The latest object of my lust is the Balenciaga Giant City with rose gold hardware, and although I’m late to the rose gold party, I hope that I still get bonus points for earnestness. I brushed off the rose gold color choice as too “niche” when I heard about it, but after encountering this very bag in person, I can ignore it no longer. 

At first I assumed that rose gold hardware would clash with most of my jewelry and my general sense of style, since I mostly associate the metal with expensive, gaudy jewelry that is very much not my style. In typical Balenciaga fashion, though, the designers behind the hardware gave it a weathered, gritty appearance that transforms it into something that fits right into my wardrobe.

Only the front zipper has a bit of shine to it, and the contrast is an interesting before-and-after demonstration of what the studs and buckles used to look like.

With cold weather approaching , most of us have started planning our winter wardrobes and maybe even amassing our favorite fall pieces to make sure we get our hands on them before they sell out. Almost all of the stuff I’ve acquired is black or dark grey, which reminds me: I need some winter white.

Winter white came around as a trend a couple of years ago and never really went away, and it’s a nice alternative to not only the dark colors of fall dressing, but also the outdated rule that one shouldn’t wear white after Labor Day. If any of the people who still subscribe to that notion can look at the Burberry Quilted Patent Tote and tell me truthfully that it wouldn’t be beautiful with a charcoal sweater and dark denim, I’ll be very surprised.

I might normally regard this bag as too simple for me, but the shiny gunmetal hardware has totally won me over. Instead of skewing traditional, as most people probably expect of Burberry, the clean-lined buckle takes on a modern military look that’s as cool as it is unexpected.

when I came across this beyond fabulous Jimmy Choo clutch I thought of so many different people who would look beyond fabulous with this clutch in their hand. In fact, I can see some of my friends who tend to go for an edgy look carry this as often as my friends who are a bit more feminine. I love when a bag can do that!

I think the best way to describe this clutch is by quoting a real life stylist, Rachel Zoe, when she sees something she likes: I DIE! This clutch is nothing short of edgy, chic and fabulous.

Yes, the Jimmy Choo Metallic Perforated Nappa Leather Clutch is very distinct and the hardware is in your face, but I don’t see anything wrong with it at all. I love the buckle detailing and removable chain shoulder strap. The leather is textured and works with the buckle detailing and shoulder strap nicely. While I usually don’t use shoulder straps with my clutches, this is an instance in where I just might.

 Fall/Winter 2010 collection is one of the best that I’ve seen in quite a while, and that’s in no small part because of the line’s beautifully textured and detailed handbags. I’ve always loved the aesthetic of Prada’s little sister brand, and a handbag like the Miu Miu Quilted Front Lock Satchel only makes me love it more.

This picture absolutely doesn’t do any justice to the intricate chevron quilting that covers the majority of the satchel. It’s rich, touchable and utterly unique in a world where almost every quilted handbag uses simple diamonds instead of something more daring.

In its infinite charity, Miu Miu didn’t just limit this beautiful quilting to this particular bag – as more fall bags come out, it will be seen in clutches, totes and shoulder bags as well (and it has been used from time to time by the brand in the past), but this bag is my absolute favorite example.

 Every time I see a Chloe bag or even their logo, the initial thought that pops into my mind is the weight of the bag. Anyone who has owned the once coveted Paddington knows that the weight of the bag was a talking point. Rightfully so, as the leather of the bag was very thick and heavy and the signature padlock sent the weight of the bag over-the-top. So when we are introduced to a new Chloe bag, I have a hard time putting aside past thoughts and looking at it with a clean slate.

But I will try. When Amanda first reviewed the Marcie it was the hobo version, she gave it a positive review. And here comes another positive review, because the larger version, which I keep spotting on the celebs, is also a beautiful bag. The lines are clean and sleek, yet rounded and feminine. I love how the wrapped-detail handle adds a new dimension. And with fall relying on camel and neutral hued colors, this bag is a perfect option. I kind of love it and I never feel like Chloe lets anyone down with the quality of their materials.

It is ok to tell me how absolutely absurd it is to want to spend a good amount of money on a designer felt bag. Because really, intellectually I know it is ridiculous and typically I would agree with you. But my handbag-loving-emotions are taking over and I am seriously head-over-heels in love with the Fendi Felt Peekaboo Tote.

It is made with felt. Yes, felt. As in the material my mom and I used to go buy for me to use when creating a school project. Because it is inexpensive and not exactly a luxury material. My logic has left the building. Even after seeing every covetable option Fendi created of the Peekaboo, this somehow is the version that I seriously desire.

This version of the Peekaboo looks so soft that I want to cuddle with it. I want to buy it and then carry it around during the day and sit it next to me on the couch at night. And maybe we will share a glass of wine by the fire while reading a Nicholas Sparks novel… (or something).

The gray felt body is spruced up with the leopard print peeking out. The leopard print is on calf hair and the rest of the interior is lined in black suede. This combination is subtle but perfectly suited for my personal style.

I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m craving winter so badly. Yesterday I wore jeggings (don’t judge me) to the mall in silent protest of the 95-degree temperatures we’ve been having since…

the sight of the Yves Saint Laurent Studded Suede Roady has me wanting winter even more.

Something about the combination of rich suede and the way that the studding is organized in a triangle pattern just screams “cold weather” to me. Perhaps it’s because the triangles are a bit reminiscent of the patterns on traditional sweaters, but whatever the reason, I imagine this bag being worn with a fluffy scarf and knit hat at all times.

I still love getting an Easter basket, even at my age. Luckily I will be home for Easter this year and you better believe I expect a basket. Even better is because of my food allergies, the Easter Bunny brings me designer clothing along with some special candy just for me. Yup! So if my funds were unlimited and I was living a life of extreme luxury, I would ask the Bunny to replace my old wicker basket with the Fendi Zucca Print Palazzo Bucket Bag. Looks like an Easter basket with a Zucca-print canvas. I’m not even big on the logo pattern, but sure, why not. There is gold-tone hardware and studs, a cute spring twister shoulder strap, and a drawstring top. This means that when I am doing my Easter egg hunt I can store the eggs safely with the safe drawstring top

Things from Jimmy Choo have been a bit “blah” lately. They’ve continued to make a lot of popular styles from previous seasons in new materials and finishes, which should make the brand’s devotees happy, but I always prefer to see something new alongside old favorites.

The Jimmy Choo Rosa Satchel maybe not seem all that striking or innovative to the casual observer, but for Choo, it’s something a bit different. Many of the brand’s bags have been a bit over-designed in recent seasons, and with that in mind, the restraint and editing that went into this design are admirable, not to mention very attractive. 

Many brands have been looking to pare down their offerings into sleeker, more subdued shapes that will appeal to today’s recession-addled consumers, and this is the right way to do it. This bag doesn’t lack in glamour or sophistication, but its lines are a bit less aggressive than what we might have seen in 2006, for example. The embossed lizard gives the bag texture on top of the already shiny leather, and the way the light hits the finish of the bag creates a sophisticated shine that you just can’t get by dunking a bag in a vat of sequins or glitter.

Fall is all about fur and one of the other fall trends is lace. Of course Valentino released countless lace items, from shoes to clothing to bags. Seeing as how Valentino has perfected the art of feminine designs, it is only fitting for Valentino to tackle lace. As far as this bag goes however, it just isn’t quite cutting it for me.

The Valentino Day Lace Medium Duffle features a familiar shape (Louis Vuitton Speedy anyone?) with a black floral vine lace over.

I have absolutely no doubt that this Valentino bag, like all others, is of premium quality. But I always always find lace over leather to look a bit cheap. Like vinyl. I know part of that is personal preference and part comes from seeing many designers do this in vinyl, it just never strikes a chord with me. The tubular leather top handles have a 5″ drop, so the bag will be hand-held. Dimensions are 10 1/2″H x 12 1/2″W x 7″D.