What makes a good handbag?

The material? Meh.
The number of pockets? Not really.
The strap? Sort of.
The number of outfits it matches with? I guess.

As much as we all want to believe it’s the sensibility of the bag that matters, the one feature that makes us swoon and drain our savings accounts is the designer label. Regardless of the color, design, or cliche monogram, the second we hear it’s D&G, Fendi, Prada- whatever you prefer- we’re instantly won over.

The only problem with designer bags? The hefty price tag. While we all may dream of the day we can visit the 5th Avenue Louis Vuitton store and pay for a complete luggage set in cash, most of us are currently stuck with knock-offs, affordable department store brands, or lucky TJ Maxx finds. But just in case you were lacking some inspiration after midterm season, feel free to ooh and ahh at these bags that make the standard $20K Hermes Birkin look like a discounted Liz Claiborne.

Which dream bag will top your 2012 wish list?

When Heidi’s not writing ridiculous articles for CC, she enjoys watching “Lizzie McGuire” reruns, raiding store clearance sections (and ONLY the clearance sections), and pretending her south-of-Boston suburb is the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Follow her rants and adventures on Twitter!

Louis Vuitton has always been the signifier of luxury lifestyle: suitcases, satchels and…contraception? Pictures of a monogrammed condom have been spreading faster than an STI after Halloween, and it’s said to sell for a whopping $68. Because when wrapping it up in such a fashion, the sex will definitely be better than when using the free condoms given out on campus, right?! Talk about getting some serious bang for your buck.

Oh, and by the way, it’s also supposed to be a gift that gives back, since a portion of the proceeds are said to benefit amfAR, the American Foundation for AIDS Research. Sure, it costs a pretty penny, but can you really put a price on sex that could potentially save lives?!?

This just sounds way too good/ridiculous/hilarious to be true…

Technically, a Louis Vuitton condom exists, as in there are condoms with the Louis Vuitton monogram being made. But according to the “official” website LouisVuittonCondom.com (and contrary to what many other blogs are reporting), the branded contraception isn’t actually from the luxury brand at all. In fact, the product was “designed” by Georgia Republic architect Irakli Kiziria, a man just trying to make a buck off of another man’s money, really. Oh, and possibly raise some money for amfAR too.

From what I can tell, the entire purpose of fake luxury items is to show them off to others and pretend that you really do live enough of the high life to carry a couple thousand on your forearm like it’s nothing at all. So why would something as private as a condom ever be enticing to produce as an imitation? Actually, it’s a fake version of an item that doesn’t actually exist. And it’s disposable after a single use…and who knows how safe that single use actually is anyway, since it’s coming from an architect instead of a reputable brand.

Thank goodness this isn’t actually a condom produced by Louis Vuitton. And even if the fashion house did go into luxury contraception, I highly doubt that monogrammed ridges would be any more enjoyable.

Ashley is a UC San Diego grad who is holding on way too tightly to a potential career in magazines and goes to Vegas all too often. She’s fascinated with celebrities and strawberry beer and doubles as a pathological texter/emailer/blogger. Feed the addiction with tweets @cashleelee. Thanks in advance.

Not gonna lie, I could literally write an entire book of how I think everything Sofia Coppola does is the coolest shizz ever.

No big deal, she was only the director of some of my favorite movies, like The Virgin Suicides and Marie Antoinette. She’s just the daughter of Francis Ford Coppola, the director of The Godfather, besides being related to some of the coolest people in Hollywood (like Jason Schwartzman, heyo!).

Besides those minor details, she quietly pursues another interest (that she is, unsurprisingly, awesome at) and that is fashion.  She created her own fashion line called Milkfed, unfortunately for me, sold only in Japan. She and Marc Jacobs are pretty much best friendz forever, considering she is also his muse for his ENTIRE BRAND.  Also, the woman interned at Chanel when she was 15-years-old for Christ’s sake.  Wanna know what I was doing when I was 15?  Taking MySpace mirror pictures in my bathroom wearing a “sweet new top*~!”  Therefore, Sofia: 1 million, Cristina: 0.

The things she creates and inspires are godly to me, including her style.  The confusing yet awesome part of Sofia’s style is that she sticks many times to classic feminine pieces but has still been known to have a sort-of androgynous style as well.  Sofia will rock anything from jeans and a t-shirt to a Marc Jacobs original and make it all look like it was made for her specifically.  She has been quoted as not liking anything too loud and flashy, but sticks to a style that represents her calm disposition.  Plus she made it socially acceptable to wear flats to red-carpet events.  Yep, she definitely knows how to get the ball rollin’.

So, yeah, who wouldn’t want to take a little inspiration from this fashion icon? And here’s how we can all channel Sofia through our own wardrobes.

Bag, Skirt, Shoes, Shirt, Sunglasses

Sofia is all about the classics and it doesn’t get more classic than a crisp white shirt. Add a little girly flair by tucking it in to the polka dot skirt and mix things up a little with the masculine styling on these ballet flats. It’s a combo that totally works and just oozes Sofia’s personal style.

The wayfarer sunglasses add a hint of laid-back cool that is so very Sofia, and the overly structured (and somewhat masculine) bag is just another way to make this look a little androgynous and a lot more interesting. It also happens to be a similar style to the bag that she helped Louis Vuitton create in honor of her personal style, for about an eighth of the price.

Yes, LV made a bag just for her.

Stop being cooler than me, Sofia.

And here I thought the discount Absolut was the best part of my Costco membership...

Chanel at Costco? STFU.

I thought the only thing of value they had there was the 40-pack of Trojans for a mere $10. Who knew that between the 80 rolls of Angel Soft toilet paper and the caskets, a myriad of designer brand names could be found at your local Costco warehouse?

New York City residents celebrated the opening of its first Costco by rushing the doors and buying out their stock of Louis Vuitton and Chanel handbags. Oh, did I forget to mention they had Burberry and Coach available for purchase as well? Shock me, shock me, shock me, Costco, with your fabulous merchandise. As if the Costco brand wasn’t designer enough already.

And it doesn’t stop there. 7 For All Mankind jeans? You got it. Michele watches?  No big deal. Paris Hilton’s latest perfume… well I’ll pass on that, but if I ever get the urge to smell like a Can Can dancer, I’ll know where to go.

Costco people are a special brand of human. We live life large. Extra large, if possible. Our carts are always filled to the brim with giant boxes of whatever we can get our hands on. And just when we thought life couldn’t get any better, Costco delivers us the crème de la crème of a shopper’s paradise.

These goodies aren’t available at all Costco’s nationwide (…yet), but I’m just happy to live in a world where it’s OK to purchase a discount case of hot dogs and a Chanel purse at the same time.

A laptop, a weekend vacation, a TV, an entire new wardrobe…$700 can sure get you a lot. But it almost can’t get you a pair of kicks. That is, if you want Kanye’s newest line of Louis Vuitton sneaks that cost $700 (tax not included).

Yes, seven. hundred. freaking. dollars.

So what is so special about these shoes that they would cost more than my entire summer wardrobe? (What? I shop at Target…) I mean there’s gotta be something, right? Maybe a built in trampoline or secret compartment full of diamonds?

Nope!

They come in literally every color and style (so do my Nike Shox, and I’m pretty sure those don’t come close to $700),  and they are from Louis Vuitton (which is pretty cool, I guess). And Kanye made them, so they must be the best shoes in the history of the world. At least according to him.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not buyin’ it (literally). I’m pretty sure nothing going on your feet is worth that much money. Unless, of course, these things actually let me walk in Kanye’s shoes. Since they don’t, I’ll be spending my money much more wisely: on a new laptop.

High-end fashion brands like Brian Reyes and Louis Vuitton showcased several looks featuring big shoulders on the spring 2009 runways. While I’m not advocating stealing some eighties-style shoulder pads from (hopefully deep inside) your mom’s closet, you can still rock the big shoulder trend.

And why would you want to? Well, for one, it’s everywhere. And it’s chic, unlike the shoulder pads of the 80s. Still not convinced? How about the fact that wearing a top or dress with ruffled or puffed up shoulders can balance out wide hips and make arms appear slimmer? Yeah, I thought so.

Here are some of my favorite picks at every price point:

Charlotte Russe.
I found three cute tops that feature puffed out shoulders in every college girl’s price range. The two on the left are the perfect mix of style and professionalism to wear to your summer internship, while the one on the far right would be cute with jeans, metallic heels and some jewelry for a night out.

Victoria’s Secret.
There are some great tops with big shoulders at VS. I especially love the colors of these three, because they are perfect for spring and summer. These tops are also versatile in that you could wear them to work, but they would also be appropriate to wear while you’re out to lunch or shopping with friends.

These three items are available at Bloomingdale’s. A little more expensive, these looks would be perfect for those events where you need to appear older or incredibly chic.

If you are in love with this trend (like me) and want to invest in something of very high quality, check out ShopBop for these picks. I love the colors of the See by Chloe top and Sari Gueron dress. Also, white dresses, like this one from Brian Reyes, have been a recurring trend for several seasons now.

Designers like Christian Dior, Rachel Roy, Junya Watanabe and Louis Vuitton embraced the exotic this spring by incorporating tribal influences into their collections.

Unless it’s already your style, you’re probably not going to be rocking full animal print outfits to your 9 a.m. psychology lecture or feathered and beaded stilettos to this weekend’s frat party. However, adding a few tribal accents to your look could be just the update your style needs this year.

Try mixing one or two tribal-influenced items into an outfit at a time, and keep colors similar. For example, this look incorporates a tribal top with accessories that match its colors:

Get the look: earrings, top and bag – Forever 21; bracelet – Martin + Osa, sandals – Piperlime, sunglasses – Betsey Johnson.

If the whole jungle fever thing isn’t your style, you can still work this trend by adding a few key accessories to your look. Just pair them with a basic black top and jeans and your look will be immediately updated. There are plenty out there to choose from.  Here are some of my favorites:

Top left to bottom right: shoes – Sam Edelman at Endless.com, necklace – Forever 21, shoes – Bebe, scarf – Forever 21, bracelet – Forever 21, neklace – Ettika at CoutureCandy, bracelete – Forever 21, necklace – Forever 21.

U.S. unemployment rate hits new high.

Super special food combos that amp the nutrition.

Who got the American Idol wild card?

Chris Brown pushes real life back to April.

Pepsi…natural?

Paris Hilton gets Lauren Conrad’s sloppy seconds. Seriously, sloppy.

If someone circled my fat, I’d kill them.

Louis Vuitton doesn’t want his goods in crappy music videos.

Canada loves Joshua Jackson.

New uses for your toiletries.

Amy Winehouse looking….good?!

Vince Vaughn engaged?! <Heart Shatters.>

[Photo courtesy of NYTimes.] 

No matter where you’re headed for a week-long holiday this spring, there are a few things you definitely DON’T need to bring.

1. Your laptop. If you can’t go a week without updating your Facebook status or checking out Perez, it’s sad.  And if you can’t go a week in paradise without updating your Facebook status or checking Perez, it’s scary.

2. Your entire shoe collection. Shoes can take up the most room in your luggage, and if you’re heading to a beach resort, you really only need a pair of flip flops for the beach, a cute pair of strappy heels for partying, and a pair of sneakers for touristy excursions.  You’re not going to miss your knee-high boots.

3.  Your emotional baggage. You are still getting over a bad breakup, and think a spring break fling is the perfect solution.  It’s not.  You just found out you’re failing a class, and plan to drown your sorrows in poolside margaritas.  Bad idea.  Whatever’s stressing you out at home will continue to get you down over break, and mixing negativity with liquor might result in you slurring your problems to your fun-loving friends.  Just let it go.

4. Your inhibitions. You’re not the type to crack a beer at 10 a.m. or to stay out unil 4 a.m. on a Tuesday.  But that’s because you’re usually in the library.  There’s a reason you just dropped a G on a weeklong excursion to the Caribbean: no responsibilities!  Sure, you have to keep yourself safe, but it’s okay to let loose and have (more than) a little fun.

5.  Your stash of Mary Jane. There’s enough (legal) liquor flowing at the bars near your hotel.  Trying to hide drugs to clear security is risky, and the punishment for carrying illegal substances in a foreign country could be more than you bargained for.  Besides, baking out your hotel room will just waste some of the time you could spend sipping an ice cold Mai Tai on the beach.

6.  Your address book. I once promised everyone I knew a postcard from some awesome place I visited.  I ended up spending precious bar money, first on a bazillion post cards, and then on international postage.  As I wrote postcard after postcard, I got cramps in my hand and my well-intentioned salutations turned into generic “Wish you were here!” messages.  Screw the postcards (you’ll probably beat them home anyway), and have a photosharing party when you get home.

7.   Your crazy-expensive accessories. Seriously, a sundress will suffice at most spring break hotspots, and an over-the-top necklace or earrings will just weigh you down.  You don’t want to ruin your Coach bag at a foam party, and you don’t want something expensive targeting you as a muggable tourist.  You WILL survive without Louis Vuitton for a few days, I promise.

8.  Schoolwork. I’ll give you one book to (try to) read on the plane there and back, but once you’ve left for break, don’t even try to kid yourself.  You’re not going to get anything scholarly done. If you think you will, you’re only going to postpone your academic responsibilities, leave for break, and return to a panic attack when you realize a week’s worth of homework is due in twelve hours, and you’re too sunburned and hungover to begin.  Do your best to get everything done ahead of time so that when you come back on Sunday, you won’t have anything on the agenda except Rest and Recover.

What are you leaving behind on Spring Break?

[Photo courtesy of College Publisher.]