Carpisa Rhinestones And Wine Chain Bag By RachelReviews on - Updated Oct 15, 2011
When I was in Italy, a few years back, I was definitely blown away by all the leather goods. I went to many stores. Not all of them were affordably priced. When I am in a more expensive store, it is to admire the goods and window shop. I generally do not buy the items firsthand.
By chance, I saw the store, Carpisa. I had never heard of them before, so I am not exactly sure what inspired me to go in. Now that I am thinking back, it may have been the small turtle logo that Carpisa uses. I have always loved turtles.
Carpisa is an affordable leather goods store. Though, I do not remember the exact price of this small bag.
I estimate it being around $15 Euros, or so. And that is for real leather!
The bag I got, I actually came back for after thinking about it for a few days. It is shiny embossed leather in a faux-crocodile or alligator pattern. It has a shiny silver chain strap. It has a row of rhinestones hammered into it.
I was definitely taken with the burgundy, wine color. I also was drawn to the alligator-pattern. During my trip, I saw a couple alligator bags that were quite memorable. These bags inspired me to buy the Carpisa bag.
One bag was in the window of a small shop in Venice. The colors of it were light pastels. I really liked it, but when I asked the price it was 500 Euros. At first, I thought she said 50 Euros, so I was really disappointed. The second was a tiny white bag with a very strange, brown, spiked handle. I was absolutely fascinated with it. It made me wonder: How could the user hold this? Could it possibly be comfortable? That bag, I think, was in Rome.
The width of the Carpisa bag I bought is just under 7" in width, just under 5" in height. To the middle of the highest point of the strap is 22 inches.
Carpisa Purse with Chain Strap Purchased at: Carpisa Price: 15 Euros

Leather bags are my weakness. I am sure these bags will be nice to carry along as it appears from the picture you provided. To be true, burgundy is not my favorite color and I will love some white or baby pink if they are available.
I was in Florence on year and I was super sick. My friend and I went through a market as a short cut to our hotel (bad idea) and we were bombarded with leather. Needless to say, as I was coughing up pieces of my lungs, my friend was pretty much forced to buy a jacket. You just can't say no!
Beautiful little purse and what a great reminder of your trip to Italy!!