Valentino Small Loop Hobo Shoulder Bag
I like to cuddle. Even from a young age, I’d fall asleep with a stuffed animal and would hold it tight! I didn’t really drag around a blanket, but a stuffed animal (”Bear Bear”) went with me everywhere. Long story short and many years later I still have a soft spot in my heart for things that seem smooshy and soft. Thus, you can see why I am one who continues to love soft, smooshy and downright touchable handbags. Sure, there is a time and a place for everything, but certain bags catch my eye instantly!The Valentino Small Loop Hobo Shoulder Bag boasts gorgeous color as well as leather that I can’t help but wanting to touch! First of all, I love the lack of structure here. There is a fine line between lack of structure and sloppy and this bag hits the nail on the head. This bag says no nonsense and fashionable all in one swoop. Pair the bag with your newly purchased boyfriend jeans and a t-shirt or a more form fitting outfit and the bag will still stand out. Without much effort, this Valentino bag just made itself onto my “bags worth saving up for” list.
Nancy Gonzalez Python/Crocodile Tote
Despite the beauty of the last Nancy Gonzalez bag that we reviewed, the combination of exotics and non-exotics didn’t exactly inspire all of our commenters. Using multiple materials is difficult to pull off, for sure, but what about using two exotics? Is the whole more than the sum of its parts? I think it is for the Nancy Gonzalez Python/Crocodile Tote. And just look at the end result…This may be one of my favorite Nancy Gonzalez bags of all time, which says a lot, given my penchant for exotics. This particular shade of blue-undertoned grey is fantastic for highlighting scale and texture differences on exotic skins and bringing out their natural patterns and variations, which is exactly what a well-designed exotic bag should do. Python is the main event here, making up the front and back of the bag, while the sturdier crocodile skin forms the bag’s gussets. I’d be interested to see what the bag would look like if the material usage was flipped, but either way, it’s still beyond gorgeous. The neat rows of studs that run on either side of the bag’s front panel are the perfect finishing touch and something slightly out of character for the designer – I hope we see more of it in the future.