The "Good" Citizen :) 'Tis The Season To Donate Used/Not-So-Used Goods

Photo Credit: nikkistyle.net

Life & Style Notes! I spent a chunk of time yesterday reorganizing my closet and parting ways with things that I haven't worn, or used in forever. If I haven't touched something in my closet in the last 3 years (excluding vintage), I will most likely sever ties. For example, I've been holding on to a red Baby Phat clutch for several years -- need I say more? That said, I never throw things away as someone else could possibly use them.

Photo Credit:
Dress For Success Charity Drive

Donating to charity is one of my civic duties... organizations like Dress for Success will accept clothing donations at affiliate locations around the world, specifically business attire and accessories for disadvantage women who aspire to thrive in the business world. Moreover, earlier this year, Elle published a fab list of places to donate clothing, and I encourage you all to take a look! Honestly, I never understood why/how people could trash perfectly good clothes. C'mon. Really? Simply box them up ... D O N A T E

Needing Handbag Organization STAT

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Handbag Organizing! I don't have "celebrity status" money, which means, I don't have a gigantic room to just store my clothing, shoes, accessories and handbags. Therefore, I have to get creative with space. 

My small handbags are stored in larger bags, or either hanging on the edge of my vanity or on a bedroom door knob. Sucks! Argh. I can't stand clutter.

Anyways, I saw this awesome idea on Pinterest (look to your right) to help neatly organize my handbags. Cool, right? I can easily purchase one of these babies - assemble it - and put it in any corner of the bedroom.

Wait, I think I found the featured rack at IKEA (or a very similar one): Hat and Coat Stand, $39.99

Mid-Week Obsession, KAYLA CLUTCH

Photo Credit: nikkistyle.net

Style Notes! O.M.G. Fashion Beauties! Look what I spotted via StyleWatch magazine's June issue (left) - a wicked cute color-block cross-body universal clutch. I highlighted in pink the URL case-mate.com as a reminder to get a closer look. And when I browsed on over to the source site, I fell deep in lust. YIKES!

Now, the gold chain strap is adjustable. You can simply remove it. Me? I love gold but I'd toss the chain, especially if I'm carrying the clutch/wallet to work; the gold + chain + neon is a bit loud.

Below is a slightly different color-combo from what StyleWatch featured. Lipstick Pink and Marine Blue is such a hot mixture of my fave colors! Love it? Shop it. (video, keep scrolling!)

Featuring: The  Kayla Clutch

  

PS. Tell me what you think on Twitter, or right here in the comment section!

Mid-Week Obsession!Quilted Leather Shoulder Bag

Style Notes | Isn't this shoulder bag by Versace completely darling? It's the perfect addition to a spring wardrobe. And if money leaked from faucets—the bag would be mine. 

Look Inside

Detail

Shop the look via netaporter.com ($1,695). 

Mid-Week Obsession!D&G Clutch

Peek-A-Boo! Inside: Animal-Print Lining

Style Notes | Oh you fancy, huh? Check out this dynamite show-stopping piece by Dolce & Gabbana. Introducing: The jewel and pearl-embellished clutch via Net-A-Porter. My gosh, the craftsmanship is to-die ... I am literally in awe. But do you want to know how much? [giggles] $6,895. And that's why it's just—an obsession!

Handbags To-Die For.By Vlieger & Van Dam

Photo Credit: Vogue India

Style Notes | I'm not a die hard advocate for exploiting guns on handbags, or on any accessory for that matter. But these bags designed by Vlieger & Van Dam struck me as somewhat appealing. 

The single embedded gun-print raises the bar on a simple black clutch—to now—a bold statement piece in which the onlookers' perception is that girlfriend is not to be messed with. Bang! Bang!

Superstar Rihanna seen (rt) carrying a Vlieger & Van Dam handbag. Oh, how it compliments her bad girl image! 

The Comfy and Cool Cross-Body Bag

Photo Credit: ShopBop

Style Notes | There are days when I need to rush to the mall—and prefer not to carry a big bag on my shoulder. You know those days when you just want to look cool without overdoing it, right? For this is why I am loving cross-body bags. What a trendy way to upgrade a simple outfit.

So you've gotta' try a cross-body bag, similar to the featured JADEtribe Pom Messenger Bag. I own literally a couple cross-body bags, but on a mission to own more! 

Shop the look at shopbop.

Trending: Straw Purses

Trend Watch! Would I wear this trend? Yes, absolutely. A trendy straw purse is a staple item not only for summer, but for fall too. The straw look will  definitely add a touch of style to your downtown shopping "jeans and sweatshirt" attire. 

Sarah Jessica (middle) throws on some sneakers, rolls up her jeans, and slithers her way into a basic black fitted shirt. Pretty typical ensemble, right? But what sets her apart from the around the way girl rockin' jeans and some Nike sneeks — is that Sarah J spruces up a typical casual outfit with a straw purse. 

StyleWatch readers voted and 65% would wear the trend, but 35% will not. Um, who are these 35% people? Stop hatin' and give the trend a try! Browse these straw purses and find a way to make it work. As the remarkable Tim Gunn would say, "Go, Go, Go!"

Photo Credit: StyleWatch 

Sunkist Shades - HANDBAGS UNDER $100!

Style Notes | Don't be afraid to amplify your look with a strong statement color, such as orange. This color screams personality! Too bold of a color to wear? No problem. Try something simple—like a glam handbag! 

Orange Is ... a must-have color this fall! So definitely incorporate a few citric-y Sunkist shades into your wardrobe this season! The tangy color has thee pop factor ... and will surely bring-to-life a simple neutral-colored outfit. 

Featured Looks:

• SR SQUARED by Sondra Roberts Trapunto Circle Tote, $75
• Melie Bianco W9, $98
• Mar y Sol 'Guadalupe' Straw Shopper, $58
• Red By Marc Ecko Aphrodite Rounded Shoulder Bag, $50
• Genuine Leather Shoulder Bag, $52
• JIVE, 50 GBP
• Magid Straw Shopper, $52

Real Housewife of Orange County, Gretchen Rossi, #LIKES My Write-Up!

Style Notes | Remember the write-up I did on Gretchen Rossi and the Gretchen Christine Collection? Well, she is featuring my designer spotlight on her Website! See it here. 

Gretchen says, "The darling Nikki Von is featuring me and the Gretchen Christine Collection on her style blog, www.nikkistyle.net! Visit her site for the full interview! She's super sweet and I love the spunk in her writing!" 

Designer Spotlight: The Gretchen Christine Collection

Style Notes | Check out this month's fashion starlet! I am featuring the recently launched Gretchen Christine Collection (GCC) designed by the Orange County Housewife herself, Gretchen Rossi. GCC launched in July 2010.

Click the image to enlarge, or write to request a copy.

Design/ Layout Credit: nikkistyle.net 
Photo Credit: Shop NBC and Chad Schubert of EMC | Bowery

McQueen Lives On

Style Find! New arrival at Feathers: python skin leather clutch bag with a four-finger knuckle ring as the handle. Love it. The Python Clutch Bag is not only rocker chic, but is available in one of spring’s hottest colors — blue. 

Photo Credit:  Feathers

The Dog Carrier and Handbag

Style Option...? The Sharif Signature Kenya Collection Dog-Shaped Bag. 

So I get that fashion has no boundaries; however, what the heck? Is this handbag supposed to store the typical lipstick, mascara, wallet and cellular phone? Or is it meant to store an actual dog? I’m not criticizing the creation, I'm just trying to understand the intent.

“It’s not the same old bag! Sharif designs are created with you in mind: the woman who likes to stand out in a crowd, appear just a tad unusual and surprise her friends with the unexpected.” [Source: HSN]

Hm. It's "not the same old of bag"—well that's for sure. But hey, if you desire to make a statement and stand out in a crowd...you'll certainly do it carrying this bag.

Photo Credit: HSN ($155)