Hermes Birkin Look-a-like: The Freedom of Animals Veronika Tote

The Hermes Birkin handbag is one of the top coveted handbags for women. It's a handbag that all of the Hollywood celebs carry but of course, one that the layman could only dream of affording. Birkin bags can be in the upwards of $25,000 to $30,000 depending on the materials, size and construction of the bag. You also have to be on a "list" to get the bag...you can't just walk into the store and order one.

                                       

                                           

(Kim K and Eva Longoria with their Birkin bags)

So now, let's just keep it real. If any one of us spent $30,000 on a handbag we would (1) have buyer's remorse and (2) would probably have to take out a second mortgage on our home. Just sayin.... So if you've been reading my blog posts long enough, you know that I stay on the hunt for the best look-a-like luxury designer bags at the layman's affordable price.

Welp, I found my "Poor Man's Birkin."  I walked into local boutique, Piermarini, about a month ago for something totally unrelated than finding a handbag...but when I saw the Freedom of Animals "Veronika" tote, I immediately fell in love.  It looked like a Birkin, had the class of a Birkin and just exuded everything indicative of luxury and class. Best part...it was approximately $480 and not $30,000.  I would say that that is quite the steal!

The Veronika Tote by Freedom of Animals

After I got over my infatuation with this handbag, I dug a little deeper into this new-found luxury brand. The label is completely eco-friendly, and all about constructing cruelty-free products.  So while my handbag looks like leather, it is vegan leather but totally created for sustainability.There were only 2 of these available at Piermarini and I bought one, so you better get down there today if you're in Dallas as this bag won't be there for long. If you're not in Dallas, take a look at the collection here and order online today!  I receive a ton of looks and compliments when I'm carrying this bag.  Pair them with some fabulous shades and you will be envied by most.

Again, I've done all of the work for you finding the most affordable look-a-like..its up to you to purchase. You can thank me later!

I'm in love with this bag!!!!

Karen Walker Shades: Come to Mama

I have a lot of sick obsessions when it comes to fashion but as I mentioned in an earlier blog post, shades are my thing. (See: Throwing Shade: My Top Summer Sunglasses Picks From Sunglass Hut) I spotted and completely went nuts over some Karen Walker Audrey-Hepburn inspired shades in one of my fave boutiques here in town, Nicole Kwon Concept Store in West Village.

Originally, these shades were introduced at a Karen Walker trunk show event sometime last year at the Nicole Kwon boutique and I had something else that evening so even now...months later I'm still kicking myself in the you-know-what for missing that event. As luck would have it, these babies were still sitting in Nicole's boutique and they were the last ones...so I went ahead and copped them.  I just had to have them.

I first wore them with a black business professional outfit, complete with my set of pearls to give off a very Breakfast at Tiffany's Audrey Hepburn glow.

Then I wore them with my "I woke up like this" tee, just because I was feeling super rockstar and glam that day.

All in all, these shades are super versatile and take on a life of their own. Just one look at the complete Karen Walker sunglasses collection and you will see why these shades are the complete statement piece. Wanna feel Hollywood? Then explore the world of Karen Walker...looks like my mom did. See pic below...she's completely obsessed. Work it diva!

The Nicole Kwon Concept boutique has several styles of the Karen Walker shades still available so visit the boutique today and get your glam on!