Refinery29: 12 Investment-Worthy Designer Bags

Happy Sunday!

I've mentioned before how much I love browsing through www.refinery29.com and I just saw another article from them that I am sure you guys will love too! :D

12 Investment-Worthy Designer Bags:

1. Rebecca Minkoff M.A.C. Clutch ($325) - 

2. Saint Laurent Classic Small Sac De Jour Bag ($2,550) -

3. Jimmy Choo Rebel ($950) -

4. Proenza Schouler PS1 Medium Tweed ($1,525) -

5. Anya Hindmarch Nevis Leather-Trimmed Canvas Tote ($395) -

6. Mugler Muglerette M Water Snake Calf Messenger ($2,250) -

7. Reed Krakoff Mini Atlantique ($1,290) -

8. Mulberry Primrose ($2,000) -

9. Bottega Veneta Krim Intrecciato Nappa Bag ($3,280) -

10. Diane von Furstenberg 440 Mini Leopard Bag ($295) -

11. Coach Legacy Harper Satchel ($498) -

12. Kenzo Le Dix-Huit Tejus Leather and Cotton Bag ($965) -

My sister has a Rebecca Minkoff M.A.C. Clutch and she absolutely loves it!

I don't have any of these, but I would sure love to own at least one of them! ;)

What do you guys think of this list? Do you agree?

Do you have anything to add to this list? Do you own any of these bags?

I wish you all a wonderful week! :D

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FD Avenue: THE Perfect Birthday Dress! :)

Happy Monday!

My mini birthday break is over... it's now time to get back to work and get things moving on le blog. ;)

Every year I try to wear something red, white, and blue for the Fourth of July, but since it's also my birthday, I always end up wearing a dress of some sort. Last week, I was having a hard time picking a dress to wear... and then this package came in the mail:

A package from FD Avenue!!!

FD Avenue is an online fashion company which aims to bring to its customers the latest trends at affordable prices. Since our launch in early 2011 we have gone from strength to strength, becoming increasingly popular for our stylish cheap affordable fashion not only in the UK but also with our EU and International customers.

***from www.fdavenue.com***

FD Avenue sent me a gorgeous dress to wear and review for you guys, so let's go? ;)

I picked the FDAvenue Side Split Pleated Chiffon Maxi Dress in Black.

At first, I was a little hesitant to go for a maxi dress because as a petite girl (5'2''), I always used to think that I can't pull off long dresses... but, this dress proved me wrong!

My birthday outfit! :)

FD Avenue provides a really good and easy-to-understand size guide.

They provided an approximate length, I followed it, and I'm glad I did. :)

I got a size 10 (Medium) -- the approximate length from shoulder to hem is 139 cm.

I stand at 5'2'' and it's just the perfect length! I can wear the dress with both sandals and heels -- no problem!

Neckline

Details: Sleeveless maxi dress with elasticated waist, pleated skirt with deep side splits and detachable belt.

Material: 100% Polyester

It features a scoop neckline -- it's just right, it's neither too low nor too high.

Back

I am kind of old-fashioned in the sense that I'm not comfortable wearing anything too revealing, but I am slowly coming out of my shell, haha! And that is why I love the dress' sheer back! ;)

There is only one button -- no zippers or anything -- and putting the dress on may be quite a challenge, you just have to navigate it properly and maybe have someone on hand to help you with it.

I also love the pleated skirt!

I don't know if you can see it here, but it sort of flares down towards the hem (you can see it on the full-length photo above).

The skirt is flowy and I love it!

It moves along with you as you walk. It was actually a bit windy when we were out watching fireworks -- the skirt billowed in the air as I walked and it looked lovely! :)

The dress also features deep side slits -- it adds a little sexy element to the dress = again, LOVE! :)

And now, let's take a look at the accessories:

The dress comes with a belt, but I decided to use one of my own belts.

I wanted to use a brown belt to really make it stand out against the black color of the dress. I think it worked perfectly! :D

Oh, and you can see my Fourth of July nails in the picture above!

It's just a simple alternate red and blue. :)

Here is a picture of the belt included with the dress:

I actually really like the belt -- the clasp is really cool and I like the metal element!

I just wish it was a different color because it gets lost in the dress.

There also weren't enough holes in the belt, so I wasn't able to adjust it past the last hole.

The belt is loose, as you can see in the picture above (I was holding it in place in the first photo of the belt).

I think I'm gonna add a few more holes to the belt -- I really like it and I definitely want to use it. :)

Besides that and the button thing I mentioned above, I think this dress is perfection!

It is now one of my absolute favorites!

On to the other parts of my birthday outfit:

I used my Celine bag -- something that's been in my closet for quite some time now.

It's just the right size for everyday errands -- it's a good alternative to my Louis Vuitton Speedy bag. :)

I rarely share photos of my shoes because I get really shy about my feet (haha!), but here it is... I used my brown Michael Kors sandals -- these are my favorite sandals! It was a gift from my Mom when I turned 17 (6 years ago!!!).

I wanted to keep things simple, so I just went for these gold earrings -- these earrings are super heavy, but for the sake of my outfit, I endured it, haha! ;)

I was very happy with this dress and with my birthday outfit as a whole.

I think it brings out the newly-turned 23-year-old in me, while still keeping things fun and young. :)

The dress is super awesome, I really love it!

It totally changed my whole outlook on maxi dresses -- shout out to my sister for convincing me to go for this dress!!!

At £31.99, or $51.18 for us over here in America, this dress is a really good investment.

It's versatile and it can be dressed up or down -- wear sandals during the day and switch to sexy heels at night.

And lastly, I can guarantee that it will make you feel and look amazing because that's exactly how I felt when I wore this dress.

I definitely had a happy birthday! ;)

By the way, the dress is also available in green and pink.

Get daily fashion updates and offers from FD Avenue through Facebook, Twitter, and their blog.

To see more of what FD Avenue has to offer, please click here.

So there we have it, my little fashion post to kick off the new week. ;)

What do you guys think of the dress? Do you like it?

Have you shopped at FD Avenue before?

Have a fantastic week, everyone! :D

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Bag Holding And What It Says About You

Happy Weekend!

Do you guys have favorite websites to visit whenever you're surfing the internet?

One of my absolute favorite websites has got to be www.refinery29.com -- they have THE most interesting articles, I always look forward to receiving their emails. :)

They published an article way back in January about bag holding techniques and what they mean, and I just wanted to share it with you guys, it'll be a fun read! :)

What Your Bag-Holding Technique Says About You

(Read the Refinery 29 article here.)

1. THE SCHLEPPER - You've got two, three, four... five bags to worry about, so you've got a "wherever fits" strategy going on. "You're fatigued, exhausted, and in a rush -- the bags suggest you're a little spaced-out and have a hard time being present."

Lauren Conrad

Lauren does look fatigued, exhausted, and in a rush!

2. THE ARM-CROOK HOOK - Favorites of paparazzi-chased celebs, this limp-handed style just screams power.

"You're wearing the bag as if it's a badge of honor or an award. You feel as if you've got a sense of superiority."

Miranda Kerr

Miranda Kerr is definitely always chased by paparazzi...

3. THE HANDS-FREE - "The girl who wears a hands-free bag willingly covers up her silhouette and outfit.

It's useful, but it also shows you're slightly dorky... see this a lot with young women."

Jessica Alba

I don't know if Jessica Alba is slightly dorky in real life, but hey, she's a gorgeous mama!

4. THE TWOFER - Usually done with a coy smile and a leg cross, the two-handed twofer clutch denotes a shy, defensive person. "This creates a fig leaf position as if you were protecting your goods. If you find yourself doing this on a date, it's because you feel weird about where it's going."

HRH The Duchess of Cambridge

This is the Duchess of Cambridge's go-to bag holding technique!

5. THE BAGUETTE - A recent favorite of street style stars, the baguette style is a scoop-up, on-the-go method.

"It's a utilitarian look, and you don't really care about the bag but rather what's in it. You're goal-oriented."

Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston is definitely a street style star!

6. THE THIRD ARM DRAPE - This move usually involves a bag with a long strap... but instead of crossing it over, you choose to wear it over your shoulder. And since that baby's prone to slipping around, Patti says it shows a lack of awareness. "It says, 'I don't have power over my world'."

Hilary Duff

I think Hilary looks great balancing her bag and her adorable baby boy, Luca!

7. THE ARMPIT VICE - Clutches are hard to hold, we know, but this move keeps your bag in place while leaving your hands free. "There's an awkwardness about it, and I see it happen a lot with women who are carrying a purse that doesn't fit her body."

Jennifer Lopez

Yeah, it does seem like Jennifer Lopez is having a hard time with that clutch...

8. THE BRIEFCASE - There's a certain type of woman who chooses to forgo the shoulder strap for the top handle. "She's in business mode. She's going fast and her bag has a lot of weight -- she cares less about her appearance, and more about where she's off to."

Angelina Jolie

I think that pretty much describes Angelina Jolie... except she doesn't really have to care a lot about her appearance -- she's gorgeous and she knows it!

9. THE THUMB-TO-'PIT - There's a reason this move's associated with Carrie from Sex and the City. "I see women in cosmopolitan cities doing this. They remember their mamas telling them to protect their bags... they don't want to get them pulled off while they're walking! They're street-smart."

Anne Hathaway as Andy Sachs in The Devil Wears Prada

Andy definitely became street-smart as the movie progressed!

10. THE "I'VE GOT A BAG BITCH" - You've got better things to do than to hold a bag. For some, that's what assistants and boyfriends are for. "When people feel the need to look fabulous all the time, they can't be encumbered with anything."

Beyoncé

Who else would have a bag bitch other than Beyoncé?!

Look, there's literally someone behind her carrying her bag!

Some descriptions may be spot-on and some are not, but it's so interesting, right?!

My bag-holding techniques are #s 2, 3, 6, and 9... depending on the bag.

What about you -- What's your bag holding technique?

Do these descriptions describe you or someone you know?

I hope you are all having a great start to summer! :D

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What's New: Chicnova Buys

Happy Sunday/ Monday!

I want to start the week right, so here I am with a new blog post, haha! ;)

I was recently contacted by Chicnova to work on a giveaway and review with them -- now that the giveaway is done, it's time for my review.

I got two items from Chicnova and I am so excited to share them with you guys! :)

Chicnova Item #1: Boxy T-Shirt With Batwing Sleeves

Boxy T-Shirt With Batwing Sleeves from Chicnova

Velvet Skirt

Yellow Ballet Flats

Crafted in a soft-handle cotton rich fabric. 

Featuring a round neckline with a bound trim, short sleeve with a batwing styling, and dipped hemline to reverse.

Designed with an oversized boxy fit.

Price: $14.50

I love the fit of the shirt -- I always go for flowy shirts like this because I find them more comfortable.

This shirt hangs loosely on the body without making you look bulky.

It's also a bit longer at the back, just the way I like my shirts.

It's very airy -- perfect for hot days... it's starting to get hotter and hotter here in Los Angeles, I am definitely gonna get a lot of use out of this shirt! :)

I also really love the design. It has a cool tribal feel to it.

The material used for the design is some kind of a cross between felt and velvet -- make sure not to iron the design!

I wore a yellow bra underneath to add a pop of color to the outfit and also to make the look more sexy, as my sister put it. 

Let me tell you, "sexy" is the last word I would use to describe myself, so this is as sexy as I would go, haha. ;)

Now, about my accessories:

Silver Bracelets/ Coach Watch/ Diamond Earrings/ Diamond Necklace

My hairstyle:

Just a simple ponytail with a twist... :)

Chicnova Item #2: Canvas Bag With Multi Pockets

I wasn't able to take a photo of my actual outfit because I wanted to keep the focus on my new canvas bag, but here are the details anyway:

Chiffon Sequined Blouse

Mint Skinny Jeans

Brown Michael Kors Sandals (not seen on the photo)

Now, about the bag:

Featuring canvas washed fabric, twin top grab handles stretched to the base, multi pockets throughout, a contrast leather panel to the base, and a detachable shoulder strap with adjustable length.

Price: $19.90

I've been looking for the perfect school bag and I finally found it in this bag from Chicnova!

It's the perfect size -- not too bulky, but spacious enough to carry all my stuff!

I love how it has a lot of pockets -- in front and at the back, as seen in the two photos above.

I'm the kind of girl who always has random things (like pieces of paper) that I have to stick in my bag and having these pockets makes my life so much easier! Not only that, but I now have a permanent place for my phone -- no more freaking out when I don't feel my phone in my pocket, haha! ;)

There are two ways to carry this bag -- like a shoulder bag or like a backpack -- so cool!

It's always nice to have options. :)

Another thing I love about it: it stands by itself!

A bag that doesn't have structure is one of the most frustrating things on earth!

One downside to it: the fabric is canvas -- it attracts dirt and the color of my jeans sometimes transfers to it, but I don't really mind too much. :)

So yup, that's it for my Chicnova post...

To check out Chicnova, please click here.

You can also keep up to date with them through Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and their blog.

What do you guys think of my Chicnova buys?

Have you bought anything from them before?

I wish you all a wonderful week ahead! :D

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Advantage Bridal Giveaway: Win a personalized tote bag! :) ***CLOSED***

Happy Monday!!!

To celebrate the start of the last month of 2012, Advantage Bridal and I are giving away a personalized/ monogrammed tote bag to one lucky winner! :D

You guys might remember from my review that Advantage Bridal offers over 40,000 unique products and some of those products are their beautiful personalized tote bags...

A peek at the monogrammed tote I received from Advantage Bridal...

If you are looking for unique gift ideas or something special to give as holiday gifts, Advantage Bridal is THE website to turn to! :)

Now, let's talk about the giveaway...

What's up for grabs?

A personalized tote bag of your choice!

Choose between the

Natural Canvas Tote with Initial or the

Polka Dot Tote with Initial (color of your choice)! :D

Pretty, right?!

To enter:

Mandatory entries -

1. Follow What Mimi Writes via GFC -- let me know you follow in a comment, let me know which tote you would love to receive, and include your email address. (+1)

2. Follow @WhatMimiWrites on Twitter. (+1)

3. Follow @AdvantageBridal on Twitter. (+1)

Extra entries -

4. Visit www.advantagebridal.com and let me know which item from their site is your favorite. (+2)

5. Tweet about the giveaway, mention @WhatMimiWrites and @AdvantageBridal -- let me know/ leave me a link.

You can use this tweet: #Giveaway: #Win a personalized tote bag from @AdvantageBridal over @WhatMimiWrites! Ends December 17th! Join: http://tinyurl.com/crnnem4. :) (+1)

6. Follow Advantage Bridal on Pinterest -- let me know you follow in a comment. (+1)

7. Follow them on YouTube -- let me know you follow in a comment. (+1)

8. Follow their blog -- let me know you follow in a comment. (+1)

9. Like Advantage Bridal on Facebook -- leave your Facebook name in the comments. (+3)

10. Like What Mimi Writes on Facebook -- leave your Facebook name in the comments. (+3)

11. Say Hello! to Advantage Bridal on Facebook and let them know that What Mimi Writes sent you there -- leave me a link to your wall post. (+3)

12. Mention this giveaway on your blog, either on a post or on your sidebar -- let me know/ leave me a link. (+2)

A total of 20 possible entries!

Please leave one comment per entry or if you choose to put them all in one comment, please clearly list how many entries you have -- either way would be easier for me, thanks! :)

This giveaway is open to United States residents only.

It will end on Monday, December 17th at 11:59pm PST.

The winner will be chosen via random.org and notified via email.

Good luck!!! :D

What's New: Personalized Tote Bag with Initial from Advantage Bridal! :)

Happy Saturday!

And what's that I hear? It's December?! Happy December!!! ;)

It's finally December, guys!

You know what that means... Christmas songs, Christmas movies, and Christmas gift shopping time!

I've already finished shopping for Christmas gifts (I decided to start early this year...), but if you are still in need of unique gift ideas, I have the perfect answer for you!

Advantage Bridal sent me a personalized tote bag to review for you guys.

If you ask me, personalized gifts are one of THE best gifts ever because it means you really thought about the person who will receive that particular gift. Plus, who wouldn't want to have personalized/monogrammed gifts, right?! ;)

Before I share my thoughts on the tote bag with you guys, here is a little something about Advantage Bridal:

Based in the city of Torrance, California, Advantage Bridal was formed in 1992 and operated two bridal shops in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. Growing to become the premier online wedding and special occasion retailer, now offering over 40,000 unique products... They offer thousands of discounted wedding invitations, hundreds of unique wedding favors, and a vast array of decorated apparel, stationery, accessories, and personalized gifts.

Learn more about them here.

Now, on to the review:

Since they are based in Torrance and I live in Los Angeles, I received the package the day after they sent it -- how's that for fast shipping?! ;)

You can have a sense of the other items they offer by looking at the picture above...

Stacy sent me this personalized/monogrammed tote bag: M for Mimi! :D

This is a great personalized tote for everyone on your gift list. In stock and ready to ship, this initial tote is made of durable canvas and measures 19'' x 17''.

(Also available in a fully customizable version with choice of initials, name, monogram, and fonts.)

I really, really love it!

It's so beautiful and it's of really excellent quality, I literally gasped when I opened it... I'm not usually a fan of tote bags because the ones I have aren't really durable -- the total opposite of this tote bag!

You can't go wrong with the colors -- natural canvas + black = classic!

I also love the font -- I always smile when I look at that big letter M, haha! ;)

Another great thing about this tote bag is it has a support for the bottom of the bag (pictured above).

It makes the tote sturdy and keeps my things from sinking and getting all mixed up inside.

A quick snap of my outfit featuring the tote bag...

It also has a really cute bow, it's a nice added touch to the bag.

If you want to add a pop of bright color, you can tie a thin colorful scarf around the straps. :)

The size is also perfect -- you can use this for school, for running errands, for a sleepover, etc.

Price: $24.94

But right now, they are being sold at a sale price of $21.20 -- totally affordable!

They also offer FREE ground shipping in the continental U.S.!

This is definitely the perfect gift for the girls in your life!

Advantage Bridal also offers a matching large men's toiletry case, so the guys in our lives won't feel left out, haha! ;)

You can keep up to date with Advantage Bridal through Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and their blog.

There will also be a personalized tote bag giveaway sponsored by Advantage Bridal right here on What Mimi Writes!

Check back this coming week for more details! :D

Have you bought anything from Advantage Bridal before?

What do you think of this personalized tote bag?

I hope you are all having a wonderful start to the last month of 2012!!! :)

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