So I have a thing for purses. When I see one that I really want, I won’t stop thinking about it until it’s mine.

Being the budget-friendly gal that I am, I have had my eye on Rebecca Minkoff’s Affair bag, a Chanel-esque shoulder bag that can also double as a cross body.  Since the Affair retails for over $300, I figured I would just wait it out because to spend that much money for a handbag that isn’t even Chanel (it looks so similar), would be a waste in my opinion.

Then, she brought out the Mini Affair, the little sister to its counterpart, which is smaller and more affordable at C$225.  Although I do prefer the Affair to the Mini Affair, eLuxe started carrying the latter, and since I have had luck with them in past on scoring good deals, I have kept my eye on it for a while.

And then last week it went on sale.  The bag was marked down from $225 to $168 and change, plus I had a $20 voucher (and I got four per cent cash back through Ebates Canada).  After a lot of back and forth (do I really need a new bag?  I should save my money… I just gave a deposit for a condo…), I bought it.  I figured I deserved a new bag.  Plus, this one is so classic.

I got the Mini Affair in the colour sapphire, which is a navy blue.  My first preference was black, but the black wasn’t on sale, so this was a close second.  I have a Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac already (and so does every blogger, YouTuber, and their dog) so I figured the size would be similar and that bag holds all my essentials no problem.  Since my Mini Mac is a lavender pink, I wanted to retire it for the winter season and use a different bag instead (but something small – I only carry my wallet, keys, a lipstick or gloss, and cell phone when I’m not at work).  Plus, my Mini Mac is so beat up by this point – one of the tassels is half off (I was white girl wasted one night and sat on it while grabbing the bag, breaking it off), plus since it’s a light colour, there is colour transfer all along the backside.  I love the colour, but if you are not careful like me, definitely go for a darker colour in this style because the leather is so delicate.

Anyways, back to the Mini Affair… I received the bag two days after ordering it (eLuxe is great in terms of shipping times) and it came with a dust bag that is the same black and white print as the inside liner.  The bag is imported from China and features cowhide leather.  Like Chanel, there is interwoven leather in the polished silver-tone chain strap, which can be worn long or doubled, and the flap top opens to a logo-lined interior with a single pocket.  On earlier models of the bag, it featured an outside pocket along the backside, which this doesn’t have, although I wish it did (the more pockets the better!).

The bag is six inches in height, 8.5 inches in length, and has a two-inch depth. Compared to the Mini Mac, the dimensions are pretty similar.  The only big difference would be the leather (if you were to compare this to Chanel, the Mini Mac would be a lambskin – a smooth leather – whereas the Mini Affair would be a caviar – a pebbled leather) and the closure.  The Mini Affair features a magnetic snap closure, which can pop open if the bag is too stuffed, whereas the Mini Mac features a top zipper.

Overall, the two are so different in style that I think it justifies the purchase of having both even though they are so close in size.  I absolutely love the Mini Affair for it’s classic look, and although I was a bit hesitant to purchase it because it’s so similar to a classic Chanel bag (it even has that same Chanel chain noise that makes my heart skip a beat), I already own a Chanel bag, so I don’t feel too bad for having this imitation.

If you are interested in purchasing the Mini Affair, and are in Canada, eLuxe has one colour left that is still on sale – the mahogany shade (which according to the site, there are two left of).  They also have a variety of other colours that are full price.  Also, if you buy it through Ebates Canada, you can get four per cent cash back (hey, anything helps, right?)

Aside from eLuxe, you can buy this bag (and its big sister) at Holt Renfrew in Canada or any of the luxury department stores in the states (Sak’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, etc.) or even Shopbop and other online retailers.

This would also make a great holiday gift.  I mean, who doesn’t want a Chanel bag?  Those are so expensive (and the prices keep climbing), so to have a lookalike that is also a designer brand?  Can’t get better than that.

Is the Rebecca Minkoff Mini Affair on your holiday wish list?  Already own it?  What are your thoughts?

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