Scroll down to buy one (or all) of our favorites this Fall in Winter…

Anyway, the only thing we weren’t too crazy about was the massive size. Can you imagine the weight of that thing!? Chloé leather is not light!

Now, for all you lovelies who don’t need to carry a house around in your handbag, we suggest treating yourself to the Marcie Small Braided Hobo that we’ve seen on Reese Witherspoon.

Pictured on the LEFT side below, The Marcie Small Braided Hobo’s delicate braiding and a woven top-handle add rustic appeal to this rich leather design, crafted in a sleek flap-front silhouette. It measures 10″W X 11″H X 2½”D and retails for $1,560.00 at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Feel like a “G &1/2″ before taxes is too much to drop on a handbag? No worries! We know where you can get the PERFECT alternative (keep scrolling).

Pictured on the RIGHT side above in gray, The Claire Satchel by Diva Designs features textured leather like material, brushed gold hardware, cell and sunglasses pockets, and two interior storage pockets. It measures 13″W X 11″H X 5″ and retails for $85.00 at Shop Suey Boutique (tristinstyling subscribers, don’t forget to use your 20% off code)! Wanna see it in action? take a look at the video below:

Scroll down to take a look at or get yourself some of our favorites below…

Nanette Lepore:

Nanette Lepore: 50% off Holiday Collection by tristinstyling on Polyvore.com

Anthropologie:

Anthropologie Today: Add’l 25% off and Complimentary Standard Shipping by tristinstyling featuring a wrap robe

*Standard shipping with $75 minimum offer is valid for domestic shipments only and does not apply to previous purchases.
Offer expires on 12/22/10 at 10 A.M. EST. Additional fees apply for overweight, express or overnight shipping. Need to get it there by December 24? See full details at www.anthropologie.com

Q:

I just rented The Proposal and loved this orange bag (pictured left) that Sandra Bullock was wearing.

I thought it would be a perfect day to night bag to wear to work and after for cocktails, but when I looked it up, I was disappointed to find out that it’s retailed at thousands a piece with a waiting list that stretches for years!

Is this true?
Why so expensive?
Is there any way to get it cheaper?

A:

The only way to quickly get your hands on a Birkin once you get enough bacon together to get yourself one, is if you buy a pre-owned piece from a trustworthy seller or website. Ebay can be too risky when it comes to high ticket items like Birkins so we suggest buying from sites like Fashionphile or Portero.

The Orange 40cm Birkin, with Gold Hardware that Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) is wearing in ‘The Proposal’ is actually Bullock’s own that she wore to fell better about the purchase.

When asked, “What is your shopping indulgence?” in an InStyle interview by fan, Christina S. in Hicksville, NY, Bullock answered, “At the end of every film I buy myself something. I’m frugal and I have to have saved for it. I once bought a big orange Hermes bag, but the guilt that followed from buying it lasted a year. I used it in another movie I just shot, ‘The Proposal,’ so I feel better about it.”

Why so expensive? Take a look at how each lovely piece is handcrafted by Hermes artisans and tell us what you think TOTALLY WORTH IT or A TOTAL WASTE?:

It’s a perfect size measuring at 13 x 13 x 6 with loads of pockets inside and out. Our favorite part of the bag is the adorable removable front clutch with detachable shoulder strap so you can leave the baby’s things (or luggage if using it as an overnighter or carry-on) behind in a snap!

This bag does not compromise function for fashion with exterior features such as the water resistant, full Italian cowhide leather, and 18k gold-plated signature hardware for a rust free easy pull!

The spacious interior features soil-proof lining, snaphook for keys, two bottle pockets, and two zipper pockets.

The only con is that the $300 price point might be out of budget for some women but we say it’s a great investment. Consider the fact that you will be using this bag every single day for the next few years:

# Full Italian Cowhide Leather
# 18k Gold-Plated Signature Hardware
# Removable Front Clutch with Detachable Shoulder Strap
# Lower Zipper Compartment Featuring a Plastic Zipper Pocket
# Embossed Honey Logo on Bottom of Bag
# Water Resistant Exterior
# Soil-Proof Lining
# Hidden Magnet Closure
# Interior: Snaphook for Keys, Two Bottle Pockets, Two Zipper Pockets
# Exterior: Two Side Pockets, Back Zipper Pocket
# Zipper Pull Top Closure
# Included Accessories: Shoulder Strap, Stroller Straps, Changing Pad, and Drawstring Storage Bag, Leather Stroller Straps with Separate Storage Bag, Separate Soil Proof Changing Pad, Drawstring Storage Bag
# Measurements: 13″L x 6″W x 13″H
# Front Clutch-12L x 1.5W x 5.5H

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is an organization that was created to raise awareness of and funds for pediatric cancer research. But it all started with a kid fighting cancer and his parents’ desire to help him and others.

When 2-year old Liam was diagnosed with a deadly form of pediatric cancer called Neuroblastoma, his family learned quickly it is a cancer that only about 30% of children survive. They were shocked to hear the reason for such terrible odds was directly related to how little money was being spent on research by both the government and the pharmaceutical industry. Pediatric cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for children under the age of 18. Why then is it not a priority to develop new and better treatments for the children of our nation and the world? It is this very question that prompted Liam’s mom and dad, Gretchen and Larry, to get involved and to do all they could to help save their son.

Mascara and liquid eyeliners should be throw away and replaced every three to six months. This is not a marketing scheme to get you to buy more mascara, believe it or not.

Truth is, whether you pay $6 or $26, you are still going to get a buildup of bacteria if you aren’t careful with your mascara. Follow these guidelines below to make your mascara go the distance.

Make Mascara Last Longer:
*NEVER share your mascara. Ever. Doesn’t matter if it’s your best friend or your daughter, eyelashes have mite and dust and all kinds of things on them. Eyelashes are made to protect your eyes from bacteria etc, so they are catching all those things you don’t want in your eyes. By letting someone else use your mascara, you are getting whatever crap has collected on their eyelashes in your mascara, then you are introducing it to your own eyelashes. Gross!

*Wash your face and eyelashes before applying mascara. Don’t add additional coats of mascara again during the day to freshen your look. Whatever has fallen on your eyelashes since you washed them and applied the first coat, will then go into your tube of mascara and potentially contaminate it.

*Clean your mascara wand every month. Use a gentle soap, preferably sulfate-free, and let the wand dry completely before reinserting it into the tube of mascara.

*Stop using all your eye makeup if you get conjunctivitis or any other eye illness. Immediately throw away all your eye makeup products like eye liner and mascara and replace it only after your infection has been away for at least 4 weeks.

By following these simple steps, you can make your mascara last a lot longer than 3 months. Practice good hygiene and cleanliness with your mascara and it will last till the tube is empty, which usually takes about 4-6 months with daily use. It’s also best to only have 1 or 2 tubes of mascara at a time so you can use them up in a reasonable amount of time before they go rancid. Keeping used tubes of mascara around longer than 6 months isn’t a great idea. However, you can keep bran new, unopened tubes of mascara around for up to 2 years.

And remember that every time you pump the mascara wand, air gets into the tube. This creates a possible breeding ground for germs and eye mites. Not only that, it can make your mascara dry out and get clumpy much sooner.

Here’s the details: FASHION FEST 2009 “ROCKAHOLIC” private outdoor fest, on Division & Marion Street, features a live music stage and Runway Fashion Shows sponsored by Tigi Hair Products, an outdoor shopping experience featuring Exclusive booths of Chicago’s Local Fashion Designers, Salons and Boutiques, Department of Cultural Affairs, Neighborhood Arts Opportunities, Kidsmobile,a wide variety of high quality food and drinks offered by Moonshine, Nuvo, Don Julio, and Ciroc and plenty of ice cold beer.

The ROCKAHOLIC FASHION FEST has a variety of entertainment including Jade Production Dancers, In Analog Hip Hop/ Rock Band, Chicago’s Hottest DJ’s, Steve Starr Photo Booth Photography, M.GO Fashion Salon Collection, Wanda Cobar Collection, and much more. Also two exclusive private VIP Red Carpet Reception’s with Gift Bags sponsored by Don Julio Tequilla, Nuvo, Ciroc and Tigi Hair Products.

We’ve also paired up with Breakthrough Urban Ministries as a Charity to donate partial proceeds to. Breakthrough Urban Ministries demonstrates the compassion of Christ by providing neighborhood-based holistic services that empower individuals, families and urban communities to overcome poverty, addiction and isolation.

Performing LIVE on MainStage:
IN Analog
Jade Productions Dancers

Chicago’s Top DJ’s:
DJ Heather Dobel
DJ Kimya
DJ Victor “R”

Shopper’s Row Opens at 12PM thru 10PM Live Fashion Shows all day! Main Show 8PM
M.GO Fashion Salon
Sin Cosmetics
Wanda Cobar Collection
Funkshion Clothing
Thr3ee
Chii
Sugar & Spice
G Design
YadiArt
Ame Studio
Dolly Bird Designs
Designs by Britney

Also..
Fashion Focus Chicago
Crave Chicago
2 Exclusive Talent
Latino Fashion Week
Helping Hands Forever
Steve Starr Photos

Date: Saturday, August 22, 2009
Time: 12:00pm – 10:00pm
Location: MOONSHINE
Street: 1824 W. Division, Chicago, IL

Phone: 7737722772
Email: facebook.com/michelle.gofashion

tristinstyling project, is launching its first signed celebrity piece in collaboration with Mango Pop, Blacklava, and Brea Grant. Future celebrity pieces will include celebrity second hand or red carpet pieces!

100% off all proceeds will go to charities and/or non-profit organizations! That’s right, a project from the heart. August ‘09 donations will be going to IMPACT Personal Safety and TNKat. Click the links for more details on the organizations and what they’re all about!

Fans who make a donation through the end of August 2009 or until all gifts are sold out (whichever comes first), will receive an autograph and gym bag featuring a silk screened graphic by Mango Pop, custom designed for tristinstylingproject.  Click the image below to make your donation today while supplies last:

Duffle Bag Details:
Nylon Pack Cloth (100% Nylon) construction
Dimensions: 25 1/2″ x 12 3/8 (64.8cm x 31.4cm)
Nylon zipper closure
Dual handles