January 26th, 2012

What’s Going on Around Here…

Did you know that we have a sister store that sells scarves? We do indeed! And they’ve got some exciting things going on over there that we’re thrilled to share. They’ve recently moved to a new home at Scarves Dot Net! Check out the adorable video they made to celebrate the launch. {Psst…you may recognize some of the regulars from Handbag Heaven in the video!}

We’re also very excited about our Gal’s Guide to Valentine’s Day! With advice on what to wear {even if your plans involve a night of dancin’ like a fool with your girlfriends}, what to get the dude in your life, and a chance to win a bag from us!

valentine's day guide

Hope you’re having a great week!

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By admin in Contests & Giveaways | Permalink | No Comments »

January 24th, 2012

How Haute!

It’s couture fashion week in Paris! That means fabulous and fanciful gowns by fashion’s most elite designers. Here are my personal favorites from some shows so far…

2012 Dior Couture Gown

Christian Dior {STUNNING red!}

Christian Dior Couture 2012

Christian Dior {so Betty Draper of Mad Men!}

orange Versace dress

Versace {tangerine is this year’s “it” color}

Versace Couture 2012

Versace {taking bets — who will wear this on the red carpet?}

Chanel Couture 2012

Chanel {so 1930s!}

Chanel 2012 Couture Fashion

Chanel {Lagerfeld knows classic/modern}

Which are your favorites? I’m ogling the Dior red gown! I can see it now — me in that red dress, gliding down the staircase of some glamorous event, clutching this little evening bag, and being so fabulous. Ahhh…

Photo Creds: Style.com

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By admin in Fashion Fun | Permalink | 1 Comment »

January 23rd, 2012

Think Pink!

If you want to feel beautiful, romantic, and girly this Valentine’s Day, then simply think pink! Whether you’re headed to the movies with your sweetheart, out to dinner with your bestie, or going dancing, there’s a place for pink in your Valentine’s Day ensemble. Read on for tips on how to pull off a perfectly pink ensemble.

pink outfit valentine's day

Take your pick of pink. From demure and feminine blush shades, to bold and bright hot pink, there’s a shade for everyone. Consider the neutral Melodie Shoulder Bag for understated class, or the exotic hot pink envelope clutch for a bold statement.
Don’t let yourself look like a flamingo! We’re all for the color, but we advise against head-to-toe pink. Instead, color block your look with white, citrus hues, or even red.
If you don’t have much pink in your wardrobe, sport the shade through your accessories. Pink handbags will stand out during February when most are carrying black. Some pink gloves might be just what your dark coat needs, and how sweet would your braid look with a pink bow holding it tight?
And when it comes to makeup, there’s a shade of pink for every skin tone. Add some flush to your cheeks with pink blush, or paint your nails your favorite hue.

Take Me Back to the Gal’s Guide to Valentine’s Day

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By Sarah B. in Gift Buying | Permalink | No Comments »

January 23rd, 2012

Ravishing Red!

Want to make a bold statement this Valentine’s Day? Look no further than the most classic Valentine color: RED! No matter if you’ve got a red-hot date or you plan to paint the town red with girlfriends,you’ll look nothing short of sassy donning some fire engine shades on Valentine’s Day. Read on for some tips and tricks to pull of the boldest of colors.

red fashion

Red is the color of love. It physically stimulates the heart and causes faster breathing. That’s why red roses, red lips, and rosy cheeks are signs of romance. Ooooo lala!
When wearing red, choose a bold statement piece and offset it with muted shades. Pair that sassy red dress with some opaque black tights. Or, pair a bold red sweater with a sweet neutral skirt.
If red clothes aren’t your cup a tea, why not break out some red accessories? Red pumps with a little black dress shake things up, as does a red turban hat with your demure black pea coat.
Make a real statement with a cherry-hued handbag. Our red quilted handbag is simply posh, while the Broad Ripple Satchel with its gold hardware is only for the glamorous. You could also tuck a bright red wallet into a basic black handbag for an unexpected pop of color.
Round out your Valentine’s Day ensemble with bright red nail polish — splash some glitter polish over your ring fingers for some glitz. And make your lips look kissable with red lipstick, if you dare!

Take Me Back to the Gal’s Guide to Valentine’s Day

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By Sarah B. in Gift Buying | Permalink | No Comments »

January 23rd, 2012

Polyvore Contest: Valentine’s Day Edition

Hey, fellow fashionistas! We’ve got a fun way for you to get you in the Valentine’s Day spirit AND enter to win the handbag of your choice from Handbag Heaven! We’re huge fans of Polyvore and designed a contest to get share some of that loving feeling! Enter your set for the chance to win a $65 gift card to Handbag Heaven.

Here’s what to do: Make a Polyvore set that features your favorite Handbag Heaven purse in a Valentine’s Day ensemble and submit it to us for a chance to win!

If you don’t have one already, you’ll have to create an account on Polyvore.com.
Join our contest group so you can enter the contest.
Add the Polyvore Clipper to your browser. For this contest you’ll need to include one of our handbags. Go here and follow their easy instructions. Once the button is up on your bookmarks toolbar, you can click it whenever you want to add a product to your items!
Once you’re all registered and have your Clipper ready to go, you can start making a Handbag Heaven Valentine’s Day outfit!
Once you’ve created the perfect Valentine’s Day look, don’t forget to submit your set to our Polyvore contest page for your entry to count. Happy styling!
You can also tell your friends about the contest by sharing via the “promote” tab on Polyvore!

Other rules & details:

No limit on entries! If you’re feeling inspired and want to share multiple sets, go for it! Each set will count as one entry.
The contest will run from January 23-February 13 2012. At the end of the contest we’ll use a random generator to select the winner of the contest. We’re trying to be as fair as possible!
The winner receive the virtual gift card the day the contest ends – so you can take advantage of some last minute outfit planning!
This contest is available to US & Canada only (sorry guys!)

We love sharing beautiful things and will be pinning these sets via Pinterest & tweeting some of them as well. Get on the bandwagon and share with us!

Hit us up on Twitter and Facebook!

Take Me Back to the Gal’s Guide to Valentine’s Day

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By admin in Contests & Giveaways | Permalink | 1 Comment »

January 20th, 2012

DIY: How to Make a Camera Case from a Handbag

DIY camera bag

My camera is one of my most prized possessions. I take it almost everywhere — and when I don’t, I feel like I’ll miss out on capturing a life moment. The thing is, I think camera bags are some of the most hideous types of bags around. That black canvassy-plastic fabric? Yuck. When it comes to camera totes, why do we have to sacrifice aesthetics for functionality? There are a few cute places to buy camera bags on the web, but many of those bags have pretty steep price tags. With a bit of stuffing, fabric, and a sewing machine, you can make your own camera insert so that you can carry your camera in any handbag you choose.

DIY camera insert for purse

This is what my camera-holding insert looks like. I bought the dandelion print fabric from Fabric.com. They have really cute prints on their site. Essentially this insert is just a little bag to go in a bag, but I made it have a flap to protect the camera from all sides, while still allowing the camera’s strap to hang out. (You can carry it like that, too!)

cute camera case

To make the camera case you need:

-Sewing machine
-Fabric
-Bias tape to go around the edges (You can make some with this print-out)
-Quilt batting or stuffing
-Pins
-Scissors
-Velcro or snaps

Step 1:

camera case fabric
Choose your fabrics. I chose a soft leopard print fabric for the inside and a thicker, more canvassy feeling fabric for the outside. The polka dot fabric was used to make bias tape. (See the link in the supplies list on how to make bias tape.)

Step 2:

how to make a camera case
Next you need to cut out the shape of your bag. For the first side of the bag, I traced on the fabric the general shape of my camera, and then cut 3″ outside of the tracing to make the bag roomy enough. Then I cut the same shape out of the black dandelion fabric. For the second side of the bag, I used the same width and shape as the first, but made the fabric a lot longer so that it could be a flap and velcro around the camera to keep it secure.

Step 3:

how to make a camera case
Next take the quilt batting or stuffing and cut it to be the same size as your other fabric. Then pin a fabric/batting sandwich together and sew it up. It should go: soft fabric, then the batting, then the canvas fabric. Make sure both of the soft fabrics face each other on the inside.

Step 4:

how to make a camera case
After you have the two sides of the case done, you can pin the two together and stitch them. This part is a bit trickier because the fabric layers are so thick by now. If you sew slowly or stitch by hand it will work well. After you have the two layers of fabric together, you can then pin the bias tape around the outside to make the edges look nice. (In this photo I have a little metal bias tape maker that I bought at Jo-Anns.)

Step 5:

how to make a camera case
After you have everything stitched up, all you have to do is sew on the Velcro or snaps. Then you’re done! A camera case meant for a lady.

Camera case messenger bag
Here is where to find the leatherette messenger bag that I used!

Good luck!

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By Stacie in DIY | Permalink | 2 Comments »

January 20th, 2012

Valentine’s Gift Guide for Guys

Whether your guy prefers RAM to Ram trucks, golden ales or golden sunrises– gifts for guys are always a bit tricky. With a little bit of thought and a sprinkle of creativity, finding a gift for your main man doesn’t have to be a hair-pulling experience. Here are a few ideas the gals at Handbag Heaven have to help you choose something special for the romantic day.

The Gentleman

Aviator Sunglasses | Chrome-plated razor and shaving brush | Moleskine notebook and a fountain pen | Engraved onyx tie bar

Mr. Rugged

Thermal Socks | Beanie | Dual Clock and Thermometer | Hobo Tool | Camel Back Water Bottle

Geek Chic

The Sports Fanatic

Take Me Back to the Gal’s Guide to Valentine’s Day

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By Stacie in Gift Buying | Permalink | No Comments »

January 19th, 2012

Pinterest Roundup: Winter Drinks

Hi ladies and gents, Maggie here! It took long enough, but it finally snowed here at the Handbag Heaven headquarters. Inspired by that wintery goodness — and I say goodness because I haven’t yet headed outdoors, and it looks pretty from my desk — this week’s Pinterest Roundup focuses on warming up on these cold days.

Pinterest was the perfect place for discovering fun new concoctions and gave me plenty of options to choose from. Read on and cozy up with one of these beverages tonight!

The Perfect Hot Cocoa

After a day spent ice skating or snowman building, there’s nothing like heading indoors knowing there’s a cup of hot cocoa waiting for you. Try this deliciously updated version during the next snow storm.

warm hot cocoa {source}

A Twist on Your Typical Cup O’ Joe

As a coffee aficionado, I can appreciate all things related to that magical bean. This combination of fudge and coffee, well, it was just too hard to pass up.

coffee wtih fudge {source}

Spicy Apple Cider

Warm apple cider is a winter staple. Try this updated, adult version, of a favorite winter beverage. All that’s missing is a fireplace to cuddle in front of!

spiced apple cider recipe {source}

Entertaining Must-Have

Impress your guests with this tasty frozen mudslide! You can prepare these ahead of time and freeze them so you’re not stuck behind the bar during your event.

frozen mudslide recipe {source}

A Chilled Drink for a Chilly Night

Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a chilly beverage, like The Spicy Gingerman. This concoction is the perfect accompaniment to a romantic dinner for two.

ginger cocktail recipe {source}

A Dinner Party Do

This pumpkin perfection is a great addition to your next dinner party. The recipe serves six and can be made ahead of time, so fix it and forget it until it’s time for an after-dinner cocktail!

pumpkin cocktail recipe {source}

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By admin in Blogosphere | Permalink | 2 Comments »

January 19th, 2012

What to Wear for Valentine’s Day

Hot Date

Whether it’s an early date, long time love, or even an old flame, we’ve got just the look for your Valentine’s Day date! Keep it classy, while looking nothing short of demure in deep reds and sexy black. We think he’ll be impressed with your style in an ensemble that’s sure to get all the right kind of attention.

What to Wear

The silky red is modest while being pretty fabulously sexy, especially paired with the black mini skirt. Because the top and skirt are fairly understated, it’s only appropriate that you add some extra glam in the form of glitzy bracelets and some statement earrings. Top off your look with a red lip and a classic quilted bag and you’ll be on the road to romance in no time! Psst…and definitely the most fab gal at the restaurant!

Featured Bag Paige Quilted Shoulder Bag

Girls Night Out

It’s Valentine’s Day and all you want to do is get up and tear up the town with the rest of your single friends. This night calls for some good dancing clothes, glossy lips and a clutch that can keep up with your night. You know all the hot spots, but let’s be real, you’re bringing the crowd in this look!

What to Wear

You’re a gal on the go, and running from club to club may get chilly in February, so leg coverage is key. Plus, leather leggings are easier to dance in than any mini dress ever would be. Add some color with your top, but instead of going for the classic Valentine’s Day red, choose a jewel tone that compliments your skin tone. Add some no-fuss accessories and make sure your lip gloss is poppin’!

Featured Bag McKensie Foldover Clutch

Dinner with the Girls

If you’re without a significant other, Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to get together with your other gal pals and have a classy dinner. After all, you’re single and ready to mingle! Break out a girly chic outfit and show the other single guys out there what they’re missing out on!

What to Wear

Just because there’s no “hot date” escorting you to dinner doesn’t mean there’s no need to dress up! Fancy it up just for fun with a pretty party dress, some sassy pumps, great accessories (including a hot clutch), and dine in style with your friends. This deep red dress is oh so Valentine’s Day without being overly holiday themed. Add some sparkle to your ensemble with a bit of glitter nail polish, because that’s the girly thing to do

Featured bag Preston Foldover Bag

Movie Date

Keeping it casual this Valentine’s Day? No shame in that! Look romantic, sweet, and totally laid back for your movie date, or wherever your casual date will be this year!

What to Wear

Keeping it casual doesn’t mean sweatpants and a ratty old t-shirt. But it DOES mean you can be cozy in a sweater, jeans, and flats! This “borrowed from the boyfriend” style is romantic, but the rope detail on the flats and adding a scarf headband keeps it extra feminine. Enjoy a night of snuggles and popcorn! Psst…extra points if he let YOU choose the movie!

Featured Bag Lexy Messenger Bag

Take Me Back to the Gal’s Guide to Valentine’s Day

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By admin in Gift Buying | Permalink | No Comments »

January 19th, 2012

I Really Heart You: Quotes and Inspirations

Love is hard to quantify: there are no classes teaching you how to love and who to love; it’s just a feeling we know exists because it fills our hearts with everything wonderful. And on Valentine’s Day, when we’re encouraged to find those perfect words for those we care about, the pressure might leave us a little more than tongue-tied.

Consider this list of quotes our Valentine’s gift to you. Whether you jot one down for your significant other, pin this for your gal pals, frame one for your mother, or just need a little reminder for yourself (we all could at one time or another), let these small sayings spark your feelings and desires for those you love. And most importantly, let them inspire and empower you to love the most important person on that list: you.

Excuse us for the last one, but we just couldn’t help ourselves!

Pretty soon, these quotes won’t be words stuck to paper or stored on a computer screen, they’ll become a part of you, lingering there day after day until you need them the most.

After all, these expressions aren’t meant for one day, they’re meant for always. ♥

Take Me Back to the Gal’s Guide to Valentine’s Day

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By admin in Musings, Uncategorized | Permalink | No Comments »

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