Must Have BLOG

Black Friday sale announcement

noreply@blogger.com (Alexandra B @ MHB) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:58:00 +0000

Well of course we are having a Black Friday sale...we do every year!
This year we are starting our sale a little bit earlier, though...
on WEDNESDAY, to be exact!

Here's the lowdown: 10% off our best sellers,
20 - 40% off everything else in stock. (Yes, everything!)

Pre-orders, special orders and gift cards are excluded from the sale.
Sale ends at 11 pm EST on Cyber Monday. Shop early for best selection!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Nebula sightings

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie Wallace) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:19:00 +0000

Ahh the parade of unbelievable leathers from Tano continues this fall!

Second Skin in yummy nebula leather is now available in azurite and gunmetal at Must Have Bag. A roomy east/west hobo with a hint of motorcyle chic makes it the perfect everyday bag for winter. The outside pockets are practical yet still edgy. (Again, I ask you Tano-fans...how does Tano do it!!??)

This leather is the eycatcher of the season. It's soft to the touch and lightweight and, frankly, I can't stop staring at. Metallic, yes, but not brassy or crass. As the name suggests, there's a shimmering beauty to it that is all it's own. The color is so well saturated with metallic hints throughout. You find yourself placing the bag half in and half out of the sunlight just to see how it glimmers.

Maybe the best part about this leather is the fact that it adds such pop to your wardrobe that you can dress it up or down without giving it a second thought.

This is a very special, limited edition bag. Get one now before it's too late!

Smoke Signals

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie Wallace) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:22:00 +0000

There is one thing that all fans of Tano handbags can agree on: no one does color like Tano can. No one. Every possible exquisite color variation and none is more beautiful than the next. Reds, blues, greens, purples, oranges, pinks...you name it Tano has done it and done it right each time.

Then comes smoke for Fall 2009. I know, you are thinking, "But it's grey, right?" Yes, it is. The most unreal grey leather you've ever laid eyes on.

Grey isn't just the hot fall/winter color for 2009, it's one of the best colors Tano has ever given us. Both elegant and edgy, each bag that is available in smoke from Must Have Bag is the picture of what grey should be.

Must Have Bag currently has these styles in stock in smoke:
Dancing with a Star, Michelle Watch, Sex Bomb, Femme Fatale, Petit Larceny and Minilisa.

And will be receiving more of these styles in smoke by 11/30:
Boogie Bucket, Mona Lethal, Immeasurable, French Nanny and All in One.

The Plush Life

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie Wallace) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:25:00 +0000

Tano continues to impress with its line of delightful leathers. Plush is a new leather for the fall season, and it lives up to its name. Post-production enyme washing gives these bags slightly irregular colorations (no two are exactly alike), wavy seams, squishy softness and a lightly pebbled texture. Antique brass hardware and chunky zipper pulls complete the casual yet very fashionable look. My own plush bag was an absolute puddle right out of the box. It gave me the urge to dig my fingernails into it (which, of course, I did not!).

Ranging in price from $189 to $299 and available in black, chocolate, smog and purple haze at Must Have Bag , there are satchels, messengers, and hobos to sink your fingers into! Come see the plush collection now!

See Tano collages on Polyvore!

noreply@blogger.com (Alexandra B @ MHB) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:10:00 +0000

View 'Tano collages-1' on Polyvore

View 'Tano collages-2' on Polyvore

View 'Tano collages-3' on Polyvore

Fresh Shiny New Delight

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie Wallace) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:46:00 +0000

Oh yeah...(insert jig of joy right here.....!) ....the new stuff is staring to arrive at Must Have Bag! This is better than any candy or gift based holiday on the planet because the leathers....colors.... styles.... all new, all gorgeous, all dying to be in my collection!

It's almost impossible to know where to begin. Each and every bag is so wonderful and different. It'd be a monumental task to squeeze all the information into one post so how about some eye candy??

The Lingo deserves to be seen.... twice...

Check out the Never Frou Frou in purple haze (**gasping**)

Want more?? I know I do! Muse Enthused in cement and Neighborhood Social in black are so sexy that I feel the need to add a new cross-body bag in my collection!!

And Fresh Ensemble with it's zippers and slick braided handle is tough and chic all at once!

Ahhh...back to Must Have Bag ........ Is this fun or what??

Che Bella

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie Wallace) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:47:00 +0000

There is no doubt in my mind that Tano picked bella, the Italian word for 'beautiful', to name this soft, delighful matte leather as there is no better way to describe it.

The English language, in my opinion does not contain enough words to describe this leather ...it is the aristocrat of this season's collection. Refined and sumptuous, the leather invites you to touch it. The smell of the leather entices you to lift it to your face and breathe deeply. The richness of the leather and variety of colors and silhouettes makes it very difficult to just choose one (and, really, why limit yourself!).

Now is the time to get these bags because while Tano has outdone themselves with this divine leather it will be gone when the season is over. So don't drag your feet because you'll regret it later. You need to have a bella leather bag in your collection. Maybe three.

September Chicklit giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Alexandra B @ MHB) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 21:27:00 +0000

MHB chicklit wallet/clutch giveaway by Must Have Bag on Polyvore.com

Must Have Bag on Facebook

Rock out!

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie Wallace) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:17:00 +0000

I have to tell you...no one does rock-chick like Tano. Check out the new Electrorocker in garnet. I don't know about you but I drooled all over my keyboard the second I laid eyes on it!

Gorgeous zipper pockets, eye-catching trim and silver hardware make this bag a total feast for they eyes. The Lux leather is par for Tano's high-standards when it comes to yummy leather. The two zipper pockets outside plus a zipper pocket inside the bag (and two cell phone pockets to boot!) means you aren't just stylin'...you are organized!

Oh, and by the way......this gorgeous bag also has FEET!

The comfy shoulder strap is flexible and the 'unfinished' back means this bag is staying put on your shoulder.

A generous 15.25" h x 18.5" l x 4.75" wide with a 12" strap drop makes this an incredible addition to your tote collection while also saying "I wanna rock!" Heck...it's in the name!

Love Takes Many Shapes

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie Wallace) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:57:00 +0000

Imagine, if you will, your favorite sports car. Do you have the picture in your head? Now...take that same sports car in whatever color you imagined and pick your next favorite color....and make the engine a little bigger. Now imagine your favorite dessert. That dessert is still your favorite if you add whipped cream and a cherry, right?

Tano takes this exact idea and applies it each season. They take your favorite bags and turn them into a whole knew adventure by simply changing the leather. You suddenly have a whole new color palette to choose from. Better yet...your favorite bag is STILL your favorite bag but now there are TWO of them! Different names, different colors, different leathers..... a whole new love.
The Boogie Bucket is a perfect example. Perfect in every way... and, ta da... we welcome Up to There! Same Boogie Bucket shape, handle, change the snap to a zipper, cut it from the delicious bella leather...and you are in love again.

The same is true with the Femme Fatale. A roomy, sexy, convertible crunch leather bag that is the staple for any college student or busy business woman. Now, dress that up with plush leather and name it Stop in Your Tracks and you do just that....slam on the brakes to fall in love...again!

You bought your Biker Babe because she's edgy and tough and when Tano turned that tough girl into Unironed Allure your heart goes pitter-pat ....again.

Never underestimate the power of falling in love.... .... twice.

Tano's colors: Good Enough to Eat

noreply@blogger.com (DescribeHappy) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 23:21:00 +0000

*Post submitted by MHB customer & guest blogger Christie W.*

There's a Tano color for every taste, and the colors are good enough to eat! I have to admit it was the amazing colors that brought me to Tano and have kept me salivating season after season for the last two years.

This Spring brought us leather colors like sour cherry, carmel, green apple, and pink lemonade. How can you not salivate at the saturated and bright spring bags you put on your arm? They've been fantastic, but any Tano lover knows you can't dwell on the past. Rather you must look to what you can snag for yourself RIGHT NOW. After all, Tano's colors come and go quicker than your wedding day!

Let's focus on the Fall colors that are currently available. Rich and luxurious jewel tones like garnet, jade, violet and ruby.

Deep and mysterious colors like deep ocean, timber, elephant, and mudslide.

Now think about the colors in your eye shadow palette that you use when you are going out on a hot date or to a late night party... dramatic colors like smoke, mahogany, and black!I bet you're tempted by more than one of them. So seriously, do you closet a favor and click though the selections here at Must Have Bag to find that color that puts the biggest smile on your face and makes your heart pitter patter.

There is honestly a color for every taste this Fall!

Leather bracelets -or- How I Rock Out

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie Wallace) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 16:40:00 +0000

*Post contributed by MHB customer & guest blogger Nickie W.*

You know what they say about first impressions? You never get a chance to make another one. You probably only think about that when going on a job interview, blind date, or into a business meeting with new people. But you make and leave a first impression everywhere you go.

I can't think of a better accessory to tell people who you are than these amazing leather bracelets that appeared on Must Have Bag this week!

It's the one accessory that actually says "I'm stylish, feminine and don't give me any lip about it!" How often do you find that? (That would be almost never if you are thinking about it!)

The hand stained leather straps are beautiful with snap closures that make the bracelet adjustable and secure. Metallics and matte leathers combined with antique brass hardware and a beautiful selection of crystals or beads make picking just one almost impossible. And why limit yourself?! You can buy them to match your Tano bags or your clothes and never go wrong!

Straps range from 8-1/2" to 10" long and are comfortable and soft on the wrist. So go ahead...ROCK OUT with these bracelets! You know you want to!

The Remarkable Fashion Bailout

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie Wallace) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:05:00 +0000

*Post contributed by MHB customer & guest blogger Nickie W.*

The Fashion Bailout wallet by Tano was the bombshell in my week.

Looking at the stock picture released by Tano my initial thought was, "Ah! A nice zip around wallet ...perfect!" So I placed my pre-order and waited for the wallet to arrive. (There's something fabulous and sweetly arduous about the Tano pre-order...you know the item you love will be in your hands...but WHEN? And when you get the shipping notification it's bliss!)

The Fashion Bailout arrived on my desk this week and I opened the package expecting something like the picture above. Boy...was I wrong. Feast your eyes on the cobalt surprise of the month:

Yes, it is a tri-fold wallet with tons of pockets, credit card slots, and (as if that wasn't enough) it is arguably the slimmest wallet I've laid hands on. Even full of all my wallet-fodder the wallet remains slim and remarkably tight. No flipping open in your bag with this wallet. The magnets holding it closed are nice and strong and keep a tight firm grip on the contents.

As if that weren't enough the Fashion Bailout has a huge zipper pocket on the front with a heavy duty YKK zipper. The pocket is big enough for a cell phone and and iPod.

The good news is that flame is available now .... and more black, garnet cobalt and violet will be in stock soon! Oh yes...I will have another!

Minilisa Mayhem

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie Wallace) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:47:00 +0000

*Post contributed by MHB customer & guest blogger Nickie W.*

Tano's Minilisa is being released for fall exclusively at Must Have Bag. And you should count your lucky stars that you can grab her right now because this bag won't be back. (If you are new to Tano you need to know....they almost never repeat a style; a refreshing change from the 'mass producer designers'.... but if you want something, honey, grab it now 'cos when they are gone, baby, they are gone.)

The Minilisa has a roomy, east/west main compartment that allows for lots of space and the convenience of everything seeming as if it is "on top" in your bag. On each shoulder of the bag is a zipper pocket that easily carries a cell phone, gum, your keys.

This bag was a big splash on the small screen when Sarah Wayne Callies carried a beautiful Minilisa in the hit Fox TV series "Prison Break".

The strap is soft and the bag is a very easy, trendy carry. The pleated corners with beautiful silver hardware give the bag pop and character. There's certainly something both hip and classic with the Minilisa that transcends an age barrier. Young and old alike carry and adore this bag without looking as if they've dressed their age up or down. Tano's gift to any purse-lover....a bag you can carry forever! A junior in high school in her jeans and hoodie, office manager in heels and a dress, and an active retiree enjoying lunch and a glass of wine with her friends ....put a Minilisa on any of their shoulders and it's the perfect bag for who and where they are. Truly a rare trait for a handbag.

Making it an even bigger emergency to get one!

Tano Bella Leather = Exquisiteness

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie Wallace) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:48:00 +0000

*Post contributed by MHB customer & guest blogger Nickie W.*

When I think about Tano Handbags the first two words that leap to mind are "leathers" and "colors". While Tano's color palette improves season after season, the same is true of their leathers.

But for Fall 2009 Tano seems to have really set a new standard.

Tano's primary leather for the last several seasons is Crunch leather. Hand stained and lovely, Crunch leather is durable, wears beautifully, and has a glow to it. A glow, you ask? To say the leather is shiny is not really the proper way to describe it. The leather is certainly not a matte leather but it's not a flashlight either. Tano Crunch leather seems to just glow.

Last fall Tano produced velvet leather. Velvet leather was a very lighly pebbled, shiny, lovely leather. Not anything at all like Crunch, it gave your Tano closet a swift kick to step it up a notch. Velvet bags wanted you to walk with your nose tilted maybe a tiny bit in the air.

When news started to leak about the Fall 2009 collection I instantly started to try and dig up information on the leathers.

Bella leather was described as "drum dyed, matte, smooth grain leather". Not enough to make me want to light a bonfire but, hey, info is info, right?

Then first few pics of bags made from Bella leather started to leak out. My ears perked up. A few more pics leaked. I got a hot flash. The moment I was able to pre-order Edgy Out There from Must Have Bag, I was on the phone.

And today my Tano Edgy Out There in Bella leather arrived. When I opened the box the first thought I had was "Stubben jumping saddle" ...because the beautiful smell that enveloped me was that of a tack store full of brand new saddles.

When I pulled the handbag out of its wrapping I was stunned. The matte leather is elegant. It is thick and smooshy to the touch. It's far and away the best leather I've seen on any bag (Tano or otherwise) in a long time.

Tano Bella leather is exquisite, soft, delicious, and impossible to stop touching. The Edgy Out There won't be my only Bella leather Tano bag...one is not enough.

Be a fan of MHB on Facebook!

noreply@blogger.com (Alexandra B @ MHB) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 03:11:00 +0000

Must Have Bag on Facebook

Tano Holiday/Pre-Spring trade show report

noreply@blogger.com (Alexandra B @ MHB) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:04:00 +0000

Hello everyone, just back from the Holiday/Pre-Spring trade show at the Javitz center in NYC. Here's the report!

Tano keeps pushing the envelope with new looks and materials. Tano showed bags that were irresistible for the price. The looks were hot, and the prices were great, in my humble opinion.

OCTOBER highlights:
Chamois leather group- soft, matte, pebbly, ridiculously squishy. Best colors: fudge, blue print (royal) and black.
Dulce leather group- wrinkled veg tan with subtle shine. Best colors: mocha and black.
Enzo leather group -slight grain, softer and not as shiny as lux, less expensive than Lux. Best colors: kiwi (olive green), celeste (navy blue), fire (bright orange), almond (dark beige), cement (light grey), dark chocolate and black.

NOVEMBER highlights:
Tumbleweed leather group- washed buffalo, rugged, edgy stuff that looks super cool. Best colors: black, blue velvet (LOVE!), and brown sugar. Chunky metal zippers, studs... rock & roll objectified. This is not your typical soft, squishy, commercial leather.

DECEMBER-FEBRUARY highlights:
New lux (the leather formerly known as crunch) colors will be shipping to stores. (Both new styles and the Tano "cult classics", except for the Sex Bomb and Minilisa, which are retired for the moment.) Some Fall 2 styles will be re-issued for Pre-Spring (Electrorocker, the Lingo, Postcard from London...) And there were some cute brand new LUX styles, too. Pre-Spring lux colors are: lagoon (blue green), toasted almond-(LOVE!), dove grey (LOVE!), cherry (LOVE!), baltic blue, bark (LOVE!) orange and black.

We'll post some pictures today!

Get Down With The Boogie

noreply@blogger.com (Nickie Wallace) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 02:03:00 +0000

*Post & video contributed by MHB customer & guest blogger Nickie W.*

Have you ever found a bag so perfect....so wondrous...that you find yourself taking pictures of it hanging on a purse hook or you lovingly glance at it several times during the day? I have. It's the Tano Boogie Bucket.

Since the Boogie Bucket was first released by Tano Handbags in the spring of 2005 it has been the only continually released silhouette in every line, every season. And with good reason. The Boogie Bucket is both sizable and stylish. I frequently pack my Boogie with a wallet, wristlet, two cosmetic cases, a camera bag, a pack of gum, two cell phones, and my keys and there's still room to spare. Yet, filled with all these items the bag is comfortable over the shoulder and hefts the weight with ease. The wide, suede-lined shoulder strap will keep the bag securely in place no matter if you are bending over to scoop up your little one or trotting to the car in a drizzle. The Boogie Bucket takes on a natural, laid-back slouch that makes the bag literally feel 'customized' just for you when you carry it.

Tano's beautiful, hand stained Italian crunch leather is unfettered as the Boogie Bucket does not have outside pockets. With the remarkable colors Tano produces season after season it gives you the most 'acreage' with which to make a fashion statement. Nothing is more beautiful with a pretty grey pinstriped suit than a cobalt Boogie Bucket. And if you are spending the weekend browsing Barnes & Noble, sipping a latte a sexy black Boogie Bucket is just the little smack of elegance that dresses up your jeans. I bought my first Boogie Bucket in the fall of 2007 and the bag is still a favorite in my collection.

Fall 2009 colors are available now at Musthavebag.com. Take it from me...you want to get down with the Boogie!!

Trends to invest in

noreply@blogger.com (Alexandra B @ MHB) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:21:00 +0000

We all want to have cool new stuff as often as possible- that's a given. But in the current economic climate, we need to exercise some degree of restraint in our spending. We need to be selective, practical...and we need to get the most bang for our buck possible. That's why I like to look at the runway fashion with an eye towards what will work both this season and next.

So here's my round up of "transitional trends."

The severe black shoe trend- gotta have it! Mine is a big platform wedgie bootie with the instep cut out and a huge bow at the ankle. I got mine last Fall, but its definitely got that 80's Ungaro vibe that Marc Jacobs showed in Paris for LV Fall '09. Glad to see I'll be getting some mileage out of those! I'm on the hunt for a second pair now, a "tough girl" bootie with some studs on it or something. If you know of anything without a pointy toe or a stilleto heel, please email me!

Heavy hardware- metal studs and zips. Tano often uses both to embellish their bags- they give that certain moto chic/ rocker vibe that always looks hot. Both leather and denim benefit from the edgy, modern look that studs and zips lend.. and it's all good. Femme Fetale is my current favorite in this category... but I can't decide on a color!

Black legs- just look at Bill Cunningham's recent piece in the NYT and you'll see that all the fashionistas in Paris are wearing black leggings right now, both shiny and matte. Got a fabulous shiny pair from Patricia Peppe from my DH for my birthday, and got myself a really expensive looking matte pair at Zara for $29.90. Drooled over a leather pair from Vena Cava on a recent Gilt Group sale, but two pairs is enough, already...

As always, email me with your thoughts, comments and suggestions! I love to hear from you.

Fall 2009 Fashion shows

noreply@blogger.com (Alexandra B @ MHB) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:07:00 +0000

With the 4th of July impending and pre-fall clothes hitting my favorite stores, its time for me to start thinking about what I'm going to wear next season. The idea of "investment dressing" feels right to me at the moment. Every season I spend too much money (I will not disclose how much in case my husband is reading this!) on piece-mealy clothes and accessories that never work well together. Wouldn't it be better to buy two really nice outfits and a few key accessories instead? Isn't quality better than quantity?

So lets start obsessing about Fall, already, then! A lot of different looks won my heart on the NY runways. Those luxurious bohemian dresses in rich colors and patterns that were shown by Nanette Lepore, Anna Sui, Tracey Reese and MBMJ (Marc by Marc Jacobs) ... I'd love to have them all hanging in a row in my closet. Glam rock style always makes my mouth water- and my favorite designer in this category was Phillip Lim. (See picture above-photo credit: Elsa Sylvan.) The gold paillette t shirts & cardigans and striped metallic pants coupled with pea coats, cocoon sweaters and cut-away jackets were just too cool for their own good. A bit much for picking up my daughter at the bus stop, but perfect for certain work-related fashion functions, and/or nights on the town (as if!)

Leopard and velvet are two of my favorite things for Fall, and horray! DvF (Diane von Furstenberg) offered both! The dark, urban layered looks in blue, black and grey by Rag & Bone were also really appealing to me. Bondage boots with legwarmers and raw seamed, pieced leggings worn with kilts and knit sweaters... WOW! Unique Topshop surprised with some really sexy, tough urban warrior/80's punk looks, like torn tunics over leather leggings. Fingerless gloves and a fur vest are definitely must-have accessories for Fall, not to mention a few new slouchy leather handbags, which we'll have covered by Tano in every imaginable color right here at MHB...

Anyone who is registered at style.com... check out my lookbook and let me know which of my favorite runway looks you like best!

You can see more Fall fashion here:
New York Times
Style.com

Messenger bags

noreply@blogger.com (Alexandra B @ MHB) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 01:28:00 +0000

Greetings to urban fashionistas and stroller moms everywhere... we have great news for all of you! The messenger bag trend continues to be strong, and Tano's all over it in a big way. This season we've got the cross body look covered with a range of killer bags. And you can shop for cross body bags easily on our new site by clicking here.

For smaller styles, check out Petit Larceny or True Obsessive. Medium size messengers include Spring Eternal, and my own personal fave, Mona Lethal. If you need more room, check out Never Frou Frou. All of these bags are loaded with pockets and detailing, and available in a range of scrumptious colors. Discover the freedom of not having to carry your bag in your hand or on your shoulder... treat yourself to a messenger bag this season!

A new site for MHB

noreply@blogger.com (Alexandra B @ MHB) — Mon, 18 May 2009 01:49:00 +0000

Welcome to our new, improved website! We've been working on it for months, and WOW! Its such a relief to finally have it DONE. (Now, hopefully, my normal bedtime and coffee consumption can resume.)

The new site looks much better, and its much more powerful. It's got all the bells and whistles that you've come to expect as an online shopper in the 21st century, like wish lists, tell a friend about this product, order history, order status, address book, gift wrap options, electronic & plastic gift cards, coupon codes, communication preferences, email sign up, multiple ship to capability... you name it. State of the art security now protects your personal information and our databases. (And FYI, our site is PCI compliant- we never, EVER capture or store our customer's credit card information!)

We did extensive testing pre-launch, but there will probably be some glitches that arise during our "beta" period. So if you encounter any problems or difficulties, please let us know!