Accentuate Boutique Giveaway Part 1

by Karen on July 20, 2010
in Giveaways, Handbags

Accentuate is truly a unique boutique located in Camas, Washington. I’ve featured clothing and accessories in previous posts. This article will tell you a little more about the shop. It will be a two-part post. Make a comment today or Thursday by midnight PST. Friday morning the winner of a $25 Gift certificate will be announced! Perfect timing for Camas Days July 23-24. Come and check out Camas this weekend. You won’t be disappointed.

Accentuate celebrates six years this summer. Unique handbags, shoes and other accessories were featured originally when the store opened. The following year they branched out and added clothing. I’ll begin with handbags– showing photos of many sizes and styles for various occasions. Thursday’s post will feature clothing and accessories. Previously I discussed my personal taste in handbags. Now you’ll be able to see much more. Accentuate carries the popular brands: Hobo, Lodis, Brighton, Nino Bossi and Maxx New York. I listed the brand name if you are not a local reader. You can do a search for a retailer in your area.

Large/Medium Sized Bags:

Nino Bossi, Maxx New York, Maxx New York

Brighton, Lodis and Nino Bossi

There are special events when a smaller clutch is the perfect accessory:

Unique evening bags by Brighton:

Wallets by Lodis that can serve as a small clutch and add a pop of color to an outfit:

There are some events where you just need the basics in your bag. Large bags can be cumbersome. These options with longer strap are perfect. All by Brighton

Many women are opting for a very flat cross-shoulder bag: Brighton

Love these 3 different looks by Hobo: Large handbag, smaller wallet/clutch. Lodis bag is perfect to carry a Laptop.

Did you see a bag that would work for you? Make a comment and you’ll be automatically entered. More to come in the next post!

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Handbags:Your Favorite Accessory?

by Karen on April 27, 2010
in Accessories, Handbags

6 Comments

Thank you everyone for participating in the Gigi Hill Giveaway. Congratulations to our winner: Comment #5: Kristi J. Be sure and check out Brenda’s site if you are interested in ordering a bag.

I imagine it’s fair to say that if we took a vote on favorite accessory, handbags would be towards the top. If you were to choose, would it be Jewelry, Shoes or Handbags? I know women who have dozens of expensive handbags. I know other women who feel it’s crazy to spend hundreds of dollars on one bag. Over the years I’ve gone back and forth between quantity or quality. I had a Brighton phase, a “knock off” phase, a department store brand phase and an E-bay designer phase. The bottom line: A purse is an item I use every day; I want it to hold up. I have purchased the less expensive handbags that wore out after one season. I have found that I like to rotate a few favorites for a number of years. It seemed a wiser investment to spend a little more and be able to use them longer than one year. You wouldn’t think that a husband and two boys would notice a new purse, but they do. My younger son has been known to say–”Mom, is that another new purse?” Numerous tops go unnoticed. A purse–not so much!

My Personal Purse Criteria:

1. Perfect size. It must hold my basics, yet not so large that things get “lost”. Also, I don’t want to carry “luggage” or have my purse bump into others. I like an average sized purse for everyday use. See photos below. I have smaller bags for special occasions.

2. Strap Drop. I want a purse that sits comfortably on my shoulder–not too high, not too low. My perfect drop is between 9-10″.

3. Quality Leather. I’ve just had too many bags fall apart so this is key for me.

4. I like a bag to have a “bottom”. I want it to sit and not tip over.

Where to purchase:

I’ve had the best luck for designer purses on E-bay. I’ve really scored some deals over the years. I have also had good luck at the Nordstrom Rack and the Nordstrom Sale table right BEFORE they go to The Rack. In fact, I’ve found some great bags and I simply have to walk away. I only need so many! TJ Maxx is another good source.

What Colors are Best?

This is very individual. I like to have a basic black and brown. Then I want a couple fun colors. It is amazing the comments I receive when carrying a bag with a unique color. It brightens a dull outfit instantly. It also takes the eye to the handbag and at times away from my flaws. The way I see it, the right bag can take the attention away from my middle! I vacillated between showing purses I own or showing what is available. This post focuses on styles and colors I love. I do not switch on a daily basis. I carry one for a while and then rotate. Note: Shoes and bags do not have to match.

Here are some of bags I’m using right now: The Neutrals: Black/Michael Kors, Brown/B. Makowsky(new favorite brand), Pewter/Betsy Johnson. I get comments on all of these purses, especially the pewter. It’s a difficult color to find which is unfortunate because it is so versatile. These are older styles found on E-bay and at The Rack.

Colors: Red/Talbot’s, Blue/Maxx New York, Purple/Dooney & Bourke (I’ve received comments in stores from total strangers when I carry this purse. It’s a great color purple) Talbot’s has reasonably priced bags. The others are from E-bay.