If you’re off to another academic year this September, then this write-up is for you. I’m sure you’re in the middle of your back-to-school shopping, so while you’re at it, how about if I convince you to make the crossbody your official bag for the coming school season?

And why not? It’s a pretty handy purse; it will make carrying those school things a whole lot easier by keeping both your hands free. It’s also a popular purse choice used by TV shows like Gossip Girl and Vampire Diaries, so you’ll actually be wearing something in-trend and fashionable.

If that still hasn’t gotten you convinced, well then how about if I show you six more?

Feminine and Frilly

for days when you want to simply feel like a true blue girl

Steve Madden BRufflr Zipper Satchel, US$98

Glam and Gorgeous

walk the halls like you own it with this chain strapped patent crossbody

Gustto Kimberly Bag, US$96

Bohemian Babe

feelin’ like a hippie for the day? this fringed purple Gustto bag will do the trick

Gustto Celia Bag, US$93

Preppy Princess

for days when you want to look crisp and clean and insanely well put-together

Big Buddha Zippy, US$83

Sports Star

part of the school’s swim team? no problem. this roomy black purse will house all the extra clothes you need.

Nine West Spot Light Medium Satchel, US$79

Reliable and Ready

can’t decide what to wear? this ever reliable classic brown flap crossbody will save your day

Aldo Lamantagne, US$46

So there you have it, six (6) reasons why the crossbody should be your designated school bag; six (6) reasons that tell you the crossbody is NEVER boring; AND six (6) wonderful reasons that are ALL priced under US$100!

You can shop for these “reasons” at Zappos.com

Some really hardworking paparazzi snapped these pictures of Halle Berry all the way in Cape Town, South Africa. She’s there currently filming for her latest movie Dark Tide:

August 12, 2010 – Halle Berry on the set of Dark Tide in Cape Town, South Africa

Halle Berry has got on a cute summery outfit but I’m particularly liking her knit cross body bag! I wish there were profile pictures of Halle Berry from the left so we could see more of the bag but these are the best shots.

Although no one’s ID’ed Halle Berry’s bag yet, it really reminds me of the woven cross body bags from Helen Kaminski which we first featured here on this blog early this year. Just take a look at this Helen Kaminski Acrux Bag and see how much it resembles Halle Berry’s bag in the paparazzi pictures:

Helen Kaminski Acrux Bag, $180.00

This Helen Kaminski bag is crocheted out of raffia harvested from Madagascar, the place where the best raffia in the world is grown.

Here are 5 more Helen Kaminski bags made out of raffia crochet:

1. Helen Kaminski Marjani, $175.00
2. Helen Kaminski Asali Medium, $305.00
3. Helen Kaminski Fadey Large, $475.00
4. Helen Kaminski Kinna, $225.00
5. Helen Kaminski Theta, $155.00

Helen Kaminski can make raffia look really classy, can’t they?

Shop for more Helen Kaminski bags at eBags.com.

Credit: Bad Pictures/WENN

Anna Kendrick was in London all this week with co-star Michael Cera to promote their latest movie Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World. She’s busy attending premieres, going to interviews, facing the press and meeting fans, but she did get a nice little break when a gold-painted street performer presented her with a bar of Magnum Gold ice cream:

August 18, 2010 – Anna Kendrick receives an ice cream bar gift from a gold-painted man while signing autographs outside of Radio 1 in London, England

Aww. A gift from a fan. I wonder if she ate it? Honestly, I would be scared to eat edible gifts from strangers.

Anyway, back to Anna Kendrick and the very trendy studded cross body bucket bag she was using:

Anna Kendrick is carrying the Marc by Marc Jacobs Alicia Party Girl Tribal Shoulder Bag here. It’s a bucket bag with a grommeted long cross body strap embellished with mixed metal studs all over the luxe leather exterior.

This exact bag is not available anymore, but here are 4 all over studded cross body bucket bags for you:

Clockwise from top left: Ecko Red Studly Drawstring Pouch, $73.00; Monserta de Lucca Black Leather Studded Antonio Drawstring Bag, $189.00; Rebecca Minkoff Studded True Love Hobo, $395.00; Volcom Cram In In Your Bag, $42.00

Looks like the studded trend in handbags will still be around for a while!

Credit: PacificCoastNewsOnline.com