Girl-Woman-Beauty-Brains-Blog

A friend and I went shopping yesterday in cyberspace. Wrapped in my pink fluffy robe and beagle slippers, while she was wrapped in her white robe and barefoot, we chatted on the phone as we dashed in and out of cyber stores until our fingers were exhausted.

When Mon Ami calls with a deal du jour, I sit like a good dog, because she has an innate ability to recognize what colors and styles work for my personality and wardrobe. When she called and said, "I found the perfect handbag for you," my ears perked up like a dog who heard the words "Do you wanna treat?"

While I was purchasing the handbag suggestion, my friend said, "Check out Steve Madden's perforated patent tote. He copied Tory Burch's design. How do you think that makes her feel?" ( Victoria Secrets for $58.)

So as if Tory was one of my best friends, I arrogantly dashed over to Nordstrom to defend Tory's honor and found the Tory Burch "T" Contrast Patent Tote for $325. We both covet Tory Burch's designs and would buy the TB bag over Steve's, but the price differential has to stop and make you think twice. Just think what you could do with an extra $267 in your pocket. That's thinking once. Now we are thinking twice: That Tory Burch handbag sure is cute. What's a woman to do? We report; you decide.