You didn't like to share as a child. Maybe you wrote your name across your Barbie's face so that your little sister would know it was yours. Things have changed but you still get huffy when another woman walks into the club with the same handbag as you (and take yours by mistake!). Fortunately you have more stylish options for personalizing your belongings than a Magic Marker. How do sterling silver and Swarovski crystals sound? Boca Raton custom jewelry designer Constance Hart Tisdale founded It's Myne, a new concept in wearable art. Her designer charms hook onto keychains, necklaces, handbags and whatever else you want to claim as yours. Design yours today and mark your territory.

 

Animal prints have held steady for the past few seasons but with this new crop of wild things hitting the market, you can really express yourself in tribal fashion.

Muxo by Camila Alves Totisse Cross Body Bag

Handbags from Sex & the City

The Sex & the City movie is what everyone is talking about. Every woman has a character she most identifies with—is it Carrie and her fashion dare devilism? Or Charlotte and her Upper East side sophistication? The fabulous SATC foursome has fondness for handbag designers like Chloe, Chanel, Prada and Robert Cavalli. In the Sex & the City movie, Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda are toting some of their favs, with some new additions like Nancy Gonzalez and a $2,750 Swarovski crystal-encrusted Eiffel Tower purse.

Some trends never make it off the runway — and with good reason. But colorblocking is making a big splash from Prada to Chloe in a variety of fashion categories including apparel, jewelry and handbags.

Colorblocking is a visual technique that posits brilliant blocks of color all over in one stretch of hue or contrasting colors. The result can be bold or subtle. I love this exotic clutch by Julie K.

Natalie Sleek Clutch in Brown Exotic

We’ve grown accustomed to putting some handbags away at the turn of the seasons as styles change from whimsical in summer to more romantic and sophisticated in the fall. But for Fall 2008, pretty much anything goes. While toting a big straw bag is probably not the best way to accessorize for a brisk fall day, a small rattan clutch with serious hardware is still au currant. Of course trends like jeweled clutches are more appropriate as the mercury drops but fun wristlets and slouchy hobo bags and oversized satchels like the Lily Satchel by D&G will transition seamlessly.

I'm always excited to check out the latest seasonal trends to find out what colors, textures, fabrics and shapes are the most popular. While we can always look forward to an of-the-moment trend, each season ushers in many return trends -- and for summer this means oversized canvas totes and wicker bags, fun colors and a more casual look.

Classics like satchel handbags and shoulder bags will always have a place in the lineup. You should always have a tried-and-true handbag in your closet no matter what. With that said, let's take a look at this seasons hottest handbag trends.

We’ve all been warned of the new charges airlines are charging for whatever they can think of — checked baggage, primo seats (in Coach!) and food. I’ve even heard that some airlines are thinking about charging for water. So what’s a savvy traveler to do?  You can grin and bare it, or you can find ways to cut corners and conserve.

Before you venture into the fashion biz, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with industry terms and fashion seasons.

Here are some fashion terms you may find useful in planning your fashion career:|

Haute Couture: This fashion term is French for "high sewing" or "high dressmaking" and refers to the creation of exclusive custom-fitted fashions. While the term is very loosely used, it’s actually a "protected name" in France, so it can only be officially used by designers that meet certain well-defined standards.

Lookbook: A lookbook is used by designers and retailers to show the range of a collection. You can use these to send to buyers, editors, journalists or on your website for the viewing public.

Off-the-rack: This refers to apparel made in standard sizes and available from in-stock merchandise. Also referred to as “ready-made” and “ready-to-wear”.

Why does it seem like the fashion powers-that-be are always contradicting themselves? If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck ...

So one minute you have to match your handbag to your shoes and the next you absolutely should not perfectly match your accessories. It's a crazy world out there and who can keep all the fashion rules straight? They're always changing any way! Here are some fashion "DON'Ts" that are really fashions DOs!

Wear more than one pattern at a time

Obviously, you have to use some discretion here. You don't want to wear a leopard print dress with a zebra scarf. Choose a main pattern and let other patterns compliment it. Scarves, when worn correctly, are a great way to accent a great pattern on a dress or skirt. Actress like Kate Bosworth knows how to mix and match patterns.

What does your handbag say about you?

Like the clothes you wear, your handbag sends a message. Whatever style handbag you carry, make sure that you take good care of it and keep it well organized. If you take your bag with you to meetings and you’re always riffling around looking for pens through a scuffed up handbag, you won’t send a good message.

In general you can gauge pretty accurately a women's level of "flashiness" by her handbag. If she's carrying a zebra print bag, she wants to get noticed. Chances are she's single and likes to take chances. A woman with a humongous tote that's virtually empty, spare the essentials, enjoys being pampered and knows what she wants. On the other hand, a girl whose handbag is filled to the brim is on the go and doesn't like to be left unprepared. She could have kids, too, so having a mobile drugstore comes in handy.

So you've got your dream bag ... what does it say about you? Keep reading and find out!