Unless you have been on a retreat or hiding under a rock, you know that handbags have taken a turn from utilitarian to fashion statements. With the economy being what it is, most of us can’t afford to go out and buy a whole new spring wardrobe. I think you can breathe life into last years clothing by adding a wonderful new handbag.

First let’s look how handbags have evolved. They used to be a shell where you dropped whatever you needed to carry during the day. Often they were black holes where items were placed never to be seen again. Now bags are colorful, organized, and outfit making. The colors that these bags now come in boggles the mind and lifts the spirits! There are colors from black which can’t be called boring because of the croco prints ultra suede, (oh yes, suede in summer!), to a frosty white and many colors in between.

The artist that does it best for me is Kathy Van Zeeland. Her bags have great style, plus they come in at a reasonable price. This new company was founded in 2004 and has taken off like a rocket. There are now branches in Milan, the Middle East, and Asia.

This morning I watched two hours as bag after bag went by each more beautiful than the last. One of the things that amazed me is how our lifestyle has caused handbags to change. We are so busy that now bags have compartments to organize our belonging so they are ascessible. There are places for our cell phones, sunglasses, checkbook, and PDA’S. Some even have places for our water bottles!

I can see myself in one of last years monochromatic suits popped with a Kathy Van Zeeland bag, while listening to the eye catching hardware jingling that is her signature touch. The hard part comes when I have to fill my desire with only one bag for the season.

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The fact that I am not an “expert” does not mean I don’t know what looks good or what is pretty. I think when you see a style come around at least twice in your lifetime and you don’t like it either time, it is just bad! And I don’t mean bad in a good way! Grunge was lost on me the first time around. Who can wear this style except maybe a teenager or some heavy metal rockstar. Shades of Debbie Harry!

I know that Fashion Week is for designers to showcase their wears. Some for the public and others that are wild and avant garde. Well Mark Jacobs broke the boundaries of good taste with styles so far out that they made no sense.

I love colors! But his pink, which was shown often, was so bright that it made Pepto Bismol look dull! Grown women in knee high striped socks. And the the hairstyles that went with these clothes looked as if the stylist was high on crack followed by shots of 100 proof Whiskey!

To say that I thought this was a waste of good runway time is putting it mildly. Sorry Mark, your designs made me shudder in horror!

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This high fashion week show, by invitation only, brought out the hippest designers and is the predictor of what we should be wearing for spring.

After looking at two hours of the new items, I came to one conclusion. If you are not slim or at least fit, these fashions will be hard to wear. There are a lot of short jackets that reach only to the waist and skinny pants are still in. Those of us with a lot of junk in the trunk might find these hard to wear.

One of the new designers was uber conservative Elizabeth Hasslebeck of the View. Not one of my favorite people to be sure. She brought fabrics and styles that looked, at least to me, that would look better on those who go by the rule you are never too thin. I did like the look of one of her blouses. It was a one shoulder number. But I was wondering how a real woman who needed a bra could wear it. I must not have gotten the memo because they do have bras to wear with this style.

Hasselback, as well of the other designers, are taking jackets in a new direction. They are softer, but constructed with seaming that gives them a great fit. Her fashion had great color and high style but I don’t see how they will translate to the average woman who wears a 16 or larger.

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How many times have you looked at fashion magazines or style shows and wished for clothing with designer labels? Wish no more my bargain hunting ladies of high fashion!

I am going to let you in on something some of you may know but others have yet to find out about. My close friends smile when I wear a new outfit because they know by now where I shop. Yes I shop from television and proudly say I have labels with a pedigree. Bradly Bayou, Dennis Basso , George Simeton Cloe Dao , Clinton Kelly, and Nolan Miller, to name just a few. Three of my favorite handbag designers are Stone Mountain, Kathy Vanzeeland and Maxx of New York. Jewlery designers include Joan Rivers, Nolan Miller, Judith Ripka, and RLM Studios.

What makes shopping from television so attractive to me? Its very simple. First, I know its going to fit if you have been honest measuring yourself. How many times have you gone into a mainstream store and taken in several items in the same size only to be disappointed because some just don’t fit? QVC has all its designers cut to the same size chart. Second, I have thirty days to try the outfit on with my own accessories and foundation garments to make sure I like it. Third, they come to my door. No hunting for parking spaces or worrying about being accosted in the parking lot.

Buying things from television just makes sense to me.Think about it. They may have 500 sometimes as many as 30,000 of one item but the shows are nationwide. What is the chance of meeting someone with the same outfit? Not much!

Plug into shopping electronically and I am sure you will get a charge out of it!

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