Alright, it is official, I am on a stocking stuffer kick right now. Now, top that off with the Coach bag Anna just covered and I think my eye is fixated on small, sort of flashy handbags and accessories. So, with these two things in mind you might be able to see why I had to stop and take note when I came across the Perlina Snake Embossed Mini Bag. Obviously, the key word with this handbag is mini. In fact, I almost thought it was a wristlet when I first saw it.

I’ve been staring at this Coach Sequin Pouch for a few days trying to reconcile my feelings about it, but to no avail. Here’s the problem: recently we covered the Coach Sequins Spotlight Bag, which I unexpectedly adored. And then this Coach bag came my way, also with sequins, also Coach Poppy, but somehow much less exciting and special.

Now, I’m not a sequins girl. In fact, most of what I wear is carefully chosen to be sans any sort of flashiness. So while it was curious that I loved the Spotlight so much, this bag should come as no surprise. And yet, while knowing that I myself would never wear a sequined creation, I recognize that this bag is quite wearable.

Happy belated Thanksgiving from the Upper East Side, everyone! Can you guess what our favorite Manhattanites had dialed up this year for their Turkey Day celebration? Secrets, of course! They’re the gifts that will keep on giving, all the way to Christmas.

Really, this show would be nothing without its secrets, machinations, and dastardly plots. Once a round of them has been exposed and resolved, it’s out with another round to keep the narrative wheels turning. If everyone on this show suddenly started being honest, there would be no Gossip Girl of which to speak. It would be the End Times.

So lie they did – they lied their little 19-year-old hearts out. Some of the grownups lied too, but I don’t think you can blame Trip since he’s a politician and that’s part of his job. Or Lily, because she’s a socialite and WASPs don’t discuss family problems. Even with other members of the family.

When evaluating high-end handbags, there are a lot of materials to consider. Designers make purses out of everything from linen and nylon to crocodile and python, and the workmanship and price points vary wildly. Until now, however, I had never had to evaluate an expensive bag made of cork. But that’s exactly what the Kara Ross Mia Lizard-Trimmed Cork Clutch is, so here goes nothing.

Valentino does two very disparate things very well. They somehow manage to make both bags that are elegant in their simplicity and bags that are fabulous in their over-the-top adornment. Those two design philosophies are at opposite ends of the aesthetic spectrum, and their mastery of both makes them one of the most exciting accessories brands on the market right now.

The Valentino Nappa Studded Bow Tote is a bag of the first type, although the swagger and design confidence is indicative of a brand that has all but mastered the second. Excuse me while I drool all over Valentino for another paragraph or two…

Like many families, ours has a few Thanksgiving traditions of our own. And with Thanksgiving leftovers just about completely consumed, I am still thinking about Thanksgiving and the quality time I had a chance to spend with my family. Usually before we eat we all go around the table and say what we are thankful for. Then once dinner is wrapping up, we begin talking about what we might want for Christmas. For the ladies in our family, almost everyone mentions a need for a new bag or wallet. Is your family the same?

Here’s some Cyber Monday goodness for you guys: Take $50 off a $250 purchase today at Bloomingdales.com!