The Price of Gas & Lulu Guinness

I do not profess to know a lot of things about policitcs, economics or the state of affairs in the Middle East. I read yahoo news faithfully everyday and try to at least keep abreast of events happening in the world, depressing as it may be.

The yo-yoing of gas prices since Katrina and beyond has been a bone of contention with anyone who has to have it, which is all of us. Why does the price rise and fall at seemingly epic portions overnight? I have my theories but frankly, it all goes back to what I think about most things dealing with politics, economics and the state of affairs in the Middle East - not a doggone thing I can do about them so therefore, I see it as pointless for me to waste my time pondering too deeply about it.

Instead, I prefer to think on things I DO know more about. The quest for the perfect assessories, in particular, handbags - now there's something I know. A few years ago I found myself collecting handbags at a quick pace that makes even my cat look at me, as if to say, ANOTHER purse? Since moving to the 'burbs and becoming a soccer step-Mom, I have curtailed the purchasing a bit but I will admit over the holidays I salivated heavily across many stores in the South Nashville area.

The handbag of this winter season speaks of fun, glitter, glam and allowing your basic trailer-trash alter-ego to come alive. I have been scouting the racks of my local handbag outlet looking for just the right bag that expresses this side of me. So far, it has eluded my shopping cart but I have all the faith, the right bag will present itself. My sister, curbed my craving a tad by giving me a beautiful, beaded Coldwater Creek satchel for Christmas. It has helped take the sting out a bit.

However, my TRUE handbag love lies across the sea in Great Britian. It's calling out to me...."I'm here...waiting for YOU"......sighs....alas.....it is not to be (yet). It lives in the house of Lulu Guinness.....a wonderfully artistic designer that found her way into the world of handbags, some 17 years ago now. Her first endeavor was a briefcase lined with beautiful silks and clear plastic pockets for ease of finding things when in a hurry. Liberty's and Joseph's agreed to take a few to sale and when they quickly sold out with the matrons of London crying for more, Lulu Guinness designs was quickly born.

By 1990, she started designing handbags out of her home, full-time. It didn't take long for her to open her first store in London, with a few other designers. As her designs grew so did the need for her own store which opened in Notting Hill in 1996. A frequent shopper helped put her on the map of "must have's" - that being a gal known as MaDonna. She opened her first U.S. store in 2000 and from there added scarves, umbrellas, perfume and shoes to her inventory.

Here is the breakdown of the Lulu's I presently covet, according to style, along with price:

* Day Bag

Floral Rosalind - a lovely salt and pepper fabric with beautiful pink flowers climbing along the side. It's so ME. L97.50 = $173 U.S.

* Evening Bag

Gold Lips Clutch - gold, shimmery leather in the shape of, you guessed it, lips.....it speaks "come over here and find out" and is NOT a purse your mother would approve of. L195 = $1,760 U.S.

* Medium Tote

Lips - much like Andy Warhol's "Lips" - very cute and I can easily see all of my music, journals and trappings that I must carry along, nestled nicely inside. L95 = $168 U.S.

* Cosmetic (any Sassy girl has to have this!)

Antique Rose Beauty - a darling round shape with a beautiful clasp; cream background with lovely pink antique roses - reminds me of a toile. L47.50 = $88 U.S.

* Coin Purse

Black Compact - small, round with a caricature of Lulu herself in the center. VERY cute. My lose change would die for this kind of home! L50 = $88 U.S.

There ya go....my dream list of Lulu. While I remain on this beer budget, I must resign myself for searching for similiar designs at my favorite outlet, Target and Wal-Mart. Honestly, they don't do a bad job but the minute I make some actual money on music, Lulu here I come!

My next commentary will be on my secret lust for a pair of Manolo Blahnik's. How DID Carrie afford all those pairs???

If you're interested in learning more about Lulu, visit her website at www.luluguinness.com. You won't be sorry, after all there's a little trailor trash in us all.