Designer Handbags - Redefining Your Personality

Tano - Handbags that redefine your Personality - Efashionhouse

Handbags have become the very common attire of the people in the present century. Handbags not only act as the style statement but also as an accessory to add beauty to your personality. Designer handbags not only provide all the essential features but also the pleasure of having a well- stitched, good quality handbag.

Since you would require a handbag every time you go, it becomes important that the one you carry is decent, reflects your style and matches your clothing. It is not necessary that you must always sport a designer handbag. Today, the phenomenon of online shopping has opened up a wide range of handbags and purses to choose from. You can in fact personalize the handbags to represent your style statement.

The designer handbags decide the type of person you are. If you like to carry a light colored handbag, then it depicts that you are a soft-natured person, whereas if you like to carry a dark colored handbag, then it shows the strong aspect of your personality.

There is a wide variety of designer handbags and designer purses available in the market. Following are some of them:-
1. Hobo bags- They are made of leather and can actually look very glamorous for evening parties and dances.
2. Cigar box purses – They are made of actual wooden cigar boxes, draped in soft fabric with handles and clasps and images from the early 1900s giving it an authentic traditional look.
3. Shiny golden, silver or metallic clutch bags, small and petite with metal straps are also great combinations for the occasional parties and evening get-togethers.
4. Finally, there are personalized purses which can range from purses with photographs of you, your family, of your dogs to your initials being stitched or embroidered on the body. These designer handbags or purses come in different shapes and sizes and are excellent for college, casual work and outings.

These designer handbags play an important role in redefining your personality by making you possess the trend followed by everyone in the fashion world.

Article Source: http://www.365articles.com/

It's in the bag!

by Julie Harris
TANO designer handbag SEXBOMB 3124 leather designer purse at eFashionHouse

The holiday season is upon us again and you may be searching for the perfect gift for the fashion minded individual. One of the most personal gifts is a designer handbags and you don't have to take out a second mortgage to buy one. Designers such as inge Catherine D, MAXX New York and Anne Klein all offer designer handbags under $200.00. If you're willing to spend a little more, check out Elaine Turner, Rafe and CATE ADAIR.

Think about the style of handbag which would best suit your loved one. Shoulder bags, hobos, and messenger bags are great for the active individual. Pick out one with a top zipper and several pockets to help with organizing everything. Magnetic closure are also very popular. You also may want to pick one with a special pocket for her cellphone. Totes and shoppers are great for college students or mothers with small children because they offer lots of room. For teenagers, clutches or a small satchel are very trendy today.

If you're looking for handbag bargains, check out brands such as Betsey Johson (Betseyville), Guess, DKNY, Kathy Van Zeeland and Juicy Couture. The internet is a great resouce for all you handbag shopping.

Article Source: http://www.goarticles.com/

Graduate with a Tano Purse!

Whether she's into Yoga or an obvious Fashionista, decide the award your girly grad deserves and say "congrats" with an authentic designer handbag for the Class of 2008. You know she really wants a designer purse this year! And, she's all grown up and wants something special.

Shopping Online SAVES YOU MONEY! No travel time or gas to buy! Shop from the comfort of home 24/7!

All the girls are carrying a new purse to their new job. Your little graduate dreams about a new designer handbag. There are many styles and designs to select in price ranges from under $100 to more than $500. It's up to you. Whatever you pick will be a hit. Some of our favorites are Tano bags, Melie Bianco handbags, Elaine Turner handbags, Pietro Alessandro handbags, Gucci Bags, Prada bags, Fendi bags and many more. And, they are all on Sale! See the coupon codes below and start saving on your graduation gifts for that special gal in your life.

Shop the Sale Section. Take an extra 10% off!

Use Coupon OFF10 at
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Shop Final Clearance. Deep discounts. Plus get an extra 20% off!

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Graduation is here! She wants a REAL Designer Handbag! Have fun shopping! Here's a series of Graduation Tid-Bits we found amusing and thought you might, too!

Bad Graduation Gift Ideas
by Andy

A Briefcase: Oh, thanks Uncle Frank. You getting me this briefcase ensures that I’m supposed to work the same 9-5 office job that you've worked for that last 25 years while complaining about it and cheating on my wife with my secretary. (Sorry Aunt Jane)

“Planet Earth” on DVD: Am I that hard to shop for? How long did it take you to pick this out at Wal-Mart? Do you think that all I do is get high and watch the Discovery Channel? Well guess what, I DO!

“Planet Earth” on VHS: What? There’s like 20 tapes. Get out of my sight Grandma.

Money: What am I supposed to do with this? It's only four dollars.

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All Sorts of Graduation Ideas
from My Expression

Graduation Party Ideas
The Traditions of Graduation Party -Traditions are the lifeblood of every college. Traditions connect the students to the past of the college while at the same time preparing them for the future. From the historic to the contemporary, traditions can express a spirit of unity and create a sense of community while providing for loads of fun.

Graduation Planning Checklist - Its Graduation time! You’re planning on hosting a graduation party and you want it to be unique and exciting. Planning any party can be overwhelming and many things can go wrong. So, to be on the safer side, you need to come up with a graduation planning checklist to keep things from bouncing out of control.

The Do’s and Don’ts in the Graduation Party - So, you’re graduating from high school or college and what better excuse to throw a party! Spring is that time of the year for graduation invitations, announcements and gifts. Etiquettes and manners form a very important part of our being social animals.

What To Wear on Your Graduation Day - For 12 (in some cases more) seemingly never-ending years, you obediently went through the schoolyard quarrels, your first boy-girl party, your first date, the Prom, and now finally what you’ve always been waiting for – your Graduation day! This time you’re going to be wearing an outfit that your parents will finally approve of – a gown and a cap ...

Decorating your Graduation Party - So, its graduation day and you’re all set to host a special theme party. Yes, theme parties are fun and a whole lot easier to decorate! Half the fun of hosting a graduation party is decorating the party. You can decorate your room, your lawn, you table, and even your guests! You can turn graduation caps upside down and fill them with balloons or flowers ...

Graduation Speeches Etiquette - The graduation ceremony confirms each student’s quest for knowledge. Traditionally, the ceremony will include a graduation speech that seeks to put each and every students hard work (in some cases, not so hard work) into the perspective of their future. Yes, most of us have heard one or more graduation speeches either as spectators or as graduates ourselves ...

Graduation Gift Ideas - The date is fixed, and the invitations and announcements have already been given out. So, the day has finally come for you students to cry and to cheer and to leave your school or college halls forever. Yes, graduation day is indeed one of the biggest days in everyone’s life. After years and years of hard work, your efforts have finally paid off. You’re happy but ...

Chance to Promote Your Business with Graduation Open House Invitations - Do you plan to host a graduation open house for yourself or one of your children? It may not seem like it could work, but you can actually promote your business when you have an open house. You can start the promotion with something as simple as mention that the open house is being hosted by your business. This will definitely ...

Graduation Announcement Tips, Wording, and Special Poems
Graduation Announcement Wording Tips - Graduation is an important time in life, and should be announced properly. Stationary with crayons and graduation caps on it is an appropriate means of announcing a child graduating from kindergarten. A photo announcement is a nice keepsake for loved ones who are being invited to the graduation ...

Graduation Announcements Wording Ideas - So, you’re graduating from high school or college and you’re busier than ever! Your last year of college is filled with thousands of events and activities that you have never even tried to attempt during your college years. From sending out resumes and applications to asking for letter of recommendation, you have loads ...

Do it yourself Graduation Announcements - A great substitute to printed graduation announcements are announcements that you print by yourself on your personal computer. Not only are these ‘Do-it-yourself’ graduation announcements a lot more economical, but they can also be equally colorful and creative. Start of by using plain white card stock or even plain white paper ...

Sending Graduation Announcements - So, its graduation day and its time to let everyone know that you are a proud graduate. Now that all those seemingly endless years of toil and hard work have finally paid off, it’s finally time to celebrate. First things first, start by sending out graduation invitations and announcements to all your near and dear ones. Most colleges and high schools ...

Graduation Invitations in General and the Etiquette
Graduation Party Invitations - Planning the Party - Everyone who has played a role in the life of the graduate should be sent an invitation to the graduation party. It is understood by most that tickets to commencement are limited, however an open house allows for everyone to congratulate the graduate. - Invitations - You can choose informal themes, such as a backyard ...

Graduation Invitations Etiquette - There is a very good reason why people call graduation ceremonies ‘commencement ceremonies’. This is because graduation does not mark the end; it marks the beginning. Graduation is the achievement of all goals, and rewarding the graduate for his or her hard work is a must. Graduation time is the time to invite friends and family together for an exclusive ...

Choosing Graduation Invitations Theme - Whether for you or a friend, Graduation day is one of the most joyous and welcomed occasions in any student’s life. It marks the end of your educational journey that can sometimes seem to be an endless and intolerable journey. Graduation is a once in a lifetime event, so give this event the honor and prestige that it truly deserves. The very first ...

The Traditions of Graduation Cap & Black Color in Your Invitations - When it comes to graduation invitations or stationary there are some traditions that are still observed by most people. In the majority of samples that you look at while shopping you will find that there are graduation caps in the majority of them. This is simply an obvious choice of décor since it is an invitation for a graduation ...

Graduation Invitations Theme
Casual Graduation Party Ideas - If you want to throw a wonderful party for that special high school or college graduate in your life, don’t assume you have to spend a fortune and put together some very elegant get together. After all, your graduate has already worked very hard to achieve this accomplishment and now just needs some time to relax and unwind. That’s why sometimes a more casual ...

Throwing a Cocktail Theme Graduation Party - Graduating from college is a major accomplishment and is definitely one of the best reasons to have a celebration. However, too many graduation parties are all the same. If you want to throw an amazing party, then you’ll want to take a creative approach with your graduation celebration. One idea is to celebrate with a cocktail theme ...

Throwing a Party for Valedictorians and Summa Cum Laude Graduates - Graduating from high school or college is a huge achievement, but if your student is graduating with honors then that achievement is even more deserving of a special celebration. No ordinary graduation is going to be sufficient. Background on Graduation Honors - If you’re not familiar with all of the “honors” terminology, then ...

Black, Red, and Green for Graduation Invitations - Graduations are one of those major milestones in life that deserve not only to be recognized but also to be celebrated. Whether the student in your life has just earned a high school diploma, a bachelor’s degree, or an even higher degree, you’ll want to find a way to show him or her just how proud you are of their hard work ...
Ideas for a Formal Graduation Party - When we think of graduation parties, sometimes we have the impression that all of them are just full of young people drinking too much and playing loud music. And sure some graduation parties would fit that description pretty well, but that isn’t your only option if you’re planning a celebration for a special student in your life ...

Feng Shui Graduation Party Ideas - Celebrating a graduation is a big deal. The family wants to show their pride at how well their student has succeeded. The student wants to know that he or she has done a good job by achieving this important life goal. When you’re planning something this special, then it only makes sense that you should take into consideration every possible way of ...

Creating Tassel as Embellishments For Your Invitations - If you want to create a graduation invitation that is sure to get the attention of those you invite you can do a lot of it yourself. It can be fun to add your own personal touch to it, even if you order the actual stationary and then create a tassel as an embellishment. Everyone associates a tassel with graduation, so this can be a fun addition! If you ...

Clip-Arts for Graduation Invitations - Do you want to add some fun and uniqueness to your graduation invitation but you aren’t sure what may or may not be appropriate? If so, you aren’t alone. The fact of the matter is that there are a lot of fun or original things that you can do; you simply need to infuse your own style into it and get creative. Anything that you can imagine can generally be created ...

Personalize Your Graduation Invitations with Special Inspirations - A graduation invitation can be just a graduation invite, but there are some great things that you can do to add your personal touch and make it interesting and even inspirational to those that you send them to. There is nothing better than sending out invites that have been infused with your own personal style, whatever that may be ...

Differentiating Masculine & Feminine Invitations Theme - Because both men and women graduate from high school as well as college there needs to be a way to differentiate between invitations that are more appropriate for men and those that are more appropriate for women. This is not to say that there aren’t invitations that are appropriate for both genders, but if you want something that ...

Seasonal Graduation Invitations
Show Your Patriotism with Patriotic Graduation Invitations Theme - Over the last couple years the patriotism in our country seems to have been renewed and this includes the young, the old, and everyone in between. If you are graduating from high school or college why not share your patriotism with others with a patriotic invitation theme? Why go drab when you can serve to inspire those that ...

Graduation Photo Christmas Cards - Are you graduating early? Many students that graduate early, graduate in the winter months, which is a great opportunity to do something different with your graduation invitation. You can not only send an invite to all those that you would like to attend your graduation ceremonies; you can send a Christmas greeting at the same time by enclosing a Christmas card with a photo ...

After The Graduation
Sending Graduation Thank You Cards - So, your graduation day has come and gone, the ceremonies were amazing, the graduation party was brilliant, and above all, the graduation gifts were super cool! The graduate is happy, the graduate’s guests are happy, everyone is happy. But, after the ceremony, party and gifts comes the most daunting part – sending out ...

Graduation Photo and your Scrapbooking Project - Honoring the graduate is one of the most important parts of the graduation ceremony. If you’ve organized your photo albums over the years, then everything should be up to date. But, if you are like most of us, then you’re family photos are probably piled up in boxes in the attic. Since you are going to be graduating pretty soon, now ...

Career Guide After Graduation - Transitioning out of college can be both, an exciting as well as a scary experience. There are newer and tougher challenges to face, unwritten laws to be followed, unexplored opportunities for progress – and humiliation – in every nook and cranny. While recent graduates and most other college students are preparing themselves to become experts ...

Reunion Graduate Party Planning - Once you graduate, you only get to see you friends every ten years at each reunion! So you want to have a fun reunion party this time and not a boring formal one? Planning for your reunion would mean coming up with a special plan or an idea for the party. From the decorations to the food and particularly the entertainment, your graduate reunion party ...

Celebrate Memorial Day with a Tano Purse American Style

Use coupon code MDS08 for an extra 20% off. Click Here!

Celebrate Memorial Day in style and take an extra 20% off all the American Designers at eFashionHouse.com. We owe a lot to the European influence when it comes to fashion. Yet, the American Designers produce an image we call, "Home." People like Ralph Lauren, Liz Claiborne, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, Marc Jacobs, Melie Bianco and Elaine Turner pave the way for upcoming American fashion influence. Designers like Tano Bags, BCBG, Coach, Dooney & Bourke and Brighton bring a sense of American style and unique image to their collections. We honor all the American Designers this season and celebrate with them for Memorial Day 2008.

Whether you are looking for a new handbag, wallet, tote or leather shoulder bag, you can find a perfect American Designer Handbag for an unbeatable price. But don't lose sight of the true meaning of Memorial Day. We celebrate in honor of many people who have died in military service protecting our country. It's really about honoring our heros.

Yes, we are addicted to fashion, and we admire the creative design process. We are always seeking a bargain, and we shop online for the best deals we can find. So, get ready for Memorial Day with a celebration of American Designers at an additional 20% off, and remember our heros who lived their lives to make America our home.

MORE ABOUT Memorial Day
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May (observed in 2008 on May 26). It was formerly known as Decoration Day. This holiday commemorates U.S. men and women who have died in military service to their country. It began first to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. After World War I, it was expanded to include those who died in any war or military action. One of the longest standing traditions is the running of the Indianapolis 500, which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911. It is also traditionally viewed as the beginning of summer by many, for many schools are dismissed around Memorial Day.

Many people observe this holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. US Eastern time. Another tradition is to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff from dawn until noon local time. Volunteers place a U.S. flag upon each gravesite located in a National Cemetery.

Many politicians and community leaders give speeches at community gatherings on Memorial Day.In addition to remembrance, Memorial Day is also a time for picnics, family gatherings, and sporting events. Some Americans also view Memorial Day as the unofficial beginning of summer and Labor Day as the unofficial end of the season. The national Click it or ticket campaign ramps up beginning Memorial Day weekend, noting the beginning of the most dangerous season for auto accidents and other safety related incidents. The USAF "101 Critical days of summer" begin on this day as well. Some Americans use Memorial Day to also honor any family members who have died, not just servicemen.

Flags flying at Fort Logan National Cemetery during Memorial Day 2006.Memorial Day formerly occurred on May 30, and some, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), advocate returning to this fixed date, although the significance of the date is tenuous. The VFW stated in a 2002 Memorial Day Address, "Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed a lot to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."

Following the end of the Civil War, many communities set aside a day to mark the end of the war or as a memorial to those who had died. Some of the places creating an early memorial day include Charleston, South Carolina; Boalsburg, Pennsylvania; Richmond, Virginia; Carbondale, Illinois; Columbus, Mississippi; many communities in Vermont; and some two dozen other cities and towns. These observances eventually coalesced around Decoration Day, honoring the Union dead, and the several Confederate Memorial Days.

Decoration Day, c. 1900. "You bet I'm goin' to be a soldier, too, like my Uncle David, when I grow up."According to Professor David Blight of the Yale University History Department, the first memorial day was observed in 1865 by liberated slaves at the historic race track in Charleston. The site was a former Confederate prison camp as well as a mass grave for Union soldiers who had died while captive. A parade with thousands of freed blacks and Union soldiers was followed by patriotic singing and a picnic.

The official birthplace of Memorial Day is Waterloo, New York. The village was credited with being the birthplace because it observed the day on May 5, 1866, and each year thereafter, and because it is likely that the friendship of General John Murray, a distinguished citizen of Waterloo, and General John A. Logan, who led the call for the day to be observed each year and helped spread the event nationwide, was a key factor in its growth.

General Logan had been impressed by the way the South honored their dead with a special day and decided the Union needed a similar day. Reportedly, Logan said that it was most fitting; that the ancients, especially the Greeks, had honored their dead, particularly their heroes, by chaplets of laurel and flowers, and that he intended to issue an order designating a day for decorating the grave of every soldier in the land, and if he could he would have made it a holiday.

Logan had been the principal speaker in a citywide memorial observation on April 29, 1866, at a cemetery in Carbondale, Illinois, an event that likely gave him the idea to make it a national holiday. On May 5, 1868, in his capacity as commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans' organization, Logan issued a proclamation that "Decoration Day" be observed nationwide. It was observed for the first time on May 30 of the same year; the date was chosen because it was not the anniversary of a battle. The tombs of fallen Union soldiers were decorated in remembrance of this day.

Many of the states of the U.S. South refused to celebrate Decoration Day, due to lingering hostility towards the Union Army and also because there were very few veterans of the Union Army who lived in the South. A notable exception was Columbus, Mississippi, which on April 25, 1866 at its Decoration Day commemorated both the Union and Confederate casualties buried in its cemetery.

The alternative name of "Memorial Day" was first used in 1882, but did not become more common until after World War II, and was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967 . On June 28, 1968, the United States Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which moved three holidays from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend and for the first time recognized Columbus Day as a federal holiday. The holidays included Washington's Birthday (which evolved into Presidents' Day), Veterans Day, and Memorial Day. The change moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May. The law took effect at the federal level in 1971 . After some initial confusion and unwillingness to comply at the state level, all fifty states adopted the measure within a few years, although Veterans Day was eventually changed back to its traditional date. Ironically, most corporate businesses no longer close on Columbus Day or Veterans Day, and an increasing number are staying open on President's Day as well. The holiday has endured as one where most businesses stay closed because it marks the beginning of the "summer vacation season" (similar to neighboring Canada's Victoria Day, which occurs on the prior Monday).

Forget the flowers! Mom wants a new designer handbag for Mother's Day

What mom really wants for Mother’s Day is a new designer handbag so eFashionHouse.com is making shopping for mom easy with free shipping.

Sky Valley, CA (PRWEB), April 24, 2008: Gone are the days where shopping for mom meant a pretty floral arrangement or a box of her favorite chocolate. Today’s moms are more interested in trendy or classic designer handbags, so eFashionHouse.com is making shopping for mom a little easier with free shipping for Mother’s Day (May 11).

Named Best of the Web by People StyleWatch for below retail priced designer handbags and recognized by About.com as the top of three online retailers of off-priced Chanel, eFashionHouse.com has all the designers and styles moms want. From handbag darling Elaine Turner, to couture legend Chanel, to American staple Coach, eFashionHouse.com offers the latest in designer handbags for all budgets.

"It’s not only fashionistas that want the latest designer handbag all the time, today’s mom is very hip and wants to carry a nice leather handbag as well" said Anna Miller, eFashionHouse Owner. "To meet the needs of our clients, we now carry handbags that are age-friendly…meaning most of the designers we carry cater to women of all ages who simply love fashion."

Not only does eFashionHouse.com, and its five fashion ecommerce stores (BrandsBoutique, LuxuryVintage, DesignersLA, ItalysOutlet and ValueBags), offer a wide variety of authentic designer handbags but they guarantee the lowest prices online for Tano, Melie Bianco, Murval, Elaine Turner and Pietro Alessandro. Plus the site offers a layaway plan that allows its clients to pay over time and still get the bag of their dreams.

If you still don’t know what to get mom, here’s a couple of hot selling bags that are sure to make her smile (and maybe even giggle with glee):

• COACH Hamptons Cream Large Tote – 26% off
• ELAINE TURNER Andie Platinum Distressed Leather Satchel – 24% off
• Tano Bauhaus Leather Tote – 21% off
• Gucci Brit Medium Tote in Brown – 26% off
• Yves Saint Laurent Downtown Tote in Cream – 21% off
• Vintage Chanel Quilted Lambskin Shoulder Bag – only $499

In addition to huge savings on brand new, 100% authentic designer handbags, shoppers will receive free ground shipping from April 24th thru May 2nd on purchase over $100 with coupon code MD08. Plus there is no sales tax on all purchases worldwide.

About eFashionHouse.com
Anna Miller is the President of i-GlobalMall.com, Inc. She operates the website http://www.efashionhouse.com/ and sells high-end authentic designer handbags and accessories at off-retail prices. EFashionHouse.com was named Best of the Web by People Magazine StyleWatch for Discount Designer Handbags and Purses. eFashionHouse.com should not be confused with any other website selling a similar product or using a similar name. EfashionHouse.com is the home of five fashion ecommerce stores: BrandsBoutique, LuxuryVintage, DesignersLA, ItalysOutlet, and ValueBags. Anna is considered an Internet Pioneer & Ecommerce Entrepreneur. She’s been reselling Designer Merchandise online since the early 90s. eFashionHouse.com has an extensive Press Page and a Fashion Blog Network. Visit the site for more details.

Working Mom's Gift-Giving Idea - Tano Work Bag!

Does your Mom work outside the home? If so, it would be nice to give her a new large Tano bag to carry into work every day. Here's the perfect suggestion we have for you. It's the Tano tote shown in the picture above. It's roomy, all leather and has great style design. Click here for more details.

Women love Tano bags. Tano is one of the most famous USA designed handbag. With Mother's Day right around the corner, May 11, 2008, you may want to consider a new Designer Handbag for Mom! Click here.

New money fuels boom in Vietnam

Tano Handbags Hit Vietnam!

from Business Report

Vietnam - In the 1980s, Diep Bach Duong worked for a pittance as a bureaucrat in communist Vietnam. Now, she cruises around in a new Rolls-Royce and carries a Louis Vuitton handbag. While many in Vietnam still live on only a few dollars a day, Duong is a member of the new class of millionaires who have taken advantage of the country's economic boom and are not afraid to put their wealth on display. "When I worked for the state, my opportunities were limited," says Duong, 59, who left government service in the mid-1980s.

"Right away, I got into the real estate business." In 1987, she used about 400 grammes of gold to buy a house and renovate it. When she sold it, she quadrupled her investment and launched an agency. "My clients were a special class of people - very rich Vietnamese sailors," she says, explaining that seamen made their fortunes by re-selling consumer goods bought abroad once they returned home. Duong's business expanded rapidly in southern Ho Chi Minh City, the former Saigon and the country's commercial capital - and she made a tidy profit.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom she has just imported for the impressive sum of $1.3 million is not even her first. She bought one last year but decided it was too small. Duong says her clientele is now more diverse. "Businessmen are buying. But there is also a generation of young rich people." Her success is perhaps not the norm, but with Vietnam's economic growth in 2007 a blistering 8.5 percent, millionaires are no longer rare. 'Vietnamese are not shy about showing off'

No one really knows how many millionaires there are here, as the Vietnamese tend to keep large parts of their assets in cash. But the local press managed to compile a list of the top 100 stock market millionaires. "In Vietnam there are a lot of rich people, like in many other Asian countries," says Andreas Klingler, who has just opened an office here for German luxury sports car maker Porsche. "The market is still very, very small," he told AFP, but added: "With the boom Vietnam is seeing - the GDP growth, the growth in foreign direct investment, its WTO entry - we decided there could be long-term potential."

Klingler says his clients range in age from 20 to 60, even though taxes make the cars twice as expensive as they are in Europe. Since November, he says, he has sold more than 15 sports cars. "The Vietnamese are not shy about showing off, using all these luxury products," he says. "It's not just Porsche - Rolls-Royce and Bentley are here too." In both Ho Chi Minh City and the capital Hanoi luxury clothing, cosmetics and leather goods shops are cropping up everywhere even though Vietnam's per capita GDP is less than $900.

"We've seen this transition in other countries in the region - the countries may have relatively low average incomes but some people have money and they like to spend it," says Jonathan Pincus, an economist for the UN Development Programme. "Throughout the region, when people do well they like to spend on luxury goods," he said. "The producers know that quite well and when they see a market opportunity in a new emerging Asian country you better believe they'll be there quickly.

"They know they have a steep upward trajectory here as Vietnamese people make more money." Duong refuses to say how much she is worth but she isn't shy about displaying the designer handbags, mobile phones and other accessories she owns. Last year, when Louis Vuitton opened a boutique in Ho Chi Minh City, she says she spent about $30,000 on bags, umbrellas and suitcases. Slinging her handbag over her shoulder, the one-time civil servant quips: "I've got dozens of these." - AFP

Recession proof online shopping designer handbags

by Anna Miller

With all the talk about recession issues there’s one thing you can depend upon no matter what shape the economy. Online shopping saves you time, money and stress. At close to $4 a gallon, gasoline is not worth buying to drive around town. It is easier to sit at your computer and get everything you need. Save that gas money and use it to buy yourself something.

One of the great things about shopping online is 24 hour 7 days a week availability. And, with the help of search engines like Google, a person can get anything they want at prices much lower than what they would pay at the store.

Considering fuel charges alone, one trip to the local shopping mall could be as much as you would pay for a new designer handbag by Melie Bianco or MURVAL. These designers create the high end look without the high end price tag. They also provide roomy versatile purses made of eco friendly materials. If there is one thing a woman can not live without it is an occasional new purse.

If leather is your choice of handbag, Elaine Turner makes a complete line of affordable, moderately priced women’s bags and accessories. Elaine is fairly new to the designer handbag scene. She started her handbag business in Dallas, Texas around 2000. Her designs are made exceptionally well, and the handbags have classic appeal among women.

All-in-all, to recession proof shopping habits, you must start thinking smart about using your budget wisely. An average trip to the mall or department store costs about $12 in gasoline, plus lunch about $16 (minimum), and parking in major cities anywhere from $6 - $15. That’s a hefty price to spend an afternoon browsing stores. The irony of the situation is most of the stores you browse are available online, too.

You may feel the day out is deserved after a long work week -- agreed. Treating yourself with a reward is motivating. That’s not the point, here. If the economy dictates our spending, then maybe we need to re-examine how we spend and where our money goes.

McDonalds just announced the introduction of a new flavored ice-coffee on tap in their fast food restaurants. I bet many of the Starbuck addicts at $5 a pop will try switching to the $1.89 McDonald coffee. It is a smart choice and an alternative without depriving yourself of something you enjoy. And, the savings is huge if you drive through or stop for coffee once per day.

Same is true with designer fashion accessories like handbags, purses, scarves, hats, jewelry, and tote bags. Why deprive yourself of something you want if there is a way to obtain the items at affordable prices. A fashion keepsake is something you will have forever. So, it only makes sense to find something affordable and adorable. Online shopping provides resources to get these special things at great discount prices.

It appears as though the designer industry is out of control. From handbags to watches to foot wear, shoes, boots, and just about anything with a designer label has gotten to an unreachable, unattainable price level. Some people advocate the rental of these high end designer items to give the appearance of affluence. It is somewhat discouraging to know people feel the need to put on a fake front by renting fashion. And, it doesn’t fit into the smart shopper attitude. Why rent and pay high fees when you can buy something of your own.

Actually, with all the transmitted diseases and germs spreading like viruses, who would want to use a purse an unknown person carried previously. Scary thought seeing as an average trip to the doctor is about $150, and if medication or a shot is needed, add another couple hundred dollars. Not worth the risk nowadays. Designer rental companies are a lot of hype and advertising without ROI (return of investment) for the customer – very high cost, extremely low value.

Well, it is time to go surfing -- nope, not to the ocean, directly to Google. You want a new designer handbag -- easily, type into the search box, Designer Handbag. A list of resources appears before your eyes. Browse the online stores, compare prices and choose wisely. Contact the website with questions. A good online store will respond to your questions promptly. Find those special places online to get the things you want without any overhead expenses. You can shop anytime day or night, save time, save money and do it all in the privacy of your own home.

Happy bargain hunting online is a great way to shop smart using your budget wisely.

About the Author
Anna Miller is the President of i-GlobalMall.com, Inc. She owns and operates a website called eFashionHouse.com. Selling online for over twelve years, Anna is considered an Internet Pioneer and Ecommerce Entrepreneur. eFashionHouse.com was named Best of the Web by People StyleWatch Magazine for Discount Designer Handbags & Accessories. About.com named eFashionHouse.com the top online retailer of discount Chanel. For more information, visit http://www.efashionhouse/

Crazy for Couture

We're Crazy for Couture! Are you? Click here to see what's waiting for you. Designer handbags and accessories below retail from all the top Designers. Receive free ground shipping $200 orders and pay no sales tax worldwide. Visit the Sale and Final Clearance sections and get deeper discounts. eFashionHouse.com was named Best of the Web by People StyleWatch and named the top online Chanel retailer by About.com. Check it out. We know you are crazy for couture or you would not have read this far! See the eFashionHouse Press Page. Interested in an EFH Layaway Plan? You can put anything on layaway. Read about the EFH Layaway here: eFashionHouse.com Layaway Program.

Beautiful Authentic Designer Handbags

TANO designer handbag 3724 obama mama large leather shoulder bag tote designer purse brown

Published by vivbag

Imagine buying your dream bag, the purse you have wanted for so long, now you want to show off this beauty to your friends. They are all excited and a bit jealous, however someone notes that your handbag is not the real deal. Now all your friends are walking around with authentic designer handbags and you are stuck with a cheap replica and worst of all you paid a lot of money for it. These days you have to be careful and make sure you get the accessories you paid for.

The easiest and safest would be to buy the handbag from an authorized dealer. If these places would not sell authentic designer handbags a lot of people would be complaining and problems would follow, you have to remember these companies have to maintain their reputation and good ethics.

You can always visit the retail outlets, but lets be honest it is easier and much more convenient to visit a website which carries a large number of designer goods, than the exhausting ordeal of you running through all these stores, hunting down the perfect bag that is in fashion. The same rule applies to the websites; just make sure they have a good reputation.

There are a lot of woman who visit eBay to find a good deal on that special authentic designer handbag. The problem is that you cannot decide authenticity from a picture and why would someone sell a designers handbag for less than retail price, wouldn’t they be making a loss?

If you are new to shopping for designer handbags rather stay away from eBay, because this is where a lot of uninformed women get shammed. There are some good and honest deals; however determining authenticity is difficult, because some of the replicas are very similar to the authentic bags, sometimes even for the more informed ladies.

In general you should inspect the handbag and have a look inside and outside for any flaws, like uneven stitching, a residue of glue, irregular spacing of the designer logo, if it is leather smell the bag and if you sense a chemical smell its fake, authentication cards are also replicated so this offers no proof.

At the end it would be best avoiding situations where you are not hundred percent sure and only buy from reputable places. It is wonderful having real authentic designer handbags which are in fashion, thus take your time and make an informed decision, because you want what you pay for.

Who will you be wearing? At Handbags Boutique we have a range of Designers Handbags which will add luxury and style to your wardrobe. We know what an important role Authentic Designer Handbags play in a woman’s life.

FASHION TRENDS 2008

Just Arrived! Large Shopper Hobo Tano Handbag 2050

from famousfashion

Are you ladies ready for the fashion trends of 2008 ?A fashion conscious person never misses the fashion trends for the year to come. If you are already reading this article, this means that you are interested in the fashion trends of 2008. Do you like the fashion of the fifties? Well, you should, because it will come back in 2008 and that entire craze will be in style again. As a matter of fact, this trend of the 50s comeback has already started for the fashion trends of 2008, so you are at least a bit familiar with the concept. The spring /summer fashion trends of 2008 will contain a lot of interesting models that clearly reminds us of the 50s. Baggy dresses below the knee for day wear or vaporous dresses for evening that will make the fashion trends of 2008. The trousers will be in fashion as well, and mini trousers may be worn as well. Capri trousers are still in style and may be worn with extra large sweaters. However, there is a trend that will mix styles and result in some interesting combinations. The urban style will thus be a functional wardrobe with sporty details. This highly unlikely combination that comes as a surprise for the fashion trends of 2008.

The colors that are dominant for the fashion trends of 2008. The spring colors are gray, black, white plus yellow. This color is a problematic color that does not suit with everything, so it must be worn with great care. However, next year, dare to wear yellow . The prints on the dresses or blouses can be floral,but will be back in style.

The accessories will match the outfit. The large hobo bags are still in style, while the super huge earrings and necklaces will compliment the overall clothing. The fashion trends of 2008 are so adorable, heads will turn as pass. The jewels may be made of plastic or more natural materials such as wood or even clay. These can create a great effect on the entire apparel, making the body look small and giving an interesting perspective. So, are you ready for the fashion trends of 2008? Get your wardrobe ready for this year’s style and buy some great new trendy apparel. Now you know the fashion trends of 2008, so come on ladies, lets stay hip for seasons to come.

P.S. According to Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman Fashion Directors, shades of pink are also back for Spring 08. The Tano Spring color Watermelon is a rich deep watermelon pink-red.

Designer Purses – 10 Secret Cleaning Tips No One Will Tell You

Click here for more information about the Tano Handbag in the photo.

from Purses n Bags

The day has come. The top secrets are going to be revealed today. They call me PurseCilla the designer purses savvy or maven or expert and they are right. I know all about designer purses, but there is something I know better than any other designer purses addict, it is the art of cleaning these purses.

Here are some of the top secret short tips no purses designer will ever tell you:

1. Use furniture touch-up markers to renew your leather designer purse

2. Use the apple guard leather cleaner to clean oil and water stains

3. Use apple guard care to restore your designer purse’s moisture and protect it

4. Use apple guard repellent for a waterproof stainproof purse

5. Never put your designer purse on the floor.

6. Do not over load your purse with too much weight

7. Use baby wipes carefully to clean fresh stains

8. Spots are inevitable in a leather purse. Eventually, All the leather in your purse will change from the oil in the skin so it will blend in.

9. Use a dab of vaseline as clear polish to brighten up smooth leather. It removes scuffs, too.

10. If you are frustrated, take the purse to a shoe repair shop. He is experienced with working with leather and he will probably help you clean your purse.

Hope that helped a bit, I would be glad to hear other tips or to get some feedbacks to mine.

Designer Fashion & Designer Handbags Online Shopping

Limitless possibilities of shopping online might soon be over
Maggie Clark, aka Shopaholic

The Internet creates the idea of endless freedom and convenience for the shopping world.

Whether you are purchasing clothes, electronics or vacations the Internet allows you to comparison shop and purchase from home. However, there are purchasing restrictions that one faces while shopping on the Web.

When you buy tickets to a sporting event, concert or other high-demand event, it is common to see a restriction on the number of tickets one customer can purchase.

When shopping for tickets such as the Rockies World Series tickets, there typically is a maximum ticket per purchaser. Is this really necessary? Venue holders fear that one customer purchasing more than 10 tickets to a single event may be trying to make a profit from them. Most events have a limit of eight tickets per single purchaser; very high-demand events might have an even lower maximum buy. This is to help regulate ticket scalping.

This policy now is extending to luxury accessories.

While the Web gives the impression of endless opportunity, our weak dollar has many luxury stores feeling threatened. This is causing some stores to take precautionary measures.

High-end shoppers may be in for a surprise when they go to purchase multiple colors or styles of one designer item. The high price tag on a designer item might restrict the typical shopper to only one luxury item. However, there is a restriction that even endless money cannot bypass. Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman now have a policy that applies to designer handbags, like Prada's latest ruched nylon styles that cost $1,290, Bottega Veneta's signature woven leather hobos at $1,490 and the new rectangular Yves Saint Laurent clutch that goes for $1,395.

Do these restrictions keep the exclusiveness of the product? This might be the case but there is an ulterior motive to these policies as well. Their motivation stems back to the current status of our U.S. dollar. There is fear that foreign buyers will hoard the bags then resell them in Europe or Asia where the same items in Prada and Gucci stores typically cost 20 percent to 40 percent more. The popular Yves Saint Laurent Downtown bag, which is restricted to three per customer at Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman, costs roughly $300 less (900 pounds) at Harvey Nichols in London.

While foreign shoppers warmly were welcomed by many retailers last month, it is a slightly different story for luxury stores. Gucci and Prada have spent the last decade trying to reach those customers in their own countries by opening expensive new shops throughout Asia and Europe. An online researcher searching for a high-end bargain might be costing these select stores.

For now, the policies at Saks, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman apply to online sales only of handbags and shoes. Many foreign shoppers were boarding planes to the United States with the intent to bargain shop less than one month ago. This may result in these policies losing 100 percent effectiveness.

Maggie Clark, aka Shopaholic, is a Coloradoan advertising sales executive. She does not write about her clients. She never met a bargain she could pass up and she always can find room in her closet for another pair of shoes.


Case-by-case basis for designer bags
Eric Wilson

FOR products that are truly in demand, it may seem reasonable to limit the number a customer can buy at one time.

Now readers of the fine print on the websites of luxury retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman are discovering that such a policy also applies to designer handbags such as Prada's latest ruched nylon styles, which cost $US1290 ($A1442); Bottega Veneta's signature woven leather hobos, at $US1490; and the new rectangular Yves Saint Laurent clutch, which looks like a postcard addressed to the designer (with a $US1395 stamp).

"Due to popular demand," potential shoppers are warned, "a customer may order no more than three units of these items every 30 days."

The bags may be popular, but how many customers who can afford them really want more than one?

On its face, the policy sounds odd; that is, because it really doesn't have anything to do with popular demand. Rather, it is the fear that foreign buyers, taking advantage of the severely weakened US dollar, will hoard the bags, then resell them in Europe or Asia, where the same items in Prada and Gucci stores typically cost 20 to 40% more.

The popular Yves Saint Laurent Downtown bag, restricted to three per customer at Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman, costs $US1495. At Harvey Nichols in London, the same bag is £910 (about $US1796).

Foreign tourists who are treating American department stores like a nationwide outlet sale have largely been viewed as beneficial to retailers, and by some estimates, those shoppers were the only bright spot in what was a feeble holiday sales season.

But that spending power has not been so welcome at luxury companies such as Gucci and Prada, which have spent the past decade trying to reach those customers in their home countries by opening expensive new shops throughout Europe and Asia.

Now those companies stand to suffer a sting from increasingly educated comparison shoppers, if not a more serious blow from a grey market of designer goods resold from American stores.

Ron Frasch, the chief merchant of Saks Fifth Avenue, which has 54 stores across the US, said the number of foreign shoppers trying to buy multiple items in stores was "pretty minor", but he added, "it is certainly an issue that we watch".

Besides restricting online sales, Saks may also deny a customer's purchases of duplicate merchandise in stores on a case-by-case basis. "What we try to do is use a lot of logic and common sense if we sense that someone is taking advantage," Mr Frasch said. "We monitor at the store level and at the corporate level for any patterns."

eFashionHouse offers online shoppers unlimited designer handbag purchases

Unlike other online stores, eFashionHouse.com offers online shoppers freedom to purchase an unlimited amount of designer handbags. Many large department stores limit online designer handbag purchases to one item per customer.

Sky Valley, CA (PRWEB) January 21, 2008 – eFashionHouse announced today they have no limits when it comes to online shoppers. They do not limit the amount of items one customer can purchase. Unlike the department stores who announced on January 10, 2008, a worldwide purchase control of designer handbags, eFashionHouse proclaims the opposite.

“Our Internet business moto is ‘Shopping without Boundaries.’ We are in business to cater to the world,” said Anna Miller, eFashionHouse.com’s owner. Online shoppers can purchase as many items as they want when placing an online order at eFashionHouse.com.

eFashionHouse was named Best of the Web by People StyleWatch and recognized by About.com as the top online retailer of Chanel.

eFashionHouse ships worldwide, offers deep discounts off retail, charges no sales tax and provides free USA FedEx delivery for orders over $200. Selling online for over twelve years, eFashionHouse lists high end brands like Chanel, Prada, YSL, Gucci, Fendi, Bottega Veneta, Tods, Coach, Tano, Marc Jacobs, Ferragamo, Dior and more.

Unlike many of the other online stores selling the same products, eFashionHouse allows online shoppers to purchase as many designer fashion accessories they want. There’s no limit to the items online shoppers can purchase and the money they can save. eFashionHouse is known for deep discounts on their entire product line.

Aboute FashionHouse.com
Anna Miller is the President of i-GlobalMall.com, Inc. She operates the website http://www.efashionhouse.com/ and sells high-end authentic designer handbags and accessories at off-retail prices. eFashionHouse.com was named BEST OF THE WEB by People StyleWatch Magazine for Discount Designer Handbags and Purses. eFashionHouse.com should not be confused with any other website selling a similar product or using a similar name. eFashionHouse.com is the home of five fashion ecommerce stores: BrandsBoutique, LuxuryVintage, DesignersLA, ItalysOutlet, and ValueBags. Anna is considered an Internet Pioneer and has been reselling Designer Merchandise online since the early 90s.

eFashionHouse 2008 New Year Event: Designer Handbag Store Liquidation

eFashionHouse 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 !

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!

________________________________________

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.

Shop FIVE Online Fashion Stores - http://www.eFashionHouse.com
BrandsBoutique - LuxuryVintage - ValueBags - ItalysOutlet - DesignersLA

Visit the eFashionHouse Blog Network.

The 2008 dinosaur: A discount designer handbag

Shop eFashionHouse.com for the best selection of Tano Handbags online.

by Anna Miller

It used to be available at the click of a mouse. Logon to your favorite search engine, type in the words discount designer handbag and become thrilled with an endless list of online resources for authentic designer fashion at discount prices. Discount designer handbags are becoming a thing of the past. That is, authentic high end designer purses are costing more and more every year. You may still be able to pay a few hundred dollars for a good fake bag, but authentic designer handbags are no longer a bargain.

Names like Chanel, Gucci, Fendi, Prada, Dior, Tods, etc. are considered the fashion bag icons, and in 2005, the average cost of one of these high end fashion bags was $2000 each. Since that time, the average cost has increased to about $3000 or more each. Fashionistas worldwide ask, "When is this going to stop?" Is it really fair to charge such a high price for a purse? Is it smart for the Designers to do price their items at unobtainable costs? The average woman, working an average job, making an average salary, supporting an average family can't pay $3000 for a new purse! But, nonetheless, she dreams about it, and probably even sheds a tear or two because she can't get the designer purse she wants.

The department stores are getting smarter, too. They don't overstock high end designer handbags making them a demand item vs. leftovers after the season ends. Sales are far and few in between. In 2006 and 2007 many stores had sales before December 25th with NO leftovers during the true Sale Season. Consumers are paying premium prices for leather, a logo, monogram and a designer name. They fear not getting what they want if they wait for a Sale!

Most people hate fakes and counterfeit merchandise, but the business is booming because the authentic merchandise is too expensive. Stores like Target and a few others are smart. They are featuring Designers to produce low-cost fashion merchandise to help circumvent counterfeiting. Let us hope this works. Counterfeiting is bad. More stores should follow in the footsteps of Target and offer low cost designer products.

The manufacturing costs and the increased value of the Euro have definitely influenced the cost of designer fashion handbags. If an item is made from Italian leather and manufactured in Italy, the cost is high. If the same item is made of Italian leather and manufactured (or assembled) in another country the final cost is lower. When we look at the items we want and compare prices we need to take the manufacturing process into consideration. Many people do not want a Burberry bag assembled in China. They want the same bag assembled (or made) in England. They don't realize the cost of the bag made in England has a much higher price tag than the exact same bag made in China.

Get ready for 2008. If you are a designer handbag addict like many of us are proud to proclaim, get ready to pay a higher price for a new purse in 2008. You may still be able to find the purse of your dreams at an off-retail price, but the price won't be as low as you have paid in the past.

If you purchase only authentic merchandise, there are online resources to fulfill your needs. When shopping online, look for a website with longevity and fast replies to emails. Ask questions before you buy. Many of the lower priced items are scarce or limited in availability. When you see something you want, don't wait too long to make a purchase or it may not be available the next time you visit the website.

Be careful not to fall prey to websites selling counterfeit designer handbags. Many of the sites say they are authentic, but they aren't. If you see a site selling current collection items at half price, please be careful. There is no way anyone (even the Designer) can sell their designer bags at half price.

If you are looking for a good price and need guidance, ask for help. If you are planning to purchase authentic designer handbags in 2008, plan to shop around for below retail prices. They will still be available, but not as easy to find as they were in the past.

Anna Miller is the President of i-GlobalMall.com, Inc. (IGM). She owns and operates the website http://www.efashionhouse.com/. IGM has had online presence since 1996 and sells authentic designer handbags and accessories at below retail prices. Anna is considered an Internet Pioneer and Ecommerce Entrepreneur. eFashionHouse.com was named Best of the Web by People StyleWatch for off-retail priced designer handbags and was recognized by About.com as the top of online retailers selling Chanel handbags. Visit eFashionHouse.com for more information.

I would never rent a designer handbag

By Woody Lee

In case you haven’t noticed, designer handbags have made headlines lately because of the rising costs, increased demand and crazed enthusiasm surrounding the latest “it” bags. As a self-professed designer handbag connoisseur, I am constantly on the look out for the latest handbag trends. There’s one trend in particular that irks me more than a row of fake Goyard and Chanel handbags on display on 5th Avenue – handbag rentals. The Media is hyped with coercing people into joining a designer handbag rental service to carry a designer handbag in lieu of actually purchasing one. Although renting can be a smart alternative in many situations (car rentals, apartment rentals, cabana rentals, etc.), handbag rentals are not exactly your best investment.

Like with living accommodations, financial advisors most often say buying makes for a sound investment because your money goes toward something that can one day recant its value or even make you money. Renting neither makes you more nor does it provide you with something to sell, so why would anyone “rent” an expensive designer handbag. A lot of people like the idea of renting their favorite handbags because it minimizes the high expense associated with purchasing one or they like the idea of carrying a new handbag every month. But wouldn’t you rather put the hundreds of dollars it costs to rent a handbag (rental, membership and shipping fees) toward saving for the handbag of your dreams, rather than put a lot of money (at least $200/month) toward something that you don’t even own? Personally, I like to look around for the best deal and use my money to add to my growing handbag collection. And for the fashionistas who want to carry a new handbag every week or month to maintain status, your friends and co-workers will know you don’t actually “own” the handbags and are merely throwing your money away.

In addition to throwing your money down the drain, people who rent handbags take the risk of ultimately paying for the handbag they rent at above-retail costs. For instance, if your rented handbag is lost or stolen (which happens often), the renter has to pay for the replacement cost which could be in the thousands of dollars. And don’t even get me started on damage fees when renting a bag. How many times have you been out to a bar and spilled on your brand new designer handbag or dropped it on the ground. Handbag rental services charge you for damage (other than normal wear and tear) to the handbag.

Despite a bad investment and the stress related to worrying about lost or theft of the rented handbag, one of the biggest concerns I have with renting a handbag is “germs.” When your rental handbag arrives, you have no idea who rented it beforehand. You have no idea what was carried inside the bag or where the bag had been prior to it arriving at your doorstep. Throughout the year there had been studies released about the many germs and bugs that thrive inside a handbag, including e-coli, salmonella, bacillus, superbugs and many more viruses. But what’s even worse than the fact that it is hard to have a germ-free bag, is that handbags pick up these germs from normal use (using public restrooms, dirty make-up bags, etc.). Now think about all the places rented handbags may have been -- you get the picture.

Plus there are many other options to renting a designer handbag which entail actually owning designer handbags such as:

Shop around: There are a lot of web sites that offer today’s hottest names in designer handbags at discounted prices, like eFashionHouse and Overstock to name a few.

Take advantage of sales: most big name retailers have great sales throughout the year, and although the handbags aren’t as discounted as the online stores for discount designer handbags, you can still find a deal.

Layaway: Some web sites, like BrandsBoutique, offer layaway plans so you can pay over time but still grab a handbag when you see it.

Go Vintage: Vintage handbags are back in a big way. In fact some handbag websites are now offering vintage bags and even consider them premium inventory. So don’t waste money renting a pre-owned bag when you can purchase one for the same price as a rental! Visit online shops like luxuryvintage and jillsconsignment.

Save: One of the smartest options to owning a must-have designer handbag is putting your money in a savings account until you have enough money to buy the handbag you want. Plus, once you are able to afford the designer bag, your investment item can be resold (today’s goods are tomorrow’s vintage). Some of the designer handbags resell at a higher cost than your investment.

If there is a designer handbag you are considering to get, but don’t have the money to spend to get it, think twice before using a handbag rental service. You might think you’re saving money, but in reality your investment actually has no pay off.