I totally love my new LV Neverfull. It's really perfect for travelling...I can just put anything in there. I love the lining!

After a gruelling two weeks at work, I spent my weekend off perusing through fashion magazines. Vogue, Style, Her World, Harper's Bazaar, Catalog - from international to local to free-for-all - you name it, I've read it.

The first fashion spread which jumped straight to my heart is this fabulous Prada accessory feature of the Fall 2007 ribboned leather clutch. Structured and luxe, and entirely different from all the rest of the clutches, the solidly coloured clutches simply tickled my fancy to no avail.

In line with the Fall trend of solid colours, the gem-coloured purse is just perfect when you want to just run out of your house to go shopping, simply because you cannot wait to hit the stores. Which is in line with my mood, having worked twelve full days without resting.

The bow detailing really did take my breath away. The runway pictures taken months ago of the green clutch made me go yeeulch, but the orange and the pink jumps out any outfit straight away, screaming "Look at me! I'm the cutest clutch you'd never have!" to onlookers.

Oh, and you do realise you really have to clutch the Prada clutch? Ha!

[Credits: Image taken off sassybella.com]

(pictures may be cut off, please click to view full size)

basket bag, $8

mango black handbag, $5

champagne satin clutch, $8

black mesh bag, $5

The heat wave has finally broken. I've been knitting on my (to be felted) bag:

There were thunderstorms in the area last night:

Romeo actually cooperated during a photo shoot earlier today (he usually closes his eyes and refuses to look cute):

Parker also cooperated (he usually likes to head butt the camera):

While this photo shoot was going on, Kishka kept a close eye on the action from the hallway:

The Feast:

Appetizer
Describe a toy you remember from your childhood.
The Sit 'n Spin. I loved that toy. It was light blue and I used it so much that I broke off the handle. Now, however, I am old: if I even think about spinning around like that I feel like getting sick.

Soup
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest) how observant are you?
7 or 8. As my father often tells me : "Always be aware of your surroundings".

Salad
Where would you rather be at this very moment?
Actually, I'm pretty happy with where I am at this very moment: on my couch with my dogs asleep at my feet.

Main Course
When was the last time you learned something new?
Yesterday, in physical therapy. I learned new ab exercises using the exercise ball.

Dessert
Fill in the blank: I have ____________ but I haven’t ____________.
I have the yarn but I haven't knit any hats yet.

I've finished making a bag for my sister-in-law - and while I was at it, I made one the same for myself.

The fabric is from Ikea, once again, and the pattern is the Large Slouch by Nicole Mallalieu Design.  I really love her patterns - she includes all the pattern pieces, which I like because then I can easily move them around on the fabric for optimum placement, has great combinations of diagrams plus comprehensive instructions, and terrific variations.  Yes, she is a friend, but I am not biased because of that, honestly!

I varied these bags with the addition of O-rings, and used two types of internal pockets.

It's hard to see in this photo, but one internal pocket is zippered, and the other side has more patch-type pockets.  I also included swivel hooks inside to attach keys (it makes them much easier to find in the depths of a large bag)!  I fused a thin layer of wadding to the entire exterior of the bag, as well as the handle, and quilted the handle.

Here's my bag in action!  It's very roomy.  The shoulder strap was made long enough to wear across the body, to keep it hands free, and it's wide enough (and quilted) to be extra comfortable.

I haven't given Jeanette her bag yet - I hope that she likes it!

Namaste bag,
originally uploaded by indigodragonfly2001.

Originally $95, asking $65

Used for about a week

Isn't it stunning? A cool bag with a cool name to match? What I like about this bag is the minimal details with simple yet amazing structure. Plus, it's by Givenchy which means quality leather. The detachable shoulder strap is also a must-have trend for bags right now and can you imagine how versatile is it? You can pair it with almost any outfit in your wardrobe to run errands or just for a day out shopping. It doesn't boast 'luxury!' like Hermes Birkins or Chloe Paddingtons do but it will definitely catch people's eyes with its quirky handle and adorable shape. By the way, it is 'Made In Italy'.

spotted on the arms of Ashley Olsen, Reese Witherspoon and Sienna Miller.

Available at Barneys New York from $1295- $1895. Ok I'm just going to lust after this bag.

                The wrinkled leather version. Very edgy.

The more elegant white satchel. This one really screams quality.

What's a bag collection without including metallics? Do you think it looks good on the Nightingale?

articles link to 'Givenchy Nightingale': allwomenstalk.com, purseblog.com, shopdiary.com

photo sources: bagsnob.com, barneys.com, frillr.com
thanks

it seems like weeks since i've done a flake-off friday and thanks to my softball game last night, i have a decent story.

i played left field last night; i volunteered as i haven't really played softball since i was 8. each inning, i would run out to that part of the field and wonder what i would actually do if the ball came at me. i literally bought my glove 20 minutes before the game started and picked my number to be 34C. this is bush -league softball and i am barely talented enough to be on the team.

during the second game (we play double-headers each week), i was feeling a little more comfortable with myself as i had managed to get on base a couple of times and had fielded a couple of balls out in left. and we were winning, unlike the first one, where we lost due to the so-many-runs rule. needless to say, my confidence had risen considerably since the first game.

(quick side-note on getting on base: the first time i managed to get on first, i was running so hard that i somewhat lost my balance and did that awkward run where all of your weight is forward and you almost pitch face-first on the ground, arms waving like a pinwheel at your sides. i managed to keep my balance and i was safe, but it was ugly and mildly embarrassing).

after one inning of batting, i was trotting out to left and decided to add some spring to my step by doing 'high knees'. if you aren't familiar, this means you run while lifting your knees up high by your waist. and, yes, it does make you look dumb. but i didn't care, it had been a long time since i'd done high knees and i felt the need.

as i get about 30 yards from my spot in the grass, i hear someone yell, 'hey, a little help!' and i look over and the ball from the field directly next to us had been hit in my direction and was rolling towards me in the grass. this, of course, made every player on that field look directly at me, high-kneeing-it to my spot. as i look over and realize what is going on, i hear, 'why don't you prance over there and get that ball?' from the same guy who yelled for help.  although i do think this is a funny comment, i am not a prancer.

i pick up their ball and yell, 'dude, it was high knees!' and chuck it back at them. i hear no less than three guys laugh at this comment as i lift my chin and walk normally to my spot in left field.

softball may be a theme for a durtbagz contest in the near future. cross your fingers that i don't eat it on the way to first next week.

have a great weekend. oh, and if you are the one person on the planet that hasn't seen beyonce eat it at her orlando concert earlier this week, please watch it. i cry every time i see it and that has been about 200 times. she does take it like a champ afterwards, i have to admit. i think her hair even whips better after the tumble. i was going to add the video on here, but apparently it is a 'violation of sony/bmg music rights' on youtube. sure, we're watching it to copy the song. not for the 3.4 second clip of her nose-diving off of the stairs.

A smaller Heidi inspired bag this time, made of the yarn from the dyeorama swap last year. Hmmm, for some crazy reason, I'd thought I was going to crochet a scarf?!? Hm. I'd forgotten all about that. Too late now! Hee. When I was doing up the hank into a ball, I realized the yarn stuck together. Yeah, that's sometimes a bad thing. But inspiration struck, I blinked, and the next thing I knew, I had a bag on my hands.

I'm quite curious how this will felt together colorwise. I love the little blips of blue here and there, but who knows how it'll all turn out.

Should be a pretty little bag!