After ombre was shown at Prada's 2007 fall show, lovelies like Ali Carter, Paris Hilton, and Thandi Newton ate the trend up. For spring 2008, many other designers like Diane von Furstenberg, Giles, and Adam + Eve followed suit in lighter and brighter colors.

A few tips to follow up with and you'll be ombre-tastic in minutes.

We love all of the amazing independent designers out there. In order to find out more about just what makes all of these creative types tick, we present to you an ongoing segment called Indie Designer Interviews.

Today's interview is with handbag designer Joanna Baker of Jobie Boutique, a line of handcrafted bags perfect for women of any age. Joanna creates hobos, satchels, wristlets and cosmetic cases using high-quality, classic materials such as leather and suede paired with cotton canvas in timeless prints like paisley and houndstooth.

The StyleDash 30-day handbag giveaway continues -- and concludes. [sniff] It has been a lot of fun. Every weekday, we gave away a designer handbag to a lucky reader. Today is the final giveaway. You just need to drop a comment onto the contest page. We'll select the winner randomly. I'll get to the rules in a minute. First, today's prize:

For our final giveaway, we are returning to the pebbled leather book tote from Coach Hamptons. This bag looks as blocky to me now as on the day we introduced it. I am (nearly) as clueless about handbags as the day we started this contest. No matter. Click the pic for more info.

The bag could be yours, if you follow these rules:

1) Leave a comment on this post. Doesn't matter what you say. No special consideration is given to rhapsodies about how much you've enjoyed this contest, but we'd like to hear them.

2) No duplicates! Identical twins may each enter once. If you try to double-dip we'll catch it.

3) If you win, don't come back for seconds. Wait -- there aren't any more seconds after today. Never mind.

4) Prizes will be shipped 30-45 days after the 30-day contest ends. Patience is a virtue.

SPECIAL NOTE: Today's contest will stay open until noon Friday (10/27) to give everyone a chance! (Because it started a little late today.)

Good luck, and thanks for participating in this fun contest!

The StyleDash 30-day handbag giveaway continues! Every weekday, we are giving away a designer handbag to a lucky reader. The emphasis is on "lucky," because we're not asking you to do anything difficult, like wear clashing colors. You just need to drop a comment onto the contest page. We'll select the winner randomly. I'll get to the rules in a minute. First, today's prize:

For our fourth giveaway, we are returning to the pebbled leather book tote by Coach Hamptons. You can use it to carry other things besides books. Like, for example, your Etch-A-Sketch. Or square-cut boards. This is a handsome, square bag. My wife just yelled over, "Tell them it's beautiful!" She loves it. And it's clear from previous comments that you don't need me to declare this bag beautiful. Click the pic if you want further affirmation.

The bag could be yours, if you follow these rules:

1) Leave a comment on this post. Doesn't matter what you say. No special consideration is given to recitations of nursery rhymes, but we would enjoy them.

2) No duplicates! Only one of your multiple personalities may enter. If you try to double-dip we'll catch it.

3) If you win, don't come back for seconds. Do you need more than one designer handbag? Well, that's a silly question. Still, you're not getting more than one of these.

4) Prizes will be shipped 30-45 days after the 30-day contest ends. Patience is a virtue.

Today's contest will stay open until noon Monday (10/23), when the next giveaway will be posted. Congratulations to kristina, who won the Cole Haan villasge satchel in Day 26!

Good luck, and thanks for being part of StyleDash!

First of all, are you entering every weekday? If not, why not? Well, the answer to that, yesterday, was that the contest turned up missing. My apologies. I'm the one posting the contest entries, and I was travelling this week. Things went fine until a cancelled flight kept me away an extra night. In the confusion and spotty WiFi access, I did not post the contest installment number 26, which should have started Wednesday and ended Thursday. So the contest skipped a day, and resumes today. I apologize to everyone for whom the contest has become a daily ritual!

The good news is that our designer handbag giveaway returns today, interrupted but undaunted. Only five of the 30 handbags remain! Get over there and place your entry! It's easy: no skill is required. today's bag is a beauty from Cole Haan, pictured here. Good luck!

The StyleDash 30-day handbag giveaway continues! (After an interruption of one day.) Every weekday, we are giving away a designer handbag to a lucky reader. The emphasis is on "lucky," because we're not asking you to do anything difficult, like wear clashing colors. You just need to drop a comment onto the contest page. We'll select the winner randomly. I'll get to the rules in a minute. First, today's prize:

For our 26th giveaway, we are returning to the village satchel by Cole Haan. Perfect for carrying a dachshund, this sausage-shaped accessory is (so I'm told by my eye-rolling wife) is beatufiul and stylish. It's certainly pricey -- click the pic for more info.

The bag could be yours, if you follow these rules:

1) Leave a comment on this post. Doesn't matter what you say. No special consideration is given to Beatles lyrics, but we'd appreciate a trip down memory lane.

2) No duplicates! Identical twins may each enter once. If you try to double-dip we'll catch it.

3) If you win, don't come back for seconds. We know you deserve to win every day, but others have feelings, too.

4) Prizes will be shipped 30-45 days after the 30-day contest ends. Patience is a virtue.

Today's contest will stay open until noon Friday (10/20), when the next giveaway will be posted.

Good luck, and thanks for being part of StyleDash!

The StyleDash 30-day handbag giveaway continues! Every weekday, we are giving away a designer handbag to a lucky reader. The emphasis is on "lucky," because we're not asking you to do anything difficult, like wear clashing colors. You just need to drop a comment onto the contest page. We'll select the winner randomly. I'll get to the rules in a minute. First, today's prize:

For our fourth giveaway, we are returning to the book tote by Coach Hamptons. Click the pic for more info. This designer accessory is perfect for carrying an Etch-A-Sketch. Not to mention books, hair brushes, makeup, bank ledgers, wallets, small animals, medications, silverware, lamps, furniture, and whatever else you gals insist on hauling everywhere.

The bag could be yours, if you follow these rules:

1) Leave a comment on this post. Doesn't matter what you say. No special consideration is given to Klingon curses, but if you can actually swear in Klingonese we salute you.

2) No duplicates! Identical twins may each enter once. If you try to double-dip we'll catch it.

3) If you win, don't come back for seconds. We know you deserve to win every day, but others have feelings, too.

4) Prizes will be shipped 30-45 days after the 30-day contest ends. Patience is a virtue.

Today's contest will stay open until noon Tuesday (10/17), when the next giveaway will be posted.

Good luck, and thanks for being part of StyleDash!

The StyleDash 30-day handbag giveaway continues! Every weekday, we are giving away a designer handbag to a lucky reader. The emphasis is on "lucky," because we're not asking you to do anything difficult, like wear clashing colors. You just need to drop a comment onto the contest page. We'll select the winner randomly. I'll get to the rules in a minute. First, today's prize:

For our 23rd giveaway, we are returning to the Cole Haan village satchel. What can you say about a bag that looks as if it would rather be a hot dog? You could start by saying I'm a clueless style bonehead ... and you'd get along great with my wife. Anyway, click the pic for more info on this pricey designer accessory.

The bag could be yours, if you follow these rules:

1) Leave a comment on this post. Doesn't matter what you say. No special consideration is given to love sonnets, but if you've got love to give we'll receive it.

2) No duplicates! Identical twins may each enter once. If you try to double-dip we'll catch it.

3) If you win, don't come back for seconds. We know you deserve to win every day, but others have feelings, too.

4) Prizes will be shipped 30-45 days after the 30-day contest ends. Patience is a virtue.

Today's contest will stay open until noon Monday (10/16), when the next giveaway will be posted.

Good luck, and thanks for being part of StyleDash!

The StyleDash 30-day handbag giveaway continues! Every weekday, we are giving away a designer handbag to a lucky reader. The emphasis is on "lucky," because we're not asking you to do anything difficult, like wear green jeans. You just need to drop a comment onto the contest page. We'll select the winner randomly. I'll get to the rules in a minute. First, today's prize:

For our 22nd giveaway, we are returning to the "Hobo" from Marc by Marc Jacobs, pictured here. The Hobo is aptly named, and is nearly big enough to carry all your possessions as you wander through train yards. You are not required to be an itinerant vagrant in order to win this bag, but you should be willing to appear that way. Kidding, kidding. My wife tells me this is a gorgeous bag, and I'm taking her word for it. Click the pic for more info.

The bag could be yours, if you follow these rules:

1) Leave a comment on this post. Doesn't matter what you say. No special consideration is given to love sonnets, but if you've got love to give we'll receive it.

2) No duplicates! If you have multiple personalities, please -- just one of you enter. If you try to double-dip we'll catch it.

3) If you win, don't come back for seconds. Share the wealth.

4) Prizes will be shipped 30-45 days after the 30-day contest ends. Patience is a virtue.

Today's contest will stay open until noon Friday (10/13), when the next giveaway will be posted. Congratulations to Jessica, who won the Coach Hamptons book tote in Day 21!

Good luck, and thanks for being part of StyleDash!

The StyleDash 30-day handbag giveaway continues! Every weekday, we are giving away a designer handbag to a lucky reader. The emphasis is on "lucky," because we're not asking you to do anything difficult, like wear clashing colors. You just need to drop a comment onto the contest page. We'll select the winner randomly. I'll get to the rules in a minute. First, today's prize:

For our 21st giveaway, we are returning to the pebbled leather book tote by Coach Hamptons. I've learned from reading comments that many people favor this bag over the other two in our contest. That's understandable. It is not disreputibly slouchy like the Marc Jacobs hobo. It is not dachshund-shaped like the Cole Haan village satchel. It is fine and upstanding, like something my great-aunt would carry. But don't let that stop you. Click the pic for more info.

The bag could be yours, if you follow these rules:

1) Leave a comment on this post. Doesn't matter what you say. No special consideration is given to ASCII art, but if you've got some, please share.

2) No duplicates! Identical twins may each enter once. If you try to double-dip we'll catch it.

3) If you win, don't come back for seconds. We know you deserve to win every day, but others have feelings, too.

4) Prizes will be shipped 30-45 days after the 30-day contest ends. Patience is a virtue.

Today's contest will stay open until noon thursday (10/12), when the next giveaway will be posted. Congratulations to Carol Garguilo, who won the Cole Haan <s>dachshund</s> village satchel in Day 20!

Good luck, and thanks for being part of StyleDash!

The StyleDash 30-day handbag giveaway continues! Every weekday, we are giving away a designer handbag to a lucky reader. The emphasis is on "lucky," because we're not asking you to do anything difficult, like take style advice from Burger King. You just need to drop a comment onto the contest page. We'll select the winner randomly. I'll get to the rules in a minute. First, today's prize:

For our 20th giveaway, we are returning to the village satchel by Cole Haan. Although this bag looks as if it has been through a sausage roller, people go wild for it. It's perfect for carrying kittens. Click the pic to learn more about the hardware and software ... not to mention the retail price.

The bag could be yours, if you follow these rules:

1) Leave a comment on this post. Doesn't matter what you say. No special consideration is given to love poems, but if you've got love to give we'll receive it.

2) No duplicates! Please curb your multiple personalities. If you try to double-dip we'll catch it.

3) If you win, don't come back for seconds. Doing so would anger your personal good luck deity. Besides, it's against the rules.

4) Prizes will be shipped 30-45 days after the 30-day contest ends. Patience is a virtue.

Today's contest will stay open until noon Wednesday (10/11), when the next giveaway will be posted. Congrastulations to Marlene Schooler, who won the Marc Jacobs hobo in Day 19!

Good luck, and thanks for being part of StyleDash!

The StyleDash 30-day handbag giveaway continues! Every weekday, we are giving away a designer handbag to a lucky reader. The emphasis is on "lucky," because we're not asking you to do anything difficult, like spell the names of international models. You just need to drop a comment onto the contest page. We'll select the winner randomly. I'll get to the rules in a minute. First, today's prize:

For our 18th giveaway, we are returning to the pebbled leather book tote by Coach Hamptons. Unlike the Marc Jacobs Hobo that we've been giving away, which makes you look like a hitchiking vagrant, this bag encourages careful strolling through libraries and bookstores, a prim and austere look on your face. Or, maybe it just encourages showing off a pricey designer handbag to your envious friends. Click the pic for more info.

The bag could be yours, if you follow these rules:

1) Leave a comment on this post. Doesn't matter what you say. No special consideration is given to philosophical musings, but if you've got food for thought, we're hungry for intellectual nutrients.

2) No duplicates! Halloween-inspired disguises won't work. If you try to double-dip we'll catch it.

3) If you win, don't come back for seconds. Didn't your mother teach you to share? Oh. In that case, let this be your first lesson.

4) Prizes will be shipped 30-45 days after the 30-day contest ends. Patience is a virtue.

Today's contest will stay open until noon Monday (10/9), when the next giveaway will be posted. Congratulations to Barbara Velez, who won the Cole Haan satchel in Day 17!

Good luck, and thanks for being part of StyleDash!

The StyleDash 30-day handbag giveaway continues! Every weekday, we are giving away a designer handbag to a lucky reader. The emphasis is on "lucky," because we're not asking you to do anything difficult, like run in heels. You just need to drop a comment onto the contest page. We'll select the winner randomly. I'll get to the rules in a minute. First, today's prize:

For our 17th giveaway, we are returning to the village satchel by Cole Haan. I don't know what village you might wear this in ... perhaps a Lilliputian village where everything is squashed down? But pay no attention to me. My wife has tuned me out completely on the subject of these handbags. No need to pity her, but your sympathy is appreciated. Anyway, click the pic for more info. This is a highly accessorized and pricey squashed-village bag.

The bag could be yours, if you follow these rules:

1) Leave a comment on this post. Doesn't matter what you say. No special consideration is given to rhymes involving the words "village" or "purse," but we'd be delighted to hear them.

2) No duplicates! Please curb your multiple personalities. If you try to double-dip (or triple-dip?) we'll catch it.

3) If you win, don't come back for seconds. We know you already own 35 purses. Get a grip.

4) Prizes will be shipped 30-45 days after the 30-day contest ends. Patience is a virtue.

Today's contest will stay open until noon Tuesday (9/19), when the next giveaway will be posted. Congratulations to Will, who won the Marc Jacobs "Hobo" in Day 16!

Good luck, and thanks for being part of StyleDash!

The StyleDash 30-day handbag giveaway continues! Every weekday, we are giving away a designer handbag to a lucky reader. The emphasis is on "lucky," because we're not asking you to do anything difficult, like wear paisley bandannas. You just need to drop a comment onto the contest page. We'll select the winner randomly. I'll get to the rules in a minute. First, today's prize:

For our 14th giveaway, we are returning to the village satchel from designer Cole Haan. Specifically designed to carry a dachsund, this bag can probably also accommodate a wallet, car keys, and a few other items. Click the pic for more info on this $335 bag: Tan leather, silver hardware, zip top. My wife, who can distinguish between a designer statement and a squashed purse, tells me the village satchel is of the former.

The bag could be yours, if you follow these rules:

1) Leave a comment on this post. Doesn't matter what you say. No special consideration is given to Beatles lyrics, but we'd enjoy the trip down memory lane.

2) No duplicates! Identical twins may each enter once. If you try to double-dip we'll catch it.

3) If you win, don't come back for seconds. We know you deserve to win every day, but a solipsistic attitude won't win you any friends.

4) Prizes will be shipped 30-45 days after the 30-day contest ends. Patience is a virtue.

Today's contest will stay open until noon Tuesday (10/3), when the next giveaway will be posted. Congrastulations to Theresa Shafer, who won the Marc Jacobs polo in Day 13!

Good luck, and thanks for being part of StyleDash!

The StyleDash 30-day handbag giveaway continues! Every weekday, we are giving away a designer handbag to a lucky U.S. or Canadian reader. The emphasis is on "lucky," because we're not asking you to do anything difficult, like wear jean shorts. You just need to drop a comment onto the contest page. We'll select the winner randomly. I'll get to the rules in a minute. First, today's prize:

For our 13th giveaway, we are returning to the "Hobo" from Marc by Marc Jacobs, pictured here. The poor thing looks exhausted. Maybe a nap would perk it up. Yet my wife's words are ringing in my ears: "That is one gorgeous bag!" Well, it's priced that way, with a retail value over $400. Click the pic to see the pricey details. Will I buy this for my wife? Great philosophers could speculate for decades. But she's not getting this particular one, so keep your sympathetic comments coming (she reads 'em all), and try to grab the bag for your own bad self.

The Hobo could be yours, if you follow these rules:

1) Leave a comment on this post. Doesn't matter what you say. No special consideration is given to imaginative punctuation, but we are desperately in need of entertainment.

2) No duplicates! Our NASA software detects them.

3) If you win, don't come back for seconds. If you win twice, others will cry. Then how would you feel?

4) Prizes will be shipped 30-45 days after the 30-day contest ends. Patience is a virtue.

Today's contest will stay open until noon Monday (10/2), when the next giveaway will be posted.

Good luck, and thanks for being part of StyleDash!