Danielle Nicole Handbags

Every once in a while you come across a really beautifully designed hand bag - one that speaks to you (okay, so maybe that's only me). Today I'm introducing you to not just one of those bags, but an entire line - Danielle Nicole. Guard your pocket books - or get them out if you know what's best for you.

I recently met the line's designer - Danielle DiFerdinando - and she is just as fun and amazing as her bags. Danielle started designing and making handbags at the young age of 18. During an internship at Bergdorf's, she was recognized on an elevator for one of her bags...and the rest, as they say, is history. After the recession hit in 2008 she turned to non-leather alternatives to keep costs down. The result, a line that is not only beautiful, but also extremely well-priced. Here are just a few of my favorites - the Adeline and Jaida are currently at the top of my wish list. 

Peyton Satchel

Adeline Satchel

Gemma Crossbody

Adeline Crossbody

Austin Clutch

Adeline Clutch

Alexa Tote

Jaida Satchel

Products We Love: Danielle Nicole Zelie Clutch

We're huge fans of Danielle Nicole over here at C & C. Not only does Danielle design beautiful handbags, but she's one of the most hard working, genuine and nice people I've met. I'm so glad to call her a friend. Last summer when I went to NYC for a girls weekend, Danielle gave me a clutch (and one in taupe for Regan) that has been my go-to ever since. And now it's finally available! 

It's the perfect size for a night out on the town and is so chic. My favorite part is the removable snap-in pouch, which is perfect for your credit cards and cash. Then you never have to worry about them falling out when you go for your phone or lipstick. The best part...the price! You can get the black clutch right now for $35. Yes, you read that right! And you can probably find a discount code somewhere on the internet. A hundred-dollar plus look for a whole lot less! You're welcome. 

What I Wore: Transitioning to Spring

Remember this outfit from January? Well I've been wearing this Zara long wool vest on repeat ever since I got it. But I hadn't ventured away from the black turtleneck. 

Last week, I wanted to find a way to transition this to warmer weather. I also wanted to incorporate a necklace that my mom brought back for me from a recent trip to Africa. 

Taking some inspiration from an earlier post on the versatility and classic look of a white button down, here's what I ended up with. 

And over the weekend I decided to put the outfit on repeat with a more casual twist - switching out my black pants for Paige jeans, the Stuart Weitzman suede booties for Sam Edelman flats, and adding my favorite Danielle Nicole Diana Clutch. 

It was the perfect Sunday outfit for a Danielle Nicole event at Cusp. There's nothing better than handbags and girl friends on a rainy day! 

Sometimes finding new ways to wear things in your closet just takes a little creativity...and trial and error. Spring is the perfect time to experiment with new combinations, layers, and integrating warm- and cold-weather pieces into your outfits. 

Carry On

In October I introduced you to designer Danielle DiFerdinando and her incredible line of handbags - Danielle Nicole. Right before Christmas she hosted an event at Cusp in Georgetown and it was the perfect opportunity to do some self-gifting...you know you do it around Christmas time. Don't lie. I've been on the hunt for a great crossbody bag - I'm usually a clutch kind of girl. Enter the Diane. Not only is it a crossbody, but it's a clutch too! It was my go-to purse in Sun Valley and left my hands free for important things like picking up the mini and my coffee!

I bought it in grey - which I can't seem to track down online, but it's also available in this gorgeous berry color (very similar to the pantone color of the year, radiant orchid) and in black. At the incredible price of $58 dollars, you could splurge and buy both! 

I also came home with the Adeline Satchel which I'd been lusting after since I was first introduced to her line. It's the perfect bag. Not only does it go with EVERYTHING, but it has just the right pockets and amount of space - without being too big. I've been known to get a little Marry Poppins and carry a suitcase-sized purse. 

You really can't go wrong with Danielle's bags! I'm loving the Peyton Satchel for spring - especially with the subtle edgy side zipper detailing! The blue is a bold neutral that would really make an outfit pop. 

Want to learn more about the brains and beauty behind the bags, check out this interview on The Girls of Lincoln Park. 

Holiday Handbag Giveway

You know we're BIG fans of Danielle Nicole here at C & C (check out a few posts where we carry her bags). She was recently in town at Cusp to showcase her holiday collection and I stopped by to catch up and check it out (with my Eva Satchel in hand).  

Of course I spied a few more bags to add to my collection…like the Eva Clutch. 

And the quilted fold over clutch. The irony of my purse fetish is that I'm either carrying a Marry Poppins-like suitcase purse or a clutch…but rarely anything in between. 

You too probably have handbags on the brain by now…and lucky for you, Danielle was feeling in the holiday spirit and gave us the Alex Mini Crossbody in nude to giveaway to one lucky reader! 

We'll announce the winner on Friday! 

Use the Rafflecopter giveaway to enter, but make sure you leave a comment below (here, on our site) on why you want to win the bag. Then go to Rafflecopter to confirm your post and for additional entries. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What I Wore: Put a Bag On

The "cherry on top" of any outfit is a great handbag. You know I'm a huge fan of Danielle Nicole (check out my previous posts here) and her fashionable and affordable bags. Danielle recently hosted an event at Cusp in DC and she picked out this amazing bag for me. She knows me too well (Thank you!) The Scarlett Satchel is classic, with that little bit of something something to make it stand out. And, to top it off, there was someone on hand to monogram the bags for us. I do love a good monogram. 

What I Love about a great bag, is that it takes a basic outfit - in this case, a black sheath dress and black jacket (both Trina Turk) - to the next level. Perfect for day to night last week when I went right from work to a dinner event. 

The gold hardware made it again the right pairing with this Hunter Dixon blouse with gold buttons.

I know I'm going to get a ton of use out of this - if it can beat out my black Adeline Satchel. 

What I Wore to Work: Hospital Gown What?

I was in need of a little wardrobe pick-me-up, so you'll be seeing an uptick of "What I Wore" posts. Starting with my favorite buy - this shirtdress from Madewell. When it arrived, Dr. B asked if I thought my "hospital gown" was work appropriate? I confirmed indeed it was. 

I debuted my medical fashion Friday at work and got several compliments, validating what I already knew. This dress is going to be the perfect, versatile summer staple. I commuted in my new Miu Miu smoking shoes that I picked up on our trip to Sun Valley at Consign Design. 

And switched into a pair of Stuart Weitzman wedges for the day. Add three Angela Caputi bracelets and the Danielle Nicole Eva Satchel  and I had myself an outfit. 

If this is hospital gown fashion, I'm all for it. In fact, I'm wearing it tonight to see Taylor Swift in concert!

Not Your Mom's HSN

I was lucky enough to take a trip down south to Florida recently to visit HSN. I know what you're thinking - insomniacs, hermits, your grandmother....let me tell you, it is none of these things. They are at the forefront of the retail industry, revolutionizing the way people shop and interact with a brand. And did I mention all the cool celebrities with whom they have partnerships?! Like their motto says, "It's fun here," and it is.

Working at HSN would be AMAZING...but it's certain I'd blow my paycheck each month faster than one of their show clocks could count down - between clothes, home, and accessories, every time I turned around there was something I needed wanted. Here are a few things I've got my eye on...(several of which I saw in person).

G by Giuliana Rancic Detachable Tie Blouse

Hal Rubenstein Ponte Skirt

Badgley Mischka Jacquard Blazer

Badgley Mischka Jacquard Mix Ponte Ponte

IMAN Platinum Rock The Runway Leather Gloves

Steve by Steve Madden "Ravesh" Bow Pump

June Abrose "Jagger" Snake-Embossed & Suede Pump

June Ambrose "Stella" Wedge

Danielle Nicole "Blake" Colorblock Satchel

Are you an HSN shopper?

What I Wore

If you saw this Instagram teaser photo on Saturday you already know that I attended a "white party" on Friday night. 

It was a lovely fundraiser at the Oregon Golf Club for the Tiffany Autism Foundation.  I wore my favorite gold Ferragamo Sandals from Consign Design (post here) and my go-to nude Zellie clutch from Danielle Nicole (post here). 

As for the dress...you may remember my "White to Wear" post where I shared a number of white dresses that I was considering for the event. Well, I decided on the Aqua Lace Empire Dress. I got it on sale for $69! 

 Here are a few more photos from the evening. My friend SB rocked it in this amazing jumpsuit!

And my +1 mastered the country club "pool boy" look (hot!).

As for my hair. I conveniently planned a haircut the day of the event, which meant someone else did it for me. Ive been wanting to conquer the straightening iron "curls" for a while now, but know my hairstyling is pretty limited to a flat iron and blow dryer. The hairdresser knocked out this look in a matter of minutes! 

If you want to try it yourself, here's a tutorial. My hair rarely holds curl, but because this heats and bends your hair it stays longer. I think I might have to spend some time perfecting this technique on myself.
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What I Wore: ASOS Goes to Hawaii

Before we went to Hawaii, I was jonesing for some new warm weather attire. NO ONE had anything in store yet for resort or spring, so I turned to old reliable ASOS for  two-day shipping, free returns, and plenty of warm weather options. I'll give you the disclaimer here...everything I bought was black. I've been in a major neutral palette phase, leaving patterns and color feeling sad and unwanted in the closet. I was hesitant to keep all three items, but at such incredible prices and knowing that you can never go wrong with a little back dress (or several), those thoughts dashed quickly from my mind. 

We'll start with the dresses. This black maxi was on sale for $20.85! This was the night we left (at 10:30 p.m.) so I took the dress right from dinner to the airplane. It was super comfortable for the long flight home. This might just be the best $20 I've ever spent. Click the link to see how cute the back is, giving that little extra something. 

Black dress number two broke the bank at a whopping $34.11 and was great for a night out with friends. Coincidentally two of my best friends from college were on Maui at the same time as we were. Sometimes life throws you little perks like that. It doesn't matter how much time passes, we're always able to pick up right where we left off. And their husbands are equally fun. It makes me wish we all got together more often! 

Finally, I was pretty pumped when this jumpsuit fit perfectly. I've been on the lookout for a jumpsuit, but haven't found just the right one that fits well in all the right places. I love how this can be dressed up or down. I may try my hand with this little number for a different look with jacket and heels....stay tuned. 

And if you're wondering about my accessories. You can't go some place tropical without Angela Caputi bracelets. My shoes are the Stuart Weitzman "Alex" sandals and I found them last winter at Nordstrom Rack, but you can get them here. And the Danielle Nicole clutch (which I can't live without) will be available in March - don't worry, we'll post as soon as you can get it!