Carpisa Rhinestones And Wine Chain Bag By RachelReviews on Jul 09, 2009 - 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.