Must. Share. This. Bag. That’s right, here is a great example of a handbag that I had to stop and write about. We all know that Marc Jacobs is known for exquisite and must-have bags. I admit, there are times when I wonder why some of the bags are sooo sought after but of course there are other times when I know EXACTLY why an MJ bag sells out close to instantly. But, this bag my friends, I can’t tell if is a knock out or a rip off.

The Marc Jacobs Safari Pouchette Bag is a ferocious bag with an unbelievable price tag. Thank goodness for the several different image options Net-a-Porter provides, because when I first saw this bag, it looked like a pile of material with some sort of rope-thingy.

Yet, when I saw the bag being held, I thought, “hmmm, not too bad”. This bag is definitely not one you see everywhere you look so I have to acknowledge the individuality it possesses. Zebra-print ponyskin has a draw string closure, adorned with tassels, leather flower charms (which I adore) and lined with blue leather. However, the price, yowza! Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1895.

It’s always great to see a big brand give back, and Jimmy Choo is putting their money where their mouth is with a new limited edition collection in partnership with the Elton John AIDS Foundation. The line, named Project PEP, will send 25% of its proceeds to help fund South Africa’s Simelela Rape Center. The center is often instrumental in administering patients the preventative medicine that lessens the likelihood that a victim will contract HIV from her attacker, as well as providing psychological services after the fact.

The collection itself will feature the collage-like pattern that you see here as a representation of some of the iconic elements that make Jimmy Choo all that it is today. This should look familiar to anyone that involved in punk culture in their formative years – the gritty look is a clear take-off of that subculture. It will be printed on coated canvas for the line’s bags, clutches and pouches and also used in several types of shoes. Prices will range from around $100 for flip-flops to almost $1000 for a large bag. If you like the pattern or are a Choo fan, this is money you can feel good about spending.

This clutch is a favorite among the Purse Blog team. Amanda covered this Balenciaga clutch a few months ago, and as far as I know she still did not buy it. Then there is me, who has a slight obsession with clutches and loves the giant hardware on Balenciaga bags. So an oversized clutch with giant hardware is pure love for me. Why have I still not purchased one of these clutches? The answer is truly beyond me. I keep wanting to wait and get it at the Balenciaga store in NYC. Our next trip we are tacking on at least one day for shopping, this I promise not only you but myself.

For me, the Balenciaga Arena Giant Envelope is an ideal clutch. It is a fold-over clutch with lambskin and giant silver-toned hardware. A magnetic closure is easy to use and there is a zipper pocket. I need this clutch. It is a perfect addition to my collection. I always have the same problem with Balenciaga, what color is best? The many color options actually send my head spinning rather than give me clarity on what I want. I am thinking pink. Once I finally get this clutch (and more BBags that I keep talking about), you all will breathe a sigh of relief not having to hear me try to decide on my ‘firsts’ for Balenciaga. Buy through Barneys for $995.

Sometimes, if the material that a designer uses is face-smackingly beautiful, the design doesn’t have to be anything more than basic and functional. Do one thing really right, and it’s ok if the other elements of the design aren’t as attention-getting. That seems to be the guiding principle behind the Marc Jacobs Outsider Tote, which uses a stunning color and gorgeously glazed leather to make up for the fact the bag itself is fairly simple.

I don’t even like glazed leather, but for some reason, I can’t take my eyes off of it here. Purple is, unabashedly, my all-time favorite bag color and more versatile than you’d think when used as a neutral, and the folks at Marc Jacobs have used it to capture my imagination and lure me in. This is one of the first fall offerings to surface, and wouldn’t it look great with a charcoal grey wool coat and dark denim stuffed into vintage-looking leather boots? A bag with such a vibrant but winter-appropriate color is essential when the weather gets cold and clothing colors get dark, and although the color will remain warm for some time, it’s never too soon to start planning for fall. Buy through Nordstrom for $925.

Yep, you know me, I can’t keep a secret. And even beyond that, you might remember when we polled you all about exclusive handbags Adriana Castro would be designing for a huge giveaway! We are partnering with our friends at Luxholics again to co-host an unbelievable Adriana Castro giveaway!!! While I am not going to share all the details now, stay tuned… so much more to come in the next couple days!

Louis Vuitton and Takashi Murakami go hand in hand now. But it was only six years ago when they first collaborated on the spring-summer 2003 season. We continue to be excited by new Louis Vuitton and Takashi Murakami collaborations and wait anxiously to hear about the new additions. For your viewing pleasure, Takashi Murakami has created a film animation to follow his Superflat Monogram film from 2003. The new filmed is dubbed the Superflat First Love.

I immediately thought of Indiana Jones (Jane?) when I saw this convertible tote. Not him, really, but his rugged style- he always looks as though he’s ready to jump off a green army truck into some desert to fight some bad guys. Anyways, that is what I thought of while looking at this Jerome Dreyfuss Didier Convertible Backpack/Tote. There are both good and bad aspects to this bag.

I switched from carrying a backpack to using a tote for books when I went to college (late, I know) and I still remember how much lighter my load seemed in a backpack. This bag provides that functionality. Not carrying much? Use it at a tote. Suddenly you have to bring your computer and a bunch of books and papers across town? Simple, use it as a backpack. But on the down side, it’s Indiana Jones-y (not in a cute rugged kind of way, but in a real rugged kind of way). And unless you’re rockin’ that kind of safari attire, I think this looks a little rough to wear with summer wedges. Study abroad in Egypt, perhaps? Was $1095, but get it now through ShopBop for $766.50.

After the fiasco of Danielle’s former life on last week’s Real Housewives of New Jersey, it was going to be hard to top it with this week’s episode. And they didn’t really try – this week’s episode was calmer, centered around a trip that half of the housewives took to Atlantic City (’AC’ if you’re authentic Jersey) and Teresa’s quest for new and improved buhbbies. Gaudy casinos and breast implants – about par for the north Jersey course, don’t you think? Except it all seemed oddly reasonable, which is possibly proof that I’m now experiencing a weird sort of Stockholm syndrome with this crazy show. It has me, and if it’s wrong, I don’t want to be right.

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The economy may be hurting world wide, but those that love Hermes are still buying. In fact, Hermes has resorted to breeding its own crocodiles on farms in Australia to meet the demand for its exotic bags. It is reported that Hermes makes around 3,000 crocodile bags every year and demand continues to grow while the crocodiles are not readily available to fill orders. It can take three to four crocodiles to make one Hermes bag, so the move to use their own farms makes sense.

While other brands are hurting, Hermes continues to churn sales increases. Along with their own crocodile farms in Australia, Hermes is also hiring an additional 50-100 leather workers to join the staff of 2,000 in Paris. What does this mean for us? An easier change to purchase a Hermes crocodile bag, if we have the funds to do so.

[Story via Reuters]

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I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to see a bag in person quite as badly as I want to see the Zagliani Woven Python Art Shoulder Bag. This thing might be completely stunning and awesome, or it might be way overdone and gaudy, and I don’t think there’s really any way to decide right now. I would advise everyone to take a trip over to Luisa Via Roma and use the zoom feature on it, though, because I have a tentative theory about what this bag’s problem may be (if it has one).

I’m guessing that this might be one of those purses that misses the forest for the trees, so to speak. The up-close details are so beautiful and unexpected that I can’t help but stare at this bag’s close zoom-in shots. The further you get away from the bag, though, the more of a mess it appears to be. I want this bag to be breathtaking in person, but with the weaving and the triangular shape and the exotic skin and the combination of colors, it may just be too much all in one. And I like over-the-top, but this just might not work. It’s impossible to say without an in-person viewing, though, so have any of you ladies seen it? Buy through Luisaviaroma for $9,005.