Sometimes when I pick a bag to write about, I know I’m asking for trouble. I don’t mind the disagreement, though - I possess that rare and endearing quality of always thinking I’m right, no matter what (that IS endearing, right? No? Oh). So I present, without fear, the Mulberry Metallic Croc Print Bayswater. Super shiny? Yes, it is. Stamped with an exotic texture? Yes, that too. Too big to pull it off? Probably, but I really like it anyway, and you can’t convince me otherwise.

Despite the fact that its texture is mirror-slick and not distressed like the metallics I usually prefer, the fact that they used a gunmetal silver instead of a bright, blue-based silver is really winning me over. The texture reminds me of a much less expensive, much more useful version of the Balenciaga Metallic Crocodile Wristlet we’ve talked about recently. I’d choose the Bal in a second, but since I don’t think my credit card limit is that high, the Mulberry version seems like a fun substitute that might actually hold some of my stuff. Buy through ShopBop for $1250.

The first 10 may have already found the Easter egg, but you can still give the Rebeca Minkoff Easter Egg hunt a go! Visit RebeccaMinkoff.com

Most handbag lovers are also shoe lovers. So this post will fit in nicely, amongst all the designer handbag chatter. Jimmy Choo shoes are positively known across the globe and their latest collaboration with Hunter is going to have the shoe world’s attention. Hunter, an iconic British brand, was established in 1856 and their Wellington boots are known for performance, durability and comfort. Hunter has a dedicated following worldwide embracing everyone from farmers to rock stars to the British Royal Family. And Jimmy Choo follows suit nicely. Jimmy Choo may not ubiquitous with farmers but celebs, rock stars, and shoe lovers save to splurge on magnificently designed Choo’s.

The collaboration between Jimmy Choo & Hunter has resulted in a sophisticated rendition of the Wellington boot with crocodile print and a branded top bind. Everything about these boots are perfectly stylish and wearability is key. For all the rain Florida gets in the summer, I would have use for these boots. And just looking at this picture I can imagine women around the world wearing this fashionable rubber boots and jumping through puddles. I am already decided to go on the waitlist for these boots. The boots will be sold exclusively in the United Kingdom and the United States and online at www.jimmychoo.com from June 2009. A waiting list will be available for the boots from 1st May on www.jimmychoo.com. Hunter & Jimmy Choo Retail Prices: £235, €295 and $395. Read more...

Everybody is talking about Proenza Schouler. Even though the “it” bag craze has died down, there are still designers that are churning out handbags that are must have’s. The newest addition to this group is Proenza Schouler bags. Celebrities have been flocking to this line and sporting the coveted Proenza Schouler PS1 around town (Mary Kate Olsen and Leighton Meester are two fans). Is the craze really worth it? We believe so. While the suede bags from Proenza Schouler are great, the idea of a suede bag scares most people off. Suede is undoubtably hard to keep clean and shows wear very easily.

This is why we would opt for a bright color in leather, just like the Proenza Schouler PS1 Leather Pochette which is done in vibrant chartreuse. Lime green can be a scary color to wear, but it is brilliant to add the perfect pop of color to an accessory rather than an entire outfit. This bag will stand out with a little black dress or look perfectly chic with jeans and a tee shirt. The PS1 Pochette adds a cool dimension with the strap detailing, which is what this line has become known for. There is a fold over flap with a lock and strap fastening as well as compartments at the front, a zipped compartment at the back, and an inside zipped compartment. Buy through Net A Porter for $895.

Today has started out as an early one. Have you ever woken up waaaay early and found that you couldn’t fall back asleep? Well, that was me this morning. I woke up, rolled over, gasped at the time, tried to fall back asleep and couldn’t. As I laid in bed, I did a little day (or perhaps you could say early morning) dreaming. For whatever reason, I pictured myself in a convertible driving along the coast. Top down, wind in my hair, awesome sunglasses, blaring the songs of one of my favorite bands - Postal Service, and of course an amazing bag next to me holding everything I might need for my coastal drive. So clearly, my next thought was, what bag would I carry along with me?

Without much thought, the perfect bag came to mind, the Dylan Folding Tote. This is the same bag Hilary Duff has been sporting all over the place lately, and I can see why. The bag is gorgeous. I love waiting to see how the Dylan transforms itself. Over the past few season, we’ve seen different versions, but one thing remained the same, Dylan is an instant hit. The Linea Pelle Dylan Folding Tote is no exception. With so many colors to choose from, I don’t know if one would be enough. Choose from washed italian leather in black, coconut (creamy white), cognac (reddish brown) and persimmon (orange). This bag is says casual and chic all at once. It’s sure to be a huge hit. Would you pick this for your costal drive? Buy through Linea Pelle for $775.

PS - You like what you see? Keep coming back throughout the month because there are still two more Linea Pelle bags we are giving away and this could be one!

The slouchy hobo is a refreshing contrast to the structured handbags from winter. It’s time to celebrate sunny days ahead. From the ultra luxe Jimmy Choo “Saba” hobo to the Xhilaration version from Target there is a slouchy hobo for all budgets. So come on, let your hair down, toss on a loose and flowy maxi dress and don’t forget the mani-pedi. To complete your look a pair of flip-flops and ’80s inspired shades are in order.

Slouchy hobos for all budgets (from top left clockwise):

* Go for the Luxe - Jimmy Choo Medium Saba studded hobo in red at Saks $1,850.
* Some Room to Splurge - Donald J Pliner Slouchy Hobo in yellow at Victoria’s Secret, $465.
* On a Budget - “Sew Smart” Slouchy Hobo at Baghaus $45.
* Looking for a Bargain! - Xhilaration Oversized Slouchy Hobo in gray at Target, $22.99.

Via The Find

The subjects of what kind of person buys counterfeit bags and what buying counterfeit says about a person have, admittedly, been discussed to death. On our forum and in other places, both the fake haters and the fake lovers have very, very strong opinions. People in this debate seem to get offended quickly and take the choices of the other side personally. Fake buyers think that real buyers are fashion-industry dupes; real buyers think that fake buyers are cheapskates that want everyone to think they’re rich.

The issue of counterfeiting is rife with the problems of legality, intellectual property, socioeconomics, and conspicuous consumption. Great thinkers like Jean Baudrillard have struggled mightily over the value of authenticity, the role of the replica, and what said role says about the society which embraces it. Handbags are obviously only a part of the overall authenticity question, but when Louis Vuitton can increase earnings even in a global recession, they might be a part worth considering with increased seriousness.

And that’s exactly what Duke and MIT researcher Dan Ariely did.

Click to find out his results...

Oh. My. Gawd. I know a lot of you ladies probably watch Real Housewives of New York, and if you didn’t stick around after last night’s new episode to see the preview of Real Housewives of New Jersey, well, you made the biggest mistake of your entire week. I’ve been a casual fan of all three incarnations of the “Real Housewives” franchise since way back when Jo and Slade were still going to get married in Orange County. Atlanta is my favorite, for obvious reasons, and I want to be besties with Bethenny from New York (”You come from a place of “no.” BAHahahaha). I’d like an opportunity to punch Kelly Killoren Bensimon in the face, but she’d probably just crumple into a pile of shriveled, fake-tanned limbs if I did that.

But last night, five big-haired broads from north Jersey changed my world...

Don’t get me wrong; I love me some questionably tasteful animal print more than almost anyone. And I love it most in bright colors that real leopards certainly don’t come in. So, in theory, I should really like the Lanvin Pop Leopard-Print Clutch. And in a way, I do. Just not in the kind of way that I need to love it in order to spend over a grand to purchase it.

See, leopard print can be a tough thing to deal with. It teeters on the edge that separates fashion and trash, and if you take a wrong turn, things start looking not-so-high-end. And I think that’s our problem here - the color and the fabric don’t have anything EXTRA to them to make this anything but a random animal print clutch. The design pop isn’t there for me, and with someone as brilliant as Alber Elbaz helming Lanvin, it really should be. I generally adore at least some aspect of their bags, and I’d snap one of these up if it was on the racks at Urban Outfitters. For the price they’re asking, though, I need them to do something else. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1120.

As any handbag lover would, I always wonder what the big trends will be when a season’s new bags start to hit the Internet. Last season, we had purple bags, and there have been various It-Bags for every season before. So, what’s on deck for this season? The first big thing I have noticed about Spring 2009 is that apparently, we all have the blues. Blue bags, that is. I’ve got 4 awesome examples for you, several of which I’m sure we’ll cover in more detail in future posts, so that you can be the first one to tell all your friends what they should be buying.

Click here to keep reading...