I'm a sucker for a handbag with a good name, and the fact that this bag by Fendi is called a "spy bag" makes me feel suddenly cool and like it's something Jennifer Garner might have carried in an episode of that old show "Alias." The spy bag has been with Fendi for awhile (see this flowered fall version from 2006) and now it's been updated with textured leather and a bronzed metallic that's a nice neutral other than the usual white, black, or beige. Woven leather handles, flap closure, and a canvas lining with logo print and an interior gold logo plaque. $2,740

Unlike so many of the other fall bags, this one retains a hint of summer with its gorgeous floral detailing. The thing that really marks it as a fall bag, beyond the obvious fact that it is a part of Fendi's autumn collection, is the color. Fendi's Spy Bag with Flowers comes in a rich, caramel leather that evokes thoughts of the long, warm days and crisp nights that are characteristic of an Indian summer stretching out towards the end of the year. The bag has woven double top handles, which add to its natural look, a flap closure and a hidden coin purse. It measures a large 11"H X 17"L X 9"W and has a canvas lining, which makes it incredibly versatile for daily use. Price: $2,840.

 

 Spink, the London-based auction house, has a few rather unusual items up for sale in one of the lots in its April 27th auction. The lot is described as "a unique and secret collection of material produced by the Free French in London during the Second World War" and includes many different pieces of spy memorabilia and counterfeiting equipment, including prisoner of war money, a faux Nazi stamp and propaganda booklets. The most unusual item in the lot is a pair of prunes that were to be used to smuggle secret messages and maps in to prisoners of war to aid in their escape. The prunes were pitted and stuffed with sealed notes before being dried and shipped out. These particular prunes, however, were souvenirs of the spy who owned them and were not actually used to carry messages. The lot is estimated to sell for £800-£1200.

[Image Spink, via MSN]