Bluelounge has released an eco-friendly new line of laptop and iPad bags called the Bonobo series. The accessories are crafted from a unique cloth made from woven recycled PET.

It’s amazing to think that old plastic soda bottles can be converted into this material which is hardy, yet soft to the touch. The bottles are collected and cleaned before being crushed and melted down into a liquid form. This goo is turned into long fibers which are woven together and treated with a waterproof coating.

The versatility of this woven material can be seen in the diverse but small five-piece collection. The Bonobo line features a backpack, a tote bag, and a messenger, as well as technology cases in two different sizes. The pieces are finished with aluminum buckles, quick-release levers, and locking keyhooks. Neoprene padding in each accessory helps to protect your technology, while ergonomic straps make carrying the bulky bags more comfortable.

Considering the technological innovations employed, the Bonobo accessories are reasonably priced between $44.95 and $139.95. All too often we pay a premium for eco-friendly designs, but these bags are comparable to any crafted from manmade materials. Shop for the eco-friendly bottle bags now at selected stockists including Bluelounge’s website.

[Source: Ecouterre]

If you thought Ugg Australia was all about fluffy boots, think again. The label ushers in warm weather with this Straw Convertible Tote.

This bag is surprisingly free of the shearling the label usually favors. That may disappoint its most devoted fans, but I find it refreshing to see Ugg Australia taking a different tact. The execution is a little lacking though. Both browns used in this two-toned color scheme are really pedestrian, and the shape is also boring. Not even a few well placed pleats can jazz things up.

But this convertible tote is very practical. The cut-out handle lets us use it like a shoulder bag, while the longer one turns the purse into a casual cross-body. The tote is large but not ungainly thanks to the pair of hanging drop pockets and roomy zippered pouch. A magnetic snap keeps our cargo safe inside without obscuring the design.

If it were cheaper that functional design might win us over, but I can’t imagine anyone spending $275 on sensible, can you? This tote marks a step in the right direction for Ugg Australia, but it’s not quite there yet.

More Features of This Ugg Australia Convertible Tote

• Soft leather trim
• Polished gold-toned hardware
• Ikat cotton lining
• A cut-out handle with a 5.5 inch drop
• Measures 12 x 15 x 6.25 inches
• Comes with a storage bag

Get this Ugg Australia Straw Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon
• Check the Flavorsociety eBay store to see if this Ugg bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Ugg Australia bags on BagBunch
• The Roberto Cavalli Python Printed Straw Tote bag, a great alternative to this straw bag.
• Searching for more Ugg bags on eBay
• Other Ugg straw bags on eBay:

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Tylie Malibu channels Californian cool with this Kansa Messenger Bag.

This is a messenger for beach babes and hippie chicks. Its slouchy finish and flowing fringe won’t work in the boardroom, but low maintenance beauties will love the casual spirit this handbag brings to any outfit.

This is one of the better quality bohemian bags on the market. It’s crafted from buttery soft leather and embellished with shards of glass and bone. I can imagine Native American tribeswomen crafting similar purses out on the plains, can’t you?

The Kansa is a midsized bag so it’s perfect for everyday use. Any bigger and it’d likely weigh us down and encourage us to carry things we really don’t need. This will hold the basics and a few extras besides, and what else do we want in a purse? It’s capped off by a soft strap which is fully adjustable for maximum comfort.

Those Native American women would probably charge less than $549 for their wares, but that’s still not a bad price for a bag which makes such a strong style statement.

More Features of This Tylie Malibu Fringed Messenger Bag

• An adjustable strap with a 20 inch drop
• Measures 13 x 12 x 3.5 inches

Get this Tylie Malibu Kansa Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Tylie Malibu Kansa, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the BagLadyCollection eBay store to see if this Tylie Malibu bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Tylie Malibu bags on BagBunch
• The Susan Farber Tahoe Messenger bag, a great alternative to this fringed messenger bag.
• Searching for more Tylie Malibu bags on eBay

Hollywood glamorpuss Megan Fox is fronting the current crop of commercials for Korean handbag brand MetroCity.

These commercials aren’t anywhere near as cheesy as so many of the Asian ads we’ve seen Hollywood A-Listers in. But they’re also not as innovative as many of the fashion spreads we see in the Western world.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen Megan Fox looking so natural. Her usual blood red pout is replaced with a much paler pink, and her ebony hair is soft and loose. Perhaps she should try this pared back appearance on the next red carpet! Personally I think it’s a much more feminine look than the darkly dramatic face she shows in the new Armani beauty commercials.

Fox’s uncharacteristically muted appearance ensures she doesn’t steal the focus from MetroCity’s classic handbags. In fact, these advertisements may be just what MetroCity needs to gain new fans in the United States. The label is largely unknown in the West, but casting Megan Fox in its spring/summer 2012 commercials is great way to attract new eyeballs.

Do you like Megan Fox’s natural appearance in the MetroCity commercials, or would you prefer to see her vamping it up?

MetroCity Handbags on eBay

[phpbay]MetroCity, 2, 63852, “”[/phpbay]

We’ve seen equestrian themed bags before, but few are as obvious as this fun twosome from Two’s Company.

The Equestrian Cosmopolitan set features two totes designed to appeal to horse lovers. One features the image of a stately horse’s head with bold red and blue racing stripes. The other is adorned with the pictures of assorted horse paraphernalia, including saddles, stirrups, and the steeds. Both bags are made from a pretty green microfiber material accented with tan faux leather trim and handles. The fabrics aren’t particularly luxurious, but they look pretty good for the price.

This set features bags of two different sizes, but both are enormous. As oversized bags are on the way out it’s disappointing to see two so large. Two’s Company may have attracted more fans by making one of its bags much smaller and more usable for the average day out.

We rarely see two bags for $78.75, so to find two for this price is a real bargain. However the gimmicky horse prints and sizable statures may limit their appeal.

More Features of This Two’s Company Horse Bags Set

• Medium bag measures 15 x 18 inches
• Large bag measures 18 x 26 inches

Get this Two’s Company Equestrian Cosmopolitan Handbag:

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Two’s Company bags on BagBunch
• The Fendi Zucca Seleria Canvas Horse tote bag, a great alternative to this horse bag.
• Searching for more Two’s Company bags on eBay
• Other horse tote bags on eBay:

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A scientific breakthrough is set to make crocodile handbags even better.

A group of international scientists have managed to sequence the saltwater crocodile genome, a practice which gives a more complex and complete picture of the crocodiles’ DNA. This means scientists will be able to select the best breeding crocs when they are only hatchlings, rather than three or four years old.

This has important implications for crocodile farms, who will gain more control over the quality of the skins and their scales, and ultimately more control over the exotic end products.

It’s a complex process, but it will allow scientists to compare the crocodile genome with the genomes of other known species.

“If we know there’s a particular gene of interest in chickens, for instance, that might affect growth rates, we can actually look for the analogue in the salt water croc, and see if there’s a similar gene that we can then go forward and select,” explained Dr Sally Isberg, an Australian scientist based at Darwin Croc Farm.

A simple blood test at birth will allow doctors to select breeding crocodiles based on preferred traits like growth rate, disease resistance, and skin quality.

I know the animal rights groups won’t like it, but for anyone with a taste for exotic handbags this is a pretty exciting breakthrough. Who said fashion and science don’t mix?

[Source: ABC Rural]
[Image Source: Sias van Schalkwyk/Stock.xchng]

Crocodile Handbags on eBay

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Leopard prints are classics, but I’ve always found the big cat spots a bit hit and mess. Done well they can make a purse feel luxurious and fierce. But when the print goes awry it can make any woman appear like a cougar on the prowl. Thankfully Tusk has gotten things just right with the Versus clutch.

If I wasn’t admiring the Versus right now, I might assume that leopard print and exotic embossing would appear far too flamboyant. Yet somehow this classic print makes the snakeskin-textured leather seem even richer. Perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised, as the mottling isn’t too far removed from the markings we see on large boa constrictors.

The stitching around the corners and along the flap is subtle, but I feel it’s unnecessary. The serpentine texture and wild animal spots were already enough, so I wonder why Tusk has added yet another layer. It muddies the design and detracts from his positive elements.

That opulent finish is matched by a regal purple lined interior. It feels more like a wallet than a clutch, with its small coin pocket, eight credit card slots, and billfold pouches. However if your cell phone is slim and your key chain pared down, the Versus should hold these essentials as well.

The Versus has the kind of cool styling that could easily work for busy days and nights on the town. Ordinarily I’d suggest $188 is too much for a leather clutch, but if you can work it double duty you should get your money’s worth.

More Features of This Tusk Leopard Print Clutch

• Made of Italian calfskin
• An exterior zip pocket
• Made in China

Get this Tusk Versus Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon (limited stock)
• Check the Buy’s Internet Superstore eBay store to see if this Tusk bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Tusk bags on BagBunch
• The Tusk Versus Mini bag, a great alternative to this clutch bag.
• Searching for more Tusk bags on eBay
• Other Tusk Versus bags on eBay:

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With a cute bow and sweet chunky fringing, Treesje could only call this cross-body purse a Cherub.

I suppose we should be thankful Treesje’s used camel colored leather. I rarely get excited about this neutral hue, but it saves the Treesje from being sickly sweet. The accents aren’t so bad in isolation, but the combination of the bow, short leather fringe, and corset-like lacing is overkill.

While the mythical cherubs could stand to lose a few pounds, this bag version is quite petite. That limits storage space but ensures its decorations don’t overshadow an outfit. There are few fashion sins greater than carrying a large and over-adorned handbag!

Treesje’s made the Cherub’s strap detachable, so we can wear it as a cross-body during the day and a clutch by night. Its dainty dimensions lend itself to easy carrying no matter what its mode, which is more than we can say for many convertible bags.

Not all Cherubs are created equally. While this camel colored one is quite subdued, the blush metallic is a show off. Personally I think the silver speckling cheapens the leather, making it appear less than the $215 Treesje charges, but at least it’s not boring!

More Features of This Treesje Bow Cross-Body Bag

• Twill lining
• Magnetic closure
• A chain strap with a 27 inch drop
• Measures 4.5 x 7.5 x 2 inches
• Made in China

Get this Treesje Cherub Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Treesje Cherub, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

• Check the Trend Envy eBay store to see if this Treesje bag is in stock
• Search online for this bag

You may also be interested in:

• More Treesje bags on BagBunch
• The Treesje Spokes convertible clutch bag, a great alternative to this convertible bag.
• Searching for more Treesje bags on eBay

Coach has teamed up with fashion designer Anna Sui for a small capsule collection.

The all American brand asked Sui to give its iconic Duffle Sac a makeover. With the style dating back to 1972, some reinvention is probably overdue!

Coach’s creative director Reed Krakoff said he selected Sui for the project for her iconic status and affinity to Coach and its heritage.

“When I think of her and her accessories, I think of these amazing leather goods shops from the sixties and seventies with these amazing whipstitched bags and hand-burnishings, and so it was a great fit,” he explained.

Anna Sui was keen to take on the challenge as she felt Coach’s Duffle was such an important part of the American brand’s history.

“It’s truly an honor to put my own spin on this seminal design,” she confirmed.

Anna Sui’s take on the Duffle Sac has a relaxed, bohemian feel with Art Nouveau dragonfly accents, oversized tassels, and whipstitched accents. Two different versions will make their debut at Sui’s New York Fashion Week show tomorrow, ahead of their general public release. Look for Anna Sui’s new Duffle Sacs at selected Coach outlets and the label’s online store this fall.

[Source: The Gloss]
[Image Source: Lindsay Stockton/Wikipedia Commons]

Coach Duffle Sacs on eBay

[phpbay]Coach duffle sac, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

In the old days a wallet was considered secure if our coins didn’t spill from the sides. These days security is a more high-tech matter, and purses like this RFID Blocking Wallet from Travelon are on the cutting edge.

If you’re not in the know, RFID refers to the small chips that are so prevalent in modern cards. You’ll find them on your driver’s license, your credit cards, and even your store loyalty cards. These chips contain all sorts of personal information that can easily fall into the wrong hands. Thankfully a wallet like this one has a special layer which blocks the transmission of this valuable data.

We’ve seen a few purses employing this technology of late, but most of them are pretty forgettable. While I’d hardly call this Travelon purse a trend setter, its embroidered flower is quite pretty. I like the way its orange stitched outline livens up the fairly drab brown nylon body. The material isn’t very luxurious, but it’s built to last. Travelon even guarantees it with a one-year limited warranty.

And perhaps most importantly, Travelon hasn’t forgotten about what we want in a wallet. This purse has an impressive 12 slots for credit cards, a pair of open pouches for bills, and a secure zippered pouch for loose change.

At just $19.99, this Travelon wallet is an inexpensive way to keep your personal details safe.

More Features of This Travelon Nylon Wallet

• Striped interior lining
• Zip closure
• Measures 4 x 7.5 x 0.75 inches

Get this Travelon RFID Blocking Handbag:

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

[phpbay]Travelon RFID Wallet ladies, 2, “”, “”[/phpbay]

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

You may also be interested in:

• More Travelon bags on BagBunch
• The Travelon RFID Blocking tri-fold wallet , a great alternative to this ladies bag.
• Searching for more Travelon bags on eBay