In my region of the country, we usually get a nice, gentle transition from summer to fall, and the weather is generally mild until the holidays. This year, that’s not the case: one day it was 80 degrees, the next day it was 50, and I’ve had to pull out my winter clothes a lot earlier than I ever have in recent memory. And with that comes one of my favorite vestiges of cold weather: my much-loved but widely reviled UGG boots.

Don’t get me wrong – I resisted for years. They first came to popularity around the time that I started college, and for three long years, I snickered and rolled my eyes every time I saw a girl wear them. I joined a Facebook group about how hideous they were. I considered them utterly and completely gauche.

And then I tried on a pair.

Suddenly, the sun shone brighter, rainbows were more plentiful, and flowers smelled better. The world was a nicer place. And it caused me to do something that I hadn’t done since elementary school: I left the store with my new shoes on my feet and my old ones in their box. Two more pairs of Classic Short boots and two years later, I actually love them more than my summertime staple, Havaianas flip-flops.

I wear them everywhere. To a bar with tights, to the grocery store with sweatpants, and every occasion in between. I try my best to not wear them with gym shorts, but sometimes I falter. And I’m okay with that – the UGGs are worth the occasional raised eyebrow.

Normally I’m not one to let function triumph over fashion, but the boots have totally won me over. They’ve been around for quite a while at this point, and I think that maybe more people are starting to accept them as a normal part of winter attire instead of a trendy item for young girls. From time to time, they still make me feel like I’m an 18-year-old coed, but perhaps there are worse ways to feel.

So, have you started drinking the UGG Kool-Aid yet? If you haven’t and wish to never venture down that road, I have but one piece of advice for you – never, ever let anyone convince you to try on a pair. Not even just for a second, just to see how it feels.

A wide variety of UGG boots are available via Bloomingdale’s.

In the past few days the internet is a buzz about the latest must have nail polish, Chanel Jade Nail Polish. This polish was seen on the runway months ago and the speculation began if that color would be produced. It has been and is being sold online at Chanel now (better get it while you can).

The color Jade falls into the jewel hued family, but when we see jewel toned bags it is typically reds and purples and deep greens. A vivacious green will amp up your wardrobe and add the splash of color our browns and grays are yearning for. Here are some of our favorite Jade handbag picks, from Valentino to Kate Spade we have Jade Handbag options for you.

From top, left to right:

1. Dooney & Bourke Patent Medium Chiara Bag | $200 via Zappos

2. Kate Spade New York Coney Island Stevie Tote | $295 via Bloomingdale’s

3. Valentino Satin Bow Front Clutch | $895 via Net A Porter

4. Kate Spade Sullivan Street Sybella | $222 via Zappos

5. Chanel Jade Nail Polish | $25 via Chanel

6. Marc by Marc Jacobs Picnic Flat Hobo | $228 via Zappos

7. Linea Pelle Dylan Leather Hobo | $395 via Bloomingdale’s

The Marc Jacobs Wrath Studded Bag is somewhere circa that line, although I’m not sure what side it’s on. But I am sure that I love it, in spite (or maybe because) of its wealth of personality.

We’re all well aware that studs and industrial details are THE trend of the moment, and I can’t help but think that Marc Jacobs is using this bag to poke more than a little fun at all of the metal-covered fashionistas that are starting to hit the streets.

But even when Jacobs does tongue-in-cheek, he does it beautifully. The multicolored, multi-sized studs are attached in swirly lines that cover nearly every inch of the bag. It’s over-the-top, in-your-face, and a host of other hyphenated phrases that mean that it’s, in the immortal words of Rachel Zoe, BANANAS.

My favorite part, however, is the thick, tough, oversized chain handle. The bag is such a statement that nothing less than a handle like that would be appropriate, and I’m glad that designers still have the nerve to do things that not everyone will understand or enjoy. Buy through Net-a-Porter UK for £4,100

If ever there was a pair of shoes that was worth an astronomical price tag, it’s these. The construction of a shoe that will cover that much of your leg has to be so precise and well-designed that I’m not sure how well this style will fair at retail. One of my favorite pairs so far is the Yves Saint Laurent Over-the-Knee Boots since they have a bit of stretch and will be more forgiving on more leg structures. If you can pull it off, though, I think you should absolutely go for it – maybe with some tights and a tunic for maximum boot exposure.

And what type of handbag should be worn with these boots? Probably something with a simple, clean design, although the size would be negotiable depending on whether you were rocking them during the day or night. The most important thing to remember with a shoe like this, though, is that what you’re wearing shouldn’t compete with them. So are you going to wear them once the weather turns cold? Buy through Saks for $1745.

Personally, I think it’s brilliant; the gold was warm and sunny for summer weather, and the combination of steely light and dark silvers that go into the fall version would look great against winter’s dark, woolen clothing. It’s bright without being inappropriate for the season, and the suede trim makes it an even better idea. This is definitely on my short list for must-have fall bags – grab it before it sells out, because it absolutely will. Buy through ShopBop for $875.

The elusive Alexander Wang Coco Duffel is making a comeback, only this time it is a ShopBop exclusive color. The black Alexander Wang Coco Duffel with gold studs is still hugely popular and now ShopBop teamed up with Alexander Wang to bring you a denim leather version.

Super soft leather with the look of denim, this Alexander Wang bag gives off a distressed leather look. The studs are silver rather than the black with gold studs. There are two hidden zip pockets and a box pleat at the side. This bag is less edgy than the black on gold, appearing a bit ‘lighter and airy’ rather than dense and edgy. Buy exclusively through ShopBop for $850.

But I thought it would be an interesting exercise in criticism to find a bag that does right what that clutch does so wrong: asymmetry. And I didn’t have to look for long, because the Alexander McQueen Faithful Leather Tote is full of non-symmetrical goodness that I can definitely appreciate. This tote works better because it appears as though all the details – flaps, zippers, snaps – could serve some sort of functional purpose as well as working as a design element. The trick is to make a bag whose design springs out of the essential elements of a usable bag, and McQueen does a fantastic job of that with this tote. Everything has a purpose, and there’s no random stuff stuck on just to be cute. I’m not an enormous fan of the bag’s squarish shape, but the other elements are done very well, so I can overlook it. Can you? Buy through Net-a-Porter for $2295.

One of the major fall trends in handbags is studs. Studs continue to be a handbag trend that designers and buyers alike adore. Something about adding studs brings and edginess that we all crave. Sure, we may have a day job that is a bit dull at times, but show up to work with a studded bag and you bring a little rocker to your outfit. Saks is carrying an amazing array of studded handbags for fall, including: Anya Hindmarch, Be&D, Marc Jacobs, Christian Louboutin, Prada, and Salvatore Ferragamo. Which studded bag are you planning to rock for fall?

Last fall, Proenza Schouler bags hit big. The PS1 became the must have bag and every young hip celebrity was doting it around town. A new batch of PS1 bags have arrived. I was waiting for a new batch of colors, but it looks like we have classic leather and suede in black back in the mix. I have adored the Proenza Schouler PS1 from day one, street chic and totally my style. Both the leather and suede versions cost $1595 via Net A Porter.

Are you still digging the Proenza Schouler PS1? Would you buy suede or leather?

When Amanda first covered this clutch I knew the opinions on it would be mixed. But I was all for the Alexander McQueen Glove Clutch and still am. It is entirely edgy, entirely different, and one of few bags that truly has me excited that I have seen on the market in a long time.

McQueen designed this bag after Marianne Faithfull who is an award-winning English singer, songwriter and actress who became known for her pop and rock music along with her struggle with drug abuse. The Alexander McQueen Faithful Glove Clutch is suited for the rockstar it is named after and her rockstar life. The glove handle is detachable, which means you can remove it and rock one leather glove in style a-la-Michael Jackson. There are two front zipped pockets and an internal zipped pocket. Net A Porter is carrying brown leather, but I still prefer the black leather version at Saks. Buy through Net A Porter for $995.

If you are trying to nab the Alexander Wang Coco you have to continue checking back to each store. They continuously update their inventory and you may be one of the lucky ones. I must say the leather looks like pebbled smooth scrumptiousness and the studs do add the perfect edge.

Something that I’ve loved about Louboutin handbags since they started it is the tiny pair of red-soled heels that form the kisslock on top. Not only does this bag feature that cute little detail, but it also has row after row of shiny, pointy studs to satisfy the rocker trend about which the fashion world is abuzz. It looks like the folks at Louboutin took great care in considering how this bag would be carried, though – the studs come to a point, but appear to be a bit domed off and not at all sharp so they won’t hurt your hand. The double center pleats give the bag a bit of structural variation without taking away from the over-studded effect, and overall, this is a clutch that I would kill to have in my collection. Buy through Luisa Via Roma for $1519.

What isn’t ugly or unremarkable, though, is the Bally Multi Zip Hobo. In fact, this bag is quite well-done and executed nicely. We’ve seen plenty of bags over the past few months that use zippers as a decorative feature instead of just a functional attribute of necessity. The idea is particularly brilliant – not only is it visually stimulating, but it’s a fun play on the expected structure and construction of a handbag and the role that all the parts play. This Bally hobo pulls it off in a particularly sophisticated way – smooth, rich-looking strips of black leather separated by industrial silver zippers. Perfect. Buy through Luisa Via Roma for $1774.

It’s here, it’s here, IT’S HERE!!!! The Alexander Wang Coco Duffel has decided to finally, FINALLY grace us with its presence in online stores after months of rabid anticipation from handbag enthusiasts. The bag first came to our attention months and months ago when one of its first iterations was worn repeatedly by Mary-Kate Olsen, who had obviously been gifted with a very, very early version of the bag by the designer.

And it was a brilliant move on Alexander Wang’s part – I can’t remember another bag that’s been so desperately hunted since the It-Bag heyday of Fall 2005. It disappears online virtually as soon as it’s posted, so the ShopBop link I’m about to give you may not work when you click on it. If you want the bag, though, bookmark it – that’s where you’ll be able to find it when the store restocks, as they have several times in the past day or two.

As far as the bag’s design goes, I adore it – the leather is plush and soft-looking with a ton of texture and the multitudes of gold studs that cover the bottom are both hilariously irreverent and really cool-looking. It’s not for everyone, by any stretch of the imagination, but bags with a lot of style and personality never are. Plus, for an It-Bag, the price is really reasonable; he could be charging twice as much and a lot of people would still be clamoring for it. Buy through ShopBop for $850.

But what I’m writing about now is the Ted Rossi Screw Hobo. It’s a clean, simple design, as most of Rossi’s are, but the small details and exceptional materials make it special without need for extra complication. The bag is made entirely of super-soft, matte black lambskin, which means it’s probably the most wonderful and supple thing upon which you or I have ever put our hands. Soft black leather is all it takes to convince me, but they gave us the extra bonus of modern, dark silver oversized screw heads at the base of each handle, which gives the bag an industrial edge without being overpowering or too costume-y. You could wear it to a Nine Inch Nails concert or to the mall with your girlfriends, and a bag that can fit in at two such divergent events is one that I absolutely need in my closet. Plus, for all that lambskin, the price isn’t bad at all. Buy through Singer22 for $948.

And my vote for the winner goes to the Salvatore Ferragamo Edda Chain Shoulder Bag. The first way that they keep this bag from looking too trendy is using the ultra-luxe chocolate brown python skin with little else in the way of exterior decoration. The skin is genuinely beautiful on it’s own, and realizing that it doesn’t need anything to help it along is the mark of an experienced designer. The second thing I like is the gathering of thin, delicate chains that form the bag’s strap. Instead of being chunky and attention-getting, they’re sophisticated and understated, which gives a polished finish to the design’ overall feel. I’d call this bag nothing less than a success. Buy through Luisa Via Roma for €1840.

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.

So now, green. How do we feel about green? I love these sort of blue-green pieces that are featured in WWD’s story, but I fear that when the trend is translated to downmarket retailers like Forever 21, it may become more of a seafoam nightmare than I’d like. But if everyone can stick to true greens, and maybe a few blue-greens, then I’ll be happy to hop on this bandwagon along with everyone else when fall’s new stuff starts hitting shelves.

Oh, and wondering about the bags in the picture? They’re not available in those colors yet, but you can buy Mulberry’s Oversized Bayswater Clutch for $695 via Net-a-Porter. Similar Kotur snake clutches are available via Singer 22.

PB: It is now Spring. What are the 5 must-haves for a Spring wardrobe?
Eva: 1. A generous -but-light wrap that can be used as a scarf or shawl
2. Blazer; This is a good piece for most people because there are so many different ways to wear it.
3. Big Bold Jewelry! A chunky necklace, enormous earrings are a cuff to stop traffic.

PB: What are the big trends for spring?
Eva: Tiered ruffles, sheer fabrics, exotic skins, statement pieces, florals, intricate tailoring, clustered embellishments and beautiful embroidery and appliqué.

PB: Most of us are feeling the effects of the down economy. Which pieces are the best investment pieces and why?
Eva: Statement pieces are the way to go. From a classic handbag that you will always use to an incredible piece of jewelry that will be as relevant in ten years as it is now, you wont regret it down the road. Robert Goosens ‘s pieces are fantastic investments and the success of his work and its longevity speaks for itself.

PB: If we ran into you this spring, what would we definitely see you wearing?
Eva: VIVRE Women’s Silk Satin Stretch French Cuff Shirt in one of our 10 fantastic colors and my silver or bronze horn handle Evita bag.

PB: What trend for spring can you not get enough of?
Eva: I love all the gorgeous nudes, from silky tops to nude color sandals, it is a flattering, romantic look.

PB: What trend for spring could you go without?
Eva: Harem pants

PB: What are you doing this spring?
Eva: We are going to be working on launching a new vivre.com With more selective product offerings while creating very unique products, simpler navigation, and a more user friendly checkout, the changes are hopefully going to be very well received. We will be featuring new brilliant colors and textures in all handbags and small leather goods, fantastic collaborations with unknown jewelry designers, giant parachute silk beach wraps, the perfect spring trench, colorful summer shoes and flip-flops.

The Chloe Kathleen Shoulder Bag: I particularly like this one – it’s sort of a hobo-but-not and reminds me of a great Kooba bag I had a few seasons back. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1695.

The Miu Miu Crinkle Patent Tote: One of my favorite things about patent leather is that you get much more vibrant colors with it than with matte leathers, and this Miu Miu tote is a great example. A lot of the blue bags this season are navy, but this is an incredibly fun alternative while still being on-trend. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1195.

The Jimmy Choo Manda Suede Bag: Jimmy Choo has only been making handbags for a few years now, but with great success, and this might be my favorite bag from them yet. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1595.

The Fendi Large Navy Tote: This tote is a great option for someone that wants a bag that’s a tad trendy but still appropriate for their everyday life – at the office, toting around stuff for the kids, etc. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1890.

Well, kids, there you go. Go out there and find your favorite blue bag of the season. Got some more that we should be looking at? Post them in the comments!