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I have been coveting the Proenza Schouler PS1 Medium since first laying my eyes on it. I love the bright colors it comes in, including the Tangerine, Violet and Raspberry Suede. But, alas, the $1500+ price tag is way too steep, even for this Louboutin-loving gal.

When J Crew has new season arrivals, I always go to the shoes and handbags first. After lusting over all the leopard shoes, particularly the Valentina and the Eddie Oxford, I knew instantly, at first sight, I would purchase the Darlington Satchel. At $278 it’s still a bit pricey but certainly better than $1500. I debated between the Honey Brown, a very practical, all-season color, and the Bright Indigo, a unique colored bag that not everyone would choose or have. In the sea of LVs on my side of town I prefer different and unique. I’m currently using a Salmon/Coral-colored handbag from Cole Haan my brother gave me for my birthday and get many compliments on it.

From the J Crew website: A twist on the classic schoolboy satchel that’s quickly become the signature carryall of our most style-savvy cohorts. Structural hardware and motorcycle jacket-inspired quilting up the cool factor, while functional design details (double straps stow an umbrella while hidden snaps grant easy access) balance style with substance. An interior front-wall patch pocket and a back-wall zip pocket keep pencils, cell phone and keys organized. 

I received this “Darling” satchel today and do not regret this purchase one bit. It’s just the right size for me, since I tend to overfill larger bags. From images I’ve seen online it is similar to the PS1 so let’s take a look.
It feels like opening a present when it comes in the dust-cover bag.

My first look.

Love! And the leather is soft.
Back view – Has a slim back pocket with a snap-magnet button. The PS1 has a back zipper pocket.

Bottom view – This is wear you can store your umbrella, according to J Crew. 
Unfortunately, I haven’t used one in a long time so it will go unused.

Side view of the Motorcycle Jacket inspired quilting. 
A unique feature that the PS1 does not have.
Adjustable shoulder strap

Open bag
Inside view – It has an interior front-wall pocket, probably where I’ll stash my sunglasses. The main pocket comes with the almost-standard two pockets on the side for cell phones and keys. It also has an interior zip pocket.

Snap-magnet closure so you don’t have to undo the straps. 
It also has a lock closure at the front.

Holding the handle
With the adjustable strap. This is not a remove-able strap like the PS1 has. 
You could tuck it inside the bag if needed or just let it hang.
I am very happy with my Bright Indigo color. I could not get a great shot of the color of the bag but it is a bit darker than the online picture. The first image is the closest IRL color. In the shadow it almost has a purple tone to it. Now that I’ve seen the bag up close and personal I am intrigued by the Black and Honey Brown but maybe in the Pursette, which is a smaller version and a cross-body bag. 
So what do you think? 
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…see these clutches.

J Crew Roulette Clutch – Parsley Sprig – The description says this reverses to Apple Green but I think the Parsley Sprig is the interior and the Apple Green the exterior. I think the pic online shows the Apple Green. (Don’t mind me…I’m just trying to use some logic since parsley is dark in color the interior is a darker green.)

The suede to patent effect is seamless. You can only tell by running your hand across the body of the purse.

 .
Inside…still the “ombre effect” with the suede and patent. You can also reverse the clutch and show this as the outside. (See…dark green = the color of parsley)

Without flash – Close to the true interior flap color.
Clutch Style

With the strap lengthened.

Mosaique Clutch – The pink is neon pink. The material is tweed. It’s the same concept as the Roulette Clutch.
Without flash

With flash

Interior – You could reverse the clutch so the jewels are on the inside and this is the outside. Although I wouldn’t want to hide the jewels.

What do you think?

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The Lockwood Hobo comes in four colors…Masala Chai, Mineral Green, Black and Soft Sandalwood. According to J Crew, it is their “..signature (and most sought-after) bag for Spring. With a less-is-more, minimalist feel in buttery soft leather…”. 
OK…Minimalist…check…Buttery soft leather…check…Most sought-after…maybe not so much. At least not like the Bisbee in Summer Hyacinth (or any of the colors). 

I thought the Mineral Green color would be great for Spring. The Soft Sandalwood looks pretty but it seems like it would get dirty pretty easily and I would be so sad if it got even a smidge of dirt on it.

The bag arrived yesterday and I must tell you I was under-whelmed. I didn’t have that “feeling” I get when I love and want to keep a bag forever. Maybe I’m holding all new bags to a higher standard of “that feeling” due to the Bisbee.

The color is a light minty green, but not quite pastel. The leather is buttery soft. The handle is twisted and it has a main storage compartment which is only closed by the brass turn-lock closure. There is an additional zipper pocket the width and height of the bag. Of course, there is an interior zipper pocket and two additional pockets for cell phone/key storage.

There is no hard bottom so the bag was really slouchy/droopy when I removed all the inside paper.

(My outfit yesterday was just jeans and my Lucky Tie-Dye Embroidered Tunic I’ve had for a few years.)

So, what do you think? I am pretty sure I am going to return it. For full price I really should LOVE it.

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There were several things I purchased this year I really liked and enjoyed wearing (all J Crew pencil skirts) but my most favorite purchase was the J Crew Bisbee Satchel in Summer Hyacinth.

I have used it daily since I bought it. I changed it out at the beginning of December for the J Crew Campo bag I have and the Buena Notte bag but will be back to the Bisbee again this week. I have brought the CPW down to $1 a day, just through November. It transitioned well into Spring, Summer and Fall and is just a great bag.

I love it and it was my most favorite purchase all year.