two leather bags. ten limited cars. and a partridge in a pear tree. no it's not christmas. it's more of this month's august picks. and the winners are:

the hermes sample sale.
we're telling you once. we're telling you twice. it's the hermes sample sale at the metropolitan pavillion. run, as it started tuesday. 125 west 18th street. between sixth and seventh. thursday and friday, 10am to 8pm. saturday, 11am to 5pm. www.hermes.com

V is for veneta.
try, try as you may to get your hands on the new bottega veneta forgessa maxi bag (pictured) which just landed stateside in black. did we mention there are currently only two in new york? $1,920. 212.371.5511 www.bottegaveneta.com

buck of the irish.
no blarney. dublin-based steamline luggage is already taking orders on their collection of travel goods. and at this point, preordering might be as difficult as trying to make it to the loo in an irish pub. from $100. www.steamlineluggage.com

a nice portfolio.
we told you there are only 541. worldwide. as in the new limited edition jaguar XKR portfolio. only 250 in the U.S. and 10 in new york. and you have to circle your tummy and pat your head while hopping on one foot for them to give one to you. from $110,000. www.jaguarusa.com

yesguchi.
forget searching for noguchi on e-bay. beginning september, you can view the isamu noguchi and isamu kenmochi exhibit at the noguchi museum in long island city. 32-37 vernon boulevard. 718.204.7088. www.noguchi.org

the new black.
talk about breathing new life into a conservative brand. be sure to keep a lookout for CFDA winner, thom browne's new black fleece collection for brooks brothers. well done, thom. 346 madison avenue. 212.682.8800. collection is not yet available online. www.brooksbrothers.com