Thanks to Audrey reader Marietta Leung who sent us these lovely photos of herself and the Bryna Nicole bag she won in one of our recent Thank Goodness It’s Free Friday giveaways!

Audrey reader Marietta Leung and the Bryna Nicole "Tall Harlow" bag she won on our Thank Goodness It's Free Friday giveaway!

Here’s what Marietta says:

“I can’t express how much I love Bryna Nicole’s Tall Harlow bag. I’m a lover of neutral colors and the caramel color just makes it the perfect bag for the fall. The bag is made with a soft, velvety leather that makes it really nice to hold. I also like the multiple pockets located outside the bag, which are great for stashing small items like my keys, cell phone, and metrocards. “Tall Harlow” is simply chic and gorgeous. Thanks Bryna Nicole & Audrey Magazine!”

Wanna join the Audrey community? Send us a photo and tell us why you’re an Audrey girl. Also keep an eye out right here for our TGIFree Friday giveaways — we have one every Friday (and we even sneak one in the middle of the week every so often — just to keep you on your toes!)

- Marietta Leung

The designer, Bryna Nicole McMills.

One thing I love about my job is discovering all this amazing talent in the fashion and beauty world. One thing that’s frustrating about my job as an editor of an Asian American women’s magazine is that much of that talent is of Asian descent — and we have limited room to feature them in our pages! I wish I could feature them all. Why are Asian Americans so dang brilliant?

Well, Bryna Nicole McMills is one of those brilliant Asian American talents. We’ve been featuring Bryna Nicole bags for years now, and only recently did I discover that McMills is of Asian descent. Started in 2006, the San Francisco-based line is McMills’ answer to everything in fashion that is not stiff, fussy or otherwise impractical. McMills favors “deceptively simple and relaxed shapes, and an unusually sophisticated sense of scale.”

Indeed, rather than bouncing from trend to trend, McMills designs bags that are meant for everyday, while still making you look completely put together. It’s a skill that is no small feat, let me tell you.

Like the Bryna Nicole “Tall Harlow” bag. Substantial and chic, yet a bit slouchy and velvety soft, for that just-threw-it-together look. Lined in a chic black and white floral print and in the season’s must-have caramel hue. It’s a classic that returns every season, but still always manages to look modern.

Bryna Nicole "Tall Harlow" bag in caramel.

Bryna Nicole is available at upscale stores like Nordstrom, and e-boutiques like Blondette and LuvCharlie. But you can own a Bryna Nicole “Tall Harlow” bag if you’re the lucky TGIFree Friday giveaway winner this week. Now, this giveaway is just too good for a simple “comment.” So here’s what you have to do:

1. Become a fan or “Like” our Facebook page.

2. Suggest to all your Facebook friends that they become a fan or “Like” our Facebook page.

3. Re-tweet this post for an extra entry.

4. Comment to this post and tell us that you did all the things above.

You have until September 8, 11:59 pm, to enter. (You must have a U.S. mailing address to win.) Good luck and happy Labor Day! Enjoy it while it lasts …

In our Spring issue, I highlighted one of my favorite trends for spring: the techno alien.

Chanel Iman in Nathan Jenden.

It’s what I like to call a hybrid of digitized prints, alien anatomy and tie dye gone awry.

Liu Wen in Alexander McQueen.

I love the way the embellishment on this Leyendecker tank mimics the alienesque print of Alexander McQueen.

A lot of designers showed variations on the theme, from Proenza Schouler’s surf-inspired looks that had a distinct alien-reptilian bent.

Proenza Schouler.

Emilio Pucci’s shine directly referenced the trend, but it’s the abstract, alien pattern that makes it a real contender.

Tao Okamoto in Emilio Pucci.

Even the more classic Carolina Herrera got into it, showing a ligamental print on an otherwise ladylike silhouette.

Liu Wen in Carolina Herrera.

Of course, if you don’t want to beat around the bush, nothing beats Rodarte’s goth alien.

Liu Wen in Rodarte.

Now, you don’t have to go as extreme as any of the above to get the look. A touch of tie dye gone askew, some slashed cut-outs here or there, or some melting Jolly Rancher-like watercolors will suffice. Try pairing a tie dye tee with an abstract print floral skirt (just make sure the floral print has a similar hue in it for a perfectly clashing-matching look).

Riley tie dye tee.

Leyendecker beaded tie dye tee.

Laeken "Saga" top in granite.

Add a space age-worthy shoe, and you’ve got the look down.

La Rare "In & Out Metal" shoe.

For a more subtle reference, pick an accessory with a techno detail, whether it’s a knotted rubber necklace or a bag with spacey detailing.

Mothe knotted necklace.

Rebecca Minkoff tie dye bag.

Bryna Nicole “Willow” clutch.

The ultimate way to get the techno-alien look? Add these leggings. It’ll definitely get you noticed.

Wanted snakeskin print leggings.

Get more info on the styles above at: Leyendecker, Riley, LaRare, Mothe, Rebecca Minkoff, Bryna Nicole, Wanted, and Laeken.

What do you think of the techno-alien trend? Are you a fan like I am? Talk to me!