Kylie Minogue photo via Celebutopia
I'd like to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month here on Seora Cartera by featuring the absolutely stunning Kylie Minogue. I love Kylie and not just from the "Can't Get You Outta My Head" days. Nope, I love her from the "Locomotion" days (google it if you're too young to remember). This is a woman who always has a smile on her face. She has attributed her upbeat attitude on life for helping her cope with breast cancer. This sassy survivor is a shining example to all women that life is worth fighting for and giving up is not an option.

I'm always fascinated by her handbag choices. She loves the classics but isn't afraid to shake things up. Her latest love, the YSL Easy Y Satchel, is a classic in the making. The simple design features rolled leather handles, gold-tone hardware, dual zip top closure and side snap tabs. A large, tonal "Y" stitched on the front (but thinner than the "Y" on the 'Muse') serves as the only decorative element as well as the all-important label identifier. We know that's not the reason Kylie loves this bag, though. She's probably in love with the soft, pebbled leather and fun turquoise color. For $1195, the YSL Easy Y Satchel is a good buy, and if Kylie likes it then that's enough of an endorsement for me.

Stay healthy, Kylie.

Shop Kylie's turquoise YSL Easy Y Satchel (or a more somber black version that's also available) via Neiman Marcus

*Visit the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month website for the latest information on the disease. Check back here on a weekly basis as I highlight products you can shop for that benefit breast cancer awareness, reseach and treatment.

Now that spring runway shows are over ( I still have a couple to report on for you) and fall handbags have saturated the on-line market, we need something new to excite us. Well, these delicious Valentino Patent Histoire Bags will certainly do the trick. This celebrity favorite has gotten a sweet make-over in the form of raspberry and turquoise. I'm drooling over both these colors as they would fit in perfectly here in Miami. Let's face it, Miami is a resort! I'm sure these lovely bags are just the tip of the iceberg as more and more resort bags become available for pre-order.

Valentino Patent Histoire Bag in raspberry or turquoise - $1795 via Bergdorf Goodman

Karl Lagerfeld understands what a 'Chanel' woman wants - classic elegance with a few touches of modern feminism thrown in for fun. Now 'fun' in fashion (the tongue-n-cheek kind) is something Mr. Lagerfeld indulges in quite often. Take the Chanel Spring 2009 collection for instance. Lagerfeld keeps the RTW line crisp, clean and accessorized with everything you've come to expect from the house that Coco built. So where does Lagerfeld's sense of humor make a statement? Well, unfortunately, it rears its' ugly head with ridiculous "shopping bag" bags that are meant to poke fun at the rabid dog mentality of the more serious Chanel handbag collector. Are we laughing, ladies? I know I'm not.

I suppose Lagerfeld is trying to make a point. The point being that a die-hard Chanel collector would pay big bucks even for a shopping bag if said bag was peddled by Chanel. There are some women who fit that stereotype - the ones that buy every Chanel bag no matter how hideous (and those are few) they might be for the sake of saying "I own every Chanel bag ever made". I know many Louis Vuitton-loving women who fit this description to a tee (LV is big here in Miami). I'm not so sure about Chanel, though. Chanel collectors have always struck me as women with a keen sense of style and not easily persuaded to invest in junk. This is not to say that the spring line is devoid of glorious Chanel bags. On the contrary, there are gorgeous fabric and leather flap bags that will pull at every Chanel lover's heartstrings. All I'm saying is that bags like these which are clearly made in jest should remain runway accessories and not put up for sale. I know some poor woman will feel compelled to buy one of these kitsch bags, and I hate to see bad things happen to good people.

Photos via Style.com

If you're a fan of Fendi's Bag du Jour as I am, then this deal will seem to good to be true. The Fendi Bag du Jour Grande (20 x 12 x 7) in white, textured leather has been dropped in price from $1410 to $816 - that's over 40% off...ON FENDI...THAT ISN'T UGLY! If I already hadn't decided on a Balenciaga clutch I'll be writing about very soon, I'd jump on this deal. If you've seen the latest 'Bag du Jour' renditions, you'll appreciate the simplicity and refinement of the original. Plus, the white leather is divine.

Available via JOMASHOP with Free shipping and authenticity guaranteed

A long-time reader sent me an e-mail over the weekend with a budget-oriented handbag dilemma:

Hi Dania,

I've been debating my purchase of the YSL Muse for some time. I'd decided on getting the large black leather Muse, but I keep second guessing my decision due to the $1800 price tag. I really love this bag and it would be my first 'designer' purchase, but I'm not sure about spending so much on a bag with the economy the way it is. I'm hoping you can either convince me to get the Muse or recommend another bag very similar to it. I'm open to any suggestions. You always have great ideas. Hope you can help me out this time.

Nancy S.

First, let me say "Thank You" for the 'great ideas' compliment. Now to your dilemma, Nancy. The first designer bag one buys can be a daunting task. You'll more than likely second-guess yourself a million times. When you factor in their sky-high prices, the shopping experience can be downright scary. So take a deep breath and relax. The good news is you've selected a beautiful bag in the Yves Saint Laurent Muse. The large 'Muse' is very big, so I'm assuming you like large bags. If you do, the price is pretty much on point for a bag that size from a high-end designer like YSL.

I won't try to convince you to buy it, though. Fiscal responsibility is a very personal issue and one I feel strongly about. I know I sit and write up countless expensive bags and recommend them to readers everywhere, but whether or not they are an affordable purchase is entirely up to the individual. If you're simply suffering from "sticker-shock", I'd definitely recommend sticking with the 'Muse'. However, if you're in need of being more budget conscious due to tough economic times, I'd suggest finding a similar style from a lesser yet still top quality label.

I have a bag in mind that I think you'll like, Nancy. It's the Bulga Adore Bag. Both the 'Muse' and the 'Adore' are fairly comparable in size and overall design. They have the same interior features. In addition, the 'Adore' has a small exterior coin purse pocket that is cleverly disguised so as not to detract from the simple design. I have to tell you, Nancy, I really love this Bulga bag. It's a steal at $813 - that's more than 50% less than what the YSL Muse will run you.
The decision is tough, but I'm sure you'll be happy once you pinpoint the real reason for your dilemma. Get that part out of your way and nab your first designer bag pronto. Send me pics of your bag when you do.

YSL Large Muse Tote - $1795 via Neiman Marcus

Bulga Adore Bag - $813 via RevolveClothing.com