I found a great selection of handbags and purses in the many fashion boutiques and gift shops that literally line the New York City sidewalks.

While purses come in many styles, clutch and totes seem to be the most

popular in fashion circles today. The hottest designer purse is this cute Milan Straw from Magid:

I’m curious to know what the markup on these handbags are. Wholesale prices for handbags are usually 40-60% of retail price, which gives these boutiques quite some markup to cover their overhead.

As you know, quality bedding is made primarily from cotton. As the cost of the raw materials increase, so will the cost of bedding. Since there are many other costs associated with the manufacture of bedding, a 50% increase in the cost of the raw material will likely translate to only a 25% increase in the cost of the finished product.

This increase will affect high quality bedding items such as bed skirts, duvet covers, cotton bed sheets, and bedspreads made of organic cotton.

Many bedding products are made of synthetic fibers and will not be as affected by the increase. These include vinyl mattress covers, bed bug protective covers, and satin sheets and pillow cases. But the cost of polyester and other synthetic fibers are on the rise, so be on lookout for further price increases.