2012 recap

I am doing a recap of what has happened during 2012 at all my blogs at the moment (for my shoe blog, read this and for my book blog, read this. The other blogs will be updated with recaps soon as well), since I find it nice to look back at what has happened during the year, when it is about to end. And of course this blog is no different.

So here is a short recap of this blog and my life, bag-wise, during 2012:
I wrote 108 post in total, only about bags, during the year. A pretty nice number, I have to say! And it was way more than in 2011 and 2010 too.

I bought a few bags, but fewer of them than during previous years. I guess my bag obsession has gotten less severe. Or maybe it's just because I have so many bags already?
I haven't been very good at using all of my bags, though, so I could definitely get better at that during 2013!

Here are pics of some of the new bags I got during the year:

The most read posts on this blog during the year were:

A post about how I saw a Jeremy Scott for Longchamp bag in Thailand
A post about Jessica Chastain's neon pink bag
A post about a Burberry bag with a small twist
A post about Rihanna's charming Chanel tote bag
A post about a very nice book clutch, my all time favorite book clutch so far!

And most people who came to this blog were looking for something related to Alexander McQueen clutches, which I love, since I am a huge fan of those! Or maybe that's just a sign I blog way too much about them?
Most of my readers were from the US, the UK and Canada, but I am also happy to see that I have quite a few visits from places like the Philippines, the Netherlands and Italy.
So I can just say I hope 2013 will be as much of a fun year blog-wise and bag-wise as 2012!

Happy New Year everyone!

Very cool color blocked Pierre Hardy bag

Color blocks is one of those trends that always go in and out of fashion, so a really nice color blocked bag is a good investment in my opinion. Just make sure you choose the colors used in the color block wisely!

One of my own favorite color blocked bags at the moment is this very nice Pierre Hardy clutch, in rather unusual, yet very interesting colors:

Well worth considering if you are looking for something color blocked right now!

Gorgeous Valentino clutch

It should come as no surprise to anyone who reads this blog that I am a huge Valentino fan, when it comes to most things really, but especially when it comes to bags. They just seem to make the most gorgeous and girly bags, yet without ever making them too sugar sweet or childish. That's harder to achieve than you might think, so I really admire that!

One of the prettiest Valentino bags I have bumped into lately is this embellished parrot clutch, though:

I love the colors on this bag, and the little parrot details are just adorable! Love, love, love!

But the most appropriate bag for this time of year...

... has to be this gift clutch by Judith Leiber, that I just spotted over at BagBliss:

Very cute!

I hope all my readers had a good time during the holidays and that you might even have gotten some bags as presents!

The ultimate book clutch

To say that I am obsessed with book clutches would be an understatement. I've blabbed on and on about book clutches before (here, here, here and here, for instance), but what's new about this subject now is that I think I've actually found the ultimate book clutch.

It's not a new one, by any means, but I have missed it up until now for some reason, and it is made by Kate Spade:

Isn't it just divine? I wonder if I can still get a hold of this anywhere...

(pic from BagBliss)

Jessica Chastain with a gorgeous pop of color

Or the Ralph Lauren Ricky, to be more precise.

I just love this color, it is just what you need if you want to add something interesting to a neutral outfit. Not to mention, the shape and look of the bag is absolutely stunning otherwise too!

(pic from The Bag Hag Diaries)

She has one!

Remember how I blogged about the Stella McCartney hologram clutch a while ago? Well, it turns out Rita Ora is actually lucky enough to actually own one.

Seeing her carry this really makes me want one too! Now I just have to find it on sale somewhere...

(pic from BagSnob)

Rihanna with a gorgeous Chanel tote bag

That looks way more laid back than most Chanel bags, which I love!

The photo was taken in Rihanna's native Barbados, by the way, a location I really wouldn't mind now that it's so cold where I am. Lucky girl, both because of the bag and because of the perfect weather she must be experiencing right now!

(pic from People)

Lulu Guinness' new Miami inspired collection for 2013

I was in Miami earlier this year and absolutely loved the city, so it is no wonder that Lulu Guinness new collection for 2013, inspired by that particular city, really appeals to me. Here are some goodies from it:

(pics from The Bag Lady)

LeAnn Rimes with a gorgeous snake print handbag

It looks kind of like a Stella McCartney bag based on the details, but I must admit I am really not sure which brand this is. I'm really in love with this though, so if anyone reading this should know what brand this is, please let me know!

(pic from People)

Looking for bags with nice cutout details?

If so, I noticed Accessorize has some really nice bags with cutouts in natural colors. You could go for this satchel:

Or if you prefer totes, they also have this tote:

I love the look of these bags, but the colors would not work with my wardrobe, if they were available in more colors, I would definitely get one of them!

Adorable Sophia Webster speech bubble clutch

Now, how adorable is a clutch in the shape of a speech bubble that says "Hold Me"? The answer is very! Just take a look at this super cute Sophia Webster clutch:

I need to have this!

Stella McCartney holographic clutch

Holograms are everywhere this season (I have a pair of hologram jeans, for instance), so it makes sense you'd be able to find holographic clutches as well. Stella McCartney makes one of the nicest ones available:

And you can get a matching holographic iPhone case to go with it if you want to, as well:

I must say I absolutely love both the holographic clutch and the iPhone case!

Looking for a holiday themed handbag?

If so, this Charlotte Olympia Frostie bag has to be one of the cutest ones I've seen!

And I must say, it is quite reasonably priced for a Charlotte Olympia bag too. So even though one might not get away with carrying this all year round, I would still say it's a pretty good investment!

Very cool 7 Chi studded tote

If you are looking for a studded, reasonable priced tote at the moment, may I suggest this awesome one from 7 Chi, available over at Urban Outfitters?

It comes in both black and grey, but I would probably go for the black one, it's just more versatile. But then again, I would usually go for a black option in all cases, so if you like the grey one, that's really a great choice too!

Another new H&M clutch

I got it at the same time I got the H&M glitter clutch in the last post, but this one looks quite different to the glitter one. Instead of being all sparkly, this one has a snake print, which is not actually the reason I got it. I mean, I like snake print and all, but I am not crazy about it or anything. What I did like though, were the colors. I think they will be so nice for spring, and I've always been a fan of pastels.

I don't think I will use this clutch before the spring though, I am not crazy about using pastels during the winter. So this clutch will have to wait a while before it gets aired!

My new H&M glitter clutch

When I saw this clutch on the H&M website (yes, I check it on a regular basis, since it is kind of a hassle for me to get to my nearest H&M, so I want to make sure it will be worth my while before I go), I wasn't really too impressed by it.

But when I went to the store, I loved it! It just seems perfect for when you go to a party or event and want to wear all black, since it will instantly add some sparkle to the look.

So I ended up getting this.

It's really hard to do this clutch justice on photos (which is why H&Ms own photos didn't impress me either, I guess), but if you are looking for a sparkly clutch or a glitter clutch, but don't want it to be a specific color, this is a really good budget buy.

Now I'm just looking forward to an event to take it to!

(the first two images are from the H&M website, the last two are my own)

Gorgeous silk-satin bow clutch from Valentino

I have something similar actually, but what makes this clutch kind of original is that you are supposed to slide your hand into it, to grab it, due to the really cool handle. I love that twist!

Not to mention the material is really nice too, definitely to my liking!

Two goodies from the Maison Martin Margiela collection for H&M

The Maison Martin Margiela collection for H&M wasn't something I was super excited about, but I did like two of the bags in the collection. To be a bit more specific, it was this black leather bag, with a quirky glove detail (how fun!):

And this clutch, shaped like a sweet wrapper, available in both silver and pink:

Sadly, I went to my nearest H&M store, and by the time I got there, these bags were already sold out, so I haven't managed to get my hands on these bags myself. But I guess that's nothing a quick Ebay search can't fix!
If any of my readers already saw these bags or even got these bags, I would love to hear your opinion on them though, since I haven't actually seen them IRL yet!

(pics from H&M)

Studded tote for rockstars (and rockstar wannabees)

Since studs are such a huge trend this fall, I am pretty sure I am not the only one completely obsessed with studded bags. I do think I see studded bags everywhere, after all!

One of my personal favorites among all the studded bags I've seen so far is the Valentino Rockstud leather tote, though, available in both black (which is the version of it that I love) and brown.

I really think this could be worth splurging on, but I already got myself 2 new studded bags for this season (exhibit 1 and exhibit 2), so the question is if I can justify getting another one?

If you like this bag, but would rather get a studded clutch, Valentino makes a really cute version of that too. See that here.

Quirky new Mulberry Trompe L'Oeil bag

I always like Trompe L'Oeil bags, because I like unexpected things, and things that are not exactly what they look like, I guess. And one of the nicest Trompe L'Oeil bags I've seen lately is this Mulberry Maisie bag, that is made to look like a camera bag:

I think this would look amazing in other colors too. I just can't figure out what color would be the most "camera bag like" one. Black maybe? Or grey?

(pic from The Bag Lady)

Bag envy

I adore Kelly Rutherford's stunning Hermes Evelyne bag. It's such a classic color, but the shape seems cool and urban somehow, despite the bag being a Hermes.

I would definitely say this is one of the more youthful Hermes bags I've seen lately. What I wouldn't give to have one too!

(pics from Purseblog)

Amazing new Lulu Guinness bag

I've mentioned my love for Lulu Guinness handbags many times before, so sorry to keep repeating myself, but can you blame me when the brand constantly comes up with new goodies like this one:

I totally need this in my collection, right now!

Awesome sequined shopper bag

Generally, sequins are not for me. In any form. But I have to say I like them on this Maison Scotch sequin shopper, because the bag is so simple otherwise, and because they only used black sequins on it. So somehow this shopper looks chic and classy, despite all the sequins!

Super-cute Mulberry bag with zigzag detail

Which makes it classic, yet with a fun twist. I don't think you see zigzag details on bags nearly enough!

(this bag is available over at Net-a-Porter)