In 2009, there wasn’t a conventional handbag in sight. Designers released funky, structured totes with zippers, studs, grommets, and other bold adornments to catch the eye and infuse a glamorous rocker element to collections. This spring, however, is going to be all about the classics. Natural materials with subtler tones will reign supreme on the runways. Pop your embellished totes in the closet for safekeeping and check out these must-haves for 2010.

1) Neutrals and subdued hues complement all shades and are great for the days when you want a bold outfit to stand out. This Jackie North-South tote from Liz Claiborne comes in a rich brown color and a comfy strap for lugging files to work. The platform bottom ensures that your folders, computer, and lunch will remain tidy on that bumpy subway ride. At Dillards.com, $111.

2) Unisex handbags for men will appear on the streets as gentlemen ditch their knapsacks and briefcases in favor of feminine styles. I’m a fan of this tangerine satchel from Topman, which features an adjustable shoulder strap as well as a top handle. Spill your coffee on the way to work? No problem- the material is machine washable. At Topman, $60.

3) Cross-body straps will become more popular as both sexes begin wearing bags closer to their bodies. Check out the Sasha Crossbody from Fossil, which features a large front pocket to hold your essentials and is made from shiny vintage leather. With inside pockets and a zip close, this earthy eggplant tote is perfect for a day of shopping in the big city. At Fossil, $108.

4) Nature-inspired bolds are a refreshing burst of color among the season’s beiges and browns. I dig this fabulous beach tote from Diane Von Furstenberg. The fuchsia background and tropical flower prints are sure to cheer you up on rainy days (and speaking of rain, there’s an inside zip pocket to make sure your cell phone stays dry). $75, at Saks Fifth Avenue stores.

5) For a groovy option that doesn’t involve prints, consider this juicy red hobo from Joe’s Jeans. The leather strap is adjustable and includes a cross-body option, and the slouchy shape makes it a great match with your favorite pair of jeans. The Celine Hobo is available at revolveclothing.com, $159.

6) Pouches provide you with a way to carry numerous items while keeping the shape of your bag intact and not appearing overstuffed. I like this bohemian sack by Cleobella. The material is hand-woven canvas, and the print is suitable for both beach and office. The best part? This hue goes with any shade, and I think it would be particularly lovely with a lemony summer dress. Cleobella, $94.

Need to give your BFF, your favorite coworker, or a family member a little holiday gift or stocking stuffer?  We’ve chosen our ten favorites for this season

#1 – The Crazy Sticks by CrazyLibellule and the Poppies:  The Parisian perfumer is known for its deliciously addicting scent solids encased in small tubes, perfect for carrying in your clutch purse or tucking into a holiday stocking. They are easy to apply and layer, and you can go crazy and have fun mixing scents.  Some of my favorite scents are from their Poule de Luxe Collection, which has a lot of Vanilla-based scents such as Vanilla Lemon Pie, Vanilla Fruit Sorbet and Vanilla Ganache.  Why not smell delicious?  $18 at Sephora.

#2 The Small Makeup Bag from Apple & Bee: You all know how much we love green and organic products at Beyond Beauty Basics.  Apple & Bee creates their bags with high-quality natural fibers like organic cotton, hemp, bamboo silk, and calico. The company has a neutral carbon footprint and donates a portion of its profits to environmental charities. The small bag retails for around $22 and can be found online at the Apple & Bee website, The Vitamin Shoppe, and green retailer Spirit Beauty Lounge. Small makeup bag measures 4″H x 7″W x 0.5″D.  In keeping with the season, I chose the turtle dove print!

#3 Be Delicious Delicious Bites: Discover two flavors of DKNY’s Be Delicious fragrances. The Be Delicious Delicious Bites gift set comes with two of my favorites: the original DKNY Be Delicious and the latest, DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom. The original scent is a modern feast for the senses, a juicy fragrance that combines the scent of apple with a sophisticated blend of exotic flowers and sensual woods. Like the city that inspired it, Be Delicious celebrates individuality with refreshing spirit. Be Delicious Fresh Blossom is a radiant new fragrance that marries freshness, vibrancy, and femininity. The gift set comes with two 0.24 oz mini bottles of each scent. $38 at Sephora.

#4 Stila Kitten Collection:  This great set features eyeshadow and lip glaze in Stila’s number one selling champagne-pink shade called “Kitten.” Stila’s Kitten Collection comes with the best-selling Eye Shadow shade, which is also  now available in Stila’s legendary high-shine Lip Glaze formula. This set combines the two so you (or whomever you’re shopping for!) can get the complete Kitten look that will have you smitten. Enriched with Vitamins A, C and E for additional skincare benefits, the moisture-rich gloss also contains ultra-fine pearl shimmer that provides amazing shine. An added bonus is that the Kitten Eye Shadow can be worn wet or dry. It stays on all day without creasing or smudging. $18 at Sephora.

#5 Burt’s Bees Mini Lip Gloss Gift Set: This 4-piece set comes with four Super Shiny lip glosses.  The Burt’s Bees Mini Lip Gloss 4-Piece Set is just $14.99 at Target.com.  It comes with Sweet Pink, Nectar Nude, Pucker Berry, and Zesty Red.   Burt’s Bees products are 100% natural.  Drench your lips in moisture and beautiful sheer color gloss.  These hydrating natural lip glosses are flavored with citrus oils for a kiss of fresh-squeezed flavor.  This one is definitely on my list!

If you’re like me, these in-between seasons bits on the year may make for confusing mornings getting ready for work (too early in the season for turtlenecks/cords/tweed??).  The not-so Fall weather in New York City this year has made it extra confusing.  I haven’t even had to break out my winter coat yet!  While I hope it does not mean December will bring a record chill, it has helped me carry a few of my summer pieces into the chillier Fall months.

1. Layering: The easiest way to get more mileage out of those lighter fabrics is to layer, layer, layer. Some essential layering items include cardigans, t-shirts, blazers, and those gorgeous little summer tanks and camis you thought you’d miss all winter.
2. Leggings & Tights: Think of this as an addendum to the layering rule.  Florals are very in this season, and a great way to bring your cotton skirts into the colder months is with leggings and opaque tights.  Tights are also so hot with open-toed this year, so you can continue wearing those (well, until your toes get too cold!).
3. Splurge on a Statement Coat: While you generally want to buy as little as possible in this economy, a great way to update your look is with a coat that makes a statement.  Nothing is worse than ratty outerwear!  The most people will probably see of you is in your winter coat.  If you already have a great coat, some great updates include a great patterned scarf, a brooch, or updating your buttons.  The Double-cloth Lady Day Coat from J.Crew comes in basic colors to modern brights and is sure to punch up your winter wardrobe.
4. Dress Up Your Classics With Accessories: Some basic wardrobe pieces for winter are cardigans. This season, cardigans are everywhere, both classic and with embellishments such as ruffles and beading.  These extra details can be expensive, but you can get this look with your existing classics.  Like with a statement coat, a scarf, brooch or new buttons can make a huge difference.  Layering a great simple cardi with a trendier ruffled blouse (try to avoid ruffles on ruffles, too), or adding a great belt in a punch of color or a great print, like J.Crew’s Cheetah calf-hair belt (left).   Another trendy favorite is adding a fantastic necklace to your wardrobe, like the Nouveau Gem Necklace (pictured right) also by J.Crew (J.Crew is just a great place for classic looks).  Pieces like this also work great with basic turtleneck sweaters for a simple, classic, stylish look.
5. Resole or re-heel last year’s boots: A lot of boots are just classic and can work from year to year.  A good idea is to update last year’s boots by getting them polished and resoled. Last year I got a great pair of knee-high boots by Dolce Vita.  They need some fixing-up on the heels, but I’d be so sad if I had to find a new pair instead!
   

It’s tough to find the right fragrance, especially when you’re getting spritzed from all angles at the department store.  All you really want is to find the perfect cologne that works great against your skin and make you “smell good.” Well here is a little help from our High Five for top men’s cologne in 2009.  These picks have proven to receive some positive compliments from those who have sniffed around me.

I Am King by Sean John - You certainly feel like a king when you spray this sweet and refreshing scent. It’s not a statement of arrogance but rather “a motto of all men who will buy this fragrance.?, says Sean Jean Combs. This cologne has top notes of tangerine juice, orange, cranberry and French berries; middle notes are cassis and sea water; base notes are amalfi lemon, French labdanum, cedar, vetiver, oakmoss and sandalwood.  Sean John again wins Fragrance of the Year 2009 at the 37th FiFi Awards for this unique masculine freshness that I love to use daily for work.

Female feedback: “Mmm I just love that fresh scent of yours.”

Rock Volume I by John Varvatos – John Varvatos is definitely one of my favorite designer scents and has done it again with this limited edition fragrance putting an “edgy feel” and new twist from the original which shares the same top note of sage. Inspired by John Varvatos’ passion for rock ’n roll, the blend of rose absolute and coffee makes this a perfect wear for a fun date! This cologne transforms you with an image of sensuality and an explosive rock ‘n roll vibe.  Oh and the packaging is hands-down impressive having a bolt cap and a heavy metal shell with classic John Varvatos icons carved into it that encases the bottle. You can definitely “Rock ON!” with this scent.

Female feedback: “You smell so delicious, what are you wearing?”

Green Irish Tweed by Creed – I really shouldn’t be sharing my top secret fragrance for fear of everyone (including women as this is considered unisex) will be flocking to get this in their collection.  Usually, I save this favorite fragrance of mine for special events because it’s not exactly inexpensive and it normally gets sold out during the holiday season. Created originally for Cary Grant and worn by Robert Redford and Richard Gere, Green Irish Tweed is an elegant, yet sporty scent with notes of mysore, sandalwood, ambergris, violet leaves, French verbena and Florentine iris. I also suggest layering with other Creed fragrances for a nice mix of aromas.

Female feedback: “You always smell so heavenly!” “You HAVE to tell me what cologne you’re wearing so I can get it for my husband!”

Attitude Extreme by Giorgio Armani - What a perfect name to describe this power fragrance by the design house of Giorgio Armani. It’s a stronger, more intense version of Armani Attitude from 2007. It’s more masculine and unforgettable with notes of Sicilian lemon, star anise, cedar, cardamom, coffee, patchouli and amber. It’s been reworked to display masculinity in a dark, seductive, and potent fashion. I love to wear this in the evening as it strikes a sense of elegance and extreme attitude.

Female feedback: “I couldn’t help but admire your fragrance, you just smell really good.”

Tokyo by Kenzo – Inspired by serene nature and colorful nights in a modern metropolis Tokyo, this fragrance has a distinct masculine scent. It consists of a blend of ginger, lemon, grapefruit, shiso, cardamon, green tea, pink pepper and bitter orange. The allure of this cologne is the ability to blend a modern urban feel with the Japanese tranquility. It’s for the guy who loves the luminous, vibrant lights and scenery of a crazy electric city. Feeling energized from this fragrance, I’m ready for a night out on the town and the busy nightlife.

Female feedback: “Either I love how you dance or that you smell so yum, both work for me.”