2015 resolution - shopping from my own bag and wallet collection. Any one else?

[bibliothekarin]

Tomorrow I will be stepping into the office for a bit and have decided to start fresh with a bag I did not use in 2014 - Kate Spade Wellesley Elena tote. I've been on the fence for a while about whether to let her go because her LOOK is great for work but her holding capacity is a bit tough to work with because the saffiano is so stiff. We'll see how it goes. I chose my semi-retired Coach wallet as a way of seeing my DH everyday since he is visiting family for 2 months, and I switched into my Fossil keyholder and am using my Coach keyholder to hold extra loyalty cards . My make-up and other emergency odds and ends are in a Bodyshop pouch. With this bag, I have to keep it simple so everything will fit easily. I will try to use her for the majority of the time in January and we'll see how it goes.

This is a gorgeous bag, eggtartapproved! I understand what you mean about structured bags being harder to fit things inside. That always seems to be the conundrum of a good work/professional bag.

Wow! The Stam makeover is fabulous!! You know the resolution I made - well, *ahem* I wound up going to Dillards today because they were having their annual 50% additional off already marked down items. One day only. I knew the only handbag I wanted/needed was a black hobo style. Coach had one that was marked down to $299 so with the additional 50% I thought if I could find one...... Let me tell you, that place was crazy nuts today. Store opened at 10:00, I got there about 10:10. Parking lot was jammed. Got inside probably by 10:20, it was like a war zone. The purse department looked like a tornado had gone through. Purse stuffing everywhere.......tables were empty, maybe one little crossbody half on, half off the table with its poor strap twisted into a nightmare. There were two types of women there; those who were walking around with 6-8 bags on their arms and the other type was stalking them. Just waiting for them to put one down. And of course, there were still tons of regular priced bags that weren't going anywhere today, but some crafty ladies had stuffed the sale bags on the regular priced shelves, probably while they debated. wrong!!! I found the exact Coach I wanted on the bottom shelf of one such and snatched that baby up in one fell swoop. And then walked through the rest of the departments clutching it to me, knowing I was being followed. It was unbelievable. But what this means now is no more bags until April at least. Or else I failed. Stay tuned, it's anyone's guess right now.......

Wow, your story was intense! I could feel the craziness. Congrats on getting your bag!

If the slg's were something you have been wanting and will get lots of use, not to mention at a good discount, then it was meant to be, regardless of the date. Please post when you receive them, so we can enjoy them too. 😀

Thank you. I'm sort of glad I got purchases for January done and over with lol. I'm looking forward to posting pics.

This is what I ran around with yesterday.

I love this bag!

 

[bibliothekarin]

louvigilante Your Stam bag looks fantastic! What did your use for the feet?

 

[bakeacookie]

I really wish I could load pictures, but forum won't load any! And I bet these pics you've all shared would be super helpful.

I've always wanted one. I think they're nifty. The only reason i'd buy here is that it's slightly cheaper on the list price plus I don't pay tax on it, and I could get the VAT refund. So if it's something I intend to get anyway, it works out for me to buy it here. Lol

I'll keep thinking. I'll try to drop by a shop to see if they have one for me to try.

 

[louvigilante]

Gosh this thread moves fast! Happy New Year, everyone!
I have deleted all the sale emails coming in from Anya Hindmarch/RDC/HG Bags. I've stayed away from the Harrods sale, too. Yesterday I ran out for groceries and used this
View attachment 2849007
It's a great size and I can wear it cross body. It also seems pretty much scratch proof, rain proof, cat proof.
Today I've been writing out my goals for 2015 and for the first time in I don't know how many years, I don't have a new bag on my list.

I love it!!!! Congrats and being bag content!!!

I can't get a WOC out of my head.

Does anyone have one? Reviews/recommendations/warnings?

Help!

Wish I could help... How much longer you there?

This is what I ran around with yesterday.

I love it!!! I love the unisex look to it.

It is a very versatile bag. Can be used as a clutch, shoulder bag or cross body. Holds just the right amount for going out.

Just stunning!!!

This is the red sevruga WOC I wore yesterday from a few years ago. Tiny but convenient when I don't need to carry much. I can put a few cards in the card slots and inside the zipped pockets, iPhone, lipstick and keys. Maybe more, but I try not to stuff it as the side will bulge and the snap on button will pop open. Not good!
The length of the strap is long enough to wear it crossbody. The straps r not removable, but you can tuck it inside the woc and hold it like a clutch.
I don't wear it often enough due to its size, but I don't think I can part with it.
Hope this helps!

View attachment 2849059

She's really classic and pretty!!!

 

[louvigilante]

louvigilante Your Stam bag looks fantastic! What did your use for the feet?

Thanks. I actually purse feet online. They remind me of big tacks you stick in papers and fold the medal backs back to hold the papers together.

I really wish I could load pictures, but forum won't load any! And I bet these pics you've all shared would be super helpful.

I've always wanted one. I think they're nifty. The only reason i'd buy here is that it's slightly cheaper on the list price plus I don't pay tax on it, and I could get the VAT refund. So if it's something I intend to get anyway, it works out for me to buy it here. Lol

I'll keep thinking. I'll try to drop by a shop to see if they have one for me to try.

Makes purse sense. what color were you thinking?

 

[bakeacookie]

Thanks. I actually purse feet online. They remind me of big tacks you stick in papers and fold the medal backs back to hold the papers together.




Makes purse sense. what color were you thinking?

Lol I didn't even think on color yet. I like the idea of blue.


I'm here till Wednesday. I have so many pictures to share!

 

[louvigilante]

Lol I didn't even think on color yet. I like the idea of blue.


I'm here till Wednesday. I have so many pictures to share!

Oh blue would be lovely. I love Chanel bags but so not practical for my life. If you were already wanting to get one and had the funds for it, I would definitely look and then reevaluate your goals for this year.

Forgot to ask, I know you didn't buy the Liberty bags but how were they in person?

 

[pursecrzy]

The weight of the chain is very nice on the WOCs.

 

[Ludmilla]

Wow so many beautiful bags already! Due to snow/rain and hurting back I was out and about with my brown medium Le Pliage. I use it a lot at the moment.

 

[JennyErin]

It is snowing hardcore today so taking out my Longchamp for groceries with the kids.

 

[louvigilante]

It is snowing hardcore today so taking out my Longchamp for groceries with the kids.

I like the color of your LP. How do you all store them? All folded up?

 

[DivaNC]

First "test" of the year. Today I got two packages, one was a cosmetic bag that I had ordered right before Christmas and was expecting; the other large package was a complete surprise as I hadn't ordered any other bags. I checked the UPS label and it was from Longchamp uh-oh!

Backstory: I had been lusting over the Le Foulonne tote in Vermillion, literally thinking about this bag everyday for six months, but I told myself to wait until the Longchamp sale started as I may get lucky and catch it at a lower price. Sale started and this beauty was not included, so I took the bait and ordered it online. However, over the weekend I started having second thoughts, so I called their CS bright and early the following Monday (Dec 29th) and cancelled my order. I was so happy that I had avoided another hasty purchase and told myself that I should wait until summer and if I still wanted the bag then I could try again.

So lo and behold, when this bad boy showed up on my doorstep, I thought this must be a sign for me to have the bag. I could preview the bag and if I loved it, I would call CS and just have them charge my card again, if I didn't I would request a mailing slip. The packaging was heavily dented and damaged, I think a bigger box was placed on top of it. Regardless, I opened up the outside package to find that the green Longchamp box was crushed and ripped open on one side but I continued to open it to see my long-loved tote. I was so disappointed. The leather is beautiful and supple, but the color isn't as vibrant as in the web pic, the glazing was slightly damaged on one handle and there were creases in the leather, front and back from shipping damage. I really examined the bag for 20 minutes to decide if I could love the differences/flaws but I can't. Back it goes--- I'm on my way to UPS to return the bag.

I'm happy that I was able to finally see the bag so I can stop agonizing over it, and I'm proud of myself for not settling and keeping a bag that I don't love 100%. Hopefully, I can continue to make better decisions regarding purchases throughout the rest of the year.

 

[AmorNChanel]

I'm re-joining the club. Started out in the 2014 thread but dropped off due to not checking tpf for several months. Tpf can be quite the shopping motivator when you see all of the reveal threads, etc! LOL. I just have to keep telling myself "just because it's pretty doesn't mean i have to own it". Wish me luck!

For 2015:
(1) I'd like to keep my bag collection as-is (<20 bags) or reduce it by sharing w my loved ones or else selling/donating.

(2) Need to rotate my bags more often. I tend to use a certain bag or two for months and months, while others sit in my closet. Still have a Bal Day I purchased in early 2014 but still haven't used. Ugh. I recently bought the bright blue bag I felt like I was missing in my collection (MG large calfskin royal blue bucket tote), so I'll prob use it almost daily for the next few months since I love it! I really do enjoy my bags. I just get lazy about changing my nice bags out, since I'm already changing bags when we take our dog out - we try to bring her w us wherever we can (so I carry her collapsible water bowl, container of doggie treats, poop bags and some antibacterial hand wipes just in case), a diff bag for the gym or some place super casual where I don't want to bring a nicer bag.

(3) Clothing-wise, continue w my annual purging/donation, if not more frequently. I've got suits that are 10+ years old, some pieces w tags still on, pants still unaltered to my height, etc. I went from a formal prof working environment to now telecommuting almost 100%. I can't seem to let go of those suits due to the money invested and the thought that i might need them one day. Any advice?? They take up at least 1/3 of the closet rod. I would love to clear up that space. I already got rid of the dated ones or colors I wouldn't wear. I kept the classic styles in conservative colors, but I haven't had a single occasion to wear any of those suits in 4 yrs now?

(4) Shoe-wise, I really try hard at the one (pair) in, one (pair) out mantra, but I can't always stick to it. I'll try my hardest though.

Thanks for being a supportive community! So appreciative to have you, esp since you all understand how much we value our bags!

Welcome! I like pairing a blazer with jeans. Just brings up my whole outfit up a notch and still has a casual vibe if you roll up the sleeves. I would hang on to the suits for future interviews but maybe store them away until needed rather than hanging them with my regular clothes to conserve space, if possible.

I can't get a WOC out of my head.

Does anyone have one? Reviews/recommendations/warnings?

Help!

Hey bake. I have the black caviar leather woc with ghw. As long as you understand that it is a SMALL bag and can only hold true necessities, you may find it useful. It is easy to wear and very versatile. Can be worn crossboy and fits close to your body so annoying people wont bump into your bag. However, the chain is long and some TPFers find the chain too long if they are on the petite side. However, you can wrap the chain under the flap before buttoning up the flap to shorten the chain. You can double wrap the chain and even make it shorter to carry as a should bag. However, it can get kinda annoying because every time you open the bag, you have to wrap the chain back under the flap again. But it can be done for versatility. I'm 5' 4" and crossbody at the full length is fine for me. It's probably a little on the longer side but not a problem as I am used to it. You can also tuck the chain completely inside the bag and carry the bag as a clutch. Makes a beautiful clutch, but, of course, you lose some capacity in the bag when you do this. You can also use it as a wallet inside a larger bag and then carry the woc when you don't need to carry the bag (such as going to lunch at work), but I find it too big and bulky, not to mention heavy to do that due to the chain. Not practical for me.


In terms of what can fit: phone, cash in the front pocket, coins in the zipper pocket, my mono cles, car keys, lippy and the cards in the 6 card slots. That's about it. I think I may have carried two phones in there but it really doesn't leave much room for anything else. I never use a wallet (e.g., zcp which I know you like) cuz it will take up all the room in the bag. Many ladies use a card case in lieu of a wallet. I have also used my clear ziplock kinda bags I picked up at a Japanese store to hold extra cards, cash, coins instead of a wallet to save space. I can NOT put sunnies in my woc, which I find annoying but have learned to deal with.


In summary, although small, no regrets getting my woc. I have used it many times and love it as long as I know I don't have to carry much. Many ladies in the Chanel forum buy the woc in many colors. Not to throw you off, but I find the Dior pouchettes (similar to Chanel's woc) bigger and holds more although less compartments AND it holds my smaller sized sunnies without the case. But its not Chanel. Hope that helps and didn't confuse you. Can't wait to see your haul...

This is what I ran around with yesterday.

Great combo and hands free bag to run around with DC. I like the different color trim on the wallet too.

 

[AmorNChanel]

I have one that I got in 2014...and I haven't used it yet I need to play around with putting my stuff in and then just start carrying it already. It's classic black lambskin w/ silver hardware.

I hope you find a chance to use yours this year so I can oogle at it...

Tpf isn't letting me upload a pic but I am carrying my mansur gavriel tote today.

Sounds pretty!

Love your Cole Haan, Dcooney4. I bought a preowned one in brown leather for my "Mountain Man" DH last year. It wears like iron and still looks great. Which is saying something given that he takes it with him both hunting or felling trees!

I can't ask for a better testimonial that yours for Cole Haan. Makes me want to pull mine out.

Gosh this thread moves fast! Happy New Year, everyone!
I have deleted all the sale emails coming in from Anya Hindmarch/RDC/HG Bags. I've stayed away from the Harrods sale, too. Yesterday I ran out for groceries and used this
View attachment 2849007
It's a great size and I can wear it cross body. It also seems pretty much scratch proof, rain proof, cat proof.
Today I've been writing out my goals for 2015 and for the first time in I don't know how many years, I don't have a new bag on my list.

Great start clevercat. Your Chanel is beautiful! They really made that style leather a tough workhorse. Sometimes I wish I got one in that glazed skin, but it's too similar to what I already have to justify it.

It is a very versatile bag. Can be used as a clutch, shoulder bag or cross body. Holds just the right amount for going out.

Your camellia woc is gorgeous!! I have been contemplating a Chanel wallet for a couple of years now, and the camellia is high on my list and this just tipped the scale.

This is the red sevruga WOC I wore yesterday from a few years ago. Tiny but convenient when I don't need to carry much. I can put a few cards in the card slots and inside the zipped pockets, iPhone, lipstick and keys. Maybe more, but I try not to stuff it as the side will bulge and the snap on button will pop open. Not good!
The length of the strap is long enough to wear it crossbody. The straps r not removable, but you can tuck it inside the woc and hold it like a clutch.
I don't wear it often enough due to its size, but I don't think I can part with it.
Hope this helps!

View attachment 2849059

Another beauty!! Just goregeous!

 

[AmorNChanel]

Wow so many beautiful bags already! Due to snow/rain and hurting back I was out and about with my brown medium Le Pliage. I use it a lot at the moment.

Great choice.

It is snowing hardcore today so taking out my Longchamp for groceries with the kids.

So pretty. Great pop of color against all that white snow. Stay warm.

First "test" of the year. Today I got two packages, one was a cosmetic bag that I had ordered right before Christmas and was expecting; the other large package was a complete surprise as I hadn't ordered any other bags. I checked the UPS label and it was from Longchamp uh-oh!

Backstory: I had been lusting over the Le Foulonne tote in Vermillion, literally thinking about this bag everyday for six months, but I told myself to wait until the Longchamp sale started as I may get lucky and catch it at a lower price. Sale started and this beauty was not included, so I took the bait and ordered it online. However, over the weekend I started having second thoughts, so I called their CS bright and early the following Monday (Dec 29th) and cancelled my order. I was so happy that I had avoided another hasty purchase and told myself that I should wait until summer and if I still wanted the bag then I could try again.

So lo and behold, when this bad boy showed up on my doorstep, I thought this must be a sign for me to have the bag. I could preview the bag and if I loved it, I would call CS and just have them charge my card again, if I didn't I would request a mailing slip. The packaging was heavily dented and damaged, I think a bigger box was placed on top of it. Regardless, I opened up the outside package to find that the green Longchamp box was crushed and ripped open on one side but I continued to open it to see my long-loved tote. I was so disappointed. The leather is beautiful and supple, but the color isn't as vibrant as in the web pic, the glazing was slightly damaged on one handle and there were creases in the leather, front and back from shipping damage. I really examined the bag for 20 minutes to decide if I could love the differences/flaws but I can't. Back it goes--- I'm on my way to UPS to return the bag.

I'm happy that I was able to finally see the bag so I can stop agonizing over it, and I'm proud of myself for not settling and keeping a bag that I don't love 100%. Hopefully, I can continue to make better decisions regarding purchases throughout the rest of the year.

Great decision and good job!


Speaking of LC. Yesterday I took DD shopping for snow shoes and a dress for a wedding later this month. No luck with snow shoes or the dress, but I found a small Le Pilage cuir in chocolate brown that she loved so it came home with us. Last year I came across a bright red cuir in medium but it was bigger than I wanted so it went back. I have been thinking about the cuir since then but wanted to wait until I saw something in the size and color I wanted and on sale. This was close to fitting the bill but I resisted, but since DD loved it, how could I not take it home. She said I could borrow it (although I wouldn't since she only has four bags). So I can safely say this one doesn't count for 2015, and it was so much fun buying it for her. By the way, I resisted the le cuir pouch in fuschia...lol