When we set the date of February 20th, 2009 for our wedding it seemed as if that day was so far away. Slowly but surely the day creeped up on us and as it got closer to the wedding day, the amount of work for the wedding grew exponentially as did my excitement. And finally, when the day arrived, I was overtaken with excitement, nerves, and love. One week ago today, I was lucky enough to marry the man of my dreams. Seems so cliche, but it is absolutely true. Vlad and I have been together nearly six years. We swam together in college. He moved to Germany. We started a website together which turned into our company and full time job. He moved back from Germany. We moved to Florida. We went though so much together, but from day one I knew I was going to marry him and live my happily ever after. Our happily ever after began six years ago, but the wedding last Friday was the last little piece of the relationship finalization.

I woke up on the wedding morning with a bit of wedding day jitters. Hair and makeup came at 10 am (many more details on hair and makeup in a later post). I am the Purse Blog Queen, so my accessories truly had to be fit for a queen. Luckily, I had the most ideal wedding handbag and jewelry to complete my look. My handbag that I carried on my wedding day has a special place in my heart. Two years ago over two-hundred of the lovely members of Purse Forum shocked me with a gift that left me speechless. For my birthday I was gifted the ultimate gift of all time, a gift that I knew would be a major part of my wedding day. I anxiously opened the orange box to find an extremely rare Hermes Kelly Longue in white with palladium hardware. Tracking down this bag was a massive feat in and of itself, creating quite the chase around the globe for a white Kelly Longue. But with persistence and perseverance the bag was found. This was the first accessory that I thought of and knew I HAD TO CARRY. I planned on carrying this bag with my on my wedding day before I was engaged. THAT is how much I love and adore this bag! Thank you again to every single person that made this wedding day dream bag a reality. {Read more this gift at tPF}

Now when it comes to the bridesmaid handbags, there will be another post! Once our photographer, Jeff Kolodny, found out that we were unofficial King and Queen of purses, we took many shots of me with my Hermes Kelly and the bridesmaids with their matching Adriana Castro clutches. We will share many shots of the rest of the bags later.

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My shoes will go on another post as well. In fact, my shoes are so magnificent that I am now on the hunt to find a shoe cleaner to help spiff them up so I can store them to someday show my daughter. Since many handbag lovers are also shoe lovers, I think the shoes will be appreciated! For many of the photos we carried our handbags rather than flowers, but of course I had a bridal bouquet. Jorge from Dream Occasions was so much fun to work with and gave me the bouquet that I dreamed up in my mind. Garden like, elegant, flowing; and he completed this look with white mini calla lilies, champagne and ivory roses, green amaranthus, ivory stock, green berries, seeded eucalyptus, and an ivory ribbon crystals finish. The bouquet was perfect for our part garden wedding, thank you Jorge and Dream Occasions!

The last wedding day accessory I will share with you all today is my wedding day gift from my groom. Close your eyes if the mushy-gushy-so-in-love comments drive you crazy. Vlad is most certainly a romantic. Sure, it took a bit of time for him to come around to this, but since he figured out how much I love romantic gestures, he has been amazing. A homemade meal, a date night plan, random flowers. It is not the gifts that get me, it is the thought and meaning behind them. But my wedding day gift was beyond thoughtful, beyond generous, and is a reminder of the best day of my life. Vlad went to our jeweler and designed a pendant for me. The pendant is made with matte gold and in diamonds reads 2.20, our wedding day.

Our wedding day was the best day of my life so far and a day I will never forget! Thank you to everyone who made the day so special for us. We appreciate it more than you all know.

And yes, many more details and pictures to come!

It’s hard enough to find the perfect handbag without a budget in mind; the irritation that goes into fitting the perfect accessory purchase into a regular month’s expenses is exponentially worse. We usually like to highlight the most drool-worthy fantasy pieces in the handbag world, but fret not, we never forget that our readers represent a wide range of incomes and budgetary needs. Not to mention that Megs and I both appreciate a relative bargain too…

Like we do every season, we’ve scoured the Internet to pick out The Best Bags of Spring 2012, but with one caveat – they all have to be under $600, which many contemporary brands used as a de fact price ceiling. What have we found for Spring 2012? Lots of pastels, a few brights and plenty of lovely leather goodness to go around.

I have quite a personal affinity for most of the bags in this selection, but the Oryany Reese Leather Satchel is among the very best values, in addition to being chic. Not only is this all-leather bag less than $400, but it has a very Gucci vibe for a very un-Gucci price. Buy through Neiman Marcus for $398.

The Le Pliage in nylon is a handbag classic, but the Longchamp Le Pliage Cuir Satchel gives the whole design new life in soft, slouchy leather. This shade of blue absolutely blows me away. Buy through Neiman Marcus for $590.

It seems like everyone’s doing “Coachella style” features lately, but really, how many people actually GO to Coachella? Still, if you’re trying to get that rich-hippie look, the Cleobella Cantina Medium Bag in magenta painted leather is a good way to do it on a budget. Buy through ShopBop for $165.

If you’re looking for an affordable everyday bag in one of spring’s trendy shades, look no further than the Botkier Valentina Satchel. Buy through Nordstrom for $395.

Pantone has named a reddish-orange color called “Tangerine Tango” the Color of 2012; if you want to add a bit of it to your wardrobe, the Kate Spade Gold Coast Meadow Shoulder Bag is a great way to do it without breaking the bank. Buy through Neiman Marcus for $398.

Any of the bags from the Marc by Marc Jacobs Werdie line could have made this list – crossbody or satchel, solid or colorblocked, bright or neutral, they’re all incredibly chic and all significantly less than $600. My favorite is this colorblocked crossbody. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $300.

Trust me, ladies – a big, bold day-to-night clutch is a bag you’ll use often once it’s in your lineup. The Diane von Furstenberg Harper Large Envelope Clutch is a perfect option. Buy through Nordstrom for $465.

If you’re looking for an alternative to the Valentino Rockstud bags that still has the same feminine-but-edgy quality, the Rebecca Minkoff Quilted Affair Bag hits the nail on the head. Buy through ShopBop for $495.

Nothing welcome warm weather like bright, sunshine-y yellow, and for less than $400, the Coach Poppy Leather Pushlock Satchel gives you a ton of aesthetic bang for your buck. Buy through Coach for $378.

Winter seems to be playing hide-and-go-seek with those of us in New York; it was a balmy 67 degrees yesterday afternoon while today is back in the 50s, as if Mother Nature is actually toying with us. Once the calendar turns to April, though, my glee for spring can hardly be contained. If I will myself to believe it’s warm outside, I don’t actually need a jacket, right?

Soon enough, though, it will be warm, and it might even stay that way for several months at a time. (That’s how this whole spring/summer thing works, right?) In anticipation of those months, or in generalized anticipation of someday taking a vacation (not holding me breath on that one), I’d like to present you with my favorite Spring 2012′s Beach Bags. One caveat, though: I play a bit fast and loose with the definition of the term “beach bag.” These aren’t necessarily all vessels to tote your sunscreen and trashy novels out to the sand; instead, these are bags of many uses that I’d like to take on my next beach trip.

The Lanvin Woven Straw Tote: simple, elegant, and with just enough pink snakeskin trim to let you know that it doesn’t come cheap. $1190 via Net-a-Porter.

If Lanvin’s a little too rich for your blood, the Marc by Marc Jacobs Sami Woven Tote is roomy and functional for a much lower price tag. $350 via Net-a-Porter.

Stereotypical woven straw not your thing? The Kate Spade Bon Shopper Magazine Tote is fresh and graphic without the traditional beach look. $178 via Neiman Marcus.

When packing for vacation, don’t forget that you’ll probably need a nightlife-friendly clutch. The Jimmy Choo Candy Surf Acrylic Clutch was made to serve exactly that purpose. $795 via Net-a-Porter.

The Balenciaga Panier Basket Tote is my favorite of the whole group – the colorfully striped straw and Balenciaga details blend the two aesthetics perfectly. $975 via Neiman Marcus.

The Diane von Furstenberg Kaya Large Canvas Tote is a more traditional beach workhorse – functional, relatively inexpensive and patterned to avoid looking dirty or used. $285 via Net-a-Porter.

The By Malene Birger Don’t Lie Evidencia Bag is more of a traditional beach option with a trendy neon twist. $179 via ShopBop.

The Tory Burch Small Straw Tote is summery and colorful, but it’s not huge and hulking like most straw bags. Great for an afternoon of shopping. $195 via Neiman Marcus.

Somehow, the Michael Kors Santorini Crossbody is both the plainest bag on this list and also one of my biggest favorites. The safari feel and crossbody structure make this bag perfect for a vacation that’s either luxe or adventurous – or both. $495 via Net-a-Porter.

As you may have noticed, we didn’t do any posts about “Coachella style” around here. There are a few reasons for that: First, feathers + fringe + denim cutoffs does not = style. You only have to see so many pictures of Vanessa Hudgens in her day to day life before you realize that those sorts of looks don’t work when you’re not stoned in the middle of the desert, which means that I’m not going to try to force them on you, even if it is an easy post to write. Second, Coachella is an event that only a relative handful of people attend every year; isn’t having good summer style overall a much more worthy topic of conversation?

That’s why we’ve created our ode to the best summer bag option of all: the crossbody. Lightweight, completely hands-free and mostly small enough to carry off a bright color or a zany exotic print, you’ll be attached at the hip with the Best Crossbody Bags of Spring 2012 (almost literally) after all of the gossip chatter about celebrities at Coachella has long faded. Music festivals come and go, but a great bag is forever (or at least for a season for two).

Proenza Schouler Python PS11, $3975 via Proenza Schouler

Diane von Furstenberg Elaine Festival Bag, $475 via Neiman Marcus

Mulberry Travel Day Bag, $1750 via Net-a-Porter

Reed Krakoff Mini Standard Shoulder Bag, $590 via Neiman Marcus

Alexander Wang Rafael Crossbody, $730 via Net-a-Porter

Balenciaga Arena Giant Rose Gold Town, $1795 via Barneys

Gucci Jackie Shoulder Hobo, $1890 via Neiman Marcus

Marc by Marc Jacobs I Work For Tips Crossbody, $358 via Neiman Marcus

Rebecca Minkoff Perf Weave MAC Bag, $395 via ShopBop

I am totally jealous of all April babies. Your birthstone is the diamond, and everyone in PurseBlog HQ agrees that diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Maybe you prefer actual diamonds on your birthday, but if you want a handbag that fits with your birthstone, I’ve rounded up the 9 best sparkly and white handbags out there.

Happy Birthday April birthday girls and guys!

Valentino Rockstud Studded Leather Tote | $2,595 via Net-A-Porter

You know our total love of this Valentino Bag, and it works perfectly for the month of April. Sturdy yet luscious white leather offset with pale-gold studs makes the Rockstud a stud of a bag.

Rebecca Minkoff Quilted Studded Affair Bag | $495 via ShopBop

The Rebecca Minkoff Affair is a grown up bag for the brand. Soft quilted white leather offset by small studs makes this bag both neutral and true to the RM aesthetic – rocker chic.

Miu Miu Embellished Metallic Shoulder Bag | $995 via Net-A-Porter

While the details on this bag are not diamonds, the crystal embellishment is perfect for the April birthday girl. This Miu Miu bag is all about an evening out because of its silver leather paired with a crystal string shoulder strap.

Yves Saint Laurent Swarovski Satin Clutch | $2,185 via Net-A-Porter

Encrusted with a variety of shapes of Swarovski crystals from round, to baguette, to oval cut, this off-white clutch is perfect for your wedding day. I already had my wedding, but I would love to have an event to carry this to, especially since the embellishments are not plastic, rather crystal.

Lanvin Diamond-print Canvas Tote | $850 via Net-A-Porter

Look April birthday girls! A canvas tote that is (still very expensive) made just for you. With prints of different diamonds all over the body of the bag, this tote is great for everyday carrying while adding a kitsch feel.

Pour La Victoire Roma Satchel | $445 via ShopBop

Pour La Victoire is a little secret Amanda and I know and want to share with you. I adore this satchel that shows off a very lady-like structure alongside python embossed leather. Not only does this pristine bag work well for April babies, but also it is a contender for the best summer white handbags.

Christopher Kane Embroidered and Crystal Embellished Clutch | $2,400 via Net-A-Porter

This embroidered and embellished clutch reminds me of something my grandmother would have in her closet to pass down to me, and this is entirely a good thing. I adore finding items that are current but have a very vintage feel to them. This clutch is pricey, but it is still cheaper than most diamonds.

Alexander McQueen Britannia Skull Box Clutch | $2,645 via Net-A-Porter

The beloved Alexander McQueen Box Clutch is reinvented time and time again. This option celebrates British heritage with its Union Jack crystal-studding on the classic suede box clutch.

Alexander Wang Marion Bag | $650 via ShopBop

We are major Alexander Wang fangirls and if you are looking for a simple white bag with a touch of hardware to help the design stand out, the small Marion is great!

As you may have noticed, we didn’t do any posts about “Coachella style” around here. There are a few reasons for that: First, feathers + fringe + denim cutoffs does not = style. You only have to see so many pictures of Vanessa Hudgens in her day to day life before you realize that those sorts of looks don’t work when you’re not stoned in the middle of the desert, which means that I’m not going to try to force them on you, even if it is an easy post to write. Second, Coachella is an event that only a relative handful of people attend every year; isn’t having good summer style overall a much more worthy topic of conversation?

That’s why we’ve created our ode to the best summer bag option of all: the crossbody. Lightweight, completely hands-free and mostly small enough to carry off a bright color or a zany exotic print, you’ll be attached at the hip with the Best Crossbody Bags of Spring 2012 (almost literally) after all of the gossip chatter about celebrities at Coachella has long faded. Music festivals come and go, but a great bag is forever (or at least for a season for two).

Proenza Schouler Python PS11, $3975 via Proenza Schouler

Diane von Furstenberg Elaine Festival Bag, $475 via Neiman Marcus

Mulberry Travel Day Bag, $1750 via Net-a-Porter

Reed Krakoff Mini Standard Shoulder Bag, $590 via Neiman Marcus

Alexander Wang Rafael Crossbody, $730 via Net-a-Porter

Balenciaga Arena Giant Rose Gold Town, $1795 via Barneys

Gucci Jackie Shoulder Hobo, $1890 via Neiman Marcus

Marc by Marc Jacobs I Work For Tips Crossbody, $358 via Neiman Marcus

Rebecca Minkoff Perf Weave MAC Bag, $395 via ShopBop

Our friends at Rue La La are ready to delight our closets with an amazing selection of Chanel bags at their Madison Avenue Couture Event. The event includes apparel, jewelry and most importantly, handbags. And the handbags? They are glorious on so many levels. Iconic quilted handbags pepper the boutique including a never before carried Chanel black quilted flap with silver-tone hardware.

As much as I was immediately drawn to the bags, the boucle tweeds and classic jewelry are also eye-catching. My girlfriends and I always joke (and dream) about being the quintessential lady who lunches, and these embellished dresses at 50-80% off are a great way to get started in the Chanel clothing category. I feel a lunch coming on as we speak, in fact.

Though I dream about wearing Chanel head-to-toe daily, I am not at that place yet in my life, which is why I can’t stop going crazy over the handbags, apparel and jewelry Rue La La is offering at this Madison Avenue Couture event. With Classic Flap after Classic Flap along with a plethora of other highly covetable Chanel pieces, this boutique has something for everyone. This event is a great way to get a bag you have been wanting or bag you missed out on for a great price. All the pieces are authentic, pre-owned, vintage and fabulous.

Shop Rue La La’s Chanel Madison Avenue Couture Event now!

Friends & Family sales are my favorite kind of sale ever. Instead of picking a group of merchandise from the site and giving it a uniform discount, the retailer hands the pricing gun over to its customers and lets us mark down things as we see fit. It’s the best opportunity to get exactly what you want at a discount, and since in-season pieces are included, it’s stuff you can start using immediately instead of putting it aside for when the weather changes.

For reasons that should be entirely obvious to anyone who shops online regularly, the ShopBop Friends & Family Sale is one of our very favorites. ShopBop stocks such an enormous array of pieces, though, that deciding what you want in a timely fashion (before everything good sells out!) can be a little daunting. That’s why we’ve done the work for you. If it’s accessories you’re looking for, we’ve already found the best of the best, all of which can be had for 20% off the listed prices via ShopBop with the code INTHEFAMILY20.

Rebecca Minkoff Affair Bag, $495 via ShopBop

Jagger Edge Spring Fling iPhone 4 Case, $99 via ShopBop

Marc by Marc Jacobs Werdie Satchel, $498 via ShopBop

Tory Burch 797 Large Satchel, $675 via ShopBop

Jonathan Adler Lion Keychain, $18 via ShopBop

Foley + Corrina Oversized Patchwork Clutch, $375 via ShopBop

Anya Hindmarch Nevis Rubber Tote, $495 via ShopBop

DANNIJO Henrik iPhone 4 Case, $98 via ShopBop

Marc by Marc Jacobs Dreamy Logo Tablet Case, $58 via ShopBop

• 19yearslater

  I want that lion keychain! So cute!

• Nyorkeratheart

  Tory Burch satchel is gorgeous! Love black purses
  http://nyorkeratheart.blogspot.com

When I see red, yellow, and blue paired together I am immediately reminded of my childhood. I specifically remember my first watch that featured all of these colors and some silly designs. From these primary colors we can make a range of other colors, but today’s feature is solely about red, yellow, and blue.

With many of my favorite online shopping haunts showing bright primary color handbags, I wanted to round up my 9 favorite to help you get on trend.

Mulberry Holiday Bayswater patent textured-leather bag | $1,400 via Net-A-Porter

Marc Jacobs The Single Large quilted leather bag | $775 via Net-A-Porter

Marc by Marc Jacobs I Work For Tips Shoulder Bag | $398 via ShopBop

Reed Krakoff Leather Tote | $1,490 via Net-A-Porter

Nancy Gonzalez Crocodile box clutch | $850 via Net-A-Porter

Tory Burch Amanda Hobo | $465 via ShopBop

Alexander Wang Brenda Chain Bag | $725 via ShopBop

McQ Alexander McQueen Amwell Mini Cross Body Bag | $650 via ShopBop

3.1 Phillip Lark Small Duffel Bag | $750 via ShopBop

Yesterday morning I woke up and said to myself, “Self, what the Internet needs is yet another fashion article about Mad Men, because there aren’t enough of those already.” We’ve never done a roundup of bags inspired by the Mad Men era, though, and now seems like the perfect time to do it. Not only does the show’s long-awaited (a year-and-a-half in the making!) fifth season premiere on Sunday night with a two-hour, all-drinking, all-smoking extravaganza on AMC, but for the first time, I’ll be recapping a show that doesn’t give me the opportunity to make fun of someone’s terrible weave.

That’s right, Mad Men recaps! Check back here every Monday to discuss the show, make completely wild speculations about what will happen next and pine for Don Draper. In the meantime, let’s get in the 1960s spirit with a few handbags that take notes from the style of the era – classic, diminutive top-handles ruled because ladies were supposed to look always unencumbered. If you have a rye Manhattan while you shop, I won’t tell anyone.

As usual, I like to start with my favorite. With this mint green color and the rigid frame construction, I could easily see Betty Draper (Francis?) carrying the Prada Ostrich Pyramid Tote to a spring garden party with Francine. In fact, January Jones seems to be a big fan of the Prada Frame line herself! Buy through Neiman Marcus for $6690.

If neutrals are your thing, this dove grey Rochas Scalloped Leather Handbag captures both the femininity and structure that typified design in midcentury America. Buy through Neiman Marcus for $1585.

During the Mad Men era, women of a certain social class were expected to not only have a full roster of day bags, but also a plenty of clutch options for evening events. The 20s detailing on the Jason Wu Constance Leather Clutch would have been fashionably vintage in the 60s, and the hard lines of the clutch are indicative of evening bags of that time. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1475.

Small, ladylike bags tend to be more expensive because they’re made for older customers, but the reasonably sized Marc by Marc Jacobs Bob’s Memphis Satchel has a slightly retro feel at a more reasonable price point. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $530.

Between the Peekaboo and the Fendi Silvana Top Handle, Fendi has made a pattern of referencing midcentury style in its accessories. I think that the Silvana looks best when carried by hand, which is something that women rarely do today but was very common in the 50s and 60s. Buy through Luisa Via Roma for $2300.

When women carried shoulder bags in the 60s, they were usually slim and simple, like the Michael Kors Grumeti Ayers Shoulder Bag. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1295.

Another perfect example that sleek, ladylike style doesn’t have to cost a fortune – the burnt orange color of the Rachel Zoe Mini Jane Satchel is especially appealing. Buy through Neiman Marcus for $375.

Miu Miu’s Spring 2012 handbags are all about celebrating the small, slim, top-handled handbags that marked midcentury style, so leaving out the Miu Miu Wool Felt Tote would be a serious oversight. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1350.

Raf Simon’s tenure at Jil Sander has been all about taking traditional shapes and cuts and adding a minimalist technicolor twist, and that’s exactly what the Jil Sander Patent Leather Clutch is – a traditional bag with an edgy feel. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $750.