Let’s dispense with the boring, non-Danielle parts of this episode of Real Housewives of New Jersey quickly. First, Dina is sad because she has to send her daughter/best buddy to Cyprus. It’s actually kind of sweet, although Dina appears to be a huge xenophobe, because she actually seems like she’ll worry for her daughter and miss spending time with her. Aww, that’s cute. Jacqueline still can’t get pregnant (although she did about 9 months ago and is due any day now). Teresa and Goomba Johnny or whoever her husband is decide that it’d be fun for everyone to take dance classes, since the teevee told her that dancing was fun, and they all go and do it (except for Dina, who was probably at home continually rolling her eyes). And Danielle is totally creepy about both the dance instructor and Caroline’s son Albie.

This teaches us an important lesson for the rest of the show: Danielle will hit on anything with external genitalia. She also pisses off Goomba Johnny, who was acting exactly as you’d expect him to act by calling the dance instructor gay,* and then insults Teresa for being married to him. Which brings us to the best part of the entire episode, and the drama that we’ve all been waiting for: everyone freakin’ hates Danielle.

Click here to find out why...

It appears as though a major designer is finally getting real about what the economic downturn might mean to their handbag business, and not in any small way. The Burberry Leather Messenger Bag is part of a line of several bags that the brand has put out this season with price tags dramatically lower than their normal leather offerings would be. This one, for example, is priced at staggeringly low (for a brand like Burberry) $375.

And although the bag may be fairly simple in design, it doesn’t seem like an afterthought to me. The finish of the leather reminds me of the crinkly bags that Prada has released this season, except this bag is slightly more matte and the shoulder strap allows it to be worn as a very chic oversized shoulder bag or across the body. Good design doesn’t necessarily mean extra complications, and based on this line from Burberry, it also doesn’t mean exorbitant prices. This may not be the most exciting bag that any of us have ever seen, but I think the price point is cause to celebrate indeed. Buy through Saks for $375.

I’ve resisted the fringe trend for quite a while now. I’ve posted a few examples of fringe bags that I like on PurseBlog Savvy over the past few months, but I wasn’t ready to come out and love the trend as a whole. I thought it was messy. I thought it was floppy. I thought it was a little too hippie-dippy for my personal taste. But then I saw Whitney Port carrying a fringe bag and my mind changed. Pretty much instantly.

And since then, I’ve decided that the fringe bag I’m mostly likely to invest in is the Linea Pelle Janis Fringe Tote. Unlike the rest of the Purse Blog crew, I’m not lucky enough to already have a fab Linea Pelle bag, but from what they’ve said, I know the leather on this one is going to be soft and wonderful and the bag will most likely be one I’ll find myself reaching for again and again. I think I like this bag above all other fringe bags because it’s so well-edited and comparatively understated. The fringe isn’t hanging from every last surface, it’s concentrated in the corners and a bit less cowgirl than carrying something covered in hanging bits of leather. Yes, ladies, I think this is the one for me. Buy through Bloomingdale’s for $425.

It pains me to write this since I normally adore Valentino bags, particularly those that play on their ever-popular rose theme. But, as far as the Valentino Petale Satchel goes, I just can’t get on board.

A lot of their bags are ruffly and fluffy and plush in a way that few other designers are able to execute with any level of skill at all, but this one is just sort of flat. And I mean that both literally and figuratively. In the physical sense, it looks like this bag was shipped in a box stuffed with a few too many of its brothers and sisters. Instead of big and fabulous, the flowered front looks squashed and flat. And it’s not just the picture – the bag looks like that in person too, or maybe like someone cut off the big petals at the base, and this is all that’s left. As a result, the bag doesn’t have the personality that most of the similarly themed Valentino bags have, and I’ll have to take a pass on this one. Buy through Saks for $2495.

Louis Vuitton brought us news and an image of the new Louis Vuitton Core Values icons. Say farewell to the Coppolas and hello to three new exceptional figures. Louis Vuitton commemorates the 40th anniversary of man’s conquest of the Moon and features Buzz Aldrin, Jim Lovell, and Sally Ride as their Core Values icons.

The photograph by Annie Leibovitz is not only amazing but captivating, showing three individuals who have accomplished a similar feat which seemed unimaginable. Louis Vuitton has found a way to inspire with this Core Values Campaign and continues to reach above and beyond.

Read the press release below...

I’ve had my eye on the Mulberry Roxanne A4 Tote ever since its first red patent leather iteration came out several seasons ago, and now that it’s back (and less expensive) in purple patent-coated canvas, I can’t help but fawn over it again.

One thing that I think Mulberry does very well with their bags is that they make them completely and totally functional. They seem to consider the purpose for which the bag will be used just as much as they consider the way that the bag will look, and what they end up with is a great collection of bags that can be used every day and for a variety of purposes. All kinds of women could have these bags in their closet. I have but one gripe with this bag in particular, and it’s purely aesthetic: the straps and the pocket flaps. They’re a different material, which I like for an accent, but I wish they were smooth instead of pebbled. The pebbling really, really bugs me. A lot. Other than that, though, I think purple patent will go with a lot more than you may realize. Buy through Bloomingdale’s for $795.

Clutches have long been an obsession of mine. A small handbag which fits in your hand and speaks to you and others. Clutches are like a little piece of fashion heaven. We all know the typical designs, but to find a design that stands out and will be remembered by all who view it is a special piece indeed. This is why Paige Gamble has caught our attention; her one of a kind and limited edition clutches tantalize our handbag loving senses.

Paige Gamble uses exotic skins including alligator, stingray, anaconda, python, and lizard. On top of that she implements exotic gemstones and minerals found around the world. Her clutches have our attention as there is no detail left unattended. A little black dress with a standout clutch will catch attention from anyone. Our pick, the Paige Gamble Ostrich Fish Clutch with its sky blue matte ostrich body and hand-enameled goldfish. $1400 through PaigeGamble. We have our eye on Paige Gamble now and will continue to bring you more of her fabulous designs!

Have you ever seen a woman in the mall or wherever who is impeccably coifed and seems to just have that air of luxury about her? If you know whom I am talking about, because we have all seen her, this Chloé Sally Calf Leather Shoulder Bag is what she’d be carrying. Doesn’t it just exude a quiet sophistication? The structure especially points towards times past where people just didn’t walk around in sweatpants or ripped jeans, but where polished was a must. That said, this bag would look equally amazing with a starched white button-down and slacks as is would with a white tee shirt and boyfriend jeans.

The accent to detail in this bag is what makes it gorgeous. Notice the careful gold hardware outline of that makes the subdued violet color pop, the delicately woven gold straps, and the overlap on the double-flap front. By taking advantage of Net-a-Porter’s Zoom-In feature, you can get a close-up on the gorgeously pebbled calf leather. It’s a fancier bag and you can see that in the construction, which is exactly why I’m lusting over it. And of course it helps that my favorite color is purple. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1396.50.

Perfectly poised in a pretty azure blue, this pocket tote handbag from Hype is the perfect bag to pair with summer whites. The turquoise reminds us of the deepest blues of the seas surrounding our favorite Greek isles. The gloss of the snake embossed leather is a charming contrast to the gold tone hardware. The flap’s oversized clasp enclosure conceals a pocket and on the back side of the bag is a snap closure pocket perfect for keys or your mobile.The best part is the price, $177. Find the Hype azure snake embossed Jordan pocket detail tote and other handbags at Bluefly. Save $30 off your first order at Bluefly.com with Coupon Code – THEFIND30 . Good through June 30, 2009.

Via The Find

I’m in a big Yves Saint Laurent mood lately, and I’m not sure why. Normally, I like things that are a bit weirder, a bit flashier, or just a bit more unexpected. Which is not to say that YSL is boring, but their aesthetic is normally just a bit more tailored and simple than my own.

I keep finding YSL bags that I really like in the past couple of weeks, however, and the Yves Saint Laurent Deerskin Hobo is the most recent. I even like the shade of almost-chocolate brown that they used, which is exceptionally odd for me, and possibly means that I need to lay down for a moment. But it seems like it would be usable in most people’s wardrobes (if not my own, which is exceptionally heavy in black) for a variety of occasions and for most of the year. The seaming at the ends gives the bag a slightly more interesting shape than your average small hobo and the small chain elements to the handle add a bit of visual interest as well. All in all, another solid effort from YSL. Buy through Bluefly for $895.99.