Operation Handbag

Brook Noel

Pietro Alessandro Handbag collection

An excerpt from The Change Your Life Challenge: A 70 Day Life Makeover Program for Women

To learn more about the challenge that thousands of women have used to improve relationships, finances, home management, self-esteem, fitness, self-care, stress and depression click here

Operation Handbag

"Taking joy in life is a woman’s best cosmetic." Rosalind Russell

For many years I carried the world's largest handbag. Weighing in at no less than 25 pounds, I was prepared for every situation. Many shoulder aches later I finally put together a system that allowed me to be prepared for any event while also maintaining a bag that wouldn't break my back. Today, let's give your handbag a makeover to allow you to be prepared for any situation.

First, you'll need to have the right handbag. I have two. The first is a small bag — about 7x6 inches with a long strap so it can easily be slung over my head and under one arm. I like to use this when I travel as it allows me to have both hands free. (It is also more secure than a bag over one shoulder.) I also use this purse when running short errands. My other bag is much bigger — it is a cross between a tote, briefcase, and purse. (Make sure both bags that you choose fit securely over your shoulder so you are not constantly fussing with the strap.) I use this bag when I need to take my camera, or a book, or want to put my CATCH-ALL notebook in the bag. I also use the bigger bag when I am going to dinner with my family and want to take along some crayons or a coloring book to occupy my daughter.

The key to using multiple bags is to make sure that everything can be transferred quickly. Think of setting up your handbag in "stations." Let's look at the different stations you might have in a bag.

The Basics

1. Dollars & I.D.: Obviously, the most common reason to carry a bag is to transport our money and identification. What is interesting is how many extra things we pack into our wallets. Outdated receipts, credit cards, club cards we don't ever use, the family history in photos, and so much more. To avoid packing your wallet, get the smallest, functional wallet that you can find. I recommend just a small wallet that will hold your license, a credit card or two, and your dollar bills. Personally, I rarely use a wallet.
   
   When I buy a purse, I make sure it has a small zipper compartment on the inside and just zip my license, credit card, and dollars into that area. As for all my discount and club cards, most places offer one that can be attached to your key chain. I opt for those whenever possible. I keep all my other credit cards and club cards in a business card holder at home. When I run errands, I grab any I need before leaving the house. I recommend staying away from bulky wallets that also hold checkbooks. They are hard to maneuver in a small purse. Instead, keep your change and checkbook separate.
   
   
2. Coins: For the past eight years I have used coins as my "secret savings." Whenever I make a purchase, I pay with dollars and never use change. Even if the purchase is $10.02, I will give the cashier $11.00. I just throw my change into the bottom of my purse or bag and then transfer it every other day or so to a large container. That container serves as my "rainy day" money or family vacation money. I am often amazed at how much I can save in so little time. If you choose not to stash your change for a rainy day, I'd recommend a coin purse. The zipper pockets in wallets rarely hold all the change we get in a day or they leave your wallet heavy and lopsided.
   
   
3. Checkbook: I keep my checkbook in a basic cover and keep it separate from my wallet. This allows me to optimize storage space in my purse instead of using a bulky wallet. Also, if my husband needs the checkbook, I can give it to him without taking apart my wallet. If I'm running to a place where I only need my checkbook and ID, I can just tuck my license behind my checks and go.
   

Cosmetics: Have you ever emptied your purse only to find seven lipsticks on the bottom? Or have you needed a powder or other makeup item and it's not there? I keep two or three small cosmetic bags with different looks (i.e., one for nighttime — a bit more dramatic, one for daywear with warm colors, one for daywear with cool colors). In each small cosmetic bag I have the following: mascara, pressed powder, eyeliner, lip liner, lipstick, eye shadow duo, blush, and under eye concealer. I leave these bags by my other cosmetics where I get ready each morning. Then, depending on the day ahead, I grab the applicable bag and add it to my purse, always returning it to my cosmetic area at night.

To Do Stations: If you are heading to a doctor's appointment or another location where you will likely have some extra time, take your bigger bag and add something from your to-do pile. I like to keep some blank note cards in a plastic bag. When I go somewhere I can add this to my purse and catch up on writing notes and cards to friends. The TO READ file or TO RESPOND file from your file system are other good choices.

Other items for your handbag:

• If you are a contact lens wearer, I would recommend including a small bottle of solution and an extra pair of contact lens, and an extra case (good to keep in a plastic bag in case of leakage)
• Sunglasses
• Hairbrush or comb
• One or two wet naps
• Your actual or a photocopy of your health insurance card and auto insurance card
• Emergency contact information (and who to notify in case of an accident) tuck this in your wallet or next to your ID.
• Small note pad
• If you take medications, a 24-hour supply of your medicines in case you are unexpectedly stranded somewhere
• Pen
• Needle and thread (the small travel sewing kits you get at hotels work perfectly)
• Band-Aid® or two
• Envelope: If you travel a lot or need to keep receipts, buy a poly-envelope to store them in for safekeeping

For any of the above items you choose to take with you, package them in a small bag within your purse. Your goal is to not have any loose items roaming around. Instead, you'll have a combination of small bags that can be easily transferred from one carrier to another. You also won’t have to spend an hour digging when the woman behind you in the “speedy-checkout” line is sighing condescendingly.

Your Assignment

Grab your handbag and dump out all the contents. Using the tips above , develop bags and small “stations” to store all of your items.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

Fashion Is In The Handbag

Pietro Alessandro fine leather handbags

from javno

Without her handbag, every woman feels like without water in a desert. And every one of them carries someone`s mystical story with it. This appreciated fashion accessory’s history goes all the way to ancient 1400s when wallets started to be worn. In time, they became fuller and their dimensions increased. These bags with a string became a status symbol.

Thus, men in the second half of the 16th century got pockets for their wallets, while women carried on wearing them underneath their dresses. In the 18th century, after the French revolution, with the sophistication in women`s clothing, handbag appears in its gracious form.

In the 20th century handbags drew attention of many fashion companies and designers (Luis Vitton, Lauer Burch, Judith Leiber, Coco Chanel), and were a great success. They became representative and a part of every woman`s personal style, thus taking form, material, style and colour with each style of individual dressing. Whether these were handbags for a glamorous night out or a sports occasion.

They are made of linen, leather, plastic even. There are many taboos about the closed women`s handbag, to invade it is like to invade someone`s privacy. A typical woman`s handbag includes basic things plus her own spirit. It is exactly this spirit that makes the handbag special. As basic equipment, today we mean: mobile phone, chewing gum, tissues and lip balm.

Handbags became essential for every occasion, and as women became paranoid about theft of the ones in their hand, they firmly fixated them around their waists and necks. By doing so, they made them famous in each occasion, whether it is doing sports activities of on the beach.

With larger consumer supply, handbag dimensions increased. Suddenly, a woman no longer just keeps money in it. It also serves as an exquisite cosmetic purse (lip balm, powder, mirror, lip stick), with at least one copy of current literature, address book, mobile phone, walkman as a walking jukebox…

Trying to unveil Pandora’s box, we opened some handbags for you – look in the PHOTOGALLERY. But, one thing never changes, the secret that lies behind a closed woman`s handbag, we will never discover.

Leather handbags clearance sale

Biggest Leather Bag Sale "Only" Online! Addicted to handbags? Here's a sale you don't want to miss! Purses to Blog for at big online price cuts - Budgets that work for you! Budget Shopping Online - Huge Designer Handbag Sale at eFashionHouse! In today's tight budgets, there's always hope for online bargain hunters. Click here to enjoy a huge Sale on all your favorite Designers like Fendi, Marc Jacobs, Gucci, Coach, Tano bags, Murval, Melie Bianco, Elaine Turner handbags, Pietro Alessandro and many, many more! For more information. Whether you love leather or just want a new purse to tote around town, you must see the sale currently in progress. The Sale Section is marked down plus use coupon code OFF10 for an extra 10% off. The Clearance Section is as low as possible plus use coupon code OFF20 for an extra 20% off.Enjoy designer handbags and accessories at unbeatable prices. Plus, guaranteed lowest prices for Tano, Elaine Turner, Murval and Melie Bianco. Click here for details.

Designer handbags under $200!

You don't need to spend a fortune to look like you did. Genuine leather designer handbags by Pietro Alessandro are available for under $200. Most bags nowadays cost much more. For a very well constructed handbag, select a contemporary style made of genuine leather. Click here for more details. Fully lined. Inside extra pockets and every detail you'd expect from a high-end fashion accessory. Available in a variety of colors. Look good for a lot less than you could imagine.

Mellow yellow sunshine warm Pietro Alessandro

If you really love leather handbags and want the hottest color on earth, pick yellow this season. Pietro Alessandro makes top notch leather bags. Better than many others for the price point. Most Pietro Alessandro bags sell for under $200. That's pretty good considering handbags have become so popular these past few years.

Click here for more details about Pietro Alessandro.

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Yes, it's true. See the color you want and place a special order. Delivered to your door. No muss, no fuss. Best prices online for Pietro Alessandro! We found it JUST FOR YOU! All leather construction. Very hip and edgy designs. Made in the USA! Under $200!

All you can carry

Pietro Alessandro Handbags

by Lara Zamiatin

Statement handbags are hardly new but if you were lugging a massive leather tote around a couple of centuries ago, you were quite clearly a peasant or the hired help. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the smaller the bag, the richer the owner was likely to be, says Glynis Jones, curator, fashion and dress, at the Powerhouse Museum.

"There's a sense of people [in those days] not having to carry much," Jones says. "Wealthy women had servants to buy things. A handkerchief was all they needed."

In contrast to 21st-century clubbers whose bags bulge with mobiles, make-up and life's modern necessities, revellers at 19th-century balls went out with few requirements. "If you went to a ball you had a little booklet and pencil," Jones says, "and you'd write down your dance partners for the evening."

A "reticule", or small drawstring bag, was carried by hand or wrist and rose to prominence when straight cut-tight-under-the-bust empire line dresses became fashionable and bags could no longer be hidden beneath outer clothing. Previously bags - or "pockets", as they were called - were tied around a woman's waist and concealed under voluminous crinoline skirts. A small slit in the garment allowed the wearer to reach her pocket. Resembling the inside of modern-day pockets, such bags, Jones says, were often exquisitely embroidered by their owners. Likening the unseen labour to corsetry, Jones says: "There's that secret pleasure of wearing beautiful things that aren't seen."

The secret and not-so-secret pleasures of the handbag are the highlight of a new exhibition at the Queen Victoria Building, Handbags Through The Ages, which displays more than 140 antique, vintage and modern bags. Twentieth-century creations from fashion houses such as Escada, Longchamp and Versace are on display, along with wares from several QVB retailers. There are also 122 handbags, dating back to 1760, from the 4000-piece Darnell Collection of vintage garments and accessories - the owner, Blue Mountains collector Charlotte Smith, also curated the exhibition.

The Darnell pieces include a brown velvet beaded bag from 1840 that was owned by the young Bostonian Lizzy Boott, wife of American artist Frank Duveneck, and an Edwardian suede pouch that was crafted by an Austrian accessories designer for the French couture firm The House of Worth.

Bags that made it into the exhibition, Smith says, "were either typical of a period or pieces that you'd never associate with a period". An example: Vivienne Westwood's petite Orb purse, which would not look out of place in a Jane Austen costume drama.

As well as pockets and reticules, Handbags Through The Ages contains examples of chatelaines and miser's purses, typical of the Victorian era.

Named from the French chatelain, or "lord of the castle", a chatelaine hung decoratively off the waistband by a hook. Women carried useful household items such as thimbles and scissors.

The miser's bag was anything but decorative, Smith says. "The Victorians were so conscious of style, shape and detail," she says, and yet the miser's bags "were ugly, looking like slugs". There was an opening in the centre, into which owners pushed coins that were held at either end of the bag by a metal ring. They were called miser's bags, Smith says, because "if you were a miser you pulled out only one coin at a time".

By the early 20th century, with women travelling more frequently, handbags expanded and became more of a statement, Jones says. The introduction of chemical dyes brought in vividly coloured bags. New technology in the 1920s enabled manufacturers to created tightly woven mesh and started the trend for the decade's fine mesh purses. Innovative early plastics such as bakelite and zeolite came into play about the same time, producing moulded bags in an array of weird and wacky shapes. In Britain in the 1930s, women started co-ordinating bags and shoes.

Reflecting the new role of women during World War II, no-nonsense go-anywhere shoulder bags entered the fray.

By the '50s, handbags started to resemble the large items women now carry, Smith says. By this time they held "car keys, big sunglasses, lipsticks and lots of stuff".

Handbags by necessity are functional accessories, yet functionality is a term that rarely enters the vocabulary of Sydney retailer Claudia Chan Shaw and her fashion designer mother, Vivian. For the Shaws, form reigns supreme over function.

"We're the sort of girls who like things that are unusual and quirky," Shaw says. "If you're going to be creative with a handbag, you can be a bit nutty with the shape or form." The Shaws have lent 10 bags for the QVB exhibition, including a Brazilian bag from 1987 that is made from a recycled Coca-Cola can and embellished with cut crystal; an American handbag resembling a loaf of bread; and a gigantic asymmetrical leather bag from Italy that has semi-circular curves not unlike the sail-like structures of the Opera House.

Fashion historians charting the rise of the It bag pinpoint the '50s as the era when designers began naming individual bags. Citing Chanel's quilted and chained 2.55 bag (named because it was first produced in February 1955), Roger Leong, curator, international fashion and textiles, at the National Gallery of Victoria, attributes the emergence of It bags to the phenomenon of leather travel bag companies such as Louis Vuitton and Fendi expanding into apparel, particularly since the early 1990s.

"These houses have a long tradition of craftsmanship and then they launched themselves into fashion," Leong says. "The trend of the past 15 years has been for these companies to employ very creative designers to produce some fantastic collections of clothes but the money is made on their extremely desirable handbags, shoes and belts.

"Young women will buy a chainstore outfit but they'll save up for the It bag. Shoes and handbags are the success stories of the last 15 years. Accessories used to be seen as accessories. Now they've become the main story."

Nicola Sault, the owner of the Grandma Takes a Trip vintage boutiques in Surry Hills and Bondi Beach, happily admits to owning about 350 handbags. "A beautiful vintage bag is an easy way to add a unique style to an outfit," she says. Likening her handbags to old friends, she explains: "They're always there and hopefully you never lose them. They look after your stuff, they're charming and they make you look fabulous."

Pietro Alessandro Gold Carry-All Shoulder Bag

Always unique and never boring, PIETRO ALESSANDRO handbags are a must-have if you want to add some excitment to your handbags collection. Although we appreciate all types of designer handbags, especially the classic styles, every now and then we look to Pietro Alessandro to add one that isn't mainstream and expresses our individuality. Similar to the Carry-All tote bag, the Carry-All shoulder bag doesn't convert into two styles but one is enough when you are carrying this bag. Shown in a rich gold hue here, this Pietro Alessandro bag comes in silver and champagne as well. Pietro Alessandro purse measures 17" L x 4" W x 11" H. Shop Pietro Alessandro handbags now.

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Pietro Alessandro Medium Carry-All Tote

We already own this bag in black but we love the look of turquoise for spring. One of our favorites in both our collection and Pietro Alessandro's collection, the Carry-All leather tote was bound to be an instant success. Two handbags in one (the tote converts into a messenger bag when folded in half), the ultra-modern shape and roomy size adds to the bags appeal. Plus there are a whole bunch of new colors for spring so it's time to add another bag to our growing collection. Pietro Alessandro purse measures 17.5" L x 2.5" W x 13.5" H and is made from soft Italian leather. Shop Pietro Alessandro handbags now.

Send an email to CustomerCare@eFashionHouse.com that includes the style number and color. If the handbag is available, we will order it for you directly from the designer. Plus, we will beat anyone's price for Pietro Alessandro handbags. Send an email with the other website's link, and we'll do our best to get the purse for you at a lower price.

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A Guide for Buying Genuine Ladies Leather Handbags

Pietro Alessandro Leather Croc Embossed Handbag

By Michael Goh

A number of ladies have a passion to posses the most stylish, elegant and unique handbags in their collection. They consider carrying a trendy handbag that adds to their style statement. Wherein, ladies leather handbags qualify best in all these aspects. They are indeed the most popular variety of handbags.

Also, as women usually carry lots of things in their handbags, handbags serve as the most convenient way for them to organize and carry their essential personal items. In order to meet this utility need designers make handbags with different big or small compartments for different uses. For example you may like a handbag which has sections for your keys and credit cards or holders for pen and cell phones. Some handbags come with big or small zipper pockets inside or outside the handbags. Thus designers keep in mind the variety of their potential customers while making handbags.

You will find numerous fashionable, durable and versatile handbags made up of leather. Designers use various types of leather such as lamb, alligator, moose and swine to name a few, in manufacturing leather handbags.

The handbag's durability and life depends on the process in which the leather is processed and treated. Also, in order to increase the lifespan your leather handbag you need to care for it. All you have to do is protect your leather handbag from dust, wind and rain. When not in use store your handbag a cloth container. You should avoid keeping any oil-based products inside the handbag. These few tips of caution will allow you to maintain your leather handbag.

It is widely known that reputed handbag brands like Gucci, Prada and Louis Vuitton use the finest and the best quality of leather. Consequently these designer leather handbags become quite expensive. To buy a designer leather handbag price becomes an important consideration to lots of women. If you want to buy genuine leather handbag then be ready to spend a large amount of money for it. But if your pocket does not allow you to buy a costly designer handbag then you can buy a replica of any of the branded leather handbags. These handbags look alike the original branded ones. But these replicas are not of the same quality like that of the real branded handbags.

Buying from wholesalers is another way of buying the latest style and genuine quality leather handbags. Wholesale handbags offer you the best prices available. Companies or brands generally sell wholesale handbags to retailers or wholesalers. These companies provide proper customer service and also at times provide catalogs to establish their new products. Thus, you can get genuine ladies leather handbags from wholesalers at affordable prices. But be cautious in selecting the legitimate wholesalers so that you may not end up in buying a replica instead of the branded leather handbag.

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Designer desires

PIETRO ALESSANDRO designer purses banana pebble grain with croc embossed leather designer handbags 2063.

by Emily Wax

Amid buttery leather handbags and US$200 (HK$1,560) torn jeans, Anuga Shah and her friends were shopping in Ahmedabad's newest mall in Gujarat recently, proudly humming that they were "spendy." "This week, it's all about Tommy," Shah, 26, cooes as she pets hooded sweaters inside a glitzy Tommy Hilfiger boutique. "In India today, we love to be branded. I'll spend my whole salary for a really swank brand and eat idli (steamed rice cakes) for the rest of the month."

India's growing middle and upper- middle classes have recently given rise to self-described "brand freaks," who crave the latest luxury goods. In Ahmedabad - where the father of the nation, Mohandas Gandhi, once located his austere ashram and rejected foreign textiles - it is Chanel, not homespun cloth, that generates excitement these days. India's elite have long enjoyed luxury goods imported from the West. In recent months, though, Indians who cannot afford US$600 sunglasses - but who still have some disposable income - have been splurging. Designers, including Prada, Jimmy Choo, Gucci and Louis Vuitton, as well as brands such as Rolls-Royce and Mont Blanc, have either set up shop or beefed up operations.

Last month marked the opening of two of the country's highest-end malls. At New Delhi's Select City Walk, women nearly caused a stampede as they crowded into a MAC cosmetics store in search of a popular brand of eye shadow. Women said they were thrilled that their husbands did not have to go abroad to shop for them anymore. "This year, India really unleashed the brand beast," says Saloni Nangia, associate vice president of Technopak, a marketing research firm that estimates the middle and upper-middle classes at eight million to nine million people and growing, in a country whose population is 1.1 billion.

"It used to be just five-star hotels that had the high-end shops," she says. "But now India is actually getting upgraded with both premium brands and very high-end luxury. The right real estate is here now and the brand-freaks market is only going to get bigger." In the fall, Vogue, the bible of high- end fashion, launched its thick Indian edition, the most glamorous in a long line of magazines from Elle to Marie Claire that now have editions in the country.

"This is the year of the Indian woman as a confident brand-buyer, not abroad but finally at home," says Bandana Tewari, fashion features editor at Vogue's Indian edition. "I find it refreshing that we have choices and a better lifestyle riding the optimism of the economy." In a country with a rich tradition of textiles, Indian haute couture is flourishing, too.

"India still loves its colorful silk saris. We haven't gone to wearing black and white like the rest of Asia," Tewari says. "We refuse to change our intrinsic personality. We are remembering that India has always had superbly expensive jewelry, and insanely luxurious hand-woven seven-yard saris that are 800 years old. We were sprinkling saffron on our dessert before we got caviar." Such enthusiasm is not shared by everyone. For many, the rising popularity of Western brands has served only to highlight the stark gulf between the rich and poor in a country where the majority still live in abject poverty. Along a main highway in Ahmedabad, Tag Heuer billboards jockey for space with towering posters of Mont Blanc pens; below, barefoot children beg for money.

"We are changing a lot and too quickly as a nation," laments Vijay Bhai, 81, the caretaker of Gandhi ashram. "Everyone should remember that some jobs are good when the malls go up. But we shouldn't forget what's important in Indian life. Gandhi was a humble man who wore a loincloth when he went to shatter the British empire, not some glitzy brand-name clothes." THE WASHINGTON POST

The Incomparable Leather Handbag

By Scott Nichols

Both men and women have loved leather for centuries. It is no different today. That is why despite the opposition of activists to the use of animal products, leather handbags are still the most popular fashion accessory today, next only to shoes. Demand for and production of quality leather handbags continue unabated all over the world. Leather handbags are not only a fashion statement, they are a status symbol.

Leather Handbags Make Anyone Look Good

Men are also avid fans of leather handbags, not just women, although the leather handbags for each of the sexes are not interchangeable. There is no doubt that leather handbags can be elegant enhancements to anyone’s appearance, and to most styles of clothing. No accessory is as easy to match or coordinate. Leather handbags go with practically any kind of outfit.

Most leather products, including leather handbag, do not come purely by themselves, but in combination with other materials like nylon, denim and corduroy. So it is with leather handbags, which sometimes are fitted with such features as key rings, safety sets and what-have-you. The end product is invariably one that makes anyone look better. Leather handbags are durable and won't ever go out of style.

Put two women of approximately equal beauty and social status side by side. Give one woman a leather handbag, and the other woman a handbag made of another material. Which one do you think will surpass the other in looks? In all probability, the one handed a leather bag. Leather is simply fascinating, handsome and timeless.

Caring for Your Leather Handbag

Beautiful things often come at a price. In the case of leather handbags, it’s mainly not cost, but the demands of maintenance. Leather handbags are leather products that do require periodic cleaning. Leather handbags need to be polished and to be protected from moisture or soaking, and should be washed only with a special leather cleaner. If you can’t afford or find a cleaner specifically for use on leather, use small amounts of petrol on a soft cloth to wipe away dirt and grime from the hide. The leather handbag will regain its sheen in time at all.

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Italian Handbag Leather Purse Styles

By Morgan Ross

An Italian handbag leather purse is a wonderful item for women that are busy and do not want to change purses all the time. Italian leather purses are of high design, exquisite beauty and the top quality in handbags. They can take the everyday wear and tear, where other handbags that are not made of Italian leather fall apart.

Italian handbag leather purses are an extremely important and popular accessory and every woman has her own likes and dislikes when it comes to purse types. Some women prefer shoulder straps whereas others like clutch purses. Some want a handbag with many compartments where others like just one main compartment. Choosing an Italian handbag leather purse is all personal preference.

When choosing a style of Italian handbag leather purse, body shape does make a difference in the style you should consider. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Plus size women: Stay away from tiny purses. Longer straps and a little larger and wider than average purse is a good choice.

2. Petite women: Handbags that are shorter and fit against the body are best.

3. Tall and Slender women – Any style of Italian handbag leather purse is perfect but make sure it is large or oversize. If you prefer a small purse, buy one that fits under your shoulders.

4. Curvy women: Buy a medium sized purse that accentuates your waist by hitting just above it.

When going out somewhere special, choose an Italian handbag leather purse that suits the occasion as the wrong handbag can ruin a perfect outfit. The internet is a great place to purchase Italian handbag leather purses from authentic top designers at less than normal retail prices.

You have access to some of the most famous designer names and latest up to date styles available. An Italian handbag leather purse is an accessory that not only makes your outfit complete but helps create the look you want to achieve.

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Pietro Alessandro Patent Leather Leopard Shoulder Bag

Two things that were hot this season were animal print and patent leather and PIETRO ALESSANDRO managed to find a way to pair these trends and make it look oh so good. PIETRO ALESSANDRO animal print patent leather shoulder bag features a unique hobo shape, rich black patent leather, animal print trim and tassels. Pietro Alessandro handbag measures 14H x 9W x 4.5 L. Shop PIETRO ALESSANDRO handbags now.

If you see a Pietro Alessandro handbag you want, send an email to CustomerCare@eFashionHouse.com which includes the style number and color. If the handbag is available, we will order it for you. Plus, we will beat anyone's price for Pietro Alessandro handbags. Send an email with the other website's link, and we'll do our best to get the purse for you at a lower price.

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Pietro Alessandro Pebble Grain Leather Shoulder Bag 1182

We aren't sure where PIETRO ALESSANDRO get the inspiration for its unique handbag designs but this particular PIETRO ALESSANDRO bag seems to be reminiscent of the southwest. The silver hardware, tassels and croc embossed accents remind us of the purses and handbags influenced by western designs. PIETRO ALESSANDRO handbag measures about 17 x 12 x 4 inches with a strap about 20 inches long. Shop this PIETRO ALESSANDRO handbag now.

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Pietro Alessandro Metallic Patchwork Shoulder Bag

Not often seen together, silver and gold perfectly compliment each other on this PIETRO ALESSANDRO patchwork handbag. Made from gold, silver, white and taupe metallic leather, this Pietro Alessandro handbag might not be for everyday use (unless you are really bold) but it is perfect for looking hot on girls nights. PIETRO ALESSANDRO handbag measures 12" L x 8" H x 3.5" W. Shop PIETRO ALESSANDRO handbags now.

If you see a Pietro Alessandro handbag you want, send an email to CustomerCare@eFashionHouse.com that includes the style number and color. If the handbag is available, we will order it for you. Plus, we will beat anyone's price for Pietro Alessandro handbags. Send an email with the other website's link, and we'll do our best to get the purse for you at a lower price.

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Pietro Alessandro Patent Leather Handbag

Although all PIETRO ALESSANDRO handbags are well-made, each of the different collections is so uniquely different from the last that rich leather and fine craftsmanship are about the only thing the different styles have in common. We are loving all of the patent leather the past season but are intrigued by the shape of this PIETRO ALESSANDRO handbag. Fancy meets casual with the shiny patent leather and clenched top. PIETRO ALESSANDRO handbag measures about 15 x 15 x 3 with a 24 inch strap. Click here to shop this PIETRO ALESSANDRO handbag now.

If you see a Pietro Alessandro handbag you want, send an email to CustomerCare@eFashionHouse.com that includes the style number and color. If the handbag is available, we will order it for you. Plus, we will beat anyone's price for Pietro Alessandro handbags. Send an email with the other website's link, and we'll do our best to get the purse for you at a lower price.

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Pietro Alessandro Grey Zebra Calf Hair Handbag

We thought of two words when we saw this PIETRO ALESSANDRO handbag, funky fabulous. We are amazed at how the designers for PIETRO ALESSANDRO get their inspiration to come up with such creative designs and styles. Like this handbag, style 7005, that features a grey zebra calf hair body and grey patent leather handles and top zipper. This style may not be for everyone but those who like to get creative when it comes to fashion can look no further. PIETRO ALESSANDRO handbag measures about 16 x 13 x 3 with a 16 inch strap.

Click here to shop this PIETRO ALESSANDRO handbag now.

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Pietro Alessandro Burgundy and Olive Croc Embossed Shoulder bag

PIETRO ALESSANDRO handbags are always unique and fresh in design but this shoulder bag is definitely one-of-a-kind. A large leather handbag in burgundy and olive with croc embossed details, PIETRO ALESSANDRO handbags are for the trend-seekers who never want to carry a handbag that everyone else has and always on the look out for the next "it-bag." Handbag measures about 16 x 16 x 3 with a 16 inch strap.

Click here to shop PIETRO ALESSANDRO handbags now.

If you see a Pietro Alessandro handbag you want, send an email to CustomerCare@eFashionHouse.com that includes the style number and color. If the handbag is available, we will order it for you. Plus, we will beat anyone's price for Pietro Alessandro handbags. Send an email with the other website's link, and we'll do our best to get the purse for you at a lower price.

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OUR PROMISE TO YOU

OUR PROMISE TO YOU....."When you see a Pietro Alessandro handbag you want, send an email to CustomerCare@eFashionHouse.com include the style number and color. If the handbag is available, we will special order it for you. Plus, we will beat anyone's price for Pietro Alessandro handbags. Send an email with the other website's link, and we'll do our best to get the purse for you at a lower price."

Pietro Alessandro Pebble Grain Gold Metallic Clutch

We love clutches but we are "in" love with this PIETRO ALESSANDRO gold metallic pebble grain leather clutch bag. Style 2075. Fun and fabulous at the same time. All leather construction. Designer clutch measures about 12 x 7 x 2 inches. Has a 14 inch wrist strap. Front flap securely closes with a push lock closure.

Click here to shop authentic PIETRO ALESSANDRO handbags now.

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PIETRO ALESSANDRO banana pebble grain with croc embossed leather 2063.

PIETRO ALESSANDRO banana pebble grain with croc embossed leather 2063.

The beautiful Italian leather banana yellow pebble grain with croc embossed leather designer handbag shown above is the Pietro Alessandro style number 2063. New this season. All leather construction. High end designer details throughout the construction. Secure zip top closure. Fully lined. Extra pockets. Measures about 17 x 14 x 5 with a 20 inch strap.

The style of this purse is very slouchy and comfortable. The Italian leather is scratch resistant and is complimented by a moc croc trim. The full zip top secure closure includes a long tassle zipper pull.

How heavy is YOUR handbag? Celebrities reveal their daily burden

By MISHAAL KHAN

Four celebrities show just how much their handbags weigh

Most of us would be horrified to lug nearly three house bricks around with us, all day, every day. But according to new research, that's exactly what the average woman carries around on her shoulder in the form of a handbag that weighs on average 5.2lb - an increase of 38pc in the past five years. Experts suggest it's our increasing reliance on gadgets which is driving up the load, and there are worries that the extra pressure on backs and shoulders could lead to severe long-term skeletal and muscular damage.

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The ideal weight is said to be no more than 1kg, or 2.2lb - but in the age of the supersize bag, is that realistic? FEMAIL delved into the handbags of four women to find out exactly what they carry around all day, and how much their bags really weigh.

Television presenter, interior designer and stylist Hannah Sandling, 31, lives with her partner Oliver Felstead, 26, a property developer.

CONTENTS OF HANDBAG: Marc Jacobs sunglasses and case; Osiris glasses and case; wallet; Marks & Spencer diary; keychain with house keys; Samsung P300 mobile phone; Radley umbrella; Black iPod Nano 8GB; banana and banana guard; M&S nut assortment; chewing gum; Highland Spring water 500ml; Christian Lacroix Rouge perfume; toothbrush; mini Colgate; Travel tissues; safety pins; paracetamol; tape measure; dental tape; Post-it notes; Elizabeth Arden Eight-Hour Cream; Nivea Lipcare; Bobbi Brown Bronzer Brush; 2 Suqqu eyeshadows; MAC Select Moisture Blend SPF 15; eyelash curlers; OPI nail polish; face cream; MAC Select cover up; Liparazzi lip gloss with light and mirror; Suqqu mascara; Avon Uplifting Mascara; Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream; Dermalogica Multivitamin Hand and Nail Treatment; La Prairie foam cleanser; MAC blusher; Avon Blush; Avon eyeshadow; M&S Raspberry Lip Butter; 4head for headache relief; House Beautiful magazine.

Empty bag weighs: 1lb 14oz (858g) Full bag weighs: 9lb 11oz (4.3kg)

Hannah says: It might seem as though I've got the entire contents of Boots in my handbag, but I regard these as my essential items, and I'd hate to be without a single one. On a normal day of filming and shoots, I'll leave my house at 7.30am and don't get back until dinnertime, which means I need to be prepared for all possible scenarios. I once got caught without all my favourite cosmetics when I was out and about filming for the Richard & Judy show, and had to go on TV completely bare-faced - it was a disaster.

Men won't understand how that feels, but every woman will, it's almost as bad as being naked. My friends nicknamed me 'bag lady' because I always used to have carrier bags full of things I thought I needed hanging off my arms. Then, about three years ago, I discovered how much easier big handbags were, so nowadays I tend to buy big bags just so I can stuff them with all my things. And it's not just cosmetics, I always make sure I have snacks with me.

My arm and back muscles have definitely become stronger from carrying so much stuff around, and I even do exercises every morning to make sure I don't damage anything. This handbag was £295 from Kate Kuba. It's trendy and functional, with plenty of pockets. I have about 200 handbags at home, ranging from High Street to designer, but I've never paid fullprice for a designer bag and always wait for the sales. The most I've spent is about £450 for my Marc Jacobs bag - it's a combination of blue leather, plum patent and cream leather, and was reduced from £1,000. But my best bargain was a beautifully embroidered bag I bought from Cambodia which cost me about 75c. It's amazing, and I'm so scared of ruining it that I don't get it out much.

I can't believe how much my handbag weighs, and it's obvious women are now carrying far more than we should, but everything in a handbag is like a security blanket - that's why I can't bear to throw any of it away.

Socialite, reality TV star and personal trainer Lady Isabella Hervey, 25, is single and lives in London with her Maltese terrier Cleo.

CONTENTS OF HANDBAG: Make-up bag by Brief & Sassy, and contents; Blackberry; 60 GB black iPod; Smythson diary; keys; Oyster card; bank card; Diet System Thermobol Maximuscle tablets; deodorant; Apple Picture CD-Rom; Nurofen capsules; chewing gum; razor; Optrex Red Eye eye drops; Nars bronzer; gym leggings and top; loose change; pen.

Empty bag weighs: 1lb 7oz (660g) Full bag weighs: 5lb 4oz (2.32kg)

Isabella says: I'm not surprised by the weight of my handbag. In fact, I thought it might weigh more as I usually carry around far more than this. There's usually more fruit in my bag, maybe another gym kit and sometimes even a pair of trainers. I often carry more paperwork around with me, too, as I find myself going from one meeting to another. But it doesn't feel too heavy. Being a personal trainer means I'm used to lifting heavy things. I'm very active and am often out all day, so I have to be prepared for any eventuality. I got my tan leather handbag about two years ago. It cost around £150 and is definitely an old favourite. Big bags might be fashionable at the moment, but for me it's just a question of being practical. Sometimes I don't know where my day is going to take me, so I'm always armed with everything I might need.

Often I have to go from a breakfast meeting, then to work at the gym before more meetings and interviews and shoots. So a big bag is a must rather than a fashion statement. My favourite is the Hermes Birkin. The basic leather bag costs around £6,000 and I own three - in pink, red and blue. They're great for getting lots into. I'll only downsize in the evening if I'm going to a party or for a night out, when I need only a lip gloss, some money and my mobile.

Singer Javine Hylton, 25, lives with her partner MC Harvey, 28, a member of So Solid Crew. Javine is seven months pregnant with their first child. She is carrying a handbag by Kathy van Zeeland, worth about £60, which she bought in Thailand

CONTENTS OF HANDBAG: Gucci sunglasses; book - Guide To Pregnancy And Birth by Adriana Hunter; Bio Oil; Viktor & Rolf perfume; Fake Bake Body Butter; Nokia N76 phone and charger; chewing gum; birthing DVDs;Louis Vuitton make-up bag and contents; keys; lockets; change.

Empty bag weighs: 2lb 5oz (1.04kg) Full bag weighs: 6lb 10oz (3kg)

Javine says: Considering my handbag isn't that big compared with the ones I used to carry, I still manage to squeeze in all the essentials. You'd never find me without my hair tongs, straighteners, hair brush and plenty more makeup than I ever needed at one time. Everything but the kitchen sink. But with the lifestyle I had before getting pregnant, I never knew when I might need all those things to glam myself up. My bags used to be so big and so heavy that I'd strain my back. But now that I'm pregnant, I know I can't take that risk. My doctor and even my partner Harvey told me from the very beginning that I had to be sensible about it. The fact that my life has slowed down a lot has made that easier.

I love big bags. They're just so useful and there are so many beautiful ones around at the moment, it's difficult to resist. But a girl can never have too many handbags, anyway. I've lost count of how many I have. I'd guess about 50 - a combination of casual day bags and more formal evening bags. I'll spend money on a designer handbag if I love it, and I don't mind forking out several hundred for one. All I have to do now is make sure they don't do me an injury by being so full of stuff I can barely carry them.

TV presenter and businesswoman Saira Khan, 37, lives with her husband Steven Hyde, 38, an IT consultant. Saira is six months pregnant with their first child. Saira is carrying a E450 handbag by Alexandra Bee.

CONTENTS OF HANDBAG: Bottle of Volvic; Chanel glasses and case; Blackberry; keys and keyring; large Radley make-up bag and contents; small Radley make-up bag and contents; pashmina; Oyster card and holder; Allure by Chanel perfume; lip balm; deodorant; business cards; notebook; wallet; Bobbi Brown Bronze Shimmer Brick; make-up brushes; MAC lip gloss; Miamoo Huggy Lotion; Miamoo Baba Oil; manicure kit; compact mirror and leather holder; Miamoo catalogues.

Empty bag weighs: 1lb 4oz (556g) Full bag weighs: 11lb 2oz (5kg)

Saira says: As I'm six months pregnant, my husband Steve is always telling me not to fill my handbag, but it's difficult to change my habits. But I was shocked when I found out my full handbag weighs 11lb. That's like carrying a bag of potatoes on my back all day, which is quite ridiculous. I'm a bit of a handbag addict and buy about five good-quality bags a year. This is definitely one of my favourites. After I have my baby, it'll double up as a trendy baby-changing bag, too. I'd be prepared to pay about £750 for a handbag if I absolutely loved it, but at the moment, this is the most expensive one I own. I don't wear a lot of make-up during the day, but everything in there always stays there and goes everywhere with me. I never know when I might need it.

I've had my manicure kit for the past ten years, and it goes everywhere with me - even around Pakistan for six weeks when I was filming a documentary over the summer. If I leave it, I feel lost - like I do whenever I leave my mobile at home - but the funny thing is that I can't even remember the last time I used it. Maybe finding out exactly what is in my bag and realising I could get by without most of it will encourage me to get rid of the things I never use. I don't have very good habits when it comes to organising my bag and probably clear it out about once every two months.

Carrying a big bag makes me feel important and authoritative. I own about four big bags - I always carry my laptop with me during the day, going from one meeting to the next, and sometimes even a pair of trainers in case my heels start to hurt. I never take a clutch bag out in the evening, because I'm so absentminded, I just put them down and forget about them. I've lost so many evening bags in that way, even though I always swear I'll take care of each new one I buy. Once, my bag was stolen while I was sitting in my car. I was actuallymugged while I was sitting in my own driveway. Someone opened the passenger door and tried to grab me, but luckily I escaped out the other side. All he got was my handbag before he ran off. The contents of my handbag were worth about £750. I have about two dozen bags in total, and I tend to swop between them, but from now on I'll do my best not to put quite so much stuff in them!

eFashionHouse.com 2008 New Year Event: Designer Handbag Store Liquidation

eFashionHouse.com 2008 New Year Event: Designer Handbag Store Liquidation

Year-End Clearance - FINAL MARKDOWNS - Everyting Must Go!

Be the first to know.

January 2 - January 11, 2008

Use coupon code 25EFH08 for an extra 25% off Site Wide!

Our everday prices are 30% - 60% off retail. Beginning January 2 through January 11 take an extra 25% off the lowest marked price.

Click here to shop Final Markdowns

http://www.efashionhouse.com/productlist_saleefh.html/clearance/4

This offer is for a limited time only. All items will return to their original prices after January 11, 2008. This offer can't be combined with any other coupon or discount code, on layaway plans or prior purchases. Some restrictions apply. Write to CustomerCare@eFashionHouse.com with questions. Thank you for shopping with us. Happy New Year!

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eFashionHouse named Best of the Web by People StyleWatch for Off-Retail Priced Designer Handbags. About.com named eFashionHouse Top Chanel Online Retailer. Online since 1996 offers FREE SHIPPING $200 orders and NO SALES TAX worldwide. Questions? Write CustomerCare@eFashionHouse.com - 24-hour message center 310.828.1281.

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Pietro Alessandro Press - Lindsay Lohan September 2007

Pietro Alessandro handbags are spotted in Los Angeles. Here's Lindsay Lohan on September 28 2007 carrying the very popular Pietro Alessandro Style 3051 Six-Pocket Whipstitched Bowler designer handbag.

Lindsay Lohan's Pietro Alessandro - Gray Six-Pocket Bowler 3051

Pietro Alessandro handbags are spotted in Los Angeles. Here's Lindsay Lohan on Octoer 3 2007 carrying the very popular Pietro Alessandro Style 3051 Six-Pocket Whipstitched Bowler designer handbag in gray with black croc embossed Italian leather trim. This is one of the Pietro Alessandro icon handbags. It is large, roomy, has an edgey style, and it's loved by everyone! For the best prices online for Pietro Alessandro, visit DesignersLA at eFashionHouse.com.

Pietro Alessandro in People StyleWatch Magazine

Pietro Alessandro was sponsored by eFashionHouse and featured on People.com.The photo above shows the very popular Pietro Alessandro Style 3051 Six-Pocket Whipstitched Bowler designer handbag. It is a large shoulder bag with lots of room and designer details. SPECIAL NEW YEAR EVENT. eFashionHouse.com is running a 25% Off discount on all Pietro Allessandro Handbags. Use coupon discount code 25EFH08 from January 2 - 11, 2008. If you have any questions, please write to CustomerCare@eFashionHouse.com.

PIETRO ALESSANDRO designer purses 3051 six pocket whipstitch bowler bag shoulder bag designer handbags bordeaux red. Super hot new design updated from earlier styles with a contrast whipstitch twist. Six pocket bowler shoulder bag. Lots of interior room. Fully lined. Has the it bag look. Very hot selling item. Flies off the shelves in every store in town. Superbly hand crafted of Italian pebble grain leather and moc croc embossed geuine Italian leathers. Perfect contrasting design. Antique brass hardware. Bag measures about 16 x 13 x 6 inches with double shoulder straps long enough to carry over the shoulder by most. Very limited supply. Guaranteed authentic. Comes with sleeper bag. .

SPECIAL NEW YEAR EVENT. eFashionHouse.com is running a 25% Off discount on all Pietro Allessandro Handbags. Use coupon discount code 25EFH08 from January 2 - 11, 2008. If you have any questions, please write to CustomerCare@eFashionHouse.com.

Thank you for shopping with DesignersLA.

Pietro Alessandro Handbags for DesigersLA.com

Pietro Alessandro partnered with DesignersLA.com and eFashionHouse.com for a photo shoot and presentaion in People StyleWatch Magazine. The bag photographed was featured in People Magazine's Sales Scoop and is a signature style in the Pietro Alessandro handbag collection.

About the Photo. PIETRO ALESSANDRO designer purses 3051 six pocket whipstitch bowler bag shoulder bag designer handbags bordeaux red. Super hot new design updated from earlier styles with a contrast whipstitch twist. Six pocket bowler shoulder bag. Lots of interior room. Fully lined. Has the it bag look. Very hot selling item. Flies off the shelves in every store in town. Superbly hand crafted of Italian pebble grain leather and moc croc embossed geuine Italian leathers. Perfect contrasting design. Antique brass hardware. Bag measures about 16 x 13 x 6 inches with double shoulder straps long enough to carry over the shoulder by most.

About Pietro Alessandro Collection. Born out of a love for fine Italian leather and impeccable craftsmanship, Pietro Alessandro handbags offer a hip, one-of-a-kind feel. Designing handbags for over 20 years, owner Pierre Dabagh created the company with the fashion-conscious woman in mind. He adds excitement and energy to each bag by combining sophisticated textures with fine embellishments. From the shape, texture, and styling, Pierre has created a niche in the edgy, fashionable world of handbags.

Great gift ideas for you and all your friends. Spread the word.

Italian leather handbags made in New York City. Gorgeous is an understatement for the hip new chic of this designer. Leather craftsman for many years, the Pietro Alessandro updated collection is flying off the shelves in all major boutiques world wide.

If you think the photos are great, wait until you touch and see the bags in person. They are out of this world, drop-dead gorgeous. Our entire staff fell in love with the entire collection, and we promise you will, too.

Click here to see more about Pietro Alessandro Handbags Online at DesignersLA.

PIETRO ALESSANDRO black patent leather & leopard print handbag

We fell in love with the Pietro Alessandro collection the first time we saw it. Now, we offer our readers an opporunity to own one of the Pietro Alessandro handbags at a deep discount. For a limited time, and as a welcome to the Pietro Alessandro Handbag Blog, take an extra 20% off the entire Pietro Alessandro Collection at DesignersLA.com.

The PIETRO ALESSANDRO designer purse photographed about is black patent leather with tan leopard printed calf hair. The designer handbag is style number 7003. It's new this season. All leather construction. High end designer details throughout the construction. Secure top closure. Fully lined. Extra pockets. Guaranteed authentic. Comes with sleeper bag. Measures about 16 x 16 x 3 with a 40 inch strap.

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Welcome to Pietro Alessandro Handbags Blog

Pietro Alessandro is a name you'll be hearing when women start chatting about designer handbags. It's a new look, a new style and a very hip, colorful line of leather purses made in the USA.

The Park Avenue International Handbags Company is the home of the Pietro Alessandro Handbag collection. In 1982, Pierre Dabagh started Park Avenue International Handbags. In 2004, Pierre's son, Alex Dabagh, introduced the Pietro Alessandro Collection, and it gained popularity and recognition immediately.

The Pietro Alessandro collection brings to the USA consumer a touch of old world craftsmanship and contemporary style. Alex Dabagh is young, full of energy and very creative ideas. You can see Alex's creative influence when looking at the Pietro Alessandro handbag styles. The bags have edge, color, practicality and lots of room for today's active woman. The handbags are fully lined, have lots of extra pockets, and there are straps for over the shoulder or across the body carrying. The leathers and trims used on a Pietro Alessandro handbag compliment each other. The colors of the leathers range from classic neutrals to striking blues and vibrant yellows.

Handbag Fashionistas seeking the look and quality of high-end designer fashion without paying the high price are immediately drawn to Pietro Alessandro handbags, purses and small leather goods. The high-quality Italian pebble grain leather is standard for the Pietro Alessandro handbag line. The pebble grain is scratch resistant, durable and available is almost every color imaginable.

Fine leathers imported from Italy and Spain are used to craft unique and sophisticated handbags of all shapes, styles, colors and designs. Some are uniquely trimmed with genuine calf hair fur embossed with animal prints. The purse and handbags are expertly crafted and manufactured in the USA.

When creating the designer styled handbags, the designers use embossed leather with croc, python, nubuck, iquana and a variety of grained texutres. The hardware is unsurpassed. Many of the designs include special findings, semi-precious stones and crystals imported from Italy.

If you are looking for a hip, fashion handbag with practical, edgy, contemporary, style select from the Pietro Alessandro collection for your next designer bag. Click here to see Pietro Alessandro Online.