Happy 200th! And To Celebrate: 3 Summer Tote Bags Under $200

Dearest fashionista friends, we have reached a crossroads: happy 200th post!!! Once again, I want to thank you for faithfully tuning in to my style rants, as well as for contributing your fierce and fabulous feedback. In honor of this milestone, a celebration is in order--and nothing says "celebration" quite like a fashion bargain, am I right? So without further ado, allow me to share 3 sizzling summer tote bags (perfect for the beach)--that are all conveniently priced under $200:

Because: who doesn't want to eat cake?! You didn't think we could discuss tote bags without a bit of shameless self promotion, did you? Especially when something so utterly sweet is brand NEW from lolly.brand, my other raison d'être. These days, it's hip to be green—so go green in style with lolly.brand's new eco-friendly tote bag! This tote is made of 100% bull denim woven cotton, with dual handles long enough to go over the shoulder. Translation: versatility, versatility, versatility! Use it as a gym bag, a beach bag, a book bag, or a shopping bag--or better yet, use it for everything! And this is one fashion situation that is not all about the Benjamins, baby; this sweet summer steal is more about the Andrew Jacksons, with a pricetag of $25. Think of that as the cherry on top of your cupcake.

Because: pups are the cutest accessories! But the world can be cruel, and not all landlords allow pets (sigh)... So if you're dying for a Fido of your own, why not settle for a fashionable substitution? From the irresistible See by Chloé collection comes a surprisingly edgy doggie-themed shopper. Made of cotton in a brilliant summer blue, a chain collar and logo tag make this shopper almost like the real thing. If you're one of the lucky ones that actually has your own pupper, you can still keep it real with a shopper that will fit all your summer essentials, plus a few dog toys too! Price tag: on sale right now for $96. And isn't it an unwritten shopping rule that a fashionista must never walk away from a sale empty-handed?

Because: sometimes even the most well-behaved fashionistas like to break the rules! This is one tote with a 'tude, but it is, as the Kate Spade site so sweetly phrases it, charmingly rebellious. The best part: this brightly colored statement tote is hand-stitched by women in Bosnia and Kosovo as part of Kate Spade's unique partnership with Women for Women International, which employs survivors in war-torn countries. The price tag ($175) supports a good cause, which is a win/win as far as this sassy summer shopper goes.

With Memorial Day weekend having come and gone, summer has officially arrived. That means weddings, cocktail parties, clambakes, and countless trips to the beach. A fashionista worth her salt is always prepared--and also knows that preparation is faaaar more fun when it's in fashion. Arm yourself with a tote--which fits everything under the sun--and the only thing left to worry about will be whether or not you're tanning evenly. On that note, happy summer--and happy 200th post--to you, my lovely friends! AND cheers to the next 200...





Images, in order of appearance: (1) Cupcake Tote Bag $25 by the fabulous lolly.brand, available online (http://www.lollybrand.net/); (2) Doggie Large Tote $96 (on sale!) from See by Chloé, available from Nordstrom (http://www.nordstrom.com/); (3) Hand In Hand Break the Rules Tote $175 by Kate Spade, available online (www.katespade.com).