Earlier in the year, Jen Garner was photographed all over Boston playgrounds toting a Jansport backpack. While Jansports are fine with the middle school crowd, someone as cute as Jennifer shouldn’t be photographed with it relentlessly. I’m quite glad she left that bag behind and opted for a more grown-up, more elegant Lanvin Hero. This bag fits her style nicely — unfussy and sweet. It’s even on sale (in the black version) at Barneys for $699!

The Barneys spring sale has just started today, and if you’re already online, definitely cruise on over the barneys.com. As of this afternoon, there are plenty of goodies to be had, including Louboutins in the $500 range, and lots of sandals from Lanvin, Fendi, and Barney’s own house label, Co-op. In the bag department there are LOTS of Lanvin handbags on sale (which are difficult to find in some parts of the country), as well as Marc by Marc Jacobs, with some bags marked up to 60% off.

Check out everything at the Barney’s Sale

With all of this rain, snow, wind and miserable weather the past few weeks, I really needed some cheer. I found my perfect purse of sunshine over at Barneys New York, (my favorite department store in NYC). Classic designer Lanvin is offering this bright yellow ray of a handbag, aptly named “HAPPY“. In this time of potential economic recession, I love a designer who is optimistic (especially at a price tag of $1795). Available at Barneys

Fix yourself up with something bold to get you all set for spring. This Lanvin Metallic Handbag is ferociously bright in purple with metallic silver trim, and it’s an ideal color to see you through the end of winter before you begin pulling out the killer blues and fuchsias that are sure to dominate wardrobes this year. Sure, I’m a little ahead of myself - but it’s always great to get an early start on next season’s must-haves. This large bag is slightly boxy at the base, yet features a much softer body that easily allows you to fill it to capacity. It’s well made and definitely one you’ll pull out year after year. Available for $2120 at Browns Fashion.

The good news? Lanvin’s Spring 2008 collection was brilliant, glamorous, exuberant, and colorful. The bad news? The handbags - well, the few that were shown - weren’t. In a show that featured shimmering togas and diva-licious emerald and canary yellow swaths of fabric, it was a bit of a letdown to see simply rustic, utilitarian purses - think supple brown and beige (smooth and croc) leather bags that could fit a toddler - and not something more dramatic. The most “glamorous” bag was a nice but unmemorable brown crocodile clutch that looked like it would be a better fit for a safari than a night at the ball. Hopefully next season Alber Elbaz will show some love for the accessory lovers.

Photos from Style.com.

www.Lanvin.com

Dear Santa…is it too late to change my wish list? Because I’d like to move this adorable Lanvin Olga Sac to the top of my list. I’m in love with the handbags’s rose hue, because, really, what’s not to like about pink? It’s unique, playful, and a bit more sophisticated than your bubblegum shades. The purse’s simple, streamlined, and chic design also grabs me - there are little bells and whistles, just a modern leather and chain strap and that perfect slim strap running down the center. It’s truly sublime, and yet another example of Lanvin’s handbag designing prowess. $1,700 at Barneys

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Considering most of Lanvin’s purses fall into the subtle rustic-chic category, this funkier Lanvin Kansas Patent Tote in bold marine is definitely a surprise. While I dig the slick patent midnight blue leather (contrasted with classic brown leather trim), I’m not sure it’s a purse for which I’d shell out big bucks. The blue patent adds personality and fun, but how often does one really crave Smurf-hued leather? The regular Kansas is a much smarter buy.

$1,995 Barneys.com

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If you want to make a messenger bag look like anything but a messenger bag, do it suede. That’s the not-so-secret secret behind this gorgeous dark brown suede Lanvin Odeon Large Messenger. It’s hard to imagine a student or a bike messenger carrying this baby. The streamlined shape and stunning leather trim make the purse (which could easily be unisex) a nice contrast between simplicity and modern design. Heck, you could probably replace your briefcase with this and get a raise.

$2,100 at Barneys.com

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Oulala Clutch? More like ooh la la. Lanvin’s quickly becoming one of my favorite (and um, about a billion celebs’) purse designer, and this Oulala Clutch represents a more sultry direction than its previous versatile/everyday Kentucky bags. Feast your eyes on luxe details like black or camel suede, a silver snake chain strap that converts from a wrist strap to a shoulder strap (smart!), and an ornate resin jewel in the middle. This purse reminds me of John Singer Sargeant’s “Madame X” - dark, mysterious, and utterly bewitching.

$1,335 at Barneys.com

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Lanvin really knows how to transform a roomy, practical, grab-and-go handbag into something wickedly stylish and current. Case in point: This very chic Lanvin Velour Ontario messenger bag. That’s right - a chic messenger bag. The black suede material is so sleek it could pass for smooth leather, and the dark brown leather trim provides a note of refinement. The design is simple, but the outcome is very fashionable. What’s more, this could easily be a unisex tote, so buy one for him and borrow it as much as you want.

$1,380 at Barneys.com

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