Announcing the latest Store Adore deal: Store Adore Shoppers Save 15 percent on handbags, shoes, and scarves, and 20 percent all Moojoo Ken sets (matching bag and shoes).

The name MooJoo Ken comes from a Japanese word meaning “unconditional.” And true to its name, everything in this accessories store—from the bags and shoes to the decor—is unconditionally unique. The store’s bread and butter is the wildly unconventional accessories, like satchels, boots and high heels that are silk-screened and hand-painted in mod designs, each of which incorporates the store’s modified-square emblem. Fun, funky, and definitely original, this line of embellished accessories is just what you need if all you desire is a good head turn when you walk down the street.

We Adore: The Unagi handbag in black patent leather (regularly $285, Store Adore Price $242) is a Store Adore staff favorite, the bag is the perfect size for the daytime run-around, but retains the crisp and sexy elegance of an evening shoulder-slung accessory. Pair it with the shoes (regularly $150, Store Adore price $127) for a polished look that isn’t over-the-top matchy. Buy the set for $348.

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We Adore: Many of Moojoo Ken’s styles are named after DC neighborhoods. We like the Chinatown silk scarf (regularly $55, Store Adore price $47).

Click Here to get your discount at Moojoo Ken!

Announcing the latest Store Adore deal: Save 25% at Lorelei

What’s the secret to a slam-dunk handbag? Bring in the qualities and essence of a vintage favorite and polish it off with of-the-moment flair. Laurie Kaufmann, the mind behind Manhattan-based Lorelei, offers chic designs rooted in classic sophistication—but funky enough for today’s red carpet. Lorelei line of clutches are notable both for their punchy prints and their dimensional details, like oversized bows and fabric twists that play nicely with the streamlined frames. Both fall and holiday styles are in-stock on line now, and range from crinkled patent foldovers that are evening-ready yet still hold their fair share of night out necessities (lip gloss, wallet, camera, phone etc.) to elongated python styles to traditional shapes in punchy pink, red and yellow lambskins.

We Adore: The Lucia Woven Leather clutch (regularly $345, Store Adore price $258.75) incorporates every metallic, so it pairs perfectly with pretty much any pair of shoes.

We Adore: The Kelsey Boa Snake Embossed Envelope Clutch (regularly $398, Store Adore price $298) is just the right shade of deep—but not overbearing—red.

We Adore: The Sloane Canvas Crinkle Patent (regularly $368, Store Adore price $276) can be carried as a clutch or opened up and used as a tote. It’s the best double duty back we’ve seen in a long time.

Click Here for your 25% off at Lorelei

Announcing the latest Store Adore deal: 25% off of everything at Kathy Kuo.

Clearly a born aesthete—industrial designer, model, buyer and decorator—entrepreneur Kathy Kuo returns to her roots as a home designer with her e-boutique Kathy Kuo Designs. Drawing on her jetsetting lifestyle and extensive experience working in interior design all over the world, Kuo offers an eclectic line of furniture, home accessories and linens with a global flavor and elegant presentation. Mahogany writing desks, ornate nesting tables, slender armchairs upholstered in taupe velvet and hewn bookshelves bring to mind Tahitian hotels and Thai treasures; while garden urns, carved figurines, mirrored wall coverings and antler coat racks are among the kind of unique objects one finds on a journey abroad. In addition to the larger investments, a collection of throw pillows, wall hangings, croc-embossed serving trays, whimsical jars and canisters make for rare gifts. The recent introduction of Kuo’s personal pet project, her handbags, makes a trip to this webshop a must: a favorite among Kathy Kuo shoppers, the Model Tote is a go-everywhere hand/diaper/gym/evening bag with an Eastern feel that’s similar in style to the chic home goods. Her New York-based fans with a bit of a decorating budget will love her home design service, available through the site.

We Adore: Oversize Antler coat racks (regularly $210, Store Adore price $157) are at once artful and functional. Less of an investment than a full blown chandelier, they offer an equal dose of that hunting lodge chic charm.

Click here to get your 25% discount at Kathy Kuo Designs

Black bags score points for practicality—they go with nearly everything (especially as climates cool) and they’re right in line with fall’s tougher trends. If you need the perfect do-it-all purse- and want to get it for a steal- check out our picks for best bag sites on the web!

Today is my birthday. Suffice to say that it’s a big one. So JUST IN CASE ANYONE WHO LOVES ME IS READING THIS, here’s a no holds barred list of everything I’m coveting right about now.

1. An Yves Saint Laurent Bag

My friend Natalie boasts a full arsenal of YSL bags, and I have handbag envy every time I see her. Somehow, the YSL brand represents a kind of luxurious living marked by a full and important citified life accompanied by loads of leisure time in fancy places. I’ll take any bag that comes my way, but the Large Rive Gauche (not too logo-y, but definitely designer, $1795) is among my top picks.

2. A Puppy

I just want one! But aren’t these guys super cute? A friend recently turned me on to miniature bulldogs, but I’ve also been pining for a toy poodle (a tough one–he’ll be black) or maybe a puggle. I currently own an imaginary dog (this is true–sometimes I show my husband how I walk it down the street) but I’d really really like the real thing. And Daniel if you are reading this: I promise I’ll walk it, even in the winter.

3. A Mixed Metals Chain Necklace

I just wrote about Kitchen Sink necklaces–my own name for piled on designs that incorporate layers of chains, charms, and other found objects. Lisa Levine’s 1,000 chains necklace ($425) from her original collection is a charmingly tangled take on the layered chains look I can never quite pull off when I try it on my own.

4. More Rockstar Jewelry

I also recently wrote about Covet, a sliver of a jewelry store in the West Village. It’s my new favorite spot for glamorous pieces that I can actually afford to splurge on once in awhile. Covet co-owner Alexis Mack never takes off this leather bracelet with a diamond tapered bar ($380) so the leather has softened perfectly around her wrist.

5. A Stretchy Belt

A belt with a little bit of elastic doesn’t leave awkward gaps when you sit down or ride above your waist while you’re walking. This simple yet elegant Lanvin belt from cutting edge boutique Aloha Rag (a location recently opened in Manhattan!) fits the bill ($270). I also like this one by Leyendecker from Intermix ($120), where Store Adore shoppers get an exclusive discount.

6. Flowers from Prudence Designs

I love it when my guy friends ask me where to buy flowers for their girlfriends because I’ve got the secret to winning any girl’s heart. Flowers from Prudence Designs are the most natural and elegant I’ve seen–and the compact designs are perfect for brightening up a desk. This bouquet is made up of white and pink rununculus ($140), my favorite flower.

7. ALSO

Pinkberry, really good ice cream, french fries, chipwiches made from fresh baked chocolate chip cookies, a vacation somewhere warm that I don’t have to pay for, a morning to sleep as late as I want to (preferably a weekday), more time with my friends, more time with my family, the success of Store Adore, and another occasion (now that my wedding is over) to have all of my favorite people in one place.

And if I don’t get a lick of it, I have so much to be grateful for: my perfect husband, my wonderful parents, my best friend and business partner Cristina, the best friends and family anyone could ask for, an awesome Store Adore staff, getting to do what I want to for a living–even if it means I work all the time, New York, good health…Here’s to 30 more happy years.

I am not a fan of large handbags. I used to be, but then I became enlightened. I used to think it was smart to travel around day-to-day with a suitcase full of stuff on my arm—the water bottle, gym clothes, change of shoes, make-up case, notebook, tape recorder, snack bars, book, etc. One day during a check-up, my doctor took one glance at the huge handbag sitting on his chair and was (seriously) aghast.

“Please don’t tell me you actually carry that thing every day,” he said. “Do you know what kind of damage that can do?”

It brought back memories of a doctor’s warning 15 years earlier, when I was reprimanded for carrying a backpack stylishly on one shoulder. That shoulder had actually sunken lower than the other one.

I don’t want to sound like a PSA, but big bags can be bad for you (they cause back, neck and shoulder problems, as well as bad posture), and they’re really uncomfortable too. Look at how guys just traipse around with their money, phone and keys in their pockets, while women trudge along with humongous totes! If men don’t need to carry all this stuff all the time, why do we?

Strip down to the essentials. There are times when you need a big satchel to bring bulky things: gym clothes, shoes, a work laptop… When you don’t, carry a smaller handbag and you’ll feel great (your shoulder will thank you). Here are a few suggestions.

Mayle Mariachi Baby Billie Bag ($415) at Bird

Rebecca Minkoff Tryst Large Clutch ($295) at Luna Boston

Foley and Corinna Side Saddle Pouch ($425) at Shopbop

This week we shot some questions to the fabulous Chicago-based 1154 LILL Studio, the place to go for a great create-it-yourself handbag.

SA: What’s flying off the shelves right now?
1154LS: Currently, the style we can’t seem to keep in stock is PAULA, our new weekender duffle bag. It is great for travel, the gym, or that spontaneous summer getaway.

SA: What do you look for when choosing your merchandise?
1154LS: 1154 LILL Studio is unique in that all the merchandise in the store is produced and made locally in Chicago. One of the perks of working at Lill is that we get to design all of the stock that we sell in our stores so it really maximizes the term limited edition. Just the same as custom orders, it takes three weeks for all bags to come back so it is always an ever changing selection.

SA: What new trends are you seeing?
1154LS: Black and white prints are always popular and trendy, especially with a “pop” or yellow or any other must-have color this season.

SA: What is your favorite item in the store right now?
1154LS: Currently my favorite item in the store is SOPHIE (pictured above, $164), our newest edition to the line. SOPHIE is a great style that has a fully convertible strap so that you can wear it “hands free” as a messenger bag or double up and wear it as a trendy shoulder bag. However, the ERINN style(pictured below, $92) is my favorite oversized clutch for going out. There are just too many to choose from!