At last a Coach bag without that extra ten pounds of crazy brass hardware weighing it down. We've loved the style of Coach for years, but our little shoulders, or our habit of carrying everything in the world in our bag, kept us from ever getting one.

The company finally figured out that they're missing a target market, Bag Crazy Bag Ladies, and came out with a new line called "Ergo" which is short for ergonomic. Lightweight, soft, with clean lines, we're very tempted by these bags. They're still crazy expensive, but the Coach story has always been "you'll have it forever" so maybe that works for you. Prices and some pretty colors in the gallery.

When you check out the site, make sure to click on the awesome "Try this bag on" feature on the site. It shows you the scale of the bag on an average woman, both holding it in your hand and on your shoulder.

Every the most ardent fashionista will surely admit that there are some things which are - yes! - more important than the latest designer bag, Paris Hilton's newest business venture or what the stars are wearing to another black tie event. Nadia Plesner certainly thinks so: the 26-year old artist from Holland has created a series of striking posters to highlight the tragedy of the ongoing genocide in Darfur (in which so far 200,000-400,000 people have died -- and 2.5 million have been displaced from their homes).

To mark the contrast between the suffering of the people of Darfur and our love of celebrity style and gossip, she drew a starving African child holding a chihuahua dog and a purse which looks similar to something LV would make.

Congratulations to Talya, winner of our My Little Empire Giveaway! She will be wearing the awesome outfit you see at right with vintage lavender ankle boots! Read her deserving comment below; sometimes we luck out on the random choosing:

I have a completely adorable pair of vintage lavender ankle boots--very high, delicate heel and pointed toe--that I found in a thrift store in SF's Mission District. They're perfect for this--the whole look would be very diaphanous and ethereal, but a little bit funky, too!

Congratulations also to the winner of our Roman Savell Giveaway, Glenda! Whatcha gonna put in that classy bag, Glenda?

There's not much that adds punch to an outfit the way a metallic accessory does -- it's exciting, it's new, it's hot. It just makes us walk with a little more strut in our step. However, we will never completely bail on our good buddy brown. Brown has seen us through more trends than we care to remember, and it feels so comfy and safe.

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 Indian-born artist Sowmya Parigi. She creates hand-painted, eco-friendly jute handbags, wine caddies, diaper bags and more, available online at her website SVA Creations.

Ever since Kristen's post about the groddy bottoms of our handbags, we've been twitchy and worked up about keeping our bag off the floor.

The experience made us realize that in most restaurants/bars/movie theaters there is no where to put your bag besides holding it on your lap. And if you're a big bag gal, like most of us, that's an awkward and uncomfortable position.

Much to our delight, this weekend a friend pulled a beautiful little enameled disk out of her bag, gave it a quick twist and voila, a personal bag hook for the table.

We demanded the details, which we're glad to share here. It's called a Luxe Link, it comes in several designs and in it's own little pouch so it's easy to carry in your bag. You can buy it online for $35.

Hey, this could make a great Mother's Day gift -- all moms have bags, right?

As a New Orleans local, we're loving what reusable shopping bag company What's ur Bag is doing. Not only have they created a new line of environmentally friendly reusable grocery bags in a range of fun colors and prints, but they're also doing all they can to help bring back the recovering New Orleans economy. The bags are manufactured by a company that was totally destroyed by Hurricane Katrina and rebuilt, and all of the labels, packaging and material come from vendors based in NOLA as well. Their website was designed by a single mom from New Orleans and five percent of all profits go to Hope House, a New Orleans charity that feeds, trains, houses and clothes the homeless.

There are tons of eco-friendly reusable bag options on the market right now, but many are made in China. You can feel good in more ways than one by shopping with a reusable bag from What's ur Bag.

We have a winner of the Star 50 Bag Giveaway! Terri is going to be taking home the fabulous Star 50 Louisiana Market Sac so she can carry whatever she needs in style!

However, even if you didn't win the free purse, you're still in luck! Star 50 is inviting StyleDash readers to a Purse Party, meaning that now through May 12 you can purchase any Star 50 bag (including the Louisiana Market Sac) for 50% off! All you need to do is go to the Star 50 website and enter this code: Star50ME. For more information on the Purse Party (and any other contests Star 50 is holding) click here.

Thanks to all of you who participated, and keep checking in for more giveaways. As a matter of fact, we have one happening right now ...

WTF? Toad bag? Don't you mean "tote bag?" This is crazy talk.

This is not a "tote" bag. No. This is a toad bag. From Australia. Like Fosters pretends to be.

Has anyone ever looked at a toad and thought "mmmm...handbag?" WTF?

Okay, you've got sunscreen, towels, phone, camera, book, magazine, iPod, sarong, sunglasses, and a change of clothes -- you're ready to hit the beach. But how are you going to carry all your beach bound goodies?

Don't throw it in a boring old straw beach tote -- pack a bag you can take into a cute beach boutique or cafe and leave the purse at home.

Who? Roman Savell. What? This big, bold, classy, bright red bag.

We're not kidding around, people. We have this bright red bag in our possession, and it is so much more than you see in this photo! Read on so we can maybe give it to you (or don't, and we'll maybe keep it).

Star 50 Bags, an innovative line of collectible handbags inspired by the 50 states, are unique, fashionable and now you have the chance to win one of your own! We are giving away a Star 50 Louisiana Market Sac, valued at $115. This bag is the perfect size for toting around your summer essentials, taking to the beach, or packing for an overnight stay.

You won't just look good carrying this gorgeous bag -- you'll feel good, too, because Star 50 is donating 5% of all sales from this bag to Brad Pitt's Make It Right Foundation to support the victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

To enter, all you need to do is leave a comment below before 5:00PM Eastern, Monday, April 28, 2008, telling us about where you would take your Louisiana Market Sac. We'll randomly choose one winner amongst the eligible entries and announce the winner on Tuesday, April 29, 2008.

We'll be starting our Star 50 Purse Party then, so be sure to check back. Even if you aren't the winner of a free handbag, you can still get 50% off! Some other important details:

• To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling us about where you would take your Louisiana Market Sac.
• The comment must be left and confirmed before Monday, April 28 at 5:00PM Eastern Time.
• You may only enter once.
• One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
• One winner will receive the Star 50 Louisiana Market Sac, valued at $115.
• Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.

Click here for complete Official Rules.

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.

A bright handbag is a fantastic way to add a pop of color to an outfit, and a bright clutch is one of the must-have items for the season. Unfortunately, we can't all afford to spring for a dazzling designer bag, but that shouldn't stop you from carrying something fun!