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.

Gossip Girl was a repeat last night, and you do not even want to hear the string of profanity that came out of my mouth when I realized the kind of shenanigans that they were trying to perpetrate on me, and right before the holidays and everything. Don’t they know who they’re dealing with here?!?!

Ahem. Well, even though this all means that we can’t have a Gossip Girl recap, it doesn’t mean that I still can’t make a post that’s tangentially related to the show.

Ladies, I’d like to be the first to inform you of what I’d call a deal. It’s this Valentino Green Satin Bow Front Clutch, which is quite a steal at only $396. “That’s not a steal!,” you say. Ah, but it is, especially when you consider the whopping price tag of $895 on this Valentino Satin Bow Front Clutch.

Thank you Valentino, for continuing to bring us beautiful feminine designs. Valentino handbags have become synonymous with floral and bow embellishments. Most of the time I see Valentino do this, they get it right. I was always a fan of the Rose Shopper but it never looked like it would fit as comfortably as I would like my handbag to fit.

I keep finding myself drawn into Valentino bags. The continuous use of whimsical bows and feminine touches is so appealing. However, Valentino is not immune to having an off bag and this bag may be an example. Animal print bags really put me on the fence typically. I do not own an animal print bag, I seem to always find something I do not like about each of the ones I see.

I am not ashamed to admit that when I was first becoming enthralled with the fashion world I had the hardest time remembering if it was Valentino bags or Versace bags that I adored/despised. There is a clear difference between the two brands and their styles. To be honest, it saddens me that I have not seen a decent Versace bag in the longest time.

Sometimes, a little bit of bad taste is the best thing that you can add to an outfit. There’s nothing worse than looking too perfect, too precious, and like you’re trying way too hard. Personality is to be embraced and celebrated in personal style, not avoided.

Admittedly, the Valentino Paillette-Embellished Tote is what you might consider a heaping helping of bad taste.

In stark contrast to my enthusiasm for embellishment of all types (and of the industrial type in particular) for fall and winter, I can’t help but swoon upon seeing the Valentino Bow Hobo. It’s incredibly simple, monochromatic, without external hardware, and conspicuously lacking some of the outer intricacies for which Valentino handbags are so often known. And despite all of that, or perhaps because of it, I think I’m in love.

I like to cuddle. Even from a young age, I’d fall asleep with a stuffed animal and would hold it tight! I didn’t really drag around a blanket, but a stuffed animal (“Bear Bear”) went with me everywhere. Long story short and many years later I still have a soft spot in my heart for things that seem smooshy and soft.

In the case of the Valentino Catch Satchel, I don’t even really want to talk about the bag. It’s kind of boring and I feel like it’s already been done a thousand times, and the patent black doesn’t feel particularly current in a season when thick, matte biker leather has become the thing to have.

What I want to talk about it the clasp (is it a clasp?