Cole Haan

I’ll admit it, I have a weak spot for metallic finished handbags. Not all of them, but a lot of them. There is just something that grabs my eye about something sparkly or something that shimmers. Without a doubt, the bronze metallic finish was the first thing I noticed about the Cole Haan Village Soft North/South Rouched Satchel. Sometimes I think it is great to take a break from handbags with lots of bells and whistles. Other than the bronze metallic finish, there isn’t anything out of the ordinary about this bag, but I think that could be one of the reasons I like it so much. Cole Haan did a great job sticking to what the line is great at, making functional and fun handbags. I am also a fan of the buckles located where the bag and handles meet. It is a great addition. And who would have thought, a brand that began by selling men’s footware 80 years ago would one day make such gorgeous handbags? Buy through Zappos for $449.

Can Cole Haan give you the woven Bottega Veneta look?

So, we all love designer handbags and have our wish lists. However, let’s be honest, we can’t all spend thousands of dollars on each handbag we purchase. Sure, there are special occasions, but more often times than not, we might need to try and capture a certain look for less. Over at Purse Blog, we’ve talked about the fabulous Bottega Veneta Bags before. In my mind, there is no other way to describe them other than gorgeous. Yet, they are definitely on the pricey side. Luckily, I think I may have found an alternative, the Cole Haan Marigold Woven Leather Small Hobo. No, it’s no Bottega Veneta, but it is an option. The shape is similar and both bags boast woven leather. Plus the woven leather shoulder strap has the same look, shape and overall feel as the Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Hobo Slouch Bag. I know, I know, the Cole Haan bag doesn’t have suede lining and it doesn’t have the Bottega Veneta label, but I don’t think it is a bad choice. The question remains, do you think while saving up for the Bottega Veneta bag, the Cole Haan hobo will do the job? Buy the Cole Haan Hobo through Bluefly for $177 or if you are ready to splurge, buy the Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Hobo through Net-a-Porter for $2,450.

Pumpkin Pie… delish! Well, actually I am not a huge fan of Pumpkin Pie, but I do like the smell of it. And while we enter Fall, I can’t help but notice the change of decorations in not only retail stores, but also grocery stores. Just the other day when shopping for groceries, I noticed the plethora of pumpkins that were available. I have to say, I truly love the deep, rich colors of the Fall, especially shades of orange. So as you can imagine, this orange Cole Haan Village Shoulder Bag instantly caught my eye. In fact, Cole Haan calls this color harvest orange which makes me like the bag that much more. (It’s the simple things in life that make me happy.) The silvertone hardware, belted sides plus a front flap pocket with buckle detailing all bring the bag together nicely. To state it simply, just looking at the bag you can tell that it is put together with thought and detail in mind. And of course, going back to what I originally said, I think the color is absolutely perfect for the Fall. Even better yet, although the bag is orange, it can go with many outfits! Buy through Neiman Marcus for $325.