Top 5: Beach Bags

If you're planning a beach getaway (or just looking forward to afternoons at the pool), a new beach bag is just the thing to get you ready for summer. Here are five of my favorites:

1. Best on a Budget: Canvas Tote, Target, $17.99
2. Best for Poolside Parties: Straw Clutch, Poppie Jones, $29.95
3. Best for Weekend Getaways: Sisal Tote, Madewell, $68
4. Best Recycled: Tote, Sea Bags for J.Crew, $168
5. Best for the Glam Gal: Printed Tote, Kate Spade, $328

{photo via} 

{ newly minted }

Santa orchestrated a holiday surprise today with @DVF. Yesterday I Tweeted in hopes of winning an item from Diane von Furstenberg's holiday "Glisten" gift guide. And ... dramatic pause ... I won! The gorgeous mint clutch is going to find a loving home in my closet. I'm so excited and a little jittery.

{ wish listed } Coach Weekend Tote

I'd forgo my autumn wish list just to add this supple, all-too-perfect, will-get-better-with-age, leather tote to my wardrobe.

{ trend spotting } Colorful Clutches

As much as I try to embrace vibrant color in my wardrobe, I'll always be drawn to a more subtle palette. (Some may call it boring, but I prefer "effortless.") However, one of these clutches - especially the Comme des Garcons version - would be just the thing to lure me out of the grey doldrums.

1. Postman's Lock Continental Wallet, Mulberry, $420
2. Portfolio Clutch, ASOS, $101.56
3. Isabeli Clutch, Kate Spade, $275 $137
4. Clover Embossed Pouch, Comme des Garcons, $138
   

{ giveaway } Mimi Boutique Handbag

There's no better feeling than cruising down the highway with the windows open and stopping at every roadside attraction along the way. For my summer road trips, I'm packing a thermos for truck stop coffee, a breezy top, a kitschy key chain and a slouchy bag large enough to tuck away all of my treasures.

If you're in need of your own summer satchel, enter to win the Carmina Satchel from Mimi Boutique! Details below.

1. Map Thermos, Paper Source, $29.95
2. Noonday Stripe Shutterbug Top, Madewell, $110
3. Binoculars Key Fob, Kate Spade, $50
4. Carmina Satchel, Mimi Boutique, $60

Mandatory entry:

1. Follow Mimi Boutique on Twitter or Facebook - let me know which one you choose and leave your username/name in the comment.
   

Note: Leave a separate comment for each additional entry for it to be eligible.

1. Follow Style Obsession - new followers welcome! Sign up at the right via Google Friend Connect, Bloglovin', or by RSS. Just let me know how you follow.
   
   
2. Blog about this giveaway and leave the URL in your comment.
   
   
3. Tweet about this giveaway and leave the URL in your comment.
   

The Fine Print: Giveaway open to readers in the United States. The giveaway period will run through Sunday, May 15, 2011. The winner will be announced the following day. Be sure to leave a blog URL or e-mail address so I can contact you!

{ item of the week } Halogen Dual Tone Tote

Be still my beating heart. A simple leather tote color blocked with orange? You say it's only $98? For leather? Perfection.

As much as I love that little Kate Spade beauty, this tote would be a much wiser investment for upcoming vacations. It's big enough to stash all of my in-flight necessities and road trip treasures without sacrificing an ounce of style.

Reminder!
Enter to win a Kendall K. coat!

{ blog crawl } It's in the Bag

It's day two of the "It's in the Bag" blog crawl organized by Ashley of A Hasty Life. The rules are simple: post your bag and its swag - and give readers a voyeuristic peek into one of the post private parts of your life! There are a staggering 120 bloggers taking part! Without further ado, here's what's in my bag:

Rebecca Minkoff's Morning After Clutch is the perfect bag for me: classic, irreverent, durable, has a cross-body strap for hands-free shopping, and just the right amount of space to force me to edit my must-haves. Here's what I'm schlepping:

1. Lauren Merkin mirror for midday lipstick application
   
2. Pen for lunchtime crossword puzzles
3. The best chapped lip remedy: Neosporin Lip Health
4. 5 gum in Cobalt
5. iPhone 4
6. Rebecca Minkoff coin purse
7. An assortment of lip gloss and lipstick from Clinique
8. Paint chips - I'm crushing on "Calypso Berry," the darkest pink on this sample.
9. Lauren Merkin card holder and business cards
10. Floss
11. Burt's Bees lip balm - and plenty of emergency hair elastics
12. Eye drops
13. Nail clippers from when I was a baby (perfect size for a purse!) and one paperclip
14. Contact lens case for impromptu overnights
15. Banana Republic wallet
    

Next Up: Catherine from The Life Styled on Wednesday!