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.

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.

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.

If you follow Ugly Betty, you might have noticed Betty carrying around a funky new bag (like the one pictured here) in the "Odor in the Court" episode (also, if you don't watch the show, you really, really need to). The bag wasn't something chosen by the costume designers on set; it was actually a gift to America Ferrera (who plays Betty -- seriously, watch the show!) from Rebagz, and she liked it so much that she decided to wear it on the show.

Aside from being a cool enough bag to be featured on a show about fashion (even if it was carried by the least fashionable character), Rebagz items are all made from things like juice packs and rice sacks -- items that would typically be thrown away, but instead were reused to create a stunning and unusual item.

If the multicolor tote isn't quite your style, don't give up -- Rebagz has a number of bags in different colors and styles, so you're sure to find one that suits your personality.

Rebagz Large Tie Tote, $95 at Half the Sky Designs

Know of a favorite independent handbag designer that you'd love to see recognized and rewarded for their work? Let them know about the open call for entries for the Second Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards, sponsored by Handbag Designer 101. The categories for this competition are Best Student Made Handbag, Best Handmade Handbag, Most Socially Responsible Handbag, Best Green Handbag, Audience-Selected Handbag, and Best Handbag in Overall Style & Design. There are some great prizes up for grabs for the winning designers, including a free booth at the MAGIC accessories tradeshow in Las Vegas this August, an apprenticeship with the Henri Bendel accessory design team and more.

Okay, okay, so chances are that you're probably not a handbag designer, but maybe you're just a lover of purses? Handbag Designer 101 is still a great resource you can use to read interviews with up and coming bag designers, stay up to date on the latest trends in handbags, chat about your handbag must-haves, get your celebrity bag watch fix and find out about handbag related events and deals.

Speaking of deals on handbags, I just got word from my friends at Accessory Bug about their special discount offer for spring. Get 10% off on any order through April 30, 2008 by using coupon code spring08 at checkout. They've got the infamous "I'm not a plastic bag" handbag in four different color choices, plus a huge selection of clutches, hobos, totes, wristlets and other accessories.

About a year ago, I noticed the painfully precious Ex Libris bags from Femme Sud. The leather bags in the form of little books are some of the most unique bags I have ever seen. What to make then of the new Grand Prix collection? Femme Sud's new bags are based on those big tacky prize ribbons you might have received in elementary school at the science fair or for exhibiting the prizewinning pig at the country fair. The collection has both wristlet totes, which are sort of quirky-cute, and this 16 x 16 inch leather tote with a shoulder strap which just seems too ridiculous for actual use. For $495, you too can look like you just took first in the local pie-eating contest.

[via What's Haute]

Back in May, Reed Krakoff and Kiki Smith joined forces to create a limited-edition Coach clutch, which was embossed in silver on parchment-colored leather. Of course, the bag was a hit with the label hounds, so a repeat collaboration was inevitable. This time around, the designing duo has a created a much more practical handbag -- a tote, in fact. The limited-edition ecru Coach tote will be available at the Whitney Museum of American Art starting this week. But just a word of warning to anyone interested in this bag, there is only 100 to go around, so the bags will surely sell out quickly. However, if you happen to be late getting there, don't worry because you can still take in some Kiki Smith art, which is currently on display at the museum.

[via FashionWeekDaily.com]