Cha-cha-cha!

You may think one of the best things about having a handbag blog is free stuff (I never accept it, well a book or 2, I can't help that I love to read), or spending the day shopping (2 kids who did not inherit mommy's love of shopping), but neither of those, as mentioned, is the case. Truth is I love getting e-mails from little known designers, and finding a few that really mesh with my sensibilities. Usually, these are handbags made by handbag lovers like my readers, and it is obvious.
Cha Cha Handbags is one of those companies.
It is amazing to see what one person can put together in little over a year, but put together is what Lori Chalmers' line is. Designed and made by her in Toronto, the bags range from something that looks like it came from a high end boutique, to bags that have a retro chic vibe.

The Entourage is one of the boutique bags. It has a great shape and fabulous accents. I love the little "hill" at the top, it gives the bag an almost open mouth grin look. The braided handles are a great touch, as is the front zip pocket for quickly stashing small items. It is currently available in a rich brown leather for $475 at Cha Cha's etsy shop.

I absolutely went nuts for the Jenny Tote.

Screen printed on heavy canvas this super 70's print is "outtasite!" The word printed band at the top has a great angular edge to it. The whole bag shows a lot of design thought. It's $85 and comes in a muted pistachio green.

My retro radar was going nuts for the Sweet Jane shoulder bag.

The screen print which is original brought me back to all those cool PBS totes my grandmother used to get for calling in a pledge...so cool before their time. Done in some really groovy deco and 70's fonts it is "dy-no-mite!" The bag is expandable via 2 side clips and is canvas with leather trim for added durability. It is also fully lined, and features 2 pockets. For $245, it is a super looking bag, especially for anyone embracing the more buttoned down side of the 70s as opposed to the hippy one.
This super cool wordy print is on a few different styles including the Entourage, featured up top in leather.
There are plenty of other styles as well as smaller accessories, all with a similar aesthetic and those 2 signature rivets set on a diagonal. see them all at the

Cha Cha Etsy Shop, and be sure to check out Lori's Cha Cha Blog for new styles, giveaways, and news of her brand new site launching on August 1st!
In case you hadn't noticed, I'm pretty excited about Cha Cha bags, I have a feeling we'll be seeing them around for a long time, and a lot more often.
Be the first to own one, and remember where you saw them first!