Are you tired of the cheap handbags that start showing wear the first month? I am, and I have been buying quality purses that last many years!

A nice feature about leather is if it begins to show wear after a few years, a good leather shop can usually always repair any damages so your purse is good as new again!

Forrest & Harold is a new company that I found while scouring the internet for quality purses but at affordable costs. Forrest & Harold have the company mission to provide us with items that we can afford, and with prices we would pay.

"Designer leather is crazy expensive and the markup is, frankly, a bit ridiculous. So we set out to find beautiful handmade leather bags and accessories at an actual price humans of the earth would be willing to pay."
                                                                                                                                Forrest & Harold



 

Fall is quickly approaching, and the heat has been rising here. Some perfect Fall Staples to be stylish and show a wardrobe transition are featured below. These are all items that are on my shopping list this month. Forrest & Harold have the perfect handbags to go with each outfit.

My selections for handbags are below to complete this style!

Some really nice features about shopping with Forrest & Harold are that they quality check every bag, each bag is handcrafted and eco-friendly. They also have a process that the leather undergoes before being transformed into a beautiful handbag or purse.

"Forrest & Harold ensures the bags we have selected undergo the best possible practices from start to finish, meaning we handpick our hides individually, rather than buy in bulk.  We then have hides washed up to six times before tanning. Only then are they tanned professionally to a high standard using eco-friendly vegetable tanning practices."
                                                                                                                        Forrest & Harold

Did you know???

Many products are often labeled “genuine leather”, when they are, in fact, not genuine leather at all!
Wondering how to spot a true genuine leather bag?

Check the fine print.
This is an obvious one, but many times a subtle change in words “made with real leather” can make an item seem 100% genuine, when in fact it is just a small piece or strip that is real.

Here are also some key terms that are commonly used to pass off fake leather handbags as real genuine leather.

• Anything that suggests manmade
• Top-grain (ok for furniture)
• Aniline
• Semi-aniline
• P leather
• Leatherette
• Corrected grain
• Split grain
• Bonded
  
• Faux
• Vegan Leather
  

Next time that you are searching for your handbag, make sure to check the label, inspect the quality, and shop with Forrest & Harold. Shopping with them gives you piece of mind, that your item is truly genuine leather and will last you a very long time.

You haven't seen quality like this in a while, snag it up while the style you love is available!

Shop with them soon and enjoy my special blogger deal, a $25 promo code
                                                                                       Forrest & Harold

                                                                                         Free Global Shipping
                                                       $25 OFF CouponCode: New15 good until 9/12

Fall is quickly approaching, which means the summer clothes are in their final days before they are sent packing out of my closet. One main transition staple that screams FALL is BOOTS!

Not just any boots will do; you need a fun, stylish, yet practical pair of boots to bring your outfit together.
I always start with my jeans and top, I complete my ensemble with accessories second to last, and of course my fav foot wear last.

I also keep my purse well put together in easy zip bags to easily transfer to the perfect purse for the day.
Now comes the accessories, wondering what items made the list of the HOTTEST accessories for this year? Here is a list of great pieces you can reuse time and time again in your outfits.

• Druzy Necklaces & Earrings
• Long Tassel Necklaces finished with a simple pair of stud earrings
• Statement necklaces, make sure to choose to appropriate colors for the season
• Fringe ankle booties
• Fringe Purses
• Oversized sunglasses
  
  

Local boutiques, and shopping stores make the perfect stop to stock up on your accessory pieces. I found this great featured Druzy Set from a local store Lil Rap; let's give them a page like guys and gals, to show them some appreciation for keepin it trendy!
Check out the store Facebook page here: Lil Rap

Below is an outfit I put together for you, you know...So you can Pin it to your Pintrest board of course!
Make sure to incorporate closet staples you already have, and finish off with a dusting of a light scented perfume.

And lastly be comfotable and have fun with your style!

One of my favorite things to do on a beautiful weekend are to take a road trip shopping spree. Often when opportunities like this arise I have very little time to get prepared for the adventure. So what do are the must have, don't forget items?

Minimal items are always items some often forget when prepairing for a road trip shopping spree. Once you get halfway through the day you will be serioulsy rethinking your choices. Make sure that you wear casual, comfortable clothes that you can move around in when searching for a great deal. I also recommend a small purse clutch for the day that you can carry your money and cell phone in.

Don't forget to put some water bottles in a small travel cooler for the car, bottled water can cost up to $3 at some locations.

From April 22 through April 30th, SIGN UP for email to be entered for a chance to win this totally AWESOME, handmade necklace.
Can't wait to see if you are the winner? Get yours here: http://etsy.me/1OcY9Ds

This beautifully hand-sculpted polymer bead necklace is a Spring Staple! It pairs well with almost anything. Dress this necklace up or down it's comfy and chic.

This necklace features 2 tiers of beads, the first tier is all cobalt blue beads that descend in size. The second tier is navy blue with subtle glitter graduating into cobalt blue as it descends in size.

Strung on beautiful maroon colored hemp cord of course (100% natural hemp!) and attaches with a hook clasp.
Length: 20''
Beads: 18 hand-rolled beads, cobalt blue and navy blue
Each bead is hand made by me, so slight variations in size and color can occur. Yours is a 1 and Only!



Meet the artist behind the jewelry 
LuluThePickleQueen

Inspired from Process and the Past The Pickle Queen originated at an evening of crafts and craft beer. Lulu and a good friend, who is also artist, sat over a table full of polymer clay and began making funny little vegetables.

Lulu's affinity for pickles inspired her to make pickle earrings and office paraphernalia. After that day, LuLuThePickleQueen started exploring new ways of using polymer clay and began creating unique upcycled pieces. Since the founding, Lulu has continuously explored new ideas and perfecting techniques that create artistic and simple pieces that she incorporates into each unique, one of a kind item.

Lulu's current work is inspired by nature and ancient jewelry pieces from Rome, Egypt and Mesopotamia. She is proud of the direction her work has taken her. She loves exploring new jewelry ideas, and bringing you affordable handcrafted jewelry to pair with any outfit.

Follow her on social here
Etsy:https://www.etsy.com/shop/LuluThePickleQueen
Twitter:https://twitter.com/lulupicklequeen
Wanelo:http://wanelo.com/lulupicklequeen
Pinterest:http://www.pinterest.com/lulupicklequeen/
                                            

Check out some of her other items below

So what do you wear to this event? You will definitely want to wear a dress. A fancy floral or color block print will be perfect. Roses are always in at the Derby, since the winner is given a rose garland of over 400 roses. Up cycle a floppy hat, hot glue some fabric roses that are color coordinating to match your outfit. You will also want to take a smaller purse, the crowds are large and a smaller purse is the easiest to manage.

Make sure to stop by and grab a Mint Julep on your visit, the drink is after all the signature drink and don't be late to grab a seat, the derby is 2 minutes long. You will of course have many after events to attend. The entire surrounding area, almost every local business has an after derby party or event.

Make sure your styled to perfection this Kentucky Derby, up cycle a floppy hat and hot glue fabric flowers and embellishments around it. Coordinate your accessories to match your outfit. Test your luck at betting by placing a bet, and be prepared to have fun at one of the oldest horse racing events in the United States.