I love a good handbag deal. I love the deal even more when it's a classic handbag silhouette that I've been lusting after for years. That's exactly what we're going to talk about today.

The Prada Galleria has always been on my radar; I don't know where I first saw it but it was a bag that was always in the back of my mind. I loved how simple it was, how classic and elegant it looked, and how versatile it seemed to be. The fact that it came in so many different sizes, materials, and colors was just an added bonus.

I knew one day I'd add the bag to my collection and that day came two years ago when I purchased on from Fashionphile. I had been in the market for a new handbag (but realistically, when am I not looking for a new bag?) and decided that this was the year I got the Prada. I knew that I wanted the smaller one because I wanted to be able to use it daily instead of just as a work bag.

Ever since I could remember I've been a handbag lover. They were always my drug of choice, ever since I got my first Coach wristlet when I was a kid. I had so many Coach bags, and then eventually Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors. I lusted after Lauren Conrad and her iconic Chanel Medallion tote, or Paris & Nicole with their multi color Louis Vuitton.

Growing up, my mom had a few Louis Vuitton handbags and I always thought they were so beautiful and chic. I dreamed of the day I would own a real designer bag...and that moment came on my 16th birthday when my grandma bought me a Louis Vuitton Speedy 30. It was the start of a beautiful friendship between Louis & I.

Till this day, I think Louis Vuitton is my favorite designer. I don't care if people say it's basic, if monogram everything is out, if the Neverfull is overdone -- I will never get tired of the three iconic Louis Vuitton canvas prints.

Almost 10 years ago, another Louis Vuitton bag caught my eye; it was different from anything I'd seen before and I was hooked. Then, in 2017 it introduced a new type of Louis Vuitton print -- reverse monogram canvas. It was honestly love at first sight... the Pochette Metis was my kind of bag. 

This is my first handbag review in quite a long time. I recently sold a large portion of my handbag collection and haven't purchased a new one since September/October. That handbag was in fact, this Coach Cassie Crossbody bag.

Coach has made a comeback in recent years and I've been very intrigued by their styles. The brand now has a modern, sophisticated look that is accessible, beautiful, and practical. Coach is doing amazing things and I'm excited to continue to watch what was once my favorite handbag company.

I had seen the Cassie Crossbody around the internet a lot in the past year or so and I was surprised to see it bare a striking resemblance to the bag that has been number one on my wishlist for years... the Louis Vuitton Pochette Metis.

When I saw that others noticed the same thing, I immediately started looking for one of them on the pre-loved market. I didn't want to buy it new because I wasn't a fan of the price tag or the options they had available. I had my eye on the rustic, monogram color and that was only available on e-Bay. Well, after much hunting I found one that was priced fairly and in near perfect condition... it even came with the tags and original dust bag so I was sold.

I've used my Coach Cassie bag more than any other bag the past few months and I have loved every second of it.

Below is my full review where you can see the bag in action! Please let me know if you have any questions and let's chat about bags!




xoxo
B

I have been on a huge Tory Burch kick lately. I have a new found love for her and her pieces I think because of the elegance and sophistication but also the trendiness yet classical way she designs things.

I've always loved the brand but her past few collections have really caught my eye. I have previously talked about my love of the Fleming Shoulder Bag so when I saw a few months ago that she released a Fleming Tote, I knew I had to have it.

$500 is a bit to spend on a tote for me right now so I found it pre-loved on eBay and paid nearly half of that, if not more. Since then, it has been a staple in my routine and I have to remind myself to use other bags in my collection.



The Fleming Tote is a small everyday tote, not big enough for work or school (depending on how much you carry) but just large enough to throw all your necessities into and have them at easy grasp.

The bag is not heavy, even when you load it up with items which is super important to me because I hate heavy bags. I use it run errands, go to the gym, and if you're going overnight somewhere, you could definitely fit a change of clothes or pajamas in it!



Tory Burch has this bag in a variety of colors but the pink hue of my bag makes my heart so happy. It goes with pretty much everything if you wear neutrals a lot (which I do) and the chain detailing makes the bag a little more fancy and adds a special touch.

I did a full in depth review of the bag on my Youtube channel and showed you what I keep in it on a daily basis and showed off more of the inside!

Tory Burch Fleming Tote

Make sure you're subscribed to my channel for more handbag reviews! 

What is your current favorite bag?

xoxo
B

Since the beginning of 2019, I have purchased at least four handbags. I've sold a few too, but mostly purchasing and if that doesn't tell you I have a handbag problem, I don't know what will. Maybe if I tell you there are at least three more handbags on my wishlist and I hope to procure before the summer begins.

We will see...

However, for today, I'm discussing one of the latest additions to my Rebecca Minkoff handbag collection; the Rebecca Minkoff Edie Flap Backpack.



I've already raved about my Edie Flap Shoulder Bag and now it's the backpack's turn. I was never a huge backpack lover when the trend first came on the scene, but like all good trends, it grew on me. I found a way to make it my own without going overboard and I think the Edie Flap Backpack is a great way to incorporate the trend into my style.

I chose to buy this preloved to save about 50% off the retail cost, and I loved the color. The shade is called 'Doe' and is exclusive to Revolve, but I thought it was a great contrast to some of the other bags in my collection. It is also a color that I would feel comfortable wearing year round and it's nice to have a lighter bag going into the spring months.

This backpack is by no means large but it is not as small as my Kate Spade backpacks. It's the ideal everyday bag, and would make a great travel companion but for me it's not something I would take back and forth to work or school... just because I carry everything and the kitchen sink.

It's a very comfortable bag to wear and doesn't get too heavy -- I pack it to the brim with my items when I'm out and about, and I don't feel weighed down like I might with a normal shoulder bag.

All in all, I love this bag and it's a great backpack -- it's not too big or too small, is super comfortable and the quality is amazing. I also love the quilted detail because it feels more luxurious and I think it adds to the comfort level.

You can see the bag and my full review in my Youtube video!

I've been doing better with my shopping, or so I tell myself, but I still cannot kick my handbag addiction. There are so many bags that have been coming out and I want them all; I can't get them out of my head and this was one that started it all.

The Rebecca Minkoff Edie Flap Bag was released in early Fall and when I saw it, I fell in love. I don't remember the last time I fell in love with a bag the way I fell in love with this one. I couldn't stop thinking about it and I logged onto the Rebecca Minkoff website at least once a day to stare at it. I'm not joking, I had dreams about it... that's how obsessed I was.

While the Edie comes in a variety of colors, I fell head over heels for the grey one. I didn't have a grey bag in my collection and grey is one of my favorite neutrals, so it was no surprise that this one sang to me.



The silhouette, the grey hue (grey isn't available anymore in the large but is available in the small), the silver double chain, and the quilting all drew me in. While I know this isn't necessarily a 'dupe' for Chanel, it definitely reminds me of Chanel and that is one of the reasons I needed to have it. I wanted that gorgeous, quilted bag so badly and I finally bought it for myself around my birthday.

I've been using it for a few months and I can wholeheartedly say, this is one of my new favorite bags. It's very spacious, comfortable to wear, and versatile. It's made of very soft material and looks just gorgeous with everything because like I said, grey is definitely a neutral.

I did a full review and what's in my bag video a few weeks ago to take a full look at everything this bag has to offer!



Rebecca Minkoff has expanded the range of Edie to include metallic finishes, backpacks (which I also have and a review will be coming soon), belt bags, mini shoulder bags, and clutches. I love the entire line because of the gorgeous quilting and the classic look and feel of the bag!

Will you be picking up one of the new Edie bags?
xoxo
B

A few weeks ago it was announced that Henri Bendel would be closing all of its stores, including the online store. The closing wouldn't happen until January 2019 so we still have a few more months but it was very upsetting.

Henri Bendel has become one of my favorite brands over the past two years. It's a brand that has such a rich history, 123 years to be exact and the fashion industry has been influenced by those brown and white stripes for so long. It's so sad to see an iconic brand be left in the dust as the retail space continues to change and expand to new horizons.

While I'll definitely be trying to save up for a new Henri Bendel bag or two (specifically a new Jetsetter backpack since mine got stolen last year), I thought it would be a good time to post this handbag review.

The Empire Tote.




I've talked about the bag before and gave you a backstory of how much I loved it and lusted after it, but now I want to get into the nitty gritty of it.

The first thing I want to say is that it is a large bag -- it fits SO MUCH, however, it is not heavy. It's naturally a lightweight bag without anything in it and while I do pack it up, it doesn't ever get too heavy to carry.

I think it's important to note that I carry a lot with me, more than the average person and I'm used to heavy bags. It's why I think I have such shoulder and back problems.

Another important thing to note is that it does not come with a shoulder strap and is a handheld bag only. You might think this is crazy because who wants to hold a heavy bag in the crook of their arm. Well, it isn't as bad as I expected.

It's rather nice to carry the weight somewhere else besides my shoulder and it's rather comfortable to hold. I also feel like the baddest of badasses when I do carry it into work.

The silhouette of this bag is unlike anything else I've ever seen. It's very elegant but very structured and looks like something Olivia Pope would carry in Scandal. It screams 'I'm here to work' and is something I would feel so confident bringing on an interview or first day of the job.





As I mentioned above, it fits a lot. You can comfortably carry a laptop, an iPad, notebooks, a makeup bag and anything else you can think of. Everything fits nicely in it as the bag is just one big open space. There are a few smaller pockets on the side to keep things a little more organized but it doesn't take up space on the actual interior of the bag.

I mentioned in my Amazon Handbag Organizer post that I used that organizer inside this tote and wow, what a difference it made! One of the things I didn't like about this bag (or many totes) is that my metal Lilly Pulitzer Swell Bottle rocks around in it. The handbag organizer keeps the bottle in place.

I didn't think I would like the bright blue color of this because I don't have many colored bags but wow, does this add a true pop of color and brightness to any outfit! It makes me love the bag that much more.

I think if you are in the market for a new work bag, this will fit your needs. It is on the larger side but it is so beautiful, practical, and really useful. It's a statement bag for sure, but functional so you won't feel like you're missing anything.

No matter your job, I think you would enjoy this bag. *I don't think I would recommend this as anything else besides a work bag because it is so structured. I probably wouldn't even use this as an overnight bag -- I'd gravitate toward my Tory Burch tote or my Neverfulls.

If you've been eyeing this bag, get it before it is gone FOR GOOD!

xoxo
B

I got my first Neverfull MM in the classic monogram print in April 2017 from Tradesy. It was worn and has some tears on the leather lining at the top of the bag, but otherwise, it's in great condition. It didn't smell when I received it nor does the canvas have any issues. (knock on wood!) The lining was perfect and there was not a scratch/mark on it.

I paid around $500 for it which was a steal because the Neverfulls retail for well over $1500 at this point. Saving that much money is worth having a preloved bag, in my opinion.

I was so thrilled to have the classic Neverfull I almost didn't want to use it. However, I got over that feeling very quickly and it was one of my most used bags of 2017.

The first thing I thought of when I started using my Neverfull was that there is a huge reason it's called the Neverfull -- the bag is NEVERFULL. You can throw things in there, even unorganized, and it holds all your items incredibly well.

Sometimes I fill my bag up so much I think it's going to break but it does not -- the bag might look small but it surely is not. It does all of that while still remaining extremely lightweight; seriously, I am constantly surprised at how light the Neverfull feels on my shoulder, even when it's bursting with my items.

I should probably mention I use this as a work bag and it holds up against everything that I take with me on my commute. I always want to use this as an every day, errand bag like most women but I just have too many other bags that need my love and attention.

I mentioned that the bag is lightweight but I need to highlight this: I have had the worst back, neck, shoulder problems ever since I started using tote bags. It started when I got my first Coach tote bag my freshmen year of high school to use as a backpack. My body just cannot handle the weight on my shoulders and every bag I have ever used (with maybe the expectation of the Tory Burch Perry Tote) has hurt me.

The Neverfull DOES NOT HURT.

This week I was using one of my Kate Spade totes as a work bag and I was in so much pain it was unbearable. I decided yesterday morning to make the rash decision and change into my Neverfull MM Monogram and would you look at that, no pain yesterday and today!

You cannot go wrong with this bag.

I loved my Monogram MM so much I knew that I wanted to add another Neverfull to my collection. If you saw this video on my Youtube channel, you know that I recently purchased a pre-loved Damier Ebene Neverfull MM.

I have to say, I love this one more than the monogram. There is something so rich and gorgeous about the brown leather and the red interior. It's exactly the same as the monogram, it's just all based on preference.

The only difference is that my Damier Ebene bag is in much better condition than the monogram. Aside from a slight odor when I got it (which I took care of with dryer sheets), this bag looked brand new. I got it for around $700 on Ebay from a Japanese consignment shop. (They always have the best deals!)

In conclusion, the Louis Vuitton Neverfull is THE BAG to have. If you are a tote lover and you just can't find one that works for you, please go get a Neverfull.

If you can only have one bag, choose the Neverfull. Save up your coins, don't buy any other bags and go get the Neverfull. Whether it's pre-loved or brand new, it is worth every single penny.

I can confidently say that my Neverfulls are at the top of favorites in my handbag collection.

Do you have the Neverfull? What are your thoughts?
xoxo
B

I'm back with another handbag review and we're doing a Kate Spade one! I have (had) a lot of Kate Spade bags in my collection and they are by far my favorite. 

Handbag reviews are probably going to be my favorite series on the blog because I love handbags more than anything in the world and I have a lot.

I went on a Henri Bendel kick a few months back and bought 3 handbags within a few weeks of each other (whoops -- that's what happens when you have a Henri Bendel credit card and they have awesome sales).

I felt like I needed a regular sized everyday handbag. All the bags I've been buying were either tote bags for work or mini handbags. There was nothing I really had in my collection anymore that could be a regular sized everyday bag.

I was buying my aunt a birthday gift (I got her this bag) and saw that the Stanton Top Handle Tote was on sale. I've seen this bag on Henri Bendel's Instagram before and saw that it looked like the Celine Belt Bag, which I adore. Why not just get the cheaper verison from a brand I already love?





The Stanton Top Handle Tote was on sale and I got it for a ridiculous price, and I decided to purchase it in black because believe it or not, I didn't have a black handbag.

I really like this bag -- it's a good size and fits everything you need, and I also really like how it only has one top handle. There's something very uniform and chic about one strap bags. It of course also comes with a shoulder strap which is super handy. The bottom has also four feet that are super handy for when you have to put your bag on the ground; the bottom won't get scratched up or dirty.






The bag is a decent weight, not too heavy or too light and the material is a nice grainy leather. There's one zipper pocket inside along with two smaller pockets which is also a plus. My favorite part is probably the back slip pocket on the outside of the bag because it's a perfect size for your phone and other things you may need in a pinch... which brings me to my next point.

The one con that I have to say about this bag is that the magnetic closure clasp does get a little annoying to keep going in and out of. You can't just leave it open and have easy access. Also, the flap doesn't stay open, you have to hold it up to get in and out of the bag.

Like I said, I like this bag and it's a decent size for everyday. It's just not as practical to get in and out of like a zipper only bag would be.

Do I recommend this bag? Yes definitely but to an extent. If you're not bothered by constantly lifting up a flap and are comfortable just keeping your phone and keys on the outside pocket (which I am). I think it's a sleek, beautiful, simple bag that is high quality, classic yet still trendy!

xoxo
B

As I've mentioned previously, Henri Bendel has become one of my favorite brands. I've always enjoyed mid lane high end brands like Tory Burch and Kate Spade so when I stumbled upon Henri Bendel and realized that the brand was very old and had a great story as well as a lot of heritage I quickly fell in love.

You can read more about my love affair with Bendel in the Brand Buzz post but today is all about one of the many handbags I've acquired in the past few months.

This is a bag that I've had my eye on for a really long time. It wasn't really like anything else in my collection and I loved that it had the traditional Henri Bendel stripes without being truly overpowering.



The bag is the Centennial Stripe Schoolbag. 

It was one of the first bags I ever saw on the Henri Bendel website and I just never took the plunge. It's also a bag that goes on sale quite often so it's a little shocking that I never picked it up. A few weeks ago, when I went to the mall to get my Louis Vuitton luggage tag, I had to stop into Henri Bendel to return something and this bag was on sale on the website.

I asked if they had in stock and they did and I immediately took it. Originally it was full price but the associate honored the online discount and I scooped it up for $199. This is usually priced at $298 so it's a pretty sweet deal.

When I got home I immediately fell in love with it. It was perfect.





The interior has two pockets and a zipper pocket; outside, there is a thin slip pocket on the back of the bag. This makes it practical for everyday use since you can fit a lot in such a tiny bag.

It's a very light weight bag which makes it ideal because there's nothing worse than carrying a bag full of stuff that is already so weighted down on it's own.

There are two twist clasps on the front that are the way to get in and out of the bag. I think this feature adds something cute and different to the bag and gives it character; it is not the most practical to way open the bag but I can deal with it because I just love how it's not a classic zipper, it's very different from anything else.

The bag is also super structured so even when there is nothing inside, it holds it's shape and those are my favorite types of bag.

You could hold this bag but the short handle which I love; I think it looks super chic without the shoulder strap but I usually keep the shoulder strap on anyway because it's more convenient. The strap is adjustable but still very short, so this is definitely NOT a crossbody. I found that out the hard way when I brought it to Brunchcon and wanted to wear it cross-body but it was very uncomfortable.

While the Schoolbag is something that kind of screams my name I do feel like it's a little out of my comfort zone. I've been buying a lot of totes and work bags so this is the first bag I've bought for myself in a while that is an everyday bag.

This has quickly become one of my favorites in my collection and if the stripes aren't your thing, they have so many other colors. I'm pretty sure it's one of Bendel's classic bags that they release in new colors every season.

I'm so glad I finally purchased this baby because it's exceeded expectations!

Did you like this handbag review? Would you be interested in seeing more?
xoxo
B
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