Helmet Bag or Handbag??

Today while researching men's canvas backpack construction I stopped in the Army Surplus store and found this Nylon Flyer's Helmet Bag. What a perfect portfolio tote!! I couldn't leave without it. There is something about the smell of that store that brings me back to summer holidays on Cape Cod with my family. Maybe it was the mold or perhaps the sea of overflowing O.D. gear. Each summer we would drive out to Provincetown from West Dennis for a day of whale watching, beach combing, lobster eating and army-navy surplus shopping. I'm only guessing but is seems that someone from Hayden-Harnett took a stroll down memory lane too. This Helmet Bag looks to be the inspiration for their Ibiza bag below.

Rothco - $21.98

Hayden-Harnett's Ibiza Convertible Flight Tote, Olive - $198

DIY Couture

Can't afford the latest and greatest handbag all the girls have? Wouldn't be caught dead in a knock-off for fear of discovery and supporting child labor just isn't your thang? Don't fret, there's an affordable answer yet - all you need is a brown paperbag, a Sharpie and a lil imagination.

Spotted at JAK & JIL:

even the knock-offs get knocked-off!

...but done here with a bit more style by fellow blogger OutsaPop Trashion:

Terracycle Terrific!

Land this, instead of adding to our landfills.
Terracycle takes your old snack packs and makes usable bags and pencil cases out of them. I first learned of this company through a friend who is a financial backer. How could you not put all your money into this idea! Today I stopped in Target to pick up a few essentials and stumbled upon the stationary isle end-cap holding all the goods. For only $1, my pencils are pimped out in this Rold Gold zip-top container. How eco-chic~!

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You can help, by signing up for a TerraCycle Brigade. Turn your trash into cash.

Saratoga Racetrack - Saratoga Springs, NY

Saratoga Springs is the August place to be and with the race track in full swing so are the crowds. Outside the Clubhouse these ladies had their winnings hidden away in their favorite handbags.

Spotted were:

Classic Bleeker COACH Shopper

Canvas Crossbody

Nine West Tote I believe

Another Bleeker COACH Shopper - this time in Straw.

Don't get too close to the horses or it's bound to be lunch!

Abbot Kinney - Venice, CA

It only took 10 minutes of walking on uber chic Abbot Kinney in Venice before the designer handbags started passing me on this boho stretch lined with top-notch restaurants and independent boutiques. Everyone was out for a Sunday sun-drenched afternoon stroll with their BFFs.

First to catch my eye were these two stylish ladies and their totes. The always distinguishable Gucci Tote with the GG Jacquard and Large Horse-bit hardware and Saman Iman carrying her own beautifully designed Embroidered Pink Origami Tote. Saman may not yet be a household name but you should definitely keep an eye out for this fashionista. The detail of this bag is amazing. Each bag has plates of laser cut PETG embedded inside to create the feeling of folded paper. What a fresh idea!

Down the road these three ladies were browsing the antique shops looking ever so stylish carrying Louis Vuitton, Chanel and what I think is a Gucci hobo.

The handbag holy trinity!

Across the street spotted was this colorful and unique tote carried by a SaMo based, world traveler. Vanessa picked this up while shopping at the ChiChi Market on holiday in Guatemala one year. Located in Chichicastenango this market is surely the most colorful native market in North and Central America, perhaps in all the Americas.

Lastly before chopping off my long locks for "Locks of Love" I ran into these ladies. On the left this posh passer-by was carrying a magnifique Lancel handbag while her friend had a Hermès. Très chic!

Me, minus 10" of hair.

My Interview with Handbago!

Designer Profile: Tara Kelly, Kelly Stokx

I had the great pleasure of chatting with Handbago about this blog, Arm Candy on the Avenue, and my adventures in launching my own line KELLY STOKX. Check out the interview by clicking the above link.

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reMade the Right Way

reMade USA upcycles used materials to make one-of-a-kind handbags. Designer Shannon South from San Francisco sources leather from thrift shops and finds scraps from furniture and old car upholstery, to build these original works of art. Unique vintage scarfs are crafted into linings for a finished look. Each bag is a limited edition of one with it's own serial number.

Break-up with that boy who left his leather jacket behind? Turn it into a head-turning one of a kind Hobo. They take special orders so if you like you can supply the leather. Finally I can retire my Bomber jacket from the early 90's without all that guilt.

All products are hand-crafted in Potrero Hill, San Francisco, California.

YSL goes Downtown...

...not necessarily to the LES but more West Village for some Bleeker Street be-boppin after a spot of brunch and a few mimosas at Merkato 55. This silhouette comes in may fabrications but this by far is my favorite.

Yves Saint Laurent Downtown Lizard Embossed Tote ($1395)

Vintage Vantage Point

Today I scored this vintage COACH Navy Shoulder Bag from the second-hand shoppe near my office. It was hiding under a pile of PVC päkətˌboŏks in a large bin o' bags begging to be bought. For less than my lunch, $7 later a rescue was made.