This Hide N Peek Tote from Kenneth Cole’s Reaction line has all the shine of patent leather, without the price. At a little over $50, this is a cheap and cheerful number that looks anything but.

I was surprised to find that the glossy finish comes not from genuine patent, or even a cheap synthetic, but coated canvas. It’s a lovely luxury impersonator, and the tote’s simple shape and unadorned design makes the most of it. I only wish the same material was used for the handles and longer shoulder strap. Instead the carriers are made from nylon, a dull fabric which cheapens the otherwise glam look.

The indulgently large interior is fitted out with a generous zippered pouch and a couple of deep slip pockets. They’re all situated in one side wall, so you can find what you’re looking for in a hurry.

The Hide N Peek tote is billed as a womens’ bag, but its basic black color and simple styling make it just as appropriate for men.

More Features of This Kenneth Cole Reaction Canvas Tote

• Plainweave lining
• Zip top closure
• Dual handles with a 4 inch drop
• Measures 12 x 12 inches

Get this Kenneth Cole Reaction Hide N Peek Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Check the 3 Rivers Handbags and More eBay store to see if this Kenneth Cole bag in brown is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Kenneth Cole bags on BagBunch
• The Kooba Natasha bag, a great alternative to this coated canvas bag.
• Searching for more Kenneth Cole bags on eBay
• Other Kenneth Cole totes on eBay (see listings below):

[phpbay]Kenneth Cole tote, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

The dust is beginning to settle on Christmas 2009, leaving piles of leftover turkey, wrapping paper, and decoration in its wake. But chances are your living room isn’t the only site of chaos. Have you taken a look inside your handbag lately?

If it’s anything like mine your purse is probably carrying the receipts of every gift you bought over the holiday period, the phone numbers of a few guys you met at Christmas parties but have no intention of calling, and other useless odds and ends. So why not make a real resolution this New Year, and vow to clear out the clutter?

The first job is to take care of the receipts. File the ones for gifts and things you’ve bought still in warranty, and then shred the ones you don’t need. Your handbag is far too lovely to serve as a trash can, so make sure you toss those chocolate wrappers and gum packets where they belong.

Once the garbage is gone, you start reevaluating what you really mean by an everyday essential. Remember ladies, less is more. While it’s tempting to carry the kitchen sink in your oversized bag, your shoulders will thank you for traveling light. Get rid of the keys you don’t need on a daily basis, and restrict your make-up to a powder and lipstick or gloss.

When your handbag feels lighter, you will too. Now you’ve made the resolution, the challenge is keeping the clutter at bay throughout 2010!

[Source: AboutMyArea]
[Image Source: Danielle Blue/Flickr]

Organizer Handbags on eBay

[phpbay]organizer, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

If you’re planning to hit the post-Christmas sales, you’ll need a shopper that’s up to the challenge. This Kathy Van Zeeland may not be large enough for serious mall addicts, but it manages to pack plenty inside.

Kathy Van Zeeland’s bags are often a little too trend-conscious for my tastes, but the designer reins herself in here. Rather than mixing up all the latest looks, KVZ focuses on just one: studs. The metal squares are as big and bold as you might expect from the brand, but at least they’re not competing with other accents for attention. I also like the way the studs prettify the front pockets, taking them from a practical feature to the purse’s centerpiece.

The belt, a Kathy Van Zeeland trademark, cinches in the top of the purse. This creates casual pleats which many girls will love. I’m not convinced though. If this were a soft leather purse, it’d look lovely. But here the feature only highlights the stiff synthetic used.

Aesthetics aside, the belt also makes this shopper a little fiddly to get into. By the time you’ve loosened the belt and unsnapped the magnetic clasp your cell phone won’t still be ringing. At least we know our goodies are secure though. And with two open pouches and a zippered pocket, they should stay organized.

This spicy shade is called pepper, but it’s just one of the many color options. With six different hues, including sun yellow, basic black, and a striking color-blocked look, there’s bound to be a Connect Four Belt bag to suit your wardrobe.

More Features of This Kathy Van Zeeland Belted Shopper

• Interior fabric lining
• Dual 20 inch handles with a 9 inch drop
• Measures 14 x 4 x 10 inches

Get this Kathy Van Zeeland Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Kathy Van Zeeland Connect Belt Shopper, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Thread2Trend Boutique eBay store to see if this Kathy Van Zeeland bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Kathy Van Zeeland bags on BagBunch
• The Kathy Van Zeeland Studio 54 bag, a great alternative to this belted bag.
• Searching for more Kathy Van Zeeland bags on eBay

If you’re like me, you have big intentions of pitching in to help the environment by eliminating the need for those icky, wasteful plastic supermarket bags but are constantly forgetting to grab your reusable shopping bags or to stash them in your car nearly every time you head out to pick up some groceries. Well, one company is making an extra effort to help absent-minded consumers like me stick to their “green” commitment.

Cleverly named Bagnesia was started by two women who, similar to me, tend to remember that they’ve forgotten their reusable bags once it’s too late (read: in the parking lot watching eco-friendlier shoppers toting theirs inside or in line at the checkout). Their solution to the bag amnesia, or “bagnesia,” is the Reusable Bag Reminder Kit.  

The kit includes a compact washable, water resistant nylon bag that is quite sizable when fully opened but easily stashed in a handbag. Also in the kit is a door hanger and a steering wheel wrap both reading “Grab your bags.” They might not be your first choice for decorating your doorknob or car, but they definitely get the point across.

The reminder kit retails for $14.99. Other Bagnesia products include individually sold reusable shopping bags and the Green Market Kit, which has everything from the reminder kit plus additional compact bags, product bags, and an insulated cold bag. Check out Bagnesia’s online shop for more.

[Source: Bagnesia]

Reusable Shopping Bags on eBay

[phpbay]reusable shopping bag, 3, “”, “”[/phpbay]

Big Buddha takes a cue from Cole Haan and Bottega Veneta’s signature woven looks, though on a more affordable scale, with this Taylor shoulder bag.

The Taylor might include that classic style, but there’s a slightly different twist to this satchel. Instead of covering the bag with the feature, Big Buddha limited it to the front, which is likely the reason that the price is reasonable. It also gave it its own unique design by splitting the detail into two halves, each featuring a different size of the woven detail. I like the whimsical treatment of the traditional look since it gives the bag a casual, relaxed feeling.

Although the front is the real showpiece of the Taylor, the rest of the bag is nicely done with additions like rolled handles with a bit of wrapping near the looped handle anchors. A zippered pocket on the solid back of the shoulder bag also adds some practicality.

The interior of this Big Buddha satchel is lined in ribbed fabric and contains a second zippered pocket. Though perhaps not the most secure feature, a magnet closure keeps the shoulder bag closed but makes for easy access to your belongings. The synthetic Taylor bag retails for $95.

More Features of the Taylor Bag

• Measures 19.5 x 9.5 x 5.5 inches
• Rolled handles with 7 inch drop
• Synthetic material

Get this Big Buddha Taylor Bag:

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

[phpbay]big buddha taylor, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the My Favorite Online Store on eBay to see if this bag is still in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Big Buddha bags on BagBunch
• The Necessary Objects Steve Austin Tote, a great alternative to this leather-like woven bag.
• Searching for more Big Buddha bags on eBay

Botkier bags offer some real handbag luxury in every incarnation.

Its bags may not be obvious or dramatic, but instead the brand focuses on the things that really matter for a purse that you intend to use every day. This sexy, yet suitable, everyday hobo gives you attractive looks combined with luxury Italian cowhide and lambskin.

Of course, luxe materials are only good if the purse is actually pretty, and useful! Thankfully this gold and red purse manages to achieve both these aims. The looks may be a little traditional for some, but I think that the subtle art deco shape and slouch give it a great, yet refined, look. And what with all the space and multiple satchel compartments, this is by all means an extraordinarily practical hobo.

I may seem a little full of admiration for this bag, and that is true. It just seems to be rare that a bag lets maturity and class take the front seat over trends and drama!

More Features of this Botkier Margot Hobo

• Available in B&W, yellow, and red.
• Italian leather and lambskin interior
• Multiple interior pockets and compartments
• Contrasting light interior

Get this Slouchy Luxury Purse:

• Available to buy on Amazon
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Botkier bags on BagBunch
• The Botkier St Tropez satchel, a great alternative to this slouchy bag.
• Searching for more lambskin bags on eBay
• Other Botkier bags on eBay:

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We’ve seen plenty of eco-friendly purses released of late, but few brands are as committed to green fashion as Woolly Pocket. The newly released Woolly Vagabond comes with its very own plant!

The living, breathing handbag is a real head-turner on the street, a conversation starter at any party, and an excellent centerpiece when you’re dining out!

Before you worry that it’s crueler to keep a plant in your purse than a pygmy hedgehog, let me alleviate your concerns. The bag’s breathable sides promote healthy plant growth by releasing excess moisture and aerating the soil. The waterproof lining, made of recycled plastic bottles, helps to keep the interior dry. That’s a good thing too, because these purses are made of leather. That will be a black mark against the brand for many green fashion fans, but at least the leather is reclaimed.

The Woolly Vagabond bags are available online for $140.

[Source: Inhabitat]

Recycled Bags on eBay

[phpbay]recycled, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Laura Matthews decides that  bright colors are the very best thing to fight off the winter dullness. Perfect for wearing through the dark of winter and in the sunshine of summer, this is a versatile, cross-seasonal clutch.

The Colorblock clutch is, perhaps, a trend of last year. Nowadays block colors have been replaced with blacks and studs and velvet. That said, that shouldn’t mean that we don’t have any fun, and this could look great teamed with some of those body-con dresses that are still all the rage.

Whilst the exterior is bright and fun (and strangely British), the interior steers clear of brights and opts instead for plain white with a coordinating trim. Perhaps the designer is attempting to avoid being too bright, but I actually think white just adds yet another colour that makes the overall purse somewhat confused.

As long as you ignore the lining, however, then this purse is lovely, and more than a little over the top. Which, to be honest, is exactly what we need when cheering up is the name of the game. It may not come with a useful handle, but it terms of good looks over practicality this is a great conversation starter.

More Features of this Sixties Colorblock Purse

• Available in four color combinations
• White contrasting lining
• Interior pocket

Get this Laura Matthews Designs Bright Clutch:

• Available to buy on Amazon
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Laura Matthews Designs bags on BagBunch
• The Eenamaria “Every Queen Needs One” sixties purse, a great alternative to this sixities bag.
• Searching for more sixities bags on eBay
• Other colorblock bags on eBay:

[phpbay]colorblock handbag, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

We haven’t seen much of Kara Ross’ day bags, which is a real shame. While her exotic clutches are red carpet regulars, larger purses like the Alta deserve just as much acclaim.

This is a handbag that oozes luxury. The combination of camel Royce leather and python trim is utterly elegant. Python can often look a little flashy with its dark marbling, but these biscuit toned accents are a much more subdued affair. Some may prefer that obvious exotic appearance, but I think it’s the ideal match for the similarly subtle camel.

The simple structured shape is relatively unadorned, allowing those high quality fabrics to take center stage. The only accent is the smoky topaz stone, a luxurious touch which completes this elegant look.

Pockets in both sides of the suede-lined interior help keep this deep space organized. I’d have appreciated a magnetic snap or some other closure, but at least with the platform base our goodies shouldn’t spill out once we set the Alta down.

At a little over $1000, the Alta may be too pricey for some. But its timeless good looks make it an excellent candidate for a post-Christmas splurge.

More Features of This Kara Ross Camel Purse

• Matte gold hardware
• A single shoulder strap

Get this Kara Ross Alta Handbag:

• Available to buy at Kara Ross
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Kara Ross bags on BagBunch
• The Kara Ross Nola bag, a great alternative to this day bag.
• Searching for more Kara Ross bags on eBay
• Other camel bags on eBay:

[phpbay]camel, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

Christmas might have passed now, but that certainly doesn’t signal an end to parties and other festivities. With New Year’s Eve just around the corner, evening bags and sparkly purses are still a major priority when it comes to accessorizing for celebrations.

Although New Year’s Eve is less than a week away, there’s still time to do some handbag shopping for parties you’ll be attending. Whatever your style and budget range, there’s a special occasion bag to be found. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

If price is a main concern, especially after all of that Christmas shopping, brands like La Regale and Big Buddha offer some pretty options that won’t break the bank. The intricately beaded La Regale 21006 Clutch in any color, retailing for only $32, would be a great addition to cocktail attire. Likewise, the shimmering Big Buddha Serena Small Clutch in silver or gold mesh hits the mark with its $60 price tag.

For those who want something a little out of the ordinary, the pleated satin Inge Christopher Mallorca Clutch and this sequined Santi handbag are miles away from your average special occasion bag. Inge Christopher’s Krystle Minaudiere is equally pretty and distinct in style.

When money isn’t an option and designer labels are calling your name, you’ll find some gorgeous designs from major names. The silver sequined Kate Spade El Morocco Paola Clutch is on the slightly affordable designer range ringing in at $475 and conveniently converting to a shoulder bag. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Giuseppe Zanotti’s contemporary and iridescent fold-over evening bag with crystals (seen above) is top of the line in quality with a price that reflects that.

[Source: Amazon]

Evening Bags on eBay

[phpbay]evening bag, 3, 63852, “”[/phpbay]