For me to actually think a tote is fabulous is quite rare, but I must say that the Kooba Kellyn Soft Leather Tote is stunning. The Kooba Kellyn Soft Leather Tote is one of those totes that is simply classic and stunning all at the same time.

The handbag is quite simple and doesn’t have much hardware but for some reason it still screams elegance. Some features of the handbag include: a magnetic top snap closure; interior cell phone and PDA pockets; pen loops; and lastly a key clip.

As most totes are spacious, the Kooba Kellyn Soft Leather Tote doesn’t fail to disappoint as it too is quite roomy. With a width of 16 1/2 inches and a height of 10 1/2 inches there is no disputing that a bagista would have plenty of room for her stylish belongings in this handbag.

The Kooba Kellyn Soft Leather Tote is currently available at Nordstrom for $645. A little bit much for a tote, but I will admit for a tote that it is quite beautiful. The Kellyn also comes in Ocean and Yellow, but in my opinion the handbag looks best in black. Whichever color you choose, you can’t go wrong.

See the Kooba Kellyn Soft Leather Tote at: Nordstrom

The Chat: Kooba Kellyn

Winter is probably my least favorite season. The cold, the snow, the fighting with my husband to turn the dang heat up. Nope, there isn’t much I like about this time of year — except all of the wonderful sales! Everywhere you go, it’s an endless buffet of sales. Even Piperlime is having it’s famous Lime Tag Sale going on right now. And the best part is, there is no need to brave the elements to shop this sale! Great deals are just a mouse click away! Here is a taste of what the Piperlime Lime Tag Sale has to offer:

Olivia Harris Turnlock Flap Hobo – Only $209.99 (Orig. $425)
Post in a previous blog entry of mine, this bag is both versatile and fun. Plus the teal blue color is gorgeous!

Hayden Harnett Lorca Turnlock – Only $269.99 (Orig. $335)
This small and spunky bag is one of my personal favorites. Perfect for gals like me who don’t need to carry around a lot of stuff all the time.

Kooba Ashley – Only $429.99 (Orig. $625)
Posted in another previous blog entry of mine, this bag looks so chic with its soft pleats.

Gustto Estiva Leather Beach Bag – Only $229.99 (Orig. $465)
This large tote would be great for shopping trips at the mall as well. Plus there are three great colors to choose from!

Find these great deals, and many more, at Piperlime

The Chat: Piperlime Lime Tag Sale

Besides being able to find a great leather shoulder bag, a plus would be having the option of choosing your bag from a variety of hues. Sure everybody loves the same ‘ole black and brown leather bags (I sure do!), but leathers don’t have to come in neutral all the time, right ladies? I always think of Balenciaga in reference to spectacular handbags with the best variety of colors, but Balenciaga isn’t the only name out there carrying colorful leather bags. Kooba for instance has these Ryder totes up for grabs at Revolve Clothing (dot com), and they look pretty functional to me. The Ryder is basically a large shoulder tote, with plenty of room for necessities, and diagonal zipper compartments accessing even more additional space. Sounds a bit complicated, but I bet it’s easier to maneuver around this tote in person. Personally, the pink Ryder is my favorite, but you can take your choice of black, brown, ocean, yellow, or the patent versions. I can’t really say much about the quality or whether Kooba handbags really hold up to their name since I’ve never owned a piece, but for a reasonable price tag of $645, you can find the Ryder bag over at Revolve Clothing!

The Chat: Kooba Ryder Tote.

Guess what girls! I’m stuck on Kooba… again! This time around my eyes have landed on this gorgeous Kooba Brady Tote. I’m not quite sure what it is about this bag that I like so much. Is it the pleats? Or the belt? Or the lightweight, buttery soft leather? Who knows, who cares?! I just think this would make a really great bag for carrying around school books or work folders. Perhaps it would make a great bag for shopping at the mall as well. So if you’re looking for a chic, structured tote bag then the Kooba Brady Tote just might be for you. And the best part of all… this bag is now on sale! All the more reason to treat yourself to a lovely new Kooba handbag!

The Kooba Brady Tote is available in Black leather with brushed nickel hardware. This open-top tote measures 13″ x 14″ x 3.5″. It normally retails for $595, but it is currently on sale for only $495!

Check it out at Luna Boston

The Chat: Kooba Brady Tote.

November 26, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: bRs

Kooba Natasha Soft Shopper Bag
When it comes to handbags in my own collection, I seem to prefer smaller ones. Reading my blog posts, however, most people probably wouldn’t gather that. But just because I like bags that are of a “manageable” size for me, it doesn’t mean I can’t admire great-looking bags of all shapes and sizes. What caught my eye with this Kooba Natasha Soft Shopper was its two-in-one styling. This bag can be worn as a slim shopper or, by unbuckling the side straps, as a bucket tote. I also love Kooba designs for their soft leathers and pretty pleating details. They have some of the most beautiful designs and sometimes I don’t feel like they are given enough credit by the handbag world. Now would I personally wear this handbag? Only if I was going to be stuffing school books inside it! But I understand that there are people out there that like large bags for everyday. So if you love big bags, then the Kooba Natasha Soft Shopper might be of interest to you.

The Kooba Soft Shopper measures 20.5″ x 12.5″ x 5.5″ when cinched up and 17.5″ x 10″ x 7″ when uncinched. It retails for $645 and is available in Purple, Brown, or Black. Check it out at Nordstrom

Chat Now: Kooba Natasha Soft Shopper Bag

November 18, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: bRs

Kooba Riley Bag
Origami frogs! Does anyone remember how to make one of those? When I was in grade school, we had a thing called the Frog Olympics. Students would make origami frogs to compete in a variety of contests. There was the Best Dressed Frog, the Largest Frog, and the Smallest Frog Competitions. There were also “Track and Field” events like the Long Jump and the High Jump. I don’t think I ever won any awards, but I do remember how fun it was to fold origami frogs. It is something that has stuck with me well into my adult life. So don’t be surprised if I’m making one while I’m bored at work or in class! The reason I bring all of this up is because of what I see when I look at the Kooba Riley Bag. In case you haven’t already figured it out, it’s origami! Think about it. The clean lines. The precise folds. How could you not be reminded? As far as whether or not I like this bag from a handbag perspective, I really can’t say for sure. I have always liked Kooba handbags, but this one seems so stiff-looking. Nothing like the typical squishy Kooba styles that I have come to know and love. I do like the pretty blue color though!

The Kooba Riley Bag is available in Teal or Luggage (Tan). It retails for $595.

Find it at shopbop.com!

Chat Now: Kooba Riley Bag

October 21, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: bRs

Kooba Suede Vanessa Bag
Alright, I admit it! I love green! Now I realize that many of you out there don’t particularly care for green, especially when it comes to handbags. Yep, I can almost hear the “Ewww, it looks like pea soup!” comment as I type this. But you know what? Green can actually look really great, especially when you wear a lot of browns. What makes this bag even more interesting, though, is the fact that it is suede. I really have mixed feelings when it comes to suede. Sure, it can look all soft and velvety. But it can also be very hard to care for. Plus suede doesn’t work very well if the occasion calls for a more formal attire. However, when you pair it with jeans and a sweater, it brings a warm fuzzy feeling to your whole look. And as we head into the fall and winter months, I’m definitely going to want to feel warm and fuzzy.

The Kooba Suede Vanessa Bag measures 16″ x 15″ x 4″ and has a 19″ long strap. This larger size is actually perfect for use as a school bag. I bet quite a few notebooks could fit in that main compartment. There are also quite a few pockets inside and out, which makes this bag very functional. It retails for $675.

Find it at Pink Mascara.

Chat Now: Kooba Suede Vanessa Bag

October 20, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: bRs

Kooba Metallic Leopard Penelope Clutch
Meowza! Looking for a really exotic looking clutch? Check out this new version of Kooba’s Penelope Clutch. It’s metallic AND leopard. Metallics are hot, hot, hot in the world of handbags right now. We all know what a great metallic bag can do for an outfit. But metallic paired with a leopard print? The combination sounds awful. But oddly enough, it really isn’t all that bad. Kooba has done a wonderful job of bringing these two elements together and somehow making them work. The leopard rosettes just seem to illuminate on the metallic silver background. I’m not sure why, but this clutch is really starting to grow on me. Perhaps it’s those mesmerizing spots. I also like the extra large turnlock closure and the very unusual chain strap. What is that anyway? A bicycle chain? No… that’s not quite it. Oh well, it looks pretty cool regardless of what it is “supposed” to be. The only downside I see with this clutch is that it doesn’t look like it will be making any day trips. Nope, this is probably a clutch that should only come out after dark.

The Kooba Metallic Leopard Penelope Clutch measures 10″ x 4″ x 1″ and it’s detachable chain strap has an 8″ drop. Metallic leather with fabric lining. It retails for $395.

Check it out over at: at Revolve Clothing

Chat Now: Kooba Metallic Leopard Penelope Clutch

September 25, 2008
post written by Bag Bliss blogger: bRs

Shiny New Sale – Going on Now at Shop Bop
Summer is officially over. It’s time to wave goodbye to your shorts and flip flops. Unfortunately, you won’t be needing them any longer (Dang, I love my flip flops!). For me, I’m really sad to see the summer end. It is probably my most favorite season. There isn’t snow on the ground and my allergies aren’t driving me up the wall. Plus I just love those lazy afternoons, where there’s nothing to do but sit around and enjoy your sweetie’s company.

But there is something good about the changing of the seasons. What is that you ask? Why it is all those End-of-Season sales, of course! Right now at Shop Bop, they are having their Shiny New Sale and they have tons of great handbags marked down. Below are a few of my favorites. They are all discounted by at least 30%.

Foley + Corinna Studded City Clutch
Who says you can’t wear white after Labor Day? This beauty would work well for any season. Regularly $478, it’s on sale for $239.

Cynthia Rowley Ginny Athene Oversized Clutch
It’s a magazine clutch and it’s on sale! Who would have thunk it? Regularly $275, it’s on sale for $137.50.

Rebecca Minkoff Plan B Bag
The tangerine color is so scrumptious! And it’s just right for fall too! Regularly $655, it’s on sale for $327.50.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Totally Turnlock Quinn Bag
It’s MBMJ… what more can I say? Regularly $468, it’s on sale for $327.60.

Kooba Jacinda Patent Bag
This Kooba is such a nice, basic black handbag. Plus I love the patent leather! Regularly $595, it’s on sale for $416.50.

Find all of these styles, and much more, over at shopbop.com.

Chat Now: Shiny New Sale – Going on Now at Shop Bop