The Lauren Merkin Diana Galaxy Clutch is a perfect holiday party purse. We challenge you to find something this season that it wouldn't match.

If you've recently discovered you have no good purses for this year's holiday parties, this is the ultimate solution. Its pouch-like, gathered shape in head-turning metallic golden-and-them-some leather and simple chain shoulder strap make it easy to wear and quite fetching.

The bag is 5"H x 9 1/2"W; just large enough for your necessities, and its scrunchy-soft texture makes it easy to carry, even without the chain.

The Lauren Merkin Diana Galaxy Clutch is available from Neiman Marcus for $195.00.

The Dior Ruffled Flap Shoulder Bag is an unmistakably luxe choice for your spring wardrobe.

This fresh new design in a bright poppy rouge features generous silver chain links, oversized diamond stitching and dainty, only-from-a-French-design-house ruffle trim. The bag and logo hangtag are crafted from the finest lambskin, and the flap-top closes with an engraved silver push lock.

This spring, expect to see lots of silver, khaki, white and pale neutrals ... and this, as it will surely stand out if you see it coming down the street.

The Dior Ruffled Flap Shoulder Bag is available for pre-order from Neiman Marcus for $2,050.00 and is expected to ship no later than January 6.

Designer Tracy Fredkin (right) launched Tucker Paisley in Los Angeles in 2006, and since then, the line has been skyrocketing.

Beginning with six signature bags covered in her very own paisley print, she has garnered celebrity fans like Jaime Pressly, Hayden Panettiere and Katherine Heigl and expanded her range to include accessories like scarves, and now, clothing.

We met up with Tracy at a BagTrends event at Blue Bag in NYC.

Luxist: So, your paisley print started it all?

Tracy Fredkin: Yeah, that's what started it all. We came up with what we thought was a modern, fresh take on a paisley, and created it, copyrighted it and trademarked it. It was the inspiration for our signature line, which was all paisley. Our six signature bags were all prints, and then we moved styles that were really popular forward and started doing leather more, and using different textures and different colors, using the paisley as an accent. Now, you'll see it in a pocket, on a zipper, as the lining for a bag; that's sort of the direction we started going. In our Beach collection and some of our new accessories, we brought the paisley back to be the focus of those items.

L: How did you create the paisley pattern? Did you draw it?

TF: We went to tons of fabric stores and looked at old patterns, new patterns, different things that we liked in all the different colors, and then just started playing on a computer; making it bigger, making it smaller, whether we wanted it to be repeating, all different things.

L: Was it always intended for handbags?

TF: It was always going to be for handbags, yes. We wanted to do the handbag line. We had the shapes of certain bags in mind. That was the plan.

L: I love the different textures you're using, and there are metallics, patent leather, all sorts of things.

TF: Yeah, we're trying to bring in all different things. We have some soft lambskins, we have different metallics, we have heavier cow leathers, we brought in some raw silk in some of our things. We try to keep changing it up and have groupings of things for different people.

L: Cool. I heard you have clothing coming out for summer.

TF: Yes, we're doing a Beach line with some accessories and some dresses, light silk dresses in different silhouettes. It's all [the Tucker Paisley] look. Classic, chic -- what we're going for is very easy, timeless stuff that you can wear to different things, that are versatile.

We love her fresh paisley print and easy-chic style, as well as the free shipping on her website (though you can probably find Tucker Paisley at a store near you. Check out the gallery for photos of more bags, including the ones celebrities have been spotted carrying -- or, for shopping shortcut:

• Katherine Heigl wore the Molly Tote ($108)
• Jaime Pressly has the Thomas Hobo ($225)
• Hayden Panettiere has been seen all over the place with this gorgeous Emma Clutch (normally $215, on sale for $105) -- check the gallery to see the paisley inside

The Beau-Rivage Palace has just what you need to heal your soul from all that holiday stress (and eating and drinking). The palace, adjacent to Lake Geneva and the Swiss Alps (see above) on ten acres of private, wanderable gardens, has a new restaurant featuring France's only female chef with three Michelin stars, as well as two other restaurants, two bars with sweeping terraces, and the Cinq Mondes Spa, where they will fix you up for 2010.

The three-night Boost Your Immune System Package, available through March 19, 2010, starts at approximately $1,437.00 (based on double occupancy) and includes:

• Accommodations in a lake-view room
• One-hour session with a personal trainer
• Welcome glass of freshly squeezed Vitamin C-rich orange juice
• Daily buffet breakfast with a wide selection of freshly squeezed juices, fresh fruits and vegetables and home-made yogurts (among other options)
• Special antioxidant-rich lunch or dinner at Café Beau-Rivage
• Daily in-room vegetable and fruit basket, freshly squeezed juices and a selection of herbal teas
• 50 minute body massage at the Cinq Mondes Spa
• 20 minute facial massage at the Cinq Mondes Spa
• Free access to the Cinq Mondes Spa, fitness room and tennis courts

Now that's a getaway. Wait till you see the rooms.

Ritz-Carlton is coming to Cairo, with the ritzy, 160-room design rendered above. OBMI Resort Design is working to make this hotel not just grand, but green, with the help of 13 LEED certified professionals.

The new Ritz-Carlton Palm Hills (not to be confused with the Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo, also on the way), will feature spectacular views of the pyramids of Giza (!!), a huge spa, a golf clubhouse, two ballrooms, and the fabulous swimming pool you see here (we love those little islands).

"It is our privilege to lead such a remarkable project in one of the world's most iconic destinations. Egypt offers a perfect canvas for us to create a timeless yet contemporary resort that greatly incorporates regional materials and historic traditions. Our holistic approach reflects the principles of sustainability as well as our dedication and attention to the sensitivity of local customs," says OBMI's CEO Doug Kulig. The resort will feature "metal columns designed to resemble the structural elegance of the papyrus plant," as well as "various water systems, inspired by ancient irrigation canals settled along the famous Nile Basin." Guests can also look forward to multiple courtyards and views of the Cairo skyline.

We'll let you know when they're taking reservations (after we make our own)!

Bette Midler is more than a woman -- she's like an army. We're not just talking about the power of her singing voice; she's also a dancer, an actress, a comedienne, and a well-known humanitarian, and a champion of both the arts and the Earth.

Since 1995, she's been working on her New York Restoration Project (NYRP -- she founded it), which has been helping NYC get greener and cleaner. Just recently, Bette herself planted the 250,000th NYRP tree in a Queens neighborhood and unveiled a new garden near Yankee Stadium. Now, she's auctioning off some very unique experiences with celebrities on CharityFolks.com, experiences which would make unbeatable holiday gifts.

Among the current gifts available are:

• Meet John Stamos Backstage at Bye Bye Birdie & Enjoy 2 VIP House Seats - $1,500.00
• Private Lesson with Tennis Great John McEnroe & Roundtrip Travel on JetBlue Airways! - $2,750.00
• Meet Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Steve Winwood, One of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time According to Rolling Stone, with 2 VIP Tix to a 2010 European Show Date - $1,500.00

Those are current bid prices; buyouts are available at higher numbers. All the proceeds will benefit NYRP, which plans to plant 1 million trees by 2017 (and totally will). Other items include a chance to meet Cher, a walk-on role with Steve Carrell and Paul Rudd, a getaway to Richard Branson's Necker Island, and more. She's convinced nearly 100 of her celebrity friends to contribute, so keep your eye on the NYRP CharityFolks page to see what's up for auction next.

"We've turned 55 vacant lots into beautiful community gardens and planted more than 250,000 trees, and we're just getting started, so I hope you'll join in the merriment by placing a bid today!" says Midler.

The Lockheart Melinda Leather Drawstring Bag is an unexpected addition to this December's lineup of new bags.

The explosion of frills and leather lace make for a truly rare texture -- it may look like a paper lamp cover for a Valentine's Day party in the photo, but in person, the movement and lushness of the leather make it very alluring and fabulously unusual. Lockheart is always doing crazy things with leather, and we heart them for it.

The claret-colored Melinda Bag is 13"W X 12"H X 5"D, has a single strap with a 9" drop, is lined in microfiber signature striped jacquard, and features eyelets and tassels, which guarantee you'll want to wear it well into the spring.

The Lockheart Melinda Leather Drawstring Bag is available from Saks Fifth Avenue for $595.00.

The Marc by Marc Jacobs Petal To The Metal Flap Pouchette has a long name for such a small bag, but is undeniably sassy and delightful.

At just 8"W X 7"H X ¼"D, this bag is the perfect size for bouncing on your hip while you run around doing errands in your jeans and boots. The casual stitching, together with the unusual zipper placement, creates an attractive, sexy shape. The pretty goldtone bird makes it feminine and just a little flashy -- enough to catch the eye.

While this isn't the bag to carry to your major holiday events, it's one you can wear everyday and it comes at an exceptional price: just $198.00.

The Marc by Marc Jacobs Petal To The Metal Flap Pouchette is available from Saks Fifth Avenue.

The Alexis Mabille for CoutureLab Black Tie Clutch is a seemingly simple work of elegant mastery.

Firstly, in case you skipped the title and only look at pictures, this is not a tie, but a handbag. This clutch consists of two separated pockets, perfectly forming a 15" x 6 2/3" (approximate) bow tie. It's a bit larger than your average bow tie, but it would certainly be more than appropriate for any black tie event. No pun ... attempted.

This bag is "handmade from luxurious Duchesse silk satin," and features hidden brass zippers so you don't accidentally lose the contents. A purse like this may not be eye-catching at first, but as soon as someone notices it, they're sure to be pointing it out to people all evening.

The Alexis Mabille for CoutureLab Black Tie Clutch is available from CoutureLab for approximately $706.00.

It just keeps getting better. We've been covering the various luxe Hello Kitty collections over the past few years with delight and wonder -- this year Hello Kitty is even sparklier and more fabulous than before.

Simmons Jewelry Company's Hello Kitty collection (available from Zales) now includes more than just jewelry -- how about a pink crystal studded Hello Kitty compact, or even a 2GB USB flash drive (right, $125.00)? We love the cute rubber watches and the glittering, multicolored sapphires, tourmalines and rubies in the current collection, as well as the "big rock" pendants and rings created by Kimora Lee Simmons for Hello Kitty's 35th Anniversary (available from Neiman Marcus).

To check out some of our favorite picks of the litter (haha), see below for photos and prices.

For even more Hello Kitty bling, check out these exceptional Hello Kitty iPhone covers. Wow!