Child's Play

I miss recess. A lot.

Why is it that this normal daily routine is abruptly ripped away from us? Are we suddenly deemed too old for child’s play?

Thankfully, handbag designer Kathrine Baumann misses recess too – or at least she’s never lost her sense of wonder, whimsy and wackiness. The former Miss Ohio (and first runner-up Miss America) has created a handbag collection (www.kbaumann.com) that not only appeals to the couture kid in all of us, it provides the perfect party accessory!

Baumann’s playful purses are adorned with eye-catching Swarovski crystals that become the center of attention, no matter what the outfit. Her bejeweled designs range from classic clutches to pop-art masterpieces.

Dubbed the female Andy Warhol, the designer has many famous names and American icons in her collection – the Pink Panther, Kermit the Frog, Diet Coke, Campbell’s Soup and the Titanic - and that’s just the tip of the iceberg! The latest addition to the all-star cast is the Ms. Green Bag, a silly take on the sexy green M&M.

But when it comes to these Swarovski-studded bags, if you want to play, you gotta pay! Baumann’s playful pieces go for serious bucks, with most of the bags priced in the $1000 - $3000 range. The popular Big Kiss bag is a red-hot favorite and sells for $1937.50. The limited edition Ms. Green M&M is priced at $2495.

The great thing about Baumann’s collection is that there is something for all tastes, whether it’s pop art, animals, food, sports or flowers, from kitsch to classic. The one on my most-wanted list is the director’s clapboard – and as soon as I sell a screenplay, that baby is mine!

No matter what, the pricey pieces are sure-fire attention-getters, whether you’re kicking up your heels on a girls’ night out or sauntering down the red carpet. In fact, many of Baumann’s fans are A-list celebs - Jennifer Aniston, Hilary Swank, Christina Applegate and Brooke Shields have all had a Baumann bag in their clutches.

Bringing whimsy to a wardrobe is what these accessories are all about. The designs are exclusive, yet effervescent – and will definitely dial your fashion-fun quotient up a notch…or five! I’m already planning to bring one along to my high school reunion, and as soon as recess returns, you know my Baumann bag is taking center stage on that playground!

- Christine Cipriani