This site is to draw attention to the habits of UK retail staff who lick their fingers to help them open the bag they give you for your shopping. This gives you a little free gift of their spittle to take home with your groceries.

Here in the East of England I continually encounter this habit at stores operated by Tesco, Morrison, Sainsbury ASDA and Waitrose. I’ve tried suggesting to staff that this is not acceptable, I’ve given stores feedback where I’ve found feedback cards and surveys, and I’ve suggested this as an area for attention by trading standards. Am I the only person offended by this?

Have bags got more difficult to open as stores have made them in some way less damaging to the environment? Are staff actually trained to lick their fingers to open the bags? Is this all part of the movement to get us to bring out own bags and not ask for plastic bags in the store?

I recently encountered a member of staff in one shop who had one of those little sponges in a plastic pot to moisten her fingers to open bags – a much better proposition than fingerlicking….. but is even that necessary?

You can generally open these bags quire easily by pulling the handles apart slightly and then using the little tabs that pop up in the sides. Have staff lost the art of doing this?

irport terminals pride themselves at being these huge structures, that commuting from one end to the other can be time consuming and tiring; especially with a heavy suitcase. If the fun-element in you has not yet died and are up for the quirk, how about suitcase-blading (think rollerblade and scooters) the concourse? Here’s the TITAN High-roller Suitcase, which turns into a kickbike when you pull out the footrest. I think it would be funny to see head-honchos of big companies ride their suitcases for a match. Hope that companies like Samsonite, Delsey or why not Mandarina Duck will take in consideration this project and contact Sindre soon.

This week’s Friend Friday project is a serious eye opener. When I first read Katy, of Modly Chic‘s, questions my opinion on the topic of copycat designers was very clear in my mind, or so I thought. As I watched the video included in question 4  my whole perspective on the fashion industry began to change. Read this post and tell me your thoughts

1. Which side do you take… Copycat designs are a way for the average consumer to stay current and wear runway styles without breaking the bank OR Copycat designs take business from the designer and cheapen the value of their work. Explain.

I think that copycat designs help the average consumer keep up with trends but they also helps establish high end designers as trend setters making them constantly relevant and influential . Copycat designs don’t take business away from designers because anyone who buys them probably couldn’t afford the real thing in the first place. What we need to remember is that designer items do not only cloth us but they serve as status symbols too, so the wealthy will always buy the original. My only grievance with designer knock-offs is that they sometimes cheapen a design classic as in the case of Burberry’s unfortunate rise in popularity a few years ago.

To this day the sight of any item of clothing with this print turns my stomach.

2. Sometimes we do things, even if they are unethical or illegal (downloading music for free, watching full movies on YouTube). Do you think it is unethical for a designer to copy a vintage piece, make it current and sell it?

I don’t have a problem with this because it allows a new generation to enjoy designs from the past.

3. Would you buy an items that is a very well done copy of a runway garment if it fell within your budget?

I probably would if I really loved the item and I didn’t think it was going to be an item that would soon be all over the high-street. I hate to look the same as everyone else but some trends are unavoidable like skinny jeans.

4. According to the fashion laws, at least in the US, apparel design is seen as too utilitarian to qualify for copyright protection. Would you think this is detrimental to the industry or beneficial. (Check out this video on The Taxonomy of My Wardrobe to get a better idea of this concept:http://taxonomyofmywardrobe.blogspot.com/2010/08/fashion-and-copyright-laws.html)

I think that designers should be allowed to copyright their signature pieces but for the most part I think that the copycat nature of the fashion industry is what makes it successful. If stores did not copy designers and then each other how would trends become established? Replication of designs also means that consumers have access to fashionable clothes at varying prices which is great because today you don’t have to be wealthy to afford nice clothes.

5.  Own up… share the things in your closet that is a knock off. You know those things you got in China Town, on the streets of New York, or where ever.

My original answer would have been I don’t wear knock-offs but after watching that video who knows how many I have in my wardrobe. I would never buy an item that was an obvious copy like a goochi bag or frada sunglasses, if  I can’t have the real thing then I’m not interested. However the likelihood is that every piece of clothing or accessory in my wardrobe is either a copy of a high end designers creation or was heavily influenced by one. If this kind of copycat behaviour is helping the fashion industry flourish then I guess it is okay with me.

Our friend Nicole (AKA Mee-colly, AKA Toll-ee) got in touch recently to ask if I could make a bag for some friends of hers who are having a bub.  She chose the fabric and I played around with designs and this is what I came up with.

(Apologies in advance if the photos are a bit rubbish, I cannot get Picasa to work on my desktop. I miss my laptop.  It had an operating system that wasn’t designed in the  Stone Age and it could actually do stuff like process photos and connect to the internet without having a massive crisis.)

First of all, this bag is big.

I started out with a rectangle 14 inches high by 20 inches wide. Even allowing for a fairly chunky seam allowance, this is a bag that can fit a tonne of stuff in it.  Newborns don’t travel light, especially newborns who also happen to be the eldest child. I wanted something that could fit a million singlets, jumpsuits, nappies, hats, bootees/socks, mittens…

Secondly I wanted this bag to have an adjustable strap and have a fairly neutral outside, making it a bit more Dad friendly. I know, I know, terribly gender stereotyped but let’s be honest, a lot of guys just wouldn’t feel comfortable wandering around with a baby and a nappy bag covered in cute wee hedgehogs.

This way, you can change the length of the strap soMum or  Dad can use it without being uncomfy and your hedgehog fascination is a little more discrete. The strap is finished off with brass sliders which I think look really nice. I like that the metal isn’t too shiny.

Other things this bag has: a massive pocket on the front, complete with flap.

Ideal for keeping your stuff separate from the baby’s so you don’t have to go rooting through everything to find your house keys or your wallet.

I used buttons instead of magnetic clips because I thought the buttons were cuter. I even managed to find some wee hedgehog buttons to match the fabric.

I handstitched the buttonholes (in part because the buttonhole function on my machine doesn’t work, in part because I actually quite like the handmade feel it gives the bag.)

I’m really pleased with how this has turned out, I hope Nic’s friends will love it and get loads of use out of it.  I love those hedgehogs

Sarah

Themed "Fair Game", visitor will meet the "Prada Devils" in this first of its kind luxury handbag sale. Each group of visitors are given 20 minutes to decide before they make way for the next waiting group. Event is open to public. Get entertained! Cash, NETS and credit cards are accepted.

Only wallets and purses are allowed in this sales area.

Terms & Conditions Apply

Time: 12pm – 4pm

Click <LuxOnU – Luxury Handbag Sale – Featuring Prada> for more details.

Last chance to grab a bag for Raya. Will be showcasing the latest bags and best sellers from Coach! Bags will have almost 50% off KL retails prices! Also we’re going to have alot of sales in stores too! Come come come laaah!

Brands Offered:

• Gucci
• Fossil
• Coach
• Kate Spade
• Burberry
• Vintage LV

Click <Raya Branded Handbag Party @ Caron Boutique…Super Deals!!!> for more details.

A few weeks ago, I tried styling this frilly pink dress with a tough leather jacket. Many of you commented that the jacket just wasn’t working – and I agree! The jacket simply wasn’t me at all. And while I appreciate a good fashion risk every once in awhile, in this case I think it’s best to stick to what I know and love. For my first day of senior year, I kept it simple:

Dress, Modcloth. Sandals, Topshop. Bag, Ellen Allen. (FTC Disclosure: I received this bag from the lovely Ellen Allen in exchange for writing this post.)

My first FTC disclosure notification. A little awkward? Yes. (But so, so cool.)

When Sabina, the fantastic PR rep for Ellen Allen, contacted me about reviewing a bag on Her Campus, I was thrilled! I immediately picked out the Murray Hill bag. I love it! The shape and size are just perfect for carrying everything I need, and I adore the print. (It’s inspired by Annapolis architecture, how cool is that?) The finish is glossy, water-proof, and scratch-resistant, which means it’s pretty much unbeatable. It poses some serious competition for my beloved Michael Kors bag…

Want to win an Ellen Allen bag? (Yes, you do.) Enter to win the Eastport tote here.

That’s all for today – I need to get cracking on homework! AP English might just be the end of me. (Incredible course, fantastic teacher, but so much work.) Bye!

xoxo Hannah

All of the sudden, satchel bags come back to our life.  From Cambridge Satchel to Proenze Schoulder or Mulberry Alexa, other brands are trying to do a similar design for their own.  Previously, GAP is doing it and now Michael Kors.  Seriously, what happen to American brands. Like RL doing a D&G fragrances.  Now Michael Kors vs Proenza Schouler and Balmain.  Are you kidding me?

Proenza Schouler’s bags and Balmain Belt.

Courtesy Bebe; Inset: Seth Browarnik/Startraks

Ever wanted to walk in the Kardashians’ sky-high stilettos for a day? Well, now you can! Kim, Kourtney and Khloe are adding sexy shoes and trend-right bags to their existing bebe designer collection. Set to hit bebe stores and online September 9, the Kardashians’ new accessories will embody their own unique breed of sex appeal while keeping in step with fresh-off-the-runway looks. And with footwear priced from $159-$228 and handbags set to retail from $79-$298, the latest additions to the sexy collection are not to miss. We love these patent zip-up booties and the fashion-forward leopard trim on this quilted purse. We can’t wait to see more! Tell us: What do you think of the Kardashians’ new accessories for bebe? Will you be buying?–Andrea DeSimone

Courtesy Bebe

This is an attractive and useful bag made in yellow needlecord with a striped lining made from quality cotton.

This particular bag was made to the personal requirements of a customer.  She seemed very happy with the result.  This design is available in many other fabrics and colours.

Strap length can be adjusted as required.