening now over at the Anniversary sale.

The Chloe Heloise is currently marked down to $998.90 (after sale $1,495)

Shop the Chloe Boutique at Nordstrom!

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Feeling a little blue? I think the emerging trend in handbags is too! I’ve begun to notice a mini-trend with some designers. Here are just a few of the great designs just out!

Bottega Veneta Woven Leather Bag in INK!
I have noticed that Bottega Veneta does a wonderful job of indicating future color trends. I was drooling over orange last winter and coveting the rich purple this season. So, it might not surprise us that by featuring this beautiful and rich inky navy blue, it could foretell what is to come! This classic bag style measures 10” x 6” x 5 ½” and is $980.00

Bottega Veneta at Saks Fifth Avenue!

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Originally launched as a denim line in 2001, the See by Chloé brand was a response to the success of denim and jersey pieces in the Chloé collection. While there aren’t many See by Chloe handbags that make me take a second look, the Cherry Small Metallic Cross Body Sling did just that! Softly shaped with a little bit of edge, I’m loving this one!

This cute little cross body is the darling sibling to the Cherry Large version. This little bag packs alot of “WOW” for it’s small size. Gorgeous pebbled leather featuring gold metallic accents. I really love how they “pop” against the black. Two zippered pockets on the front provide an interesting design element without being overwhelming. A short tasseled drawstring at the top of the bag also provides another design element that provides stylish detail without being too long and overpowering the scale of the bag. I love the pleating on the sides of the bag is it gives the bag a soft rounded shape rather than a hard line geometric shape. It’s almost like carrying a little pillow! small front flap has a magnetic closure so it doesn’t stay open.

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Stars are loving the Chloe Marcie!

The Marcie is new to the Spring 2010 collection and has already been spotted on the arms of many gorgeous starlets.

Pictured above from the Left to right:
Katie Holmes out with the little one, while on a recent trip to New York City.
Effortlessly chic Rachel Bilson, looking fab as usual with her Marcie.
And finally pictured on the far right is the super adorable Jessica Alba with her all leather version.

The oversized bag is currently available in Camel and Metallic-taupe with gold-tone hardware over at the Net-a-Porter Chloe Handbag Boutique. retails for jut under $1,900.

Ever since the See by Chloe line was introduced, I have never been much of a fan. To tell you the truth, some of the bags were just plain weird. In fact, I believe I once compared a See by Chloe bag to a toy that is made for horses. So you can imagine my surprise when I stumbled across a bag from See by Chloe that wasn’t… well, weird.

And I think I am prepared to go as far as saying it is a style that I could see myself actually wearing. Introducing the See by Chloe Funny Love Shoulder Bag!

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The mix and matching of grays and blues worked out just fine for Jessica Alba who was spotted at the airport. Over accessorized with knee high stockings, poms on her scarf, jewels at the shoulder, and a masculine hat might sound like a bit much to wear all at once, but Jessica sure does look happy, and we’ll just say that that’s all that matters. The one accessory that caught my eye was her luscious red orange designer handbag, and that’ll be the Marcie large shoulder bag by Chloe. It seemed like for a while we weren’t seeing as many Chloe accessories in the celebrity world since the Paddington outburst, but it looks like fashionista’s are rediscovering their love for the French couture brand. As for the Marcie bag, I absolutely adore it. It’s leather, oversized, and has that unique design of a zip top and a front flap closure. The rolled leather handles carry on a distinctive design and of course gold toned hardware on this pretty shade will add a nice pop of color to any outfit.

Get your hands on your very own Chloe Marcie bag by shopping through: NET-A-PORTER.COM

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