I went Christmas shopping at my local Neiman Marcus this weekend and was pleased to see the new Louis Vuitton boutique had finally been completed. I wandered in and immediately fell in love with many of the handbags, the above Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Etoile Shopper included. As you may know, I usually don't like the Monogram Canvas LV handbags, but this one was truly gorgeous. The quilting on this bag makes the bag feel softer and look fuller than the regular Monogram Canvas, and the gold hardware and the bags' colors go together beautifully. Sadly, it's a bit out of my price range, $3,500, but if it's not out of your price range, you can find it at eLuxury.

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Sometimes I think Louis Vuitton is the most arrogant of brands. For example, this hideous handbag is simple canvas with leather trim and they want $2,420 for it, just because it has the name Louis Vuitton on it. Pu-leeze. This bag has absolutely no redeeming quality, the straps are way too long and the "message" trend is silly. Don't misunderstand, I do love some of the great runway LV bags, but this is just an insult to my fashion and financial senses. This handbag probably cost about $30-$40 in materials, and $25 in construction. Even for a Louis Vuitton, it should be priced about $800.

These handbags are the latest release for Louis Vuitton and are the focus of their December ad campaign. It it the Monogram Scuba Collection and all three bags come in both the orange and pink colors. The material is monogram embossed neoprene ( a synthetic rubber) with leather trim, which makes the bags really lightweight. I like these bags quite a bit, but I don't understand why, with such cheap materials, the bags are priced so high. Cost goes down, prices goes down, right? Not for the luxury brands, I know, but I have a hard time spending over fifty times what something costs to make. The Monogram Scuba GM (top pic) is $2,580. The Monogram Scuba MM (middle pic) is $1,940, and the clutch is $725.

I'm not sure I like this special edition Louis Vuitton Galliera Riviera handbag. It's cotton canvas and they want almost $2k for it. I'm not spending that kind of money on anything but the finest leather or exotics. Also, I don't like pictures or scenes on my handbags, it looks childish and cheap. This is a 'limited edition' bag, so that drives up the price, but I'm betting there probably aren't alot of people who will want to buy this bag.

It's November and I have been eagerly awaiting the Fall/Winter 2008 Louis Vuitton handbags, and I'm getting impatient. I went in to the three local Louis Vuitton boutiques and nothing has arrived, and the sales people don't have an answer for me. While the Louis Vuitton web site does have up a few from the collection, I want to see these.

     These runway bags are absolutely gorgeous, especially the creme velvet one with the snakeskin straps. Hopefully it's a matter of time, because I get tired of going in a LV boutique and just seeing the Monogram and Damier canvas bags.

The below bags from the Fall/Winter collection are available at the LV website...at least. $2,910 for the black Speedy (first pic). The Monogram Shimmer (second pic) is in the department stores, $1,780.

Louis Vuitton runway collections are always the best, but they are hard to get your hands on because they make such a limited number. And because they make a limited number, it also makes them more expensive, so it's even harder to attain. This is especially disturbing to me because I love, love, love the Louis Vuitton runway collection coming out next spring. This handbag is the Monogram Motard BeforeDark and it's velvety suede with glossy monogram vernis trim and removable black acetate chain link shoulder strap. (I love the tortoise shell coloring of the strap!) The open top folds over so it can be a clutch as well as a shoulder bag. I so want this bag, but, sadly, it's not gonna happen. $3,070 at eLuxury.

While I usually shy away from the monogrammed canvas Louis Vuitton handbags, this one I like. The quilted canvas gives this Monogram Canvas Etoile Shopper a softer look and feel. I also like the gold hardware and twist lock on this bag. My only complaint about this bag, and most Louis Vuitton bags, is the light colored leather handles and trim. The light color shows wear and dirt. I wish they would opt for a darker shade, like the olive color of the LV print. That would look much better, right? This handbag is available at eLuxury. $3,500.

Here are some more of the Spring 2009 Louis Vuitton Handbag Collection, which is my favorite of all the Spring designs. I'm so glad that Marc Jacobs, the Louis Vuitton designer, deemed us the will to dress up in tough times. While many other designers are playing it safe due to the global economy, this collection is anything but, and it's fabulous. I love the bright colors, busy patterns and big colorful adornments. I have never been a fan of the boring brown LV logo print, but in this collection it looks very chic. While most of the handbags from this collection are fun and youthful, we saw some, like the leopard print shoulder bag with black flap and gold chain, that are very classy and sophisticated. I can't say enough about this fabulous Louis Vuitton handbag collection. While I have always been a Gucci girl, this season it's LV for me. 

I am sooo excited about the Louis Vuitton's Spring collection of handbags. An array of colors and textures combined on these handbags make for a funky and bright Louis Vuitton selection. So much better than their signature brown bags. I love the almost toy-like balls and cylinders attached to the tassels. Marc Jacobs continued this theme with the shoes. I think with this Louis Vuitton collection, the bar has been raised.

I like this logo print by Louis Vuitton. It's called the Tahitienne Cabas PM and the hand-painted effect was inspired by a 1924 LV product catalog cover. It's woven cotton canvas with an open top and interior snapped strap. The interior straps are very convenient because the strap can be unsnapped to adjust bag capacity and shape. This is probably a spring/summer handbag, but I thought it was worth a nod, for the unique print and the more affordable than usual price ( for LV ) $1,080 at eLuxury.com