Candace's Christmas List!

By Candace Cabrera Moore


This is the first Christmas that I've ever made a wish list. Per my husband's request, I put together a little list of special things I hope to open on Christmas day. I threw in some super practical things (plastic cleaning gloves, I'm lookin' at you!) and some not-so-practical things (does the name Balenciaga mean anything to you?) in the hopes that maybe, just maybe, he'll win the lottery and all the not-so-practical things would be mine! Ha. Wishful thinking, right? Well, in all honesty, I really do have everything I need, and I'd be happy with just celebrating the holiday with a cup of hot chocolate and a blanket of snow for our husky to play in. But juuust in case we hit the jackpot, here's a sampling of my wish list:

A good pair of warm, comfortable slippers. Seems like a simple request, right? Nope. I couldn't seem to find a good quality, warm, cushiony pair until I stumbled across these bad boys. I love that they have a thick sole so you can wear them outside if you need to run out with the trash last minute before the garbage man comes! (Not that I do that every Monday morning or anything...) 

YSL Singulier. I can't sing praises loud enough for this fabulous mascara. I have pretty long lashes as it is, but this mascara takes them to another level.  

Hanae Mori Butterfly perfume. If you like woodsy scents, this is the most beautiful, earthy aroma. I wore it on my wedding day, so it will always have a special place in my heart. And my bottle is gettin' low, so I hope Santa brings me a new one! 

Arm warmers. These are perfect for the girl who can never get warm (moi!). I'd wear them with my 3/4 length sleeve coats! 

Balenciaga city bag. This is a more "in my dreams" item, as I knowww Santa won't be stuffing this down the chimney at my place. A girl can dream, right? Anyway, I love the look of this bag- the wrinkled lambskin gives an edgy take on what would have been a standard east west bag, were it not for the fringe zipper, little dangling mirror, and aged brass hardware. Swoooon. 

Check out just why we are sharing our Holiday Wish Lists with you in our note from the editor! 

Obsessed with Pink Lining

Pink Lining is our latest obsession! Founded by British designer, Charlotte Pearl, the whimisical diaper bags feature prints that are designed by her and reflect her Notting Hill fabulous fashion sensibilty. Already hot in the UK, the bags have just arrived on US Shores with Spring/Summer collections shipping in April and select styles already available on the website. 

We LOVE the signature cupcake on their accessories as well as the "Yummy Mummy" diaper bag. Each bag sports a signature bright pink lining which makes it quick and easy to find all your items inside! The bags have many pockets designed to make life easier for the woman who carries it. These include two insulated pockets, a blackberry/cell pocket, zippered compartments and a clip for keys. They also come with a wipes container and changing pad. One of the unique features of Pink Lining Bags is that they all contain a small mirror that is perfect for checking your lipstick and eyeliner. No reason why mom shouldn't look fabulous.

Another reason we are obsessed with Pink Lining bags - they combine form with function. The bags are easy to wipe clean and maintain. They are made from a coated canvas. Celebrities and their stylists love Pink Lining. These bags are a hot baby gift in Hollywood. Celeb Stylist Jenn Falik recently tweeted her love of Pink Lining on Twitter and Kelly Rutherford said "The Pink Lining baby bag is honestly the cutest baby/ toddler bag I have ever seen!!!"

Pink Lining is all about making diaper changing easy and has gone beyond the bag, bringing to life a mobile application that helps parents locate the best, closest places to change their baby.

Do us a favor! Take a quick survey now. It enters you to win a Pink Lining bag from the new, Autumn/Winter Collection. We are just dying over it! 

WIN IT! 

THE BAG EVERYONE WANTS

If you have seen Meryl Streep's new movie, "It's Complicated" then you know the must - have bag everyone is talking about. Throughout the entire movie, Meryl's character carries the Roberta Freymann "Cab Bag".

With a price tag of only $175 - it is a piece you don't have to splurge on unlike other big name designer bags. However, there is a wait list but don't worry - you can stop by the store in New York or call now to order the bag to be shipped in late February. You better get yours now!

Roberta Freymann 212.585.3767

153 East 70th Street New York, NY

Eco-Chic Trend Alert - Saving the Planet is Uber-Chic, didn’t you get the memo?

As we all know PLASTIC IS SO LAST SEASON and we LOVE anything eco-chic. Luckily, we just came across some cheeky, stylish, and environmentally hip tote bags made of 100% organic cotton. We just DIE over sayings such as “My other Bags are Prada” and “Louis Who?”

We just couldn’t wait to share the uber cute totes that are NOW available in the United States via Australia. The line offers a chic and funky alternative to the usually boring supermarket green bag or canvas tote. Snatch one up quickly as they are sure to be THE NEXT BIG THING!

Don't forget when shopping to use discount code CUPCAKE to receive 15% off your order. Pair them with the eco-chic RuMe baggies & pockets - they are a perfect fit for the tree hugging fashionista! Can't beat the prices either - from $4-$27!

The full range of fun styles can be viewed on the Bagladies website!

NO BETTER BAG THEN FLEABAGS FOR THE ECO-CHIC

Text, Casi Densmore-Koon
Images, FLEABAGS website (www.fleabg.com)


An ideal Fleamarket tote used for a trip to the beach or out shopping - these must have sturdy yet chic totes are made of eco-friendly materials. Not only are they made locally in the big city of New York but they are sewn the old fashioned way - by hand. (I know, shocking!)

No toxic paints and no glues are used on these organic cotton/hemp canvas bags. They use a water-based ink and a vegetable-tanned leather -- can you get any more GREEN?
We have been obsessed with them ever since we saw the designers, Shira Entis and Alex Bell today in Georgetown. And they are MUST have on everyone's list. The best part - the are a season to season bag for our GREEN loving fashionistas and come in four shades!

CUPCAKE MAG FAVE:

The Saddle Brown Original Flea




It features the rich brown vegetable leather and a midnight black silk-screen. The leather handles are easy enough to carry or throw over your shoulder. The belts add a touch of detail with buckles. It is fully lined in a certified organic cotton that is the perfect touch in Navy & White stripped. It also has an interior zipper pocket, interior welt pocket with a simple leather trim and four nickel feet on the bottom of the bag so you don't have to worry about nicking up your leather!




Let's not forget the great size so we can stuff them with treasures:

16"H x 6"D x 16"W (at widest), handle drop 8", zipper and welt pocket each 6.5" long x 8" wide

HURRY UP AND PLACE YOUR ORDER TODAY! The price is so worth it -- $400 for a environmentally friendly purchase -- visit the website www.fleabg.com or place an order via email at sales@fleabg.com! WE PROMISE YOU WILL FALL FAST IN LOVE!

Fashionista Reminder: Borrowed yet?

Text: Dwayne Knight
Edited by: Casi Densmore-Koon

By now, I am sure everyone has heard of Bag, Borrow, or Steal; the luxury to rent masterminds that (newly changed the name to AVELLE) allow you to borrow designer bags and accessories on a weekly or monthly basis. If you haven't heard of the Netflix for bags let us help you get "in the know." For those of you who are on top of your fashionista game let us remind you.



THE PHENOMENON
This is a great website for those fashionistas in all of us who want to be seen with these great bags and the sense of the status they bring. It all started when the
founders decided celebrities, socialites, and editors shouldn't be the only ones (we agree!) to have the excitement of carrying bags such as Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Prada,
Chanel, or any other fabulous label.

The process is easy. Visit their website, www.bagborroworsteal.com and follow
the steps below:

(some text taken from BBS website)

HOW IT WORKS:

1.Decide if you'd like to become a Bag Borrow or Steal member OR rent as a Guest.
(Members enjoy our lowest rental rates plus other privileges outlined below.)

2.Browse their exciting collections and click the borrow button on the items you'd like to rent. (They even email you when a price has dropped on a favorite item that has been added to your wish list)

3.Rent by the week, the month or for as long as you'd like! There's never a late
fee. And you receive special savings when you borrow for 3 months at a time!

4.Borrow more than one item! (our favortie part because you just can't have enough) For the first three months of membership, you can borrow up to three items at a time and one of those may be from their couture collection. After three months, you can borrow as many as five items. At six months your borrowing becomes unlimited - unlimited items and unlimited couture! Special guests can continue to borrow up to 3 items at a time.

Out with the old in with the new! When you're ready for something new, just return the item and tell us what to send next!

BEST OF ALL:

If you fall in love with an item, you can "steal" it from them!
Bag, Borrow or Steal will sell you any item you're renting. They will evaluate the
accessory's age, condition and how easy it will be to replace and let you know
if the item is available for purchase and, if appropriate, a price. If you
decide to make a purchase, they'll bill the credit card they have on file and
the accessory is yours to keep.

You can search their collections by style, designer, color, trends, or size. You can even view the bag size and how it would look when being carried! If
you are obsessed with Sex and the City, there is also a section dedicated to
the movie and items inspired by the characters. You can borrow or steal that exact
Timmy Woods Eiffel Tower Bag seen in SATC!

PRICE POINT:
Memberships start at $9.95 a month and go up to $59.95 For a full year plus
rental price of item.

CUPCAKE MAG LIST TO BORROW:
Just a few examples of the fabulous bags and accessories you can
take advantage of and bring out your inner diva!

Gucci Babouska Large Shoulder Bag


Chloe 'Myrte' Acetate Sunglasses


Chanel Veau Velours Clutch


Kenneth Jay Lane Bib Nugget Necklace


Prada Vintage Oversized Clutch


End note:
We are convinced that &6.00 a week is quite reasonable, about what any hard working gal spends on one and half lattes at Starbucks. We say keep the company's tagline in mind "Guilty pleasure, without the guilt" if you need the extra push to join.