Leopard is a neutral

Just call me a stuck record.  

But it is.  And if you're thinking about a new handbag and are toying between black, tan or any other neutral shade, then can I throw leopard into the mix?

You will be super surprised at how versatile these are.  They genuinely go with everything.  I promise.  As I have one.  Actually I have two.  Both of mine are small and both are gorgeous.  And I use both a lot.  For day and night.  Problem being though that they are small and as much I have cut down on what I use, I do tend to cart around more than fits into an itsy bitsy, teeny weeny leopard bag.  Therefore I am on the look for a bigger one.  But that doesn't mean that a smaller one isn't useful so I'm flinging some of them in too.

Easing you in gently with ones that aren't full on leopard. Although randomly, I find the all over leopard easier to wear as they're more neutral. I know that sounds bizarre but honestly, try it. They go with navy, with black, with stripes, with any print - don't knock it till you've tried it.

Mint Velvet Pippa Bag was £99 now £79  But there's only one in stock and alas it's still full price at £99 at Mint Velvet.

Again with a black strap although definitely a lighter shade of leopard at John Lewis. 

Somerset by Alice Temperley Yarley Cross Body Bag £179





A bargain now.

Otis Buckle Bag from Topshop was £29 now £20



And one of the ones I have although I always use it as a clutch and not a cross body.  It does however work perfectly as a cross body but I have another I use for that purpose.

Thurlaston in Camel from Village England £95



Or the Chelmorton in Jaguar £135




But I've always been a sucker for a number of pocket which is why this one appeals from Whistles.  The more zippy up areas = the more I can stuff in.   It's also a good size - bigger than a clutch but not black hole-esque.

Cornelia Triple Zip Bag from Whistles £160







And some more "out there" versions - again, randomly, the more you put on it, the more versatility it has.  In my humble opinion...

Accessorize Multi Patchwork Camera Bag £29


However if you're going down the Accessorize route, then my choice would definitely be the Bonnie.  As you can buy separate straps.  Which are divine. IF you're not the jolly green giant.  Otherwise they make your bag hang just under your boob.  So you have a whiff of Forrest Gump about you.  Not good.  But if you're of a normal stature then please please buy these as they're amazing. 

Bonnie Camera Bag £19


And in a slightly different shade. 




Not forgetting the camera straps - of which there is a selection on line.

Adeline Wide Bag Strap £12 




And there's also the leather version.  Not entirely sure if the strap of this is detachable.  But a leather bag for less than £30 is pretty amazing.  The £20 one above is good but you can easily tell it's not leather.  For only a tenner more - oh hello Giselle.

Giselle Leather Camera Bag £29


Similar shape from JCrew which is sold out online there but you can get, in the sale (all whoop) from  Net-a-Porter (and if I didn't have my red Gucci bag I would be buying this in a heartbeat).

JCrew Signet Paneled Calf Hair and Leather Bag was £249 now £164  Randomly tempted to buy it anyway... *puts down wine swiftly*.






I have to say though, for the money, my bag of choice would definitely be the cross body bag from Jaeger. 

Parker Leopard Cross-body bag from Jaeger was £175 now £110



Another one I would love although it's so similar to the Tory Burch one I have and so I would need the bigger version (the Igor) which is really hard to get hold of.  I do have to put this on though, in the hope that it will inspire me to find something amazing when we head to France tomorrow.

Bobi Bag from Jerome Dreyfuss from Monniers Freres £526 and you can still order from there in plenty of time for Christmas.  Really good delivery for French brands - definitely definitely worth bookmarking.

AND AND AND I think you can get 30% off with the code NOEL.  Worth a try at least....*picks up wine and credit card*.



But if you were going to blow the budget then Lanvin, you're up. 

Lanvin Essential Leopard Calf Hair and Leather Bag was £1230 now £861  (love the way they think is "essential".  I need the person that named this in my life).



So that's my list.  I will admit , I am toying between a new leopard and a new black bag.  Or maybe tan... What do you consider your most versatile coloured bag?

Finishing with my pic from today - the first day of hols with my boys.  A quick trip to Bluewater this morning to see Santa (an excellent grotto by the way - really different with a great cuddly toy at the end - v good quality, mine have a couple now and really do treasure them.  I know - go figure).  All going so well until the 8yr old told Santa he wanted Onki Overdrive, which we've managed to persuade him (or so we thought) was a really bad idea (it is a really bad idea.  He doesn't even like cars - it's just his friend has it ergo he wants it.  Chances of him playing with it more than once?  Zero.  And for £200 plus with extra cars, absolutely no blooming way).  Cue meltdown.  Followed by desperate attempts at trying to find something else he wants, seeing as the Guitar Hero set from Amazon was "lost" and it's now sold out everywhere, apart from the one I've ordered on Ebay of which there is obviously no chance of arriving (or working if it does.. anyone else hate Ebay?)

A day of no stress whatsoever.  And no, I still haven't wrapped anything.


Dress - hush
Onyx jacket - hush
Copeland Glitter Trainers - Air & Grace
Half Moon Bag - APC

I should clearly be wrapping.  Or packing.  I might instead be drinking wine.  Tis the season to be jolly, no?