Though I'm bummed that Nicole Richie and baby daddy Joel Madden left her baby daughter Harlow at home, I can still ogle her second favorite accessory: her beloved Balenciaga Motorcycle Bag. The black leather handbag is the perfect accent to Nicole's very hip (and color-coordinated) outfit; I love the black and white sweater, tall boots, and splash of red. Guess she's not ready to swap the Balenciaga for a bulky diaper bag just yet. Photo from PopSugar.com. Shop for more designer purses by Balenciaga

So long, Balenciaga! Mama's got a new desginer handbag to love: the Hermes Birkin. I for one love Nicole's flawless blend of high-end luxury with downtown cool – it breathes new life into the classic bag. And I'm totally on board with the signature Hermes orange – unconventional, maybe, but vibrant and fresh. Start saving those pennies, girls. Photos from PopSugar.com.

You have to give Nicole Richie points for consistency and loyalty; her love affair with Balenciaga Motorcycle handbags has been going stronger than her friendship with BFF Paris Hilton. (I'd choose Balenciaga over Paris any day too.) The new momma was photographed carrying not an infant or a diaper bag, but…what else…a petite Balenciaga in blue. While I love to see starlets sampling the latest off-the-runway styles, this contemporary bohemian look works for Nicole. The striped dress, the tights, the boots, the bag, even that crazy hat…I dig it all. Watch your back, Sienna! Shop for more designer purses by Balenciaga Photos from PopSugar.com.

Here's an equation for you: Nicole Richie: Balenciaga = Victoria Beckham: Hermes = Eva Longoria: Gerard Darel. The &Desperate Housewives' seems to be quite smitten with the Darel handbag line, once again stepping out with her 36-Hour Midday Barcelona purse. I like the unconventional blue color, and Eva certainly has her color-matching down, but the blue hat trim, blue blouse (also a Darel), and blue bag might be a smidge too much. Photo from People.com.

OK, I know heiress Reena Hammer isn't crazy famous yet, but her boyfriend is. Jonathan Rhys Meyer is on the hit series, The Tudors, and more than that, his girlfriend has great taste in handbags. While her look could use some severe work, we all know that a hot purse spices up any look, and it's done a world of good for her. The Balenciaga brief bag is one of the not-quite-as-common Balenciaga handbag styles. While the standard hardware looks great, I really love this bag with the giant hardware. Whether it's silver or gold, my only rule is that it contrasts the bag allowing both the hardware and the purse itself to pop. This one does just that! Photo thanks to BuzzFoto.com Shop for more designer purses by Balenciaga

Looks like Heidi Montag had to return her beloved Hermes Kelly purse to the good folks at Bag, Borrow or Steal (I keed, I keed). While the Hermes is on ice, Heidi's showing off a seasonally appropriate bright blue Balenciaga Motorcycle Bag. The handbag (pretty as it is) doesn't do much for Heidi's not-so-coordinated outfit of white jeans, a gray sleeveless top, and a bright orange scarf, but it does really complement the blue in Spencer's shirt, don't you think? And vying for the Pursie for Best Accessory Performance in a Supporting Role is a Louis Vuitton monogrammed wallet…nice. Photo from PopSugar.com. Shop for more designer purses by Balenciaga on Shopzilla

Remember the good ol' days when Jessica Simpson would wonder out loud about the difference between chicken and tuna? Now, she's a self-promoting corporate brand who's not above pimping her own line of handbags if it will help boost sales. Hey, whatever works, girl. Here Jessica's showing off her Jessica Simpson Delfina Hobo Bag, which boasts Balenciaga Motorcycle-esque diagonal zips along with a long zipper running along the bottom. It's a cute purse, and the price is right, so there's nothing wrong with putting it on display for the paps. But Jess, honey…maybe you should send your pal one so she doesn't support the competition? Photo from PopSugar.com.

Balenciaga may not be a fan of French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld — she was reportedly banned from their Paris show — but relations with Sarah Jessica Parker seems to be on the up and up. The actress headed out with a beautiful Balenciaga handbag on her arm, adding a nice designer accent to an otherwise ho-hum outfit. Photo from UsMagazine.com.

It took a bit of time for the giant hardware to grow on me, when it debuted a few seasons ago. Since then, I, and many other women around the globe, have converted into giant hardware lovers. There's just something about the large metal pieces that resemble thimbles that add just the perfect amount of ooh and ahh to the Balenciaga motorcycle bags that we already know and love. And I'm guessing Nikki Hilton feels the same way. This isn't the first time we've seen her with a Bal purse with giant hardware, and I'm sure it isn't the last either. Photo thanks to BuzzFoto Shop for more designer purses by Balenciaga

Last month, we saw Gwyneth Paltrow visiting her local Kabbalah center with the Balenciaga Lune dangling from her arm. In the two tone mahogany and black, the bag certainly caught our attention. This past week, Emma Bunton of the temporarily reconstituted Spice Girls was spotted at the Hard Rock Cafe in DC (celebrating Cruz Beckham's 3rd birthday) with a less conspicuous but no less gorgeous version in black. Both are made of a grained and polished goatskin, adorned with gold toned hardware. While two sizes exist for this handbag, one wider than the other, both have a zippered front pocket and a pleated snap flap pocket. Only the taller version has a detachable shoulder strap and retails for $1,825. If you're on the hunt for a Balenciaga Lune, contact the Balenciaga store in New York at 212-206-0872. Photo courtesy of PopSugar and People.com. Shop for more designer purses by Balenciaga