Valentine’s Day! If my informal research is any indication, you probably think of it as either your favorite holiday or the worst day of the year, but no matter which you choose, it still comes around once a year, every year. And if you’re in a relationship, that means that you still have to find ways to gently guide your significant other toward the right kind of Valentine’s-appropriate gift. We have a few ideas, obviously, and they’re all shaped like handbags.

This Valentine’s Day Gift Guide is our first of two, and it’s for the partner that wants to hit this Valentine’s Day out of the proverbial park (or who simply has an enviably large discretionary budget and wants to spend it on you). From $270 to $2595, we’ve got plenty of red and pink bags that make great gifts and that will remind you of a very happy V-Day every time you use them.

Valentino Mini VaVaVoom Shoulder Bag, $1695 via Net-a-Porter

Fendi Baguette Shoulder Bag, $1260 via Neiman Marcus

Marc by Marc Jacobs Bob’s Memphis Satchel, $530 via Net-a-Porter

Kate Spade Rosa Tote, $425 via Neiman Marcus

RED Valentino Ombre Chain Clutch, $550 via Saks

Yves Saint Laurent Cabas Chyc Linen Tote, $2595 via Net-a-Porter

Jason Wu Kate Python-Embossed Clutch, $895 via Neiman Marcus

Reed Krakoff Mini Atlantique, $1190 via Neiman Marcus

MICHAEL Michael Kors Margo Shoulder Bag, $270 via Net-a-Porter

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide: Handbags that say “I love you” is a post from: Cheap Online Shopping

Even for someone like me who loves all manner of embellishment when it comes to accessories, the endless parade of brights and neons and rhinestones and patterns and fur and feathers and god knows what else can get a little…tiring. It’s like I have fancy fatigue. Amid the cacophonous roar of Spring 2012′s many trends, it’s nice to occasionally get a little bit of a palate cleanser before heading back to maximalism. Today, that palate (palette?) cleanser comes courtesy of Rochas.

Rochas isn’t much of a player in the accessories market, but the French brand’s handbag profile is steadily rising with increased availability at stores like Neiman Marcus and Saks. For some reason, perhaps because spring’s rococo lushness is just now hitting stores, the Rochas Colorblock Leather Tote and Rochas Scalloped Leather Handbag are hitting me just the right way. It takes a certain amount of confidence to make a dove grey and ivory bag and call it “colorblocked” this season when that term usually refers to some combination of neon and cobalt.

But that’s exactly what these designs are – confident, restrained, endlessly elegant. They’re made for people who prefer to be a bit demure instead of all-out flashy. That may not usually be me, but in a season so endlessly filled with stuff, it’s nice to be reminded of the other side of the coin from time to time.

Rochas Scalloped Leather Handbag, $1585 via Neiman Marcus

Rochas Colorblock Leather Tote, $1465 via Neiman Marcus

Take a break from brights with Rochas’ ladylike minimalism is a post from: Cheap Online Shopping

Almost every season, Marc by Marc Jacobs is a shining beacon in a sea of endlessly expensive handbags. I’ve owned several of the brand’s bags and small accessories, and I’ve had consistently good luck with both the quality of materials and construction of the bags. With almost the entire line under $500, that’s a pretty good endorsement.

For Spring 2012, I’d really, really like to have one of the Marc by Marc Jacobs Wedie Satchels – this is the kind of bag that feels both current and like it could be an everyday staple. Now I just have to decide – neutral or colorblocked?

To be sure, both versions of the bags have their charm, and on a basic school satchel shape with a clean finish and little in the way of twee embellishment, this bag feels more adult-appropriate than some of Marc by Marc’s work. As much as I like colorblocking in general and this combination of navy, cerulean and ivory in particular, though, the all-beige version does something for me that bags in its color family rarely do. The combination of the unstitched edges and the slightly grey undertone gives the finished product a sense of modernism that’s missing when more colors are added. By my measure, this shape and its messenger bag cousin are the best venture from Marc by Marc Jacobs in several seasons. Buy through Saks for in beige or blue for $498.

Whether neutral or colorblocked, this Marc by Marc Jacobs satchel is pretty great is a post from: Cheap Online Shopping