It might not quite have me on my knees, but I’ve fallen hard for Big Buddha’s Layla.

I can’t help thinking of the Matelasse bags as I take in the quilting on the Layla. Just as Miu Miu did before, Big Buddha’s stepped outside the box with this stitching to create a finish that’s dramatic and so compelling. It also cleverly hides the shortcomings of Big Buddha’s synthetic material. I’ve often criticized the label’s cheap and cheerful fabrics, but the stitching breaks the synthetic up so much that we never notice its flaws.

The stitching is the hero, but the zippered edging on the envelope flap plays a great supporting role. It gives the Layla a little more attitude without overwhelming the already detailed purse.

You can carry the Layla as a clutch, but personally I think it’s a little large for that. I have a feeling I’d only use the shoulder and cross-body straps if it were mine! Big Buddha has made these from more of the soft synthetic, so they’ll be more comfortable to carry than most clutch straps.

Size is all well and good, but it never works alone. Big Buddha recognizes this and spoils us with a pair of slip pouches and a zippered pocket. That’s almost standard for a day bag, but virtually unheard of for a clutch purse.

Big Buddha’s really outdone itself with the Layla, so I expected we might pay a bit more to own it. Not so though; this purse is a real find at $79.95.

More Features of This Big Buddha Quilted Convertible Clutch

• Magnetic snap closure
• Cotton lined interior
• An attachable 16 inch shoulder strap
• An attachable, adjustable 42.5-48 inch cross-body strap
• Measures 2 x 12 x 8 inches
• Made in China
• Also available in black, white, and pink

Get this Big Buddha Layla Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Big Buddha Layla clutch, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Bluefly eBay store to see if this Big Buddha bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Big Buddha bags on BagBunch
• The Big Buddha Monet bag, a great alternative to this quilted bag.
• Searching for more Big Buddha bags on eBay

Jessica Simpson had a very happy 31st birthday on Sunday after her fiancé Eric Johnson presented her with a brand new Hermes Birkin bag.

The generous $15, 000 gift is sure to pop against the pop star and fashion designer’s typically conservative wardrobe as it’s bright orange. Black, brown, or navy might have been more timeless, but I’m sure this sunny shade will turn a lot more heads.

As you’d expect, Simpson was thrilled by her birthday surprise.

“Eric made my birthday!” she gushed on her Twitter page. “I have never been more surprised in my life! Jackie O who?“

The post was followed by a candid image which shows the pajama-clad star kissing her brand new bag. I can’t blame her for falling in love at first sight!

Of course a Birkin birthday gift would be the highlight of any celebration, but it seems Simpson’s day was lots of fun all round. She reported to her Twitter followers that she had a “huge smile on her face” after touching base with several of her nearest and dearest family and friends.

We can’t blame Simpson’s zest for life though. She’s got a brand new Birkin on her arm, a wedding to a very generous man in the works, and an imminent return to the small screen. We’ll soon see her alongside Nicole Richie and menswear expert John Varvatos in the reality TV competition Fashion Star.

After being much maligned in recent years, it’s great to see Jessica Simpson on the up, isn’t it?

[Source: MusicRooms]
[Image Source: John VanderHaagen/Wikipedia Commons]

Orange Birkin Bags on eBay

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

We’ve always known Magid could create great casual daytime accessories, but we’ve recently learned the fashion house knows how to turn it on after five. This Sequin Stripe Heart Clutch is one of Magid’s most adorable, and affordable, evening accessories.

There’s something about a heart shaped purse that makes me smile. It might not be very practical, but it looks good enough for me to ignore that fact. The wavy sequin stripes add another level of charm to the design. The material underneath it looks a little cheap up close, but from a distance this purse creates the illusion of luxury. At this price, that’s enough for me!

As we mentioned before, no purse with such an unusual shape will ever be practical. You’ll be lucky to fit more than a small cell phone, some coins, and a credit card inside. But then again, what more to do you need on a night out? At least the chain is detachable, so we can enjoy the convenience without ever compromising our already limited storage space.

$52 might ordinarily be a lot of money to spend on a purse that will hold so little, but when it looks as good as this one I’m willing to make an exception!

More Features of This Magid Heart Clutch

• Clasp closure
• Fully lined interior
• A detachable strap with a 23 inch drop
• Measures 6 x 5 x 1 inches

Get this Magid Sequin Stripe Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Magid sequin heart clutch, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Susan’s Fashion House eBay store to see if this Magid bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Magid bags on BagBunch
• The patterned Magid Sequined Heart Clutch, a great alternative to this striped bag.
• Searching for more Magid bags on eBay

Junior lifestyle brand YMI is adding handbags, small leather goods, and footwear to its fashion collection. The label will work with Blank Generation’s Noir Empire division on its new accessory line.

Deke Jamieson, the executive vice president of marketing and licensing for YMI, says he feels the partnership is a “great match,” due to Blank Generation’s focus on youth and success with footwear and handbag collections in the past.

YMI unveiled its new accessories at last month’s Fashion Footwear Association of New York trade show. It showcased fashion forward pumps, wedges, flats, and boots and a range of colored handbags designed to complement the shoes.

The accessories continue YMI’s tradition of offering fashion that represents great value for money. The shoes and purses will start at $29, and won’t cost more than $79. That’ll be a relief for moms and dads who know it’s only a matter of time before their teens grow out of their flats!

YMI has become a favorite label for some of the small screen’s hottest young starlets, including Make It or Break It’s Cassie Scerbo, The Vampire Diaries’ Kayla Ewell, and True Blood’s Kayla Ewell. That sort of celebrity endorsement should create some real buzz about the new YMI accessories.

You’ll find the YMI shoes and purses at high end department stores and specialty retailers across America this fall.

[Source: PR Web]

Chinese Laundry gives the simple clutch purse a feminine makeover with this Rose Clutch.

Don’t mistake feminine for ultra girly though; this clutch is one for modern misses. The synthetic rosette has great structure, so it appears a bit edgier than one with softer petals might have. This bloom takes center stage on what is otherwise a fairly plain clutch. Personally I think that minimalist approach is a blessing, as it stops this purse appearing too frothy. The red hue also makes this clutch look very contemporary, although you’ll also find it in a very on trend gray. There are no pastel pinks or baby blues here!

I never expect much from clutches, especially at this price point, but Chinese Laundry has outdone itself here. There’s a zippered pocket on the back, and another one inside. The pair of magnetic closures provides twice the security, and there’s also a zip closure for good measure! The lack of shoulder strap is really the only disappointment, but with everything else Chinese Laundry has included I’m not missing it too much.

By avoiding the usual girly trapping, Chinese Laundry makes this clutch very versatile. It’d look right at home with jeans, but you could also dress it up for the evening with just the right outfit. It was already cheap at less than $15, but that versatility makes it a steal!

More Features of This Chinese Laundry Rosette Clutch

• Contrast stitching
• Measures 6 x 11 x 1.5 inches

Get this Chinese Laundry Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Chinese Laundry rose clutch, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Buy Now or Never Bargain Resource eBay store to see if this Chinese Laundry bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Chinese Laundry bags on BagBunch
• The Menbur Rosette bag, a great alternative to this rosette bag.
• Searching for more Chinese Laundry bags on eBay

I rarely warm to Ed Hardy’s tattoo graphic covered accessories, but I have to tip my hat to the designer for creating this unusual Helen tote.

With so many totes looking like cardboard cutouts, it’s refreshing to find one with a style all its own. It has a trapezoidal shape broken up by large circular cut-out handles. Its body is made from large patterned synthetic swatches stitched together to create a kind of patchwork.

The butterflies and roses which adorn the patches are more feminine than most Ed Hardy graphics, especially when paired with the Helen’s girly color combos. The logo, heart, and butterfly charms push things a bit too far in my opinion, but they’re easily removable if you prefer a cleaner look.

All too often bags with unusual shapes aren’t very practical to use, but thankfully Ed Hardy’s found the right balance here. This tote is enormous, but its combination of zip and slip pockets do their best to keep you organized. I’d generally assume a bag so big deserves more than a magnetic snap, but its platform base and high sides should ensure nothing sneaks out the edges.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the Helen is affordably priced at $98. That’s small change for a bag with such a unique look.

More Features of This Ed Hardy Butterfly Tote

• Logo print lining
• Measures 7.5 x 10 x 19.5 inches

Get this Ed Hardy Helen Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Ed Hardy Helen tote, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Stylinboutique eBay store to see if this Ed Hardy bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Ed Hardy bags on BagBunch
• The Ed Hardy Helen Opera Wallet, a great alternative to this tote bag.
• Searching for more Ed Hardy bags on eBay

Deborah Lloyd, Kate Spade’s creative director and president, has teamed up with Emily Current and Meritt Elliot of denim brand Current/Elliot for the Westward capsule collection.

This is one of the more unlikely designer collaborations we’ve seen. Kate Spade is famous for its conservative retro style, while Current/Elliot items ooze casual California cool.

However one look at this ostrich embossed satchel tells me this unlikely match may be one made in heaven. It has the structured look Kate Spade loves, but the weathered leather and antique hardware gives the purse a more relaxed feel. The design could have become confused, but the opposing influences actually work really well together.

Westward’s debut collection is relatively small line, with just six bags in all. Hopefully that means the creative brain’s trust has made each accessory right with some serious attention to the details.

If you were hoping this capsule collection would be a cheap and cheerful one, you’re out of luck. While the bags start at a relatively affordable $245 the most luxurious models top $1295.

We should see the Westward handbags appearing in stores next month. Will you be rushing out to see the other bags in the collection, or would you rather stick with the Kate Spade we all know and love?

[Source: StyleList]

Kate Spade Bags on eBay

[phpbay]Kate Spade, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]