One thing that a lot of designers seem to have a very hard time doing is creating a bag that is both expensive-looking and covered in animal print. It’s not surprising since animal print is historically “tacky chic” at best, and at worst, just plain tacky. Getting past the initial “eww, is that zebra?” thought is a difficult sell for a lot of handbag customers in particular, since most people prefer their expensive bags to be neutral and timeless.

Somehow, though, the Roger Vivier Zebra Tote manages to look luxurious and chic in a traditional way, while still being boldly and obviously animal print. How did the designer pull it off? I have a theory, of course.

The popularity of striped, bright baby bags still continues to slightly baffle me, just as it did the last time I wrote about one. My questions still stand: doesn’t the pattern make it hard to incorporate into most outfits? Wouldn’t new moms feel a bit more like themselves if they were carrying a bag that looked like something they’d normally carry, rather than a bag that screams OMG DIAPERS?

Having not had a child myself, I suppose I just can’t understand. Despite that, I think that the Kate Spade Jubilee Stripe Stevie Baby Bag may be a happy medium from what I would conceptualize as a stylish bag and the busy paisley patterns that many moms seem to choose.

Get ready to be surprised and astounded, you guys: I’ve found a Valentino bag about which I am totally and utterly ambivalent. I know this doesn’t happen often, so if you feel like you need to take a moment to let that sink in, please go ahead and take one. We’ll wait.

You back? Great.

In fact, I’m having trouble rustling up any thoughts about it at all. However, one continues to reoccur: for two grand, not only can you get a better bag in general, you can get a far more interesting Valentino bag.

After thousands of you voted in Phase I of our PurseBlog and Botkier Exclusive, it is time we move on to Phase II. The shape/color/hardware options voted on the most from the first round were the popular Sasha Duffle (as seen on Angelina Jolie and other celebs), Distressed Grey, and Gunmetal hardware. To make the PurseBlog + Botkier Limited Edition Handbag even more refined, Botkier has mocked up four potential finished designs with the specs above. The goal was to design a one of a kind bag for this collaboration.

Our exclusive version of the Sasha will be made with luxurious distressed grey Italian washed lambskin with gunmetal hardware. Additional details include custom square rings and buckles, one front pocket, two top handle straps with whip-stitch detail, and a removable top handle strap that converts from a hobo to a satchel.

I was looking at my handbag collection the other day and I realized that most of my handbags are very “safe”. There are typical shapes you would expect, typical colors, and typical materials. I can’t say that my collection is boring, but the day I was looking at my bags I felt the need for some spice and pizazz amongst my bags. I bought a new Marc Jacobs bag recently (reveal to come this week) that is so loud and edgy, it will surely bring an immediate burst of energy into my collection. But I am craving more.

After I saw the Louis Vuitton Spring 2010 handbags and accessories at the LV boutique in Bal Harbour, I ordered two items. One is the colored fox tail that continues to be seen adorning the Spring bags. The other item I will not reveal, as it is one of the four bags I am having you vote on. But I am second guessing my choice and want your help. Help me decide which Louis Vuitton bag from the Spring 2010 collection will add more spunk and character to my collection.

Check back to ShopBop to find this quirky cool Marc by Marc Jacobs bag coming in soon! The print on print trend is big for spring, expect to see dots paired with stripes paired with floral prints. Marc Jacobs gets it right on the Marc by Marc Jacobs Happy Dot Mabel Tote. We expect the price to be reasonable as well. Check back to ShopBop.

Well, this is quite the interesting one. Even though this Tory Burch Rayna Nubuck Mini Bag has a seemingly perfect score on my checklist of things I like in handbags, something seems a bit off. Let’s take a closer look.

It’s purple, and I don’t have a problem with that beautiful grape shade at all- check. It’s a crossbody, which is my favorite handbag style- check. The chunky whipstitching is combined with tough suede nubuck leather, giving it a nice hand-tooled look- check. So what is it that’s unsettling? I even like the juxtaposition of the rough suede with the clean, classy, bright gold links.