Daisy Cook is hitting back against the oversexualized tween marketplace with her cute and wholesome handbag collection. Rebelle Friendship Bags are designed to be split in two and shared with a BFF. It looks to encourage togetherness and generosity in girls aged eight to twelve.

"The whole brand is centered around rebelling against the bimbocracy," Ms Cook explained. "We live in a culture, unfortunately, that is so driven by sexualized images [with which] girls very young are trying to identify themselves. There is just a sort of void in the market for wholesome products."

The positive messages continue on the brand’s interactive website, which features a multiracial cast of characters aspiring to become professional athletes and fashion designers. There are no pole dancers or provocative pop stars amongst this lot!

The Rebelle Friendship Bags are currently available in local stores in the Port Jefferson area, but they're about to reach a much larger audience. QVC will showcase the bags in October, while major department stores in the Midwest hope to have the handbags in stock for Christmas. If you can't wait that long, they're available directly from the Rebelle Friendship Bags website from $35.

[Source: Newsday]
[Image Source: Rebelle Friendship Bags]

There comes a time when every girl needs a bigger bag. Whether for a weekend away or to hold all your folders, sometimes the cute and trendy purses just don't cut it. Instead, I suggest you go for a bowler bag, which gives you high fashion in combination with high functionality.

This bag is one of my favorites on the market. First off, I am impressed that such a kitsch and good looking hold-all comes in at under the $300 mark. Secondly, it is successfully channelling the vintage bowling look without looking either twee or out-dated. This, my friends, is a delicate balancing act, and one that many designers get terribly wrong.

So what makes this bag so successful, other than extensive space? It has plenty of pockets - your phone will have a compartment, as will your keys, wallet and more. As a fashionable accessory, the outer pocket is highlighted in vintage style by a curved section of black patent, that coordinates with the long flexible hands and reinforced corners.  Surprisingly, this hold-all is in a very soft leather, and the interior is in ribbed cotton which coordinates brilliantly.

This is yet another lovely example of Italian craftsmanship, and would do you proud on a weekend away. From the over-sized silver hardware to the off-white color, this bag is a sound investment.

More Features of This Cynthia Bowler

• Dimensions: 16"x 9"x 7"
• Drop length of 7"
• Top zip closure

Find More Bowler Bags on eBay

PELLE STUDIO WILSONS BLACK ITALIAN LEATHER BOWLER BAG US $7.26   2 Bids Auction Ends: 1h 8m Make it yours...

NEW BROWN AND TURQUOISE CIRLCE BOWLER STYLE BAG US $4.95   1 Bid Auction Ends: 3h 9m Make it yours...

Also See

• Click here to see this Charles L Thomas Hold-all on Amazon
• Click here to see all Bowlers on Bagbunch.com

If you can't afford the latest luxury purses for your fashion loving friends this Christmas, why not give them the next best thing? This gorgeous Handbags Gallery Calendar will give them a different designer accessory every day of 2009!

This feast for the eyes is based on Anna Johnson's bestselling book Handbags: The Power of the Purse, and it features the most covetable clutches, tempting totes, and must-have hobos.

All our favorite names are represented, including Hermes, Chanel, Gucci, Moschino, Fendi, and Judith Leiber.

At $15.99, the Handbags Gallery Page-A-Day calendar makes a perfect stocking stuffer. Although, I wouldn't blame you if you bought an extra one as an early Christmas present for yourself!

The Handbags Gallery Page-A-Day Calendar is available from Amazon.

Handbag Calendars on eBay

Handbags 2009 Mini Wall Calendar US $12.71   Auction Ends: 17d 1h 49m Make it yours...

FRAGONARD HANDBAG BOOKBAG TOTE PRETTY 2009 CALENDAR US $29.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 2h 51m Make it yours...

No American destination says style like Fifth Avenue. So it's no surprise that Kathy Van Zeeland looked to New York's fashion capital to inspire this gorgeous suede handbag.

The sumptuous suede body is buttery soft, giving the Fifth Ave its recognizable hobo slouch. This lush fabric is embellished with a bold Kathy Van Zeeland logo, so all your friends will know this a genuine KVZ creation. Contrasting leather-like trim and handles give this purse a daring contemporary finish.

Kathy Van Zeeland purses are always practical, and this one's no exception with plenty of storage options inside and out. Side slip pockets and a zippered back compartment are perfect for stashing the goodies you need on hand. It's a similar story inside, with a zip pocket, three slip pockets, and a key ring. The hardest part is remembering which compartments your must-have items are in!

This Fifth Ave hobo strikes the perfect balance with its elegant, yet relaxed, style. With its soft lines and contemporary look, it's versatile enough to pair with jeans or your business attire.

More Features of This Kathy Van Zeeland Suede Handbag

• A synthetic leather base
• A magnetic snap top closure
• Logo print lining
• Dual handles with metal ring hardware and a 10 inch drop
• Measures 13.5 x 15.5 x 4.5 inches
• Made in China
• Available in black, oak (brown), mustard, and lagoon (aqua)

Get This Kathy Van Zeeland Fifth Ave Hobo on eBay

KATHY VAN ZEELAND FIFTH AVENUE HANDBAG PURSE $99 RET US $80.00   Auction Ends: 1d 10h 34m Make it yours...

• Click here to admire this Kathy Van Zeeland slouchy purse at Endless
• All Kathy Van Zeeland bags on eBay

Cathy Fladeland and Regina O'Connor of Elli and Friends had only been in the handbag business for a few months before they were thrust into the global spotlight. Their secret weapon was none other than the most talked about woman in politics, Sarah Palin.

"A friend of a friend of a friend" knew the Republican vice presidential nominee, so they sent her their A Night on the Town purse. The colorful bag with the green velvet trim clearly impressed Sarah, who began to coordinate it with her designer outfits during the campaign.

"She must have liked it and found it functional in her busy schedule," Cathy Fladeland said.

Much has been made of Sarah Palin's massive wardrobe budget, so it's refreshing to note how affordable the Elli and Friends handbags are. The limited edition "works of art" purses retail for less than $100. Sarah's beloved bag is no longer available, but the same style with different fabric costs just $58.75.

So what's next for the girls from Elli and Friends? They'd love to see Michelle Obama or her daughters carrying their purses at Barack Obama's inauguration!

"To see the kids walking into the White House with our bags would make our hearts sing," Cathy Fladeland laughed. "Hey, if you don't aim high, you're not going to get anywhere."

Elli and Friends bags are available from Only Nails Only Us in Wheaton and from the company's website.

[Source: Daily Herald]
[Image Source: Sskennel/Flickr]

Sarah Palin Handbags on eBay

Sarah Palin Republican GOP McCain Handbag Mirror US $11.95   Auction Ends: 15d 10h Make it yours...

We've all lusted after the designer bags carried by Hollywood's hottest stars. But what if I told you you can own them, and raise money for cancer research at the same time? Sound too good to be true? It's no fantasy, thanks to Handbag Amnesty.

Handbag Amnesty, a joint initiative by Handbag.com and Cancer Research UK, gives fashion fans the chance to bid on designer purses donated by some of our favorite celebs. America Ferrera's given up two Botkier bags, Keira Knightley's donated a chic brown Prada purse, and Scarlett Johansson's parted with a racy red Rebecca Minkoff handbag.

But it's not just about celebrity handbags. If you've got a beautiful purse collecting dust, why not give it to your local Cancer Research UK store? Your donation will help raise even more money for this incredibly important cause.

"We're delighted to be working with Handbag.com to launch Handbag Amnesty," said Paul Farthing, Director of High Value Relationships at Cancer Research UK. "We also hope that by encouraging supporters to donate their own favorite handbag, and other unwanted quality items to our shops, we will be able to raise even more to help beat cancer."

Consider this: one in three of us will get cancer at some point in our lives. The rest of us will see friends or family members suffer from it. It's a sobering thought, and one that provides a great motivation to support this brilliant program and help to find a cure.

• Click here to bid on some of these amazing star handbags!

Celebrity Purses Auctioned Off for Handbag Amnesty

Here are all the beautiful bags you can buy through Handbag Amnesty. Click through the pictures to see purses donated by Dame Judi Dench, Annie Lennox, Kate Bosworth, and many more style icons.

We've all seen Paris Hilton and Jessica Simpson carrying their furry friends in Louis Vuitton Baxter Bags. But most of us can't afford to spend thousands on handbags for ourselves, let alone our favorite cats and canines! Never fear, this cute pet carrier looks fabulous, does the job, and won't break the budget.

The exterior is made from faux leather embellished with colorful paw prints. These sweet markings look fantastic against the bag's black background. Two zipper openings provide easy access for your cuddliest friend, while meshed windows allow your baby to see where you're both traveling.

You never have to worry about the inside getting stinky thanks to the removable washable pet pad. And metal feet protectors on the carrier's base keep your bag free of scuffs and scrapes.

We all know this cute handbag will pamper your pooch, but the designer hasn't forgotten about you. A clever organizer on the back of the carrier is perfect for stashing your bits and pieces. Then there's a photo key chain for hanging your keys and displaying a pic of your darling dog or cat.

Your fur baby and your bank balance will thank you for choosing this adorable pet carrier!

More Features of This Faux Leather Animal Bag

• A front pocket
• Dual carrying handles
• Measures 16 x 11.5 x 8 inches

Paw Print Pet Carriers on eBay

Build A Bear Pink Pawprint Pet Carrier New In Package US $15.00   Auction Ends: 28d 6h 30m Make it yours...

Dog Puppy Pet Carrier Purse Tote Handbag Paw Print US $29.99   Auction Ends: 19d 22h 53m Make it yours...

Also See

• Click here to see more from the Just Us Girls store on eBay - A Fashion Pet Carriers Retailer
• All paw print bags on eBay

Like most modern girls, I adored the Sex and the City movie. It was like all my best friends were back, a little older but just as fun and fabulous as ever. Of course, it inspired a serious case of bag envy. Who could forget Louise's Louis Vuitton Motard Firebird handbag, Carrie's Timmy Woods Eiffel Tower bag, or Samantha's bold Rebecca Minkoff Market Tote?

I could never afford to snag them all, but a little searching on eBay has unearthed my greatest object of lust: that luscious Market Tote. I thought I could never find anything as daring as Samantha's bright yellow bag, but now I've discovered it in this glitzy metallic gold shade!

A style icon like Samantha always looks polished, and this stunning handbag was just the thing to complete her look. It's made of head turning patent leather embellished with matching polished gold hardware. I love the buckled front pocket which combines functionality and good looks.

Inside there's even more storage space. Two panel pockets and a zippered one will help you stay organized, while the spacious main compartment has plenty of room for everything you need, and a few things you don't! There's even enough room to carry a pair of flats for those big nights out. You'll never have to limp home in stilettos again!

Few of us have Samantha's natural confidence, but stealing her style will help us all walk a little taller when we step out!

More Features of This Metallic Rebecca Minkoff Leather Handbag

• 100% Italian leather
• Magnetic snap closure
• Cotton lined interior
• Measures 12 x 14 x 8 inches
• Made in New York City

Get This Rebecca Minkoff Market Tote on eBay

Rebecca Minkoff Market Tote in Black Haze US $449.00   Auction Ends: 12d 41m Make it yours...

NWT Rebecca Minkoff Market Tote Leaf Green US $299.00   0 Bid Auction Ends: 1d 6h 33m Make it yours...

• Click here to see more from The Hill Section store on eBay - A Rebecca Minkoff Handbags Retailer
• All Rebecca Minkoff bags on eBay