How to Authenticate a Designer Bag

 I recently was sent a few tips by Shop Bella Bag founder Cassandra Connors
on how to authenticate a designer bag.

We all know that thrifting & buying pre-owned luxury items is on the rise. Nothing is worst that thinking that you got something authentic and getting home and realizing that it's a straight FAKE!

Check out these five tips from Cassandra:

• Counting stitches. While tedious and somewhat frustrating, counting stitches can really be a deal breaking when it comes to authenticating a bag. Keep in mind that the real deals often have a much more complex stitching design that most knock-offs.

• Examine interior and exterior logo stamp. While knock-off logos might look like the real deal at a glance, a thorough examination is necessary to find the minor detail differences between the real logo and the knock-off logo.

• Trace serial numbers. Serial numbers almost always seal the deal in authenticating a bag. The serial number assigns a specific number to one designer piece that involves the history of the bag. A knock-off serial number will not show up in a designer database as it was most likely made up.

• Test hardware magnetism. This has a lot to do with the materials there are generally used with a specific brand. When the material used of the real deal is known, it’s easy to compare the differences.

• Inspect zipper heads. Each brand uses a different zipper brand, and almost always uses the industrial ones. Also, zipper head designs are almost always altered, and because the zipper is such a small details, it can sometimes be hard to catch.

I hope these tips help! Feel free to share them with a friend.

GRATiAE Exfoliating Body Scrub & Body Butter

As a child, I remember my mother having the most luxurious cream and perfume bottles.

Now that I'm older, I totally understand why.

I know I'm not the only one who buys things because of the packaging!
It totally makes you feel good.

That's how I felt when I received GRATiAE.

.

GRATIAE is a skin care line that has been designed with one purpose in mind: anti-aging. It successfully makes use of Gratiae's thermal spring water and combines it with exclusive materials, flora native to the Sea of Galilee and organic plants.

 I remember taking the products out of the box and my mother "ohh-ing" and "ahh-ing" about how 

great the packaging looks without knowing about the contents.

Exfoliating Body Scrub - Passion Fruit & Lime

This refreshing body scrub exfoliates and cleanses the skin, leaving you feeling invigorated and revitalized. It accelerates blood circulation and leaves your skin refreshed and soft.

I was totally not expecting literal sugar.

 It's best to take some out add a few drops of water and scrub in a circular motion.

 Body Butter - Passion Fruit and Ginger

This silky body butter is a rich, creamy, all-over body moisturizer formulated with natural and organic ingredients. Easily absorbed into the skin, it conditions, softens, and prevents dryness. 

This is a very rich butter. It melts into your skin without any greasy residue.
I don't think I've ever used a body butter like this before! I'm very impressed.

When applying it make sure to fully moisturize it into your skin and feel your hands after.

Look at my before & after:

Overall, if you're comfortable with paying a little more for a luxurious product I'd recommend GRATiAE.

I promise that you will be happy with your decision!

Beauty Link Love 06/10/12

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