Like all of their sales, the Kate Spade sale has deep discounts on guaranteed-authentic designer products, but in very limited amounts.  Which means if you want to score your own lovely Kate Spade tote, you’d better hurry up!  Their last Kate Spade sale sold out in just a few hours…

Here are a few sneak peeks from the sale:

The two-tone leather tote “Bryant Park Nyssa” has engraved metal accents and is a roomy size at 14.5″H x 19″W x 5″D, Handle length: 8″ drop.

How about a bright pop of color to brighten your fall and winter wardrobe?

The crocodile-textured “Wallingford Jordan” leather tote is available in five colors, including this great red, 11.1″H x 12.9″W x 4.3″D.

Of course, Kate Spade also makes canvas totes as well:

The pretty-in-pink “Union Square Opus” is an easy to carry 9.5″H x 13″W x 6.5″D, drop handle 13.5″ canvas tote with an adjustable shoulder strap and carry handles.

ideeli is an invitation-only shopping community, but if you’re not a member, just use the code “gleam” to join

images: ideeli

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Kate Spade on Sale at ideeli

After all, what are accessories for if not to put a smile on your face when you wear them?

We’ve got to start with Karl Lagerfeld’s Spring & Summer 2010 collection for Chanel:

Interesting carved heels, bright colors and check out the flowers on the handbag.  If that doesn’t brighten your day, I’m not quite sure what else would…

Stella McCartney showed a more subdued collection, but check out the detail on this handbag:

I don’t know how practical that folding wooden purse is going to be, but as a cool accessory – it gets full marks from me.

Okay, so this tote from John Ribbe doesn’t exactly qualify as “whimsical”, but after so many shows filled with restrained, neutral clothes, it’s fun to see some color:

Hey – it’s for springtime, that’s the season to pull out the candy-colored accessories and have some fun!

images: Zuma Press

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Whimsical Handbags at Paris Fashion Week

If you need a little more luck in your life, you might consider Frankie Morello’s generously-sized horse-shoe belt:

Of course, carrying that cute little purse might do the trick too…  Or maybe it’s the shoes that are lucky?

Anteprima also created some large versions of their teensy little glittering clutch purses:

They showed several colors, but I love this soft, minty green in particular.

Lublu Plastinina sent their models down the runway sporting some seriously chunky necklaces:

It looks like big, beaded necklaces are going to be a big hit for next spring.

Milan had some interesting contrasts all week long, with designers showing everything from the brightest neon colors to very restrained neutrals.  It looks like spring and summer 2010 will have a little something for everyone.

images: Zuma Press

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Final Goodies from Milan Fashion Week

There’s been an interesting mix of clothing and accessories so far.  Some designers are going with the bright colors, bold femininity and tribal accents we’ve seen elsewhere.  Some designers have taken a very different approach, with their entire spring and summer collections done in shades of beige, brown and black.

I’ve pulled a few of my early handbag favorites – and yes, they’re all from the bold and bright camp

Enrico Coveri mixed shades of green and some lovely prints for his distinctive accessories and handbags.

He also created some elegant solid colored bags as well, but that print is just too summery not to share.

Miss Bikini went for the tribal themes with their collection of heavily beaded, fringed and embellished soft handbags:

Blugirl was obviously playing up the feminine aspects in their collection with high heels, frills and lots of jewelry:

images: Zuma Press

*Contest Alert* you can win a pair of Peace & Love earrings and a Peace & Love charm bracelet from Twisted Silver here!

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Bold Bags from Milan Fashion Week

For Spring and Summer 2010, British designers have been rolling out handbags with some serious attitude – and size!

Vivienne Westwood went for a rich burnt orange color for her logo satchel, accented with darker brown leather handles:

Eley Kishimoto showed graphic handbags with big, flat color blocks, accented with matching fringe:

Also from Eley Kishimoto, this oversize tote reminds me of vintage woven picnic baskets:

I’d love to see this one in a smaller hobo or even clutch purse as well…

This purse from Jaeger London is smaller than the other bags I’ve shown here, but it’s unique shape and bold woven braid accents make up the impact factor what it lacks in size:

Of course, a purse has to make an impact when you pair it with gold sequin pants!

images: Zuma Press

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Big & Bold Handbags from London

You might want to check out these bold and funky totes and purses from Tokyo Made!

They’re made in Tokyo, by designers MACBAG and Colorcult – with an interesting twist.  The body of the purses are made from handmade African fabric.  You can’t get much more multi-cultural than that…

This is the “Lattice Tote” by Colorcult.  It’s made using handmade Nigerian wax printed fabric (the design is made by layering different colors of dye over top of the fabric – the dye can’t penetrate the wax, which allows for intricate designs to be created).  It’s finished with riveted leather handles.

The “Pink Ornate Tote” is also by Colorcult.  The body of the bag is a Nigerian wax print cloth with quilted pink leather handles.

This cute little purse is the “Pink Orchid Party Bag” by MACBAG.  The body of the bag is an African print, topped with leather.  There is also a detachable leather shoulder strap.

images: Tokyo Made

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African Fabric + Japanese Style

ideeli is holding a limited-time sale on some select Furla purses.  How limited-time?  Well, the event runs until tomorrow morning, but I don’t think they’re going to last until then.  Especially when you can save as much as 59% on some bags.

ideeli is an invitation-only shopping community, with deep discounts on designers names – but the sales are all very short, so if you want something – you  need to jump on it.

Don’t have an ideeli membership?  Just enter the code “gleam” and you’re in

The “Giselle” tote is on sale for $219, from $495.  It’s a leather, available in either red or black, with a little Furla-branded silver charm on the front toggle.

The “Phoebe” is a stylish black leather shoulder back, accented with a silver ring detail on the front.  It’s finished with the signature Furla nameplate.

The “Viktoria” tote features a deeper crimson red leather and unique looped handles.

images: ideeli

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Furla Handbags on Sale at ideeli

Take a stroll through Etsy and see how many interesting designs these talented folks have come up with!

I am coveting this chiffon flower bag!  The listing is actually for a custom-made purse from Chicago designer, Mojo Spa Style.  You choose the color of the purse, the color of the chiffon flower and whether you want a gold or silver vintage flower at the center of the bag.  The bag is custom-made for you in a couple of weeks.

Looking for a leather-free purse?

The “White Flowers” shoulder bag is made from faux-leather and accented with hand-made white flowers, accented with metal studs.  It’s from Las Vegas designer, Saleyla.

I just couldn’t resist putting this charming little clutch purse into my picks.  It’s made by Vancouver, British Columbia designers, Dave & Chiyo who create feminine purses and clutches.  This particular clutch purse is made from a sturdy cotton canvas body and accented with a hand-made chiffon flower.

images: Etsy

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Indie Flower Power

I have tried every accessories organization technique available because dealing with lots of little pieces can quickly become a nightmare.  I have accumulated a lot of jewelry over the years, ranging from $1 costume jewelry pieces to priceless family jewels and somehow I can never find the exact piece that I’m looking for when I’m rushing out the door.  I have hats and scarves and headbands and pins and lots of little things that I love to add to my outfit to have something a little more expressive.  I have decided that the perfect way to organize my accessories involves:

1. displaying my variety of pieces in a way that allows me to see what I have and possibly be inspired to wear something specific
2. keeping my valuable pieces in a special place so that they can be protected and safe; they don’t need to be as easily accessible since they will probably only be worn for special occasions

I use a variety of containers, hooks, and jewelry stands for organizing my accessories.  Here are some key pieces:

• earring stand – A life-changing discovery!  After keeping my earrings in a tiny box for years and always wasting time searching for a pair that matched, I finally discovered the fabulous earring stand.  There are many different artistic varieties that allow you to hang your earrings in a way that displays all of your options and always keeps the pairs together.

Image: Urban Outfitters

Twiggy Jewelry Stand $32 at Urban Outfitters

• small drawers – Find something with lots of little compartments for holding your more precious pieces that usually come in their own protective bags.  You can put just one or two pieces in each drawer.  These pieces are worn less so you don’t need them out on display where they can be seen everyday or possibly lost.  If you can’t find a jewelry box like this, look for a product designed for office supply storage.  I just received the one below as a gift from my mom and I LOVE it!  So perfect for an architect!

Image: Cost Plus

Recycled Ruler Desktop Chest $49.99 at Cost Plus

• necklace hooks – Long chunky necklaces are in style right now, so it’s definitely difficult to find a jewelry box that will hold these larger pieces.  I like to put hooks on my wall to hang these necklaces so I can see them displayed and keep them from getting tangled.  You can just use tiny hooks that attach to your wall from the hardware store, or find a jewelry stand with necklace hooks.

Image: Urban Outfitters

Yes Frills Wall Jewelry Holder $24 at Urban Outfitters

• tiny bowl – I need a place where I can immediately drop my earrings and rings when I get home from work or going out.  When I’m exhausted I don’t want to deal with finding exactly where everything goes, so I drop everything into a pretty little bowl so I can find everything in the morning.

• hats & scarves hooks – An over-the-door hook is perfect for stashing all of your long scarves and hats.  Hanging your hats will prevent them from getting crushed and will let them dry if you’ve worn them in the rain or snow.

• purse hanger – I store most of my purses in felt bags in boxes in my closet, but I like to have a few options readily available to me so I can switch throughout the week for different outfits and events.  I choose a few different sizes and levels of dressiness to display on a purse hanger in my closet so I can switch out quickly without having to dig through boxes when I’m on my way out the door.

Image: Bed Bath & Beyond

Handbag Hangup Natural Purse Hanger $12.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond

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How To Keep Your Accessories Organized

Ok, NOW imagine doing all of those wonderful things and coming away from the experience with a fabulous business model: the idea to translate all of the cultures of faraway places into unique, handcrafted pieces. This story sums up the magic that is Cleobella, a line of accessories and clothing dreamed up by designer Angela O’Brien after she and her hubby traveled the world.

Cleobella

Let’s start our tour with the Cleobella Alive Grey Fringe Bag, a.k.a. the bag seen dangling from the arm of a beaming Kim Kardashian on “Hall of Style.” Yes, you’d be smiling too if you could fit everything you own and your groceries into a deliciously layered, coquettish yet bold, statement piece like this one. Made from cow leather/Ikat (a style of weaving common in many parts of South America, Central America and Indonesia), this bag features a detachable shoulder strap, double handles and braided straps with tassled ends at top.

Cleobella Alive Grey Fringe Bag

Call it the Mondrian principle. Keep everything simple – black, white and blah – then hit them with one or three bold colors and patterns – in this case the Cleobella Ikat Vest – and voila. You’ve achieved “chic.” I would totally rock this tribal-inspired vest (outlined in shells, for goodness sake) with skinny jeans, the plainest white T-shirt and little gold slippers.

Cleobella Ikat Vest

The Cleobella Mexicana Clutch boasts such an intricate pattern and is offered in so many earthy, Najavo-inspired tones (forest green, turquoise, black, camel and red) it could effortlessly play two roles: wallet and stand-alone clutch.

Cleobella Mexicana Clutch

Not that YOU would ever dream of doing this, but in case your mom or other favorite traveler still Velcro-straps a neon pink fanny pack around her abdomen, just think of the service you’ll be doing when you introduce her to the Cleobella G McCoy Bag, a tribal-inspired wraparound purse in luxurious cocoa. This piece can be worn across the body or on your shoulder and has an adjustable strap with two side zipper pocket bags.

Cleobella G McCoy Bag

As great as hand-woven clutches and kaleidoscope tunics are, Cleobella has a social conscious, as well. O’Brien donates a percentage of all profits to CARE, a nonprofit organization that works to fight poverty and delivers emergency aid to victims of natural disasters.

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Cleobella’s wearable souvenirs