Show Us Your Purse

■ Who? Carla Pellegrino, executive chef of Bacio by Carla Pellegrino and owner and executive chef of Bratalian

■ Location: Bacio by Carla Pellegrino

■ Handbag: Salvatore Ferragamo satchel

■ Are handbags status symbols? Absolutely! By looking at a woman's purse you get a sense of their personality and personal style. Whether your style is classic, sexy, hippie or traditional -- no matter the brand of the bag -- it's all about how you carry yourself.

■ What does this bag say about you? This specific bag, I use for girls night out or when I go on a date. I think it expresses my flirty and sexy side. I love the color and shape. It looks like a plump lip. Plus, I love the brand.

■ If someone found your bag and looked inside, what would he/she think of you? That I have a lot on my mind. There are all sorts of things inside my bag, from necessary to completely out of place, from a trivial lipstick or mini crystal elephants (I collect them) to used matches (I always forget to get rid of them).

■ What's the most important item you've carried in your bag? It was in Rio de Janeiro 20 years ago and a friend of mine had an accident and the hospital didn't have his blood type for a transfusion. I went out and bought three liters of his blood type and the private clinic simply handed me the bags of blood. I brought them back in my bag, definitely the most important thing that has traveled in my bag.

■ What's the strangest item you've carried in your bag? My bunny Roger. I had to leave town and my sister was to pet sit him. On my way to her house I stopped for lunch at this Japanese restaurant. I figured it would be too hot in the car to leave Roger, so I put him inside my purse.

■ Tell us about the first special bag you owned. I was living in Italy at the time, long time ago. It was a Gianfranco Ferre tote. Good brands are good brands and I can still remember the smell of that leather. It was with me for at least 10 years.

■ Knockoffs: Love 'em or hate 'em? Hate 'em, although I have a couple (gifts, never bought one) in my closet. Every time I try to wear one I just feel bad. They're a good option for teenagers while they develop their personal style or until they can invest in a quality bag.

■ Image is ... like gift wrap. It's your imprint, the summary of your personality.

■ What's in your bag? 1. Coin purse (Fashioned after the paper coffee cups they have in New York City. It was a gift for the grand opening of Bacio), 2. Digital camera (It's always at the bottom of everything and never gets used), 3. Lord Ganesha (a mini sculpture of the Indian elephant god), 4. EpiPen (I'm deadly allergic to shellfish), 5. Wine opener (You never know when you'll need one), 6. MAC lipstick.