.work.beat.fierce.sounds.

Every so often, a person comes across something that completely changes her perspective, something that makes acceptable–desirable, even–what was previously ruled-out.

I don’t do animal print bags.  Never have, never will was going to.  I think they’re tired.

Enter: The Leopard Print Pleated Bag.

Holy animal print.  I am IN LOVE.  This bag does animal print the right way.  With the color fading from creme to brown and back, the all-over print cleverly avoids being too much.  The pleating along the opening of the bag helps tone down the print, as well as gather attention.

(Get it?  Gather?  Because they’re pleats.  Pleats are gathered fabric.  Alright.)

::: grrrowuhll :::

What I find interesting about the bag is the way the leopard print should be the point that draws your attention, yet I feel it’s the detailing that does that, instead.  The print is noticeable, yes, but the pleating, hard plastic handles, pegs on top of the bag, and the vintage bubble shape hold much more of the overall appeal of the bag.

And I haven’t even talked about how gloriously gigantic this thing is.  Your apartment is going to start getting jealous of your new bag with all the stuff you’ll be taking with you every day.

I am not sure I would use the shoulder strap, as the handles hang a little awkwardly, but I guess you could rock it with that “eh, who cares?” vibe, you wild hipster chick.

Peering in, I am delighted by the polka dot interior (cute lining is SO important, and you know it’s true), and I think you may even be able to use the Leopard Print Pleated Bag as a laptop bag.  You might have to slide it in sideways, but I just got my 13-inch MacBook in there.

It’s about determination.

Anyway, I think you should pick up a Leopard Print Pleated Bag and let me know how you love it.  I was thiiiiis close to getting it, but I decided against it, so I would love to hear what I’m missing out on, if anyone decides to get one!

And if you don’t get one, what do you think of it?  Too much leopard, or did I convince you that the details balance it out?  Let’s hear those thoughts!

Haley in Grey

Due to it being President’s Day, I tried to tie in some sort of Presidential joke about how cool this Haley Pleated Shopper Bag is, but it felt like one of those “how much does a polar bear weigh?  Enough to break the ice,” openers.

No good.  And rarely facilitates taking anything home.

The Haley deserves better.

True story: I almost bought this bag, but it’s just barely a different shade of grey than my new favorite jacket, thus I couldn’t justify it if I couldn’t carry it all the time.

My life is so full of drama.

Haley in Turquoise

From the braided handles to the ruching, the Haley has the perfect amount of perfect detailing to make for a perfect bag.  The long pocket at the front of it saves the bag from looking like a big ol’ tote whilst balancing the size of the bag.

Plus, the tassel is sweeeet!

The color choices are pretty fantastic (so long as you don’t have a new favorite jacket just slightly different than the shades available…but I already talked about that).

Grey is always a perfect neutral, allowing you to wear just about any color combination, and turquoise, having made a huge comeback in recent seasons, was named THE Color of 2010 by Pantone.

Seeing as how a girl always needs a go-to neutral bag and a pop-of-color bag, I don’t see any reason why one wouldn’t need both options of the Haley.  Color me logical.

There are a handful of things I love about the Ryland Downtown Hobo.  One of which may or may not be the way it reminds me of the bag Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) carries when she runs into its designer (James Holt, played by Daniel Sunjata *hyperventilate*) at a party in Devil Wears Prada.

still thinking about D. Sunjata...

Or, you know, something…like…that.

So this bag is great.  It’s a little different than my normal bag shape, but it definitely works.  I could see many a nicknack completely necessary object fitting in this guy and being schlepped all around town.  Easily.

The hardware on it is thick.  It just looks sturdy, you know?  From the rouching at the bottom, all the way up the studded side, to the double O-ring strap.  All good.

And those studs?  Fuhgeddaboudit.  I’m in love.  It combines rocker, country, and wild all in one, without that Bret Michaels subtext.

Noooobody wants that.  Really.  Put the eyeliner away.

For an everyday bag, the Ryland Downtown works well, due to its size and comfort over the shoulder, yet it still has a special quality to it.  It’s got a unique shape up top, and the shiny pattern will cause a double-take or two.

I mean, who doesn’t like shiny stuff?  Right?

teal

Let’s color by numbers with this one.  I’ll give you bullets.

Take notes.

• Structure is solid, allowing the bag to stand upright when you set it down.
• The studs are out-of-control in style right now.  I advise incorporating them not into your jackets, but instead on your hand candy.
• Black will always be a winner, and the teal is a wonderful transition color.  It honestly works for every season with the brown handle up there.
• Accented by a dark gold, the bag has a sophisticated vibe, making it a great handbag for a wide range of ages.
  

  black

• While the opening is slightly smaller than desired, the structure allows one to see the whole inside of the bag, thus eliminating any ohmygosh-I-can’t-find-ANYTHING-in-here issues.  You know what I’m talking about.
• The bag, overall is simple, but the embellishments (such as the braided strap, studs, and curvy seam along the bottom) make it special.

If you’re nervous about the stud trend, the Lily is a great way to try it out tastefully, while still staying true to your slightly more subdued side.  You stay classy, Planet Earth.

The moment I saw this bag, I knew it was a classic.  This is the handbag you buy because “it’s pretty,” and realize time and time again just how great it really is.

tickle the ivory

One look at the Roselyn, and you can see it’s big enough to hold everything you can think of, but the shape, with its inward and upward curve, is feminine, letting it still look like a handbag, and not a tote.  The huge flower on the front is definitely a statement, yet, being the same fabric as the rest of the bag, is far from gaudy or over-the-top.

Immediately, I grabbed the ivory bag, and just that simple addition to my all-black outfit took my look to a whole new level.  Had I been wearing some crazy, random heels, I could even have related my look to one of Carrie Bradshaw.

I know.  The bag is that good.

Aside from the form, even the functionability (totally a word) of this bag is drool-worthy.  I mentioned before the impressive size, but what makes the size work is the zipper.

ebony, baby

It doesn’t just close along the top, the zipper goes several inches down each side, allowing a greater opening at the top, which, in turn, leads to less frustrated sighs from the driver seat as, you know, said driver reaches for way too long into the bag in the passenger seat, because I can’t find! What I’m looking for! In my bag!

I mean, that’s just one problem I guess I can kind of see some other, less-prepared, more-unorganized handbag schleppers possibly having.

Anyway.

The only change I could possibly make to this bag would be to add an outside pocket, but the flower on the front may have hypnotized me into believing that is not all that important anymore.  Thus, the Roselyn Flower Satchel is definitely on the top of my covet list.