Salvatore Ferragamo Calfskin Tote, $2751 via Luis Via Roma

“You can’t wear white after Labor Day or before Easter!”

Is there actually anyone out there who believes that anymore? I mean, besides little old ladies. Even I, as a daughter of the South and a woman introduced to pearls, slips and “proper dressing” at a young age, think this rule is beyond tired. Winter white is a beautiful thing, and if you’re not entirely convinced, this gorgeous Salvatore Ferragamo Calfskin Tote is here to talk some sense into you. When Ferragamo speaks, you listen.

Yesterday, Vlad, Amanda and I headed west to what seemed like the end of the world, aka the Hudson River. (Geography for anyone living in Manhattan is utterly skewed.) I would gladly walk 6 avenues any day for the chance to preview Coach‘s upcoming collection of bags and accessories, especially when hosted in the Archive at the Coach Carriage House. While we were there to focus on Spring 2012, my eyes continuously wandered to case after case of Coach staples from the past. But that will come another day; today is all about the upcoming collection.

WELL. This is a little late! Sorry y’all, I had an extremely inconveniently scheduled doctor’s appointment this afternoon, so Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is running a tad behind schedule. And if you were the woman sitting next to me at Dos Toros during the lunch rush today, yapping into your Bluetooth about last week’s episode, then I totally agree with you about Kyle’s behavior.

Anyway, let’s get this show on the road. Last night’s episode centered around a spa party at Adrienne’s house that eclipsed every spa party we’ve ever seen in the history of Real Housewives, which is a not-insignificant number of spa parties. Someone pass me a gold-sprinkled, chocolate-dipped strawberry and let’s dish.

It has been a little while since we all played Who’s that girl? and this week seems to be dragging just a tad, so I’m ready for a little fun. Take a guess at the girl in the picture above carrying her Celine Luggage Tote.

Marc Jacobs Python Contrast Tote, $3795 via Bergdorf Goodman

Although I wasn’t a huge fan of Marc Jacobs’ Spring 2012 runway bags, his Resort 2012 collection has been on my radar for months. The mid-season line has some of Jacobs’ chicest designs in quite a while, mostly because the bags are without gimmicks. Instead, what you’ll find is clean lines and supple leather in the kinds of color combinations that feel very current.

The other notable thing about these bags is the return of the Marc Jacobs Venetia, but in an altered state. Back in the mid-2000s, the Venetia and its iconic buckled pockets were a staple of Marc’s in-demand accessories line, and now the shape is back, without its pockets, for a second tour of duty through the handbag wars. Check out more of the bags after the jump and let us know if any of them tickle your fancy.

Since moving to New York City, Vlad and I have become avid weekend brunch-goers. People in South Florida were never too serious about brunch, probably because they wanted a quick breakfast and were then off to the beach. But Manhattanites take brunch very seriously, and I have become part of the in-crowd.

We went to this great place right in our neighborhood this past weekend and sat next to another couple. We had some horrible service (but the food was amazing), and because of all the down time and ketchup spills (ON ME!!), we got to chatting with our brunch-neighbors. The gentleman was dressed in a suit and looked very dapper, which I immediately told him. He was in town visiting from San Francisco and got to chatting about how he wants a new man bag for himself.

With that conversation as inspiration, I found a bag that I think would look good on him and any other young well-put-together working man: the WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie Tote Bag.

Finally, after a million bazillion episodes, Real Housewives of New Jersey is over. Over for now, anyway! Apparently Bravo thinks that the drama between cast members is so juicy right now that they’ve fast-tracked the next season, so we’ll be rejoining our guidettes much sooner than we might have expected.

Before we start speculating about next season, though, we have to tie up this one. Last night’s second installment of the reunion was anticlimactic compared to the first one, butI suppose that the revelations about Caroline and Dina’s relationship were interesting enough to sustain most of it. Still, I’m glad that we get to move on to Atlanta in November.