Fashion: Cross Body Bags

Hello loves! Lauren here again. Can you believe it's already mid June? Where does time go? I feel like I just made a post on Spring fashion, and now it's going to be Summer! In fashion, it is hard to know what to spend money on and what not to, especially when trends change so often just like seasons.

But one item that I always like to invest in is my bag - such as the always-in-style cross body bag. 

image sources {clockwise}: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

Cross body bags are for sure my favorite because they are just so darn easy to carry. I mean, what girl really wants to lug around a big bag when shopping? I surly don't! They come in all different sizes, for housing small things such as the Iphone, lipsticks, and wallet or bigger things like an Ipad. And so many great patterns and colors. 

My suggestion: invest in a neutral cross body bag for year round, and then save on a fun neon cross body for Summer time. Here are some of my current favs!

1. Aldo $40 | 2. Stella & Dot $148 | 3. Ann Taylor $148 | 4. {A03} Designs $65 | 5. Rebecca Minkoff $250 | 6. J. Crew $148 | 7. Rebecca Minkoff $147.50 (on sale!)

My heart is skipping a beat for #7. I mean, classic white plus metal hardware? Yes, please!!

Which of these are your favorites? Do you gravitate towards the neutral shades? Or are the fun graphic prints calling your name? Do tell.

    

-post by lauren wickman

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What's Your Favorite Handbag??

Ok ladies, this post is for you! I OWN about 30 handbags. 

I'm not sure if that's a lot - but if I had to guess, I'd say YES!  Every 6 months to a year I try to give one away... especially if I'm not using it. Either to a family member, friend or Salvation Army. 

The reason I buy a specific handbag is because I like the design or I like how it goes with most of the clothing I wear.... + Good quality.

Where do I get most of my bags? 

• Directly at the designer's store.
• Ebay

Now, buying bags on Ebay can be a tricky thing. If you don't know how to distinguish a real bag from a fake, I'd think twice about hitting the BUY button. There are countless videos on YouTube that you can watch that help guide you on how to spot a fake bag!!  Even then, be careful on Ebay.  So far, I've been fortunate to not run into any trouble there.

However, today I wanted to know what brand of bag do you prefer? If you had to pick one bag from your closet....which would it be? Brand name?????

I know that not everyone reading my blog can AFFORD a designer handbag like the ones below, so if it's something simple you bought for less than $100, that's fine too!! A pricier handbag doesn't make a person ANY better, it's just a crazy obsession some of us have developed....

image above by Michael Nagle/Bloomberg

image above via here

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Opelle Handmade Leather Handbags...

I love a handmade bag or clutch... don't you?? Tassels are a cute addition to leather bags these days & I'm really into these from Opelle leather handbags. They're made to order by Amy who is an independent handbag designer in Toronto, Canada. 

She sells them all via her Etsy shop & from the looks of it I'd say my FAVORITE is the camel colored one below! Perfect for Fall don't you think??
 

She also makes these in black along with a few other CUTE styles!
 

Amy is nice enough to offer a DISCOUNT CODE to Made By Girl readers of 15% off at check out! Woo hoo! Code is: friends15. Pick up your bag here.

 Which is your favorite color??

-images via opelle

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Handbags Inpired by Marc Jacobs & more....

Ok ladies, we all love handbags right?  Well, after seeing this post on Le Musings of Moi blog, I emailed Summer & asked about her super cute purse!  She pointed me to Fashion Junkee, a site that sells handbags inspired by famous designers such as: Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Bottega Veneta, Prada & more!  I ended up buying the Marc Jacobs (inspired) black chain handbag!  The reason why most of these bags are so affordable is because:
1. They aren't real leather & 2. they aren't designed by the 'actual' designer.  


Of course they aren't the real thing,  but there are times some people want to be practical!  If I had purchased a REAL designer handbag every time I bought a bag, I'D HAVE 35 DESIGNER BAGS in my closet right now!!  Now that's a lot of money $$$$.  So, I usually try to buy low some days & high others... 

How about you?  Do you own lots of designer purses?  How many total purses do you have??

 

 

images: fashion junkee

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Accessorize out of London...

Accessorize, is based out of London...and they have some really cute, everyday-bags. I like the variety on their site, along with all the interesting colors! Check them out here.

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