Meet The Floto Milano Crossbody Shoulder Bag

Sometimes I regret not buying Coach's full-sized Cassie Crossbody bag before it was discontinued, an action by Coach that surprises me. Nowadays you can get a smaller Cassie 19, which is still a terrific bag, yet too small (7 inches long) to hold my essentials. With the Cassie 19, I'd have to carry a tote too.

Let me introduce you to Floto, an American small business that sells bags handcrafted in Italy on Amazon.

The retailer's Floto Miano Crossbody Shoulder Bag is a twin style to Coach's Cassie Crossbody bag for 1/3 of the price! The Floto bag is certified full-grain Italian leather (namely calfskin). The leather is hand-stained to patina by artisans in Tuscany to look better over time.

It comes in 2 sizes: Large: 8.5"W x 3.5"D x 6"H and Small: 7". The Floto Crossbody is shaped so similarly to the Cassie and has the same turnover closure plus 3 compartments to organize daily necessities such as a back pocket with a zipper to fit a cell phone. It's such a timeless and popular style!

With customer service, a warehouse, and a leather workshop located in Connecticut, the leather merchant offers a lifetime limited warranty meaning it strives to make good if anything goes wrong with the normal usage of its bag.

Amazon is bad for small businesses when they can't compete, yet a positive aspect is Amazon also gives small businesses a platform to sell their creations if or before they can afford to open brick-and-mortar stores. It's an opportunity for small businesses to reach and sell to customers far and wide. 

For consumers, it's safe to buy online from unfamiliar small businesses due to Amazon's free returns policy. Still, I'm committed to mindful shopping as I don't want to see a change in Amazon's free returns policy. Nowadays more retailers require customers to return items in-store to avoid fees because of abuses of online free returns. In appreciation for great customer care, let's treat everybody's money as if it were our own! Savvy Shoppers expect to be treated in good faith by retailers and are fair to retailers with generous return policies!

Wow, the Floto Milano Crossover Shoulder bag, as well as, the whole Floto line is such a smart Amazon find! Superb leather and craftsmanship at a reasonable price. Nice!

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New Swimwear Arrivals at Lands End

If you need a reason to hop on your treadmill or exercise bike and cut out that junk food here it is, the launch of Lands End Slender Suit Collection. 

There is choice galore of super cute styles in one-pieces, tankinis, swim shorts, and swim dresses. Different strokes for different folks include ruffles, halters, plunging or high necklines, and straps or sleeves.

IMHO the majority of women don't want to look like either grannies or strippers at the beach. Lands End designs swimwear that is dignified, flattering, classy, and adorable on every body type.

A suit that suits you! Stylish swimwear to cover everything needed without looking either dowdy or like a woman trying to pick up customers at the pool. Traditional bottoms, swim dresses, and swim shorts will hide any problem areas.

Each swimsuit also comes in 3 - 4 colors, ranging from solids to bi-colors and patterns. With such an appealing array of styles and cheerful hues, it's hard to decide on one suit from the collection, isn't it?

The Slender Suit Collection is made of fabric that is a combination of nylon and spandex that smooths, shapes, and slenderizes, and the cloth is substantial, not thin.

Designed with great versatility, customers won't need a separate coverup, as some swimwear can appropriately double as summerwear to go from the beach to a restaurant or a train ride home! Also while on the beach you may wish to avoid baking in the sun by covering up more skin. Active folks can take a run on the sand and then a dip in the ocean. No unsightly jiggling to provoke bystander giggling or unwelcome stares: "We all see it. We alllll see it."🙂

All we need now is patience to wait for the Earth to move closer to the sun!🌞

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#Shorts: Jeweler Terry Quinn's 5 Ways to Save On Lab Grown Diamonds

As stated again and again on THE SAVVY SHOPPER, lab-grown diamonds are physically, chemically, and optically the same as natural (mined) diamonds. Nowadays the process of growing diamonds in a lab has gotten so good that jewelers and customers alike can't tell them apart. If diamonds are grown in a lab, it must be stated so on the diamond because it is so difficult to tell them apart.

Note that lab-grown diamonds cost far less than natural diamonds and therefore don't have the resale value but you should never buy diamonds as an investment anyway as you'll rarely if ever get what you paid for them. Diamonds are a luxury purchase, things of beauty, not an investment.

Today I'm sharing a YouTube video by a jeweler who has a brick-and-mortar store in Woodbridge, Virginia. Jeweler Terry Quinn expertly explains how to save money when selecting diamonds. Today's tips focus exclusively on buying lab-grown diamonds detailing his 5 tips on saving the most money when buying them. Worth a listen as I can't summarize his professional advice any more succinctly. (Remember jewelers must look at and buy a lot of diamonds to have stock for their customers.)

The first tip I learned from Terry today is to go with IGI ratings when buying lab-grown diamonds and GIA ratings when buying natural-grown diamonds. IGI and GIA are both reputable diamond grading institutions that use advanced technology and skilled gemologists to certify diamonds but until the perception changes GIA is still the most trusted for natural diamonds. GIA grades fewer lab-grown diamonds than IGI. Lab-grown diamonds will be more expensive and the selection of diamonds less if rated by GIA.

A 2nd tip I learned today was the 2 ways of creating lab diamonds CVD (chemical vapor deposition) and HPHT (high pressure high temperature) have caught up with each other. Both methods are effective in creating high-quality, authentic diamonds, identical to those found in nature. Until recently HPHT lab-created diamonds were whiter and they continue to cost more because of perception leading to their greater demand.

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Look What's Happening At Uniqlo

What's happening at Uniqlo, one of my favorite retailers for basics? Their lifewear clothing, which is designed with a ton of Japanese innovation, is ultra-affordable!

So now I'll answer the question: It's a fantastic time to buy winter coats and accessories or wool knits at reduced prices from sizes XXS - XXL. At brick-and-mortar Uniqlo stores, there are usually plenty of colors and sizes left. Online tends to sell out quicker because some of Uniqlo's if-you-know-you-know customers don't have brick-and-mortar stores where they live so the inventory sells out faster online.

Uniqlo's apparel is so vast I can only post a smattering of its outerwear, sweaters, jackets, and parkas that will take you from winter into spring at price points seemingly too good to be true for the quality. There's no need to pay an arm or a leg to cover an arm or a leg here!

Online you can already start browsing Uniqlo's Spring and Summer Collections with more pieces launching in the coming months.

If you're reading THE SAVVY SHOPPER in cold, frigid weather I'll leave you with the images of Uniqlo's SV Protective Hats already selling online. Hopefully, summer will shortly follow this launch!

Think of wearing these ultra-stylish SV Protective Hats outdoors in the hot beaming sun! Soon, my cherished readers, soon!!🌞

BTW: I'm not an ambassador of Uniqlo and this post is not sponsored.

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5 Coach Bags Going From Office To Dinner

When you spend the day at the office but plan to have coffee, drinks, or dinner with friends after work you want a bag that holds all your essentials and yet can easily travel with you. As a big Coach fan, it's where I would always look first for fine leather or canvas bags at affordable, sane prices: See Coach, Coach Outlet and the Coach page on Amazon.

I'll feature 5 recommendations for bags that are compact and come in several colors or textures plus share one huge benefit that makes each one travel-friendly. All have straps, either a shoulder or crossbody strap for hands-free portability!

The following are 5 Coach From Desk to Dinner Bags:

The above 4 also have side compartments and pockets to organize all your necessities so you can reach in to grab items without a search or emptying your bag. It makes it simple to travel light. Still, there's a 5th bag I'm obsessed with right now for the woman who can't travel quite as light. Perhaps you need a tote to take papers, water, a computer, or an umbrella home after leaving work: 

Maggie Tote Bag

The Maggie Tote, our 5th bag, is bigger, professional, dressy, and ultra gorgeous! What a stunning and versatile bag ... as are all 5 Coach bags. Dressy in the right color! Of course, patterns or canvas tend to be a bit more casual. You can pick your color, according to lifestyle and how you wish to use your bag.

Golly, I really love the tote! Want, need, want, Ahhhhhhh😱Coach temptation strikes again!!👜🦖

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Come Meet Halara

Halara portrays itself as women's activewear inspired by everyday clothing, an accurate description backed up by a browse on its website. Definitely, customers can wear the versatile pieces outside of the gym and every day. Although casual wear, many of the dresses, pants, leggings, and denim clothing can be dressed up or down. 

The attire is comfortable, well-made, and durable at super affordable prices, mostly around $39.

The fabrics are designed to move with "activewear-inspired functionality" that feels good "blending performance and comfort in every piece." You get fashion and practical bells and whistles such as built-in bras, pockets, micro-weaves, soft thermos, and airy fabrics.

Consumers can scan by activity, fabric, or type of clothing they desire. Without painful prices, an encounter with Halara is comfortable for you and your wallet. Her wares are made to style and move with you throughout the day.

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The Rose Diamond Bandeau

Queen Mary of Denmark has a new tiara! The Danish royal family has the tradition of preserving its history by repurposing old jewelry that is no longer worn into new contemporary pieces, and this is what Queen Mary did when commissioning her new tiara. It joins Denmark's Crown Jewels.

Called the Rose Diamond Bandeau, the new Danish tiara features rose-cut natural diamonds that were once part of a diamond girdle (or belt) owned by Princess Charlotte Amalie of Denmark (1706 - 1782), daughter of Frederick IV. Suffice it to say nobody wears a diamond girdle anymore, but royals still wear tiaras and crowns for coronations, royal weddings, and state banquets. 

Old Diamond Cuts including the Rose and Old Mine Cuts

The effect created by cutting gemstones has changed over time with the advancement of new tools. Rose-cut diamonds are an old style of diamond-cutting by hand that has been replaced by today's brilliant-cut diamonds to enhance a gemstone's sparkle. Unlike brilliant-cut diamonds, rose-cut diamonds lack a pointy bottom pavilion. Instead, they have a flatter bottom and feature a dome crown of only 3 to 24 facets, which is fewer than the brilliant-cut's 57 to 58 facets. A rose-cut diamond is meant to glow under candlelight in lieu of flashing all over the room. Often it is described as a romantic cut of diamond.

The photos I've uploaded here are courtesy of the Royal Danish House and Royal Danish Collection. The above image on the left shows us the original girdle. Here's a link to explain more about the history of the piece and the process of changing it into a tiara if you're interested in knowing the details.

The images of Queen Mary of Denmark show her premiering her new Rose Diamond Bandeau in December 2024 at a State Dinner for Egypt. 

The press has mentioned how the mounting of the Rose Diamond Bandeau is similar to the Dutch Diamond Bandeau, a favorite tiara of Queen Maxima of the Netherlands. The Dutch Diamond Bandeau tiara, once a Queen's necklace, has its own history. As it turns out, its giant diamonds are old mine-cut diamonds in contrast to the Danish tiara's rose-cut diamonds. 

Brilliant, Rose, and Old Mine Cut Diamonds

BTW, a bandeau tiara is defined as a hairpiece comprised of a single row of gemstones. Usually, the bottoms of diamonds are enclosed, not exposed as in other styles of tiaras.

Queen vs Commoner🙂 As an ordinary person who doesn't host or attend state dinners, a bandeau tiara reminds me of a row of diamonds on a tennis bracelet. For sure a single row of big ole diamonds is lovely in all forms of jewelry!

Well done, Queen Mary.😍

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Coach's Lana Shoulder Bag

Regular readers know I'm a huge Coach leather bag fan. Coach is a designer-level in quality bag that doesn't market itself as a designer bag company but rather as a fine leather goods company. Established in 1941, consumers get superior craftsmanship at reasonable starting price points plus frequent 30% - 50% off sales. Sometimes bags end up on Coach's Outlet website, for even less.

What bag am I loving at Coach right now? My answer is the Lana, which is one smart, stylish bag! Its polished pebble leather will last forever, and its glossy surface makes it both a dress and casual bag.

The bag is so well thought out with a detachable strap, an inside snap pocket, a zip compartment, and metal protective feet. It also comes in two sizes. Both roomy and compact, the bag lets you organize all your stuff! To boot, if anything ever goes wrong with a Coach bag, the retailer repairs it for free.

Although personally I've never gotten in on the trend, Coach too offers accessories such as scarves and charms for its bags, including our featured Lana, for customers who like to style their bags.

There is nothing wrong with adding accessories to style a bag, but for me, an expertly crafted, solid, leather bag that holds up is style and purchase enough! 

Coach delivers again with another aesthetically pleasing, practical, and superior leather bag that people with jobs can afford!

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