A while back...

I guess it's a long while now - I discovered Cath Kidston.  I love the retro vibe of her fabrics and designs.  And yes, I gave in to all that cute advertising and ordered one of her day bags.  I cannot for the life of me remember the name of the pattern now, but isn't it cute?  The bag is made of oilcloth, as is the matching wallet, and it's very roomy.  Plus - it's great for a rainy day - no water spots!  If you get a chance, check out her website.  The only downside is the cost of shipping - but the bags are adorable!  Psst - they're having a sale...

I adore a bargain...

especially when it's a designer handbag.  Isn't this the cutest little Kate Spade bag you have ever seen?  Well, maybe not, but it's the cutest one I've found.  And for twenty bucks, I snapped it up.  I almost passed it by because I thought it was an animal print - not one of my favorite looks - but I realized the design is a large flower.  I was not a fan of her original black Sam bags - too plain and sort of cheap looking - but her later work is cuter - especially the leather stuff, which sadly I cannot afford here at the Villa of Reduced Circumstances.  I will also admit that I never stop at yard sales - they're not the same in Florida as they are up North; in Florida it's mostly the junk that's left after the people who moved down here sold the good stuff in Ohio or Michigan.  Tim loved yard sales and I gradually disposed of the useless or tacky finds over the years.  But on this particular day, the day of the Big Bargain Find, I was driving down the street and saw a pile of handbags on a table at a yard sale in front of a rather upscale home.  I actually turned around and went back - for twenty well-spent dollars I brought home this cute purse that just needed vacuuming out and a little Febreze.  Maybe I'll pay more attention to yard sales from now on...

Okay, okay...

I know I have a penchant for purses with funky designs.  Don't you just love this lady in the red hat?  It's hard to tell in the photograph, but she has beaded accents which gives the bag some glitz.  I suppose it's a spring handbag, but I loved the red hat - having realized that I am now old enough to join the Red Hat Society.  And I have always loved the combination of red and purple...

Halloween cuteness alert...

I admit it - I have a love of all things holiday-related - including handbags.  Isn't this handmade bag the cutest thing?  I got it on eBay and it is absolutely lovely.

This is the back of the bag - I don't know who the fabric designer is, but it looks vaguely Mary Engelbreit to me.  Or it's just wishful thinking...

And this is the inside of the bag - with this adorable applique.  I love it!

So do you think I like...

baskets or something?  I think this bag is just the cutest thing.  It's small, but I don't carry that much stuff around anyway.  It was an eBay find; the brand Roxy is embossed on the tab closure and handles.  Never heard of it - but if a bag catches my eye, I don't really care what the brand may be.  I've had this love affair with basket purses since I was a kid.  I had this Nantucket style purse that I carried for years - until I graduated to a wooden box purse that started out life a dull white.  I painted it lime green and added embroidered ribbon to it as trimming.  Very cute - I wish I still had the thing!

Innovative or tacky?

The Miche Bag with the quick change magnetic cover - is it cute or just a cheap fad of the moment?  I like the overall style of the bag - but the purse base is not leather - and none of the shells are either.  It's quite expensive for what you get - but still, I am drawn to the possibilities of covers for every holiday or season.  No, I'm not buying one, but I've been sorely tempted.  Then my tackiness meter kicks in and I am saved from myself once again.  What do you think of this bag?

Hi-ho, cherries - oh!

I have no idea who Isabella Fiore is, really, but I got this bag on eBay for a mere $34 and I am told that it was an amazing bargain.  I liked it because of the cherries, but then that's just me.  I have a fondness for purses with a little glitz and a vintage style.  This one really fit both requirements for me.  It's a nice size and I've had a lot of compliments on it.  I like a handbag that's a conversation starter.