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We love a great cause and how great is Louis Vuitton donating 10% of ONLINE sales of select bags this month to The Red Cross??? Louis Vuitton has chosen four iconic monogram canvas designs to feature online and donate the sales of. The Keepall was originally created as a back-up bag included in the Louis Vuitton trunk and quickly became the ultimate weekend tote. The Speedy was created in 1930 but became famous when it was redesigned specifically for Audrey Hepburn in the 1960s. The Noe was invented by Gaston Louis Vuitton to perfectly hold five champagne bottles. The Alma was originally inspired by the Art Deco movement and has become a recognizable symbol of Louis Vuitton.  If you have been thinking of purchasing one of these timeless styles, this month is the time to do it!  Go here to shop!

I'm attending the opening of Louis Vuitton boutique at North Park this evening with the CEO of LVMH North America, Daniel Lalonde. What will I be carrying you ask? Why this lovely Minaudiere Tresor Crocodile below ($5,450) in the most spectacular shade of blue/green. Call the boutique 214-361-8566 to purchase the clutch but make sure you purchase the above bags online so 10% will be donated to The Red Cross!

I walked by Gucci today and saw a few bags that are definitely snob worthy.  There was a gray/white python one that stopped me in my tracks for a minute and almost convinced me to pull out that Amex card I've semi-retired.  Luckily I came to my senses and moved on, that's when I came across the Bamboo Bar Leather tote.  Now this is not a bad looking bag, I actually like the shape, the leather and even the very discreetly placed strip of embossed logo leather.  What is puzzling is the flimsy (though stylish) handles and all the unnecessary little pieces of straps that render the bag sloppy.  So the bag is almost cute but definitely expensive ($1,895 for leather).  Gucci Bamboo Bar Leather Tote here.

UPDATE: Sorry, the grey version I posted sold out and Joy asked me to post this wicked black version!  This is just as fierce and will actually be more versatile.  (Okay, I'm lying, the grey was sick but it's sold out so I'm just trying to make you feel better.)

I gave the black coffee Olivia Harris Round sac to my BFF in Taiwan, Kelly Lin, for her birthday last month (yes, being my BFF means you get lots of great bags as gifts!). I was going to wait for spring to get myself a dirty white but saw this grey version today on Olivia Harris' new online shop and had to have it!  The grey is so perfect for fall and as many of you know, it is one of my absolute favorite colors. Bag Snob Kelly (it gets confusing when your two BFFs are both named Kelly) used hers all over Taipei and on our flights, it's such a light weight and easy to use tote and we can't tell you how handy that giant zip pocket is!  You must check out the site for many other new styles that Joy Gryson has come up with for the line. 

Olivia Harris Zip Pocket Round Sack $395

Not that I'm trying to make up for my loss of goodwill for the Stella McCartney Recycled Hobo post (but maybe I am), because truly, I am conscientious of the environment and animals. But we live in a confusing world - although I adore my pets and enjoy frequenting the zoo, I still eat meat (just not pet meat) and love my lovely exotic and leather handbags. I do what I can but seriously, how can anyone be perfect about environmentalism? I mean, other than Ed Begley Jr., no one is peddling a bike to make electricity for the laptop they're using. But when something like this fund drive for the ASPCA comes along, I jump at it. Envirosax (yes, I bring my own reusable bags to the market) is donating $1 for every pouch set sold to help shelters deal with animals abandoned due to home foreclosures. You kill 2 birds with one stone! Or is that an inappropriate idiom to use here? Keep these in mind for holiday gift giving. There are 10 designs to choose from, each pouch set of 5 is $37.95. Get your Envirosax pouch and help give these abandoned pets a second chance.

It's hard for me to get excited about bags lately, not enough interesting designs and really, after thousands of bag reviews-- I feel like I'm kind of bored of bags lately(gasp)!  This often happens to me at the end of a season, and when it does, I turn to Devi Kroell.  She is innovative and forward thinking, you will never see her following the current trends!  The minute I saw the Twist bags, I perked up again!  What a creative and interesting way to present a classic tote!  The black tote with sea snake handles is of great interest to me-- very subtle but the handles give it a luxe touch.  The silhouette is really sexy and who would ever describe a bag as such??? Classic Twist Bag in Waxed Python is $2,590.00-- not that bad for such a large sized (15"x26") tote and the cranberry color is delicious for the holidays.  If you are looking for a basic-- check the black leather Classic Twist Bag in Leather and Sea Snake  $1,490.00.  Italian made and I can personally guarantee the quality of Devi's bags, we turn them inside out and can never find a flaw-- her bags are really amazing!  If you are in NYC, go check out her store on Madison!  717 Madison Avenue
between 63rd and 64th Streets, or call 212.644.4499.

It was a bit of a Bagsnob reunion in Beverly Hills last Thursday, as Tina and Kelly (fresh back from Asia) and Liza (fresh back from the grocery store) convened at Bottega Veneta on Rodeo to check out the trunk show for Spring 2010. Liza spent much of her time in the dressing room trying to wrestle her way into samples of the chalky silk, Karate-influenced dresses (which were gorgeous, inventive and ingeniously constructed), but from what she could see through cracks in the doors, Tina and Kelly found plenty to add to their ever-growing Bottega wish lists. Of note: An insanely beautiful, bright blue crocodile doctor's bag ($24,000). Made from impeccable skin, the color strikes an ideal balance of electric vibration and aquatic depth. To ground the brightness, the bag is structured, simple, timeless, with a rigid top and double handles. The overall effect pulls focus from fifty feet away but somehow remains serene, drawing the eye with an almost centrifugal force. There are no images of the bag in that color, so you'll have to go see it in person for yourself (or jump to see the Twitter shot Tina took).

The Orchid Esperanza Ayers clutch (above left- $1,980), with brightly contrasting chartreuse zipper pull lends lightheartedness to the usual Bottega sophistication. The Ebano Intreccio Nuance Bag (above right--$1,480) is reminiscent of the Hermes Picotin, but much more supple and intricate with functional interior pockets. There is a larger size in perky yellow and white (Tina's note: but we think the smaller is much cuter).

The signature Cabat bags (which, in the large size, are truly ample enough to carry a large baby or medium-sized dog) come this season in a light straw color leather (Paille shiny calf $7,800) which was ingeniously treated by leather craftsman to sound (crinkles and crackles to the touch) and feel like... straw (except it's leather, kind of the reverse Stella thing). Come spring, it will be a nice stand-in on those days when you just don't feel like taking your Birkin to the farmer's market. Call Bottega in BH to order- 310-858-6533! Bottega bags also available at Net-a-Porter.com

I'm writing about this bag because it's so simple and basic-- an easy piece to incorporate into one's bag wardrobe (will post my 2nd NBC segment on building a bag wardrobe soon, am still recovering from my monthlong trip!).

Simple, however, does not mean boring-- the small sprinkling of studs on the sides make the bag trendy and stylish, too. Not sure what that lock is for but at least it's not so big that it detracts from the clean lines (just turn it around, the backside is much cuter). Many of you ask us for bags you can take to work and to cocktails, I think this is it. Price is right, too! Sometimes, Marc pleasantly surprises us with his subtleties, this is one of them. Marc Jacobs Kate leather shoulder bag $950

Check out Kristin Davis (Charlotte) with a Nancy Gonzalez crocodile tote while filming scenes in NYC for Sex and the City II. Davis accessorized her green dress and turquoise suede heels with a $3,380 turquoise Nancy Gonzalez tote.  I love this shade of turquoise and ordered a hobo for Spring 2010 in the same shade!  It's so fresh and pretty, we are raining cats and dogs with Typhoon weather in Taipei right now and seeing this brightly colored bag makes me so happy!  There is a black version of the Nancy Gonzalez tote here if you're not into the color.

We introduced you to the fabulous Stephanie bag from DVF back in January and much as I loved it I could not swing that size.  Good thing I waited because now it comes in medium in a rock star worthy black metallic!  You must see this in person, the woven leather is amazing and the metallic peeks through depending on the movement of the bag-- subtle yet sexy.  There is also a longer shoulder strap but I like the shorter handle, it looks more sophisticated.  The bracelet clutch is also tres adorable with long tassles and at a great price point!  DVF bags are a superb value for its functionality, design and glam factor-- just like her iconic wrap dresses!  I am anxiously awaiting  Hayworth in python (it's stuck in customs!). Meanwhile, you must check out the Stephanie styles!
 
Diane von Furstenberg Stephanie Medium Hobo $875

Diane von Furstenberg Stephanie Bracelet Clutch $395

It is true Lanvin has lost its luster but there are still a couple of bags that are worthy of my desire, like this Happy Quilted Clutch. Notice I used desire instead of "lust", this just isn't one of those bags that begs for my attention. But if you need a good clutch, this does fit the bill. The trend now is to go for a standout clutch that makes the outfit, like a Derek Lam or McQueen that will start conversations but sometimes all we need is a wallflower clutch that just sits back and blends in. Yeah, that was a really nice way to say this is boring but with the beautiful quilted light bronze satin and cool oversized turn lock closure, it does have many positive details to rave about. At Barneys New York for $1305.