Start this fall season off with burst of fashion while also showing your green side towards helping the environment with Xoopi’s, RPET and Yorki reusable style bags. These bags are designed for pretty much any occasion and feature an urban art twist made from used plastic bottles.

Choose from one of two art enriched style bags — The RPET bag, which features a flat fold design, strong versatility, interior pocket, side mounted water bottle holder and has the ability to stand when filled. Or consider the more compact Yorkii style bag, featuring everything mentioned above, along with a much more compact design that folds down into about the size of a guys wallet and can easily be stowed away in a pocket, purse, glove box or elsewhere.

Xoopi’s collection of reusable bags range in price from $17.99-$19.99 and are sure to fit pretty much anyone’s budget, especially those of environmental enthusiasts. Browse though many of the designs and pick up your own at xoopii.com.

With New York City a mere four hours away, Boston is often overlooked in the fashion department. What a shame, considering the abundance of talent in our fair city. In this new monthly column, the best of Boston’s local clothing, jewelry, handbag and shoe designers, as well as local boutiques, are showcased. NYC, eat your heart out!

Nettie Kent Jewelry — Leather, copper, silver and gold leaf bracelet — $148

Leather, Copper, Silver and Gold Leaf Bracelet

Looking for the perfect bracelet that will go just as well with your sexy red dress as it will with jeans and a t-shirt? Look no further than Martha’s Vineyard designer Nettie Kent’s leather, copper, silver and gold leaf bracelet.

The first leather bracelet style she created, no two are ever the same. Silver is melted over copper and the flow creates a unique design each time. Kent then paints with gold leaf to highlight different areas. “The process brings me back to my roots as a painter,” she said. “It’s just a really fun and unrestricted way to use metal.”

Kent collects her leather from old belts, purses, even cowboy hats. Old copper flashing used in the jewelry is gathered from houses on the vineyard. “The sea air and salt water patinas the copper with beautiful colors and I think it looks like landscapes, almost like paintings,” said Kent, who studied painting at Hampshire College.

Blast is obsessed with the preppy leather cuff paired with the boho look of mixed metals. We guarantee compliments when you strap on this bracelet for a night, or day, on the town.

Get it now at Turtle in the South End, or visit www.nettiekent.com.

Nirva — Katya Dress — $650

Katya Dress

New England winters may inspire you to wrap up in cozy cashmere, but Lexington based designer Nirva Derbekyan looked to the even harsher winters of Russia to inspire her autumn/winter 2009 collection. Weather this cold never looked so good.

The gorgeous fuchsia fabric was Derbekyan’s inspiration for the Katya dress. She also noted that the wool gabardine is perfect for manipulations, prompting her to create a bright, fun colored dress with a conversely harsh structure. “Contrary to the tailored look, I wanted to add a bit of fluidity and geometry at the same time,” Derbekyan said. She added the front drape and the movable cap sleeves to keep this unique dress in line with her signature style.

Blast is just dying to wear this dress to a formal fall event, but how special would it be for New Year’s Eve? We dare you to keep it in your closet that long.

You can buy the Katya dress when it goes on sale at Stil Boutique in the Prudential Center at the end of the month. Visit www.nirva.com to see the whole collection.

Twigs and Heather — Sterling Silver Dangle Twig Necklace — $125

Sterling Silver Dangle Twig Necklace

The summer weather beckons us to enjoy nature; what better way than to put it around our necks? Twigs and Heather, headed by twin sisters Heather and Kerry Alice Collins, cast sterling silver one-of-a-kind pieces plucked right from the Atlantic Northeast.

The dangle twig necklace reminds us of playing outside in the woods as kids, but without that child-like look. The particular twig pictured is a winter twig, and the changing seasons is the twins’ biggest inspiration.

“It’s pretty amazing the subtle (and not so subtle changes) that occur in the trees year-round. Plus, the sentimental feeling that the twigs evoke in our customers is very special to us,” Heather said.

The dangle twig is a popular item, and because each necklace features a different twig, they each have their own personality. Blast thinks this necklace is the perfect gift for the nature girl or the city girl who wants to get back to her, um, roots.

Order it online at www.twigsandheather.com or www.etsy.com. You can also pick it up at Turtle in the South End and MagPie in Somerville.

Sea Bags — Medium Anchor– $110

Sea Bags Medium Anchor

If we were millionaires at Blast (as we someday hope to be), we would certainly own a large sailboat perfect for party cruises and romantic dinners. But, for now, we’ll happily settle for the Anchor Bag by Sea Bags of Portland, Maine (not super-local, but how could we resist?).

All the bags are made out of recycled sails, and we especially love the Anchor Bag (available in navy or red) for its ability to catch the eye of a hot sailor on leave (not yet tested, but we’re assuming).

Sea Bags are environmentally conscious and preppy at the same time, which is more than we can say for that Abercrombie model you dated.

Owned by Hannah Kubiak and Beth Shissler, Sea Bags are designed by Stephanie Moran and her team.

To own a bag inspired by all things nautical, visit www.seabags.com.

Lillian Asterfield — Sea Lillian Necklace — $35-$65

Lilian Asterfield Sea Lilian Necklace

If you used to rummage through your dad’s closet and play dress up with his ties, the Sea Lillian necklace is your dream come true. Nicole Deponte’s Lilian Asterfield pieces are made completely from recycled and up-cycled products, such as old vintage ties, t-shirt yarn and plastic curtain rings. We love this necklace because it is one of the most unique out there.

Each Sea Lillian necklace is different, but we chose to feature this particular one because we couldn’t take our eyes off it. Sadly, it’s recently been sold– but never fear; Deponte takes special orders.

Her jewelry was recently shown at Lucky Gallery during an exhibit featuring artists who focus on sustainability. You can buy her pieces at Turtle in the South End or at www.nicoledeponte.com.

Read, set, SHOP!

Any woman knows that the hottest accessories may not always be the most practical. You know how it works: you get a clutch that is so pretty but doesn’t have room for your keys, your lip gloss, your cell phone and camera.‚ But opting for a regular bag means‚ that you end up putting so much in it you’re using two seats on the subway or hitting people as you walk down the street.

Needless to say, when we heard of a new bag line claiming to be chic and useful for the things you need the most, we were skeptical. But after checking it out, we found out that these bags are pretty darn good. And fashionable.

Suzanne’s Discreet Chic Accessories has the bag that Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Kate Beckinsale, Leona Lewis, Katy Perry, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson and Miley Cyrus are all sporting, and that’s a short list.

The line, created by Suzanne Gabos of Tampa, Fla., is the most stylish and subtle way to carry, protect and organize personal products.

With a practical “Hide and Chic” clutch where you can discreetly store tampons, a Fem-Tote case created to go into your bag so you an find special items easily; and a hilarious -‚ but oh so truly needed‚ -‚ Panty Pouch where you can keep a change of clean undies and avoid wearing dirty undergarments the morning after, even your mom would be proud to see you buy one.

The company was established in September 2007. Gabos’ sense of style, fashion and organization‚ inspires the‚ line of classy, yet functional traveling cases to address the needs of females between the ages of 12 and 60. The Fem-Tote and the Panty Pouch were designed to ensure feminine product freshness and cleanliness, with style, dignity and discretion.

The designs simply focus on the active woman, whether she is traveling, working, playing or merely, looking for a way to carry her things.

“In life, women deal with many pleasures; however, the menstrual cycle is not one of them,” said Gabos, in an interview with Blast. “The Fem-Tote will make this ‘period’ of time more pleasant. It is my hope that my designs will connect with women everywhere and provide them with the freedom that comes from being confident and secure in their everyday lives.”

The bags may not bring an end to the bloating, cramps, headaches and moodiness, but they will make things easier to find and prettier to carry. Always have to look at the glass as half full, right ladies?

The bags vary in sizes and come in different colors, designs and fabrics ranging from $42 to $140 and are all available on-line.

Calypso Studios, an eco-fashion company based in Richmond, Virginia, recently launched their new line of eco-friendly S.H.O.P Totes. With over 500 billion plastic bags used annually, the unique S.H.O.P. (Start Helping Our Planet) Totes are designed to make a difference bag by bag. Ed and Kathy Lawrence, founders of Calypso Studios‚ have announced their First Annual Earth Day Event with the kick-off of their S.H.O.P Totes giveaway.

The‚ business‚ has vowed to donate over $10,000 worth of their S.H.O.P Totes on the 39th Annual Earth Day. Today you can register on their website to win an Acts of Kindness S.H.O.P. Tote. The drawing ends on April 22, and the eco-friendly winners will receive their bag after Earth Day to accessorize their wardrobe and to support Calypso’s mission of re-using shopping bags.

With the collaboration of several American artists, Lori Siebert, Emma Hand, Robin Roderick, Tina Higgins, and Andrea Tachiera, Calypso Studios was able to launch their artistic collection to the world in January. The Start Helping Our Planet Tote not only eliminates the amount of plastic that our planet consumes, but is easy to carry, giving modern consumers a sustainable alternative to plastic bags. The totes easily roll up into a 2″ X 3″ size, and three of the bags fit into one convenient wristlet carrying case.‚ 

“In our ever growing eco-friendly world, we are proud to announce our Start Helping Our Planet Totes,” said Kathy Lawrence. “They are convenient, fashionable and can travel with consumers everywhere they go.”

Besides caring for the environment Calypso also works closely with American Artists, creating jewelry and accessories from earth’s natural elements that are fashionable, economical, and earth friendly. And, a percentage of all their sales go towards‚ ‚ environmental organizations the business is‚ involved‚ with. So, go ahead and enter your name to win that tote, maybe you will find an earth-friendly accessory to buy too.

If you don’t own a Bolzano handbag, and if it makes you feel better, Bolzano is a newcomer in the American high-fashion scene. Of course, that’s just an excuse for not treating yourself to authentic Italian luxury sooner.

In quiet seriousness, when it comes to “good” purses over the years, it’s been a letters game — C, G, LV and P. Well that continues, and keep your eyes open for the letter “B” boiling over the American market in 2008.

Three of their products got a closer look, and there are a bunch of striking designs in Bolzano’s spring collection.

“Fiore” (Italian for “Flower”) comes in three colors and can fit a small family inside. The red design ($485) is striking with crocodile-embossed lambskin pocket flaps and gold-colored “B” hardware. There’s a matching wallet ($175) and passport holder ($58). It’s a sophisticated design that screams “success” on the wearer.

What the company says: “City Stitch goes soft; this slouchy bag is comfortable and stunning. Sure to turn heads everywhere it goes.”
• 17" L x 11" H x 8" W
• Bright poppy red Italian leather with patent crocodile embossed lambskin pocket flaps
• Gold color signature rings adorn the 22" tubular handles
• Gold color working key & lock hardware embossed with Bolzano insignia on pocket flaps

The “Sienna Hobo” design ($300) is a smaller more-everyday bag. Hobo is a different kind of handbag style. It gives a casual look but works just as well with a business suit or dinner dress.

What the company says: “Retro meets classic style with this enchanting hobo bag. The convenient shape and size makes it an ideal everyday companion.”
• 17" L x 12" H x 5.5" W
• Genuine black cowhide leather
• 15" shoulder strap
• Pre-order only

Finaly the brown “Lucia” ($345) is a very classy design that looks very old-world Italian. The bag is roomy, and the design is clean. It’s very vintage.

What the company says: ” Fabulously functional, the Lucia has an accesible roomy interior that can accommodate the needs of a busy woman.”
• 18" L x 9 "H x 4" W
• 25" handles tubular handles
• Two-way Bo zipper pull / nickel purse feet
• Inside signature jacquard lining with interior zipper and multifunctional slit pockets
• Brown Italian cowhide leather
• Bo ring detail at front
• Antique gold color hardware

Bolzano has some exciting designs, excellent fabric and a ton of potential. In the United States and Canada, they are currently only available in boutique stores, scattered around. They’re also available online. If the company can build its brand, Bolzano bags could be all the rage within a year. The designs seem to appeal to the career woman, but some designs could find their way into the closets of college girls and younger.