Happy ‘09, everyone! I’m excited to be back to the world of Latest Beauty and I hope you all had a wonderful season!

I got a great gift from my mama this Christmas that is great for two reasons: 1. I love it and 2. It introduced me to a handbag designer I didn’t know before.

My new Elliott Lucca bag has quickly become a wardrobe staple and my go-to bag since I got it a week ago. It has traversed Baltimore, made the trek to NYC with me, and is sitting beside me now at LB headquarters in Los Angeles (my bag and I get around). The picture to the left is my bag, but in black. My actual gift is the most versatile boysenberry color, a deep, rich purple that looks nearly black but is still the perfect tone that it can be worn with brown accessories. I’ve never met a bag that complements all of my wardrobe choices and, now, here it sits.

Looking through the Elliott Lucca site, I realized I kind of love all of their bags. What is most impressive about the bag I have is the suppleness of the leather, the braided details of the straps and the pockets inside. I get nervous with an open topped bag (this has a drawstring and magnetic closure, but it is still open) because at any moment my cell phone, itouch, camera - basically any loose item - could get…loose. But the elastic on the pouches inside really hold everything tight. The crafting of this bag is quality and the rest of their bags are sure to be as well. They have a wide range of bag styles, from wristlets to hobos to clutches to crossbodies and more, and the designs are laid back yet polished. Just the look I love. And they are having a New Year’s sale of 20% - 50% off select items, so now is the time to fall in love.