White handbags continue to dominate the sharpest and most wearable trends of the season.  For a stylish and on-trend look this summer try a bag from Modalu’s fantastic Spring/Summer 2008 range. The handbag shown below is the Modalu Phoenix Large Shoulder Bag. The leather is absolutely gorgeous and the attention to detail is immaculate. If White bags are not your thing, there are also several other UK trends and styles in handbags to keep your eyes on for Spring/Summer, such as bright handbags, printed handbags, oversized bags, across body bags , clutches and more!

I am absolutely in love with this across-body handbag from Billy Bag - even though I absolutely should not allow myself to buy any more bags right now!  This is the Billy Bag Ashley Suede Handbag and it is fabulous - and get this: it is both stylish AND practical!  I have my eyes on this handbag as soon as I get over my recent splurge on 2 new pairs of shoes I bought on impulse yesterday. Even though the colour of this handbag is striking, I’m not sure what I think about the suede finish and keep going back and forth between suede or leather.  When speaking with a colleague about suede handbags (yes, we really do go on and on about bags), she told me a horror story about an outfit that was ruined due to the suede rubbing off on her light clothes in the summer heat.  I still love the suede colours though, but I have also been looking at the leather version of this same bag as a backup.  The leather version is identical and is called the Billy Bag Leanne Across Body Bag.  Who says I can’t have both?  (Apart from my husband…)

One of my favourite new up-and-coming designers from London is Emily Cheet, who makes this gorgeous Cheet Troy Clutch bag. Clutches continue to be the must-have accessory for the season and are absolutely perfect for a night out on the town.  Most importantly is the nice wrist strap that allows you to keep hold of your handbag, even while dancing the night away.  What’s even better is that they look absolutely stunning with your favourite LBD!

OK ladies.  It’s official.  Early trend reports show that the must-have accessory for the summer, oversized handbags, is here to stay.  Despite previous worries that this handbag trend was fading, the Autumn/Winter 2008 preview at London Fashion Week showed that oversized handbags, particularly large black leather handbags,  is even carrying over for next season.  One of my personal favourites for the season is the Salt of the Earth Ember Croc Print Leather Carryall, which is strikingly similar to the bag on your left, which was shown at Fashion Week.  There are several brands who are following this trend and you will be spoilt for choice when shopping around.  Some other brighter and shinier alternatives include Tabitha’s Leather Holdall and Ri2k’s Limited Edition Large Shopper.  Alternatively, if you prefer a more animal-friendly non-leather option, try the Fiorelli Essencia Large Shoulder Handbag.  I could go on and on with suggestions.  I want them all!

What a great idea!  I absolutely love these fabulous Envirosax eco-friendly bags, which are perfect for your grocery shopping, a day at the market, or any sort of shopping that involves those pesky plastic shopping bags.  My friend introduced me to the brand, Envirosax, and I started carrying these little lovlies about a month ago.  Since I’ve been using the Envirosax tote bags, I’m not sure how I ever managed without them.   There are 5 bags that all come together in one small pouch, which easily fits inside my handbag or glove compartment.  Every time I go to the grocery store and check out, people are always commenting on the cool eco shopping bags, which also makes me feel like I’m doing a little something to help out. Below are some of the interesting facts I’ve learned about the environment since using these shopping totes:

• It is estimated that 500 billion plastic bags are used and discarded worldwide every year.
• 1 million plastic bags are used and discarded worldwide every minute of the day.
• Single use plastic bags made of HDPE remain in the environment for up to approx. 1,000 years.
• Over 100,000 birds, whales, seals and turtles worldwide are killed by plastic rubbish every year.

Wow.  Those stats really made me realize how every little thing that can be done is a step in the right direction.  Please let your friends know about Envirosax bags!  Together we can make a difference. By the way - these bags make great gift items!  I gave away about 4 sets of them at Christmas and everyone absolutely loved them.   I think you will too

Kipling bags are always fabulous and also extremely functional.  I absolutely love that Kipling has released a small collection of handbags to mark their 20th anniversary (some in fabulous patent and shiny silver metallic).  For some reason, they did not heavily promote their 20th anniversary collection, so these limited edition bags are a rare find (if they’re still in stock!).  They’re also bang on style…this bag, the Kipling Tara, went really well with my black and gold Christmas frock. It’s nice to see Kipling is starting to become more and more fashionable with every season.  I love the functionality too.  My only gripe is the high price…but then again, stylish fashion isn’t free.

So, I told you about the Tabitha Travel Wallet I’ve bought in a previous post and now I want to show off the fab Tabitha Slovenly leather handbag that I have my eye on. I’ve been a good girl this year, so I deserve a treat…and this handbag is the most GORGEOUS bag I’ve seen in a long while. I’ve already bought the Tabitha Soldier, and I love it…but I want more. There’s something special about a handbag brand that’s up-and-coming, such as not seeing it in every shop in London or on the arms of all the wannabe footballer’s wives. Not only that, but my friends think I’m in-the-know when I turn up with a lovely leather handbag from a London brand that they’ve not heard of yet (and believe me, my friends DO know their fashion). So far, every one of them who has seen my first Tabitha bag starts drooling. In fact, the bags were featured in Grazia magazine last month, so they are definitely turning heads. In England, these sort of unique (and oh-so-fab) leather handbags are hard to come by. That is, of course, unless your only desire is to carry a £2,000 Prada or Louis Vuitton bag, which makes you no different than the thousands of other women who wander the streets of London searching for their soul. I vote for Tabitha as the best up-and-coming UK handbag brand of the year. And you?

Wowza! I love this gem of a travel wallet…I’ve tried so many in the past that just haven’t played their part. I came across the Tabitha Travel Wallet when a friend told me about this brand, Tabitha, after seeing Sienna Miller toting one of her bags in Grazia magazine in the UK. I absolutely love Tabitha leather handbags too…in fact, I’ll be buying myself one for Christmas. But, in the meantime I wanted to make sure to tell you all about this travel wallet because it is a must have if, like me, you travel frequently. There’s a space for your passport, boarding cards, money, coins, credit cards, a photo of your boyfriend/husband/dog/whatever - and then some. This sounds sad to admit, but I actually feel glamorous when getting my passport out to show the travel agent at the airport. I’ve had loads of compliments too. Check it out, I’m sure you’ll love Tabitha as well - the bags are HOT!