A Good Bag Makes a Big Difference

So. My personal belief is that you can shop discount stores, thrift and vintage shops for about 90% of your wardrobe. There is no reason to go broke or by expensive designer brands most of the time. However, I do have exceptions to that rule. One of those is handbags. Most ladies carry a handbag every single day. A good bag will last a long time, and you will get great cost per wear out of it. A cheap bag will most likely fall apart a few months (or weeks!) later and stress you out a bit. I personally have several good bags. As long as I have been an adult, handbags have been one of my wardrobe staples.

I believe in the power of a good bag.

This is a good bag.



In fact, this is one of the best bags I’ve ever bought. And I’ve had lots of bags. Really nice bags by Gucci, and LV and Coach and Steven. And this bag easily bests a few of those.



It has several things going for it. The color is one. It’s not black. Not brown. Not grey. It’s elephant, which is one of my all time favorite hand bag and shoe colors, because it goes with everything. Seriously. Everything.



Another thing going for it is the size. Not too big, not too small. You can get a book in there comfortably with your phone, iPod, cosmetic pouch, gum, camera and more. And the design. A great shape, and both arm handles and a cross body strap, so it’s versatile.



But the best thing about this bag is how well made it is. I bought this bag off Etsy, from designer rebyc . I have bought handmade bags in the past and they almost always have some weakness, a flaw in the construction, a repair that has to be made here or there. But this bag is sturdy and unbelievably well made, and the lambskin used is so textured and beautiful.

Reinforced handles and straps…





Gorgeous detailing on the front flap…



I have never been so impressed by a handmade bag, and I have been less impressed by store bought leather bags many times. And the price is not to be believed. She could get away with charging 2 times what she does and still call it a bargain.
My earrings are also handmade, and stunning…



I am really loving shoulder dusters right now and the simple design and attention to detail on these is ace. And they are by a fellow blogger to boot!~

Some other details…





LOVE the way these look stacked together!~


(For some reason, I can't get the hyper links to work today. I am doing the right thing, but blogger keeps changing the url when I save? I will try and edit in links to the Etsy shops later. My apologies.)

Blouse, Forever XXI
Pants, Wal-Mart
Shoes, Payless
Earrings, Hey Toots at Etsy
Bag, rebyc at Etsy
Watch, Fossil
Skinny bracelet, James Avery
DADADA bracelet, MoMA NYC
Quartz ring, One Stone New York at Etsy
Sapphire ring, Target (online)
Band, Tiffany