Being the handbag lovers that we are, we all know that we yearn to have a bag that is “in” at the moment. Unfortunately for many of our bank accounts, if we followed our hearts and desires to keep buying all these bags right away, we would be living out of our bags- literally. If you have been looking for a metallic little bag to take out on the town with you, Banana Republic’s Metallic Seamed Small Shoulder Bag will add a little zest to your wardrobe. Whether it is black, denim, white, or colors, this bronze metallic leather bag may light up your night. The bag uses solid brass hardware with antiqued finish to follow hand in hand with the shiny leather. Having the leather shoulder strap stitched with hoop attachments to the base of the bag, adds even a little more fun (8″ drop). The bag is a zip-top closure with a zip pocket on the inside, for your oh-so-sexy gloss. The bag measures: 5″ x 11 1/2″ x 2 1/2″. On the same adorable note, this bag can be yours for a little less than $100- buy it for $98 via Banana Republic.

Tweed has made its appearance as one of the hot fabrics of fall and winter. But if you can’t spend money like it’s growing on a tree, there are always other alternatives. Gap has quite a few cute bags, some oober cheap, and they are making sure to get the style without the huge price. The Gap Tweed Tote combines style, beauty, and affordableness. The body of this tote is red tweed with embossed crocodile leather trim. The two front snap pockets also implement the embossed crocodile leather along with tweed flap closure and velvet ribbon bows. The inside can be accessed through the metal hinged main compartment. If you are looking for a work bag, or an everyday bag, this tote could carry most of what you need. The overall dimensions are 16″ long X 12″ high X 4″ wide. If red isn’t the color for you, there is also herringbone (which is a brown-green mix). On my quest to bring you cute bags for less, I think you will all be proud of me finding this bag for a mere $54 through Gap.

I know we all love to dream about expensive bags, but sometimes they just don’t fit into our budgets! Hence, today will be the first ever Affordable Friday! Hope you all enjoy it

This was just too good to pass it up. Christian Dior’s John Galliano presented their Spring ‘06 collection with an event garlanded with the kind of pomp and power only the French can bestow upon the business of fashion – as Style.com’s Sarah Mower described the important fashion event in Paris’ Grand Palais.

As we don’t care as much for the dresses (they are fantastic nonetheless), the full focus of our attention definitely aims for the dazzling Dior Saddle bag, which was presented in a new, softly folded variation that we had yet to see. Although the colors suggest more of a fall feeling than spring, the shape and materials suggest a very comfortable shoulder bag with its traditional saddle shape, yet modern assets in form of a brass key and a medallion. Will ‘06 be the Year of the Key? We sure will see, but for now I’ll leave you with the first impressions of the new Dior Saddle:

via style.com

Oh yes my children, it is the time for Spring 2006 Vogue and Couture galore! Before we continue with ecstatic outbursts of joy and excitement over luscious bags from the biggest names in the biz, I would like to take a moment to point out this pink croc mini-suitcase as presented by Prada in Paris. My eyes undergo orgasmic spasms staring at this piece, no doubt you’ll get double-screened and strip-searched at the airport due to this dangerous hotness!

Via Trent via Style.com.

* I just saw that Bag Crazy also found this beauty! Great minds think alike

A fuggin’ we will go, a fuggin’ we will go, Hi-Ho the ugly bag, a fuggin’ we will go! It’s been a while since we have showed you the fug of the world of handbags and purses. But it is time again, and unfortunately from a designer that I really happen to like. Luella, what have you done? Luella decided to release the fug of all fugs and of all bags that have fringes and dangles, the Luella Fringed Tassel Shoulder Bag. What the heck is behind this bag? If a mom carried this bag and I were a kid, I would be inclined to run back and forth through the fringes that seriously hang down to her knees, or I would hang on it and swing back and forth. As a matter of fact, I would still do that and I’m a grown woman (by age standards at least). The bag starts off nice with its base. The bag compartment itself is made of chocolate brown calfskin with the signature large leather heart shaped tags. Everything good so far. Also, the bag is accented with gold hardware and has a shoulder strap with gold rings on the end. Still we are good to go. The rest of the small stuff like the hook closure with gold heart charms is still cute and good. I don’t mind the blue stitching. But all of a sudden it is like we have plummeted down Mt. Kilimanjaro to the tassels. These tassels are unbearable. Why the heck do the hang so freggin low to the ground. If you are short, they may even just drag on the ground behind you. The gold, brown, and blue tassels along the base are fuggin’ Fugly. I really wish the dimensions of how far down those things go were available. Because, it’s just awful. The bag is overall awful. Even worse is the price they want for this thing. My good guess is you will never need to be put on a waiting list for this sucker- I don’t know who in their right mind would like this bag for $1950 via Net-A-Porter (I hope it is not YOU!).

It’s been a while since I’ve talked about what holds our money. How else can we purchase a handbag without a wallet with our plastic and cash? I ran into this Bric’s Margherita Cognac Patchwork Suede and Leather ID Wallet and immediately was drawn to it. I think it reminds me of the 70’s and Miu Miu. But it’s not Miu Miu- and a perk of that is the price being much less than Miu Miu goes for. The Margherita line is a new line by Bric’s which has introduced this wallet. The wallet blends in a beautiful flowing design on the front of patchwork suede in a 70’s scheme of colors. The inside is made of dark brown leather. I love the color palette of cognac- which looks to include green, beige and dark brown colors. The inside has one bill compartment plus a coin pocket and 10 slots for cards (yay for all of us plastic lovers). The wallet’s dimensions are 3.94″ H x 5.91″ W x .79″ D. If you need a groovy wallet, this may be a cute fall wallet for you. Available via Forzieri for $138 (I told you it was a Miu Miu look for an sixth of the price!)

I can’t say I own anything by Versace. But since I was little my dad always took us down to South Beach to eat at News Room Cafe and other places right next to Versace’s house (ah yes before he was murdered), I always was intrigued by the man. Maybe it was because he had the only house on Ocean Drive which was a beautiful mansion, maybe it was because of how put together he looked the one time I saw him in person at the News Room Cafe, or just because of the reputation associated with his name. I feel like it is time I put some Versace in my closet.

Although I would melt over a Versace gown, I sure would take a purse too. The Versace Velvet Biker Bag manifests it’s beauty in being an evening bag with flare. Velvet is completely in style as we speak, and this bag has brought in black velvet with polished gold metal hardware and black leather trim. The bag is edgy and glamorous with it’s crystal-encrusted buckles and links which dazzle and sparkle. As if the crystals weren’t enough, the other focal point of the back is the golden Medusa medallion on the front. The inside of the bag is just as fun as the outside with its satin lining which boasts a g raphic black-and-white pattern along with an inside pocket. This hot bag sizes up at 8.25″ x 3.75″ x 2″. If I could afford to add yet another bag to my collection, it would be this Versace bag- which is the perfect evening bag in my standards with a price that is about $700 more than I should be paying right now. Buy it through eLuxury for $795.

For those of you who are not aware, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. I am sure many of you know women or have personally been affected by Breast Cancer. I have not only had family members who have died from it, but dealt with my own huge scare just a year and a half ago. Luckily, I am fine, but from that day on I began to try to help support the cause. Whether it is donating money to research, taking part in triathlons, or just telling the woman next to me at the cancer center that she would be another courageous and beautiful fighter, I have tried to be a part of fighting for a cure.

Coach has joined the Fight Against Breast Cancer for the month of October by giving $100 in proceeds from each Positively Pink Watch toward the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The Coach Positively Pink Watch is not only cute but also will make your heart feel good since it is for a good cause. As if the specs really even matter, since all of us as women should be contributing to breast cancer research, but this watch is made beautifully with some of the most gorgeous details. The watch features Swiss quartz, mineral crystal, and a silver dial with Swarvoski crystal. The theme is pink, so the watch has a pink bezel, a pieced pink leather strap, and has an engraved ribbon logo on the back of the stainless steel case. If this isn’t enough, you can also count on the watch to be water resistant to 99 feet. On sale for $298 via Coach (remember $100 of those dollars goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation), this watch could not be for a better cause and could not adorn you in pink any better.

If you want to really go all out, or chose between one or the other, Coach also has Special Edition Multi-Jeweled Keyfob. If you have been looking for a cute little key ring, this one may be the winner- not to mention 50% of the proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This pretty little key ring is decorated with a cluster of crystals set in silver Coach logos. To spread the hope, the enamel of the keyfob is in a pretty pink color. The keyring is nickel and measures 1 1/2”. If the watch was too much, there is no reason all of us can’t spread some hope and love by buying this keyfob- which is a mere $58 via Coach (remember half of the proceeds of this will go towards the Breast Cancer Research Foundation).

From clutches to bags to scarves, BOGOH may be just the vintage feel you are searching for. After receiving an email from Oban, who is based in England, and is creating her own range of handcrafted bags made from unusual and vintage fabrics, I decided I needed to feature this new designer. When I started to think about it, I realized I really haven’t covered much in the vintage area. Never too late to start, right? BOGOH is not making the ordinary bags you would see someone carrying on the street. Maybe some of you like to have a bag that is easily noticed and can be named by people, but sometimes it is fun to add a bag that nobody knows about, is one-of-a-kind, and everyone would like to know where you got it.

I want to start with the unordinary shape and style of the Purple Blossom Shapely Shopper. Looks like a wedge of a lemon, but with different colors. The shape just intrigues me for some reason. Probably because it is so out of the ordinary, which in many ways makes it extraordinary. Made from cotton and nylon, this bag is a green retro patterned shopper with a contrasting purple flower and beautiful hand stitched detail. The dimensions are 43cm x 29cm (16.8 in x 11.3 in). Why I like this bag is really the shape and the feel. We all know the typical LV pattern and look, but not this bag. If you had this bag with a casual outfit it could really just give your overall vibe a new outlook to those around you. This bag is on sale for £47.50 (~$83.75) through the BOGOH online store.

But if you are looking for a more classic shape but still the vintage and fun feel, I’m going to suggest the Extreme Peach Tasteful Tote. This bag mixes a vintage feel with bright and daring colors which can brighten up anyone’s smile. The tote is made of cotton and satin in the color scheme of a peach, red and black pattern. Peach satin is brought in to add detail, a flower is added for a feminine touch, and the bag is of course hand stitched and one-of-a-kind. Wouldn’t you like to add some spice to your closet with a bag like this? The tote measures 42cm x 26cm (16.4 in x 10.1 in). If you are diggin’ the tote, you can buy it through the BOGOH online store for £47.50 (~$83.75).

There is still more colors and more fun with the bumper bags. I’m feelin’ the Sweetheart Blues Bumper Bag . Made with cotton, ribbon, and beads, this is a large fun bag with lots of rich blue colors. The pattern is a divine retro heart pattern in blue and purple tones with both blue trim and strap. To add a little extra something the bag also has satin ribbon and beads. There are a few reasons why I love all these designs- one of the main reasons is the colors. It’s refreshing to break out of the fall colors (although I do love them) and venture into the bold and beautiful vibrant colors out there. Blue has always been one of my favorite colors, and this bag just feels so rich and fun. The bag sizes up at W 46cm x H 38cm (17.9 in x 14.8 in), which makes it a pretty roomy bag. Like the others, this bag is available online through BOGOH for £49.50 (~ $87.28).

And lastly, I need to venture into the world of vintage unique large clutches. My ultimate favorite of the clutches is the Gleamy Dream Clutch. Made of cotton and velvet, some of the most glorious colors are implemented when making this clutch. The clutch has an all over gold-yellow floral design with a creamy background and a beautiful handcrafted flower on the front. This clutch is made for being seen. The size is something other clutches can easily hide behind. The dimensions are 38cm x 18cm (14.8 in x 7 in), which makes for quite the large clutch. Maybe it is just be, but a clutch this big would be the perfect accessory to a night out and add such flavor to an outfit. My top choice of all of the bags I have picked is this creamy number, which is on sale for £49.50 (~87.28).