BLACKBURN AND SWEETZER

Jeet Sohal, designer of Bare - sublimely soft leather handbags and gorgeous jewelry - was working at some heightened level of inspiration with her Day Tripper bag ($557, available in-store in various colors at Des Kohan, Milk , and Madison). Check the off-kilter zip, the attached cosmetics case, and the slouchy styling that has [...]

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Russell + Hazel has made its Audrey eight-file expandable tote ($70, russellandhazel.com) shiny and new for the season in black or white with subtle gold hardware. From the footed bottom to the interior print, the details are superb.

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Don’t look at me like that. I never said I was immune to lusting after some outrageously expensive bag that all the celebs are carrying. Here are the stats: Jimmy Choo Carolina Eel and Watersnake Bag ($1,675, jimmychoo.com); carriers include the usual suspects - Rachel Bilson, Madonna, Eva Mendes, Naomi Watts, Demi, Charlize, Lindsay, an [...]

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Jovovich-Hawk’s Gloria handbag ($375, net-a-porter.com) with its colorful scalloped design and braided handles is reminiscent of those round patchwork totes you see in thrift stores, often with some sort of crochet-like leather element involved. The Gloria bag is a much more refined and structured version with the added versatility of a removable strap. And - [...]

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The Miu Miu Vitello Large Convertible Handbag reminds me of when Coach used to make really classic, durable, attractive handbags - before the ‘C’ hit the scene and logo-ed the sh*t out of everything. Back when said classic handbag cost more like $200 than the $1,415 Vitello (saks.com). Not that Coach doesn’t produce handbags I’d [...]

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Look, I’m not going to blow smoke up your ass. I would much prefer Balenciaga’s Giant City bag for fall ‘07 (left) to The Sak’s Dakota Satchel (right), but I am impressed by The Sak’s efforts to get in the fashion game - albeit in a knock-off kind of way. And, hey, if you don’t [...]

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I braved my way winding up Benedict Canyon to then catch an SUV up to a Beverly Hills manse to Kari Feinstein’s Style Lounge, a gifting mecca for the Emmy Awards. The lounge, filled with beauty, food, fashion, handbags, jewelry, baby stuff, and more, was set on multiple levels and outside overlooking a spectac view. [...]

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The Art of Shopping recently had an online sample sale for Derek Lam handbags. There are still a number of bags left, but I think this one is the best deal: Jutta in white for $440, originally $1,100. I like that it’s soft but still structured and not ginormous; it’s smaller than my 12-inch laptop. [...]

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Here’s a good one. Thursday, September 6th through Saturday, September 8th, The Art of Shopping will be having an online Derek Lam handbag sample sale at up to 60% off. Log on early, as I imagine these will go fast.

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I’m into this Jet Blue Borboleta handbag/tote from by Elif New York ($345, delightincreation.com). Its simplicity is balanced by just enough detail - gold hardware and a few well-placed buckles - to make it a stand-out carryall. Other color options include black, bone, red, nutmeg, and tan. Check the rest Elif New York’s collection out, [...]

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Heavy day of Target- and Fashion Week Daily-related content (see below)… This is very exciting news, reported by fashionweekdaily.com yesterday: recent CFDA winner Loeffler Randall has been tapped to do a line for Target, which will hit stores in early ‘08. I lust big-time over Loeffler Randall boots, heels, flats, bags, and now ready-to-wear, every [...]

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Selections from Botkier’s spring/summer ‘07 collection are now very reduced. Belts are going for as little at $50 and bags from $110-$290. My guess is the selection will slim quickly.

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