You know what I think when I see a great big straw tote in fun colors? I think, “Why in the world do I not go on more vacations?” Ostensibly, I was at the beach in early April for a wedding, but I was only actually on the sand for about half an hour and I never went into the ocean. Before that, it was….I don’t even remember when. And bags like the Mad Imports Ile. Ste. Marie Straw Tote make me want to change that immediately.

I think summer and straw are the only circumstances that would make this kind of pattern and these kinds of colors all in one bag ok, but I think that’s part of the beauty of warm weather and the coast. Thing go that wouldn’t normally, we can all wear our hair as it naturally is, and no one expects you to be in your totally binding city clothes. So toss me one of these totes and a linen dress, I’ll see y’all later. Or not. Just kidding. I’m not that lucky. But I might still order the bag. Buy through Shop Bop for $85.

I’m stuck somewhere in between thinking that the Lockheart In The Loop Hobo is pleasantly intricate and way too busy. It definitely has quite a bit going on, and all of it fits into the ‘loop’ theme that’s implied by the name of the bag. They definitely stuck to their idea, something for which I give them points, but I’m still trying to decide if the idea works.

I’m almost inclined to say that it does because I recently saw one of Lockheart’s more intricate and over-the-top bags in the wild and thought it was absolutely gorgeous. Because the color and shape are muted, the plethora of small details create something that you can’t stop looking at, and everyplace you look you find something new that the designer did that you hadn’t seen or noticed before. It’s a veritable “Choose Your Own Adventure” of a handbag that gives your eyes a million different ways to go. Rock it with confidence and it won’t overwhelm you. Buy through Nordstrom for $595.

Wow! A Tory Burch handbag that doesn’t have doesn’t scream Tory Burch! This makes me happy. Don’t get me wrong, for the most part I am ok with TB logos; they are usually pretty simple, understated and really prove to be a nice signature aspect to the bags. However, I am all for switching things up a bit. The Tory Burch Vintage Metallic Aldwin Clutch has gorgeous vintage metallic leather. Yet it is the contrast leather trim that actually helps the entire bag pop. And not that you will be walking around with the clutch open all the time, but when you do open this clutch, the frame is hexagonal. What a great surprise. Buy through Bloomingdale’s for $295.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but does this particular bag look really high-end and sophisticated to anyone else? Maybe I’m going nuts, but I think B. Makowsky may have really outdone themselves with the Belted Multicolor Tote.

It’s lines are clean, it’s hardware is chunky and shiny, and the colors are muted and well-coordinated. The bag has almost a nautical feeling to it, and combined with the light, muted colors, it would be a perfect spring and summer weekend tote. I like the grey-brown on top so much that I’d actually consider buying the tote if it were made only out of that color, and liking any sort of neutral is really out-of-character for me. They’ve got me intrigued, though, and I’m actually a bit surprised. This brand usually has fabulous, soft leather, but they’re not known for their overall design aesthetic. If this is any indication, keep an eye on them in the future. Buy through Nordstrom for $268.

What we have here, PurseBlogger, is a failure to communicate. Why? Because someone obviously lied to the folks at Cleobella about what the word “fringe” means. We’re going to hope that English isn’t their first language and that there was an error in translation, but just so everyone knows, “fringe” does not mean giant, wide, misshapen swaths of leather. And in Britain, it means “bangs,” but that’s neither here nor there.

Because there’s no fringe in sight on the Cleobella Alive Fringe Tote, but what IS in sight is utterly appalling. I’m not kidding. Seriously, this is one ugly bag, and it may be the ugliest bag I’ve ever reviewed. It’s that bad. It’s sloppy and floppy and flesh-colored in a way that makes it look like it’s a skin bag that Hannibal Lecter fashioned out of the hides of his victims. And who wants a bag made out of people? That’s just creepy, folks. Buy through Shop Bop for $528.

Ever see a bag, then see the price tag, and think, “No way, no how am I ever paying anything near that for that bag?” That’s the thought I had when I first saw the Rachel Nasvik Janice Convertible Hobo. I don’t like to hate on small designers, so it pains me to say this, but…is she out of her mind?

That’s a bag for which I wouldn’t pay more than $50, based on how slick and stiff the leather looks and the overall small size and and boring design of the bag. It’s more like something you buy in order to take out on a night when you know you’re probably going to mess it up, not a bag you pay hundreds of dollars for. I see nothing about it that says “high-end” to me. On top of all that, it just doesn’t have much personality. If you’re going to spend that much on a clutch, get something special with lots of details and workmanship. This bag is thoroughly average, and I woudn’t buy it for half the price. Buy through Luna Boston for $448.

Let’s start with the positives on the MZ Walace Bea Shoulder Tote, shall we? Well, first, I love the color. Deep purple-wine colors are always a massive winner with me, and having them on a material that’s not leather allows the bag to have a depth of color that few bags made of any kind of animal skin will ever achieve. Burgundy makes a great substitute for a boring, neutral brown bag and can be worn with just as many things, and the pleating gives the bag a lot of texture that would otherwise be missing with nylon as the main material.

Now, to the less fortunate aspects. The stamped-croc tan trim looks super cheap juxtaposed with the nylon, and although I don’t think it adds that much to the bag, I’m having a hard time thinking of something that would be better. Maybe a gunmetal leather? It would certainly look more modern. And as always, I take issue with a nylon bag being in the several-hundred-dollar price range. Nylon is, by definition, cheap and plentiful. There’s no need to charge so much for it. Buy through Luna Boston for $385.

A good everyday bag is hard to find. A good clutch is easier because it’s ability to match things and be practical doesn’t need to be particularly broad. A work bag is easier because no one will blame you if it’s more function than fashion. But an everyday bag? It has to be all things to all people – fashionable, practical, durable, and fun.

And maybe, just maybe, the Helena de Natalio Sofi Hobo could be that. It’s big and slouchy, with a lengthened strap that fits this season’s casual trends. It comes in a few neutral shades or a bright, trendy green (really folks, green is the color of Fall ‘09), meaning you can probably figure out a way to match it to your outfit. It’s big enough to carry all of your stuff, and since it’s from a smaller brand, not everyone you know is going to be carrying the exact same bag. You might even have a few people ask you what it is and where you got it, and everyone loves that. You know you do. Buy through Luna Boston for $484.

Ladies and gentlemen, I don’t know if I’ve ever been quite as excited to see a bag reissued for a second season as I am to see the Marc by Marc Jacobs Dr. Q Convertible Clutch make a comeback. I remember the first time I ever saw this bag – it was in green, croc-stamped patent at the beginning of last season, and I was in love immediately with it’s shape and size. It’s small enough to be worn as a clutch for a night out if you tuck in the strap, but big enough (and with a substantial enough shoulder strap) to be worn as a small hobo the next day if you’re too lazy to switch your stuff back to your regular purse.

And that scenario? That scenario defines more or less my entire life. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve taken a cute little clutch to the grocery store in my sweats the day after a good night out, and I’ve looked completely ridiculous every time but was too tired and lazy to switch back to a more appropriate bag. This bag completely eliminates that possibility and would be as valuable to me as more or less any other two handbags. I’ll take one in every color. Buy through Nordstrom for $348.

Yesterday I found myself scoping out the web pages of J. Crew. A few weeks back I went into J. Crew and ended up dropping quite a bit of cash. I forgot how cute that store can be. Although there are seasons where I have a hard time finding anything that I would wear, lately, it’s more like I have a hard time finding something I wouldn’t wear. Yesterday, I talked about the J. Crew Large Metallic-Leather Gallery Hobo. This bag was like a breath of fresh air: fun, functional, fabulous and all for a great price.

Today, I couldn’t help myself. I had to get another J. Crew fix. This time I cam across the J. Crew Soiree Clutch. It was definitely the girlie ruffles that lured me in. Ruffles, I either love them or hate them and here I think I love them. While the clutch is simple, the satin ruffles add a flirty feel to the clutch. And since the ruffles are satin, you can easily use this clutch to dress your outfit up and down. Not in the market for a white clutch, no worries, you can choose from black, dark mushroom or rosebud. Once again, at a price like this, you can’t really go wrong! Buy through J. Crew for $118.