Author: princessluxlove

What is it about these Chanel mini bags that drive most of us luxury lovers crazy? Personally, they are one of my favourite bags, I adore them, there are 3 currently sitting at the very top of my wish list, and even then, I still find myself tempted by other versions that come up online. It’s almost as if all reason goes out the window for me, when it comes to these little colourful gems.

If you want to add a pop of colour to your outfit or collection, in my opinion, the mini is a great way to do it. I am personally a colour lover, and my collection probably lacks neutrals, but that is purely down to my personal preference towards colour. There are a few things to be aware of though with adding colour, one being the resale value. If looking to sell on a handbag, if it is a coloured version, you may have to wait for the right buyer looking for that exact colour, and the re-sale may be lower than with a neutral. Going with a mini bag, with the lesser expenditure, can be a safer way to do this. Also, often the small pop of colour is enough to add to your outfit or collection what it needs.

The mini from Chanel also offer the opportunity to add most of the elements of the Chanel classic flap, at a lower cost. The mini is designed effectively like a small classic flap, but is not described as a classic flap as it does not have the double flap like the classic. The inside is also different, having one large compartment and one zip pocket. The mini also has the mademoiselle pocket on the back exterior of the bag, and the same turn lock closure as the classic.

The price of these bags is both a pro and a con, it is a more affordable level than the classic flap, and is an entry level price by way of Chanel pricing, but it is by no means a cheap bag. The mini comes in both a square and rectangular version. The rectangular mini in leather retails at £2730.00 in the UK, with the square being slightly cheaper at £2400.00. That is however, if you are lucky enough to find these in the boutique. The mini bags sell very quickly, sometimes the only way to purchase them can be through a re-seller, where the price will range from slightly higher, to significantly higher, depending on how sought after the bag you want is. I have a rose gold mini ‘unicorn’ on my wish list, and I fully anticipate a very high price once I find it from a reputable seller.

Moving on to re-sellers, and pre-loved sites, I have purchased all of my mini’s this way. Given the limited availability of Chanel boutiques in Ireland, it is something I find I often have to rely on. It also opens up the opportunity of colours and fabrics that may not have been otherwise available to you. I recently added a turquoise rectangular mini to my collection in the light gold hard ware, I bought this from the Instagram seller, @luxxlover, (self paid). Luxxlover is one of the reputable Instagram sellers that I would recommend, her inventory is fabulous, she can source some of the most sought after pieces and her page is often filled with the most tempting pieces that send my bank balance into a frenzy. The bag arrived in fabulous condition, and was exactly as pictured. The shipping was quick, and the communication kept me updated. It is worth noting Luxxlover is based in the US, and the process of sending the bag to Ireland was quick and painless. (This is not sponsored, simply an honest review). I have also purchased from Fashionphile (my raspberry mini), and again the quality of the bag was perfect. They also have a great inventory, offer a layaway service and a buy back option, making them a great site to shop from in my opinion. The only downside I did find however, is the high customs charges from the US to the UK/Ireland with my purchase from their site. Another seller I love is @designerwishbags, again the service and product was excellent, and I have recently purchased from @mireyna_fashionlover, so far a seamless process.

I am lucky enough to own a mini in both the square and rectangle. My own personal preference is for the rectangular mini, simply because I prefer the strap drop on this version. The strap drop on the rectangular mini is longer than the square, and I find this suits my lifestyle and frame better, although for many people it will be the other way round. The rectangle I also find a little easier to place my items inside. I also  love both the traditional quilting and the chevron, I find the chevron perhaps a little more modern, and I am loving the light gold hardware.

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All 3 of my mini’s are in caviar leather. I love the look of the caviar with the colour, and also the added durability of the leather. Chanel haven’t produced caviar mini’s in a little while, although there may have been some showing on the catwalk. This has made these even more desirable and has driven the price a little higher. For me, if a colour I loved was in lambskin ( the purple on my wish list), it wouldn’t put me off. I believe the lambskin is more durable than we can fear, and certainly in places such as France, it is the preferred leather. Caviar used to be the cheaper option to lambskin, although Chanel raised the price so they are now priced the same.

Are they worth it? For me, yes. I think they are a great way to enter the Chanel market, and hold their re-sale value well. I personally love a cross-body bag, and love smaller bags, I love the various colours, and fabrics available, and that you can add variety to your collection without reaching the price of the medium classic. If they are worth it though, has to be a personal question, where you reach the answer by looking at your own finances and financial needs, as well as your priorities for that money. For someone wanting to start their collection I would recommend them, if you buy wisely with your colour, as they are both a beautiful bag, that is small but packs a punch, but also holds a decent re-sale value should you need it.

These are just my opinions, but I hope it helps, thank you for reading, and hope to see you here again soon!

Princessluxlove xx

My first luxury love when it comes to handbags was without doubt, Louis Vuitton, blossoming a good few years before I could afford Chanel. These two houses have my heart, and while I can appreciate other brands, these are generally where my purchases will lie. I am a bit more varied when it comes to shoes, but I was slow to branch out with other luxury  handbags.

Towards the end of 2019 however, I found myself constantly coming back to the Gucci Marmont bag. I have a pair of the shoes from this range, and intend to add another pair with a lower heel, but I have never really been a lover of Gucci bags. There just hasn’t been any that made me want to pull the trigger and buy them, until the release of the beautiful, sumptuous velvet bags. I first saw the deep fuschia velvet marmont flap bag on Shea Whitney’s youtube channel, then on the Instagram pages of a couple of the lovely ladies I would chat to. The colour looked fabulous, so deep and rich, and I already loved the luxuriousness of velvet.

I started to read reviews, and watch videos, and couldn’t get the colour of the fuschia velvet out of my mind, and the velvet itself, is just divine. I decided to add this bag to my collection. The small velvet Marmont flap bag retails in the UK at £1330.00, although the turquoise version is on sale in my local store for £970.00 I believe.

To be honest, I wasn’t sure how much wear I would get out of the velvet bag, and did wonder if I was buying it more because I am so attracted to the colour and the fabric, rather than for use of the bag. I therefore decided to go down the pre-loved route, and started to look on vestiaire collective, where I have purchased items pre-loved previously. I had also done some research on the pre-loved market, and the bag doesn’t hold its value that well, there are some good deals out there, in excellent condition.

The bag I went for is the small, there is also a mini which I would also have been happy with. The small is around the same size as a medium Chanel classic flap and holds roughly the same items. It does however have the longer strap which allows it to be worn cross body, which is perfect for me. It can also be worn on the shoulder, or the strap can be doubled up and either worn on the shoulder, carried, or in the crook of your arm.

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My first impressions of the bag are very good. It is not the same quality as a Chanel leather bag, but then the price point is so much cheaper, and the velvet is a much softer material. It does have a zipped inside pocket, and a lovely lighter pink, satin feel material as lining. The bag itself is soft and malleable, and big enough to carry my daily essentials. The aged gold hardwear is a lovely addition to the bag, and the leather insert to the strap makes it very comfortable to wear. I do not think it is a classic bag, and may not stand the test of time, but certainly for the price, especially mine being pre-loved, and the beauty of the fabric, I feel that it is a good purchase, and one that I am happy to have made.

I hope this was helpful, and thank you for reading! I hope to see you here again soon,

Princessluxlove xx

My lovely friend Fritzie asked me if I have a wish list for this year, when I posted my top 5 for 2019, and do I ever! My only problem with my wish list is narrowing it down to what goes onto it, and the fact it’s ever changing with what I add to it! I do feel social media is bad for me in this regard, sometimes my self-control is more than a little lacking! I have a few items that are on my kind of, I’d love one of those, lists, but are probably a longer term goal, rather than in the near future, like a Cartier love bracelet. My wish list is also a bit longer this year as there are a few items carried over, that I either couldn’t find, still haven’t found, or found at the end of 2019. Two of these should hopefully be arriving fairly soon.

I also probably have a more abstract list of things I’d like to add to my collection generally, for eg, I’d like to add more slg’s, and some more jewellery pieces to give me some more variety, I spoke in my last post about adding some more brooches, maybe a more classic style than those I currently have. But on to the wish list! I would probably actually be embarrassed to admit how much thought I’ve given this, and also by how much is on it, but I’ll continue in the spirit of no judgement!!

The first item is without doubt, a Chanel mini rectangle in the purple chevron, with the light gold hardware. This one was easy, I have wanted to add this bag to my collection for the longest time, but cannot find it. I have a few personal shoppers trying to source it, but also without any joy. I actually had this bag when it first came out in the medium classic flap, although I prefer the mini, and it was transferred from a store in London to Dublin. My SA there had to phone me up and tell me she couldn’t sell it to me, as it was damaged. I was devastated! I have been trying to find it ever since. No joy as of yet, but hopefully one day!

Sticking with Chanel, I have been in love with the graffiti mini reissue ever since I watched the unboxing on fashionably Amy’s channel. I love this bag, I think it is amazing, and striking and such a statement piece. I personally prefer the iridescent version to the gold, but nevertheless, have been hooked ever since.

The last Chanel mini on my wish list ( at the moment!) is the rose gold unicorn that is just beautiful. The love for this grew from seeing it on Instagram, and it just keeps growing!

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( Do I expect to get all of these mini’s this year, no, but a girl can wish!).

The final Chanel bag I am hooked on, is the trendy cc in a cream/beige neutral colour. I think this is stunning, and would add a different silhouette to my collection. I would also love to add a tweed mini at some stage, but that is probably more of a distant wish, although you never know as I can be so impulsive! I really need to try and get a handle on how impulsive I can be when it comes to buying luxury items, I think I need therapy!

Sticking with handbags, but moving on to my other favourite house, Louis Vuitton. Aahhh, Louis Vuitton, the first luxury love of my life. I love the monogram print of this house, I know there are very differing views on this, and its fabulousness is attacked by the cheap fakes that flood the market, but oh how I love it. My first luxury handbag was my LV Neverfull in the GM, in the monogram canvas. I will always be a Neverfull girl, and the first LV purchase on my wish list is a new Neverfull, same size and same canvas. I adore this bag and will always have it my collection, but I have learnt a lot since buying this first one, and will look after the new purchase (when it comes!) much better than the first.

The other LV item which I am sure is on many wish lists, is the LV mini palm springs backpack. I’m not much of a backpack girl, and would envisage using this as a cross body bag more than a backpack. I love the design, and feel it would be a great addition, though I am seriously considering the world tour version. I always liked the patches version of the pochette metis, but ended up going for the classic monogram, but buying a bag charm with the LV heart. I still haven’t gotten over adding a different version of a classic though, and keep being drawn back to the world tour. I appreciate it isn’t a great option if re-sale is a consideration, but it is very attractive to me.

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Beyond bags, I have a few specific items I would like to add to my collection and have made the wish list. I am in love with the CHA NEL logo drop earrings, and have those on my list. I also want to add a pair of designer trainers, and am fairly certain these will be the Gucci ace version.

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I feel like this is such a lot to be lusting after! It is however a wish list, and we are allowed to dream and obsess over our dream purchases! So those are the items that most run riot around my brain when I think over my next purchase, or spend time on Instagram drooling over the prettiness!

Thank you very much for being here and reading, and I hope to see you here again soon,

Princessluxlove xx

I never thought of myself as a brooch person, mistakenly having a very old fashioned view of how they could be worn, and this never really being challenged until I fell in love with Chanel. I was then in Chanel in Dublin, buying a brooch for a friend, when the love affair stretched out beyond the the rest of the boutique, and landed on the brooches! It was when picking a brooch for my friend, a classic version, that the SA ( the assistant manager in Dublin, who is so lovely), started chatting about different ways to wear them, the different styles and opened my eyes to what I had been missing! ( This was of course before I found instagram, and its endless inspiration. ) I now add these to a simple tee and jeans, or a more classic look, or one of my favourite ways to wear my crystal version, is added on to a long chain, the pin being added through the chain links. My collection is still small, but I definitely intend to add to it, and with some more classic versions.

My brooch collection has been described as ‘fun’! I do love the colours and the slightly different versions, and I love the resin brooches that just add that pop of colour and interest to an outfit. As all Chanel lovers dread, there can be problems with the crystal pieces, despite the hefty price tag. One of the crystals did fall out of mine, Chanel did fix it, but it is a worry.

I very recently added my third brooch, the amazing CC with the glitter and stars. I absolutely love it. It is so vibrant and different, and the colours are wonderful. If you have read my blog before, you know I live in Ireland, and the luxury shopping is limited. I therefore, at times, rely on re-sellers. I saw this fantastic brooch on the Designer Wishbags intagram page, and purchased it from there. The communication and service was flawless, I definitely recommend their business and will shop with them again without hesitation. The package arrived beautifully packaged, with a lovely personalised thank you card, discount code and bag hook. (This is not a sponsored post, the brooch was self paid, simply a genuine review).

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Thank you for reading and enjoying this crazy luxury obsession with me! I hope to see you here again soon,

Princessluxlove xx

Happy New Year everyone! At the end of the year, and end of the decade, it’s hard not to reflect back on the year that has past. Beyond the shiny cc studs, and luxury of the padded quilting, can often lie much more difficult times, and personal sufferings that often go unspoken. I suppose that is one of the reasons I love engaging with the fashion/luxury community on instagram, and writing this blog, it is an escape from real life and a chance to live in the bubble and happiness of this crazy (expensive!) hobby we all love so much. I’m sure I am not the only one to have heard it called shallow, but is it really? I am sure we all still love our families, work hard at our lives and deal with the hardships life can throw, whatever it might appear to the outside world, so is it really shallow to have an escape, an enjoyment and another small area of our lives to raise a smile and offer affection, encouragement and love? I chose to think not, and I am really working on not thinking about the judgement at all.

On a much lighter note, I have also looked back at my luxury purchases of 2019, and came up with my top 5. For once, there are no shoes in this group! I put that down to being pregnant and huge for much of the year, so dressing up really wasn’t on my mind much, and most of the pretty shoes sat in the cupboard unworn. So here goes, my top 5 luxury purchases of 2019….

The top spot has to go to my LV pochette metis. I love this bag. I bought it as a complete impulse (i’m working on that!), I can remember lying in the bath scrolling the LV website, before I really knew about or used instagram, and thinking, ‘oohh that’s nice’. I didn’t really know about the hype or the glazing problems, but I phoned them up, got on the waiting list, and it arrived a couple of weeks later. This bag started my instagram addiction and my page, though I still didn’t know much about it, and really didn’t use it properly until the last few months. I have loved this bag since, I have gotten so much wear out of this bag, and it can be a real go to for me. Luckily no problems yet, although I probably don’t inspect it as much as I should.

Next has to be the Chanel medium flap in caviar leather, in the silver hardwear. If you have read my blog before, you will know this was my holy grail. I bought it so recently I haven’t used it much, but it had to make the top 5 simply for what it is, the story behind it ( earlier blog post explaining that!) and for how long I waited to get it.

The last bag is the 18B Chanel mini in the caviar leather, in the raspberry colour, that is so hard to photograph! This was an ‘instagram made me do it’ post. Once I saw it, I was obsessed, and had to track it down (there is abother Chanel mini I am equally as obsessed with but can’t find anywhere!). I love it, I love the mini bags. They suit my lifestyle so well with the 2 boys and carrying all their stuff and baby bag, this can go crossbody and still gives that pop of colour and luxury without taking one of the hands I desperately need for mum duties!

Next comes the LV agenda in the GM in the monogram canvas. I have wanted this for so long, and was on the waiting list for 3 months before it arrived. I run my own business, have 2 children, and what seems like a million things to juggle, so this has become an essential to helping me try to keep on top of things, while adding a little bit of monogram style.

Finally, the LV ‘V’ stud earrings in gold. These are recent but I love them. I think the reason they have made the top 5, and why i get so much wear out of them, is my baby is only 3 months old. He is at the stage of grabbing things, and flinging his head off my shoulder and face when I am carrying him. That quickly brought an end to bigger, more detailed earrings. Even my Chanel studs, with the crystals, haven’t been worn too much, I don’t want to test out who would win between baby soft skin and a CC crystal! These have therefore been great, an alternative everyday, discreet earring which still add a little something.

So that’s my top 5! I hope you enjoyed reading, I wish everyone a happy new year filled with health and happiness, and look forward to filling up the pages of 2020, one day at a time. Thanks for visiting, and hope to see you here again soon!

Again, a happy new year,

princessluxlove xx

The shiny red sole of Christian Louboutin started my love affair with luxury goods long before i fell head over heels for the world of luxury handbags. Shoes were without doubt my first love, although not a sound investment for those mindful of the re-sale market. Although i may invest heavier in handbags now, i still carry a flame for designer shoes, and will continue to add to my collection. With two young children, my opportunity to wear designer heels is now more limited, and i am slightly more sensible now when purchasing.

One pair of red soles in my collection is the Bella Zeppa, in the most beautiful soft dove grey suede. These wedge boots are stunning and as Louboutin goes, comfortable. I fell so hard for these boots that i bought them in a size Uk 4, eu 37, even though i wear a Uk 5 (eu38). Louboutin sizing can be tricky, and some styles do require the wearer to downsize a full size, but these are true to size. I couldn’t find them anywhere in a size 5, and bought the 4, which i squeeze my feet into for the love of fashion! I do continue to search the pre-loved market for a size 5, and if i find them, will snap them up and sell my size 4 on, but until then, i will suffer in silence!

These Bella Zeppa were no doubt in the back of my mind when i saw the Turela 55 veau velours boots, in the colour fume, the same beautiful soft dove grey suede. Living in Ireland, boutiques selling luxury goods are limited. Brown Thomas in Dublin and Galway, and Harper in Belfast sell Louboutin’s, but styles can be limited, and reliance is required on on-line boutiques and re-sellers. I find it helpful when others review their experience of re-sellers or online purchases, so will give my experiences in case it may help someone. These boots i bought from net-a-porter, where i have shopped before, and have always found their service flawless. Their inventory is excellent, product has never disappointed, and would be a go to site for me if i am looking for high end shoes. (Not paid, nor sponsored post, just hoping to help with a genuine review!).

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These are fresh in the box, so i can’t review wearing them just yet, but am hopeful the smaller heel and beautfiul fabric, will make them the perfect boot for spring and summer ( weather permitting!), from denim to dresses, making the shiny red sole more wearable than the towering heels that now decorate my dressing room!

Thank you for reading, and hope to see you here again soon,

Princessluxlove xx

There is something about the holiday season that let’s us shake off our inhibitions, step out from behind the shadows and sparkle in the light, just as we should. I personally love an outfit with a bit of personality. Fashion_unfolded_by_mandy recently posted a photograph on her Instagram of the most amazing trousers, and my feed has been full of colour, and shine, and outfits that have left me more than a little, well ok then, hugely jealous!

One of my most sparkly possessions are my wedding shoes. I got married in 2014, and fell IN LOVE with the Christian Louboutin Swarovski stressed heels. I sooo wanted to get married in them. At the time, I had only dipped my toe in luxury goods, I had my Neverfull, a Louis Vuitton scarf and some other Louboutin’s. These particular Louboutin shoes retailed somewhere in and around £2200.00, and I just couldn’t justify it. I must have ran the numbers 100 times but it just wasn’t doable. It was around this time I came across strassing services, and after some research, I thought this might be a way to get my dream shoes but at a more affordable price. Minks4all, one of my favourite youtube channels, recently showcased a card holder on her channel that she had strassed in the most amazing red crystals. This is not a sponsored post in any way, and is not a paid advert. I paid for the strassing in full at the time, but thought it might benefit someone else to hear of my experience.

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I found a pair of the Louboutin style shoes that I was after – the Fifi 100 ( very comfortable style, I wore these all day and night with no difficulties), on the pre-loved market, in new condition. After a little research online, I contacted Crystal at @redsolesreborn, and shipped the shoes off to her in Brooklyn. I had viewed her work online but was a little nervous, but when the shoes came back, I was blown away. They were just beautiful, a work of art, and her craftsmanship was exquisite. Her service throughout was flawless, and she kept me fully up to date. She sent the shoes back with a thoughtful thank you card, and some little merchandise goodies. Even with the cost of the shoes pre loved, the cost to strass, and shipping and customs to Ireland, these still cost less than half the price of the pre-strassed version. I do think this is a great option for anyone looking to add a bit of bling to an item.

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I still love the Fifi, and although not worn all the time, I have worn these shoes after the wedding, normally to add a little interest to a plainer outfit. Shea Whitney recently said in her video about designer items that are going out of style, that this included round toed shoes. Although I probably do have more pointed toe shoes in my collection, I still love the Fifi style, and see myself continuing to wear them regardless, especially my pink leopard print sequin pair that I have worn to death!

Thanks for reading, I hope to see you back soon, and Happy holidays everyone, and a Merry Christmas to all who celebrate!

Princessluxlove xx

Every lux lover has a holy grail bag and this was mine. I have wanted this bag for sooo long, long before I could afford luxury anything and definitely long before Chanel was even a consideration. To me, it screamed classic, elegance and beauty, and became almost like a height to be reached. Did I put it on a pedestal? Absolutely, but it gave me a goal, and something to aspire to and work towards.

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Growing up, my mum was a single parent, and money was limited, but she instilled a work ethic in me like no other. I set myself a work goal many years ago, and promised myself that if I reached this goal, I would buy myself the Chanel classic flap. I probably didn’t even know what a classic flap was back then, let alone any consideration to caviar vs lambskin, or of the colour of hardware, but I had seen the bag, and if I reached this point, I would have it.

Since then, I have been lucky enough to have a number of career highs, and things to celebrate by a ‘me to me’ present, but not this particular achievement. Once the financial reward started to come, I have often considered buying this bag, but I just couldn’t do it! I have bought other pieces from Chanel, but the idea of what this bag symbolised had become so strongly ingrained in my mind, that it almost felt like I would be giving up by going ahead and buying it.

Finally, it happened! It actually happened. Goal achieved, taxi to Chanel please! And she is a beauty, simply stunning. Was I concerned about the price increases? Of course, they are crazy! The jumbo was a little too big for my frame ( I felt), but the medium was still around £4,600.00! That is just a huge amount of money for a bag, so obviously I sensibly put her back on the shelf and walked out……

Anyway! So here she is, this practical, useable work of art that is quite simply stunning. From the puffy, quilted, caviar leather, to the shiny silver hardware, to the luxurious burgundy interior, I just adore her. I see this bag being in my collection for years to come, and when I look at her, I see hard work and achievement. I can’t wait to start wearing her, and ignoring any judgement that may come my way!

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Thanks for reading, and hopefully I will see you back here soon,

Princessluxlove xx

I love London! Let me just start with that, I think it’s a great city, so much to do, vibrant and exciting. I was there very recently for work, something of a career high so far. Of course, no trip to London would be complete without fitting in some shopping time, which led to something of a mini luxury haul being squeezed onto the plane home! The air hostess was not so understanding, with my cries of, be careful with the holiday packaging! But come on, that Chanel camellia and the LV, so pretty this year.

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London was as ever, bustling and busy, with the holiday season in full flow and dazzling with the Christmas lights. A senior colleague who had worked in London previously, also arranged for us to have drinks in the Ivy private members club, where the champagne was flowing. For a city so busy, and always on the go, it was lovely to have somewhere so private, and relaxing, to enjoy. The decor was rich, dark wood and sumptuous leather, the piano player a delight, and the atmosphere screamed indulgence. Dinner followed in the Ivy restaurant and did not disappoint, from the beautiful decorations to the first class food.

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School night drinking is very limited for this new mum, the morning after definitely not so fun! The call of Louis Vuitton and Chanel forced me through the pain though, with retail therapy the best cure. The pain was duly passed to my bank balance, but there was a tweed Chanel mini rectangle that keeps calling my name, I think I’m going to live to regret not bringing her home 🤦🏻‍♀️

Living in Ireland, our luxury shopping is limited, so i never like to pass up the opportunity to window shop…….

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Both pairs of earrings i thought were very classic and perfect for daily use, although i am obsessing on the Chanel logo earrings, i think they are so beautiful. The mini pochette, i have wanted to add to my collection for the longest time, but it is always sold out online. I asked on the off chance and this was the last one in the store (do they always say that??), i couldn’t pass it up. I currently also only have the monogram canvas in my collection and have wanted to add a damier ebene piece for quite some time. I forsee mostly using this as a catchall, but time will tell!

There is one left to unbox, but it is quite a special piece to me, and has a story all to itself. It is the biggest piece from my trip, and i am VERY excited about it. There is also a smaller LV box hiding in the main picture, it is a present for my best friend though, so i won’t be unboxing it. He deserves it, he makes my life better simply by being in it.

London, you did not disappoint!

Thanks for reading, and hope to see you back here soon,

Princessluxlove xx