Alexander Wang Marti Convertible Backpack, $850 via ShopBop

Can I start off by telling you all that I’ve not been a big fan of the whole backpack in place of a handbag movement. It simply is not my style and even in school I always carried messenger bags (aside from the years where I took every possible book with me at all times and you could tip me over with the slightest nudge). But this morning at the Oscar de la Renta Pre-Fall 2012 show, I ran into fellow blogger friend, Rachel of The Greyest Ghost, who helped change my opinion on wearing backpacks.

We were chatting after the show and both Vlad and I realized she had quite the nifty camera bag. But this wasn’t an ordinary camera bag, instead she opted to use the Alexander Wang Marti Convertible Backpack as her camera bag.

Ok kids, so here’s what happened. Mom has a sinus infection. Like, the sinus infections to end all sinus infections. This thing isn’t playing around, and neither am I, which is why I tried to suffocate it (and myself, probably) with, uh, twice the recommended amount of NyQuil last night. Because you guys are smart, I’m betting that you can guess what happened next: I passed the hell out before Real Housewives of Atlanta really even got started and then woke back up in the middle of the night, fully clothed and with all the lights on.

So there’ll be no recap of Real Housewives today, although I shall strive to be more mature with my over-the-counter medications and stay conscious and upright for tonight’s episode. In the meantime, feel free to discuss your impressions of last night’s ridiculousness in the comments. I’m going to go take my antibiotic and drink some orange juice.

Bill Amberg Full Grain Leather Messenger Bag, $385 via Mr. Porter

Man bags are always one of the most controversial topics we tackle here. Some women don’t want their men wearing any kind of bag, and some men would never be caught dead carrying one either; usually, the arguments from both of those groups is that there’s something inherently feminine about having a bag with you. I don’t think that’s at all true, and one quick look around New York City (or any urban area where most people don’t have cars) will indicate that those hang-ups go away as soon as necessity dictates.

But what if your man is one of those dudes who’s always giving you stuff to put in your purse and you want him to carry a bag, or he wants to and doesn’t really know which way to go? Start him out with something like the Bill Amberg Full Grain Leather Messenger Bag. With a very reasonable price point (less than $400) and a masculine color and construction, there’s no way he’ll feel like he’s carrying a purse.

If I had a nickel for every post I’ve written about mixing colors and textures over the past year…well, I guess I actually do have a nickel, since I get paid for this. The point is, I’d have a lot of nickels. Not enough to retire, but enough to pay my rent, even though they give me a really hard time when I try to pay it in nickels. I’ll admit, it’s a heavy bag.

Anyway, the trends represented by the Anya Hindmarch Stripy Gracie Mini Shoulder Bag and the Reed Krakoff Kit Python and Leather Shoulder Bag are nothing new – exotics, brights, you guys are all old hat at this. But which do you like better, lots of natural snakeskin with a little bit of color, or lots of color with a little bit of texture? Check out the larger photos and vote in our poll, after the jump.

One of the major problems I seem to run into when creating our Gift Guides is that my list of wants grows exponentially as I hunt down the best handbag finds on the web. The focus of this guide are trendy bags. There are two types of trendy: wear-once pieces, and fun, yet wearable pieces.

I focused on the latter. These nine bags have all the right touches of current trends while still being great wardrobe staples. From colorblocking, to buckle detailing, to chunky hardware, if you are looking for a trendy bag for yourself or someone on your list our guide will have your answer:

Proenza Schouler Python Suede PS1 Bag, $3645 via Barneys

As regular readers have probably noticed, Megs and I have different personal styles. I tend more toward black, she tends more toward brown. She usually chooses hippie-ish details, I prefer industrial finishes. Our tastes overlap more than you’d think, considering those big differences, and one place that we’re always able to meet in the middle is over our shared love for everything Proenza Schouler – especially the handbags.

That’s why it didn’t surprise me when yesterday, Megs turned her laptop around to show me a bag she was drooling over and it just so happened to be the same one that I had stared at for what seemed like hours a few days prior – the Proenza Schouler Python Suede PS1 Bag. Just…look at it.

All of us East Coasters went crazy at the Rebecca Minkoff Sample Sale in NYC (and we scored major loot), and now all of our West Coast ladies can as well. Today and this weekend, Rebecca Minkoff is hosting her Los Angeles and San Francisco Sample Sales. Each is bound to have plenty of loot at amazing prices. If you are able to stop by, have a plan in mind and make sure your arms are strong enough to hold many bags at once. Info after the jump!