“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.

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!

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?

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

The other day, Geri from Because I’m Addicted posted a picture of an Alexander Wang studded bad, that I could look at for the rest of my life, but undoubtedly, and unfortunately, will never own. However, tucked inside the post with the lust-worthy bag was a link to Park & Cube.

That little internet wormhole led to a DIY project to make your own Alexander Wang inspired bag. After procrastinating for a bit over the holiday weekend, and realizing sitting in a hospital room with my sick brother all day every day is intensely boring, I headed to Micheal’s to find studs so I could Wang-out an old fake leather bag I bought years ago.

The only studs in stock weren’t as large as I had hoped for, but I think overall, the my little project was a success.

It was super easy to add studs, all I did was push the studs into the fabric and used a butter knife to fold in the prongs as directed on the blog. I totally bought too many studs, so I offered to bedazzle my little brother’s hospital gown. Sadly, he declined.

Follow the jump for more pictures.

I know it’s not even summer, but Fall/Winter ’09 collection hoopla will be upon us before we now it, yikes! Get ready for the madness. I preparing by lusting over this amazing studded Marc Jacobs bag aptly named the ‘Wrath Bag’.

1. Flounce Around Fringe Handbag by Lulu’s, $48  •  2. Belted Convertible Carry-All by Fred Flare, $36  •  3. Fold Over Shoulder Bag by Forever 21, $34.80  •  4. Sunday Tote by Alloy, $29.50  •  5. Square Flower Print Book Bag by Orla Kiely, $172  •  6. Creased Patent Mitzy Hobo by Mulberry, $695  •  7. Hyde Large Satchel by Jessica Simpson, $118  •  8. Alesha bag by Cha Cha, $245

p.s. Get 15% off any purchase at Lulu’s until May 15th, 2009 by entering pinkrockcandy at checkout.

The cool kids at Pronto.com are giving away this Alexander Wang ‘Donna Hobo’ bag. I should probably keep this to myself to better my odds of winning, but I love you guys too much. Even if you’re already a Pronto member make sure you still enter.

When I first laid eyes on the 3.1 Phillip Lim “Belgium” Bag, instead of a choir of angels singing, I heard The Beatles chanting ‘love, love love’ at the beginning of their song “All You Need Is Love.”

No, I wasn’t hearing voices, It was simply a strange coincidence, but love is the only word that describes my feelings toward the bag.

The bright blue color, the black piping, and the matte bronze hardware are all pieced together to create potentially the most fatal bag I’ve ever had the honor of salivating over. The only downside, something I encounter quite often when it comes to lusting over Lim, the $750 price tag.

Thus, I have two options:

1) I could shell out the cash and be able to gently caress the bag anytime I want.

or

2) I could not buy my lover bag and have $750 to spend on food or college tuition or less expensive bags.

Decisions, decisions!

Though I am a PR major, I realize the best designer tip-offs come from other bloggers and not the designer’s individual publicists. To be honest, this actually helps the designer, because as you can guess, we’re more likely to pay attention to a brand if a peer suggests it rather than a gusher-for-hire— no offense to my, hopefully, eventual colleagues. Browsing other blogs is how I found accessory designer Ashley Watson.

While reading the blog Couture Salope in October, I stumbled across a post featuring some of the most subtly-beautiful leather handbags I’d seen in quite some time. I became even more intrigued after reading that all of Ashley Watson’s accessories were made of recycled leather. The recycled leather gives the bags the soft feel and perfectly worn look of your favorite, old leather jacket.

To me, recycled leather is something like vintage fur. No extra animals were murdered to make the specific bag so it is almost 100% okay. Plus, the bag is eco-friendly without being completely made of hemp.

Though you may not be able to get the Spring ’09 collection including the red version of the ‘Thrush’ Bag until February, you can get the ‘Thrush’ bag in black for $250 at shopfatal.com or for a bit more at their other stockists.

You know that completely mythical bond you create with your favorite celebs— like when you’re a thousand percent sure that cute musician was looking you dead in the eye at his concert even though you were in the nosebleed section. Well, I do that with designers. There are some designers that just make me swoon and laugh awkwardly to myself by seeing pictures of there clothes, or on a good day, by seeing them kid around in a video online. The Proenza guys are some of those designers.

Going through my backed-up inbox, I stumbled across this video from style.com about the new Proenza Schouler handbag line. The bags Jack and Lazaro talked about were so fantastic, and I loved how they have been discreetly giving their ‘PS 1′ bag to friends and having them carry them around for photo ops— how secret agent!

It was also delightful to hear a designer say they wanted their products to be used and beaten up, because everything gets better with age, right?

Watch the video, swoon over bags, and gawk at the dichotomy between Jack and Lazaro.

I know it’s been many, many moons, but I was abducted by Pinocchio look-a-likes and forced to be a real girl for a while. They made me plan ahead, go grocery shopping, and go to work. I escaped using pixie dust and happy thoughts, so now I’m back and jonesing for something super fun, and what’s more fun than fighting Captain Hook neon colors, plastic jewelry, and hot air balloons? I couldn’t think of anything either— that’s why I give you my favorites from one of the most funnest (yes!) companies I know, 31 Corn Lane!

Technically, the most fun any one person can have, or just the most fun I could have, would be at the top of a super high roller coaster, sitting in the front of the train, about to plunge to my adrenaline-charged potential doom. Since I’m nowhere near Cedar Point and the Millinium Force Roller Coaster, I’m going to hope someone decides to take me on a hot air balloon ride or just know of my love of heights and giant bags and buy me this beyond adorable ‘Woah Balloons! SuperShopper Bag’. Getting my hands on either one of the ‘Woah Balloons!’ bags (there’s a tote too!), would definitely make up for the fun I missed out on when my town carnival decided to shut down before they even opened it. Bummer!

I also really like the ‘Solid Big Bling Berry Ring’. Nothing screams summer fun like a juicy, fist-sized strawberries. I’m talking about the kind of strawberries that drip juice down your chin and stain your face, fingers, and new white shirt. For a cleaner version they can be set atop yummy crêpes or crème brûlée or just turned to plastic and place on your finger. This ring would make me reminisce sweetly about my favorite desserts at anytime of the day, and if I’m swiped by those darn marionettes again, I’ll have happy thoughts right on my finger.

Last but not least, my favorite of favorites is the ‘Pink Preppy-Punk Pocahontas Style Single Earring’. Feathers are undoubtedly my new obsession— sorry pirate-themed anything— but, who knew Pocahontas could be preppy and 80s punk at the same time. I don’t usually wear earrings, but technically this is just ONE earring, so it doesn’t really count.

I’ll be back tomorrow, but for now I’m going to hula hoop, play with Power Ranger action figures, and dominate at 4-Square!

What are the things you wish you could still do from when you were just a lil’ tyke?

Oh Mulberry’s Roxanne Tote, how I love thee…

Your ginormousness would allow me to carry my life in an infinitely stylish bag. I could probably even hide a cute gentleman within, in the event that I see one to my liking. Carrying such objects would obviously necessitate the hiring of a great chiropractor, but this I will overlook. With such girth, I could hide modestly behind you like Peaches or gloat about your icy-freshness as does feisty Pixie. How wonderful you would be in my Easter basket (or as my Easter basket).

If you were mine, I would caress thy front pockets, and maybe place a lipstick or two within. And your gleaming facade— I would never be able to disguise my conceit with such a reflective bag at my side (good my hair is still in place).

Black, red, navy, or white, if the week were four days I would buy one for every day of the week, but since it’s not, I think I’ll ask the Easter Bunny to just bring me a black red navy white one.

I wounder if there is a Mulberry store near his bunny hole, or would he just purchase it online like the rest of us (after all he has no elves to build things for him). Excuse me while I go write a nice email to the Easter Bunny, making sure he receives my request in time for the big day!

photo credit: wireimage.com

If you haven’t already heard, W Magazine is haven’t the most fab giveaway I’ve heard of in a while. To celebrate the launch of their official website, Wmagazine.com, W and Saks.com have teamed up to bring you a giveaway worth over $11,000. Whoever the lucky winner is will receive a Chloe Bay Patent Hobo, a Jimmy Choo Clutch with Face Design, a Dior “Babe” Python East/West Frame Bag, and a Marc Jacobs Lace Robert Bag.

The contest started yesterday at noon and will end on March 31, 2008 at 11:59PM EST. You can enter as many times as your little heart desires. All you have to do is go to Wmagazine.com/go/bags. and fill out your info. This is too easy to pass up, so make sure to enter at least once, who knows you might get lucky! I, however, would suggest trying to enter 11,000 times (one time for each dollar) between now and March 31st to increase your odds, but considering the prizes you might need to enter a bit more—everyone will be jumping at this!