Don't Be Caught In:

Leggings! No matter how many tabloids feature too-skinny starlets in them, we're not falling for it. Just say FAUX!
- Submitted by Heidi From Hollywood

About The Author:

Sammy Sanchez is a Miami based freelance writer, greeting card designer, and self-professed USWeeklyholic. Sammy loves tall coffee light frappuccinos, vino not from a box, and Mark Ruffalo…not necessarily in that order.


Model posing 101

January 29, 2010

Model babies

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Handbags

January 19, 2010

Kooba Jagger Leather Tote

When it comes to bags, I can't get no satisfaction.

No matter how much excess baggage I find myself taking on tour with me, I always want more. My newest obsession - the Kooba Jagger Leather Tote.

This imported tote looks as deconstructed as the Rolling Stones front man himself with leathery skin like Mick's, zipper details that unzip to reveal what I imagine to be a long rolling tongue and antique brass hardware that is aged way better than Keith Richards' face. Pick up your own Jagger from Bloomies, available in three colors - brown, red or paint it black.

It's $595 which means it's off limits unless I sell my vintage 1978 Stones concert tee on eBay. Oh well.

You can't always get what you want.

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Ask Sammy

November 10, 2009

Ladylike Laptop Bags

Dear Sammy,

Hi! I need help. I want a laptop bag that is pretty, not a boyish messenger bag. Can you give me a good place to look?

Kate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Kate,

I feel your laptop purse pain. If you're toting around a bag that weighs a ton, you at least want it to look cute. Most hot handbags don't have the capacity to fit a standard size laptop, and even if they did, they probably wouldn't have enough inner protection to keep your notebook completely safe and sound.

Lucky for you, your question came at the perfect time and I'm in prime position to dole out handbag help. I recently stumbled upon a designer laptop bag shop that'll make you want to kiss me, Kate. My new favorite laptop case corner is Kolobags.com - a virtual computer bag boutique where they feature designer fashion for technology with a craveable collection of designer bags, sleeves and cases that are worth showing off whether you have a laptop or not.


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Just take a look at this adorable Lady's Laptop Bag by Kroo USA. She's got style, she's got grace, She's a Lady. Whoa whoa whoa, She's a Lady. This little lady is not only chic, she fits up to a 13” laptop computer, features a padded computer compartment and handy organizational features for ladies on the go to keep their keys, pens, business cards, cells and iPods right at their fingertips.

Whether your purse predilections revolve around colors (see hot pink Samsonite), textures (see faux croc Mango Tango), prints and patterns (see camouflage Acme Made Trixy), or eco-friendly stylings (see Urban Junket convertible tote/backpack), Kolobags allows you to shop by style, size, color or price, making it easier than Windows 7 to find the laptop bag of your dreams.

Ahem, Kolobags also treats you to free shipping and free returns.

Laptop bag shop 'til you drop.

xoxo,

sammy


Having a fashion dilemma or crisis?

Need to know what top goes with what bottom?

Don't go it alone. Ask Sammy!

Handbags

October 27, 2009

Weekly Trend My Boyfriend Just Doesn't Get - Handbags

I'm shopping for a new bag.

No offense old bags. You've put in your time and I appreciate your service, but once your inner lining gets dirty and your straps begin to slowly unravel, I begin to slowly unravel. I'm desperate for some new arm candy, but not just any bag will do. I guess you could call me Pursilocks - some totes are too big, some satchels are too small, and I need a bag that's juuuuust right.

After hundreds of visits and promotion code searches for funsac.com, I thought I had finally found "The One". The Soho Hobo was big, but not too big, sleek in black with a casual shape, rock star studly with cool fringe at the base and most importantly, this bag was on every Top Bags for Fall list I had seen. It was perfect.

With coupon code committed to memory, I was finally ready to place my order. One final item of business... I asked my boyfriend if he liked it. His response?

"I don't get it."
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He didn't get it.

My bond with this bag had suddenly been broken.

"What don't you like about it?" I asked, wondering if he had secretly already purchased it for me and UPS had it waiting at home on my doorstep.

"It looks like it has teeth."

My boyfriend doesn't get a lot of things. Why I like to put on makeup when he thinks I look beautiful mascaraless, why I walk in 4 inch heels when I trip approximately every 37 steps, and why I need a new bag when he could easily fix my old purse strap MacGyver style with some twine and a matchstick.

Although I question his (and every man's) ability to fairly judge this bag for it's total fierceness, I cannot ignore the fact that he thinks it's just plain weird and I surely wouldn't want to put him through the agony of worrying every time I wear it that my new bag is going to eat me.

So the bag search continues...

Handbags

August 12, 2009

Sweet dreams are made of this

For the past decade I have had the same recurring dream. I'm back in high school, late for class and unable to retrieve my books because I don't know my locker combination. Beads of sweat build up on my forehead until I am eventually apprehended by an irate security guard who drags me down the hallway to the Principal's office.

Most of my dreams fall into this category - stressful situations that I cannot escape, even during my deepest slumber. But last night, my dream routine changed for the better. I dreamed a dream better than the dream that Susan Boyle sang about on Britain's Got Talent. I dreamed a dream as good as Martin Luther King's dream. Scratch that. It wasn't nearly that good of a dream, especially on a humanitarian level, but it was a dream that I never want to wake up from...

I dreamed I woke up on a pile of designer handbags. Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Marc Jacobs, Chloe, totes, satchels, hobos and clutches...they were all there, cushioning my head and every inch of my body with lush, divinely fragrant leather. I woke up startled; frantic that I might have drooled on my priceless plethora of purses...and then I realized I wasn't sleeping on Guccis or Fendis...I was sleeping on Zoey, my dog.

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What does this mean? I always chalked my locker lunacy dream up to excess stress over being unprepared for work, but what does this mean?

My friend gave me a dream interpretation book for my birthday, but it doesn't list any explanation for finding yourself atop a heap of handbags - oh wait, snap, it does have a reference about luggage!

Let's see...

A dream about luggage may refer to the dreamer's emotional baggage.

Huh.

Sorry Dream Dictionary, I'm going to have to pass. Sweet dreams are made of this, who are you to disagree? I wholeheartedly believe that this dream is my subconscious telling me that I need to buy a new handbag.

Handbags

April 28, 2009

Say My Name

Most of you know me as Sammy for short, but we've never been formally introduced.

I've been blogging for Let's Talk Style for a little over a year now (Happy Anniversary to me), so I think it's about time my regular blog followers and I were on a proper, first name basis.

Hi, I'm Samara.

My first name isn't a common one, so I usually opt for Sam or Sammy for short. It's easier for folks to remember and pronounce, and I never have to repeat it during new introductions. Predominately known as a city in Russia and/or a type of winged tree fruit, my name received some brief recognition after the release of the horror flick The Ring in 2002. The antagonist was my namesake and for awhile people associated me with the freaky little girl with bad hair who came out of the TV. That was fun.

Growing up, I hated my name. I would dig through displays of personalized name plaques, mugs, stickers and other silly trinkets, always finding dozens of Samanthas, Sallys and Sarahs...but sadly, no Samaras. In the world of useless tchotchkes, I had no identity.

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Alas, imagine my excitement when I saw a chic handbag named after none other than yours truly! This briefcase/purse hybrid has my name written all over it. The Samara Leather Tote is a steal from Forever 21 at $34.80 and is totally something I would wear, which is fortunate. I would hate for my name to be represented by a fanny pack or a murse.

It makes me wonder if there was ever a sad little girl out there named Coach.

Handbags

December 02, 2008

Just call me the bag lady - Why a woman can never have too many bags or shoes

It is my belief that a girl can never have too many shoes, bags, girlfriends, or champagne bottles in her fridge.

The girlfriends we need for the sisterhood, the comfort, the shoulders to cry on, the same sized jeans, and the PMS commiseraters. The shoes and bags we need for work, for play, for status, for pulling together an otherwise drab ensemble and for hundreds of other reasons men will never fully understand.

...and the champagne we need for the mimosas.

I've got the girlfriend department well covered, now I'm moving on to the accessories. Conveniently, I can kill two shopping sprees with one stone and find designer shoes and handbags all in one hot spot - Online Shoes.com

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Offering a smattering of holiday specials, I filled my shopping bags with bags o' plenty from totes to buckets, clutches to satchels. A few of my faves? This Hobo International slouchy Straw Jacklyn bag marked down to $199.99, the oh so marvelous Maple Ginnie clutch for $129.99, and who could resist Jessica Simpson's Pearl Tote for $79.99?

Oh yeah, did I mention the free shipping and $20 off any $100 purchase?

Now onto the shoes...and the liquor store. I'm gonna need some bubbly to celebrate.

Handbags

July 21, 2008

Cool stars sell bags.

Would I buy any of these Kipling bags because Fergie endorsed them?

You betcha.

In fact, I'm so excited to buy one I'm practically peeing in my pants, just like Fergie did.

Maybe it's silly, but it gives us civilians a thrill to own something that has a celebrity stamp of approval on it. I hope Fergie has some extra pairs of Depends undergarments stored in one of those bags.

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Handbags

July 01, 2008

Slim Shady Fendi.

I saw a teenage girl toting around a fake Fendi the other day. How do I know it was a fake Fendi? She stuck a wad of grape gum on it to save for later. Not even a child would pull that crap with a real Fendi.

This is just the type of treasure Jennifer Hudson's character Louise from the new Sex and the City movie would Bag Borrow or Steal. And if you remember your Sex and the City trivia, Samantha was kicked out of the Playboy mansion by Hef for getting her fake Fendi confused with a playmate's real Fendi. (Little did it matter that the playmate's boobs were even faker than Samatha's knockoff).

Would the real designer Fendi please stand up, please stand up, please stand up?

This Fendi from Forzieri is all real for $1,170.

Hello lover.

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Fendis make the world go round.

Handbags

June 13, 2008

Reusems.

Hear me now and believe me later. Global warming is upon us. What can we fashionistas do in the meantime to help our ailing environment?

1. Stop washing our hair everyday.
2. Get a reusable bag.

I know I plugged an eco-friendly bag last month, but hey. Think of this as a Reusable Bag-of-the-month Club.

If you didn't feel the love for my American Eagle Love tote, here's another option to get you to ix-nay the lastic bags-pay.

This Project Green Nine West tote is on sale for $14.99 from $20...and I simply adore the messages. Choose from "Green Girls are sexy!" or "Fashion cares. Green is chic."

You'll be sexy chic too, toting around this tote.

Look at you with your bad, green self.

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Lotto Buys

June 11, 2008

A-choo!

When smart people win the lottery, they invest. In real estate, stocks and bonds...priceless works of art...

I invest in handbags.

My accountant frowns upon this and is begging me to compromise. He says I should invest in some handbag art. At first I thought, I'm so not into paintings of purses. Then I realized, he may be onto something...

You know Jimmy Choo is the master of shoes...but did you know he makes killer bags too?

Check out this Jimmy Choo polly glazed bag. It's inspired by New York-based artist Richard Phillips' 'Riot' portraiture with images inspired from 60's and 70's fashion magazines.

It has cult Pop-art appeal, and is big enough to tote around all of my summer essentials. It's also a whopping $682.50, but hey...you gotta spend money to make money.

At least that's what Barton Finklestein, CPA tells me.

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Fashion Bit

June 05, 2008

Rainbow Connection.

You want to taste the Rainbow, but you're all out of skittles. What to do, what to do...

Try adding one of these juicy multi-colored Nine West clutches to your accessory closet. Bags, and bangles, and bright strappy sandals, oh my!...What more could a girl planning her new summer wardrobe ask for?...Besides this.

Any plans for the 4th Jake?


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And if rainbow colored accessories aren't enough, try on this Taste the Rainbow Dress on sale from Free People.

Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat have nothing on us.

Free the rainbow...and the rest will follow.

*Keepin' it colorful,

sammy

Fashion Bit

May 19, 2008

I heart earth.

I've noticed a trend in stores lately that makes me happier than Charlie Bucket after he snagged that last Golden Ticket to hang with Willy Wonka. Everyone and their mother is offering recyclable bags and totes this season. Designers have finally gotten an earth conscious clue and are showing the world recyclable bags are good and trendy enough to wear outside of the grocery store. It's like you aren't cool if you don't have one. That double negative makes a positive in my book.

I'm loving this cute, fun, 100% renewable resource AE Burlap Love Tote from American Eagle Outfitters. It's $19.50, eco friendly, and roomy enough to tote around all your stuff. Fill it with sandcastle making supplies and spf 30 for your next beach trip, goodies from your next shopping spree, or better yet- use it to drop off some plastic bottles at the nearest recycling station. My favorite part? It features a double sided LOVE screenprint that totally fills me with warm fuzzies.

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Both Oliver Twist and the Black Eyed Peas have pondered where is the love? in song. I say, it's in this tote.

*Keepin' the earth healthy,

sammy

Lotto Buys

April 18, 2008

If I had major bank.

If I won the lottery I would pay off my house...then i'd buy this killer Gucci hobo. Or maybe I'd buy the bag first, then pay off my house. Come to think of it, I've always wanted a Shetland pony.

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Then i'd give the rest to the March of Dimes because I'd feel like a big fat jerk for spending $1,790 on a handbag...and however much Shetland ponies are running for these days.

*Keeping the Gucci dream alive,

sammy

Fashion

April 13, 2008

The Bag ate my Posh.

Want me to tell you what I want, what I really really want?
I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want...

I really want to understand this new Marc Jacobs Spring/Summer ad campaign.

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This has been a hot topic amongst fashion bloggers everywhere, so I figured I should jump on the Beckham Bandwagon. Yes, for those of you who don't already know, that is in essence, Victoria Beckham spread eagle in a shopping bag. Thank goodness there are no accompanying aerial views advertising Vic's biznass. Usually I adore photographer Juergen Teller's artistically fab Jacobs ads featuring the likes Sofia Coppola, our favorite shoplifter Winona Ryder, and even tween sensation Dakota Fanning looking like a prepubescent silent film star. But this? I just don't get. Am I supposed to shop at Marc Jacobs because their shopping bags eat oversaturated, semi-talented nineties girl-band members-slash-style icons? Or am I supposed to shop there because they sell Poshes with little propellers on their heads?

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How much would a Marc Jacob's Posh be anyway? I'm guessing pricey. The whole thing just leaves a bad spice in my mouth. Unless David is tucked into that bag next to her...then I might have to take out a second mortgage and buy one.

I love you Marc Jacobs. I love your clothes no matter what celebrity is endorsing them. I love me some big ass bottles of your gardenia scented perfumes, your signature metal aviators, your Fergalicious handbags, and anything else you put your name on. Do me a favor, bring your campaign to another advertising agency and let the Posh out of the bag.

*Keepin' it real.

sammy

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