Eco-Chico: I'm Not A Plastic Bag

Call it Al Gore's "A Convenient Truth." Call it Stella McCartney's Eco/Vegan-conscious luxury line of ready-to-wear and skincare. Whatever the catalyst, global awareness is one of the most important (not to mention the trendiest) causes in our media-seeped culture.

Although shopping may help the economy (and give a much needed boost to a lazy Wednesday afternoon,) those shopping bags that we so easily amass may not be helping us out as much as we think. Trashed shopping bags fill a huge amount of land a year, and take thousands of years to biodegrade. I am no super eco-freako(props to those who are! I admire your resolve!), yet it just makes my stomach turn over to think that my little impulse buy could possibly lead to another notch against our beautiful world.

Therefore, it's no surprise that the tongue-in-"chic" canvas "I'm Not A Plastic Bag" by Anya Hindmarch is one of the hottest It bags across the world. This bag is encouraged to replace those irksome plastic baggies as the new shopping bag. Even though this is a great option, it would also make a great school or beach tote, and garner attention with its graphic lettering and nautical colors. Yet the icing is truly the price, and at only $15 a pop these bags are a no-brainer.

This It Bag is so hot, it sold out shortly in the UK as a special limited edition piece. Thankfully, fans begged and now a beautiful USA creme and navy edition will be available stateside this summer.

It most certainly is not a plastic bag. It is a little way to add style to your day, and a little love to the world

picture courtesy of http://fabsugar.com/208285

Savvy Shopper: Clear

Chanel vs. Nine West

For Spring, Chanel's head designer, Karl Lagerfeld, had in mind a very unique muse: Airport Security. The controversial topic inspired the sharply futuristic clear accessories adorning many of the most covetable accessories seen this spring. In a world in which we lose a bit more of our privacy each and every day, this trend seems to fit into place. Yet in the shape of a beautiful handbag or a skyscraper-tall wedge, clear takes on a chic, luminescent quality that goes with anything.

Even though this trend is all about transparency, your money does not have to disappear in order to stay stylish. Nine West has recently designed many beautiful and affordable options that are sleek alternatives to the staggering prices of their luxury counterparts. I am especially loving the lady-like yet edgy chain-link shoulder bag and white-hot patent-leather wedges.

Yet enter this trend with a word of caution. If you choose a cute, clear bag, than please do the world a favor and keep your unmentionable objects hidden in either a small, opaque compartment or leave them at home. This is not the way to showcase any disagreeable purse junk that we all have tended to collect in the trendy oversize purses of recent seasons.

Don't let your style disappear this spring, make it clear instead!

All runway pictures courtesy of http://www.style.com/fashionshows/collections/S2007RTW/detail/thumb/CHANEL?trend=&page=1

Savvy Shopper: The Chanel Tote

The Chanel Shopper $1000+

Woven Chain Patent Leather Tote $65

Have you ever fell in love with a handbag and then almost died when you checked out the price tag? Yes, it has happened to me on a few occasions, and I have had to reluctantly place the object of my affection back on the shelves and tried to forget about it. This is why I become even more excited when I find an inspired piece at just a fraction of the cost! The Chanel shopper is on of the hardest-to-get, all-trends-rolled-into-one It bag of spring. Not only does the waiting list stretch to China, but it's quite a pricey investment for such a trendy piece. On the other hand, the tote below has many of the same qualities at a much more reasonable price. This bag would make a very chic everyday accessory that could go anywhere from school to the office to the beach, all while holding a massive load of the "necessities." Think of all the precious pennies saved that can be put to use on other "important" stuff?

Woven Chain Patent Leather Tote available at http://www.shopintuition.com/product.asp?pid=16067&catid=30&parentid=19&WebCategoryParentID=8&onCategoriesPage=1