Well, it was inevitable.  While the economy has hit retail very hard, sales of luxury goods had the sharpest decline–down approx. 36% this season, and women’s clothing was next, down almost 25%.

Chanel plans to cut 200 jobs–representing 10 percent of its production workforce–effective Wednesday, including 16 staffers from their Rue Cambon boutique, the Guardian reported Monday.

They are also halting early their traveling art show designed by British architect Zaha Hadid.

They are far from the only luxury brand feeling the crunch, however, as LVMH, Prada and Bulgari are also showing signs of a disappointing year.

After making me suffer through years of teen-tastic bubblegum colored plastic-coated canvas, Dooney & Bourke has actually released a line that might make me interested in buying from them again.

Witness the Florentine Vachetta, a luscious, robust, adult-flavored line that looks even better in person than on the Dooney site.  While the styles are nothing new, the leather certainly is, at least for Dooney.  I’ve fallen in love with the look and feel of the leather and the subtle differences in the color range.

At last, the company has made me remember why I loved them years ago.  Finally, they have a line that will stand the test of time, new classics that will remain wearable for ages.  And, while the prices are higher than the plastic-coated ‘IT’ bags of years past, they are definitely within budget and reasonable for the quality.  I mean, at $395 for the Medium Lucy (my current obsession is the Chestnut color), one would be hard-pressed to find a comparably sized bag of similar quality.

If D&B can continue to work toward bringing their company back to its roots, back to quality leather goods and away from teeny-bopper plastic trends, they may just be able to weather this economic storm.  With limited shopper-dollars available, I’m getting very choosy and a little cranky.  I have always preferred quality over trend, but even more so when I have fewer dollars to work with.

The way to keep Dooney on the right track is to vote with our wallets.   If you agree with the idea, and prefer the ‘new’ Dooney, speak up!

Lately Bottega Veneta has been putting out some bags that make me question my love for them. I’m used to their amazing intrecciato woven goatskin.  But lately, they’ve been, well, boring.

That changed yesterday, when I cracked open my December Harper’s Bazaar.  Finally, a bag that is so amazing, so “BV,” with such attention to design lines and complex leather engineering, it made me actually stand up and applaud.  The color is sumptuous.  The lines are sleek, yet the detail is intricate.  It reminds me somewhat of smocking popular in the 70′s or of vintage gathered lace trim.  Some may find it fussy, I find it fabulous!  I’m sick of boring bags.  Too many of them look the same right now, and for the prices they are fetching, it’s really a crime.  Finally, here’s a bag that warrants the tag.

Here she is, my new love:  The ’08-’09 Cruise collection Cobalt Gorgiera Boston Embroidered Shiny Goatskin Bag,  211490/VIHB0 $5,860 on pre-order at the BV site.  Not that I have an extra $5,800 in change lying around behind the sofa cushions, but a girl can dream…

Oh, Santa Baby!

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So, maybe the current state of the economy has us all a little spooked.  I know I have looked at some pricier handbags with a different eye lately and we’re putting off a few splurges indefinitely.

Since we’re all probably looking over our budgets with very different priorities now, I wanted to highlight a few of my favorite things that I think are worth the money.  No, they’re not exactly handbag-related.  But, they are all products or companies personally tried-and-tested by yours truly.  Here are a few that top the list…more to follow.

Foodsaver

I have used a Foodsaver vacuum sealer for years.  Not only do I love being able to keep food fresh longer, I can buy in larger quantities and save money.  I particularly like using the various sizes of canisters and being able to seal things in canning jars.  I can also reseal bags of chips.  But the best part is having food last longer.  MUCH longer.  Cheese lasts an age in a foodsaver bag. Produce stays crisp much longer.  Whole meals can be sealed in a bag, frozen, and reheated later in the microwave.  Think about all the food you throw away in a year.  The Foodsaver will pay for itself in just a few months.  Maybe even weeks.

Save $10 off your order of $75 or more at FoodSaver with code LINKAFFJ75.  Offer good 10.1.08 to 10.31.08 only!

Free Shipping on FoodSaver orders over $100!

Keurig / Green Mountain Coffee Roasters

We decided on a single-cup machine rather than a standard drip coffeepot, and after reviewing several types and getting recommendations, we decided on the Keurig, by Green Mountain Coffee.  Green Mountain Coffee Roasters offers a huge selection of K-Cups, the pre-filled single-serving coffee/tea/cocoa pods.

We’ve been really impressed with the quality, convenience and taste of the coffee that comes from the Keurig.  It’s also been fun working our way through the many varieties of coffee available.  Flavored, decaf, organic, Fair trade, tea, cocoa, you name it, you can get it in a K-cup.

More importantly, Keurig also offers a “My K-Cup” insert that comes with a tiny filter basket that allows you to brew a single cup of your favorite coffee from your own grounds.  I loved this idea so much that I bought two insert kits along with an additional pack of two filter baskets.  We keep a variety of K-Cups around for convenience, but also keep the four filter baskets going each day.

One way to try a variety of coffees and find your favorites is to order their trial or variety packs.

Buy a machine today and your whole order ships free.

Oxo Good Grips POP Storage Containers

Quite simply, awesome.  Available in a variety of sizes, these sturdy containers are made to stack neatly, are clear for easy viewing of contents, and a press of the button on top pops out the handle and releases the seal.  I use them for all kinds of things – coffee, tea, creamer, sugar, cookies, rice, flour, etc.  My kitchen is full of them.  In a small space, they are a godsend.  Worth every penny.  Available in a variety of sizes at Amazon.