Well, isn’t this just the ray of sunshine I’ve been looking for! Here in South Florida, we are in the midst of our rainy season. While I have become accustom to afternoon storms, the past week has been full of doom and gloom. Rain in the morning, thunder in the afternoon and a nice combination of the two in the evening. So, I’ve definitely been on the hunt for a handbag to brighten my day.

The Devi Kroell Degrade Wide Hobo uses bright colors in all the right ways! Python leather adorns this wide hobo (11″ x 17″ x 6″) perfectly. For me, exotic skins almost always look good on clutches or small handbags, but the same skin on larger bags can sometimes look a bit sloppy. If the sunflower inspired python wasn’t enough, open the bag and you’ll see a silk lined interior. Sure, I might worry that my keys or perhaps a pen (I never leave home without a pen and lip gloss in my bag) could snag the silk, but this is a risk I’d be willing to take. This bag is a complete hit, I love it! Buy through Barney’s for $3490.

Just a heads up to all of you who loved the Diane von Furstenberg Stephanie Hobo, it is back! Shop Bop is carrying it in both the large and medium size. I have the large and absolutely positively love it. It can be a tad heavy at times, but this handbag looks entirely different from every other in my closet. Buy the medium through Shop Bop for $875 and the large through Shop Bop for $995 before they sell out again.

Last night some members of the Purse Blog team (Megs, Vlad, Intern Joe and myself) had the opportunity to attend an exclusive launch party at the Louis Vuitton store in the Bal Harbor Shops. The event was a little different than what we are used to since the party was for sneakers and not handbags. As many of you know, Kanye West has teamed with Louis Vuitton to create high end designer sneakers. While Megs and I did try and convince Vlad and Joe to snag a pair, I think it is fair to say the sneaks aren’t really our cup-o-tea.

True, these shoes are rather unique (although, do they remind any of you of the old school Reebok high-tops?), but I don’t think I will be rushing out to buy them any time soon. However, there were plenty of others at the event last night that were walking away with boxes and boxes of these shoes. It may or may not come as a shock to you, but a lot of these shoes are close to sold out! Head over to your local LV store and grab some… if it’s your kind of thing.

Image via LA MJC

I’ve written rather mercilessly about Donna Karan handbags over the past few months, so I feel like it’s my duty to also present successful designs from the company when I see them. Which is exactly what the Donna Karan Pleated North-South Tote is - casually elegant, not over-designed, and completely successful.

Because of the thickness of leather, few designers attempt to pleat it, since pleats are predicated on the ability to make sharp creases in a material. It appears as though Karan was able to do that in this case, all without sacrificing the leather’s luxurious, soft look. The entire bag appears to be both functional and chic, mainly because the bag’s design elements are derived from the essential materials used to construct the bag, not from adding extra hardware, seaming, or otherwise-gimmicky doo-dads. It’s a basic bag that also manages to have a lot of style, and it’s light years better than anything else we’ve seen form this designer recently. Well played, Donna Karan. Well, except for the price - still too high for what you get. Buy through Saks for $1495.

Leave it to Anya Hindmarch to find a way to combine metallics and lots of woven leather without being over-the-top, gaudy, or flashy. That she was able to do it at all is impressive, and that she was able to do it in such a sophisticated, usable way is even more so.

This bag would make a great everyday bag for cold weather - the gold wicker-weave pattern is beautiful and would coordinate with virtually any outfit, and the black trim looks supple and soft. In my past experience, Hindmarch’s woven bags are just as soft as any of her regular creations, so I wouldn’t worry about this one being rigid or rough in person. I have kind of a general aversion to hobos that have flap closures because I think it makes the bag’s contents harder to access without taking them all the way off my shoulder, and I wish this bag’s strap was a tad longer, but those are both flaws I can overlook because the general look of the bag is so successful. It’s not quite flashy enough for my personal taste, but if anyone out there is looking for a stylish, structured shoulder bag without lots of external branding, this is the best choice I’ve seen lately. Buy through Saks for $1350.

I continue to love the Marc by Marc Jacobs line. The bags are beating out the overly gaudy and overly heavy Marc Jacobs bags and adding a look that is so much more appealing. Even these boots in the ad, amazing! I can say one thing: I am all for having the Marc by Marc Jacobs line not only look better than the Marc Jacobs line but also cost less.

This is the second time today that I came across a handbag that made me say, “oh-la-la”. And actually, I said “oh-la-la” about the same thing. There is absolutely something that I can’t get enough of about this bag. The Zagliani Shiny Python Flap Shoulder Bag is one that I would love to call mine (if it wasn’t for the price tag).

When I look at bags, I usually take a step back and try to figure out what it is about the bag that drew me in. Sometimes this is hard to pick out, but other times, it is blatantly obvious. When it comes to this one, it is the color, or should I say lack of color that drew me in. There is something about this yellow hue that will make the bag work during every single season of the year. Wear a loud outfit and let this bag take the back seat, or use this bag as the focal point of your entire outfit. I’m in love.

The python skin is paired with the shape of this bag flawlessly. While you might wish a more noticeable color was offered, trust me, this bag is timeless. Buy through Luisa Via Roma for $2192.

Cruise show season is kind of odd - instead of having a proper Fashion Week where all of the collections are presented together, they’re released slowly in shows around America and Europe, each with very different backdrops and moods. For example, Chanel, a brand that always shows at Paris Fashion Week, chose to present its Cruise collection this year on a Venice boardwalk.

Louis Vuitton, another house that traditionally shows in Paris, didn’t have a real show at all - instead, the clothes were presented as we see them here. It’s a more understated choice for a more informal season and smaller collection, but that doesn’t mean the sailor-and-pinup-inspired clothes and accessories are any less exciting. In fact, they’re refreshingly clean and pretty, but with just enough 80s urban influence to put Louis Vuitton creative director Marc Jacobs’ signature spin on the retro looks.

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Sometimes you look at a bag and know immediately what it reminds you of, without having to give it much thought or effort. Those are my favorite bags - it’s like they come with a blog post built-in for my convenience! And really, it’s thoughtful for designers to help me out like that. Who said that fashionistas never think of others?

And today, fake-tanned mensch Michael Kors is here to help with the Michael Kors Runway Clutch. The little evening bag has the distinct look of the late 80s and early 90s to me - an era of bright colors, strong shoulder pads, and shiny accessories. Patent neon pink is probably one of the strongest color statements a designer can make with a bag, and a shade like this references a very specific period in time - about 20 years ago. The strong edges at the top of the clutch, combined with the super-shiny polished silver hardware, remind me a lot of the ’supermodel’ era - when Cindy, Christy, and Naomi strutted the catwalk in the things with huge shoulder pads and Kate Moss was just another skinny British chick. Such clear references combined with such clean lines give customers a great way to incorporate a retro trend in a super stylish way. Buy through Neiman Marcus for $595.

I have no idea why they have called this a messenger bag when it is clearly an oversized clutch with an optional shoulder strap. Nevertheless, here is the Miu Miu Quilted Suede Messenger Bag which is clearly getting fall on our minds. First off I love the color aubergine, which is the French word for eggplant. Deep purple hues are a great way to opt for a handbag that adds a pop of color that is wearable for many occasions, going with blacks, browns, and blues. My gripe with suede is how hard it is to keep clean, which is somewhat non important for a clutch this dark, but you still have to be aware that suede wears quickly. The quilting adds a nice dimension as well, along with the fold-over flap and internal pocket. I like this bag, but I don’t love it. I’d prefer it less East-West with a larger body. I am still excited fall is coming!

Buy through Net A Porter for $695.