And silver. And bronze. And purple. And pink. And girly. And simply wonderful.

The gals at Handbag Heaven just can’t get enough of the glitter explosion we’ve seen around the web lately! From cutie patootie DIY projects and party spreads, to gorgeous nail polishes and day dresses, sparkles charm us in a way that nothing else can. Glitter is the definition of sugar, spice, and everything nice. And even just a sprinkle makes us feel oh-so-lovely.

Feast your eyes on this special weekly roundup of eye-catching images and indulge in a diva-liciuos dose of glittery goodness.

Our motto:

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Yeah, we’re drooling, too:

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We adore these fab DIY glitter clothespin magnets!

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Glitter photography at its finest. ♥

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Need a GNO staple? You might remember our *DIY glitter handbag* tutorial:

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How gorgeous are these sparkly branches?

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Just a little collage of loveliness…

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Love these DIY scarf flats? The gals at Scarves.net tell you how to make your own!

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 Gal pal party perfection.

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Every coffee table should have this.

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Holy homemade sparkle shirt!

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We’re diggin’ Rachel Gilbert’s super-sparkle  dress sophistication:

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 Just about the greatest glitter wall we’ve ever seen.

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 Spruce up those nails with a pinch of sparkle polish:

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*Neck candy *

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Just a touch of sass and metallic sparkle makes this handbag swoon-worthy:

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Can you spot the hint of glitter in our Valentine’s Day Guide?

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The more sparkle, the better! Because the way we see it, you can never overdo such fabulousness.

Happy Friday loves! ♥

The HH gals

Whether you love to wear pearls and heels to the supermarket, or sail around the harbor in your boat shoes and polo shirt, style doesn’t matter when it comes to wardrobe staples. Forget about your favorite pink sneakers or your favorite studded jacket — there are some wardrobe essentials that belong in every gal’s closet.

♥1. A classic over-the-shoulder messenger bag. When it comes to toting life’s necessities around, sometimes you need a bag that will carry, well, everything from your favorite afternoon snack to your daughter’s stuffed elephant… in style.

♥2. A striped scarf with a pop of color. Nothing pulls together a look better than a scarf. Seriously.

♥3. A classic animal print scarf. Because you can never have too many scarves.

♥4. The essential French striped shirt. Patterns, prints, solids — you can mix a striped shirt with whatever your fashionable heart desires.

♥5. A classic and timeless LBD. A bit cliche? Maybe. It’s cliché for a reason — it rocks.

♥6. Red high heels. Every wardrobe needs a bit of sass mixed with sophistication.

♥7. Fabulous evening clutch. For all of those hot dates and weekend soirees.

♥8. Classic pencil skirt. The pencil skirt is not only for the office — dress it down with a slouchy sweater or wear it under a tunic.

♥9. Classic riding boots. They go with everything. I mean everything.

♥10. A statement necklace. When you need that pop of color for your ensemble, add a bit of glamour to your look.

We love a handbag that’s versatile enough to be styled multiple ways.  A bag that can go from casual to formal — and even be worn during different seasons — means more bang for your buck! The Broad Ripple Satchel, a Handbag Heaven best seller, is one of those handbags that can be styled in a number of ways. This bag was featured in the May 2011 edition of Rachel Ray’s magazine and comes in five different colors: bronze, pewter, dark brown, white, and red. I’ve chosen the bronze version to showcase three different ways you can style this particular bag.

Look One: This first look is perfect for a date night — or even an afternoon of lunch and shopping with gal pals. The satchel pairs nicely with black leggings, a pair of riding boots, and a sweater dress for a look that feels comfy but looks amazing! I think gold jewelry really complements the Broad Ripple Satchel’s gold hardware.

Look Two: The second look is a little dressier, perfect for a holiday soiree or a New Year’s Eve bash. The bronze color of the bag goes perfectly with the jade shade of the dress. Pair them with some glitter pumps, a bauble necklace, and a turban headband to be one glamorous gal.

Look Three: I don’t know about anyone else, but I saw the first snow of the season last week and now I can’t get the cold out of my mind. For this look, I paired the handbag with a scarf, boots, and a sweater. Pile the layers on and add a coat and some warm socks to fight off winter’s chill.

Now I know I’m not speaking only for myself when I say a handbag becomes one’s best friend and it’s easy to become attached. That’s why it’s great to find the perfect satchel bag or hobo handbag that allows you to wear it with multiple looks! Once you find the right handbag and learn how to style it for different occasions, you’ll be able to take that baby with you where ever you go!

Get the gorgeous Broad Ripple Satchel from Handbag Heaven!

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Although summer is in full swing, fall is fast approaching! Are you gearing up for the new fall trend lineup? I’m looking forward to yummy new fabrics, rich colors, and neutrals to make those colors pop! Fall is a fabulous season, the most important being that more layers=more clothes. Good excuse to shop more? I think so.

But, now that I’ve gotten to a point where I’ve truly built up the basics in my wardrobe, my next conquest is accessorizing. What fun!

Style.com (a great source for fashion trend forecasts) chose some big trends for fall handbags and I’m loving them! Straight from the runways of Michael Kors, YSL, Lanvin and more, come portfolio handbags – also known as “envelope clutches.” You’ve got to love the luxury of those design label brands, but not loving the fact that most salaries can’t support such expensive taste. Luckily we’re here to solve that problem! Trends translate at every price point, so (thankfully) following this lovely trend can be very affordable. So, the portfolio trend, (including ah-may-zing details like faux python skin) can be all yours for under $50! Fabulous! These clutches make for a smooth transition from professional to nighttime attire, not to mention the warm colors that are fall’s signature. What says leaves changing color and fall more than warm hues of orange and red?

Handbag Heaven has already geared up for fall trend shopping with fall handbags – featuring exotic materials and lovely clasps (also spotted on the runway) – are ripe for the picking! Find a handbag that suits your needs and your tastes and gives your outfit some extra spice! Get the Raquel Faux Python, the Amy Envelope, and the Reagan at Handbag Heaven!

Don’t let the name fool you: The Teen Choice Awards honor more than just adolescents. Twenty-somethings like Darren Criss and thirty-somethings like Ian Somerhalder hit the red carpet earlier this month. Every year, celebrities gather to celebrate movies, music, TV, summer and fun miscellaneous awards like favorite “twit” (this year: Justin Bieber) and favorite vampire (Robert Pattinson).

But some celebrities know there is more to life than swag and thumbs up from the fashion police. According to examiner.com, over 50 stars including Emma Stone and Joe Jonas “autographed and wrote personal messages to military families with deployed family members.” Along with the notes and letters, $5000-worth of international long-distance calling cards will be given out to reach loved ones overseas. The sponsor? MetroPCS Communications.

Tom Keys, President and COO, believes our efforts matter.

“We are grateful for the sacrifices that our military and their families make for our nation,” he says. “It’s an honor to work with the USO to help families stay connected even when they are physically separated on opposite sides of the world.”

Among the many celebrities who stopped by the MetroPCS booth that night, including David Beckham, Ellen DeGeneres and Rupert Grint, was our lady Blake Lively. Here is a photo of her shining on the red carpet.

Though we’re happy her heart matches her golden hair, we wish she had a handbag! Because celebrities want to stay close to their loved ones, too, we suggest this purple smartphone wristlet.

Also available in mustard yellow, get yours today!

photo credit: Daily Stab, Top Work Places, E! Online

Generally, when an artist disappears for years then releases a new album, it becomes their magnum opus. They spend weeks upon weeks coming back to themselves and tearing down walls and Vanessa Carlton is no exception. Two weeks ago, she released her latest effort “Rabbits on the Run” four years after her last endeavor “Heroes & Thieves.”

Editorial reviews have been mixed. According to metacritic.com, the album’s average score is 72 with its most positive review from “Entertainment Weekly” (83) and its least favorable from the Boston Globe (60). Ethereal and less than forty minutes long with songs that are more personal than poppy, the range is understandable.

Fans, however, stay true. On Amazon.com, “Rabbits on the Run” has 12 5-star reviews, 3 4-star reviews and 3 3-star reviews.

“Her idea to use tape-recording [has] gotta be the best move she has ever made,” Annie Feng says, “especially when it comes to an album with only 10 songs.”

She goes on to describe the music as “simple” and “repetitive” but also “dreamy” and filled with “child-like innocence.”

Here’s the music video for her first single “Carousel.”

Vanessa Carlton – Carousel music video

What do you think? Is Vanessa better than ever?

Here’s a photo of Vanessa from a few years ago wearing a gray dress with black accents.

Cute, right? But what about a handbag? Our suggestion: this black leatherette clutch!

With a bubble print interior, 3 compartments and a snap-hook closure, this handbag holds everything you need while you’re out! Also available in tan, purple, brown and beige, get yours today.

photo credit: lilveggiepatch, Neon Limelight

Oprah Winfrey is set to receive an honorary Oscar, and it’s about time. She will be honored along with actor James Earl Jones and make up artist Dick Smith at the pre-Oscar ceremony. Jones and Smith will receive Honorary Awards, while Winfrey will be presented with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

The award is to be given for her philanthropic efforts.

“Oprah has given and given and given,” Tom Sherak, the President of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said. “She’s a member of the Academy, she was nominated for an Academy Award and she has produced movies. This is not about personality. This is about a person who has come from the depths, risen to the heights and given back.”

Some people, like  “LA Times” columnist Patrick Goldstein, say Oprah isn’t worthy of an Oscar. He says, “Winfrey has done good work in the world, but that’s not enough to merit an Oscar.”  Worthy or not, you can’t deny she’s been a successful T.V. host, actress, producer, and philanthropist. She’s also the CEO of her own network, OWN.

One more credit Oprah can add to her resume: Fashionista! Check out her silver handbag — we have one that will inspire you to pursue your dreams like Oprah. Silver and gold handbags can be used for any season. Take a peek at our similar  metallic handbag.

Photo Credit: E! Online, Wall Street Journal, and Style Bistro

Unless you are a Spanish film aficionado, you might not recognize Elsa Pataky for her acting career (“Snakes On A Plane,” “Beyond Re-Animator”) but you may have seen her modeling.

Or with her ex-fiancé Adrien Brody before marrying Chris Hemsworth this past Christmas. However, don’t let the stereotype fool you – Elsa speaks five languages (Spanish, French, English, Italian and Romanian) and has taken Journalism classes at the University of San Pablo.

Her latest project, the fifth installment of the “Fast and Furious” movies, is due for DVD release in October.

Otherwise, it seems as though Elsa’s been lying low lately. Aside from appearing alongside her hubby in town or at events (like the “Captain America” premiere last month), she is only listed on imdb as post-production for an animated film called “Snowflake, the White Gorilla” (directed by Andrés G. Schaer). Set to be released by Filmax International, the synopsis says the film follows Snowflake, “the only white gorilla in the world,” and his adventures with “a Buddhist black panther reincarnated into the body of a red panda” and “a smart little girl” named Paula.

Here is a photo of Elsa shining on the Cannes red carpet in May.

As always, she looks seven sorts of lovely but where’s her handbag? Lucky for her, we have the perfect match: our sequin evening clutch!

Also available in black and silver and gold and white, get yours today!

photo credit: ElsaPataky.com, tweettreats.biz, StyleBistro

Although Julia Roberts is not someone most people think of as a method actress, IndiaWest.com reports she started practicing Hinduism while shooting Eat, Pray, Love (2010) in Gurgaon and still has affection for the country.

Guess who else loves India: her children!

“My kids were really into the culture of every place we went,” Julia says. “Hazel also wanted to shave her head, so I let her shave the back of her head. They would chant, and they were just interested.”

Hazel also said she wants to live in India when she grows up!

Currently, Julia is filming The Brothers Grimm: Snow White (2012) in Montreal with Indian-born director Tarsem Singh.

Not the same as experiencing India but close enough, right? Julia plays the Evil Queen with “Game of Thrones” star Sean Bean as The King and The Blind Side‘s Lily Collins as Snow White. Julia told IndiaWest.com that she thinks Tarsem’s Snow White will be “so fun.” We’re excited to see Julia play an evil queen too, but what about the sweet, quirky Julia we know and love?

Here she is on the red carpet for Larry Crowne (2011).

While we give her kudos for her suit, pop-of-color necklace, and as always, love the glamour wave, we’d love it more if she had a cute, colorful handbag! Our suggestion: this turquoise clutch.

With a unique polished wood closure, this bag adds an eclectic feel to any look. Not to mention, it channels Julia’s earthy, Indian vibe! Also available in lime green, cream, yellow and coral pink, get yours today!

photo credit: Daily Mail, WhatCulture.com, People.com