This post is part of our Early Gift Guide Week.

Is definitely THE Coach bag of the year (chosen upon the merits of my Coach devotion and knowledge): Legacy Signature Satchel (preferrably the 2nd version of this style, available now on www.coach.com). This bag has it all (Classic Signature, famed new Legacy, its black and brown/tan people!, and this Fall’s rendition on the style has the added bonus of side buckles, which is my personal favorite touch to a purse) and then some (unfortunately it’s heavy). But there’s another bonus, the dogleash clip on the front does not flap over the closure, so it’s a bit more practical than last year. It’s the ultimate, this year (and the entire year!), for the biggest COACH fans (so be sure she doesn’t already have one, ha).

Such an important purse does come with a higher-end pricetag; $698, but GOD will she love you! (I would!)

The newest B. Fendi bag is a hobo with one buckle, sort of simple, but bold and nice. The B. Fendi Zucca Hobo comes with large-logo, Zucca, printed canvas, antiqued brass logo hardware, leather shoulder strap with chain links, interior slip pocket and cell phone pocket. This not-so high maintenance bag’s oversized leather buckle hides a snap and flaps over a zippered closing. $1040.00 comes in a medium 12″ x 9.5″ x 5.5″ at eLUXURY.com.

PursePage.com, a site for bag shopping and reviews, is holding a contest in its forums to give away one Coach purse.

All one must do to enter is register and post on the thread (or topic), but read the rules first at the official contest page (thread).

The bag in question is a black Signature Gallery Tote, and it’s quite nice. It comes with bag, box, tissue, bow and a catalog. (Everything one might get when shopping at a boutique.) There are also other giveaways for cash! Visit the site for more info.

I’m entering, I think my aunt should enter, and will you?

This Dior Voyage Large Boston Bag in brown should be mine, all mine. It’s classic, logoed, brown, a satchel … but it’s a tad expensive at $895. Yet I yearn. The details are specifically done, letting this bag’s simplicity shine, both winning for this to be an all-around great, everyday bag. It could even be true for any time, especially with antiqued silver hardware. This Boston bag is also the perfect size at 13.5″ x 8.5″ x 6″. Now, I already read the price, I hope it’s perfect for you, because it’s practically devastating to me. To each her own pricepoint, but I’m sure this handbag speaks to anyone.

Coach has a new line of Signature Stripe bags and accessories, but this time they’re styled differently, with horizontal striping. There are also a lot of dangling accessories that come at price with the totes and the totes are reversible!

On this inside (turned outside) of each of the totes is a larger Coach “storypatch” this time with cursive handwriting telling of the quality of each bag. The serial number is also there, larger, and on display for all to see. This is interesting and kind of nice—more detail, new & unique feature, and it tells of authenticity and quality right there … but only when you’re in the mood!

Hint: The “parchment” color stripe is actually a shimmering silver/white! (It’s the only one in the line with sparkles.) I’d buy that choice if you can keep it clean.

There’s also monogramming for each Signature Stripe items! You can add 1 to 3 letters of your choice (initials or even “CC”?).

The monogramming feature costs an additional $25 and is only available in the Signature Stripe collection.

It’s a girl! My latest delivery came yesterday. You see, the Coach buckle bag (Soho Zip Satchel) I bought DID come in a brown leather trim, WITH braided straps! It’s what I dreamed of, when I instead settled. And it’s signature, which is great, too.

It’s a limited edition department-store-only bag that sold out quickly. And yes, I’m exchanging the black for this bag (or selling?). Click for more (photos: angles, colors, etc.) »

I’ve been disillusioned with COACH. I snatched up a Mini Signature Pocket Tote in black at a special sale, recently. I thought I lucked out with the signature aligning just-so from the pockets to the body. Saving it for Christmas, I pulled it out (among other bags) to examine and make-with-the-happy, once a night. Until one late night, I noticed something. Let’s just say strike 12 and my COACH turned into a pumpkin. The signature on the back and the front, where the two meet on the sides, was completely off, horizontally they weren’t even on the same, level field.

I threw into a fit of mania! (Addictions have their bad sides, of course.) For one black-magical night, I couldn’t imagine continuing with blogging or the life I’ve been leading. I thought I would give up COACH and find lesser known designers (I have). But I also recently purchased a python stripe Signature bag that is perfect (confuse me, much) that I can’t return or make a profit of selling. And my Chelsea Bouclé demi, I have nothing but love for. I think our affair will last, that little tweed darling.

I’ve decided that I will keep a careful eye on COACH Signature and still buy a few leather bags. Their up-and-coming designs show that the company is putting money into luxe details; they’ve just abandoned the standards for Signature I once saw in them!

Let’s examine: The new Signature Pocket Satchel doesn’t even have symmetrical pockets! The horizontal alignment is, again, not even level!

I’ve also decided that I should be hired by COACH to design for them. Oh, yes. I would whipstitch them into structured shape, or at least guide forward motion. Money cuts can be made elsewhere, not on the company logo!!

I do stay confused over how I want to proceed with them, and am leaning back on my thoughts of being brand loyal. Although, I am happy with a new wristlet and currently want two new COACH bags and a new pocketed mini skinny (and perhaps the wristlet).

Where was I? Oh. Sigh, sigh, sigh. (The only answer really is to hire me! Yes, yes!)

Coach recently debuted their new “Signature Tie Dye” collection of handbags (reminiscent of their Holiday Patchwork collection). Some colors/styles are not all that attractive, but I kind of favor this Demi in brass/white. It has a bit of a silvery sheen with upscale-looking shimmery white Signature jacquard fabric, also with leather, patent and suede.

On the other end of the scale are the Patchwork bags, with

“calfskin, metallic leather, suede, metallic suede, tie dye signature fabric, Signature fabric, Mini Signature fabric”

They’re a bit of monstrosities, and I can’t imagine them really being “every day” or matching much. Are they even “any day?” I will admit, though, the Coach whore in me is almost drawn to the line. I wouldn’t look down upon anyone who really likes this bag enough to sport it, I’ll say that.

If you do like the Tie Dye, I’ll suggest a wallet. Just as expensive in some cases, but they carry a higher taste. It’s nice in pink and it’s the only item, I personally feel, which is nice in denim. (Many bags are nice in pink.)

So, no, I’m not going to tear this apart with a review, but I will say this about Coach; they know they can appeal to their biggest fans with such bags, which many are priced reasonably, and are exploiting it.

Coach’s Soho Optic line features attractive white bags, especially stunning is the Soho Optic Sm (Small) Pocket Flap in White. I saw this bag in a Filene’s and cooed over it. Today, it has finally been released to purchase on Coach.com.

The picture doesn’t do the optic jacquard fabric justice - although the closeup helps. The white shades of C’s are almost iridescent, and carry an elegance and the look of expense. You’ll have to see this bag in person to truly appreciate its beauty. You might have to shop around your local malls to find this new item.

This pocket flap also comes in a lustrous pink and yellow, which its pattern doesn’t look nearly as intricate, but it is a cute shade. Other styles also come in green. The white is available now in most other Soho Optic Signature bags.

Looking for a designer item for your so-worth-it mom? (I know my mom wants a Coach!) If you place your order by 11:00 AM on 5/5/05, you will recieve your gift by Mother’s Day!

THIS is MY COACH! I’ve been increasingly obsessed with Coach for weeks, now. I went to the store to mostly check out another bag, and caved when I found THIS to be the perfect bag. It doesn’t have outside pockets, but it has great inside pockets! (Zippered, large cell phone pocket, a larger cell phone / multifunction pocket, and a back slip pocket.)

It looks great on me, it’s just about the perfect compromise of sizes.

It’s made with “grass” sued detailing, which I hadn’t realized about it before. Read more about it on its details page.

Aside from the pockets, the green, the large Signature khaki, what sold me was that this bag has a nice, symmetrical and flowing pattern from flap to bag. It’s not perfect, because EVERY bag is different. Nothing can be as nice as the website pictures. You’ve got to go to the store and have the sales lady unwrap every bag they have in this item, so you can inspect them. Yes, that is exactly what I did. But it’s needed, for me, to get the perfect bag if I’m IMPULSING on nearly wiping out my checking account on a purse. (Hardly impulsing, but sort of.) It looks pretty great, doesn’t it? Trust me, this process is necessary, because some of the bags really don’t look as nice.

And now I just want to bring it everywhere to show off - but that’s not practical (school). The thing is, I’m really anal about it, I will not let this thing get dirty!

I love MY Coach bag, I am so happy. Can the obsession end? Well, the anxiety does, but I’m going to love Coach even more. I hope this bag makes me happy for a loong time.