Saving my favorite bags for last! I love clutches. They are great to take out on the town!

Splurges
1. Rafe Place Vendome Joy Long Frame Clutch – Animal Haircalf ($350)

2. Cammie Hill Snake Print Channel Clutch ($225)

Under $100
1. Nino Bossi Crunch Leather Full Flap ($84.50)

2. Kenneth Cole New York Fantabulous Clutch ($88)

Under $75
1. Necessary Objects Arm Candy Flap Clutch ($50)

2. Kathy Van Zeeland Rock and Roll Clutch ($69)

Under $50
1. Echo Hibiscus Clutch ($48)

2. Big Buddha Kayla Clutch ($40)

I was surfing ebags.com and I found this great Rampage bag. It’s $88 and is reasonably priced, but if you are looking for a summer bag that might just be too much.

Here is an alternative that is only $16.99 at Target.

Shoulder Bags

Splurges
1. Rafe Saigon Camilla Linen Satchel ($295)

2. Diesel Bags Round Lock Table ($210)

Under $100
1. Urban Kitty Subway Tote-Graffiti ($99.99)

2. Rampage Thistle Drawstring ($88)

Under $75
1. Big Buddha Madison Bag ($75)

2. Bagtique Marble Crinkle Satchel ($55)

Under $50
1. Del Mano Fortune Cookie ($30)

2. Hurley Cut Out Shoulder Tote ($42)

Those are my favorite shoulder bag picks! Check in tomorrow for part 3 of great bags: The clutch!

I know……..Of course I decided to write about great bags first. I love hangbags! I think a great handbag can make or break an outfit. Just think, you a wearing your favorite outfit that makes you feel fabulous, but your handbag is ratty or doesn’t match. I see this often when shopping or running errands. I see a woman with a terrific outfit with a horrible handbag.

Nina Garcia notes in her book “Little Black Book of Style,” that every woman should have 3 staple handbags. First, a great tote. I love totes because you can always fit so much stuff in them. If you are running errands on Saturday a tote is the perfect bag to take.

For splurges I love Michael by Michael Kors ($298) and Coach ($658).

For an everyday tote these are my picks:
Under $100
1. Big Buddha Bella Bag ($85)

2. Earth Axxessories Casual Luxury Patent Tote ($94)

Under $75
1. Bagtique Wrinkle Large Tote ($52)

2. Lazaro Anne Flat Tote ($69.99)

Under $50
1. Necessary Objects Lucky Louie Tote ($42)

2. Loeffler Randall for Target® Large Tote – Cream ($27.99)

Those are my picks for great totes. My favorite places to shop for bags are Target, TJ Maxx, Dillards, ebags.com, and overstock.com.

Tomorrow I will continue with great shoulder bags.

Ok…..My friends always ask for fashion advice from me, so I decided to start this blog. Just a blog about great fashion at affordable prices. Yes I love high end designers. Yes I purchase items by these designer. However, I buy many of my fashions from affordable stores such as TJ Maxx, Kohl’s, Target, The Limited, Old Navy, JC Penney, etc. Now don’t get me wrong, quality is much more important than quantity. I always buy staple items for quality. You should never feel bad about spending $60 on a great pair of black pants. In fact, my favorite pair of pants are my brown striped Michael by Michael Kors pants I bought at Dillard’s. They are very comfortable, great classic style, and fit my body shape well. Please ladies treat yourself! You are worth it.

We have all seen the women that have tons of clothes in their closets, but half of it is either ratty, has holes, looks cheap, or is just out of style. Remember quality over quantity! Nina Garcia wrote a great book “The little black book of style,” where she lists some staple items that every woman should have in her wardrobe. Below are those items:

1. A Classic Trench Coat

2. Little Black Dress

3. Man’s Classic Watch

4. Diamonds

5. Cashmere Cardigan or Turtleneck

6. Denim

7. A great bag

8. Classic Man’s White Button Down Shirt

9. Classic High Heel

10. Ballet Flats

Over the next few days I will take each of these staples and show examples of great classic style at affordable prices and some splurges as well.So now you all know that I like quality over quantity and classic staples. What else makes up this girl’s fashion mantra?

For one, I like to have a wardrobe that can be mixed and matched. I always get annoyed when I purchase something and it just doesn’t work with anything else in my closet. For me that means I will rarely wear it. Let’s face it ladies we all have these pieces in our closet. When you have a wardrobe that meshes, it makes for many outfit choices.

Secondly, being bold. Why wear a black shirt and jeans every day. Spice it up a little. Try a great pair of jeans, colorful top, fitted blazer, big accessories, and a fabulous pair of heels. Finish it off with a tote and you are ready for a fantastic Saturday.

Accessorize. I can’t stress this enough. You can play an outfit up or dress it down with accessories.Lots of shoes and handbags. I love shoes and handbags! This I learned from my Mom and Grandmother. Again quality is much more important than quantity. Sure it’s ok to buy some fun shoes for summer, but for your feet’s sake buy comfortable and high quality shoes.

In a nutshell that is my fashion mantra. Look for the top 10 must haves in upcoming posts.