Dear Splendora Bagistas,

I'm all for Cyber Monday shopping, way better than trekking out on Black Friday - that I avoid like the plague. There's something so fun about being up at 1am shopping because you feel like you're getting a deal (which in todays economy you are). Did you read my last post about $230 Christian Louboutin pumps? I know you, you're still taking a moment to marinate in it - me too. Retailers (myself included with my small but happy online shop) are getting it from all sides. Not too may people are purchasing $500 bags - it seems tright. So we do sales and then we do jumbo sales because stores like saks do uber-jumbo sales and we need to keep up. So on that note a shameless plug, oh you knew it was coming ... www.BagTrends.com/shop.htm 30% CYBER MONDAY SALE ends officially at 3am but I'm posting it here on splendora first that the sale will run until 1pm tomorrow. I would NOT wait too long, we just had to turn away two sad shoppers because their bags sold out before we even had a chance to pull them from our site.

Hot ticket items include styles from Rebecca Minkoff, m Clifford Designs and Andrea Brueckner.  Also check out our existing sale and yes 30% off these styles too... USE CODE CM30 at checkout!!

Have a bag-a-licious day!

Pamela Pekerman

Dear Splendora Bagistas,

Here's a rare SHOE post from me :). Last sunday I went to Saks (the original 5th ave location) because of their crazy sale - 40% plus another 50% if you use your Saks card! My fiance and I only went because he wants a tux, but the Armani style he's been eyeing wasn't on sale. What's a gal to do? I checked out the contemporary floor and snagged amazing black Milly pants for $100 and a wonderfully draped Alice+Olivia skirt in a black/navy color for $80. Then, I ran into Lisa Bradkin, who used to curate the accessories presentation during New York Fashion Week before IMG viciously eliminated it. She told me her friend purchased four pairs of Christian Louboutin shoes for under $700. OMG! So, remembering I need wedding shoes, I sprinted to the 8th Floor only to find a line of nearly 100 women waiting to get into the pit of shoelicious sale heaven. My soon-to-be mother-in-law waiting in line with me and convinced me to stay for the full 30 minutes. Once inside, the madness went into over drive. Shoes all over the place. Sizes mixed up. Sales people running around in a sweat. Women purchased 5+ pairs. I went to my size and found a few goodies, but no wedding shoes. Then my soon-to-be mother-in-law found THEM. They were in size 8, sitting their unnoticed. They were a size 6 Christian Louboutin peep toe hidden platform pumps in rose gold. They are exactly what I wanted for my wedding. Something sexy, with a platform, 5 inches, not white, a hint of color, that I'll continue to wear. And ... $230. Amazing!! I still can't get over the rush of purchasing my very first pair of Louboutins. Some day I plan to own this exact model in every color imaginable. They are so comfortable and my legs look sick in them. Be very jealous!! :) lol

Have a bag-a-licious day! (well I'm not saying shoelicious I'm still a bagista!!)

Pamela Pekerman

www.bagtrends.com

Dear Splendora Bagistas, Did you miss me? Well, between the getting engaged, planning the big BagTrends Arm Candy soirée, shooting plenty of TV segments, finding time to play kissy-kiss with my beau, focusing once again on helping other young women find inner strength to launch their business, and shopping for a home, I still found time to uncover yet another reason for me to continue doing what I love … m. Clifford Designs. m. Clifford Designs is my new bag-a-licious find and a name to watch in 2009. That’s why on www.BagTrends.com we designated this week M. CLIFFFORD DESIGNS WEEK. Check out all the fun editorial features we are doing, plus shop the current fall collection for 20% OFF with code cm20. Here’s a snipped of the interview I did with designer Martha Clifford. For the full story click here. BagTrends: From catering to handbag design. That’s not a logical jump. What made you do it?
Martha Clifford: After going through a divorce and selling a successful catering business that I had owned for many years, I returned to sewing as a creative outlet. I began making handbags for myself, family, and friends on my kitchen counter. When requests to purchase them began to overwhelm me, I decided to seek out a manufacturer in New York. BT: Was there any fear? If so, how did you overcome it?
Martha: There is always fear when you step out to start a new business, but because of the support of my wonderful husband, I overcame the fear. He encouraged me to put myself out there and have faith that I could do it. BT: What has been your biggest challenge in entering the handbag business?
Martha: I think the hardest thing for me has been learning the time frame that collections have to be completed for each season. For instance, right now I’m wrapping up spring/summer 2009 and I know that I should be already in fall/winter 2009. It’s crazy trying to keep up with how early the press and the stores want to see your styles. Shop m. Clifford Designs and get 20% off now thru 11/16/08...code 'mc20'.

Have a bag-a-licious day!

Pamela Pekerman

Dear Splendoar Bagistas,

One of the joys in my life is uncovering new talent and bring it to light. When I find a handbag designer that has something special and nobody know them yet, it's like finding a treasure trove - except i LOVE sharing my goods. Last year, I connected with Maria Estrada who launched a handbag line with her brother Ignacio. The duo is originally from Uruguay so they decided to use the leather and local talent in their home town to create IGNES bags.Maria is smart, strong and savvy women - who is also about to have a baby soon, congrats!! Below is an expert from our interview. For the full story check out BagTrends.com.Maria's brother will be presenting and selling IGNES bags at the fall 2008 BAGTRENDS ARM CANDY PARTY sept 22 in NYC. Get your tickets now!! 2 for $10 just type "splendora+1" in the comments box at checkout.

BagTrends: Who designs IGNES Bags?
Maria Estrada: We have a few designers in Uruguay that work with us closely. The end result is a fusion of what I see from my travels and what we have in Uruguay, the leather and the lifestyle.

BT: You run the business with your brother Ignacio. What’s that like?
Maria: Ignacio was living in New York and I was in Christies at London and we wanted to return to Uruguay so we would work with leather and people of our home town. We did research and then it all happened. The brother-sister-work relation works because we know exactly what each dose and we respect each other’s space.

BT: What is the handbag hanger?
Maria: All our bags come with a hanger inside that attaches to any surface so you never have to put your bag on the floor. And the hanger corresponds to the type of hardware found on the bag.

Have a bag-a-licious day!

Pamela Pekerman

Dear Splendora Bagistas,

If you love shopping and you love to be pampered and you could usea free drink and you'll like to win a designer bag and you want to have fun with friends and you'll be in NYC on September 22nd then ....

join me and 400 other stylish divas at the BagTrends Arm Candy Party. You'll be able to shop some of the hottest new handbag lines while you sip complimentary cocktails, get pampering massages - sounds amazing!! - and goody bags.

WHEN: Sept 22nd 6-9pm

WHERE: Union Square Ballroom, 27 Union Square West (just look for the pink carpet!! - yup it's VIP all the way)

SPECIAL for splendora gals: Bring a friend for free, that's two tickets for $10. Just type in "splendora+1" in the comments box at checkout. Once we sell out that's it so buy tickets fast.

Can't wait to meet you there!!!

Have a bag-a-licious day!

Pamela Pekerman

Dear Splendora Bagiastas,

I almost forgot to share the most exciting project my business partner and I have been working on this past summer. We are excited to finally have our first public BagTrends Arm Candy Party. In the past we tested the event with just the media, but now you can all join the fun.

Part shopping, part spa, all part’s fun, The BagTrends Arm Candy Party aims to pamper and please bagistas from their shoulders to their finger tips. Shop for handbags; bling out your wrist with Ted Rossi bangles; drink complimentary cocktails; indulge in our complimentary spa/wellness set up. Be treated like the VIP diva you know you are!!

DETAILS

WHAT: Fall 2008, BagTrends Arm Candy Party

WHEN: September 22, 2008; 6pm – 9pm

WHERE: Union Square Ballroom, 27 Union Square West, NYC

TICKETS: $10 at BagTrends.com*,  $15 at the door

Fist 300 sold tickets are guaranteed gift bags

Shop your favorite handbag lines and a few I believe will be tomorrow’s must-have names. Preview/shop new styles. Get VIP deals. Win handbag raffles.

Rebecca Minkoff

Ananas

Antoinette Lee

Ted Rossi

Helena de Natalio

Creations by Kage

Vegan Queen

Magnes Sisters

Elezar

Filippa Sweet of Stockholm

M Clifford Design

Ignes Handbags

Morgan Oakley

Passchal

Buy Tickets Here: http://www.bagtrends.com/events_armcandyparty_sept2008.htm

Have a bag-a-licious day!

Pamela Pekerman

Dear Splendora Bagiastas,

What a time. Who ever said summer was a time for R&R? Sure, I’ve enjoyed the weather and the fiancés pool – oh ya I’m engaged!! – but there has been so much work, all-be-it very exciting projects. I feel like I’ve been living in a car, plane or cab for the past two months. I’ve often commented on this diary about the value of entrepreneurship and the freedom/wisdom/courage/passion it has brought to my life, but this summer’s successes have made it very clear that aside from my personal aspirations I want to commit myself to helping other women – especially young women – find the courage and resources to launch their own businesses. There are plenty of organizations that exist like Ladies Who Launch, Divas Who Dine, and Make Mine a Million – join them all or at least one. Read PINK, Success for Women (launching in October 2008), Fortune Small Business, and other business publications. There are people, organizations, even government groups that are ready to give you money for your ideas. There are even companies out there that will help you take your idea from concept to reality so that you can get that capital funding, that press, that big leap you need (like www.imagemme.com). It sounds ridiculously daunting, even as I type. But, if you have the strength of character and the time – because chances are this is going to be a night/weekend journey until you can get a steady income from your idea – you can make it. Just last week, I was interviewed for the premier issue of Success for Women Magazine as the spotlight young female entrepreneur and the reporter asked me what my biggest tip was, to which I said ‘have no FEAR’. Once you let go of the fear that you can fail, the fear that you’ll make a mistake, the fear that you’ll say something wrong, the fear that others will doubt you…. Once you let go of all that baggage you are left with a clear mind to focus on “wonderful what ifs”… what is I succeed, what if I land this deal, what if they buy my idea, what if I revolutionize the industry. If you’re a young female entrepreneur and just want someone to listen to you, I’m here. Nothing would make me happier. I want you to know the joy – not that it’s all peaches – but the overall joy of knowing from nothing you made something and that your future is solely in your hands and not at the whim of others’ decisions and actions.

Have a bag-a-licious day!

Pamela Pekerman

Dear Splendora Divas,

I’m SO SO excited to share that this coming Friday, June 27th, I will appear on The Home Shopping Network to chat about fall 2008 bag trends and present the CALLA Concorde Satchel as the ‘Today Special’ on HSN for $59.90. I'm thrilled to go back to HSN (my first appearance was back in October when I focused on holiday 2007 trends) and jump on the Today Special rollercoaster. Basically, I'll be treated like a human NASCAR -  

JUNE 26th:

9:30pm  - hair/makeup  

10:30pm - meeting with producers and show host

JUNE 27th: 

Midnight - showtime

12:45am - hair/makeup touchups, meet show host

1am - showtime

2am - snack, 45 min power nap

3:30am - chat with CALLA designer

4am - hair/makeup, meeting with producers and show host

5am - showtime

and on and on for the remaining shows which will be 7AM, 8AM, 11AM, NOON, 4PM, 9PM, 10PM ..... 11PM clean up my greenroom head to the hotel for a lavish bubbble bath and tuna steak dinner :) 

I have to pinch myself sometimes to believe that in 3 years I have been able to land a gig on the Home Shopping Network and speak to millions of women about hot handbag fashion. It's really an honor to be part of the HSN team. The way those shows are run is phenomenal.  By the way, if my Flip Video arrives in time, I'll document my appearance. Check back soon!!For more on the CALLA Concorde Satchel check out: http://bagtrends.blogspot.com/2008/06/watch-handbag-expert-pam-pekerman-june.html 

Have a bag-a-licious day!

Pamela Pekerman

Hey Splendora Bagistas,

Boy, have I been mia. I'm proud to announce a million things - I'm engaged, I signed with a publicist, I've been working on numberous VH1 segments, I've expanded my online magazine and shop, oh and I've made some time to start my book. Yes, lots going on!! I'll be back more often now that I finally have great help which allows me to keep doing my bag-a-licious thing.

For now, I just wanted to let you all know that we're having a pretty sweet MEMORIAL DAY SALE at SHOPBagTrends.com.  Take 15% through May 27th with code "memorial08". My personal picks are:

the new Rebecca Minkoff Steady in any color - OMG! My gal Rebecca has another winner on her hands. For those in need of a new go-to day/work even weekender! bag, you must get this style. http://www.bagtrends.com/products/handbags/RE024.htm

the Aksuona Candy Clutch in blue - it's a shot of color and glamour, but certainly not a shot at your wallet. At $145 (plus your 15% discount!!) this is such a great handmade quality piece from a lovely designer based in the UK. http://www.bagtrends.com/products/handbags/AK003.htm

Have a bag-a-licious day!

Pamela Pekerman

Dear Splendora Bagistas,

Never has a collaboration made me so happy. I've been a Hello Kitty fan my entire life. Lunch box, pencil, paper, stickers, TV, notebook, stuffed animal, furniture. You name is I had it. And now, my friend and fabulous handbag designer Rebecca Minkoff has done a very limited edition collection with Sanrio (aka Hello Kitty). I love the blue lining - it's very 1980's Atari looking and I so love al things 80's. I don't dig the clutch. It's very bland in terms of design and WAY overpriced (unless you keep in mind that only 50 of each style were made so it will be a collectors item. Other than that it's not worth a bag-a-licious mention).  The satchel and the leather tote are another story. I like the shape, the leather, and of course the lining. The rigid frame on both has this vintage, traveling doctors bag feel. Again, pricing isn't cheap, but these are two styles I wouldn't mind rockin.

Have a bag-a-licious day!

Pamela Pekerman