I've had a lot of questions about Chanel handbags and accessories so I thought I'd do a collective post on my latest Chanel pieces.  Some of you are looking to get your first Chanel item and don't know where to start so I thought I would share with you what has helped me figure out which purse to get and also show you my updated collection.

Let's start off with purses...

If you are in the market for your first Chanel handbag, I would suggest thinking of what price point you can afford or are willing to spend. Since Chanel is continuously increasing their prices each year, you have to  determine if you are going to buy brand new or pre-owned.  Always use TPF (The Purse Forum) as a guide and to get pre-owned purses authenticated.

Next, what style purse/handbag best suits your style or needs?  My very first Chanel purse was a black caviar Grand Shopper Tote with silver hardware. I use it everyday as a work bag and it fits everything I need. The dark beige Petite Shopper Tote (PST) on the left was added last year during the Bloomingdale's promotion.
My second purse was a black caviar medium classic double flap with gold hardware (birthday gift from hubby). I added the red lambskin w/gunmetal hardware and the taupe lambskin with silver hardware last year.

Once you figure out what style is best suited for your lifestyle, determining what size and color you would get the most use out of is probably the next step. Do you carry a ton of stuff in your purse or are you a minimalist? I don't typically carry too much on a day to day basis. My essentials usually include iPhone, wallet, chapstick/lipgloss and gum.  For work, I use my GST to lug around papers or documents that I need for the day.

The next process has been always a difficult one for me. What type of leather will you be choosing? There are several types of leather materials Chanel uses but the popular ones include calfskin, caviar (which is calfskin that is heated and treated to get the caviar finish) and lambskin.   Lambskin is known for their smooth and buttery soft leather but is also very expensive and prone to scratches, stains and indents. You have to be extremely cautious when storing them in their dust bag/box to avoid the straps from making marks in your leather.  I doubt I will purchase anymore lambskin bags in the future although I do love the softness of it. Caviar is my favorite for the pebble like texture and durability. You don't have to worry  or freak out if the purse touches something while you are shopping or at dinner (even though I still freak out). 

After figuring all this out, it's time to go shopping (the fun part)! Chanel purses are an expensive investment so make sure you shop around and take your time.  My advice is: do not settle. If you don't love love it, then wait for something else. If you are going to spend this amount of money, make sure it's something you will cherish for a long time if not forever.

As far as Chanel jewelry goes, the latest addition is my Chanel logo pearl necklace (early b-day gift). I've been wanting one for the longest time and could never find exactly what I was looking for. I debated over a shorter, choker style pearl necklace with gold CC's (see here) but wanted something that I could wear several different ways.  I finally decided and found this 35" classic CC pearl necklace with gold hardware. I love that I can wear it long or double it up for a different look. The CC's have tiny pearls inside. I really wanted plain gold colored CC's but I don't know if it exists in a 35" length. If you like crystals, it also comes with CC's that have small crystals in them.  I know I will have these pearls forever and they will never go out of style. That's important to me especially when it comes to designer jewelry.

My very first Chanel jewelry piece were these pendant diamante logo earrings from the end of 2009 {very bottom}.  I am currently looking for a pair of quilted logo studs from 2011. I have recently added a vintage Chanel brooch and vintage clip on earrings that I use as shoe clips to my jewelry collection.
These Chanel cap toe pumps were a major splurge for me a few months ago. They are so pretty that I am too scared to wear them. The good news is that the size 35's run small and fit me really well.