In Style Mini-Bags

Balenciaga Mini City Bags.

On the runways and on Street Style this year,  there is a return to Mini-Bags which is defined as the smaller or mini version of their more popular and regular sized Bags. Some of the ones I am featuring here are from Holt Renfrew Mini Bags collection that are available here in Toronto. Of course, every Luxury Fashion Brands from NYC, Paris, London and Milan have their own versions of the Mini-bag. For me, the mini-bags are a transitional bag from Day to Evening, from  carrying a Work week Regular sized bag to a Mini-bag for the weekend where we have to carry less.

Here are the Mini-Bags in their Spring colours. Are you excited for Spring? Do you think these mini-bags will be functional and useful to your style and lifestyle? Which one from this feature will you carry? 

Mini Balenciaga.
One common feature when carrying a Mini-Bag is that it has a long shoulder strap that allows us to carry the bag across the body or on the shoulder. Their Regular sized bag counterpart are usually hand held or have a shorter shoulder strap. 

Celine Mini Box Bags.

Givenchy Mini-Nightingale.

Reed Krakoff Bags. 

 Transitional bags from the Work week to the Weekend. 

Clockwise: Celine Nano Bag, Reed Krakoff Blue Mini-Boxer, Mulberry Mini-Alexa in Pink (both available at Mytheresa.com) and the Prada Mini Saffiano Bag in Spring Orange from Neiman Marcus.

This Prada Mini-bag has a long shoulder strap. The Regular sized Prada Saffiano Bag is hand held.

Remember that less is more.

May you all have a fantastic week ahead.

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Style Noir

Vogue Paris Septembre 2012 issue.

Finally, the Vogue Paris Septembre 2012 issue arrived here in Toronto newsstands. I don't understand why we get them so late in the month?  What inspired me to blog post about the French Noir Style were the e-mail that I received from Holt Renfrew about the new Chanel Coco Noir perfume and I also saw the Vogue Paris cover for September through the WEB. Definitely Black is back for this Fall. Plus, this week is also Paris Fashion Week for Spring 2013. The Vogue Paris Septembre issue is also the first time that blogger, Garance Dore's column is published. So exciting for Garance! 

 As we know, the colour Black represents power, mystery, sophistication and strength. A woman in Black is a force to be dealt with. Definitely tres chic. Here is the best of the Paris Fall Noir Collections 2012  that I adore. 

 

 

Christian Dior Pre-Fall 2012.

 

Pre-Fall Collection designed by Bill Gaytten. I liked all of Bill Gaytten's collections for Dior, after John Galliano's dismissal. Dior has replaced Bill Gaytten with Raf Simons, who is also a very talented designer. 

Christian Dior Suede Knee High Boots.  

Available at Holt Renfrew Canada. 

Chanel

New Chanel  Coco Noir Perfume. 'Through Black... light revealed.'   According to Chanel, this fragrance has the 'sensuality of Rose and unique note of a geranium leaf...A modern composition combining power and delicacy.' 

Chanel Noir Gown.

Valentino Rock And Stud Collection.

I love this Rock Stud Collection from Valentino. It is edgy chic at its best!  According to the product description for this collection, the inspiration were the Stars at night.. 'these rock studs will glitter like the stars in the sky.'  Valentino without Valentino still Rocks!  Thanks to the current duo designers, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli for expertly mixing the tradition of elegance and  now edgy style of  the Valentino brand. 

Celine.

Canadian model Daria Werbowy in Celine Black Leather dress. I love all of Phoebe Philo's creations ever since she was with Chloe and then now at Celine. 

Certainly most wanted - A Celine Mini-Luggage Bag in Noir.

Louis Vuitton

As usual, Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton never disappoints. The train express Fashion Show for Fall, presented earlier this year in Paris, was the best! Such a dramatic show, including the clothes and the accessories. The LV boots above is surely made for elegant walking. The boots has a LV monogram trim in noir.


Givenchy

 

 Givenchy Wedge Column boots is a hot item this Fall. It has been sold out in some stores and e-shopping sites like Net-A-Porter and Mytheresa.com.

Givenchy Nightingale bag is one of my favourite bags.  This bag is very discreet luxury. No monograms, simple but edgy chic too. I carry mine for work and also for travelling.  The bag comes in different colours and sizes too. 

YSL Rive Gauche.

My own YSL "Muse" Bag.

La Parisienne Muse.

Vogue Paris Editor in Chief, Emmanuelle Alt. So effortless chic!

Enter to win Michael Kors Bag Giveaway.

Photo credits: Vogue.com, Vogue Paris August 2012 issue and Holt Renfrew Canada.

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Holt Renfrew: Happy Christmas Shopping!

Holt Renfrew is my favourite Department store here in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the only high end Department Store here in Canada where one can find the major Designer brands.  There are several stores here in Toronto, the Flagship store at Bloor Street,  one at Yorkdale Mall and  another store in Sherway Gardens. There are also stores in Montreal, Quebec City, Calgary, Edmonton,  Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver.  Every year, the Store displays  fantastic and whimsical Christmas windows! It makes my  day just to walk pass these windows. Holt Renfrew chose the "Happy" theme for Christmas and featured the 12 Days of Christmas  for their Window display.

Presenting  some of the Christmas Windows featured in the Holt Renfrew - Bloor St, Toronto store:

12 Drummers Drumming.

Holt Renfrew offers major Designer Brands like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Fendi, Gucci, Roger Vivier, Burberry, Michael Kors and Tory Burch, among others.

11 Pipers piping... carrying Prada, Michael Kors and Marc Jacobs bags!

5 Golden Rings

The Making of the Windows:

Window: The 12 Days of Christmas

Video by Holt Renfrew

 6 Geese a laying and 7 Swans a swimming.

8 Maids a Milking.

And a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

Inside the Holt Renfrew Store:

It is always pleasure to shop at Holt Renfrew. I love their personal service. I admire how they wrap the goods I purchased in their famous gray and white striped tissue and place it in their Magenta coloured Holts shopping bag. They take pride and care in the products that they sell and present it to their customers exceptionally well.  I also get to know some of the Sales Associates in the store which makes  it  easier to obtain information and assistance about some of their products and events.

"Happy" Shopper!

For the Holt Renfrew Christmas Gift Guide:www.holtrenfrew.com

Anyone for Glitter striped Fuchsia and Black Prada bag or a Gold glitter Valentino bag for a Happy Christmas?

Glitter Gold Valentino Bag and Striped Glitter Fuchsia and Black Prada Bag.

Holt Renfrew Bag and small accessories section. Offers many Designer brands including Tom Ford, VBH-Victoria Beckham, Celine, Lanvin, Marni, Marc Jacobs, Chloe, Mulberry and Balenciaga,among others.

Happy Christmas at Holt Renfrew Designer Gowns and Clothing including some Lingerie too.

To view the new Holt Renfrew Blog: www.holtsmuse.com

Besides the Designer Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Accessories and Cosmetics, one of the shopping pleasures at Holt Renfrew is the Happy Sweet Shoppe. They offer complimentary sweets like chocolates, cookies  and candies. Also some  complimentary refreshments like Water and Hot chocolate for the shoppers!

The Food section at Holt Renfrew has chocolates  from Charbonnel Et Walker from England, also teas and goodies from Fortnum & Mason UK and Fauchon from France.

The 2011 Holt Renfrew Christmas Bear.  There are also candies and goodies from Dylan's Candy Bar which is the famous Candy store in New York City owned by Dylan Lauren, Ralph Lauren's daughter.

The Holt Renfrew 2011 Christmas Bear Tree.

To win $3,000 Shopping Gift card from Holt Renfrew: https://microsite.holtsstyle.com/en/subscribe/contests.html

Happy Christmas! As Holt Renfrew  shares  "Happiness" to their customers. I hope you will enjoy your Christmas shopping! Remember it is always the thought that counts.  Sharing and loving are the most important during the Christmas season.

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