Lately I’ve been going off about crossbody bags.  For months I’ve been looking at them, thinking some are too big, some are too small… do I really want another basic brown or black shade, or something that will pop.. Basically I was indecisive, and the little (okay, very little) logical voice in me said, “if you don’t see one you love then you just don’t need it”.

Then, during one of my random looks on the Bloomingdales website, I saw a new addition from Rebecca Minkoff – the Jellybean Crossbody Bag.

The details, courtesy of Bloomingdales:

• Leather

• Imported

• Shoulder strap

• Zip closure; lined

• 2 front zip pockets, 6 credit card slots, 1 slip pocket

• 8” L x 1.5” W x 5” H; 22” strap drop

• Web ID: 679473

The material is a soft, pebbled leather. I chose the bag in the shade of Jungle Green with gold hardware, mostly because the Pantone Color of the Year is Emerald.  The leather is pliable, and you can actually get quite a bit in there.

The main thing that drew me towards this bag is the three different sized zippered pockets to keep your items organized.  Since, usually with small pouches things can get disorganized very quickly, this was a huge selling point for me.

While you may be used to the blue with black polka dot lining in your Rebecca Minkoff bag, this one comes lined with a black and white pattern (the dust bag also matches the lining).

Purchase your own Rebecca Minkoff Jellybean Crossbody at Bloomingdale’s in the Jungle Green or in Purple.  Zappos also has this bag available in Almond, Black, Cream and Sunny.

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Nordstrom made me do it.  That’s probably not entirely accurate.

What began as a quick trip to the mall (specifically to check out the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale makeup from Chanel) ended in a fashion frenzy.  For some reason, in my head, when I hear Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, I think two things – Fall preview, and (of course) makeup.  It really never occurred to me that handbags would be included in this, and discounted.  Call it mommy brain.. I do.

Apparently, it was fate that I parked by the entrance to the handbags area.  I always walk through and check out what’s new.  I can’t help it.  Plus, when I’m sans children, it’s a lot more fun.  On a table we see designer purses marked down in honor of the sale.  Obviously, this requires a deeper look.  Immediately, my eye goes to a snakeskin pattern.  That’s just how I roll.

Imagine the huge and really rather goofy grin that spread over my face when I saw it was a Rebecca Minkoff Embossed M.A.C. Clutch (though, to me I say snakeskin… the color is actually listed as Natural).  I needed a bag like this.  Okay.  Again.  Not accurate.  No one NEEDS a handbag when they have as many as I do… but really, I WAS in the market for a nicer, not so huge bag for Fall.  This one was perfect, and on sale.  WIN.

So, let’s check it out, shall we?

This one is a bit bigger than the Mini M.A.C. and not a cross body.  It’s a lovely shoulder bag with a lot more room than you’d imagine, lined with the usual blue and black Rebecca Minkoff interior.  Above is a shot of the front, which features the zippers with tassels and a clip lock in the front.  You can open that for a small pocket… perfect for keeping notes, lists… flat things (you don’t want the front to bulge.. that would just be bizarre).

The back of the bag is just plain, no pockets.  The bottom has black studs to help save the leather from disgusting things that live on floors.

I’m also in LOVE with the black chain hardware.  The bag is gorgeous, but that black hardware just makes all the difference on it.

Interior of the main bag has a nice big zippered pocket on one side.  Parallel to that are two smaller pockets for holding a cell phone and other mini-type awesome girl essentials.

Oh, and, for another dose of magnificence, the interior piping is also the snakeskin!  GORG!

The Rebecca Minkoff Embossed M.A.C. Clutch retails for $350.  I believe mine was $212.00 at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (which is now over… eek) and I had one of those Nordstrom Notes giving me another $20 off.  You can also purchase this at Zappos.

… and yes, I bought some Chanel too (to be reviewed).

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Over the last two months you’ve been privy (maybe bothered!?) to my new-found designer lusting over all things Rebecca Minkoff.  But how did this start?  The affair manifested a lot longer ago than you may think.

Last Summer (yep, we’re headed back to 2011!) Fashion Blogger Keiko Lynn strutted her stuff with the Rebecca Minkoff Love at First Sight straw tote.  Pretty much at least once a week for the ENTIRE SUMMER Keiko would use this bag with her looks.  Every week I would stare at my computer screen fighting with myself…. “No, Brooke, you DO NOT NEED another handbag.  Check yo self before you wreck yo self” …. Eventually, I fought with myself enough that the bag sold out and disappeared… Gone, never forgotten.

Fast forward to last month when I was feeling nostalgic and randomly searched for the bag on yahoo.  HUZZUH!  GILT GROUPE!  I get the Gilt Groupe emails, but didn’t remember looking at one that had Rebecca MInkoff items, and if you search the Gilt Groupe site… this bag doesn’t show up.  BUT.ITS.THERE.

If you read through all that, then I thank you… if not… in a nut shell.. I GOTS THE BAG.  Granted, not in the first choice of black, but the red is also right up my alley and totally gorgeous.  Originally I wanted the black over the red because I just wear a ton of black and figured it would match more, but the red has been getting quite a bit of use.

On to the pics and actual review!

The deets:

• Medium sized hobo
• Two tone woven straw with leather trim and zip closure at front
• Hidden magnetic closure
• Signature printed padded interior lining with three slip pockets and a zip pocket
• Body length 13 inches; height 12 inches; width 7 inches
• Drop handle 6 inches

LOVE THIS BAG.  No buyers remorse here what-so-ever.  The strap drop is just enough to hook it over your shoulder, but it is just more of a hand held bag (the straw rubs a bit on your arm if you have on short sleeves or a tank).

Things I would change… it has a magnetic closure.  You can see on the photo above the little circle.  I don’t know if it’s just the bag I got, but it doesn’t stay shut worth a darn.  In a perfect world, this would have a zipper closure.  I’m a clumsy one and tend to do the ever embarrassing purse dump at least once a week.  And not on purpose.. Honestly, who does that on purpose?!

Also, one of the leather weaves on the strap is undone.  It can be fixed with glue, so not a big deal, but it made me sad.  I didn’t contact Gilt, because it’s an easy fix and really isn’t worth any sort of hassle or anything.  Though, I should call to see how their CS is since this is the first time I’ve ordered from them.

Wanna buy the Rebecca Minkoff Love at First Sight Tote?  Click here to purchase directly from Gilt Groupe.  This is my referral link if you want to sign up.  You’re in luck, too.  I paid $129 and it’s even CHEAPER now at $99.  That literally always happens to me, btw.

What do you think of the Rebecca Minkoff Love at First Sight Straw Tote?  What is your favorite Summer bag?

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If you’ve been around my little corner of the blogosphere in the last few months (okay, like a year) or so, you’ve probably realized I have a slight (I swear I’m not psychotic) obsession with Rebecca Minkoff.  Back and forth I would go to Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom… I ask for opinions on Twitter and Facebook… finally I pulled the trigger and bought my very first Rebecca Minkoff handbag, which I showed here.  I couldn’t let that one go, since I’m still hurting from not purchasing a gorgeous bag from last Summer.

So, before I show you these two new, knock-your-socks-off Rebecca Minkoff purses from THIS Summer, I need you to take an aspirin.  Why?  Because if you have a heart attack from how stunning these purses are… I’m just going to feel rotten.  Also, it’s fun to be preventative.

and…

here….

we…..

go……….

Is it weird that I want to cuddle these bags?  I’m not even saying that to be funny, I’m dead serious right now.

Let’s take a breather and break them down one at a time… Starting off with the Pink Lover back there.

Pink Lover’s real name is CUPID.  It’s so fitting to have a nickname longer than the real name.

The Rebecca Minkoff Cupid Satchel you see before you is in the shade called Bright Pink.  It’s heart stopping HOT.

Beautiful leather, gold hardware, studded in all the right places, pockets galore…

Hey, Bloomingdales, what say you?

In this season’s must-have shape, Rebecca Minkoff’s coolly hued leather satchel defines “It.” Do like the style-setters and wear this lush carryall to give an all-black palette a pretty color pop.

• Double shoulder straps, adjustable and removable crossbody strap
• Top zip opening
• 2 exterior zip pockets, 2 slip pockets, interior zip pocket, 2 slip pockets
• Leather. Lined. Imported.
• 13″W X 10 1/2″H X 6″D, 5 1/2″ strap drop, convertible to 13″ strap drop

The size of this bag is perfection for what I need daily.  There are pockets galore on the outside as well as several interior ones of different sizes.  When worn on the shoulder it hits at the hip.  A lot of times with purses like this the strap is either too short (and you look like you’re wearing a bag the wrong way, resulting in an unflattering view of your torso and arms) or it’s too long and bouncing off of your trunk, bringing new meaning to junk in the trunk.  The Cupid sets itself up on my shoulder like it was made to live there.

The exterior Bright Pink Pebbled Leather looks, feels and smells amazing.  It pops against the interior, which is the signature Rebecca Minkoff blue with black polka dots and, of course, bright pink trim to match the exterior.

Oh, Cupid… you complete me.  If you’d like your own hunk of Pink Lover, you can grab the Cupid Satchel in Bright Pink at rebeccaminkoff.com, Bloomingdales and Zappos.  The retail on the Cupid Satchel is $495.

Now, on to lil’ May May.

Even though the color of this May May is called Bright Orange, it’s not a retina burning bright orange, and the fawn colored brown leather helps ease it down a bit as well.

What endless.com has to say about the Rebecca Minkoff May May:

• Leather
• Printed twill lining
• 6.5″ high x 8″ wide x 2″ deep
• 21″ shoulder drop
• Magnetic closure

May May is a Shoulder Bag, but I found that I can also wear this cross-body, which is nice for when you’re running around and don’t want to worry about your precious cargo sliding off of your shoulder.  This hits right above my hip, like the Cupid, in that perfect spot.

The bottom expands out a bit so it won’t seem like you’re over stuffing if you need a little extra room for your favorite beauty products.  The exterior pocket is perfect for a cell phone or if you’re old school like me and write your driving directions down on paper and need quick access to them.  Inside there is a handy little pocket for your ID so you don’t HAVE to have a wallet taking up space (because it’s necessary to carry at least five lipsticks with you at all times).

I love a bag like this for when I’m somewhere where a huge bag will get in the way – such as a quick power shopping trip or an adventure with my active kids.

May May… aw she’s my little buddy.

Wanna purchase your own May May?  This particular one I had a hard time tracking down, but found it at endless.com for it’s retail price of $250.  EDIT – now on the Rebecca Minkoff website!

Make sure to follow Rebecca Minkoff on Facebook and Twitter – so when sales or promos happen, you’re ready!

Did you pick anything up at the recent sale or do you currently own any Rebecca Minkoff?  What item is at the top of your wishlist?  Let’s talk bags in the comment section below!

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Today is the best mail day of 2012… possibly the best mail day ever.  UPS dropped off a much anticipated little gem at my door… my very first Rebecca Minkoff Handbag!

I’ve been well aware of the fact that I needed a Rebecca Minkoff bag since I saw the Love at First Sight Hobo on Keiko Lynn (who has the Rebecca Minkoff bag collection of my dreams).

On a recent trip to Nordstrom, I laid eyes on it.  The Rebecca Minkoff Mini M.A.C. Shoulder Bag in RED.  Yes, red.  You don’t even know how long I’ve been looking for the perfect red bag.  It’s been at least a few years… red bags have come and gone, but have never been quite right.  At Nordstrom, I dug through the bag, wore it, checked myself in the mirror so much people must have thought I was the queen of all narcissists… but then walked away.  I know.  I loved it, I knew I loved it… but my camera just broke, we had just bought a new one… dangit I needed to be good.

So, I came home… and spent the rest of the day looking up the bag online.  It was actually pretty sad.  I left the browser window open so I could look randomly.  It’s called handbag torture, and they practice it in all 50 states.

Of course, I ordered it.  How could I not?

What Nordstrom.com has to say about the Rebecca Minkoff Mini M.A.C. Shoulder Bag:

An oversized clip-lock boldly details the front flap closure of a glazed-leather shoulder bag.

• Top zip closure.
• Optional chain strap.
• Exterior zip pocket under flap.
• Protective metal feet.
• Leather
  • Dimensions: 9 1/2“W x 6 1/2“H x 2“D. (Measures small.)
  • Crossbody strap drop: 22 1/2″.

  .

(hello, darling)

The exterior is a beautiful, rich tomato red leather with silver hardware and long tassels.   The perfect POP of color!  The strap length is perfect.  It’s long enough that it’s a cross body, but not so long that it’s bouncing off of your derriere.  The strap is also removable, turning this cross-body bag into a clutch.

When you lift the front flap up, there is a smaller zippered pocket.

The main interior of the bag is extremely roomy (don’t let the MINI in the bag name fool you!) and also lined with a blue base and black polka dotted fabric (the dust bag included is also made of the same fabric.

Here is a funny for you.. just to prove what a ditz I am.. One of the interior cards has a phone number on it and says “call me” ROTFL… I totally thought… omg how did someones business card get in here with their phone number on it!  Doh….

The upside to ordering a bag offline rather than picking it up in the department store?  You get one that is TRULY brand new.  Not one that tons of people have touched or tried on.  Everything comes wrapped up (and well) so there are no prints or dings on the hardware.

From what I can tell, this bag is only available (in Red) at Nordstrom.com and rebeccaminkoff.com.  Both sites offer free shipping and returns, and a retail price of $195.00.  Get to shopping.

My name is Brooke, and this is my first Rebecca Minkoff bag.  Start a support group, because it won’t be my last.

What bag will be next, you ask?  I’m thinking it’ll be the Cupid Satchel in Black, since for some reason I don’t have a large black handbag?!  What the what?!

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