Hopefully any day now I'll sit down and do my taxes in eager anticipation of receiving my refund check. I have an idea of how much I'm getting back so I'm already allocating it for certain purposes. Most of it is going into the house fund, but I'm also going to pay on some bills and do some wardrobe updating. I just did a massive closet cleaning and with a few exceptions, I feel pretty satisfied with my closet. This year I'm going to look for an everyday brown leather handbag. I can find hundreds of black purses that I like, but for some reasons I can't find any brown ones that excite me. I've spent the past three years looking for a nice brown bag without any luck, but the forecast is looking good for this year:

Row One//
Maison Dumain by Be & D // I love the rich cognac color of this bag plus the fun fringe detailing. However, I'm hesitant as this bag is from Anthropologie and the last few bags I've gotten from there have been of very poor quality.
Pour la Victorie// I simply love the unique shape of this bag. This one really reminds me of something my mom would have carried in her preppy heydays in the '80s.
Will Leather// I grew up rurally surrounded by farms and this bag just really reminds me of the leather work I used to see on farms.
Row Two//
Brooks Brothers// Gorgeous detailing and beautiful color.
Lauren Ralph Lauren//Another bag that really reminded me of 80s prep. I can totally see Elizabeth (Keri Russell's character) on The Americans using this purse. Also, it's best show on TV right now.
Coach// This is the classic preppy handbag. It's been around since the 70s for a reason. You can also find plenty of them on Ebay for reasonable prices. Now, which color: British Tan or Mahogany?

Row Three//
Yves Saint Laurent// One of the few acceptable logos for a prep to carry. I'm saddened by what Hedi Slimane has done to this classic fashion house.
MICHAEL Michael Kors// A workhorse of a basic work bag. I have several friends who have this bag and they all love it. I'd take off the hanging MK logo, though.
Jil Sander// Like most of the bags on this page, it has beautiful lines and color. Having seen this bag in person, there's just something about it. It's like the Mona Lisa's smile, you can't quite put your finger on why you covet this purse. It's easily one you'll use until the grave and one that your children will fight for in the following estate conversations.