Hot Bag for the Cold Weather

While I have been in denial that autumn is finally here, I can't deny that fall is also the best time of the year when it comes to accessories. One of my favorite trends this season is the use of patent leather. The shine from the high-gloss treatment luxurizes even the most boring leather.

I wish that I could afford all the exotics that are so hot this season, but mock croc is a nice substitute, provided that the pattern is done with beautiful craftsmanship. This is why I love this purse from Furla. Made of Italian leather, this bag oozes sexiness, and the hefty size of it means you can lug all of your fall accessories, such as gloves, scarves, umbrellas, or anything else that you need to keep warm as winter descends. I love that not only has the leather been embossed, but the designers put enough thought to add pleats to the leather to give it a very interesting texture.

I know I've been gushing about the LV, but I might think twice after seeing this bag. It's easy for me to love the latest "It" bags not because of the hype, but because I get carried away with the newest versions that have been stylized and improved upon. However, I think that this bag has "classic" written all over it, and who doesn't want a nice, glossy bag that can be carried through the seasons?

Furla Frida Large Shopper - Onyx - $645

Opals are a Girl's Best Friend

I've loved opals for many years now, and have been searching for the perfect opal ring, but never quite found what I've been looking for. I love the all the crazy colors they come in, from deep turquoise blue, to white with flashes of orange and red, or blacks that eminate purples and golds. No other semi-precious stone astounds me in quite the same way. I dream of owning a big fat opal that I can wear proudly on my forefinger on my right hand. Where are you, my dream ring?!

Opal is widely available, but that's where I think the problem lies. Because the stone can be sliced thin to accomodate many kinds of designs, the stone itself has been devalued over the years, and no one makes NICE opal rings. I don't know the whole history of opals, but it's sad to see how such a beautiful stone gets relegated to some pretty gaudy designs. Whether it be of the dreary mid-western look, ethnocentric native-American styles, or kitschy icons of the beach (dolphins, clamshells, palm trees), it seems like opals are treated like third-class citizens in the world of semi-precious stones, and I really wish that some fantastic jewelry designer will see the potential and create a dream piece of jewelry.

Obviously, this is not a stone that can be polished to sparkle like a diamond. But I see high probability that with the right designs and marketing, this stone can be elevated to first-class status. Look what Mikimoto did for pearls, and Tiffany did for diamonds. These days, Van Cleef & Arpels sells pieces made with onyx, turquoise, and mother-of-pearl by the dozens. Right now, Australia owns the claim to fame for opals, and you can bet that it's not the fashionistas who are buying the pieces, but tourists who want to bring back a reminder of the world Down Under. Usually paired with (boring) sterling silver, opal just hasn't been given too much thought as the ultimate gemstone.

So imagine my delight when I opened up my October issue of Self, and dressed on Sarah Michelle Gellar, was a big, fat, bee-yoo-tiful opal ring. Framed in gold and diamonds, the opal is a wonderful orb that dazzles in multitudes of blue. I so want it! But dare I inquire as to the price? The ring was created by Fred Leighton, so one can imagine how costly this would be, tantamount to anything else designed by FL that would be exquisite but also extraordinarily expensive.


I have emailed them to inquire the cost. Will let you know if I hear back. I know it's not within my price range, but I'm nosy like that! Argh, it's so gorgeous!!!

UPDATE: This beautiful "fine Australian opal and diamond ring" can be had for the grand price of $25,000. ;P* Me want so bad!!!

I HEART...!

I want I want I want!!! 'Nuff said?


The official photo from LV didn't quite capture the beauty of WHY I love this purse, so below is a pic from the Purse Forum. Sigh... It's so gorgeous...but I can't possibly buy another LV! I have too many expenses. Need to buy a new car. New phone. Have my 5-year anniversary with the bf. His 30-year bday coming up. Wedding in Bermuda to attend. Bachelorette party in Vegas. X'mas. Argh!!!!! I need a new job with a higher salary!!!!


According to LV, the gradient in this purse was inspired by the works of Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer. He is perhaps most famous for the painting "Girl with a Pearl Earring," which incidentally inspired both a novel and movie starring now ubiquitous Vuitton spokesmodel Scarlett Johannson. As Justin Timberlake most famously sang, "What goes around comes all the way back around." Oh yeah, ScarJo was also his love interest in the video. OK, enough already...six degrees of separation is so much fun! or incestuous... :P


The purse doesn't have milkmaids or stuffy old merchants popping out of the canvas, so what was the inspiration? Vermeer is most famous for his use of light in his paintings. I suppose this is what LV meant when they say that his work inspired the specially silk-screened pattern, where when you look at the background of the pattern, from top to down, the color fades from brown to black. As you look at the logos, from bottom to top, it gently fades to where the logo is almost indiscernible near the zipper. The handles are all done in black patent leather, which of course allows light to bounce right off of it. I think for something that looks like just another Speedy, some thought definitely went into this collection.

Naysayers could lament that this isn't any different from what other brands have been doing with their leather treatments, such as Prada's current Ombre collection, but I think this is a bit more interesting in terms of what Marc Jacobs decided to do with the classic monogram. Definitely a bag that can be carried through the seasons.

Louis Vuitton Monogram Mirage Speedy - Noir - $1,800

There is also a Bordeaux (red) version, but I wasn't loving that. Black all the way!

Origami Delight

I am dying with excitement! No sooner have I posted on being tired of buying expensive bags that I don't even use do I come upon the latest glorious piece that I am absolutely salivating on, and it's available for pre-order! Behold, the Bottega Veneta Origami Knot clutch. It's gorgeous! And cute! I'm the queen of origami to my friends, so how appropriate is this perfectly and cleverly designed concoction of art. Somewhere on the web I saw a black version, but I think the lighter colored version shows the texture of the leather much better. Such an intriguing take on their usual basket weave. The price tag is just harrowing; NO way can I justify it. But I can dream, and maybe if I get that new job I've been holding out on, I will treat myself. For now, another dream piece. I want this more than the Prada clutch, yes.

New obsession, check. Bank account, not quite there. Insane asylum, soon to be a patient. :P*


Bottega Veneta Origami Knot Limited Edition Clutch - $3,680

Paintings Du Jour

Continuing on my adoration for the latest Bottega Veneta fall campaign, I think the one reason I love the ads is because it reminds me a lot of the paintings by one of my favorite artists. I'm too poor to own any originals, but Spanish artist Nydia Lozano paints these gorgeous portraits of young women in mid-states of pensiveness, conversations, preparing for a party, or sitting in their gardens. Take a look below and you'll see what I mean. I hope to one day be able to buy an original. Prints just don't capture the beauty that an original has.


Nydia Lozano Official Website