There is a little gem of a museum hidden inside one of the guilded age canal houses in Amsterdam. The Museum of Handbags and Purses consists of the world’s most extensive bag collection, dating back the last 500 years.  The museum began as a private collection from Hendrikje Ivo. She collected handbags for 35 years. A few of the highlighted bags from the collection on display include: a leather bag with a tortoiseshell cover plate that was made in Germany between 1820-1830, a 16th century goat leather bag with iron clasp made in France, a lime green Gianni Versace Couture evening bag, made in Italy 1997. Singer Madonna carried this handbag on the red carpet during the premiere the film Evita in which she starred. Madonna wore a matching dress and shoes made of the same pattern material. Another highlighted bag is a snake leather bag with ivory plate made in Germany between 1920-1930. This bag has a biblical etch of Eve plucking an apple. Also an evening bag that became iconic after being feature in the film “Sex in the City”, this cupcake Judith Leiber crystal bag was made in 2007. The black leather clutch “Normandie” was given to cruise ship passengers on the Normandie , the most luxurious cruise ship at the time. It sailed from Le Havre via South Hampton to New York. The bag was made in France in 1935. A few of the handbags from well-known designers include: a red patent leather shoulder bag by Alexander McQueen made in England in 2008. This bag combines chic with street fashion. A Louis Vuitton limited collection patchwork bag made in France in 2002 designed by Marc Jacobs and artist/ illustrator Julie Verhoeven.  The Hermes “Kelly” bag made for and named after the iconic Hollywood star Grace Kelley. The bag on display is brown leather and was made in France between 1990-2000. A black floral Gucci “Bouvier” bag is also on display. It was made in Italy in 2006. This bag is named after former first lady Jacqueline Lee Bouvier Kennedy.  She carried a similar bag during 1961-1963. The Fendi “B” bag made of python skin and straw also sits on display. This bag was made in Italy in 2006. A pink silk Dior “Saddle” bag adorned with coins is also part of the collection. This bag was made in France in 2004. Together with the Lady Dior the Saddle bag designed by John Galliano in 1999 became known as part of the Dior “It Bag” appearing in many variations for its ten year history. The metal clutch “Knots” is made by Bottega Veneta in Italy in 2007. This bag is a limited edition. A multi colored leather “Fairy” handbag by designer Prada is part of the massive museum collection. James Jean, the multi facet designer, comic strip artist and Prada promotional filmmaker created a collection of Fairy print clothing, bags and shoes in 2008. The Museum of Bags and Purses houses many more designs. The building also has a lovely tearoom where one can enjoy high tea in the style of the golden age. The museum’s gift shop has of course a unique collection of handbags and accessories for sale.

Do you want your travel experience to go a bit more smoothly?

That's an easy question, of course you do. One way to expedite the travel process and relieve the stress it brings is to re-think how you pack: the Stuffa Jacket, a wearable vest, is capable of holding enough clothes for a weekend excursion.

Gizmodo recently featured the vest, created by U.K.-based designer Sandro Cafasso. The jacket has 12 compartments, four large ones on the back panels and eight smaller ones on the front, encased by an elasticized netting that forms an extra lining. Gizmag found the vest capable of holding a surprising amount of cargo, including "a pair of jeans, a light hoodie, a pair of long shorts, four t-shirts, six pairs of socks, four pairs of gentleman's undergarments, and a winter scarf." In addition to offering more even weight distribution than traditional backpacks or travel bags, the Stuffa also functions perfectly well as an article of clothing.

Others have made attempts at creating a puffer-jacket-as-luggage-carrier, like the more cumbersome Suitcase Coat and several makeshift versions by travelers looking to avoid the stringent luggage rules of low cost airlines like Ryanair or EasyJet.

The Stuffa will be released in November and will retail for $148.

Read the full story at The Huffington Post

Madagascar 3 is the 5th DreamWorks film to be presented at Cannes and follows the European adventures of the 4 wildest animals from Central Park. In our first meeting with them, they escaped from the New York City zoo and ended up on a distant island. In Madagascar 2, they left this island and made their way to Africa. Now in Madagascar 3 Europe’s Most Wanted, as they try to return to New York, they wind up in… Monte Carlo. With Animal Control on their tails, they find the perfect hide-out, a traveling circus.

It was fitting the film debuted in Cannes which is a mere half an hour from Monte Carlo, where the story takes place!

The premier featured the cast (Ben Stiller, Jada Pinkett, David Schwimmer, Chris Rock) and daily parties on an extra long dock stretching out into the cotes d'azure.

We thought that the Madagascar party dock was the perfect place to do a segment about a cool new hand bag designer that we've found who is making beach bags in Madagascar! The bags are made by luxury hand bag designer Carol S. Miller. A percentage of the sales of the hand made beach bags support a charity in Madagascar that has built schools, and given medical care to the local people.

Carol S. Miller Bags

http://www.carolsmillerhandbags.com/

To learn more check out:
http://www.carolsmillerhandbags.com/index.php/raffia-and-straw.html

The Red Carpet Report Madagascar 3