Handbags

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I have a bit of a girl crush on Natalie Portman and not in a Mila Kunis way.  She’s been winning my heart stylistically with her support of Rodarte and Lanvin (one of my favorite designers) and the Lolita book clutch that she brought to the Black Swan premiere a few months ago. I’m a self-proclaimed bibliophile (my dream dwelling one day involves lots of high ceilings with wall-to-wall bookcases), so I love this blend of Dewey Decimal and fashion. Since the premiere, it’s been discovered via various blogs that Natalie’s particular version is by French designer Olympia Le-Tan, who sells in select US stores like Opening Ceremony, and designs a limited collection a few times a year.  Natalie’s version retails upwards of $1,000+.

Luckily for those of us with smaller pockets, Kate Spade started their own book-of-the-month clutch club, transforming classic titles like The Great Gatsby and Great Expectations into laminated silk twill clutches with 14-karat light gold plated clasp hardware. In classic Kate Spade style, expenses aren’t spared to the interior detail, with a contrasting silk faille interior zip pocket with space for 6 credit card slots.  Can’t afford the$325 price tag?  I’ve culminated a few alternate options, including a do-it yourself.  This month’s choice, in line with February, is Romeo and Juliet,

1. A DIY option, with optional handles, which you can personalize by selecting your own favorite book.

2.  A polished looking version from Etsy, with a vintage cover of the Ernst Hemingway classic, For Whom the Bell Tolls, $46

3.  This elegant, vintage one, of The Works of Conan Doyle, set on a delicate, thin gold chain $41

4.  A modern cover of Emily Dickinson Select Poems, with a beaded strap $48

What do you think? My favorite is the Romeo and Juliet cover, followed by the Ernest Hemingway version on Etsy.

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I think I speak for all of us at TDO when saying that I’m just a bit envious of Andria Mitsakos, wanderlista, designer and PR guru.  Always a lover of travel, Andria first came onto the scene in 2003 as the president of AMPR, a hospitality communications firm representing an international roster of exclusive travel and lifestyle brands.  Many of her clients have  made it into TDO in our lust lists and travel obsessions.  In 2010, Andria channeled her worldly and well cultivated style into another one of her passions- design.  She launched a collection of exotic skin handbags while living in Italy. Her line, Dea Rosa, is a tribute to her late grandmother and focuses on clean lines, a streamlined color palette, and affordable, luxurious styles. Having spent time and many many email conversations with Andria, I can attest to the fact that her warmth attracts new confidants, while her little black book connects her to old friends in the media, travel and fashion industries- making her the ultimate insider!  Below she shares with us what makes her life so fabulous!

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When we discovered the New York-based vintage costume jewelry and python handbag line, Madame Mathilde, we were instantly obsessed. A graduate of Parson’s, designer Jennifer Kelling incorporates vintage rhinestone brooches, antique chandelier crystals and delicate chains into her statement-making pieces. We asked Jennifer to share what her current obsessions are, so please check them out below: (more…)