Elegance and Mommyhood.: 04/24/15

Friday, April 24, 2015

Budget Babes, Spring Trends 2015 - Spring Bags.

Hello on another Budget Friday! This time we are styling Spring Handbags. Bucket Bags, Over-the-Shoulder Bags, Messenger Bags, Dome Bags, Classic Work Handbags, Clutches and such are all in New Styles: Bright or Pastel Colors, with Polka Dots, Bows, Fun Florals, Stripes or other Fun Details, this Spring; even in fun materials like Silk, Mixed Media, Plastic or Lucite like mine. So, I am back with MARIA from Not Fancy, Just Life and RACHEL from Garay Treasures who picked totally different bags from mine. That's why I love this challenge: sometimes we are similarly in sync and other times the outfits all three of us put together are totally different.

I love Rachel's Classic Bag - the Camel Color and its shape are timeless and season-less, plus the Bag dresses up the simple Shorts Outfit she is wearing. Maria's Bag is in a Pastel Aqua/Mint Color, in a similar style to Rachel's. It brings a pop of color to her B+W Outfit (love that Chevron Top by the way). While I am the dressiest one this week in my Pretty Dress which I dressed down with my Fun Lucite Clear+Lavender Spring Bag. Check more of Maria's and Rachel's Looks here and here.

I love this Fun little Clear Lucite Bag with the Lavender part all Studded with Gold Pyramids. I also happen to love this Off-White Wool Sheath with Pastel Pink+Yellow Chiffon Flowers while the vine/leaf parts are Embroidered. It is fun and unique and shame on me for only wearing it 2-3 times before. I am glad to re-wear it almost 3 years later. I actually wore this same outfit minus the bracelets and bag for work, last week. I carried one of my Work Purses instead. For a little weekday luncheon I swapped Bags by choosing my Fun Clear+Lavender Spring Bag and added the 2 Fun Pyramid Bracelets. Though the Bracelets were purchased from a different store the Lavender+Gold one matches the Bag perfectly, as you can see from one of the collages, below. Besides the 9$ price tag of this bag, I like that it comes with this long strap as well as a wristlet strap to carry as a clutch which I have done before. So the Bag is 9 bucks, the Dress around 35 bucks (on major sale, down from $100), the Bracelets both costed $7 and my Turquoise Loafers (part of my Top 10 items this month) were $15, for a grand total of $66. Not bad at all for a Classy yet Fun Spring Work Look which even includes the bag. What do you think? Look below for gorgeous options like my Dress and Spring Lucite Bag.

This Dress even has gorgeous chiffon flowers on the back. Isn't it gorgeous? Perfect to link up with Laura because the Trend Spin next Tuesday is all about White and I love this Unique White Dress.

Off-White, Wool Sheath Dress w/ Cap-Sleeves & Pastel Chiffon Roses: Madison Avenue (gorgeous option w/ bright flowers by JC Penney, Steal), (gorgeous option by Badgley Mischka, Splurge, love this), (fit+flare option, great deal), (gorgeous fit+flare option #2, fantastic deal, love this), (classic sheath option).

Clear Plastic and Lavender Faux Leather Wristlet Clutch w/ Gold Pyramid Studs: Purchased in Greece (blue plastic clutch, best deal, love this), (gorgeous option in hot pink by INC, great deal, love this), (similar in navy lucite, best deal), (similar lavender clutch w/ gold studs).

Lavender Plastic & Gold Metallic, Pyramid, Elastic Bracelet: Vigoss (similar beaded lavender+gold pyramid bracelet, love this), (fun leather option, on sale), (gorgeous lavender+lucite cuff, love this).

Lavender Plastic & Gold Metallic, Pyramid, Elastic Bracelet: Vigoss (similar, Rent it), (fun, braided neon option, great deal, love this), (fun leather option, best deal, love this).

Tiny, Real Gold Hoops w/ Real Diamonds: A Fine Jewelry Store (gifted from the husband) (very similar, Splurge). (very similar, Steal), (similar gorgeous option by Judith Ripka, great deal, love these).

Turquoise Suede Smoking Loafer w/ Gold Leather Tassels & Piping: Caterina Firenze (New) (very similar, Splurge), (Oxford option by Halogen, great deal, love this), (Moccasin option by Minnetonka, best deal, love these).