UPDATE: I saw this bag last week, I knew the straps are for design/aesthetic purposes only (not meant to be functional) and was being cheeky about the baby bjorn comment because that is what it looks like. As for the pushlock magnetic closures- makes it a bit better but I am still not into this bag. There are too many great bags out there to settle for mediocrity (like YSL’s Spring line). I have a Marc Jacobs Venetia in crocodile and it is probably the last MJ bag I will splurge on, the bags have not been the same since Joy Gryson left as head of his creative team. I really did not want to do another mean story about a Marc Jacobs bag since Kelly already ragged on him the other day but I can not make sense out of this bag. The Quilted Mary is exactly like all the other MJ quilted bags but with added double straps. You know, so you can carry this thing around like a Baby Bjorn and pretend it’s your baby. That is if you want to have a papaya colored baby with heavy brass chains. The color actually does not bother me, I quite like the fruity tooty shades designers are pushing for Spring and the bag is not hideous, it’s just annoying and impractical. So let’s say you are not insane and would not pretend this is a baby and would actually use it as a bag- you’d end up beating it against concrete the first time you try to reach in to grab your cell phone. Why? Because that would mean you’d have to put the bag down, unlock BOTH pushlock closures, lift straps/flap and by then the call would have been dropped. Now, repeat that scenario every single time your cell phone rings and you get the picture don’t you? Marc Jacobs Handbags at eLUXURY.com- $1,095

Here is a holiday gift guide for those still scratching your heads and stressing out about what to get for the most important people in your life. If you think it’s the thought that counts, think again! You can splurge with all the money you saved from shopping the great sales this season. Don’t forget, Saks Fifth Avenue has free shipping with any purchase with code “HOLIDAY7″ and Neiman Marcus has free 3 day rush delivery with code “NMRUSH”.

For your best friend and mother:

Zac Posen Antonia Patent Shoulder Bag on sale for $840.

Bottega Veneta Ayers snakeskin clutch $1640.

Marc Jacobs Quilted leather bowler WAS $1,495 NOW $897 (40% OFF).

Salvatore Ferragamo Gancio Banshee Clutch on sale for $665.

For your extra special friends and family:

You keep asking us to feature bags under $1,000 that is multi-functional, though this is no Hermes bespoke, it’s a great thrill at $458! I am telling you Marc by Marc Jacobs is turning out better bags than the Marc Jacobs line. This is the ultimate computer/work/school bag, at this price point there are very few choices that will offer quality leather and detailed design but the Lovely Behati fits the bill. It looks almost like a briefcase but with a few whimsical pintuck details, it’s utterly charming. If I were in college right now, this is what I’d be toting my laptop in. (Who am I kidding, I was running around with a Chanel 2.55 in college. As Kelly said, I used to use it as an overnight bag and could fit clothes in it for a sleep over at her apartment) Anyway, the pebbled grain leather is nice and soft and there are lots of interior pockets to keep you organized; the large outer pocket with magnetic closure is also perfect for storing files, keys, disks and cords. Marc by Marc Jacobs Lovely Behati available in cream (shown above) or nice tan (nice tan? who thinks up these names anyway? I know Marc likes to name the bags after models-like the Stam- I meant the color name) $458 at eLuxury- Automatically receive free shipping with every order!!!

(Hum to tune of Donny and Marie classic song) I’m a little bit Chanel, I’m a little bit Bottega, I’m the result of a lack of imagination and a little bit of hallucination. Seriously now, I expect a lot more from Marc Jacobs, the designer touted as boy genius of the fashion world. Just look at this mishmash of confusing details, it’s almost as if “someone” took a little bit of “something” when they hallucinated this bag- not pointing fingers, really I am not! But woven leather with garish gold chains on a foot and half long bag? It reminds me of a sack of rice and not even as functional because you really couldn’t carry rice in this now could you? Boy, we are not happy bag snobs lately. How do you expect us to be with bags like this shoved in our faces daily? As if the hideous design (or lack there of) is not enough, they stick a $3,000 price tag on it! (okay, I am exaggerating, it’s $2850 but add shipping and handling or whatnot and you’ll get pretty close to 3k.) Ugh! For that amount I can buy a REAL Chanel or a REAL Bottega and not some third rate knock off.
To buy and risk ridicule or just for a good laugh, Marc Jacobs Elsa woven leather bag available here. TGIF everyone, let’s hope next week brings us an abundance of fabulous bags!

I’ve been feeling quite a lot of love towards the newly sober and clean cut MJ this season but the Paloma bag (a tribute to Paloma Picasso?) is just not doing it for me. I get the whole ’80s color block and Picasso cubism inference but I don’t get why it is on such a sloppy looking bag. The stones are definitely interesting if not heavy and would have been a beautiful note on a sleek modern bag. There is just too much going on here, the adjustable shoulder strap with the large grommet studs are totally unnecessary as the bag is probably so heavy you will need two hands to carry it, the multiple pleating on the bag detracts away from the unique disk and stone feature and add the jumbo sized jump rings (probably so the strap doesn’t break from the weight of the stones) and you have a very confused bag. Marc Jacobs Paloma Bag $1,875 at Shop Bop

Is she or isn’t she? For anyone who saw Christina perform at the VMA’s I thought it was very obvious (she needs to stay off those heels!). But that’s not the only question: Who designed this killer bag that she has accessorized with a colorful scarf?

Update: Wow tons of you responded to this one! Congrats to K for being on the ball first! The answer is Marc Jacobs!
To win a Bag Snob engraved bag hook, all you have to do is answer the question correctly and leave it in comments! The first person to get the right answer wins. You will need to include your email address for us or your entry will be disqualified (we need some way to contact you). If you do not answer our email within 3 business day, the prize will go to the person with the next correct answer. Only one entry per person and you can only win once during this month long pop quiz series. US Residents only please Have fun!

Here is another totally cute bag to make you happy. This practical and versatile little addition to your life will perk up anyone’s day. I love the clean lines yet it is full of wonderful features and details. There are pockets galore and the interior is ultra organized with more pockets and zips. The bag closes with a zipper to keep everything secure and in place making this is the perfect city bag for girls who use the subway (you’ll never have to search thru the bag for your subway card with that convenient front pocket!). The thick shoulder strap is so comfortable and non-slipping and we all know how important that is! Even though the bag is totally utilitarian, it is way chic and stylish on. You are definitely not trading in any style points for function. I love the indigo but of course the metallic is key for Fall. Either way, you can’t lose here. At Bergdorf Goodman for $428.

Here is a cute little bag from Marc Jacobs that isn’t heavy loaded with chains and quilting. I love the stone mosaic detail, very Americana and gives this cute fresh young clutch a pick me up. This is a normal size clutch unlike his Quadri oversized clutch which looks like a legal secretary’s document holder. The sand/taupe combination is versatile yet gives it interest. The corners and back of the bag are pleated making it totally adorable. The stitching is of course immaculate as always on a MJ, that you can always count on. The obvious thing is to wear this with jeans but this is actually a perfect winter piece for solids of many colors to make it pop. You should always use your bag as the highlight of any outfit! $1650 at Net-a-Porter.

Ask and you shall receive. We usually don’t indulge when people complain that the bags we recommend are too costly, I mean, we are afterall the Bag Snobs =) But in the spirit of helping out students and our much appreciated educators, here is a bag I think everyone will agree makes for a great student, professor and work bag. It has all the flair without the big ticket. Don’t you just love the gathered detail on this supple and yummy leather? The straps look short but can actually go over the shoulder. This is not for the bike or public transport commuting student, which I am assuming our readers are way too high maintenance to be anyway. It is 21.5″ X 19″ and has a 5″ gusset so you have plenty of room for books, notes and a change of clothes! (If you are Tina, you can fit an entire week’s worth of clothes in there. She once showed up to my college apartment for a sleepover with an entire outfit in her Chanel 2.55). I don’t want to hear any whining about the price of this bag, at $695 your budget surely will not bust. Available at Net-a-Porter.