MCM is my JAM

I love purses. I can freely admit that they sit up there as the number one on my material list of hedonistic pursuits --- they're right beside good food that is bad for me and reading. As such, I am on a constant pursuit to find handbags and their makers that are distinct, luxurious, affordable (ahem, Maiyet), but not mainstream. As is the case with MCM, which used to be (as I have been heartily reminded), but isn't now and that's why I LOVE them. I'm not much for logo's --- outside of my lvoe for Louis Vuitton -- but MCM isn't just about repeating letters or symbols. They also have luscious leather bags. This is what has lead me to the line's First Lady bag (above) and the Boston M satchel (below). Each run about $900 depending on the website and conversions, etc. etc.

The luxury goods line was founded in 1976 and stands for Mode Creation Munich. Since then it has been spotted on celebs and royalty alike. Learn more about the beauty of the bags at MCM's brand story page.

***images courtesy of polyvore.com and mcmblog

How I'm Loving: La Mer Watches

I love watches -- I've dedicated tons of posts to other fantastic wrist ornamentation -- but those are generally of the link variety. Alas, I've discovered the luxe leather wrap-around time keepers by La Mer Collections. Previously on my radar a few years ago, La Mer has found itself at the forefront of my fashion consciousness again now that I've discovered they've crafted their line at affordable prices for Target. The brand was founded in 2001 by Martine Illana and has since flourished (my thoughts, at least). Here's more from the website:

“A watch is a private piece of art. Not only does it embody the skill of the artisan who created it, but it is an expression of the owner’s style. In this day and age, with all the technology surrounding us, all we truly need on our wrist is a watch that tells time. Often less is more when it comes to a timepiece’s design and wearing a watch allows you to appreciate esthetic qualities as well as function and technical reliability. I have a tactile relationship with my watches and I appreciate the elegant faces and quality leather straps. Timepieces set the rhythm of my life, but they remain above all, pieces of jewelry with which I develop a genuine connection. I wear a watch because it is an object that conveys some of my most precious values; the connection between art and technology.” -- Martine Ilana, founder

Right now, they're running a promotion (I don't know duration and the like) whereby an email address for the newsletter garners a 20% discount on the first purchase. I've already picked out more than a handful of wrist accessories to keep me stylish for many outfits to come!

***Image courtesy of La Mer Collections

Lucky Number Neven

If I thought I loved the Maiyet Small Como satchel, I don't know how to put in words my adoration for the Maiyet Large Neven Satchel. It is gorgeous. It is supple. It is perfect. It is exclusively at Barney's with an exclusive price tag of just under two-thousand clams at $1950:

Exclusively Ours!

Supple grained leather top zip satchel with smooth contrast flat top handles, layered detail at base and gold-tone studded detachable/adjustable smooth contrast shoulder strap. Nubuck lined interior with smooth leather-trimmed zipper and organizational pockets.

• 10.5" height x 19" width x 6" depth
• 5" handle drop
• Made in Italy
• Available in Brown/Black
• Style # 501984724

Sigh. A girl can dream, right ?

Hickoree's Hard Goods

My style savvy has lead me to another website full of cute knickknacks, clothing items and all around miscellany called Hickoree's. Those in Brooklyn, NY are lucky enough to pay in person visits to their brick and mortar store, but for those of us miles, meters and eons away, we'll have to do with their fantastic webstore full of goodies for any and everyone's differing tastes. I absolutely love their selection of bags, especially Heritage Leather Co.'s 16" Canvas Mason Bag with Leather Bottom. Below is a product description from the Hickoree's website:

- Heavy duty 16 oz, #10 cotton canvas
- Top grain natural moccasin leather bottom
- Top grain natural moccasin leather handles and straps
- 9" x 11" interior pocket
- Metal feet on base
- Water resistant fiberboard interior bottom
- 12-gauge rivet secured steel frame mouth
- Dimensions: 16"w x 14"h x 6"d
- Made in USA (Southern California)

At only $90.00, the quality and style of the bag is one to pay attention to and covet for years to come!

*Image courtesy of Hickorees.com

Reader Digesting: What I Did for a Duke

I'm currently working my way through J.K. Rowling's behemoth latest The Casual Vacancy, but I'd like to chitter chatter about a different type of novel on the completely opposing end of the spectrum. I absolutely love my Kindle Touch 3G and its innumerable deals, especially the 99 cent offering of historical romance novel What I Did for a Duke by author Julie Anne Long. I hadn't ever paid much attention to novels dealing with love and relationships centuries before my time -- and may not have given the novel a second glance had it not been only 99 clams with a 4.5 star review on Amazon -- but Long created a story that transcends time. It's fun, funny and witty. The characters are enjoyable and if you get past the idea of thinking the story a "trashy read," it's very enjoyable and at times extremely clever.

Check more of Ms. Long's offerings on her website!

Traveling Fool

I like to label myself otherworldly because I have nothing better to do, but in reality I'm much more of an other-continental-ly being. I'd like to say I'm a super-linguist and travel buff that has visited all seven continents (even the one that's just a block of ice), but that would be a lie and I'm not a politician. I have ventured to other landmasses besides my home territory and in doing so have realized how much of a pain it is to not travel like a gazillionaire. Firstly, baggage checking is frustrating and secondly, not baggage checking is just as annoying. Since most people must carry-on (in more ways than one) and I'm included in that bubble, I have been looking and looking for a stylish, quality brand to keep-all my travel goods. I am the proud owner of a leather Coach duffle, but when it's loaded down it's not fitting in the overhead compartment and I can't shoulder the burden. I've perused and perused and after loving and leaving Tumi ($595 for a carry-on bag just wont do), I've decided on the BRICs x-bag line. It's light, it's cute and I won't go mental if it is dropped or scratched or lost (THE HORROR, TSA). The cost of the 21inch Carry-on Spinner Trolley and the Large Sportina Shopper vary depending on the site, but my one true love Amazon.com has them both for around $250 (here and here).

*Image courtesy of bloomingdales.com

Reader Digesting: Spinster

As much as I enjoy (window) shopping for items I can't afford, I also enjoy reading. Hence my interest in Spinster, a novel that I'm partial to for many self-indulgent reasons. As I continue to work towards getting my stuff together, I will also blog about novels I've read and liked. The inaugural post goes to the aforementioned title by Catherine Jerome. The synopsis is as follows:

Jane is stuck in a perpetual rut, and she’s not sure if she put herself there or if she was ever in another state to begin with. Her family worries she’s a closeted lesbian (and can’t express herself to them) — or so she believes — and she’s only ever had a relationship with the high school lothario, if you could even call it that. Now she’s stuck planning his wedding, dodging the nitwits she was “friends” with in school and contending with her new “more than just cute” boss (freshly imported from England) and all too willing to inadvertently remind her that she may be a Spinster.

The first few chapters can be previewed on the author's website. Spinster is available for Kindle readers or those with the free Kindle app for $.99.

Covet: Maiyet Small Como Satchel

It's been a while since I've waxed poetic about anything. I've been very busy being lazy and haven't returned to my one true love of pining for material items I can do without; however, thanks to a new brand (to me that is), I'm back in my temple of materialism. Maiyet has been branded (by me because I'm so important [insert irony]) as a brand with a conscience. From their website:

Paul van Zyl spent over 20 years working in human rights and transitional justice, first under Archbishop Desmond Tutu as the Executive Secretary of South Africa's Truth Commission and then as the Co-Founder of the International Center for Transitional Justice.  After winning the Skoll award for social entrepreneurship and attending the World Economic Forum at Davos, Paul met Daniel Lubetzky, a pioneer in using business to promote peace.  They decide to co-found a company that would use the power of the market to allocate capital to peace. Their hypothesis was that if they could source from and grow companies that had a stabilizing effect on their communities, they would be on their way.  Paul and Daniel believed that a fashion brand held the greatest opportunity, and the idea for what is now Maiyet was born.

Noble acts aside, I'm in lust for the Maiyet Small Como Satchel, which retails for $1549 out of my budget range at Barney's. The shape of the bag and the craftsmanship make this brand one of mine to covet and moon over on my increasingly long wishlist.

***image courtesy of google images.

Covet: Aspinal of London

My next few posts will most likely be dedicated to my newly discovered love Aspinal of London. The leatherware company was established "on the fundamental premise of offering our customers the most beautiful objects of unsurpassed quality and design for home & living, created by our designers and each handmade by genuine craftsmen, to bring to you at an affordable price and great value." A while back I waxed poetic about Smythson of Bond Street and their perfect travel wallets for all of my (hopeful) future jaunts of international intrigue, but at $620-a-pop, I can't even attempt to purchase one of those! Aspinal offers all of the items above for less than half that price at $179. Now I am ALL about Aspinal and am already on hot pursuit for a travel wallet of my own. Did I mention, they personalize?!

J.Crew Jenna!

I'm back finally--I know all four of you readers, if that, missed me! Of course, I'm going to salivate over one of three things: Reed Krakoff, J.Crew or Louis Vuitton. Today is a day all about the Crew and their new essentials! I'm not one for costume jewelry--and as a matter of fact baby Jesus and the disciples were tres good to me in the diamond and fine jewelry department this year--but J.Crew has got me wanting, per their usual. As of now, I'm SALIVATING over the "Jenna" bracelet, a namesake for the creative design tycoon (I mean, I know its fashion, but she is). This lovely gold plated wrist accessory can be yours too, for $88--buckaroos!