First of all, it is pretty clear that this is the kind of bag that will appeal to only a select group of handbag lovers. I saw the white version before I saw the black and the white is a huge turn off. The black option is a bit better, but not much. If you like it, I say go for it, but it looks a bit sloppy to me. In fact, it kind of reminds me of a shaggy dog. The studded flaps almost look like leather swatches simply thrown together. The asymmetrical aspect of the bag is admirable, but again, misses the mark. Double shoulder straps make perfect sense for this large tote, but that is about all that makes sense. Anyone else think differently? Buy through Bloomie’s for $625.

But I’m not so sure. The Bulga Blesk Stud Tote has left me a bit undecided, and I need to talk this one out.

So, first and foremost, I have absolutely no qualms about the color – I love it. I have a purple bag that I use constantly in the winter, it’s the perfect shade to go with brown, black, grey and all the other dark colors that are so common in cold-weather clothing. It’s a pop of color without looking out-of-season. And I always prefer silver hardware, but the gold works fine in this case.

I also have nothing bad to say about the shape, except that the handles are obviously too short to make this work as a shoulder bag, and that will eliminate it from some people’s most-wanted lists. I don’t mind an arm-carried bag, though, so I’m fine with it.

I think my trepidation comes from the size of the studs, combined with their placement. If they had been smaller, it may have been easier to place them in such a way that they look sporadic and interesting. At this size, they’re so big that when you look at them, you miss the forest for the trees. I respect their desire to do something a bit different, but the execution is just not doing it for me with the studs. Buy through ShopBop for $398.

Something that Bulga has never lost sight of is that consumers love soft, supple leather – that’s something that this bag has in spades. Its thick, matte, and looks like it would be so lovely that I want to run my hands over it. The design is also not bad – a simple satchel with extended top handles and a front pocket for immediate-need items are the only things that adorn this bag, and they’re just enough to look at without being too complicated. I don’t necessarily hate the color, but if they had made it in a medium grey with some blue undertones, they’d have me slobbering right now. As it is, it’s a cute bag with great leather and a reasonable price. Buy through ShopBop for $465.

While the color is listed as green, I think it looks more like sea green, you know, a softer hue. I’m also loving the shoulder strap. From time to time, I find a bag where the strap looks so comfortable that I want nothing more than to try it on. More than anything I think I am drawn to this bag due to the great color and accent combination. While the color is soft, the fringe and studs add a hint of punk to the bag. Yet, if the color is not for you, fear not, you can pick up the same look in pink or brown. Buy through Luna Boston for $420.

Something about the handles is vaguely wrong to me, and I wish it was less domed at the top. Also, I don’t understand why it’s called “mini” when it’s 18 inches wide – I’d hate to see the non-mini one. But overall, this is a NICE bag. It’s a nice color, and it looks pretty functional, and there’s nothing on it that makes me think of the male anatomy, as one Bulga bag did not too long ago. As a brand, they generally use really nice leather and I like to see them going forward in their design evolution. Hopefully things continue to improve in the future. Buy through ShopBop for $775.

The Bulga De Beber Tote suffers from a serious bout of over-complication – not only does the bag have a lot going on by itself (front pockets, top handles, zippers, hardware, adornments), but the addition of the dye pattern makes it kind of hard to look at. To make the design, the leather is in all kinds of different pieces, completely breaking up any pattern the dye may have had at the beginning, and kind of missing the point of tie-dye to begin with. If the bag had been a simple, uncomplicated tote with no front pockets or zippers, they very well may have gotten away with it, in kind of a hippie chic way. As it is? Not so much. This bag, sadly, is a victim of overdesign. However, if you disagree, you can buy through Shop Bop for $720.

If you are anything like me, you believe you can never have enough pairs of jeans or enough functional yet fabulous handbags. I am really liking the Bulga Sako Tote right now. I know that there isn’t anything flashy or overly eye catching about the bag, but I love the idea that it is functional and has a little bit of flare. The goldtone hardware on top of the black pebbled leather works really well together. There are plenty of pockets and compartments to choose from. And, more than anything else, I am a fan of the fringed tasseled pulls. It is the little things that make me happy and these tassels definitely make me smile. I haven’t had a chance to see this bag in person, but another thing I like is that it doesn’t look too heavy. I hate heavy handbags. I don’t want to feel like I am getting a workout just because I have to lug around a heavy purse. I’ll leave my working out to when it is really time. You know, come to think of it, Bulga has been impressing me lately. I wrote about how pleased I was with the Bulga Tasia not too long ago and now this one. I think I am going to keep Bulga handbags on my radar. What about you? Buy through Bluefly for $443.

Don’t you just love it when one of your favorite colors is one of THE colors of a season? Since blue handbags and clothing have been seen everywhere, I’ve truly been a happy camper. Blue is definitely one of my favorite colors and I have been thrilled to see a variety of fashionable blue handbags. I was a little wary at first because it seems like you would really need the right hue so that the bag didn’t seem like a mess. I came across the Bulga Tasia and I was thrilled to see another blue bag success! The blue leather is simply a fabulous shade. However, I think the goldtoned hardware makes the bag look both distinguished and chic. The shoulder straps are rather wide which is a nice change and actually adds personality. All of the Bulga bags I’ve written about so far have all had studding in some way shape or form. And as much as I like studding, it is great to see a Bulga bag without it. The only thing I am not a total fan of is the price. I kind of think it is a little pricey for what you get, but you can buy through Zappos for $767.