It’s been a while since I’ve been able to fondle any Aspinal in London, but, fortunately, they offer their yummy goodies to the US via their website.  Aspinal quality is amazing; their leather is superb, sumptuous, sublime–very typically “English” and unmistakeably elegant.  It’s rare to find anything of equal craftsmanship here in the US. Below are some excellent coupons to kick your holiday shopping into gear!

Get 10% Off your Entire order on 11.27.09 ONLY with code BLACKFRI

Get 20% Off your Entire order on 11.30.09 ONLY with code CYBERDAY

And look at the adorable keychain/purse charms I’ve found; Monkeys and Piggies and Skulls, oh my!

On the heels of the gorgeous Florentine Vacchetta comes the new Tartan line from Dooney & Bourke.  This is the first fabric-based line I have liked from D&B in a looooong time.  The Tartan is classy (dare I say, “preppy,”) but not overdone, it’s available in three colors, and the selection of silhouettes is ample.  The logo hardware is understated yet undeniably Dooney.

My favorite right now is the Victoria, very reasonably priced at $135.  It measures 14.5″ L x 12″ H x 6.5″ W with loads of pockets inside and clean lines outside.  It’s an excellent every-day size in a durable every-day fabric but the conservative Tartan really dresses it up. 

My prediction: more ladies are going to find their way back to Dooney & Bourke if they keep this up.  Bravo!

I don’t like to spend a lot of money on trendy bags that may or may not have staying power.  Big Buddha offers a selection of fashion-forward bags at reasonable prices, though they aren’t leather, but if you’re not going to carry it forever, who cares?

Right now Baghaus is having a huge sitewide sale, with free shipping AND a free bag hook for purchases over $50.

Check out this Big Buddha Taylor Bag – a gorgeous color with right-now woven look:

Big Buddha Taylor Bag – $ 73.10
Retail Price: 86.00
You Save: $12.90

In an $850M deal, Amazon has acquired full ownership of Zappos.com.

Let’s hope they allow Zappos to retain its identity and customer service policies.  I love buying from Zappos, since they offer free shipping, including return shipping if the shoes don’t fit.  Who else does that?  They’ve also started carrying clothing, handbags, eyewear, etc., so Zappos.com is one of my regular stops when I’m window-browsing.  Check them out!

Women’s Apparel at Zappos.com

For once, I am absolutely green with envy over an idea, not a bag.  It’s such a simple concept I can’t believe it hasn’t been done before: a flat-shoe vending machine.

For anyone who has ever limped home after an event where your shoes were more fashionable than practical, a foot-saving option is now available in the UK (and, hopefully, soon in the US).  For as little as £5 (about $7.50), trendy partiers can press a button on a vending machine at many clubs around the UK and have a pair of flats discretely dispensed to save their poor, aching feet.  Rollasole flats come rolled up so they take up almost no space, come in a variety of colors and sizes, and even arrive with a bag to put the torturous high heels in for the trip home.  They can even provide a vending machine for your wedding or other event.

I look forward to having this option available here in the US, but for now I will settle for regretting my inability to come up with this ingenious idea myself.

Rollasole.com