As a longtime accessories editor, I have amassed a large collection ofhandbags--some of which don't get nearly as much play as they deserve. SoI'm starting a self-imposed challenge today: 30 days, 30 bags. Kickingthings off today is one from Banana Republic, an easygoing cross-body thatliterally only fits the essentials.

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I made my way down to Florida last night for a weekend visit with my in-laws, and I packed my most quintessential summer bag--Jamin Puech. I love these bags for their always amazing ethnic embroidery. This is my second to last day of the challenge and I'm so looking forward to eventually re-finding and reclaiming my camera, wallet (been missing since about day 19), every lipstick/gloss I have ever owned, receipts, etc. What do you think my last bag will be? Any guesses? Read More

I received this Dooney & Bourke bag for my 8th grade graduation, so I think it's safe to say it's vintage. It was my first ever 'real' bag and needless to say I was beyond excited about it. All the women in my family are big fans of Dooney bags, so it was pretty natural that my first bag would be from them.It's managed to remain in almost perfect condition, thanks to it being in my mom's possession until very recently, and not mine.

Today's bag is another oldie but goodie, courtesy of Chanel. I've had it forages, rarely carried but always loved. This bag provides general happiness--you cannot be in a bad mood when carrying it (I should probably carry itmore often!) Only three more days and three more bags to go! Thank God!

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Let's call today "Two for Tuesday." It's horrific outside right now--rain, wind, blah, blah...but ever since I started this challenge, I knew I had to carry this black fringed Prada bag (I wanted the larger size, too, but it sold out in a millisecond), so I just said screw it, time is now.

However, I also wanted the luxury of carrying an umbrella, my Kindle, a scarf, etc., so I dumped all of it into this red canvas Phillip Lim tote for my commute to work. The size is right in between the medium and large of my L.L. Bean bags, which makes it kind of perfect.

I'm almost done! I can see the finish line, and I have to say--it'sexciting. This weekend I basically forced myself to carry a bag on bothdays. (If you own an Army coat that has multiple large pockets, and you havea husband willing to carry some of your crap, bag-less weekends are sotempting.) Saturday I carried my all-time favorite weekend bag--aJerome Dreyfuss Twee mini shoulder bag. Not only are there individual credit card slots on the inside, but also amirror--plus, you can really jam it full of small necessities.

Sunday I carried a bag that was a Christmas gift a few years ago--it'slabel-less and fits basically nothing, which is fine by me on a weekend. Andtoday I went for an old--and huge in comparison to the past two--bag, aleather and lace Fendi. I almost always bring this bag to Europe because itflattens almost completely in my luggage, and I love that it has a strap anda handle. Out of all the bags I own, I think this one gets the mostcompliments--people always stop me on the street and ask who makes it. Well,now you know.

Today is another "I totally forgot I owned this bag" edition of this challenge. I honestly haven't seen this Miu Miu bagin about eight years. It was buried in the stash, and stumbling upon it waslike bumping into an old friend. It was buried in the stash, and stumbling upon it waslike bumping into an old friend. You can surprisingly fit a ton of stuff init, and the style is totally silly and fun. Plus, I put a new spin on it bytaking off the shoulder strap to wear it as a clutch. But, as previouslystated, clutches for day can be impractical. I have a ton of stuffto lug home after work, so I plan on ditching the clutch promptly at 6 p.m.and transferring everything to my MZ Wallace canvas and sequined tote.(Which, by the way, is definitely going to be my go-to tote of the summer.)Also, regarding my progress, I made a solemn vow to carry a bag bothSaturday and Sunday (we'll see).Read More

This Bottega Veneta woven messenger is quite possibly one of most luxe bagsI own, but it's not the easiest to carry (I'm quickly running out offavorites that match that perfectly impractical criteria). It's heavy, thecross-strap isn't that comfortable and, despite its huge size, you really(really) have to pare down what you put in there. But alas, life isn't allabout comfort--this is one bag I will gladly suffer for (but only from timeto time).

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Inspired by yesterday, I decided to carry another absolute favorite oldie. I've carried this Chloe bag a million times, maybe more. Which is a little surprising, considering it's a yellow-y/mustard-y/orange-y shade.But it somehow goes with everything, and the plexiglass rounded handles give it an edge. That said, it's heavy. Really heavy. So when carrying it, you have to keep the contents really light.

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I think this one was meant to be--this morning, as I was grabbing a trustyold favorite from my closet, this Comme des Garcons bag fell off a highershelf and hit me in the head. I received it as a gift from my boyfriend(eventually husband) about eight years ago (he had help picking it out...),and I wore it to DEATH. Since it's actually pleather, it's not built for thekind of abuse I put my bags through. That's why I barely carry it, for fearof it ripping (or actually disintegrating--doesn't pleather disintegrate?).It's a total black-hole bag, a size that's not the best for a hoarder like me(two lip glosses, movie tickets from 2009, and a hundred million taxireceipts were unearthed from it this morning). But I'm having fun carryingit today--total nostalgia from my days as a young accessories editor.