Pink Rock Candy – Top fashion trends, news and shopping of 2010

“Oh my God. Oh my God!” is the first thing that came out of my mouth after seeing the amazingly perfect bags from Travelteq— actually, it was more like, “uhmygahd. UHMYGAHD!”

I’ve yet to get a new bag for the beginning of school, and though I’m still in love with the MICHEAL Michael Kors Hamilton tote, the Trash Cougar in red may have just done one of those wrestling moves where you leap off the corner of the ring onto your opponent leaving him gasping for breath while you put him in a sleeper hold until he taps out. Yup, that’s how major this bag is!

I can just see myself hurriedly stuffing my laptop into this bag at the end of class after spending the entire hour and a half chatting on Facebook with friends (professors don’t, or at least pretend not to, know the difference). Then, as I rush out of class I’ll “accidentally” drop my pen (even though there’s a pen compartment) in front of the cute guy two rows over, inevitably starting a conversation and maybe even scoring a free lunch.

This bag would also pair perfectly with those, yet to be planned fashion week outfits. Imagine teetering out of Lincoln Center in your 5-inch heels, cropped pencil trousers and effortlessly chic top, looking oh-so-gamine, only to be tapped on the shoulder by some mysterious stranger. As you twirl around— in slow motion, of course— you see Scott Schuman behind you asking to snap you for The Sartorialist. You gladly oblige, trying to not to look to posed while smizing like Tyra taught you, and before you leave you pull out a business card from the easily accessible business card pocket on the Trash Cougar and hand it to him making sure to mention you write a blog as well. END SCENE.

You can replace Scott Schuman with any sexy stranger asking to do whatever you wish, but the point is, this bag is what dreams are made of. Oh, please Santa, come early and bring me the Trash Cougar! I promise I’ll stop flirting with guys at the bar for free drinks— ok, I’ll cut back, cold turkey is tough— and I won’t keep questioning why some of my friends insist on being trapped in middle America when they could move to either coast. Please, please!

To buy the Travelteq Trash Cougar, or any of the other Trash bags, visit www.travelteq.com.

MICHAEL Michael Kors; michaelkors.com. Simply Vera; kohls.com. Modcloth; modcloth.com [Affiliate Link]. Forever 21; forever21.com. Hilary Radley; endless.com.

I’ve spent the last 10 years avoiding a normal backpack. At this point, I couldn’t tell you the appropriate way to walk whilst two straps are latched to your shoulders. I have, however, become an expert on the perfect non-backpack school bags. Kitschy totes are always fun, but as you get older, a more professional bag for lugging around books at school and to carry extra shoes to an internship becomes necessary.

When on the hunt for the perfect school/work bag, I look for the following attributes:

Spaciousness - Bags have to be wide enough to fit my laptop and tall enough to hold folders and notebooks.

Structure - I love hobo bags just as much as the next girl, but a bag with too much slouch becomes bothersome when digging for pens or a cell phone carelessly tossed in the sack.

Universality - I never expect my bag to match perfectly with every outfit, but I do like them to “go.” Choosing neutral colors (dark hues and metallics count) enables me to wear almost any outfit without having to change my bag.

Durability - I plan on throwing lots of books, and the like, in my school bag, so finding a handbag that won’t fall apart at the first sign of stress is a must.

My dream school bag is the MICHAEL Michael Kors Hamilton bag, but I’ve yet to decide whether I want to spend almost $300 on this bag or on a potential plane ticket to visit friends in other states. I really love the bag, though!

Peggy Foldover by Diane von Furstenberg, $395

I need a small bag. The last bag I had that was smaller than eight inches in height and a few inches deep was in seventh or eighth grade— that’s almost seven years ago. The only thing that could convince me to downsize was this gorgeous little clutch by Diane von Furstenberg.

The DVF ‘Peggy Foldover’ is perfectly bohemian. The tan color is wonderful for spring and the gold accents remind me of sunnier days to come.

I, however, am more likely to splurge on shoes than a bag, so I’ve found less expensive bags that remind me of the DVF clutch. Some of the bags have great gold touches while others simply have that boho flair.

Multi Stud Pyramid Clutch Bag from Topshop, $60 • Metal Beaded Clutch by Ecote, $28 • Studded Quilted Clutch by Forever21, $16 • Double Pocket Cross-Body Bag from Urban Outfitters, $88

Though a smaller bag is totally clutch (pun intended), I’m going to have to figure out what I can live without because I won’t be able to fit my entire life in the cool little bags.

Talk Back: When you carry a clutch, what do you put in your bag?

Saunter Flat, $29.99  •  Shanbag Clutch, $24.99  •  Slither Boot, $49.99

Yesterday, as I passed the same Payless store I always pass on my way home from my internship, I saw something slightly unexpected. Instead of wondering when I was going to see some Alice + Olivia or Christian Siriano behind the freshly cleaned glass, right up front for all of 8th Avenue to see was none other than Christian Siriano‘s line of shoes and accessories for the budget friendly store.

When I first heard about the Christian Siriano for Payless collaboration, I was beyond stoked at the prospect of having the “Fierce” platforms he sent down the Fall 2009 runway available for wallet-friendly prices. I should have, then, realized the über-platforms I was lusting over would only be inspiration and the heel would be scaled down for the proletariat.

Needless to say, the Christian Siraino for Payless shoes aren’t as amazing as I dreamed, but still awesome enough to make me stumble a bit as I passed them while walking by the Payless store window.

In an attempt to save money and avoid the blistering hot subway tunnels, I like to walk from Grand Central Terminal to my internship every now and then, taking me directly through the heart of Times Sq. and a giant billboard directly above the big subway entrance on 42nd St. between Broadway and 7th Ave. Starting today through October 31st, 2009, this billboard will be covered in art from emerging artists like Michael Anderson and Josh Goldstein commissioned by none other than my favorite lifestyle store, Target.

When the billboard comes down, the flex vinyl will be turned in to edgy totes designed by Target’s latest GO International designer, Anna Sui.

The 1,600 limited edition, upcycled billboard bags officially go on sale today until supplies last for $29.99, and will be shipped to the cool cats who snapped them up in early-January.

I personally see no downside to getting one of these bags— except maybe the thousands of other bloodthirsty Target lovers— the totes are green because they’re upcycled, they’re a piece of art, they’re designed by Anna Sui, and they’re the right price (i.e. less than $50).

Target has hit the mark once again— pun totally intended!

For more information, visit www.target.com/billboardbag