I’m not the only one who loves me an oversized bag. According to Alan in The Hangover, even “Indiana Jones has one.” And why not? Besides holding Skittles and $80,000, huge bags are the perfect way to tote your most needed (and maybe not-so-needed) belongings. But they don’t come without their issues, namely back pain and  the embarrassment that comes with accidentally swinging that thing too close to a wall of breakables.

Big purses have made their statement in the fashion world and their way onto women’s (sore) shoulders worldwide. But as much as we all love ‘em, and boy do I love mine, there seems to be some extra “baggage” that comes with the bottomless wonder.

Pro: The Olsen Twins are right about one thing: big bags slung at your side do make you look slimmer.
Con: Try navigating a packed bar with this thing. You may look thinner, but you won’t feel it as you’re trying to make your way through the throngs of drunks with an extra 6lbs on you. Not to mention a wet shirt when you inevitably knock everyone’s drinks out of their hands.

Pro: You can fit virtually anything in your big purse. There are pockets and mystery caverns to put your most valuable items. My purse is like a transformer; one minute I keep all my books in it and the next minute I have secret mini shots of Smirnoff in a mystery back pocket.
Con: You can’t find anything in that behemoth! Good luck finding your ringing phone; every time you reach for it you pull out hand lotion, a half-eaten sandwich or – score! – that roll of quarters you’ve been searching for. And you know this is a problem, which is why you put that phone in the pocket. But of course you don’t remember that as  you scour the bottom of the bag for the faint sounds of “Tik Tok” playing somewhere in there.

Pro:On a good day, you can find mystery food items that have spent the night in your bag.  Everyone can relate to the story where they find a Jimmy Johns #4 conveniently wrapped in their purse for the next morning. Big purses also come in handy when you don’t want to spend your left leg on a bag of popcorn at the premier of Twilight-Eclipse.
Con: Finding that long lost tuna sandwich…3 weeks later.

Pro: You are always prepared for any problem that may arise. Need a Band-aid? A breath mint? Some hooch? Check, check and (hidden in the lining) check!
Con: Two words: Back pain. Hopefully you can fit some Valium and an ice pack in that thing, because you’re gonna need it after toting around that 20 pounder all day.

Pro: Bigger bags mean more room for the gorgeous. Seriously, small bags are alright, but there’s something classy, chic and just plain amazing about an oversized tote.
Con: Storage. Sure, there’s plenty of room in the bag, but where the hell are you supposed to put that thing? It’s too big to put on your lap at the diner, so you’ve gotta rest it on the dirty floor. Same goes for when you’re driving and your friend takes the seat normally reserved for Big Bertha. And can we just talk about trying to rest that thing on the TP dispenser in the bar bathroom?

Impossible.

OK, so big bags aren’t perfect, but no matter how many times I lose my keys in there, I just can’t quit them. I mean, who cares that your arm falls asleep when the bag looks like this?

Most guys we know stay up late dreaming of the day they might end up in a giant orgy with beautiful women. We, however, lie awake at night dreaming of a closet full of beautiful clothes. To the left, a wall of shoes. To the right, shelf upon shelf of delicately handcrafted bags organized by color and size.

Sigh.
We all have our fantasies.

Since guys can turn to the interwebs to get their daily fantasy fix, we thought you should, too! So, we’re bringing you some fashion porn. The best of the best in all things fashionable. Sure, it may be out of your price range, but it’s a fantasy, so live it up in all its delicious glory.

If we had to choose two things to take to a deserted island, it would be all of our shoes and all of our bags. That’s only two things, right? We know it’s ridiculous to love inanimate objects so much (especially inanimate objects whose sole purpose is to carry things), but we can’t help it if we’re addicted to bags. Even just looking at them. And how can you not love ‘em? There are so many different shapes, styles, details and sizes.  Whether you need a bag to prepare for the walk of shame,  a cute clutch for going out, or a bag for the beach, there’s something for everyone. Or a lot of somethings just for you.

Regardless of what you’re carrying this season, purses are the only type of arm candy that will never let you down. So stop hunting for a man and enjoy a little purse orgy.

Oh, yeah, and the academic part – that’s why you’re technically there in the first place, right?

With all the constant chaos surrounding your collegiate career, it can be tough to focus on academics and classes. But getting good grades and succeeding academically is paramount; aside from just keeping a high GPA to satisfy your own standards, it’s essential for financial aid, keeping the parents at bay, and most of all, building a future career that excludes slinging fast food. Here are some tips to ensure A’s.

Be organized

Being organized is possibly the most crucial thing you can do to boost your grades and buy yourself some precious sanity. Pick up a cute little planner and make it your bible. Unless you’re heading to a bar or a frat party, don’t leave home without it. Mark all significant dates on your calendar, like exams and review sessions. Take a few minutes each week (c’mon, pull your self away from Facebook for five minutes, mama) to review the week ahead. Block off sections of time in advance for studying. Mark in your flurry of social commitments as well so you can manage your time. Make to-do lists daily, and rely on them to structure your days. Keep your oh-so-sexy notebooks and binders sectioned off for your different courses, and use folders to organize all your handouts and readings. A three-hole punch can be a wise investment- less than the cost of a pedi- and slide your review sheets, past tests and course outlines alongside your notes. For super-geeky organization, try color-coding things on your calendar.

Nix the study dates

While studying with your clan can be amusing, it most likely evolves into a gossip session or a beer run. Study on your own, and find a quiet and peaceful place to call home. Scope out a hidden nook in the back of a library and make it your designated study spot.

Allocate your time wisely

Make your time count. Figure out just how much time you can spend socializing, studying and doing other necessary activities, like showering and eating. Be realistic about your time, and allocate your time wisely. Although going with the flow is optimal for a Cali surfer beach bum, it’s not an ideal attitude for a college student.

Network in classes

Be a little Suzy Sunshine and make friends in all of your classes. Exchange digits with a few select reliable pals in each class. It’ll come in handy when you have a question about an upcoming test or need to borrow notes after oversleeping.

Don’t rely on cramming

While cramming is necessary in a pinch, don’t rely on it. Try to study gradually- for an hour or two each day. Its way easier and more effective than a 14-hour caffeine induced all-nighter before your big Poli-Sci exam.

Know when to say no

While you’ll be tempted to accept every invite for shared pizzas, bar crawls and quirky costume parties know your limits and know when to say no. It’s fine to go out for drinks on a Friday night, but heading to a friend’s dorm for cocktails at midnight when you have an 8 am presentation isn’t such a Einstein-esque idea.

Take advantage

Study centers, tutoring programs and centers for academic success are there to help. Take advantage of them! Suck up their knowledge and assistance. These places can help you study, explain a confusing mathematical concept or prepare you for a test.

Get off on the right foot

Implement good study habits from the start. Don’t keep procrastinating and shrugging off deadlines. Its way harder to come out of a slump than it is to maintain positive study habits consistently.

Take note

Take notes. It sounds simple, but many of us become lazy and end up borrowing someone else’s notes. But taking your own notes serves a multitude of purposes. When you take your own notes, you’re actually going to retain more, since you heard the information, interpreted it and physically transcribed it. While stealing notes from someone else seems easier, it can be confusing or downright impossible to read someone else’s handwriting or follow their flow of chosen key words. Plus, taking your own notes keeps you alert and concentrated on what the instructor is saying, instead of daydreaming about the dark-haired hottie three seats up.

Get artsy

Don’t just jot down all the important topics outlined in a lecture – draw graphs, tables, stick figures, landscapes, whatever helps you understand and remember important info. Using arrows, stars and bullets will only enhance and help the data to ‘stick’.

Be religious about the course outline

Course outlines are the key to acing a class. Don’t just toss it to the bottom of your oversized hobo bag – read it several times and keep it with it’s corresponding class binder or notebook. Acing a class is not rocket science – it’s carefully laid out in the class outline. Figure out what percentages of your grade are composed by tests, papers, participation and so forth. Get a feel for the structure and flow of the course so there are no surprises.

Be a test-taking pro

Don’t just show up on test day with your perfectly manicured fingers crossed. Take practice tests, learn process of elimination and take a campus seminar on test taking. If you suffer from test anxiety, don’t just shrug it off as a case of nerves – try some relaxation methods like breathing and meditation to clear your head.

Study at your peak times

Study according to your strengths and peak times. If you’re a night owl whose brain doesn’t start fully functioning until after 10 PM, make sure you’re scheduling your study times for then. If you’re a super-chipper early riser whose mind is clear in the early AM hours, pencil in your course work for the pre-sunrise hours.

Participate

Participate in class discussions. Don’t just sit slouched in class, oblivious to the world while texting suggestively with your new crush. Participate and make your voice heard. Not only will your professor dig you, but you will actually learn more from interacting and listening to the ideas of others.

Choose your seat wisely

Sitting up front is not just for smarmy kiss-asses, and over-eager suck-ups. Sitting up front helps you learn better, period. Sure, you won’t be able to catch a mid-afternoon nap, but it sends the message that your are motivated, mature and not trying to skate by with minimal effort.

Know your learning style

Our brains are all wonderfully, weirdly different. Some people retain best by writing important study phrases repeatedly, others learn by recording it on a tape and hearing it over and over, and some get knowledge to stick with visual cues like graphs, diagrams and flash cards. Determine your best retention method to maximize your study time.

Bust your ass academically, and the rewards will follow. Although it sounds like the corny chanting of your high school guidance counselor, you must apply yourself. While snagging the title of college dropout won’t impress the masses, grabbing honors roll recognition will. And if you do it right, you will have plenty of time for the fun stuff too.

Too much time in the library makes for a very boring 4 years.

Let’s be honest: anyone can pop on a necklace, carry around a $500 hobo bag, and call it a day. To be a true pioneer of style, you should learn to strut your stuff in truly unique ways that no one will copy.

Regarding bags, why not go for one that is actually supposed to carry stuff rather than just look good? True, you can stuff an awful lot of crap into a hobo bag, but laptop bags are a great way to rock some style while keeping your computer safe. And if you’re going to walk all over town or lug your textbooks to class, you can customize a backpack for a really cool and personal look.

And have you ever thought about a beautiful umbrella? They say the greatest inventions are marriages of function and design—and if that’s true, an eye-catching umbrella is the equivalent of a couple that’s been happily married for at least 50 years.

As long as you’re out and about, why not pimp out your ride? No, I’m not talking about your car—gas prices are through the roof, and one great way to save is by buying a bike you love and adding personal touches until you love it even more. You don’t have to go as all out as this guy did, but just a little bit of style is never a bad thing.

Finally, remember when you were in third grade and you doodled on all of your notebooks? Well, now is the time to do the same thing, only in a more refined way. With the pennies it costs to buy a few craft supplies, you can really make a statement and be unique by personalizing your school (or work) stuff.

What are your best tips for accessorizing unusual things?

[Image courtesy of flickr.com.]

Think you might make a good hedge-mama? There are a few things you might want to know before you start picking out tiny little outfits (or leashes, or whatever.)

The basics: Hedgehogs are rumored to be great pets, they require no walks, live happily without a companion, and don’t need constant attention. While their prickly exteriors do not look very cuddly, their spikes feel more like a toothbrush than thousands of needles. Their life expectancy is anywhere from 3 to 8 years. The little critters prefer a warmer climate, that means if your place falls below 75-80 degrees your hedgie will get cold, (easily fixed by puting a heating pad under half the cage.)

Speaking of cage, since they are climbers as well as cuties the recommended habitat is a large clear Rubbermaid tub, with some air holes of course -not too big, they can crawl through anything as big as their head. Also, they are nocturnal, which is an ideal pet for students and professionals who spend their days out of the house. As for food, they are a relatively simple thing to feed, meal worms (gross) and/or cat food.

Now the real question: what kind of price can you put on these darling little hedgies? About $150, plus living expenses – food, room and board, and vet visits as needed.

Ready to be the first hedgehog parent on your block? Here are some more resources to help you find one and become the perfect proud momma:

www.hedgehogcentral.com

www.animalnetwork.com

www.hedgies.com

Confession: I have a closet at home that is filled with handbags, and handbags only. Not a drawer in my dresser, not the top shelf in my coat closet—an entire closet, filled with bags.Now, when I say that my closet is filled with bags, I’m not referring to those envelope-sized purses flaunting a designer logo that spoiled teenagers sport with hideous velour sweatsuits.

I’m a fan of big, shapeless, and most importantly, cheap totes. Let’s face it—a typical college student’s wallet is a lot chummier with the letters H&M than with D&G. With my budget, splurging means hitting up smartbargains.com for a discounted leather hobo from Liz Claiborne.

But the New York Post’s roundup of fall’s hottest bags is having my peek at my savings account to see what, if anything, I can afford. Sure, their absurd idea of a “mid-range” bag ($500-$1000) bemuses me, but if loving them is wrong, then I don’t want to be right.

My favorites:

Isabella Fiore “Let Go My Deco” Satchel

What’s hotter with a chic all-black outfit than red pumps? A red patent bag! This shiny satchel is eye-catching and functional, with side pockets for easy access to your cell phone and iPod. Pick it up at Saks Fifth Avenue for $625.

Botkier “Sasha” Duffle

Don’t let the name deceive you—this slouchy duffle, a favorite of Angelina Jolie’s, is not meant for the gym. The gorgeous chocolate color will look great on my arm when I’m begging for change on the street corner after wiping out my bank account to pay for it. For a mere $695 and a quick trip to Bloomingdale’s, this beauty can be yours.

Gustto “Cala” Bag

This charcoal leather bag is sure to get plenty of head turns with it’s unique shape, gold details, and braided straps. Katherine Heigl has been toting this around, so buyer beware: this cute bag is in danger of being snatched up by every Grey’s Anatomy fanatic. Get yours for $695 at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Bing Bang by Anna Sheffield “Shelly” Messenger Bag

Though it seems to me that describing this bag as a messenger bag is a bit of a stretch, I am psyched to finally see a bag with a long strap. Better yet, it’s a combination of a gold chain and adjustable leather strap, so you can wear it anyway you like it. This black suede purse with brown leather trim looks chic and luxurious—and for $745, it better! Jessica Alba has already been sporting this, and you can find it at Barney’s New York.