Lana

New Vegan Backpacks and Totes from MeDusa Bags

As someone who basically prefers shopping for leather bags or shoes for their durability and ability to age beautifully, I rarely ever considered any vegan alternatives. Of course, as a young college student, I shopped for the cheapest items I could find…and eventually learned the true cost of that as pieces gradually fell apart! Now, I understand the value of investments, but I’ve also learned something else over the last few years: that leather doesn’t always have to be the only guarantee for a quality product. I’ve been impressed with such brands as BLANKNYC, American Eagle Outfitters, Matt & Nat and MeDusa for their incredibly sturdy vegan leather items, and although I am no vegan, and still love my hard-earned leather pieces at home (and still treat myself now and then), I’ve gradually moved towards more vegan products with a much more open mind. When I find one of true quality, I share it here with all of you! I’m giving MeDusa a revisit for this post, after I first wrote about them in 2015 (see that post here), as I’m so happy to see they’ve expanded their amazing product line with some brand new totes and backpacks!

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Lana

New Vegan Handbag Collection by MeDusa

New Vegan Handbag Collection by MeDusa - Mini Billie Wallet

Image: MeDusa. Mini Billie Wallet

New Vegan Handbag Collection by MeDusa

I just love perusing Etsy for new “undiscovered” talent…so much of what I find just oozes with originality, creativity and I find it a travesty that they aren’t more well known in the style industry. This is one reason why I love to do what I do here! Last year I posted about a new favorite handbag brand, MeDusa (see post here), an Israeli brand that specializes in incredibly gorgeous vegan (and cruelty free) handbags! I was in love when I first made my initial post, but the true quality really became obvious when I got one for myself! You can see it here in a review I did for AYR. These are extremely tasty to the touch, very sturdy, well made, and the detailing was impeccable! I usually shy away from non-leather bags because usually they aren’t quite as durable as leather, but MeDusa is a winning exception! I loved the embossed, 3D designs in the original collection, and the clutches are designed with a chain so they can also be worn as handbags, making them super versatile. I wondered why, for the love of all that is good, is this brand not bigger than they are? Over the last year I’ve watched them grow, with multiple bloggers sporting their bags, and even being spotted in the hands of Jennifer Lopez! I’m so happy to see how far they’ve come, and now for 2016 they’ve released a brand new collection. The Reflections collection features more streamlined, contemporary designs that look just as good as I’d expect to come from the brand. I love the angles and metal detailing!

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Lana

AYR Skinny Flare in Jac’s Jean Review on Denimology

AYR Skinny Flare in Jac's Jean Review on Denimology - Candid View

For those who might have been following my reviews, you can tell I love skinnies. However, I’m falling hard for flares, which are this season’s fit. What’s a girl to do? If only someone would come up with a combination of the two…oh wait. Hello, AYR! This new-ish brand blew up last year and has been a favorite of mine since. I am very happy to revisit their amazing jeans! Hudson has the Baby Boot, Joe’s had a skinny micro flare, which was very similar to American Eagle Outfitter’s Skinny Kick jean—skinny all the way down to the bottom of the calf with a slight flare at the bottom. AYR though, I think has mastered the fit, keeping it skinny but very much flare! I could write the entire review in my first paragraph here, but I won’t…read on for an AYR Skinny Flare in Jac’s Jean review!

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Lana

Embossed PVC Clutches and Bags from MeDusaBrand

Embossed PVC Clutches and Bags from MeDusaBrand

Brilliantly Blue Handbag from MeDusaBrand

Embossed PVC Clutches and Bags from MeDusaBrand

There have always been a plethora of beautiful, ornate, and downright drool-worthy bags and clutches gracing runways and streets alike, but it seems designers have really kicked it up a notch lately in the creative department…or maybe everyone’s just getting more brave as competition becomes more and more stiff. Take Moschino’s bold move with incorporating McDonald’s-themed pieces in their Autumn/Winter 2014 line. I can’t be sure I would have seen that just a few years ago, but then again I wasn’t paying too much attention to the high couture side of things, being more of a contemporary style kind of gal…and I only started blogging this year. But anyway, so many of these coveted styles this year are out of the reach of a lot of people, and many turn to Etsy to support the up-and-coming underdogs. I always run over there every now and then when I feel overly stimulated with the commercial side of things, and I found a real gem this time!

Embossed PVC Clutches and Bags from MeDusaBrand

Yellow vinyl clutch with gold plated spikes and pins

I can’t remember exactly how I stumbled across this cool little shop based in Israel, but it sure has stuck with me. I usually prefer bags made out of leather due to longevity and the beautiful way they age and become more and more unique based on the use you give them over the years. Leather can certainly be embossed and stamped, but in this case, these PVC clutches and bags by Etsy shop MeDusaBrand seem to be more beautifully detailed than most leather embossed items could ever be! And of course, who doesn’t like shiny things?

Embossed PVC Clutches and Bags from MeDusaBrand

PVC and canvas briefcase

It appears that each style seen here (I tried to get a good, wide range of these different clutch and bag designs offered) comes in just about any color, and they are lined with a leather-like synthetic fabric inside. Some come with chains as straps and others are meant to just be carried…and some are even transparent, as a small shoulder or makeup bag!

Embossed PVC Clutches and Bags from MeDusaBrand

Embossed vinyl clutch with chain shoulder strap

MeDusaBrand also makes pretty jewelry, specifically necklaces and earrings, some combining chains and studs like the handbags, or tassels. I gotta say these black items in the Black Summer Collection caught my eye as well. Yummy! I wanted to make this post longer than it is, because there are so many beautiful items…but you’ll have to go look for yourself.

Embossed PVC Clutches and Bags from MeDusaBrand

White bridal clutch bag

The beauty of many Etsy shops is these highly-talented independent artists are more than happy to do custom orders for you, and MeDusaBrand is one of them. I don’t see how I could possibly think of something else I’d rather have after perusing this huge collection but…you never know and it’s cool to have that option, right? It makes the consumer feel closer to the artist, which I really respect, and it’s special to have that unique item made just for you.

Embossed PVC Clutches and Bags from MeDusaBrand

Green PVC clutch w/ embossed print with gold plated spikes & pins

Check out the entire MeDusaBrand Etsy shop right here!