Bottega Veneta Leather Guide: Nappa Umbria

Nappa Umbria (contribution by blugenie)

Since there has been discussion on the differences between nappa and nappa umbria leather on BV bags, I thought I would contribute my possibly useless photos to the discussion! Useless in that the subtle differences in Limo are so hard to capture in photos that I didn't bother to post pics when I first shot them. 

Nothing here is to say one leather is better than the other of course - just pointing out the differences.... this is what we know/believe - please correct or add to the list!

• Nappa Umbria = lambskin that is treated with a special wax
• Per BV: that wax enhances its appearance & feel; characteristic nuances and streaks of color accentuate over time.
• Per members:
  • NU appears more tonal in some shades when compared directly to the same color in nappa
  • NU has a slightly stiffer feel than nappa. While it softens over time like all BV, it may never feel exactly as velvety as unwaxed nappa.
  • NU seems a little hardier/more resilient than nappa for wear and tear (but not bullet-proof!).
  • IMO NU leather appears more matte than the same color in nappa, and the leather strips are "chubbier"

Hopefully some of you have more comparison pics to contribute. My close-ups didn't capture the difference as much as I had hoped, and neither did the faraway shots






Note: Sloane is Nappa Umbria, Montaigne is Nappa



The bag below is Noce nappa umbria

Organic Cosmetic, Organic Make Up, Organic Life

I thought it would be helpful to discuss people's favorite organic and chemical-free products. I've been reading some disturbing facts about some of the chemicals that are found in our everyday products and many of these chemicals haven't really been studied for long term use or for the effects that the multiple uses of different chemicals may have. I don't really want this to be a debate on a product review or something like that. It's your personal matter, right?

One helpful tip I have is to read ingredients. Just because something is labeled organic or looks like its natural doesn't mean that it is. For instance some of my favorite Lush products use chemicals that I'd rather not use.

Here is some info. from the burtbees website which I think is helpful. I've been trying quite a bit of their products.

All products that are labeled "Natural" must: NOTE this ONLY applies to Burt Bees products - there doesn't appear to be any regulated standard here.

• Be made with at least 95% truly natural ingredients
• Contain no ingredients with any potential suspected human health risks
• Use no processes that significantly or adversely alter the purity/effect of the natural ingredients

What "natural" is:

• Ingredients that come from a purposeful, renewable/plentiful source found in nature (flora, fauna, mineral)
• Processes that are minimal and don't use synthetic/harsh chemicals, or otherwise dilute purity

When a non-natural ingredient can be used:

• Only when there is no viable natural alternative ingredient available and
• Only when there are absolutely no suspected potential human health risks

Ingredients that we believe should never be used:

• Parabens — Synthetic preservatives that are potential toxins and endocrine disrupters
• Sulfates (sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate) — Synthetic cleansing agents that potentially damage the lipid layer of your skin
• Chemical Sunscreens (parsol 1789/oxybenzone) — Synthetic sunscreens that get absorbed and potentially disrupt hormone balance
• Petro Chemicals (petrolatum/mineral oil/paraffin) — Non-renewable byproducts of crude oil with potentially dangerous impurities
• Glycols — Synthetic chemicals that potentially draw other chemicals into the bloodstream
• Phthalates — Synthetic fragrance components that are potential toxins
• PEGs or PPGs — Synthetic ingredients processed with ethylene oxide, a toxic residual impurity
• DEA/TEA — Synthetic stabilizers that can react with other ingredients in products and form nitrosamines, known carcinogens
• Formaldehyde Donors (DMDM hydantoin/ diazolidinyl urea/ methylisothiazolinone) — Potential effect of some preservatives degrading over time and releasing small amounts of formaldehyde, a known carcinogen
• 1, 4-Dioxanes — Accidental by-products from ethoxylation (common ingredient processing), which are not declared on ingredient labels and are classified as possible carcinogens

Processes that we believe should never be used:

• Ethoxylation, sulfonation, polymerization and unfavorable varieties of quaternization — Industrial processes using caustic solvents that leave residual compounds and impurities that may end up concealed in the final consumer product

Celebrities in Her Louboutin... Actions :)

These elegance shoes are in their perfect condition and weared by the perfect peoples (means: Gorgeous Women in the World). Have a look and you will found that Louboutin is shoe that should be on our "Must Buy List" :)
1. Kim Kardashian


2. Janet Jackson


3. Rihanna (the most elegance appearance, in my humble thought)


4. Jennifer Hudson



5. Jennifer Love Hewitt


 6. Anne Hathaway


7.Tamara Ecclestone


8. Frankie Sandford


To be continued.... See you, ladies :)

How To Spot Fake Hermes Birkin Bag

How To Spot Fake Hermes Birkin Bag by Ebay :)

Hermes Birkin

Shape

The authentic bag’s shape is crisp and pronounced, whereas the fake bag’s shape shows bulges where you would expect a straight line.

Authentic Hermes Birkin (front)

Fake Hermes Birkin (front)

Authentic Hermes Birkin (back)

Fake Hermes Birkin (back)

Authentic Hermes Birkin

Fake Hermes Birkin

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Stamp & Contour

The stamp on the authentic bag is clean and uniform, but the stamp on the fake bag looks spotty and irregular. Also, the authentic bag has a slight indented contour above the seam, which is missing from the fake bag.

Authentic Hermes Birkin

Fake Hermes Birkin

---

Hardware

The engraving on the authentic bag’s hardware, is thin and refined, but the engraving on the fake bag’s hardware is deeper, wider, and the letters are further apart.

Authentic Hermes Birkin

Fake Hermes Birkin

---

Inside strap

For the authentic bag, the cutout of the inside seam is neat, but on the fake bag, the cutout rough.

Authentic Hermes Birkin

Fake Hermes Birkin

Zipper

The authentic bag’s zipper pull has contours, the fake bag’s zipper pull does not.

Authentic Hermes Birkin

Fake Hermes Birkin

---

Inside

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Authentic Hermes Birkin

Fake Hermes Birkin

---

Lock

Authentic Hermes Birkin

Fake Hermes Birkin

CC Skye's Large Bardot Satchel, All in One Bag for Socialite

Need Suggestion about first designer bag? or do you looking for new bag?
If you are:

Need a luxurious bag with low budget (less than 1,000 dollars) and you are new comer in bag's bunny (i mean designer bag), and if you really need to go for purses with long straps, single or double, long enough to go over your shoulder: purses with multiple compartments (or at least separate pockets for wallet and keys, cell, business cards); or if you like purses that are big enough to fit a book or two at least - not necessarily huge-tote sized, but not tiny, either; and, oh, fairly light, since You're squeezing in books! But you still love luxurious squooshy leather, and almost always go for black or red .....

But then, your budget is lower than thousand dollar, then we thought you really suitable for this bag!



Yups, It is CC Skye's Large Bardot Satchel... It has everything you're looking for in a bag...perfect size to carry a book or two, smooshy soft leather (the most amazing leather I've ever seen on a bag, actually), compartments, lightweight, comfortable double knotted shoulder straps... This bag originally retailed for around $725, all of CC Skye's bags are perfect and the leather on them is amazing! Most of their bags range in price from around $700-$800. They have alot of new styles out now that I adore, as well!


P.s: they dont even pay me a cent for this article so it's not paid article.

Hope it helps you define your first bag, tadaaa ^ ^

Hermes Leather Bags Collection: Feu2Dou

I usually don't ask around for opinions about a bag because I always know that I like one when I see it, whether up close or in pictures. Unfortunately, with the Feu2Dou bag I am quite stumped, especially since my local store doesn't have one the last time I went there and therefore wasn't able to play with it.

This is the one I am talking about (pictures from Hermes.com, US site, screenshots):



And here's the description, also from the site:

Feu2Dou

Hermes weekender bag in canvas with barenia leather
Measures 12" x 14.75", 8.5". Handles are 10" long. Unlined. Detachable leather interior pouch with snap closure (7.25" x 5"), leather tab closure, linen dustbag included, 6 stainless steel feet, 7.25" perforated leather plaque

Ref. 056300CKAA

$6,400.00

What bothers me about the bag are:

1) The perforated leather plaque. I don't mean to offend Evelyne lovers out there but I am quite put off by this. I am trying to rid myself of logos and this one, with its big H, is screaming that it's from Hermès. Or maybe it's just me?

2) That dangling leather strap. Based from my experience with dangling leather straps on bags is that they tend to curl outwards over time; in the picture it's starting to curl. I worry that in the future, the bag would look like it has a snout.

What I like about the bag are:

1) Barenia + toile = hotness. Especially that tiny, detachable pouch of pure barenia deliciousness. Yum-O (yes, I love her).

2) Lack of hardware. It gives the bag a rustic feel in the absence of zippers and metal clasps.

3) Hat-like cover. I haven't seen any bag like that before and I think it's pretty neat.

4) Feet and width. Two things that a similar tote--the Jumping Cabas--lacks. Although to be fair, that's the only fault I can find with that bag. Otherwise, it's perfect.

5) General design. I'm used to carrying big tote bags and I think this would fit my lifestyle.

I still have about 6 or 7 months to decide since I plan to make this my summer bag. I just want to know how this bag makes you feel.

Feel free to let all your opinions out. Even if you say that it's an ugly piece of sh*t, I won't take offense. Really.

How To Spot Your Fake Louis Vuitton Bags

Louis Vuitton Bags : Fake vs Real
Before you start to the video, please read the article in order it might help you alot.

Spotting a fake Louis Vuitton handbag is hard work. Counterfeiters are now incorporating signature details into fake Louis Vuitton bags that are difficult for the untrained eye to see. With the brand's imitated logo plastered on 99% of all LV bags in the marketplace, there's a big chance that web retailers are selling fake bags beyond New York's infamous Canal Street. There are numerous things to look for like the color, serial code, placement of logos. I have written an entire e book on how to spot a fake. I was so fed up with being ripped off that I further researched it and all the information is in my e book," How to Spot a Fake Louis Vuitton Handbag." It has saved some people 100's of dollars by being able to spot a real bag right away! Well to start off with, you should look if the inside is old and cruddy and what it feels like. Remember these are expensive bags! they have the smoothest suede and the most soft, plush leather, so they shouldn't feel like rough cheap bags with bad materials.

Plus look at the LV logos, are they different? and are there weird hearts and clovers to replace the other flowers? and plus some shapes don't come in the collection, and some collections you see could be a fake due to the fact the Chinese create fakes that don't even exist!. They shove on a lv logo on a random bag and you could call it a designer fake.

Last but not least, DEFINITELY check serial codes and if the logos are too close together,and if the logos aren't lined up carefully and perfectly at the stitching, then it's fake. Some ways that I determine if a LV is fake or real is by: The quality---Get your hands on a real one and roughly measure the weight with your hands. Also feel the leather and canvas- it should feel smooth and should look shiny (the leather).

• The pattern matters---The pattern will always be the same on all pieces of the same line (ex., all damier canvases will be the same, all monogram canvases will be the same...etc.). The ONLY exception to this is on some of the ties and scarves. ALL monogram canvases will be the same on all leather goods. On the Damier canvas, the boxes that say "Louis Vuitton Paris" on them will be spaced 9 squares apart both horizontal and vertical (4 dark and 5 light). Anything else is FAKE! 
•  The price---If you get Louis Vuitton for under, say, $250 or so, you aren't getting a bargain, you're getting a fake. LV NEVER goes on sale or clearance, so be careful with internet purchasing. Bag prices range from $250 or so to $4, or $5,000. 
• The hardware---On most of the bags, the zippers and buckles will be brass or gold. On some, though, they can be silver. Also, pay attention to how the LV's are carved into the zippers: Look at them under magnification. If they are clean cut and smooth there's a chance it may be real. DON'T depend on this, though. Many counterfeiters pay close attention to detail. 
• The leather---The handles, straps (if any), and/or trim will usually be a white-colored cowhide that will oxidize (change to a darker honey color) over time. If you are purchasing a vintage bag then the cowhide will already be oxidized. When it is new it will be white on the surface but the inner part will be a red color, and that will also change color. If the white does not darken, it is fake. It will start oxidizing within the first few weeks. 
• The accessories---Speedys DO NOT...EVER...come with pegs/"feet" on the bottom. The bottom will always be plain with no hardware. Some bags come with locks and keys (mostly the damier canvas bags) that are usually gold or brass like the hardware on the bag itself and usually have a big LV monogram carved into them. 
• The packaging---LV bags never come with tags attached. They may have some paper or wrapping around the straps/handles, but that's it! NO PRICE TAGS OR BARCODES! The inside---The inside of a bag should always have a small slab of leather (that will also oxidize) with "Louis Vuitton Made in France" hot-stamped into it. It can also say "Made in Italy", "Made in Spain", "Made in Germany", or "Made in USA". If it says anything else, it's fake. I don't really know what all they can say, I only own six bags and they all say "Made in France". Some of the women's purses may not have this, but there will always be something verifying where it was made. Location, location, location---Be aware of where you are buying your LV products. The only 2 places that are authorized to sell LV things are louisvuitton.com and eluxury.com. This, by no means, means that if they are sold elsewhere that they are fake. 
• The date code and serial number---All LV products have serial numbers, but all bags have both a serial number and a date code. The only people that can read the date codes are the people that work for LV or have experience with LV products. Both codes (in a bag) will usually be hidden behind some flap of leaher or canvas and can be painted or hot-stamped. 
• The colors---On the multicolor Speedys and purses there are NEVER any red or turquoise "LV"s. Some may be baby blue or some other dark or light shade of blue, but never turquoise. And the "LV"s can also be pink, but never red. Also, Multicolor bags never have bows on them. 
• The font---On the patches that have "Louis Vuitton Paris" hot-stamped into them, pay close attention to the font used. There are very round O's and pointy A's, V's, and N's. The font should not be narrow or squared off. If so, it's fake.
•  The material---For some reason, counterfeiters just peel off the leather from a real bag and paste it on a fake one (why not just sell the real thing, right?). If the product is faked from scratch then the material used is more than likely not going to be real leather or canvas. Instead it will be plastic and will chip and crack easily. 
• The extras---Never be fooled into thinking a product is real just because it comes with the box or shopping bag or the "original receipt". Items such as those can be faked with extreme ease. 
• The dustbag---The dustbag should be a very soft flannel or cotton material that is a brown or tan color with NO HINT OF RED! The only thing that will be on the outside is and embossed "LV". If it says anything under it like "Louis Vuitton Paris", it's fake. 
• Internet Auctions---If a seller on eBay is repetitive about "100% real" or "All sales final" or "NO REFUNDS", there's a 99.99999 percent chance it's FAKE. Be VVERRY cautious on iOffer.com. About 98% of the listings of designer products are fake. FYI: No authentic product from a French design house would ever be labeled "Made in Paris" instead of "Made in France", (or whatever the actual manufacturing country of origin is). Paris is not a country and Country Of Origin labeling is exactly that, stating the name of the NATION in which it was made (as required by international Trade Laws) -- i.e. NOT to be confused with the city/address of the designer company that may also be included elsewhere on the product, e.g. stamped on hardware. Therefore, anything labeled "Made in Paris" cannot be authentic. If it were, then we'd see origin labels on products like "Made in Rome (Milan, Delhi, Beijing, Sydney etc.)" or province/state names. 

Did I mention a video to you before???

Well, here you are :)

What So Good About Hermes Birkin

 

What so good about hermes? 



What so good about birkin?

Why is Hermes Birkin Bag so expensive? What’s the reason? Why do so many people obsessed with it so much? In the following I will some of the reasons.
The output in Birkin bags a year is very scarce. It is really true that most of the time you cannot buy a one even in the franchise house. Getting a Birkin bag always need three or five years from waiting list to the choice of the leather, color and mental rings. The Hermes Birkin bag may be one of the most expensive accessories in the world. The cost of a Birkin bag covers a wide range, starting at $5300 and up to about $50,000 or more, particularly when the bag is constructed from exotic animal skins. Next, let me give you an analysis. Hermes’ bread and butter have always been the leather goods. As a result, the company added approximately 100 new craftsmen this year to the 2,000 that they already employ in order to fill the orders. According to the company’s chief executive Patrick Thomas, fulfilling the massive demand is an issue, as training new workers properly is a long and expensive process. “We cannot face demand. We have massive over-demand. We are limited by our ability to train new craftsmen.” Another factor drives Hermes Birkin price high is leather supply. The first one is about picking leather. The world’s best leather suppliers always leave the first round of power for Hermes to choose the skin. Any defective leather will not be used, so leather use of Heremes among all the good leather just accounts for only ten percent. The second is the kind of the leather. For Hermes the most commonly used skin is cowhide, sheepskin, lizard skin, ostrich skin and crocodile skin. In 2009, there is another skin comes from snake. And all of these are very precious skin. Since Hermes uses a lot of exotic skins in their manufacturing the company is susceptible to the price increases in the leather industry. Chief Executive Patrick Thomas commented on the situation, acknowledging the fact that skin prices are expected to increase drastically in the following years. However, the company’s strategy will be to spread out their price hikes over a longer period of time, so as to keep all their yearly cost increases to a minimum. What is conclusive is the fashion house does pay more attention on the quality of their materials than others. Firstly, is about the cowhide. There are various kinds of cow leather in Hermes. They are one in a million and always processed leather by hand finishing so that to make various leather to show its characteristics and create beautiful grain. And for ostrich skin, Hermes only chooses the leather of ostrich butt position, because ostrich pore is very bulky, however, the bottom position of the pore is the most evenly, and it always looks more beautiful. About the most important bag of Hermes we have to mention the crocodile bag. Hermes prides itself on their products, so only the finest belly skin can be used for manufacturing. Hermes has their own crocodile farm, and the small bag always made by the whole crocodile leather, because the alligator crocodile is smaller than the Asian one. Even a bag is made of several crocodile skin, but among the suture it is definitely perfect, it just like the bag is made of one whole crocodile leather. This is very incredible! The high price of Hermes Birkin bag is also a strategy to keep the company’s core value of prestige luxury. Those high standards are the ones which result in expensive Hermes products, but it is those same standards which ensure that Hermes bags remain available only to a select few. The company has worked hard to build up a prestigious reputation, so now they want to keep the perception that a Hermes Birkin bag is more than just a handbag, it is a status symbol. But you should know is the fashion house cultivates an air of exclusivity breed paranoia, insecurity and suspicion as a byproduct. If the brand is perceived as being for a select few, there’s a heightened sensitivity to the perception that the brand is not for those people even happen to be extremely rich. It demands that its clientele be not only wealthy, but they also must possess a sense of style and elegance. So, sure you have gained some useful information. If you want to know more, just continue to pay attention to me.

Fashion Luxury with Isabel Marant

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