Author: bargain.hunting.blonde@gmail.com

The Ultimate Classic- Louis Vuitton Under $300

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Many of us know immediately what design house a bag is when we see the distinctive brown LV Print. The LV monogram has been around since 1896 when George’s Vuitton, the son of creator Louis Vuitton, created the monogram to honor is father and as a way to signify to buyers that the trunk they were buying was in fact LV. Since then the monogram has ended up on everything from sunglasses to socks and slgs to handbags.

The continued use of this monogram is great for deal hunters and for vintage lovers because these bags are very easy to find. The prices are more reasonable than going into LV right now and buying a bag and honestly the older bags are better quality.

Remember that these are vintage bags and have had a previous life. They won’t be perfect but if there are no cracks in the canvas LV can replace leather bits! Plus there are lots of great YouTube videos showing you how to get canvas shiny again, cleaning greasy handles, and reconditioning leather.

Louis Vuitton Vintage Handbags

Louis Vuitton Vernis Lexington Lavender Pochette

$295 (I know it’s not typical monogram but look at that color!! And it’s not from Ebay!)

Louis Vuitton Monogram Alma PM

$287.10

Louis Vuitton Jeune Fille MM

$296.10

Louis Vuitton Pochette Homme Clutch

$179.10

Louis Vuitton Bucket Bag PM

$126

Louis Vuitton Trocadero 23

$171

Louis Vuitton Speedy 30 Monogram

$234

Louis Vuitton Speedy 25 Monogram

$243

Louis Vuitton St. Cloud PM

$291.60

Honorable mentions (for those who don’t mind paying a little more because they don’t want to deal with ebay)

Louis Vuitton Tamborin Monogram

$495

Louis Vuitton Monogram Drouot

$395

Louis Vuitton Monogram Babylone

$475

Louis Vuitton Florentine Belt Bag (size small)

$450

Louis Vuitton Monogram Alma PM

$455

Found a vintage bag you love but it needs a little work? Keep your eyes peeled for my upcoming articles on how to clean and restore vintage bags! I will also be writing a piece about what to avoid in vintage bags.

* this post contains affiliate links. These links earn me a very small commission and do not cost you as the consumer anymore money. Thank you for reading my article and using my links if you decide to purchase.

Gucci Gang- Gucci Under $300

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As per request, I have compiled a list of Gucci bags under $300. Like Fendi and their Baguette, Gucci has dug into their archives to revive the Gucci monogram print.

I personally love this and own four vintage Gucci bags with the monogram. I own two in the brown Gucci “web” (for some reason this is what the classic, vintage style was called or sometimes it is also called the “Sherry” line) and two in the blue Gucci web. If you have been following Gucci and their latest trends you will see that they only re-released the brown Gucci Web so that’s what I included below.

Happy shopping!

Gucci Web Sherry Line Bucket Bag

$220 (Actually just went 10% off for price of $198)

Gucci Web Sherry Line Shoulder Bag

$247

Gucci Brown Web Sherry Line Crossbody (I actually own this one and it’s a great size!)

$283.10

Gucci Brown Web Belt Bag

$253.13

Gucci Brown Web Convertible Clutch and shoulder Bag

$234

Gucci Blue Monogram Cross Body

$171

Gucci Sherry Line Blue Crossbody

$207

Gucci Brown Sherry Shoulder Bag

$225

Honorable mentions (for those of you who prefer not to shop on eBay)

Gucci Brown Web Shoulder Bag

$595

Gucci Brown Web Belt Bag

$550

Gucci Brown Web Convertible Clutch/ Shoulder Bag

$495

*I do use affiliate links. I make a small percentage (read very very small) off of every purchase you make through one of my links. It does not cost you as a consumer anymore. Thank you for your support!

Places to Buy Preloved- The Real Real

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Ahhh The Real Real– a preloved online site (that now has stores) that I have a very love/ very hate relationship with.

I found out about The Real Real when I was a summer associate at my law firm in the summer of 2015. One of the more senior attorneys found out I loved to shop and recommended it to me. Since 2015, it’s been a love hate relationship for me and The Real Real.

For those of you who haven’t seen the online ads, the tv ads or the controversial Chanel lawsuit, the Real Real is a website that sells preloved goods. They sell clothing, shoes and accessories from brands ranging from Coach to Hermes. They do authenticate their pieces before they post them (or allegedly not as the Chanel lawsuit states). They normally have 20% off most items that are on their website and have great sales where you can get 20% off and a $50-$200 giftcard with your purchase.

Pros

  1. Great Deals! The Real Real has some of the best deals around. I find they can be a little overpriced for Louis Vuitton, but have great deals on other brands like Chloe and Fendi.
  2. Variety of Designers! The Real Real carries everything from Coach to Hermes. They have a wide variety of designers and offer men’s, women’s and children’s pieces from those design houses.
  3. More than just Handbags! Often preloved sites cater to handbags but the Real Real does it all. They have clothing, shoes and accessories. They are a great place to pick up a pair of gently used shoes for a steal.
  4. Sales! The Real Real runs more sales then other preloved websites. Most goods are 20% off with code “REAL”. If not the item will specifically state that no coupons or discounts are valid on this item. But if you were lucky enough to purchase during the giftcard promotion that giftcard can be used on anything.
  5. Returns! Certain items on the Real Real are final sale (mainly from what I have observed handbags and items that are majorly on sale), but other items are returnable for 21 days. This allows you to buy the shoes, try them on and then return them if they do not work.

Cons

  1. Their pictures and description on the website are horrible! There is no other way to describe it their four pictures are not high quality and their descriptions are often lacking.
  2. A lot of high ticket items are final sale! So say you do buy that handbag you have been eyeing but get it and realize it’s not for you… well unfortunately you are stuck with it or can consign it at a loss with The Real Real. If the item is not as described (which happens a lot in my opinion) you can ask for a return which the Real Real may or may not grant.
  3. If the item is returnable you have to pay $11.95 for return shipping! Yes you read that right returns aren’t free if you use their shipping label to return. There are exceptions to this (like the item arrives damaged or not as described) where they will give you a free label but it’s rare. The only time I had that happen was when there was a legit hole in the button of the pair of Chanel ballet flats I bought from them.
  4. No matter what you buy you have to pay for shipping! Say you buy a $200 Hermes Calvi (which was one of my most recent purchases from The Real Real) you pay $11.95 ground shipping… okay fine it’s not the most expensive item. But say you buy a $2,000 Louis Vuitton Bag… you still pay $11.95. I really think if your spending over $100 you shouldn’t pay shipping so The Real Real lets get on it.
  5. Authentic or not? The Real Real does say that they authenticate everything before they list it but I do know some people who have gotten fake items from The Real Real! (Watch Autumn Beckman’s Video here)
  1. Horrible Quality Dustbags- If the item doesn’t come with the original dustbag you might want to start shopping on Amazon for a plain one

I have purchased a variety of goods from The Real Real and I have also returned a couple of goods to The Real Real. My Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag came from The Real Real when they were new and impossible to find. My Chanel flat deals also came from The Real Real. But I have also returned Chanel flats to The Real Real. When you do return an item and use their shipping label you do have to pay $11.95 which means between the shipping to and from you loose about $24.

So do I still purchase from The Real Real? Yes I do. I think if you have done your research and know what your looking for you can find some amazing deals. I normally turn to The Real Real for shoes and SLGs. Fabulously both of these items are returnable when the handbags are not. I personally have never gotten anything fake and have gotten some amazing deals on Chanel flats.

*please note that some of my blog post links are affiliate links. If you purchase through them I get a small percentage (very very small percentage). It does not cost you as the consumer anymore money. This post was not at all sponsored and all the products were bought with my own money.

The Fendi Baguette- Back and Under $300

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If you have been watching the purse news lately (aka reading Purse Blog or Purse Bop) like me you have seen that Fendi re- releaseD the Fendi Baguette which we all saw coming after their SS 2019 fashion show last year.

But unlike all the other trend revivals (Ahem Gucci and Dior) you can still pick this bag up on the preloved market for a steal! Below I listed all the Fendi Baguettes I found for under $300! (Yes you read that number right) plus some honorable mentions (which are all under $500).

Fendi Baguette Black Zucca Print

$110

Fendi Mama Baguette Black Nylon

$132

Fendi Baguette Black

$139.01

Fendi Baguette Brown Leather

$160

Fendi Grey Baguette

$233.10

Fendi Baguette Black Leather

$268.20

Fendi Baguette Black selleria Leather

$279

Fendi Baguette Black Zucca Print

$292.50

Fendi Baguette blue Zucca Print

$296.10

Honorable Mentions (aka over $300 but from Fashionphile which some people might be more comfortable shopping from)

Fendi Zucchino Baguette Brown

$415

Fendi Zucca Baguette Tobacco

$485

Fendi Baguette Beige Leather (I actually really like the leather as I am not much of a Zucca Print girl)

$395

Fendi Zucchino Baguette Tobacco

$350

Staying Organized- Zoomoni Handbag Organizers

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If any of you were ever to catch a glimpse of my work handbag (traditionally one of my three Louis Vuitton Neverfull GMs) you would be mortified at what a mess it is. I traditionally have in it the following:

  • 2 spiral bound notebooks
  • Some Manila folders with work documents in them
  • Random receipts everywhere
  • A pouch for pens and other products
  • A pouch for receipts (which only houses reimbursable receipts)
  • LV victorine wallet or LV multicartes with my Hermes Bastia
  • Headphones
  • Two laptop computers
  • Two cellphones
  • Various lists
  • Lilly Pulitzer planner
  • And other random things that just end up in there.

And when I say “in” it I literally mean in it- I just chuck everything in it, pick it up and head off to where ever I am rushing too.

So the idea of an organizer has always appealed to me. I tried ordering one off of Amazon that said it was for a Neverfull GM but it didn’t fit. So when Zoomoni gifted me a Neverfull GM organizer (as well as a Speedy 30) one I was ecstatic. I finally had an organizer that fit my Neverfull and could try to tame the unruly mess that it is.

The Zoomoni bag organizer for the Neverfull is made out of a felt-like material and comes in a variety of colors. The Speedy 30 organizer is the same materials and also comes in a variety of colors. (In the below pictures the pink is the Neverfull GM organizer and the red is the Speedy 30.) Were they differ is in the pocket layout. The Neverfull GM organizer has six interior pockets, one laptop/ notebook slip pocket, two water bottle pockets, and three exterior pockets. The Speedy 30 organizer has four interior pockets, one water bottle pocket, and one bigger slip pocket.

Pros

  1. Keeps your bag organized– obviously because it’s an organizer and now everything has its place!
  2. Keeps your bag interior clean– with an organizer if anything spills in your bag it is going to get on the organizer first before your bag interior
  3. Helps keep your bag structure– this organizer can help your bag keep its shape and prevent wear to the canvas that is often associated with sagging. (As noted below this is not as stiff as say a base shaper.)
  4. Water bottle pockets– I love that these Zoomoni organizers come with water bottle pockets! It makes me feel that I can put a water bottle in my bags and not worry about it so much.

Cons

  1. Thickness– If you were looking for something (especially in a Speedy) to add stiffer structure to your bag this is not it. This organizer still allows the bags (especially the Speedy) to keep more of its natural slouchy look.
  2. Color Selection– If you have a really unique interior color (like on the mon monogram bags by LV) you might not be able to match the color. They do have a wide variety but not as many colors as LV has interiors.

Overall I would say I like the bag organizer for the Neverfull better than I do for the Speedy 30. I think that’s not because of the organizer but because of what I use the Neverfull for. It is truly a catchall for a lot of things while with the Speedy I only put a few more “purse-like” items in there to begin with.

Want one for yourself? Use my code “bargainhuntingblonde” for 20% off! It’s good until Dec. 31st, 2019 so use it as many times as you want!

What’s to see more of what the inserts can hold and how they look in my bags? Make sure to watch my YouTube video review!

*note that I was kindly gifted these bag organizers by Zoomoni.

Trending This Winter: Minimalist Conversational Pieces by JORD

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I think watches are a great accessory and when they are well made they are forever pieces. Watches are pieces you can pass down to children and grandchildren. In fact my fiancé’s favorite heirloom is a watch that is a couple generations old.

So when Jord approached me to try one of their wood watches I was very happy. The watch I chose was the Frankie in dark sandlewood and emerald. The dark sandalwood is a rich dark brown that goes really well with the emerald watch face. I especially love the emerald watch face which is perfect for the winter time. The numbers on the watch are a nice bright gold.



Pros

Quality- the watch is well made and the wood is smooth and easy to wear. The clasp to the watch is very well made and secure when latched.
Color- the colors are deep and rich. The emerald has inspired me to try to find a handbag in that color as well.
Watch function- the watch works very well and I love that the numbers are in a bright gold. I also love the seconds hand which not all watches have.
Packaging- the packaging of the watch makes it easy to give the watch as a gift!
Cons

Size- I think this was a bad on my part but the face size of the watch is huge. I by accident ordered the men’s version of the watch and it’s a little overwhelming. But on the other hand my grandma loves it and tried to steal it because the watch face is very easy to read! (The pictures below are compared to the women’s Frankie in zebrawood with navy.)




Overall I would highly recommend any Jord watch. I think they are well made and reasonably priced. They have great styles for both me and women and would make a great present! Plus with the nice packing all you would have to do is stick the box in a giftbag!

For the chance to win $100 of a JORD Watch of your own, enter here! Everyone who enters will automatically receive 10% off. Good luck!

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<script src=”//www.jordwatches.com/widget-article/bargainhuntingblonde|”  type=”text/javascript”></script>
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Week of 1/21- Best Fashion Articles

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  1. Spring/ Summer 2019 Fashion Trends: Looks You Need To Know – Who What Wear UK

I love that leopard print is still going to be in… but I am not going to lie I could do without the 80s revival containing! And be addition of bows make me very happy as well.

2. Standout Street Style Looks from Fall 2019 Fashion Week– E! Online

Love all the Beige and Pastels! Note these pictures are mainly from men’s fashion week.

3. Is Neon Green the Fyre Festival of Fashion? – Page Six

I could do without the neon green.

4. How to Wear: Brown on Brown– The Guardian

I love caramel and black so I think I can get behind Brown on brown

5. These Spring Bag Trends will Make you Forget it’s Freezing and Miserable Outside – Cosmopolitan

I could do without the lanyard trend because I don’t think that’s a bag trend but i love the clamshell clasps and the box snapped bags. Feeling very Marvelous Miss Maisle!

Chanel on Sale?!?! Unicorns (or at least unicorn sales) do exist!

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Owning a product from Chanel is often for lux lovers like myself the ultimate goal. Besides Hermes, nothing is harder to obtain than a very coveted item from Chanel. Not only is Chanel expensive but often produced in limited quantities. So it would seem very odd that they would have sales. I had often heard whispers about Chanel being on sale but that always seemed to be in relation to find a gem at the outlets like Saks Off Fifth and Neiman Marcus Last Call.

But then i started following Luxe Hunt (seriously you should all follow her) and realized that Chanel sales happen TWICE a year at places like Saks and Neiman Marcus. These sales are in store only and normally require the help of a great sales associate (or SA for short). To even know what is on sale you normally need an SA to send you pictures of the item as nothing about these sales appear on line. Each store gets different stock and sometimes regardless of how on top of the sale you are the item you want in the size you need never went on sale.

So what does go on sale? Anything that is seasonal minus handbags and small leather goods (or SLGs). So think seasonal shoes, ready to wear and jewelry. That means if you have been dying after a pair of ballet flats but want the beige and black ones that you are out of luck finding them new on sale (but check out here for the options The Real Real has which is wear I bought both my pairs of ballet flats from.) But you COULD find last seasons bright colors classic ballet flats on sale! Unfortunately for me the bigger sizes are often already sold out (my theory is that Chanel does not produce as many of these sizes) so I had never been able to partake in the sale previously- even though believe me I looked!

Thanks to Luxe Hunt I was able to score a pair of beautiful espadrilles for $507! Yes that is not crazy savings (only about 35% off since retail is $725 plus tax on the particular pair I got) but for Chanel espadrilles I had been eyeing for years, that often resell used for about as much as they cost retail, it was worth it. As you can see the pair I got is a very classic pair. They are what Chanel calls a “flat white” but in fact they have a little bit of sparkle to them (more of an ivory), with the black cap toe. They came with their box and dust bags which is not something I would get with a used pair of espadrilles. Plus they are not worn in and stretched out by someone else which for me having bigger but thinner feet is often a problem.

So what are some tips for the Chanel sales?

1- Know When the Sales Are- Every year the exact days of the sale change but there is always one in the summer (around June or July) and one in the winter (around December or January). I normally find out about them via Instagram or my SA. I try to post about the sales as soon as I heard about them so make sure you follow me. (And if you don’t click here.)

2- Have a Relationship with an SA- This was really hard for me to build because I am often ignored by SAs because I look young. Luckily, I now have a great sales associate who loves that I am a bargain hunter and is always helping me try to track down things I want during a sale. The funniest thing is that she doesn’t even work in the Chanel boutique or the shoes at Neimans- she works in designer handbags!

3- Know Your Size- Chanel sizing is a little weird. Not all of their shoes come in half sizes (which is really annoying) and in general their shoes run about half a size small. So for example, I wear a 41.5 in the ballet flats and a 42 in the espadrilles. I have never tried on their heels but I bet I would probably need a different size in those too!

4- Luck- Honestly, have of the sale is being lucky enough to be the size that is on sale or lucky enough to snag the last one or the return. So best of luck to everyone out there!

2019 New Year Resolutions- Shopping Edition

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I am not a big New Year’s resolution person. I find that if there is something i need to change in my life i do not wait for the New Year to do it. For example I decided back in August that I wanted to be more heathy than i had in the past year (thanks work), so I now go to the gym 3-5 times a week (and believe me I HATE going but i love candy too much so) and i don’t do scales (literally my doctor hates me) so I just focus on eating healthy. I didn’t wait for the New yYar because I knew it was a change I needed to make then. But as 2019 came around I decided I wanted to get better about my shopping habits. Maybe it was all the great deals i scored during the holiday sales or my over flowing closet or my new obsession with learning about fast fashion, but I knew I wanted to make a change to how and what I buy. Below are the guidelines I am going to try to stick to for 2019. Will I slip up- probably but will i let that stop me from trying to follow my goals- no!

  • 1- Stick to Basics– I often get distracted by trends. I will see the same style all over Instagram and everyone will look so cute in the pieces. Deep down I know that’s not the look for me but I often find myself buying the item…and then it sits in the closet. Plus a lot of the trendier items are from fast fashion retailers like Zara and Forever21 which is something I am trying to stay away from.
  • 2- Conscious Buying– I want to be clear about my new fast fashion kick- I am not saying don’t ever buy fast fashion. I think fast fashion definitely has its time and place. I am not a billionaire and therefore love the cost savings of fast fashion. What I am saying is that I don’t want to buy a piece just because it is cheap. I often find myself wandering around in a big fast fashion retailer buying something because its “only $10”. That should not be the reason you pick up something. The reason should be because you need it in your wardrobe and it is a good addition to your closet. So with every piece I am buying I am going to think how does this work in my wardrobe? Where can i wear it? How many times will I wear it?
  • 3- Follow the Wishlist– I love to write out lists and I especially love to write out wishlists. Items on my wishlist are things I have been eyeing for awhile and have researched. Therefore they are way better purchases then the random designer item I find on sales. Sales often lure us in because of the deal. But if not the exact color, size, or item you want there is a good chance you buy the sale item AND the one you really wanted on your wishlist.
  • 4- Don’t buy multiples (unless it really is your favorite shirt)- I have a tendency to find something on sale and buy it in ten colors when all I really needed was one. I normally have a clear favorite and will only wear that one color. So again I need to make sure not to fall prey to the sales.

Places to Buy Preloved- Fashionphile

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It’s no secret that I love to purchase preloved items! There are many reasons to purchase preloved but the big three for me are 1-save money, 2- unique pieces , and 3- sustainable fashion. But just because I love to buy preloved does not mean that all preloved sellers and places to purchase are equal. Each week I am going to review a different preloved retailer including the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Fashionphile

Fashionphile may be one of the best known preloved resellers in the business. Voted the number 8th most googled brand in 2018 along with the likes of Louis Vuitton and Gucci, they have grown exponentially since I started purchasing from them in 2016.

I had heard of Fashionphile in 2015 from the lady who worked the front desk of the building I lived in. She mentioned it to me when she saw me getting a package from Tradesy. We quickly bonded over our love of designer handbags and she mentioned Fashionphile. I took note of it but didn’t really look into it until I ordered my Celine Micro Luggage for my 25th birthday present to myself.

Since then I have ordered 17 bags from them. Of the 17 I have returned 5 of them with no problems. Only one of those returns was from description issues.

Cheat Sheet

Descriptions: Excellent written descriptions and pictures

Shipping: Free ground shipping

Return Policy: 30 days from delivery and free return shipping

Authentication: Done before the item is listed on the site

Pros and Cons

Pros

Fashionphile is undoubtable one of my favorite preloved sites because of all the information they give you. They give you the year the bag was made, the date code (if applicable to the brand), accessories (if the bag has any), and a full tab stating the description and condition of the bag. They include a lot of pictures and normally zoom in on any major flaws.

Every item is authenticated before it is listed on their site and they have a 100% money back guarantee if something is found to be a counterfeit good. This is true for the handbags, shoes, jewelry and other designer accessory they carry.

Fashionphile also has a buyback and selling program. Within 180 days of your purchase Fashionphile will take back your bag for about 70% of what you pay. Fashionphile also purchases preloved bags either outright or on consignment.

They do have a section of their website where goods are marked down 10%, 20% and 30%, as well as a last call and an outlet. Even better is they do have sales which can often be combined with the already discounted prices.

Cons

Fashionphile is known for having higher prices then a lot of other preloved resellers. I think this is due to the fact that they do have good brand recognition and they are in tune with the market. For example, Fashionphile will know that an item is hard to find (like the LV Palm Springs Mini Backpack) and will markup the price to more than retail. This practice angers a lot of people but honestly I just think its being smart.

Recently I have also seen a lot of complaints about Fashionphile and their customer service. Since I have never had a truly bad experience I was intrigued to learn more. I found our that Fashionphile has a D rating by the Better Business Bureau and often has customer service issues, especially when it comes to international orders. Their customer service is known for being unresponsive and unhelpful. I will have to say the one time I emailed Fashionphile because my bag came without the Fashionphile dustbag no one responded.