On the Radar -- Rattle the Cage

So, this trend post was originally influenced by the Alexander McQueen Fall/Winter 2013 collection.  I know.  You're shocked.  Moi? Inspired by McQueen?  No!  I promise you, we're not really always that predictable.  Just when it comes to McQueen.

Anyway, we saw this and thought, hmm...cages...

And then we saw this, and we couldn't think for a while...

Sigh.  We just love McQueen.

But when I could get my brain going again, I noticed other people were on the cage train.  Like Dolce and Gabbana:

And Valentino:

And Sergio Rossi:

And Anndra Neen:

And Calvin Klein:

And this by Cecilia Valentine:

On the Radar -- A Red Handbag

Things have been pretty hectic around the Blackbird World Headquarters lately.  As you learned in the Junk Love post for this week, the other Blackbird deserted me to travel across the ocean and have all kinds of adventures in Ireland.  It was a really boring, long, sad two weeks while she was gone, but I was productive!  Well, I was for the first week.  The second week -- not so much.  All I can say is that I am thankful for my Netflix subscription, and I now have a new appreciation for Gossip Girl. 

(In my defense, I had to watch something.  I tried Antiques Roadshow, but believe me, that just made it worse.)

But since she got back home, we have been junk shopping like mad.  (Boy, have we been finding some really good stuff!)  I've been listing our new finds left and right in the Etsy shop.  We're both getting ready to start teaching again -- she's really the teacher, I just have one class.  And the blog has been suffering.  You know, for example, a Radar post on Friday...

Anyway, in the middle of all this, we sold this bag on Etsy:

It's a super sweet frame handbag by Dover, and it has a lovely new home in Texas.  However, while I was bringing this bag from our storage studio to the house, I got several offers from people wanting to purchase it.  When I told them it was sold, they asked, "Do you have any more?"

Oooooookaaaaayyyyy....What's that about?  And then I checked the stats on Etsy.  This bag's views spiked last Saturday.  A major spike.

And then I remembered what one lady who wanted to buy this bag said -- she said, "I'm all about a red bag right now."  So I looked it up, and lo and behold!  EVERYBODY'S about a red bag this fall!

I feel like I am so behind the curve!  But maybe it's because I'm ALWAYS about a red bag.  Red is my favorite color, and if given the choice, I will always pick it.

So here's my roundup of designer bags to drool over.  Look at these, and then just go to Etsy or your local antique store and buy a vintage one.  I mean, ours was only $18.  That's a steal!

Roberto Cavalli, Fall 2013

Marchesa clutches, Fall 2013

Dolce and Gabbana, Fall 2013

All Valentino, Fall 2013

Alexander McQueen, Fall 2013

On the Radar -- Summer Lace

Dolce & Gabbana Fall/Winter 2013

The dress to have this summer is a LWLD, or a little white lace dress. We know, we know.  We posted about lace trends last fall.  But it's still happening, people!  When you've got Valentino, D&G, and Stella McCartney (just to name a few) making LWLDs, well, they're still the thing.

Isla Fisher wore this D&G eyelet lace dress to Cannes just a few days ago.

I don't really care for it, but here's Stella's version of the LWLD, just to make my point:

And here's Valentino's LWLDs, which I like much better:

French Connection's got one, too:

And here's my favorite vintage picks, from Etsy.  These are a tiny fraction of the price of the previous ones, and have soooooooooooo much more personality, IMHO:

From Stardust Vintage on Etsy, here.

From Jackie and Audrey on Etsy, here.

On the Radar -- Crystal Clear

Stella McCartney, Spring 2013

Fact: the Blackbird girls love Lucite.  Any kind of Lucite.  Fortunately, it's pretty clear to us that Lucite has inspired lots of people lately.  (Sorry, I have to say that pun was intended.)  Stella McCartney, Valentino, Givenchy...just to name a few.

It's not just Lucite that everyone's crushing on, though.  Plastic, vinyl, glass -- it could be anything.  It just needs to be clear, shiny, and sparkly -- and POOF! Instant glamour!  Instant pizazz! 

(Just make sure what's inside that clear purse is just as pretty as the outside.  And no unmentionable items, please.  That could get embarrassing.)

Valentino jacket, Spring 2013

Givenchy, Spring 2013

And it's not just fashion that's in love.  Home decor's jumping on the bandwagon, too.

Jonathan Adler, Bel Air Test Tube Vase

And as I always say, go vintage, young one.  It's always the cooler choice.  (And usually cheaper!)

Vintage Sunglasses from Green Flamingo Vintage on Etsy

1970s Lucite Ice Bucket from AtomicDog67 on Etsy