as some of you know, i’ve been in that ‘new bag’ state of mind for the last few months.  one of the curses of writing a style blog is information overload – when i decide i want a new bag, i start looking through literally hundreds of designers, department stores, boutiques…it’s exhausting!

but then, suddenly, i’ll come across something that i just know is perfect – it just snaps into place.  and i think, dear readers, the ’snap’ for this latest bag itch has come from a brand new line called romygold, which launched just this month.  personally, i’m partial to the biker slash collection, if only because it’s utterly unlike anything else out there right now.

aren’t they pretty?  while i love them all, that slashed tote on the left is definitely calling my name – i think i’ve found my new bag.  in black, it’s the perfect tough counterpoint to all of spring’s sweet florals and tiered miniskirts, but it’s so much more subtle than all of those studs out there!

though i love the tote best, the messenger and micro mini are fabulous too. i’d love to see the messenger as a work tote for someone with a less conservative job, and the micro mini is a great, slightly tough version of the tiny crossbody bags we’re seeing everywhere, which can get a bit too sweet for my taste.

you can check out the full collection on romygold’s new site – and, best of all, prices are definitely in the attainable range, running from $275 up to $695.  my biker tote is $475…a little more than i was hoping to spend, but you never know when the handbag fairy will show up (fingers crossed)!

when i first started seeing be&d handbags everywhere a couple of years ago, i didn’t really warm to their style.  they were a little too hip, maybe just too young for me – lots of ruffles and studs.  but i took a second look recently, and it looks like the line has grown up just a smidge (or perhaps i’m getting younger? no, probably not).  whatever the case, they’re still beloved by the gossip girl set, but they’ve finally captured my heart as well.

i mean, really, how could i not fall head over heels for this:

(supersize photo used to emphasize the utter fabulousness)

it’s be&d’s woodstock hobo in washed green…sigh!  i get a pretty serious “new bag itch” about twice a year, and haven’t been able to find a single thing to sate my urges.  but i think this little baby may just have been what i was holding out for.  at $995, it’s definitely a splurge, but oh, the loveliness.  and for dear reader melissa w, who mentioned she was searching for a new neutral…may i suggest a nice bright green?

i am a teensy bit worried about functionality because of that studded strap at the top opening…but then i look at that lovely smooshy leather and bold color, and i’m not sure i care about functionality. (EDIT: found some interior pics, and that strap is strictly decorative! simple magnetic closure, hurrah!)

i’ll be hoping and praying for a sale on this stunner…and you’ll be the first to know when it happens (well, right after i snag mine!).  and heads-up:  i also got a little sneak peek at their upcoming spring/summer collection and there are even more lovely, slightly more grown-up, styles to fall for (er, spring for?).  in any event, i promise to keep you posted!

the tweens, teens and pre-teens, they’re a tricky bunch to gift.  especially this year: unless it’s vampire-related, reminiscent of a fashion item you definitely remember sporting in sixth grade, or at least vaguely illegal, they’re just not interested.  but something tells me they’d be very, very interested in these sweet little treesje cosmetic bags ($98):

ruffles for the sweethearts, and studs for the, um, edgier girls – you just can’t go wrong.  they can throw these into their backpack (girls still carry those, right?), and hopefully feel a bit more gossip girl than twilight when they pull this stunner out to adjust their lipsmackers.  and really, more gossip girl and less twilight? that’s all i’m asking this holiday season. (ahem…well, it’s not all i’m asking…but it’s definitely on the list.)

…not owning this beautiful bag is causing me actual, physical pain.

the shape, the beautifully-exaggerated texture, the fact that i know that leather is soft as a baby’s butt…gah!

anyone have a spare $1095 i can borrow?

(the design’s by sigerson morrison – of course.  the photo is from la garconne, who is charging an extra $100 for the bag, which annoys me.  plus, it’s available in seven gorgeous shades if you order direct from sigerson.)

blue is always one of my absolute favorite colors, especially in fashion.  but this year, i have it particularly bad.  i’ve been feeling the itch for a new handbag, and while i’m sorely tempted to splurge on the anya hindmarch of my dreams, this marc by marc is oddly appealing to me.

it’s nothing new…in fact, this style has been around for years now.  but i’ve always sort of had my eye on it from afar, and lately, the siren call is getting louder.  that said, i’ve been “off” designer bags recently, and have found myself leaning more toward less-known brands.  but this MbyMJ faridah hobo just seems like the perfect addition to my bag collection.  i never seem to fall for black bags, but i’m long overdue for a new basic.  this ink blue would be a perfect alternative, and ideal with my near-constant wardrobe of jeans (plus, no annoying transfer color from my denim).  i used to have a phobia about mixing navy and black…but then i realized how often i wear black with denim, and realized i might have been onto something all along.

this bag is light as a feather (marc recently changed the leather he uses for all of his lines), the slight coating on the leather means it will resist at least some of the constant winter rain, and the style slouches beautifully when worn (slouch being a highly important factor in oversized bags).  it will be easy as pie to throw on my shoulder and forget about, which is key for me these days.

oh, and it’s 25% off (through today only) if you grab it at saks via their friends & family promotion.  use code FRIENDS2 to take this one down from $448 to $336, then tack on free shipping with code OCTSHIP9 (hint: nordstrom will also price-match this one for you!)

we’re doing a little good this morning, checking out these darling tote bags created by versace to benefit the starlight foundation.  they’re going on sale at gilt this morning at 9 am (pacific) for $250 each, and 100% of the proceeds go right back to starlight and to the one foundation, which is helping kids impacted by the 2008 earthquake in china.

the bags were designed by kids in need, and the results are really sweet – i particularly love those little luggage tags showing you which kid designed your bag.  i know $250 is on the high side for a tote, but these are awfully cute, i must admit.   plus, if you’re a versace lover, it’s definitely your one chance to own something with their label for $250.  and if you’re a frequent versace shopper (ahem, because i know so many of you read this blog), buying a bag gets you 20% off at the boutique through 12/1/09.

but really, it’s for charity.  so, if you’re in the market for a fun tote, or are looking for an extravagant holiday gift for a teacher in your life (how amazing would these be for a teacher?!), look no further.  check out more details here, or buy at gilt starting at 9 am (if you need an invite, just click their pic on the left side of this page)!

UPDATE:  looks like you guys had quick trigger fingers today…this one’s now sold out at shopbop!  but never fear, i’ve tracked it down at piperlime…they don’t have the black, but they do have a gorgeous grey that i love just as much.

as fall draws near (hurray!), it’s finally time for me to start lusting after handbags made of lush, substantial leathers again.  after a summer full of cotton totes, i can hardly wait.

normally, the classic black bag bores me to tears…in fact, i almost never carry one.  but i’m finding myself head over heels for this slouchy chic version from twelfth st. by cynthia vincent.  it has the perfect styling of a classic tote, and the cutouts at the center give it an ideal shoulder drop (it will even work over those winter coats) that will still look stylish when hand-carried, not sloppy like most totes with a longer handle drop.  i can see it looking just as hot with a business suit as with a casual sweater-and-jeans ensemble…and, for me, that’s what makes a bag splurge-worthy.

fortunately, very minimal splurging required for this beautiful bag.  while the shape and the way the tote hangs remind me of givenchy, the price tag looks nothing like it.  $325 is a handbag bargain by most standards, but especially in my closet.

the only drawback is the lining, which i think is a little too kooky and wild for a bag with such style.  but for a bag this hip at a price this good, i’m willing to compromise.  nab it at shopbop before it makes an “editor’s pick” list somewhere and promptly sells out.

it really doesn’t take much for me to feel like i’m being “edgy.”  a bit of oxidation on a silver ring, maybe tying a scarf in a new, hip way i’ve spied over at who what wear.  the reality is that, for as much as i appreciate the edge in others (and oh, i do!) i veer so much to the preppy most of the time, it can be annoyingly predictable.  so, today’s random friday finds are my way of adding just the tiniest dash of elizabeth and james to my normal j.crew routine.

snake rings, spike rings, skull rings…i just refuse to even try to pull off the punk thing.  but this alligator is another matter entirely.  i love this alligator!  so tongue-in-cheek, with maybe the tiniest dash of edge.  perfect for a hopeless preppy like me!  by gara danielle for $126.

here’s a sweet little bargain for you – one of my favorite graphic printers, lotta jansdotter, has marked down darn near everything on her beautiful site, including this cute (ahem, edgy) little bag, which you can score for just $12.  use it as a clutch all summer, and when winter comes, it’s the perfect thing to organize all the bits and bobs that wind up rolling around in the bottom of your bag.  (note: it also comes in pink floral, but by choosing the abstract grey pattern, i think i’ve chosen the edgier option here.)

don’t hit me when we talk about hoop earrings again next week (you’re going to die over how fabulous they are!)…but in the meantime, the lovely oh joy introduced me to these brass pyramid hoops from urban outfitters.  for $7, how can i be expected to resist at least sharing them with you?  and again, just a dash of edge…but not too much.  i think i could even rock these with a cardigan!

happy friday, everyone!

i’ve been in portland for well over a year now…but there are still some san francisco staples i just haven’t gotten over.  when i saw oh joy’s post about some of the new goodies at marc by marc jacobs, i shed a tear or two for my long-lost city.

if you’re lucky enough to live anywhere near a marc by marc store, it looks like it’s a pretty awesome time to stop in…all of these goodies are extremely cheap, extremely cute, and only available in store.  that marc, he’s such a tease.

ps…and if you wanted to send me that city tote while you’re there, that would be fine

dear readers, i truly hope that the weather wherever you are is far, far better than what i’m suffering through.  it was a ridiculous 107 degrees here yesterday.  i have no idea how people in arizona survive…i’m ready to kill someone just to usurp their air conditioning.

with the weather this impossibly miserable, i can hardly think about clothes today…all i want to do is sit in a swimming pool, being misted with evian and provided an endless supply of blended drinks.  in honor of where i wish i was this week, i thought i’d take the next few days to share a few of my beach bag favorites for the season.

for the actual bag, it has to be a tote from mad imports.  i’ve been obsessed with this brand since i discovered them this spring – their designs are so light and easy, they just might have the power to keep me cool.  for the beach, i’m dying to adopt their fetch tote.  with its loose crocheted straw and chic leather handles, i love that it’s a classic beachfront style without being gaudy or over-the-top.  plus, it’ll hold all of my books, magazines and other poolside goodies.

in a perfect world, i’ll toss their opal clutch inside to grab for my multiple trips to the bar.  it’s a little more bold than i’d typically go, but that’s what warm weather’s all about, right?  honestly, how else would you explain miami beach?

tomorrow, i’ll give you my list of summer must-reads.  you’ll love each and every one!