With Christmas just around the corner, I'm struggling to resist the festive charms of this beautiful Pearls of Wisdom wristlet from Mary Frances.

In typical Mary Frances style, this is a purse that doesn't do things by halves. It reminds me more of an ornament that I might hang from my tree than one I'd strap around my wrist. But that might make it perfect for carrying to your Christmas parties.

This really is a thing of beauty, with pretty silvery pearls organized into delicate flowers. More pearls make the elegant bow which hangs above the bauble. I'm glad Mary Frances opted for this approach, rather than using real ribbon. It seems so much more luxurious this way, which makes perfect sense in this season of excess!

The Pearls of Wisdom may profess to be clever, but that illusion is dispelled when you start to use it. A round purse simply isn't practical, especially when it has such a hard case. You'll struggle to fit the basics like cell phones and credit cards inside, so I hope you're dating a man with very deep pockets! You'll need them for carrying the goodies you can't leave behind.

Those functional drawbacks might make you balk at the $272 price tag, but compared to the similarly unusable Judith Leiber purses I don't think this is a bad buy.

More Features of This Mary Frances Ornate Wristlet

• Clasp closure
• Plainweave lined interior
• Measures 5 x 5 x 4 inches
• Made in the Philippines

Get this Mary Frances Pearls of Wisdom Handbag:

• Available to buy at Amazon (limited stock)
• Available to buy on eBay (see listings below):

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You may also be interested in:

• More Mary Frances bags on BagBunch
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• Searching for more Mary Frances bags on eBay