I’m on the fence in the battle between gold and silver hardware on black bags. On the one hand, I really like industrial-inspired style (as I’ve said about 6,904 times in the past month) and silver hardware (and lots of it) is basically the only way to go to achieve that look. Also, I only wear silver jewelry. On the other hand, gold hardware gives a bag a glam sensibility and a bit of a retro edge that is perfect for some looks. Either way, sometimes something as simple as hardware color is enough to make or break a look.

Particularly in a bag with as much hardware as the Miu Miu Black Lambskin Tote. I love the style of it all – the laced-together eyelets remind me of corsetry, and that seems like such a cool reference to make since both corsets and bags use some of the same parts to do their jobs. The rivets and straps are big enough to not get lost in the bag’s details, but something is slightly off for me. I really, really want this bag to have silver hardware. Somehow, it just seems more appropriate for both the reference and for this season’s trends. Other than that, it’s basically perfect. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1350.

I suck terribly at following through with my duties, one of which was to pick and announce the winner of the mini contest I ran early May. The task was to find a new name for our Bag Art category, in which we are posting our very own efforts to visualize beautiful bags.

The 5 finalists are:

Captured Couture – NYC Sara
Bagography – morgan
Shutter Bags – Ces-A
Purse-ecution – Jo-Jo
Bagstract – Erin

And the winner is...

I am going to go ahead and speak for the entire Purse Blog team when I say, this is a great Tuesday. I’ve said it before, but collaborations are the best! And today, I get to share with you yet another amazing, I mean, super amazing collaboration we’ve started. This time, we are working with the oh so posh and glamorous Beverly Hills Lifestyle Magazine!

I was beyond thrilled to hear about the opportunity to partner with this fashion forward magazine. Anything and everything related to fashion can be found in this magazine. You don’t have to be a resident of the Beverly Hills area to appreciate the magazine. In fact, this is the kind of magazine that will set trends, set the tone and show you everything you need to know about fashion. As you can imagine, we are in love! Head over to Beverly Hills Magazine to check out not only what they have to offer but also how we are involved (pay attention to pages 12, 58-59). We hope you enjoy this partnership as much as you do!

Lady Gaga is not only heating up the music scene but is infiltrating the fashion world as well. You can bet that anytime you see Lady Gaga her ensemble will be entirely unique and outlandish. We already spotted Gaga with a Dolce and Gabbana bag and now we have spotted Gaga with a bag I am obsessing over.

Image and info after the jump...

Some bags don’t translate well in photos. Sometimes it’s because of the flash, sometimes it’s because of the finish of the leather, and in the case of the Gucci Icon Bit Tote, it appears that both of those elements are culprits.

Of course, it’s difficult to photograph any kind of patent leather (or any other shiny material, for that matter), but it seems that the oddly liquid-like multicolor pattern (can you call it a pattern?) that is going on here makes it even more difficult. Normally I’m a lover of loud bags and odd colors, but this one has me confounded and makes me think that I’d have to see it in person to really get any sort of idea about it. And even then, if the picture looks anything like the bag actually does, I don’t think I’d like it. Patent, when combined with metallics and iridescence in this way, tend to show every finger print or oil of any kind. For something that is so often touched, that’s simply not a good look. The shape is functional and simple, which is nice, but this bag has too many other odd things working against it. Buy through Neiman Marcus for $1190.

Ok, I know you have probably become accustom to reading recaps about the train wreck that is the Real Housewives of New Jersey. Amanda has done an amazing job of recapping the season and all of its highs and lows. Although I watched the show religiously, I would look forward to Amanda’s posts just the same.

Putting the drama aside for a minute, there is another word that comes to mind when I think of the Real Housewives … FASHION! No matter what any of us think of the show, we cannot deny the fabulous apparel and accessories these women wear. Gorgeous clothing, shoes, accessories and handbags can be spotted in every single episode. This season, some of the lovely ladies have been spotted carrying the following handbags:

So, which housewife carried which bag? Head over to Luxaholics to see if your guesses are right!

Gilt Groupe is having amazing bag deals this week! Today they have Marc Jacobs bags on sale. Make sure to pop over and check it out. Signing up is easy and the deals to be had are amazing. Get your shopping fingers ready, sale begins at 12:00 p.m. EST!

While I am not 100% on the bandwagon, the Alexander Wang Coco Bag is the most coveted bag of the season thus far. It popped up on Barneys and then sold out. It popped up on ShopBop and then sold out. And now it has popped up on Net A Porter but is also already sold out.

If you are trying to nab the Alexander Wang Coco you have to continue checking back to each store. They continuously update their inventory and you may be one of the lucky ones. I must say the leather looks like pebbled smooth scrumptiousness and the studs do add the perfect edge.

Finally. FINALLY. I’ve finally found a Christian Louboutin handbag that I love without reservation and without criticism. I’ve been looking for this bag for a long time, and I’ve seen lots and lots of mediocre (or worse) handbags from Mr. Louboutin during my quest for one that I adore. But the Christian Louboutin Loubistuds Clutch is here now, and it has comforted me and made my long journey worth the time spent.

Something that I’ve loved about Louboutin handbags since they started it is the tiny pair of red-soled heels that form the kisslock on top. Not only does this bag feature that cute little detail, but it also has row after row of shiny, pointy studs to satisfy the rocker trend about which the fashion world is abuzz. It looks like the folks at Louboutin took great care in considering how this bag would be carried, though – the studs come to a point, but appear to be a bit domed off and not at all sharp so they won’t hurt your hand. The double center pleats give the bag a bit of structural variation without taking away from the over-studded effect, and overall, this is a clutch that I would kill to have in my collection. Buy through Luisa Via Roma for $1519.

My opinion on these new little wristlets from Prada is yet to be determined. Part of me looks at them and merely sees a stage prop perfectly suited for Shakespeare in the park. The other part of me thinks the colors are drab, materials are not feasible, and price is outlandish. Both of the Prada Velluto Wristlet Pouch are designed with velvet which is a material little known to the modern handbag market.

One is made with mustard velvet and the other with a gold velvet design on top of a blue satin body. That is just it, the mustard, is a color which at times can look beautiful on leather but looks like a baby’s diaper in velvet. Both have a drawstring cinch at the top and a wrist strap. The more I think and talk about it the more this piece has shown me it is fit as a prop and not much else. Dimensions are 6″W X 8″H X 5″D. Buy the designed version for $450 via Saks and the mustard version for $395 via Saks.