I am in love with the intricately delicate filigree work on the sterling silver clutch from Celestina. More of a piece of jewelry than a clutch, it is an amazingly well crafted piece of art. I keep staring at it and from certain angles it looks as finely woven as lace-- which I'm sure is the intention of the designer. The smoky topaz clasp is the only thing keeping it from floating away in midair... I'd almost be afraid to use it for fear of damaging it as silver is known to be quite soft but this is definitely a piece to be used and shown off! Or perhaps it should be casually strewed on a table as a decorative piece. You get a bit jaded after 23 years of collecting bags and 1,000 days of blogging about bags but then something like this shows up in your email box and it gives you hope that there is light at the end of the bag tunnel. Celestina Sterling silver filigree clutch is 6"x4", $1,190 at Net-a-porter.com

Last year a friend of mine made me all this chainmail jewelry and she insisted that chainmail is the next big thing. She is a little out there so I don't always follow her style suggestions but I loved the chainmail so I wore it all over New York during Fashion Week last February. Well, I give her props because she was right - chainmail is EVERYWHERE! I am totally dying over here in absolute lust over this Chanel from Cruise. It totally makes sense for Chanel to have a chainmail strap, it is a modern twist (or a super throw back to the past) on the chain but hello, this will not slip! A bit heavy? Yes, but so are those chains. This is a super hip and chic downtown bag in the messenger style, which makes it useful, wearable and functional. Check and check. Alexis at Chanel in Dallas is calling me first as soon at this hits the boutique, which should be at the end of this month or early February. For $2750, it is a bit on the pricey side for Chanel but this is a dramatic statement item that will get the bang for your buck. Call Alexis at 214-520-1055 (the Dallas Boutique has the best customer service, by the way. A reader wrote us about a bag she had purchased there that broke; the managing director immediately offered to repair or replace at no charge. Now that is what I call impeccable service!)

Unlike other bag blogs, Kelly and I do not solely review bags from our affiliates or advertisers (other blogs do because that is how they make their money! We are very creative and make our money from many different revenue streams that do not sacrifice our content-- get your heads out of the gutter, it's all PG). Plus only reviewing bags from our affiliates would be, like, so boring! Instead, we seek bags from everywhere (atrocious or not) so that you can be entertained and educated. But you knew that already, didn't you? This is why you return to Bag Snob time and again and I hope we meet your expectations. If not, please email us and let us know how we can improve our site!

So, welcome to 2009 everyone. Today is the first day back to work for most yet it's a sluggish start for me because we went from 85 degrees on Saturday to 31 degrees today (Monday) here in Dallas. My body is really confused and doesn't know if it should be in a bikini or a snowsuit. It's as if mother nature is telling us to move home to LA though my hubby quite enjoys experiencing all four seasons, even if it's in one weekend. But enough of my rambling. During my hunt for interesting bags, I came across the Chloe Paraty (which I love in white or black python) in pink leather. You might crucify me for this but the leather version of the Paraty just does not do it for me-- no matter what color (even my beloved pink!). Have you seen this bag in leather as opposed to python? It's as stiff as the Edith (I loved it until I put on my shoulder) but bulkier than the Paddington (still my fave Chloe). I do like the construction of the bag-- its shape is amusing, the hardware subtle yet pleasing and the rolled edges resemble a structured bag without the formality of one but I only like it in python-- so soft and supple, the way this bag is meant to be. Some of you complained that our love of exotic skin has blinded us-- all I have to say is bag designers should "MAKE BETTER LEATHER BAGS". Woah, that felt good. But if you are still in the position to buy trendy bags without going bankrupt, this is at matchesfashion.com for £970.00/842 excluding vat or $1,219 USD.

Oh and totally off topic but is anyone sick of the latest "it" bags category? It's so 2005. I am trying to convince Kelly to rename this category the Latest "Snob" bags. Snob as in worthy of you pulling out your plastic. Let me know what you guys think.

I am so happy to see Tod's return to it's old ways - making functional, classic, simple, chic bags that can be used for decades. I mean, the downside is that it is not the most exciting bag on earth, but you will not get sick of this bag and trust me, a beautifully made bag will hold your fancy much longer than one that is encrusted with rhinestones (so to speak). The blue is so fantastic for summer but of course is not the most versatile. It also comes in red, but that particular shade in this hobo shape makes it old lady-ish for some reason. The Military green is actually modern, young and neutral but fades into the background. My pick is the blue but my pick is always for the blue, I'm into the cool tones for bags. The blue and red are available at Eluxury and the Military is at Neiman Marcus for $1495.

Online shopping just got a bit cheaper. Natalie Massenet of Net-a-porter.com will be opening The Outnet.com this spring, it will be the outlet site to Net-a-porter.com which she calls Chic-onomics (now why didn't I think of that catchy phrase?). Anyway, this is really exciting news! Sign up now for the newsletter and be notified the minute it hits the net! Go to TheOutnet.com

While we wait-- Go to Net-a-porter.com here and shop the current 50% off sale

Jil Sander does not make bags that scream 'it' which is exactly why I want them! Known for simple structure and elegant designs, Jil Sander bags always include a subtle element of surprise. Like the knotted buckle strap here-- it looks effortless and just gives it the bit of oomph it needs! The divided interior compartments will be super convenient for work or school and you can fit a laptop in it-- always a plus. The pale lavender is very feminine but the patent leather gives it a bit of edge. It will be fabulous with a chocolate brown dress now but in the spring wear it with white, nudes and all the gorgeous floral pieces heading to the stores! Not that this should influence your decision but the Buckle tote has been gracing the arms of Hollywood A-listers like January Allure cover girl Eva Mendes-- just thought I'd mention it. $1,645 at Barneys New York.

OK, yeah, it's only been a day and I'm already going to break my resolution. This is not a collection worthy bag but hey, a girl has got to have fun, right? If you need to buy a whimsical bag for drab days and then pass it down to your teenage cousin when you're sick of it, you can do so with this for only $220!! Totally worthy of a throw away bag, this metallic purple alone holds enough virtue to justify the cost!! It is printed microfiber and if you think that that is cheesier than printed python on leather, well, you are right but you are wrong if you think that's a bad thing cuz two wrongs make a right in this case. It is so overly cheesy, like the jelly birkins, that it is actually edgy and cool. Besides, who cares? You get some attention, scoot around town with a flashy bag and all without sweating your wallet. It comes in bronze and silver but this purple is the ONLY one that is cheesy fab. At Neiman Marcus for $220.

News of Chanel laying off 200 employees has me officially panicked. I am not sure why I am freaking out but I have anxiety right now. Enough of the gloom and doom but if the House of Chanel can't keep it together, what chances do the others have? I am just hoping all of you snobbers stay the course and continue to do your part as patriotic Americans and SHOP (but you probably should stay within your budget since shopping beyond one's means is how we got to this mess)-- as a reader told me yesterday, the world is not ending! Though according to the Russians, the US will be splitting up next year. An insane Russian professor claims we are headed for Civil War and California will become a part of China (even more reason for me to move back to LA-- at least I speak Chinese and can help translate and/or help citizens acclimate to its new government), Texas will go to Mexico and New York will join the European Union (yeah, you Europeans would love to get the Big Apple wouldn't you?). But in response to Prof. Panarain's idiotic claims-- civil war and the end of the US is about as likely as me throwing all of my birkins in my toilet.

I was told about "The City" last September in NYC by Emese S. (Global Communications Director of DVF in opening scene when Whitney goes to work) who is actually in it so imagine how excited I've been for its premiere-- my friend is on a reality tv show! Woohooo!!! I guess this is a good time to confess I have never watched an entire episode of "The Hills" so I had no idea what to expect (btw-- is it me or is Whitney really stiff when she delivers her lines? And why does she look bored in every scene? I guess I have to remember these girls are not actresses-- or are they? Am confused about this reality tv stuff). Anywhoo, NY social girl Olivia Palermo is also in it-- I guess they're trying to make her the bitch on the show; I've met her at parties and she's pretty cool (I actually heard Whitney's the bitch in real life but that rumor could have been started by Olivia's camp and hey, who says reality is real!?!?). More exciting, however, is that I discovered Kelly and I are also in it when I watched the first episode (well, kind of)-- we were sitting 2nd row across from Rosario Dawson at the DVF runway show when the camera panned across the audience so you can kind of see our heads! Lastly, our fave publicist Kelly Cutrone of People's Revolution, makes a cameo-- we love you Kelly-- would love to lunch again and this time hopefully there won't be an earthquake LOL (yup, a bit off ass kissing never hurts before fashion week)!!! Tune in to MTV on Monday nights to watch "The City"-- even if you turn the sound off, it's good for the visuals of bags and fashion. Or watch full episodes here.

To celebrate an extraordinary new year and to make sure that we are off to a super excellent start, we are giving away 2 fabulous exotic bags from Adriana Castro - our brightest new shining star who we absolutely love and adore. The grand prize is the ostrich Meissa hobo in African Violet, the exact same bag Heidi Klum has! And the runner up prize, which is by no means any less amazing, is the crocodile Annie Clutch in fuchsia. The Meissa hobo is Genuine Ostrich, with a gorgeous suede lining, is worth $2680. The Annie clutch in Caiman fuscus crocodile is $1505. The total value of this giveaway is $4185!

TO ENTER, sign up for our weekly newsletter (you do not want to miss Bag Snob's latest!). You must sign up again to be entered in to this giveaway even if you already subscribe. The last day to enter is January 31st at 11:59pm EST. We will select 2 winners by a random drawing, the first will receive the Meissa hobo and the second will receive the clutch. One entry per person please and you have to enter a working email address so that we can contact you when you win. Good luck!

Thank you Adriana Castro for the sponsoring this fabulous giveaway. Bag Snob readers get 30% all merchandise with code "ACBAGSNOB".