2018 resolution - shopping my own bag and wallet collection. Any one else?

[vink]

I also had some "misorders" before I discovered which leathers and styles work for me. Now I am able to say NO to sales, I am able to wait more patiently for my next orders. I do love having the choices though.

I have that, too, even though I already try to be careful. Mistake is so expensive for me. But sometimes, I also know that if I don’t try, I’m not going to get to learn or know anything, so I do give it a try, selectively. Sometimes, I do go overboard though. My Valerie (s) are coming. It’s the biggest order I place sight unseen. If I don’t love them. I don’t know yet what I’m going to do with them, but surely someone else will be very happy. [emoji28] I do hope I’ll be very happy though. And yes, now that I know a bit more on what works and what not for myself, I said no to lots of sales, too.

I do have one leather on my list for a long time and still cannot match it with any model yet (port Merino) and one model that I cannot match with any leather yet (Zhoe Legend), and both won’t go well together so I’m going to wait and see how this will fare out. Maybe one day, I’ll find something that can go with each of them. Or not at all. But I’m willing to wait. [emoji4]

Right now, Selene and Selene midi are my safe models, but I think I’m done with them for a while. Lucky me, my favorite leather are Verona and Aquila matte and those are limited leather. I already blew my quota with Valerie. I hope they don’t disappoint me much.

 

[vink]

Thank you! I saw that outside pocket and it was like, “Oh, YES!”

It actually makes me miss that one tote that got away years ago. It has zip top and amazingly light. I tried it on many times, but couldn’t swallow the price so I had to let it go. I still have the photo from someone on TPF saved on my iPad and still love it even now. It came up on fashionphile once and was grabbed so fast. It’s one of those that got away.

 

[momasaurus]

I also had some "misorders" before I discovered which leathers and styles work for me. Now I am able to say NO to sales, I am able to wait more patiently for my next orders. I do love having the choices though.

Yes, saying no to MM sales and promotions was always difficult for me. But that's why we are here on this resolution thread, right?

 

[momasaurus]

Thank you! I saw that outside pocket and it was like, “Oh, YES!”

Last week I fondled a friend's Hermes Halzan up close and gasped when I saw the outside pockets. DANGER!!!

 

[momasaurus]

I have that, too, even though I already try to be careful. Mistake is so expensive for me. But sometimes, I also know that if I don’t try, I’m not going to get to learn or know anything, so I do give it a try, selectively. Sometimes, I do go overboard though. My Valerie (s) are coming. It’s the biggest order I place sight unseen. If I don’t love them. I don’t know yet what I’m going to do with them, but surely someone else will be very happy. [emoji28] I do hope I’ll be very happy though. And yes, now that I know a bit more on what works and what not for myself, I said no to lots of sales, too.

I do have one leather on my list for a long time and still cannot match it with any model yet (port Merino) and one model that I cannot match with any leather yet (Zhoe Legend), and both won’t go well together so I’m going to wait and see how this will fare out. Maybe one day, I’ll find something that can go with each of them. Or not at all. But I’m willing to wait. [emoji4]

Right now, Selene and Selene midi are my safe models, but I think I’m done with them for a while. Lucky me, my favorite leather are Verona and Aquila matte and those are limited leather. I already blew my quota with Valerie. I hope they don’t disappoint me much.

I probably should go to the MM thread, but I think it's too dangerous. Can you briefly compare Verona and Aquila matte to Merinos or Nappa?
For me port merinos works well for the Penelope Messenger, aesthetically. I just don't love that size/shape practically., and I don't like the strap. I know others love the messenger. Would that work for you? A not too expensive way to satisfy your craving for port merinos!

 

[catsinthebag]

It actually makes me miss that one tote that got away years ago. It has zip top and amazingly light. I tried it on many times, but couldn’t swallow the price so I had to let it go. I still have the photo from someone on TPF saved on my iPad and still love it even now. It came up on fashionphile once and was grabbed so fast. It’s one of those that got away.

View attachment 4083776

Ah, the one that got away! That’s a beautiful tote — I love the chevron. Keep looking — everything shows up eventually on the resale market!

 

[catsinthebag]

Last week I fondled a friend's Hermes Halzan up close and gasped when I saw the outside pockets. DANGER!!!

I love the Halzan, but you know what? The strap is just a little short for crossbody wear on me. I tried it on a few times and always wished the drop was just an inch or two longer. For that price, it was a compromise I wasn’t willing to make. Great bag, though!

 

[More bags]

This thread may just be what the doctor ordered for me - so glad to see kindred spirits here! Lots of great ideas and support.

It’s almost mid 2018 and here are what I have planned (and been doing, for the most part):

For clothing:
* Buy 1 piece of clothing, let go of 2
* Buy only pieces that can be used for years in other words classic
* Re-use, re-use, re-use!

For purses/bags:
* Buy items only on the wishlist

For shoes:
* Only buy those that are comfy and look good (im finding that combo a challenge to find)

In general:
1. Limit everything to within what storage allows, with ample breathing space in between items
2. When faced with temptation, I try to bear in mind that the environment also gets impacted by my unnecessary consumption- that usually gets me out of my shopping mode fast!

Excellent post! Welcome to the thread.
A friend and I were discussing the shoe dilemma, she phrased it ‘people are either pretty shoe people or comfortable shoe people.’ I agree with everyone else who commented, why can’t there be more shoes that are pretty and comfortable?

I have that, too, even though I already try to be careful. Mistake is so expensive for me. But sometimes, I also know that if I don’t try, I’m not going to get to learn or know anything, so I do give it a try, selectively. Sometimes, I do go overboard though. My Valerie (s) are coming. It’s the biggest order I place sight unseen. If I don’t love them. I don’t know yet what I’m going to do with them, but surely someone else will be very happy. [emoji28] I do hope I’ll be very happy though. And yes, now that I know a bit more on what works and what not for myself, I said no to lots of sales, too.

I do have one leather on my list for a long time and still cannot match it with any model yet (port Merino) and one model that I cannot match with any leather yet (Zhoe Legend), and both won’t go well together so I’m going to wait and see how this will fare out. Maybe one day, I’ll find something that can go with each of them. Or not at all. But I’m willing to wait. [emoji4]

Right now, Selene and Selene midi are my safe models, but I think I’m done with them for a while. Lucky me, my favorite leather are Verona and Aquila matte and those are limited leather. I already blew my quota with Valerie. I hope they don’t disappoint me much.

Great comment that is applicable to many areas of life, I bolded these words ‘if I don’t try, I’m not going to get to learn’.

 

[More bags]

I love the Halzan, but you know what? The strap is just a little short for crossbody wear on me. I tried it on a few times and always wished the drop was just an inch or two longer. For that price, it was a compromise I wasn’t willing to make. Great bag, though!

Wonderful feedback - I love your no compromises approach to choosing and keeping beautiful and practical pieces in your amazing bag wardrobe!

 

[catsinthebag]

Wonderful feedback - I love your no compromises approach to choosing and keeping beautiful and practical pieces in your amazing bag wardrobe!

Thanks! I hope I’ve learned from my mistakes! I used to buy based solely on the “But I love it!” factor. Then I wouldn’t use the bag and end up selling at a loss. Now, the higher the price, the more perfect the bag has to be.

 

[Sparkletastic]

I’m still on my gray Selene midi MM, but I probably may change out soon?

I wasn’t very good with the Valerie (a new style from MM) release promotion at the beginning of the month. So, now, my quota will be off for a couple months ahead. But I won’t count them in until I get them delivered.

Today, I get some time to spend at home so I’m sorting my clothing crap again and I’m getting rid of something more. I feel quite happy about that. Now, 1/3 of my closet is gone and I love the space. Probably, I’ll have more time later to do it again. [emoji4]

I just did something similar. Remember my probation closet in a spare bedroom? I had put al my clothes in there when I moved in September and was only bringing clothes into the master when I wore them. That way, this upcoming September I’d know what I didn’t wear and could get rid of it.

Well, I couldn’t take it anymore. LOL! In the last few weeks I’ve gotten rid of most of the remaining items and even a bunch of what I was wearing. I only kept items if I loved them, they fit perfectly (or could be immediately tailored) and were in perfect condition. And, I stopped feeling guilty about things I got on sale that I never should have bought.

So, about 60% of my wardrobe is gone. It feels great. I’m loving the space and it’s easier to get dresses without clutter of items I’m not wearing.

But funny thing - I no longer have much to just putter around in the house on days I’m not wanting to get “dressed” because that was a bunch of odds and ends that needed to go to the trash. Not even charity. LOL! I still have yoga pants and a few T-shirts but, I need to get some cute lounging / errand running outfits. I’m thinking some super comfy dresses????? This isn’t a class of clothing I’ve ever bought. I wore default items that were kinda worn out from “regular” life. Ha!

I reached my goal of wearing 15 bags this month (and it's not quite over). That was fun. What I learned: I have fallen out of love with MM, except for the midi zip Selene (I have two and I love them). Wore the red nappa Zhoe and realized that I do love having a bright red smallish bag, but not that one. No rush in replacing it, but it's in the back of my mind. The celeste merinos hera is a great color but is just a big sac inside, even with divider, and I can't find anything. The Penelope Messenger I wore more out of duty. I just don't like the bag, even though - again - the color (port merinos) is nice.

My goal for next month is to find some adornments for my vache Birkin 35. It needs just a little something.

Great job rotating so you could find out what works and doesn’t work for you! Do you plan to sell the bags that aren’t your faves?

Ten months without a bag purchase — now that’s impressive! And interesting that the less you buy, the more picky you get.

I have no idea how it’s happened. It has to be the picky factor. And, nothing has caught my eye because I’ve gotten out of the habit of looking. I guess that’s a good thing, right?

And speaking of new purchases, here is mine!

You all remember last fall, I bought the BV Chain tote. It’s a great smaller tote, but I found myself still needing a larger bag that I could carry over my shoulder. Something that fit what I usually carry in a large Longchamp le Pliage, but more luxe. In the last several months, I sold two of my three Hermes Garden Party bags because I couldn’t comfortably carry them over my shoulder. So I’ve really been feeling the need for a high-end shoulder tote, preferably with good interior organization but without a center divider.

I coerced DH to come to the Chanel boutique because I really wanted his opinion. Lucky for me, he likes Chanel’s bags more than any other designer, and he also likes my SA. There was one bag that was clearly better for me than the others, and to my surprise, he bought it for me for my birthday!

Here it is: I’m bad with Chanel bag names, but I think it’s called the Classic Timeless Tote.

View attachment 4083279

It has a zip pocket, two open pockets and a key hook on the inside. The closure is a CC turnlock — I have to get used to that and stop tugging on it like it’s a magnet!

View attachment 4083280

There is a full length pocket on the back, with a magnetic snap closure.

View attachment 4083281

It’s calfskin, although it’s soft enough that my SA thought it was lambskin before she checked. It’s incredibly lightweight and feels wonderful!

Thanks for letting me share!

Whoo Hoo!!!! That is a BEAUTIFUL bag!!

You have two amazing black totes. Both are on my radar. I would love the Chanel you have except I really want a center divider. But my, goodness. That is such a stunning bag, I may have to give on that criterion.

Enjoy!!

 

[More bags]

Thanks! I hope I’ve learned from my mistakes! I used to buy based solely on the “But I love it!” factor. Then I wouldn’t use the bag and end up selling at a loss. Now, the higher the price, the more perfect the bag has to be.

Hi catsinthebag, yes, you phrased it so well. I can empathize - I rehomed a number of my mistakes precisely because I loved it when I bought it and later discovered the imperfections I was no longer willing to compromise on - strap too short for comfortable cross body wear, small bag with divided interior (limits what I can bring and how to arrange it), shape too boxy (bumps into people and objects), strap drop too short to wear comfortably on the shoulder, etc. I think that last point is why I have admired the Garden Party from afar and have not purchased one.

 

[More bags]

I just did something similar. Remember my probation closet in a spare bedroom? I had put al my clothes in there when I moved in September and was only bringing clothes into the master when I wore them. That way, this upcoming September I’d know what I didn’t wear and could get rid of it.

Well, I couldn’t take it anymore. LOL! In the last few weeks I’ve gotten rid of most of the remaining items and even a bunch of what I was wearing. I only kept items if I loved them, they fit perfectly (or could be immediately tailored) and were in perfect condition. And, I stopped feeling guilty about things I got on sale that I never should have bought.

So, about 60% of my wardrobe is gone. It feels great. I’m loving the space and it’s easier to get dresses without clutter of items I’m not wearing.

But funny thing - I no longer have much to just putter around in the house on days I’m not wanting to get “dressed” because that was a bunch of odds and ends that needed to go to the trash. Not even charity. LOL! I still have yoga pants and a few T-shirts but, I need to get some cute lounging / errand running outfits. I’m thinking some super comfy dresses????? This isn’t a class of clothing I’ve ever bought. I wore default items that were kinda worn out from “regular” life. Ha!
Great job rotating so you could find out what works and doesn’t work for you! Do you plan to sell the bags that aren’t your faves?
I have no idea how it’s happened. It has to be the picky factor. And, nothing has caught my eye because I’ve gotten out of the habit of looking. I guess that’s a good thing, right?
Whoo Hoo!!!! That is a BEAUTIFUL bag!!

You have two amazing black totes. Both are on my radar. I would love the Chanel you have except I really want a center divider. But my, goodness. That is such a stunning bag, I may have to give on that criterion.

Enjoy!!

Congratulations on your 10 months of no compromise no bag adds!

 

[Sparkletastic]

This thread may just be what the doctor ordered for me - so glad to see kindred spirits here! Lots of great ideas and support.

It’s almost mid 2018 and here are what I have planned (and been doing, for the most part):

For clothing:
* Buy 1 piece of clothing, let go of 2
* Buy only pieces that can be used for years in other words classic
* Re-use, re-use, re-use!

For purses/bags:
* Buy items only on the wishlist

For shoes:
* Only buy those that are comfy and look good (im finding that combo a challenge to find)

In general:
1. Limit everything to within what storage allows, with ample breathing space in between items
2. When faced with temptation, I try to bear in mind that the environment also gets impacted by my unnecessary consumption- that usually gets me out of my shopping mode fast!

WELCOME! This is a great list of guidelines.

Thank you! I saw that outside pocket and it was like, “Oh, YES!”

That is super practical. It may get me over the hump on the inner divider.

It actually makes me miss that one tote that got away years ago. It has zip top and amazingly light. I tried it on many times, but couldn’t swallow the price so I had to let it go. I still have the photo from someone on TPF saved on my iPad and still love it even now. It came up on fashionphile once and was grabbed so fast. It’s one of those that got away.

View attachment 4083776

The one that got away is always tough. This is a cute bag! More totes should have zip tops.

Excellent post! Welcome to the thread.
A friend and I were discussing the shoe dilemma, she phrased it ‘people are either pretty shoe people or comfortable shoe people.’ I agree with everyone else who commented, why can’t there be more shoes that are pretty and comfortable?


Great comment that is applicable to many areas of life, I bolded these words ‘if I don’t try, I’m not going to get to learn’.

I need both - pretty and comfortable.

I like pretty things so my shoes have to be ones I find yummy and fun. If they aren’t - I just won’t wear them.

But, there is no way I’m going to hobble along in uncomfortable shoes. I see women mincing along in shoes that obviously hurt and just get puzzled. I don’t want to ever hurt but I could deal with any part of me hurting except my head or my feet. So why choose foot pain?

I went into Christian Laboutin last week. I was very tempted to try on a pair. Totally irrational silly girl moment - I wanted some red bottom shoes. When I asked which ones would be the most comfortable, the salesperson said “None of them - they’re works of art.” He said this in the nicest, most congenial way. Not condescending or rude. And, I appreciated his candor. But, I quickly exited and looked at other brands.

Side note - in general I find it hard to wear the extremes - pointed toe high heels and ballet style flats. The former pinches my toes and the latter rubs my heels.

 

[vink]

I probably should go to the MM thread, but I think it's too dangerous. Can you briefly compare Verona and Aquila matte to Merinos or Nappa?
For me port merinos works well for the Penelope Messenger, aesthetically. I just don't love that size/shape practically., and I don't like the strap. I know others love the messenger. Would that work for you? A not too expensive way to satisfy your craving for port merinos!

Verona's bendability is in the middle between merino and Nappa. It has texture. Very prominent and strong. It's good for nonstructured bags though. I don't recommend it with structured bags. After some use, it'll slouchy nicely. More so than Nappa. Out of these 3, Nappa doesn't slouch or even if it does, doesn't show much.

Aquila matte is very much like merino in term of bendability, but it's thicker. It feels like velvet if you glide your hands on them. But while merino, Nappa, and Verona rarely or never show wear, Aquila matte will. It'll absorb oil and scratches will appear, though can be rubbed off. If you love your bags to show wear a bit or look like it's been loved. Aquila matte will be perfect. But if you want your bags to look like new or pristine always. Don't pick this leather. It's hard-wearing, but it'll show where it's been, although slightly, but it'll tell. It can't keep its mouth shut. I love it on my Selene. I don't see it on structured bags though. While I think Nappa may have a chance at making structured bags coz it can hold itself a bit, I don't see Verona and Aquila matte in structured leather at all. And so as merino.