Purses Like Stocks - Buy Low, Sell High

  How is a purse collection like investing in the stock market?

If you can identify the future famous purse designers while they are at the beginning of their career, then you can buy low.  And, if you can bear to part with your treasured and coveted purse later, then you can make a profit when that designer is on the upswing and pinnacle.

Can you identify the "Bruce Makowsky's" before fame?  Buy low.
How about the "Michael Kors"?  Buy low.

Who are the current, undiscovered, new purse designers now?
There are places to look for them, and are you one of them?  Maybe you aspire to design? 

At the Independent Handbag Designers website the 2014 Application process is open, and look at past winners -
Link to Independent Handbag Designer Awards

 If you aspire to design, here's a book to get you started
Handbag Designer 101

And a workshop
Handbag Designer 101 Workshop


Here's 3 up and coming "who's" from 2013
3 Debut Handbag Lines in 2013


Check out Undiscovered.com to see who is registering and displaying their "unknown" wares
http://www.undiscovered-online.com/about

A Purse of Your Own, Financial Guide



Purse of Your Own: An Easy Guide to Financial Security, by Deborah Owens with Brenda Lane Richardson

Have you resolved to get your finances under control and make headway on defining and achieving your financial goals? Here is a very helpful guide for how to do just that. It is written especially for women, encouraging them to take control of their lives, their futures, and their purses by leveraging knowledge detailed in this book.
The author, Deborah Owens, is a wealth coach and has 20 years of experience in the financial services industry and is a Wall Street veteran. She is a former vice president . . . .

Link to My Recommendation for A Purse Of Your Own

Small Offices, Big Bags

As office cubicles continue to shrink smaller and smaller, there's no problem with losing file space since the work is mostly electronic. But we miss space for our family photos and concerns abound with no room to stow our big purses.  We're starting to see gallery hangings of gorgeous purses in the aisleways outside our offices. Is this the silver lining to losing our private personal space?  Our office aisles are becoming purse art galleries.

Here we see Louis Vitton hanging casually outside the Project Manager's office.  Notice the beauful, gentle leather pleating in this style,.  The pleating is on both sides.  In fact this bag is identical on both sides.  So comfortable to carry because it folds right in against your body.  The leather straps with the red detail accent alongside the stitching is eye catching.  Inside there's a matching shade of red lining, so you can easily see all you are carrying inside. There's no outside pockets, but a big inside zip pocket, along with two slip pockets for easy access to cell phone and glasses and keys. There is also a matching long shoulder strap, but that was not used today.

Here we see that the Relationship Manager has arrived at the office for the day, so LV has been joined in the aisle by Calvin Klein.  CK is a combined large bag/briefcase, easily accomodating a full size laptop, papers, notebook, and a novel for relaxed reading on the bus commute.  A big bag indeed, yet so easy to carry either by hand or using the comfortable shoulder strap.  The large outside pockets are great for easy access items, and even for stuffing in a tote umbrella.  Inside it's the signature CK lining.

CK and LV will be hanging around together all day.
 

Down the hall, a fleeting picture of a colorful, generic shoulder bag.  The electric blue is outstanding against the silver hardware.  Love the braided shoulder straps.  Just hanging around until time to head home.
 

Seattle Purses Celebrate the New Year

Decision to be made . . . An evening bag for New Year's Eve, but gold or black with the classic black dress? Which would you choose?

The Winner!

Setting the scene for the dance floor after the Seattle Symphony New Year's Eve performance



Setting the stage as well. Awesome show that was a mix of classical and jazz. Seattle Symphony, you even outdid yourselves! Ludovic Morlot and Jeff Tyzik creative conductors, and the unbelievably talented musicians!



Still very popular - Coach.  Here's a beautiful tote Coach making an appearance on New Year's Eve

Sleek, classic black purse is a lovely accessory on New Year's Eve.  Overwhelmingly, black was the most popular color at the Seattle Symphony New Year's Eve party

And yet, there were delightful splashes of color.  Like this cheery, burgundy leather clutch, as seen on the terrace level

And here and there a show of creativity, like this very furry, hot pink accent to welcome in 2014

Partying purses on the dance floor!  Mostly clutches, some shoulder straps, a few cross bodies, and even that surprising recent development of ladies with no purse at all.

Best wishes for a very happy, purpurseful 2014 to you all!

New Year's Eve Purses Patiently Wait

Two purses patiently wait for their owners who are lunching.  BFF girl friends for well over 2 decades, the owners are enjoying a happy lunch talking about the year behind and hopes ahead. So, Michael Kors and Bruce Makowsky have to wait.  Next to the table, in the window they provide eye candy for the leisurely strolling passersby.

Just look at the beautiful burgundy colored vinyl Michael Kors with the glittering gold hardware. It's an amazing large size yet sits, and hangs, so comfortably.  Almost weightless, it has a lustrous shoulder strap as well as a shorter strap for either hand held or over the arm carry.  Don't we love having options!  And besides the handy, big outside zippered pocket, he keeps you well organized on the inside with extra slip pockets and another zippered pocket.  The signature, light colored lining makes finding what you need so effortless.

I love the leather and the color of the Bruce Makowsky.  In this case it's the silver hardware that is glittering - after all, we know all that glitters is not gold.  This east/west style turns a small purse into a roomy interior. And I just love that animal print lining.  No pockets on your outfit?  No problem!  Bruce gives you FOUR outside, stylish, purse pockets big enough for cell phone or keys or glasses etc.

 

Jingle Bags

Versace at the marina where all the boats are decorated. My Versace is a nice, big bag for carrying so many things of the season while shopping, running errands, attending the Nutcracker with friends, and then dinner out afterwards.  Yes, all that in one day and my Versace decked all the halls. So roomy, I'm using it as a tote today, but the sides can also pull in for a more north/south silhouette.  Lots of pockets on the inside, and one zip pocket on the back.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas!

It's Christmas time at the marina

Last night was a funny play at the Seattle Center - A Holiday of Errors.  Seattle Center was built for the 1962 World's Fair.  A night filled with laughs at the play, and people watching on the Center floor by the Christmas tree. In the foreground is my handy Coach.  If you use your imagination, the intricate stitching at this time of year looks like strung tiny Christmas lights.

This Coach is wonderful to carry.  It opens so wide.  It carries more than you'd ever think to put in your purse, so easily.  Nice slip pockets and a zipper pocket on the inside.  Huge zipper pocket on the front, hidden, it's the width of the whole purse.  Talk about handy!

You can see a backpack purse carrier in the distance in this photo.  Saw lots of those and lots of cross bodies at the Seattle Center.  And it's shocking to note!  Saw a lot of younger women with no purse at all - truly hands free.
 

Oh Christmas Tree!

Beyonce Style with Dereon




In the spirit of music, and in honor of her top selling, new Beyonce cd, I carried my Dereon purse to the local high school Holiday Symphony Music Concert.  Dereon is Beyonce's purse line with her mother.

Just look at the gorgeous leather and deep color on this beautiful bag.  Love the easy pull, decorative tassle on the zipper. Check out the shiny bling bracelets on one of the shoulder straps, and the dangling fleur-de-lis.  This is such a fun bag to carry!



Just look at how wide this lovely bag opens up so you can easily find and grab whatever you need inside.  Here you see the Holiday program resting under the signature Dereon name plate.  On one side a zippered pocket, and on the other two slip pockets.  This bag is so charming, I can even forgive that there are no outside pockets because I can so easily grab my cell from the inside in a hurry.

And check out the bling bracelets and fleur-de-lis close up from this angle on one of the straps.

A lighter moment among the high school wind symphony musicians, as they enjoy their performance night

The high school wind symphony in action.

May your days be filled with the sound of music.

Can a Collection Be Complete?

Sally has added the penultimate Anuschka purse to her extensive, unique ,and beautiful collection.  This artistic, hand painted purse of rich and supple leather was discovered on Shop HQ, and collected.  Just look at that full tassle, complementing the horse theme as if a tail.  Now that these beautiful mustangs have arrived, a surprising declaration followed.  Yes - words I never thought I'd ever hear, "This is the purse that really fits me.  I'm done collecting.  I have found the perfect purse for me."

Look at the beauty of these horses, and the surrounding nature painting.  For a horse lover, it is especially irresistable.  According to Anuschka, "Anuschka™ bags are a feast for the eyes with their vibrant colors and elegant design elements. The wide range of abstracts and natural scenes depicted in all shades and hues transforms each handbag into an object of timeless art."

And I can attest to the luxurious feel of the leather, and the comfortable way it naturally hugs to your body as you carry it.

Would this beauty be the grand finale for your collection?

Flip up the flap and unzip and you see the roomy inside, that belies the middle-size look you're carrying.  So much fits in the body, and on the one side a zip and wide slip pocket, on the other side two handy slip pockets.  Another zip pocket on the outside.

Unique, complete flare and functionality.  Done.
We'll see.

You Are Van Zeeland Worthy

I was strolling with my Kathy Van Zeeland around the Saint Edward State Park and discovered the Grotto, which is a beautiful little hideaway.  The engraved board seems like a fitting greeting especially for a Kathy Van Zeeland girl.  I find that her elegant, functional bags are such great value for a very reasonable price. I'm so excited to find out that Kathy's collection is now on Shop HQ. 

I adore the teal color on this bag, combined with the browns.  Those brown panels are, by the way, great side pockets for stuffing keys, or phones, or receipts, etc.  The front zips have attached bling for the pulls.  I always expect some bling from Kathy.  These front pockets are so handy, I use one for my cell because its so secure, but gives me such quick access.  The straps are padded, so are very comfortable on the shoulder, but the length is not too long for carrying on the arm or by hand comfortably.

And here's the inside story.  Look at how easy it is to see whatever is in your purse with this light colored lining.  On the one side a large zip pocket, and on the other 3 slip pockets.  It opens so nice and wide, you can quickly reach whatever you need.

See what a pretty spot this Grotto is.  Kathy Van Zeeland is a nice complement to little hideaways, or to a celebration out on the town.

It's No Brees Being A Saints Fan in Seattle

Some people might think it's a Brees to be a Saints fan living in Seattle, but not on this Monday Night Football! I'm a BIG Seahawks fan, of course, EXCEPT when they meet the Saints. Go Saints! But guests at the Seattle party still managed to find something in common - purses! Of course, I carried my NFL Saints crossbody, but one of my friends carried a beautiful, hand crafted, and leather tooled bag she bought in New Orleans!  Look at the gorgeous large size (if you're a big bag girl you like that), and that nice, big pocket on the front. Looks like they really know purses in New Orleans!

A closer look at the tooling on my friend's leather Sereno.

Looks as if DangeRuss Wilson is pausing in the action to double check the New Orleans stylin' at our party. I'm not seeing any look of concern from him though.

And the action continues, and the purses have to be moved because positioning by the big screen is drawing foul remarks from others at the MNF party. That's okay, there's always next week.

Colors of the Season!

Happy Thanksgiving Tig!  Carrying my pretty Tiganello with the beautiful harvest colors.  The pleated front pocket is not just pretty, it's so handy.  It's very secure and I use it to hold my cell. On the back there is a nice size zipper pocket.  The double straps can be carried on the arm or by hand, or just pull on one to make it a nice, long shoulder strap.  Thank You for visiting my blog, and enjoy your day.

Even more color on the inside helps to make finding what I need so easy.  You can see the zipper pocket, on the other side are two slide pockets.  The zipper pull slides so very easily to open and close one handed.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Carlos

Of course my Carlos Santana purse is the only choice for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert at Key Arena in Seattle.  True talent attracts true talent.  I love this black magic bag!  Carlos knows what he's doing to design a rockin' bag. The colorful leather of all patterns and great texture blend perfectly. The chain and leather straps are so comfortable but really look hot.  They make it easy to carry any way you want it / just the way you want it - shoulder carry, arm carry, or straps in your hand.  Inside, you can clip the two wide sides together to get this tighter shape.  And the inside is a beautiful complementary red material, making it so easy to find everything you're carrying inside.



When you undo the easy clip inside, the bag opens up wide into a full tote, still secure with a snap top.  You can carry so much in this bag!  And inside there's also a zipper pocket and two side pockets plenty big enough for your cell.  And no breaking the bank to buy Carlos' line.  You can find it at lots of distributors, including at the priced right T J Maxx.

Don't you just love the electric Carlos Santana insignia with the guitar!

The phenomenol, incomparable, Trans-Siberian Orchestra!

The Lost Christmas concert. The whole sold-out audience was captivated.  Highly recommended!

They make beautiful music together.

Seattle's loving it!  True talent and creativity in living color.

Thank You, Trans-Siberian Orchestra!

Are Purses Works of Art?

Anuschka™ purses are a unique creation that blends art and functionality with élan.  Founded by Swapan Basu and his wife, Roma, Anuschka™ continues to be the only family owned, designed, manufactured and distributed one-of-a-kind hand painted collection. Their son, Bhaskar joined the family business over a decade ago and continues to bring the same passion and commitment to the family tradition. With all of its global expansion, Anuschka™ has remained true to its core values and is dedicated to employing craftsmen and artisans who would otherwise struggle with unemployment and economic hardship.

Anuschka™ bags are a feast for the eyes with their vibrant colors and elegant design elements. The wide range of abstracts and natural scenes depicted in all shades and hues transforms each handbag into an object of timeless art.

My new bag seems right at home at The American Art Company Gallery in Tacoma, Wa.  It is next to Iron Horse Park Lake oil painting by Emiliya Lane of Seattle, Wa.  This is part of the Plein Air Washington Artists' celebration of  the Washington State Parks Centennial.

Here my hobo shaped shoulder bag Anuschka is set in front of Spring Awakens Saltwater State Park oil painting by Sylvia Carlton of Bainbridge Island, Wa.  Doesn't my purse almost look part of the painting scene.

See the diagonal across the middle of the front of my purse?  It's a cleverly hidden zipper that opens to a large front pocket.  Very handy!

And here you can see the beautiful back of my anuschka with the functional cell holder and zip pocket.  Inside the purse is so roomy, with additional small pockets, and an inside side zip.  Watch for these purses to be on sale for a wonderful treat.  A natural Christmas present.

For more information about this artistic, tasteful gallery go to www.americanartco.com

For more information about this wonderful Centennial State Parks show, see http://hikeinthepark.blogspot.com/or at
plein air washington