3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Tote, $975 via Net-a-Porter

Before I start, one caveat: The 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Croc Effect Tote looks much better with its gussets zipped, and I’m not sure why Net-a-Porter didn’t photograph it both ways. I’ve included a zipped-gusset photo after the jump for comparison, but Net-a-Porter’s shot is so much larger and clearer that you get a better sense of the bag’s details from it, even if the zippers are open.

What happens when you shut the zippers is that you lose the inset of small stamped croc scales in favor of a solid patch of larger scales, which plays fewer tricks on the eyes and looks a little bit less…busy. Overall, though, I think that the variation of scale size and the stark grey-and-white palette go a long way toward making this bag as covetable as it is.

This Halloween I am celebrating by dressing up as a lady who spas (meaning I’m putting on a much needed green mud mask and a soak for my hair while wearing a robe). The kids coming to our door may be a little confused as to what I am, but I think it works and I totally need some at-home spa treatments. And for their having to look at me, they will be rewarded handsomely with some of our favorite treats. From Crunchies to Smarties to M&M’s to Haribo Gummi candies, there is a treat for everyone that comes to our door.

My treat tonight is my Hermes Alligator Kelly Longue Wallet. Every year it is the best Halloween accessory a girl can ask for. And the lady who spas as a Halloween costume coincides well with a little piece of Hermes.

What are you dressed up as or who are you dressing up as what? Have a sweet, safe, and fun Halloween!

Milly Victoria Suede Clutch, $230. Milly Victoria Leather Crossbody, $285. Both via ShopBop.

It’s so easy to become completely jaded to the prices of handbags after you’ve been buying them for a couple of years, but when you stand back and look at it, a grand or two for a handbag really is an enormous amount of money, objectively. When you consider that even most big brands are assembly-line produced in a way not dissimilar to how much less expensive bags are made, an occasional bout of price frustration is not only understandable, but probably indicative of a healthy mental state.

When that happens, it’s nice to take a moment and remember that there are brand like Milly out there, making very stylish bags with price tags in the low three-figures. The Milly Victoria Bags are just the latest in a string of successes for the brand’s neophyte handbag line, and they’re very much worth noting.

Images via Moda Operandi

VBH bags, much like Hermes, are the kind of designs that I don’t really need to review. The brand turns out functional ultra-luxury masterpieces that are consistently breathtaking, and if you’re a fan of the classics, you’re probably a fan of what VBH does. If you’re not, you’ve probably stopped reading already anyway, if you even started. With that in mind, I’m going to skip the “Are these good, or do they suck?” portion of my standard spiel.

So let’s just say that VBH’s Spring 2012 Moda Operandi pre-sale is happening through November 4th, with bags ranging from $1800 for a clutch to $17500 for a pristine white crocodile satchel. As always, Moda Operandi is members-only, but we’ve got the full gallery of presale offerings after the jump so that even non-members can start planning their upcoming purchases (or, you know, just drool over the pretty stuff).

Fendi Cracked Suede Baguette, $990 in blue or silver via Bergdorf Goodman

For an entire generation of women (of which I’m a part), the Fendi Baguette was the first It Bag to penetrate our collective consciousness. Indeed, many fashion people count its popularity as the dawn of the entire It Bag concept, and I probably have its existence to credit, at least in small part, to my current employment. In handbag history, the role of this little Fendi bag can’t be overstated.

Like anything, though, the heady days of Sex and the City passed and the Baguette fell out of favor to make way for the Chloe Paddington, the Fendi Spy and all the other must-have, “ungettable get” bags that followed. The fashion industry is endlessly cyclical, though, and eventually everything old is new again. Nearly 15 years after its launch, is it time for the Fendi Baguette’s second act?

We have some very exciting new to share on this Friday afternoon! Start at the beginning of next month, you’ll now be able to put your American Express away and use your Visa or MasterCard in Neiman Marcus retail store. If you, like me, have ever felt the slight burn of shame when it comes time to pay for a purchase and you realize that you don’t have your AmEx on you that day, this will surely be good news.

NeimanMarcus.com has long accepted a variety of credit cards, as have Last Call outlet locations, but brick-and-mortar main line stores had resisted coming on board until now. To me, this feels like a long time coming. In a rough economy, why turn down potential sales? Remember: If you need some help being patient until you can shop in stores, NeimanMarcus.com is always open.

Chevre de Coromandel – Black Crocodile Birkin 35cm GHW – Turquoise Swift Birkin 30cm PHW

Be still my heart. Some of the promotions I work on are both sheer joy and total temptation, and the Madison Avenue Couture Hermes Rue La La boutique is a perfect example of this. Starting today at 11 AM EST, RueLaLa.com an incredible selection of over 60 Hermes bags from around the world for sale. Over 70% of the bags are highly coveted Birkins and Kellys in materials varying from crocodile and ostrich to lizard and more. Included in this allotment is a never-before-carried black crocodile Birkin, and I think you ladies all know how coveted those are. If the bags are not what you are looking for or aren’t in your price range, there will be a selection of scarves, jewelry and accessories (like the Clic-Clac bracelet).

We (and you) are very lucky because we can show you these bags before the boutique opens so that you can begin your strategic planning. Figure out what it is that you want/need and get your purchase fingers ready. This is a boutique you will not want to miss!

Shop the Hermes selection at Ruelala.com now!