Amanda Mull

New York Fashion Week can be a long haul, and morning shows in particular can be killer; until everyone’s had their coffee, we’re all just a bunch of fashionable zombies. It was lucky, then, that Kate Spade Fall 2012‘s morning presentation felt like the sartorial equivalent of a triple shot latte with extra foam. Who needs espresso when you have so much pattern, texture and color?

The collection, styled by the always-dapper Brad Goreski, was full of the Kate Spade staples that we’ve all come to expect (and covet). Not only were there bags in ladylike shapes and retro patterns (plus a few fun clutches that took on the shape of cars and dictionaries), but there were beautiful, brightly colored top coats galore and a feather skirt about which I’m still dreaming. Kate Spade does a masterful job of creating girlish fun in a way that’s accessible to grown-ups, and I doubt I’ll see a collection that’s more fun for the rest of Fashion Week. Check out our full set of pictures after the jump.

I’m so excited that I don’t even know where to begin, so let’s just say that there’s a real treat waiting for you guys after the jump. We’ve received images from Chanel of a few of the bags from Chanel Metiers d’Art Pre-Fall 2012, and they are gorgeous. Most of the intricately adorned bags play on the Boy Chanel theme, and the results are a bit tougher than the Chanel that some of you might be used to. In my book, that’s a vote in their favor; I’ve long wanted Chanel’s bags to find a direction like this one, and now that they have, the results are among my favorite Chanel bags in years.

It occurred to me on Wednesday night, while I was fretting over skirts and sequins and my utter lack of shoe options for the start of New York Fashion Week, that I am indeed a very lucky girl. After all, if the biggest existential question you have to ask yourself at work is, “How many bracelets are too many bracelets?” then life really can’t be all that bad. Of course, that doesn’t mean those kinds of questions can go unanswered. (Bracelets – very important.)

Perhaps predictably, the biggest problem Megs and I have when planning our Fashion Week wardrobes is what bags to carry. When people know that you spend your life writing about accessories, they expect you to show up with the best of the best; whenever I tell someone I’m from PurseBlog, their eyes always go directly to what’s on my arm. It’s like daring someone to judge your bag. On top of that, there are a litany of functional concerns to address…

Well, this is strange. Or at least I think it is; you guys can be the final judge. To celebrate the global Fashion Weeks (which kick off today – everyone say a little prayer for me and my sanity) this season, Miu Miu is launching a grand total of 46 one-of-a-kind bags starting with 16 at the brand’s Prince Street boutique in New York. The bags went on sale this morning, with the remaining 30 showing up in London, Milan and Paris over the next few weeks.

All of the designs are a variation on the same theme – a small, ladylike satchel with an oversized frame that made its debut on the Spring 2012 runway. The materials vary from printed wovens to studded crocodile and the prices go from $1495 on up, but I’m not sure that there’s a single bag in this group on which I’d spend the money, not even for something one-of-a-kind from one of my all-time favorite designers. Check out the New York bags after the jump.

Even as someone who doesn’t have an iPhone (Android, grumble grumble), I know full well that the market for cases, sleeves and protectors for the tech toys seems to be a tad, uh, saturated. Not only are there plenty of companies dedicated to making only accessories for Apple gear, but it seems as though every brand that has every manufactured any kind of apparel or tech goods would also like to sell you something to cover your phone. Everyone I know with an iPhone has a veritable wardrobe for it.

I can understand if iPhone owners feel like they have enough cases already, but even those with full tech closets should take a look at Net-a-Porter’s fresh crop of Swash iPhone 4 Cases. They’re a tad spendy at $70, but the feminine, slightly bohemian look of the cases is different than any I’ve seen in the past.

Can you believe that we’ve been through six seasons of Real Housewives of Orange County already? Last night’s premiere marked the beginning of the seventh season, and I couldn’t help but look back and think about all the housewives who have come before us. Jo, for instance. Remember Jo? I wish I didn’t remember Jo. Or how about Lynn Quinn? Cougar Lynn Quinn with the awful wigs? Yeah.

This season brings us yet another new housewife, Heather, who differs a little bit from the rest of the cast. First, she’s a brunette. Second, she’s actually rich, at least as far as we know. Third, she isn’t hauling around eight pounds of silicone in her chest. It’s a whole new world for our Southern California ladies.

I’ve made my feelings on spendy canvas totes known before – they’re not worth it, almost universally. They’re definitely not worth it when they reach into the four figures, even when the tote in question is as pretty as the Givenchy Birds of Paradise Tote. It sure has a pretty print, though, doesn’t it?