I don’t know why I’m giving these two pop culture vultures any more exposure, but hey, this is a designer handbag site, and that is one fetching Yves Saint Laurent purse Heidi Montag is holding. Did it come from Santa or Spencer? Who knows? But I do know that I’m definitely reevaluating my life choices if a reality show nimcompoop like her can have a stockpile of luxury purses (let’s not forget her Chanel and Hermes stash) while I save my pennies. Anyway, I like the plum hue - it’s bold but still suitable for winter.

   I most recently have fallen in love with a specific YSL bag. Remember when I covered the YSL Volcano Tote? I ended up seeing it in Saks last week in pewter and I fell in love again. PEWTER! You know, that beautiful shimmery gray color that I obsess over. In fact, pewter is one of our colors for our wedding (though finding pewter bridesmaid dresses has proven to be much more difficult than anticipated). So now I have this huge crush on YSL and continue to seek out their bags. Simplicity is what reigns me in.

If the shimmery colors of the Volcano tote did not do it for you and you also wanted a larger bag, the Yves Saint Laurent Large Soft Top Handle Shopper may be just what you are looking for. There are a few reasons why I love this bag. First of all, the shopper shape is large but not gargantuan. The other perk about the shape is that it should fit nicely under your arm without the sides being too large and protruding in front or behind you. The body is stitched with a signature “Y” on the soft leather. There are double top handles and a double shoulder strap. Measurements are 16″W X 14″H X 7 ”D.

   Well, Lily Allen sure has great taste in handbags, I’ll give her that. The singer’s added a fetching black Yves Saint Laurent Downtown Tote to her formidable stash of Chanels. Speaking of Chanel, looks like Lily either got tagged by Karl Lagerfeld, or decided to do some DIY designing with a white tee and a black marker. I’d comment on her black gloves, shorts (this is in freeze-your-arse-off London mind you), fishnets, and Uggs, but, well…I’m speechless.

   If I didn’t know better, I’d say this photo of Cameron Diaz was completely staged. Does anyone ever look that perfect and chic when they’re trying to flag down a taxi? Where’s the look of annoyance? Where’s the panic at being late? Where’s the puddle water that inevitably splatters you? But never mind all that. I love her classy winter look, especially her stand-out cowl-neck sweater and that enticing Yves Saint Laurent Tribute Tote, shown here in black croc. It’s cozy, it’s glam, and it’s sophisticated. If that doesn’t help land Cameron a taxi, nothing will.

   Using satin for a handbag can lead to the material snagging, getting dirty, and wearing much quicker than a studier material like leather. But on some bags, satin seems to look so beautiful. YSL bags define their beauty in simplicity. The designs are not ground-breaking, but the designs incorporate the YSL touch on a very wearable piece. One of the many reasons I like the Yves Saint Laurent Tanger Large Tote is because of its usability as a tote. The inside adds a zip pocket and satin lining. The outside brings in the signature “Y” with double top handles and a magnetic snap closure. Dimensions are 14″W X 13″H X 4″D. This is nothing to write home about, not something I would recommend for an everyday bag, but it is a bag that will dress up an outfit and add the perfect gleam as needed.

   For a couple years Vlad and I were constantly on the go. Traveling back and forth across the Atlantic often, traveling back and forth from Ohio to Florida, and then everywhere and anywhere else. I actually prefer not traveling so often. I like being in one place, having my suit case in a closet and not permanently on stand-by for the next trip. I am a fan of long weekend getaways. Just packing up the car and heading to a new location, maybe not all that far away, but still feels like it is ‘away’. And for an overnight stay I need a new travel bag. I have professed my love of a large Hermes Travel Bag, like Katie Holmes has been seen carrying, only I really really really want a Crocodile Hac. But those bags are not going to be bought in the foreseeable future, so I must move on. I found my new love. A travel bag that will fill my weekend getaway needs.

Although I have never been pregnant, so I should not preach about preggers-looks, but the very-pregnant Salma Hayek is looking very-pregnant and a tad frumpy. But I will blame the hair on the humidity and the frumpy dress on maternity wear, so you are looking good preggy-Hayek. Salma brought it all together with her YSL Patent Leather Downtown Tote while shopping in Paris. The bag makes the outfit work, because it is after all sporting trendy patent leather in a great shape. Good luck to the expecting mom and love the bag!

There are most likely two reasons why you do not own a crocodile handbag. Reason number one is that you are vehemently against the use of crocodile to make a handbag. Reason number two, which I fall into, is because you flat out can’t afford this luxury. Personally, I wish I fell into category number one. That would mean I just don’t want a croc bag. But in all reality, I pine for one. Hopefully that day will be soon, but if you fall into either categories there are bags out there that are embossed or have a pattern that looks like croc even though it is not the real thing. No worries, I won’t tell. Take the Yves Saint Laurent Medium Downtown Tote for example, which shows off quilted patent leather fused in a crocodile pattern. Looks convincing enough, sports trendy patent leather, and is in a very trendy bag. The Downtown Tote has been a favorite of many celebs because of its versatility and great shape. Brass hardware is used, along with an inside pocket, and lush suede and satin lining. Dimensions are 17″W X 14″H X 7″D. If you can’t truly croc, then try a faux-croc like this.

Sure many people have had work done, but not everyone that has had some ‘alterations’ turns into a total wax doll with absolutely no facial expression, movement, or charisma. So welcome empty Ashlee Simpson to the scene, the younger sister of Jessica Simpson, in which both sisters seem to still be trying to find themselves. Closely resembling a wax doll or robot, the living-in-the-shadow-not-really-a-singer-merely-a-sister-of-a-celebrity stepped out in LA sporting a stunning YSL Patent Tribute Tote. Ashlee is a huge fan of YSL bags and has been seen carrying a few before, but now she has switched to the YSL Patent Leather Tribute Tote. At least the bag is chic. This version sports a crocodile like quilted patent leather with gold tone hardware.

A little structure never hurt. And a sleek defined structure is the bag of a woman who means business, who wants to be taken seriously, and who is not messing around with her fashion or closet. At this point in my life I am enjoying not needing to go to a typical business suit, 9-5 job, but I still envy those who wear a head to toe business suit from time to time. Refined and gorgeous, the Yves Saint Laurent Uptown Small Bag emulates sophistication with its navy patent leather and gold tone hardware. Not to be worn over the shoulder, the bag has a mere 4 ” double hand drop. The refined flap with turnlock closure is the perfect outside finishing touch along with the satin lining on the inside with two pockets. I do not want to go back to work that bad, but this still would make the most stunning accessory for the women on a mission.