Jersey Shore starlet Snooki is offering fans a sneak peek of her first Snooki Handbags collection ahead of its official release later this week.

This accessories line is just what you’d expect from the world’s most famous guidette. Think faux leatherette rather than the genuine article, plenty of animal print, and an overzealous application of metal studs. Clutch purses, satchels, and tote bags are amongst the offerings in the collection. It’s all pretty tacky, but let’s remember that Snooki has never been about high class.

The collection isn’t to my tastes, but it’ll probably appeal to fans of the reality TV star. For them the affordable prices will be the cherry on top. The cheapest purse costs just $34.99, and even the most expensive is still quite reasonable at $59.99. It’s refreshing to see a celebrity not driving the prices up simply because their name is attached.

The Snooki Handbags will make their public debut with a two-hour holiday special on HSN this coming Thursday, November 10. Two hours of Snooki spruiking handbags? That seems like overkill to me!

Are you on board with Snooki’s latest foray into the fashion world, or do you wish she’d stick to what she does best?

[Source: Examiner.com]

Roxy offers a backpack for students and girls on the go with the So Long.

I appreciate the choice Roxy provides here. There’s this pink design for the girly girls, more conservative black and sandstone alternatives and even a wild paisley print. With that many alternatives there should be one to suit everyone, or at least everyone who likes backpacks.

While the accessory style has become high class thanks to The Row’s $39, 000 version, it’s still heavily associated with our school days. This one does nothing to bust our preconceptions. It’s very traditional, and doesn’t attempt to try anything too radical.

It is a good example of a backpack though. I particularly like the cotton canvas material, which has been heavily washed for maximum softness. Its luxuriously large so there’s space for carrying several textbooks, a laptop, and other essentials.

While it’s good, it’s not great though. For $48 we probably wouldn’t expect it to be. Its straps can’t be adjusted to any significant length, and one customer even reported that theirs broke quickly. That old saying that you get what you pay for might hold true here.

More Features of This Roxy Cotton Canvas Backpack

• Machine washable
• Faux suede bottom
• Measures 6 x 17 x 12 inches

Get this Roxy So Long Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon (limited stock in some colors)
• Check the DeLmAr Y Sol eBay store to see if this Roxy bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Roxy bags on BagBunch
• The Roxy Fiddle Li Dee backpack bag, a great alternative to this backpack bag.
• Searching for more Roxy bags on eBay
• Other Roxy backpacks on eBay:

[phpbay]Roxy backpack, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

A prized Hermes Diamond Birkin, one of the rarest and most valuable purses in the world, will go under the hammer on December 6 as part of Heritage Auctions‘ Handbags and Luxury Accessories Signature Auction.

The sought after purse features white gold hardware encrusted with glittering diamonds. Matthew Rubinger, the director of Luxury Accessories at Heritage, suggests it would “make quite a Christmas for one savvy collector.” I can only imagine!

The Hermes handbag has a retail value of more than $140, 000 brand new. It’s not expected to make quite that much, but it should rake in $80, 000 or more, which is still a very nice chunk of change.

If that particularly Birkin is too rich for your blood, perhaps the Himalayan Crocodile Birkin is more your speed. The palladium hardware decorated purse is expected to fetch around $60, 000. That’s still a big investment, but admittedly it’s a smaller one than the main attraction! There are also another 18 Birkins up for auction, 20 Kelly bags, a rare Chanel black crocodile Paris-Baritz Tote, and a gorgeous Yves St. Laurent chocolate crocodile Muse bag. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Rubinger says this holiday auction has been “carefully curated” to bring together some of the most desirable and uncommon bags on the planet. He adds that the current market for high-end designer accessories is “very strong,” so an auction like this is well-timed.

Internet pre-bidding is currently available ahead of the auction on December 6.

[Source: News-Antique.com]

Hermes Birkin Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Hermes Birkin, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

JanSport walks on the wild side with this bold Elefunk messenger bag.

Its neon animal printed finish will polarize fashion fans, but I adore it. Perhaps it’s because I’m a child of the 80s, but I think the rainbow colors and animalistic array of spots and stripes are lots of fun. I wouldn’t carry it to a high class function, but it could liven up a school day or workout session.

If the Black Animal Frenzy print doesn’t rev you, I still wouldn’t dismiss the Elefunk completely. It’s available in a range of designs including zebra stripes and some plaid patterns. All versions are really well designed, with a large main compartment and several supporting pockets.

However the Elefunk isn’t perfect. Its laptop compartment has a little padding, but it’s probably not enough to satisfy gadget lovers. You could always buy a separate sleeve to provide extra protection, but that’s an extra expense most of us don’t need. The strap could also use some extra padding, as it pulls on your shoulder when it’s full. College students may want to think twice before filling it with heavy textbooks. However the strap is strong, so you needn’t worry about it failing you.

However the Elefunk is very affordable at $65. For that price I don’t mind a few niggly issues, do you?

More Features of This JanSport Animal Print Messenger Bag

• Made of 600 denier polyester
• Measures 13 x 16 x 5.5 inches

Get this JanSport Elefunk Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

[phpbay]JanSport Elefunk, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Fleafleagg Store eBay store to see if this JanSport bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More messenger bags on BagBunch
• The JanSport Air Cure backpack bag, a great alternative to this animal print bag.
• Searching for more JanSport bags on eBay

Bright yellow canvas brings some zing to this Spicy Sac from Dooney & Bourke.

This cheery fabric helps make this traditional bucket style bag seem much more interesting. Unfortunately it’s let down though by its leather trim. While the cowhide is luxurious, its color is really insipid. The vibrant yellow deserved a much stronger partner, perhaps a chocolate brown or even a navy blue. The tassels on the zips also seem a bit unnecessary, but they don’t offend me as much as that bland leather. Who would have thought canvas would outshine the more luxurious skin?

This Sac is well designed though, with plenty of space for everything you’ll need on any outing. The front pocket gives us space for stashing the items we need on hand, while the generous main compartment takes care of the rest. I also appreciate the metal feet, which will protect the base from the ravages of time. The handle is a shade too short for my liking, but it’s also not completely impractical.

This is a sweet little purse, and one that’s relatively affordable at $228. However I can’t help thinking about the ways it could have been better. There’s a place for sweet, but this handbag had the potential to be something much greater.

More Features of This Dooney & Bourke Quilted Shoulder Bag

• Top zip closure
• A zip pocket, slip pocket, and key fob inside
• A single strap with a 6 inch drop
• Measures 14 x 6 x 10.5 inches

Get this Dooney & Bourke Spicy Handbag:

• Available to buy at Zappos
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

[phpbay]Dooney Bourke Spicy Sac, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check The Supreme Shopper eBay store to see if this Dooney & Bourke bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Dooney & Bourke bags on BagBunch
• The Dooney & Bourke Spicy satchel bag, a great alternative to this quilted bag.
• Searching for more Dooney & Bourke bags on eBay

Shutterbugs needn’t sacrifice style when they’re carrying their camera thanks to the fashion forward range of handbags from Jo Totes.

These chic purses are a world away from the big, bulky camera bags we’re used to. They’re made from high quality leatherette rendered in classic black and brown hues, along with more youthful teal and mustard shades. Feminine pleats and rosettes accent these modern accessories.

Happily the Jo Totes aren’t all about looks though. Open them up and you’ll find all the features you’d expect in a regular camera bag. Padded dividers help keep your camera and accessories safe. These dividers are removable so you can arrange them to suit your needs. The array of interior pockets helps keep film, batteries, extra lenses, and other photography essentials organized. Metal feet on the base help protect the purses from wear and tear, while the choice of shoulder and cross-body straps brings some extra versatility.

By choosing synthetic rather than real leather, the designers have made Jo Totes very affordable. Each one costs around $100, with the Betsy bag pictured selling for $109. This tiered camera bag, along with the rest of the Jo Totes range, is available from the company’s website.

[Source: Jo Totes]

Camera Totes on eBay

[phpbay]Camera tote, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

I haven’t always been a Juicy Couture fan, but with this Gifting Bow clutch it’s created the kind of purse I’d love to find underneath my Christmas tree.

Big bows like the one adorning this clutch are Juicy Couture staples. They’re unashamedly girly and a whole lot of fun, but they can easily appear over the top. Juicy Couture gets away with this accent here though by keeping the rest of the clutch quite neutral. The gentle silvery hue and classic diamond quilting tempers the feminine feature.

The Gifting Bow Clutch also has the right size on its side. It’s large enough to hold everything we need, but not so large that it appears overwhelming. A purse with such an obvious decoration needs to be a bit smaller lest it appear silly.

It’s still a little large to easily carry by hand in my opinion, so I’m glad to see the chain accented strap. It won’t feel especially comfortable on our shoulder, but it should make life a bit simpler.

It’s got high quality materials on its side, but such a cutesy clutch still seems a little steep at $198. Perhaps it’s time to place my order with Santa!

More Features of This Juicy Couture Quilted Clutch

• Zip top closure
• Cotton lined interior
• A slip pocket inside
• A single shoulder strap with a 10.5 inch drop
• Measures 11 x 5.5 x 2 inches

Get this Juicy Couture Gifting Bow Capsule Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon (limited stock)
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

[phpbay]Juicy Couture Gifting bow capsule clutch, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Karen’s Chic-Oh So Many Great Deals eBay store to see if this Juicy Couture bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Juicy Couture bags on BagBunch
• The Melie Bianco Maya bag, a great alternative to this bow bag.
• Searching for more Juicy Couture bags on eBay

The Scandinavian Design Center has created the perfect handbag for anyone who enjoys a tipple. The Baggy Winecoat allows you to take your favorite box wine with you wherever you need to go.

The creators assure us that it’s very easy to use. You simply take the plastic baggie from its original box, insert it into the Baggy Winecoat, and you’re ready for a glass or two whenever the mood takes you.

The Scandinavian Design Center claims its new bag’s rubber base is “tip-proof,” so we shouldn’t worry about wine spills. I’m not entirely convinced though. Wine boxes typically dribble once a drink is poured, so I certainly wouldn’t use it to carry red. Can you imagine if a few drops leaked on your favorite dress?

And of course there’s the cringe factor. The Baggy Winecoat has a novelty appeal, but you’ve got to wonder about the kind of fashionista who needs to have wine on hand. Life is stressful for all of us, but this bag seems like an extreme way of dealing with it!

If there’s someone in your life with a passion for pinot you can order them a Baggy Winecoat for $55.69 from The Scandinavian Design Center.

[Source: The Scandinavian Design Center]

Vieta proves that even a smattering of studs can be too much with this Julia clutch.

There’s a lot of white space here, but that doesn’t save the Julia. There may not be many studs, but their variety makes them appear overwhelming. We get silver and gold, pyramids and classic domed studs, all working together in perfect discord. The structured bows, naturally covered with more studs, really take things over the top for me. The Vieta seems so desperate to excite us that it simply looks desperate.

There are a few nice features though, so perhaps we shouldn’t dismiss the Julia out of hand. Its dimensions are more generous than the average clutch, so if we pack it right we could carry it during the day or night. We don’t need to carry it by hand either, as Vieta’s added a wrist strap and a longer cross-body strap. This is made from soft leatherette rather than a traditional chain, so it should feel more forgiving on our shoulder.

The final selling point is the price, a very affordable $68. Personally I’d save up to buy something more timeless, but if you like studs and bows you’ll be satisfied.

More Features of This Vieta Studded Clutch

• Zip top closure
• Signature Vieta print lining
• Measures 3.5 x 13 x 5 inches

Get this Vieta Julia Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

[phpbay]Vieta Julia, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Buy’s Internet Superstore eBay store to see if this Vieta bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Vieta bags on BagBunch
• The pearlized Vieta Julia bag, a great alternative to this matte bag.
• Searching for more Vieta bags on eBay

Godiva has teamed up with FEED Projects for a tasty new bag collaboration.

Godiva will sell exclusively designed FEED bags at its registers as part of its new Lady Godiva charity program. The bags are handcrafted from African textiles and assembled by workers at a Liberian factory, the first Fair Trade certified female-run plant on the continent. Every customer who purchases one of the FEED 10 bags does so knowing they’ve helped feed 10 children in Africa’s cocoa-producing regions.

FEED Projects founder Lauren Bush said she was “honored” to be the very first Lady Godiva honoree. She added that partnering with a company as powerful as Godiva will help her organisation provide many more children with essential nutrition for intellectual and physical development.

Godiva seems very committed to the cause as it’s pledged to donate 400, 000 school meals to African children in need. Its collaboration with FEED Projects promises to the first of many similar charity efforts. The Belgian chocolate company will partner with other female-helmed charities on a national scale and give $1000 donations to female community leaders that “exemplify the spirit of Lady Godiva.”

Are you excited to see Godiva giving back to the global community through this new program?

[Source: Accessories Magazine]