Jason Wu’s gorgeous, ladylike read-to-wear collections are always a joy to behold, but I’ve been waiting for the young designer to put out a handbag that really catches my eye. For reasons that are likely obvious, the Jason Wu Jourdan Painted Eel Tote is exactly that bag. Wu’s previous bag collections have been full of pretty, simple pieces that were nice but not bold or modern enough, and this tote solves those problems at one fell swoop.

I know when you hear Tiffany & Co. the first thing that comes to mind is jewelry, not leather goods. But the brand known for the little blue boxes is fast on its way to become known for its big blue boxes as well. After Tiffany tapped established handbag designers Richard Lambertson and John Truex, it became apparent that the brand was ready to make a major splash in the handbag market.

Colorblocking may feel like its reached its peak as a trend, but don’t be fooled, it’s not going anywhere. I’ve been a longtime fan of the Salvatore Ferragamo Sofia Satchel, and this season the brand spiced up the classic by adding vibrant colors to different panels. I adore the color combination Ferragamo chose, with the front showing a creamy rouge hue and orange and the sides featuring a creamy neutral hue.

During college, I logged a few years working at the local Best Buy, so you could say that I’m intimately familiar with the ins and outs of the holiday shopping season. We all know about the first two phases – Black Friday, followed by regular gift shopping – but the third is less talked-about. During my time in the retail trenches, we called it the Gift Card Apocalypse.

3.1 Phillip Lim Pre-Fall 2013, currently available for pre-order via Moda Operandi, doesn’t hold many surprises for those who are already familiar with Lim’s brand of clean, functional minimalism. What the collection does have, though, is plenty of bags over which Lim’s ardent fans will surely go gaga. The early winner is the white-and-black colorblocked 31 Hour Bag, above, which also comes in clutch and wallet form.

Most trends lack real staying power, especially in these times of fast fashion and even faster attention spans. Last week’s studs are this week’s fur and next week’s embroidery, and by the time one set of stuff is in stores, many people are already hungering for what’s up next. One thing that’s stayed noticeably consistent for the past few seasons, though, is bold colorblocking, like on this Valentino Glam Lock Colorblock Flap Bag.

Remember back when colorblocking sounded new and interesting? It’s been a little while, but the trend is still going strong through Fall 2012 and well into Resort 2013. When done carefully, and often with the help of a little added texture, the look can still feel fresh and modern, but it’s not the sure-win gimmick that it was a year ago.

Most of the talk surrounding the Chanel Spring 2013 accessories revolves around the infamous Hula Hoop Bag. When you design a bag so insanely out-of-the-box, the press will flood in and chatter about it for days. Yesterday, Vlad and I were invited to see the Chanel Spring 2013 accessories up close and personal. As the elevator door opened, the Hula Hook bag greeted us.

My love for Loewe is nothing new; in fact I’ve shared it with you all recently. In the intervening months, that adoration has only grown inside of my handbag-loving heart. I’m always looking for the next bag to add to my collection, and over the years I’ve noticed my style has changed slightly. I now lean toward simpler, more timeless designs instead of young, hip alternatives.

First, a note on semantics. Most brands term their four big collections of the year Resort, Spring, Pre-Fall and Fall, in order of debut. Celine, ever marching to the beat of its own drummer, prefers to go with Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter, in order of debut. Logically, not only does that fit with Celine’s penchant for well-considered minimalism, but it just makes sense.