Muska Milano has recreated the look of prized crocodile leather with this beautiful satchel.

The embossed pattern mimics each reptilian scale so convincingly that no one needs to know you're not carrying an authentic exotic handbag. This racy red purse is just one of many colors available. The palette tends to be a little conservative, but with shades including black, chestnut, orange, white, and burgundy there should be one to suit almost every taste. Chic belted accents at the side of the bag help to dress up the basic design.

The interior is inspired, with a large zippered compartment dividing the satchel into three parts. A zippered pocket and a couple of slip pouches further aid organization, offering a place for your cell phone, spare change, and other small objects.

The shoulder straps are less impressive. While they're long enough, they're so thin that they're bound to leave marks on your shoulder. This satchel comes with a longer detachable strap, but it's only marginally wider. If you've got a lot of walking to do I suggest leaving your heavy objects at home.

I could overlook the handles if I wasn't running errands, but the price is another matter. I'm not sure Muska Milano has the profile to command $750 for a purse that isn't really as exotic as it pretends to be. Personally I'd rather invest in cheaper contemporaries like the Nine West Great Find tote or the Jessica Simpson Delia. Or you could just save up for the real deal!

More Features of This Muska Milano Embossed Handbag

• Snap and zip closure
• Synthetic leather lining
• Gold-tone metal hardware
• Dual handles with a 7 inch drop
• Measures 14 x 5.2 x 10 inches
• Comes with a dustbag

Crocodile Embossed Satchels on eBay

Also See

• Click here to admire this Muska Milano leather purse at Amazon
• All Muska Milano bags on eBay

Jessica Simpson is well-known for her girl next door persona, and her line of handbags and other items displays the same casual chic, ultra-girly style. It is one celebrity-endorsed fashion line that actually makes you feel as if you're dressing in a similar style as the star.

The Delia handbag is a fabulous example of this. It looks so similar to the oversized purses I've seen Jessica Simpson holding in papparazzi pictures that it could very well be one of them. The celeb has a knack for mixing her own collection with high-end designer items. After all, a photo of her is the best advertisement for the brand.

The large Delia shopper is available in many colors as well as sizes. Though all of the options are made from either patent or croc-embossed faux leather, it is offered in a variety of sizes from a small clutch to the shopper shown here and even a larger weekender bag. If you like the look of it, there's sure to be a Delia for whatever event you have. 

Of course, the great styles aside, the best part of a Jessica Simpson handbag is the affordable price tag that accompanies it. You won't be getting real leather, but the Delia has tons of style and some nice details that make it worth a second look. For storage, there is a zippered exterior pocket on one side as well as the roomy inside compartment. The interior is lined with fun gingham, a very Jessica Simpson-esque touch. On the bottom of the bag, you'll find the signature logo and protective metal feet. It might not be a Marc Jacobs or Christian Dior, but the Delia Shopper is an excellent choice for a cute, oversized bag under $200.

More Features of the Delia Shopper

• Measures 16.5 x 8.5 x 8 inches
• Double flat handles with 7.5 inch drop
• Zip top closure
• Croc-embossed manmade material

Jessica Simpson Delia Bags on eBay

• See the Delia Shopper on Amazon
• Click here to search all Jessica Simpson handbags on eBay

When Delia Dionne lost her purse on a canoeing trip in Maine four years ago, she was convinced she'd never see it again. But she didn’t count on the kindness of some local boy scouts.

Nick Cote and Kyle Skelton of the North Andover Boy Scout troop recovered the purse while cleaning up the Saco River. Remarkably the $600 Mrs Dionne carried with her was still inside. The boys laid the money out to dry on the rocks and amazingly saved all but a water-damaged $100.

The good Samaritans then sought out Mrs Dionne, who was understandably stunned to have her long lost wallet returned.

Tim Skelton, Kyle's father, was proud but not really surprised by his son's behavior.

"This is a great example of you do the right thing, you do the honorable thing in a situation," said Mr Skelton.

The kindness of the young boys did not go unrewarded. Delia and her husband Michael donated half of the remaining money to the boy scouts. But Delia's thanks was enough for them, who in turn donated the reward to a local elementary school who will use it to build a nature trail!

[Source: New England News]
[Image Source: Randy Everette/Wikipedia Commons]

We all love a beaded evening bag or a silky clutch. Yet while these mini purses capture our hearts, they're not setting the fashion world alight. That honor goes to the more practical oversized handbags.

Paris is the fashion capital of the world, so it's little surprise to see the French are leading the way. Think the robust Louis Vuitton Speedy, the generous Yves Saint Laurent Muse, or the spacious Hermes Birkin.

But these modern it bags look tiny next to the new kids on the block. The Dior Soft bag dwarfs Italian actress Monica Bellucci in the designer's recent ad campaign. YSL didn't even release a small Muse Two, skipping straight on to medium and large. More than half of the handbags in Chanel’s winter 2008 collection are oversized shoppers and totes.

So why when cell phones are becoming smaller, when digital readers are replacing bulky books, and when Blackberries are superseding conventional organizers are our bags getting bigger?

"The big bag is sexy and mysterious," said Erotokritos, a Parisian designer embracing the oversized trend. "In an era where everything is getting smaller and more high tech, the big-bag lady looks like an urban gypsy, ready for anything, an extra pair of heels for a night out, ready for the gym or ready to catch a flight for the weekend."

And style icons on the street seem to agree.

Marketing assistant Cordelia Smith carries oversized bags loaded up with girly goodies.

"I think that it is more elegant to carry a large bag," she added, rather than "a small bag crammed with stuff."

Tightening household budgets are also a consideration for many. We all know a smaller handbag doesn’t always mean a smaller price tag!

"Personally, not having a budget that allows me to buy lots of bags, I prefer to spend in one go a large sum and buy a bag that I can carry all the time," said press assistant Emilie Audry. "It's more understandable to spend €1,000 on a bag that you can take everywhere than €600 on a bag that's pretty but into which you can barely fit your cellphone."

[Source: International Herald Tribune]
[Image Source: David Shankbone/Wikipedia Commons]

Oversized Handbags on eBay