2019 resolution - shopping my own bag and wallet collection. Any one else?

[Sparkletastic]

I agree on not getting rid of thing in the sake of becoming minimalism as it’s fashionable. I don’t see the point, unless you really want to go that route and there will be no regret later. Then, I’ll cheer you up all,the way coz everyone deserve the lifestyle they want.

See this this where I’m an oddball. I despise clutter and but, I am not hardly a minimalist. I enthusiastically support those who are because we’re all different. But, I like variety and change and new so I enjoy having a number of things in categories I love.

I just don’t want “extra”. If I’m not using and / or enjoying it then it needs to go. And, what I have needs to be orderly and in its place.

So I’m in the middle...sorta.

Oh Lord, this whole thing about your items having to "spark joy" makes me want to heave (sorry, not trying to deride anyone who found this to be a good thing). I have many things that don't make my eyes light up every time I see them but that are necessary/handy/occasionally used/etc.
I've never been able to understand why this became such a big deal. I guess of you're a hoarder and this has helped then its worthwhile but I've always decluttered as I go...the agony of deciding if something "sparks joy", getting rid of it, then realizing six months later that you really should have kept it just doesn't work for me.
Please, don't throw things at me if you're a big Marie Kondo fan...

I totally get it. I felt much the same way at first.

But, it’s not that fluffy. Lol! I’ve not yet read her book so, I’ll let those more knowledgeable correct me. But, from what I understand, her approach is that things should fall in one of two categories, one being those things that spark joy and the second being those that are necessary and functional. So, she would probably say people should keep things like ironing boards, lawn mowers and floss because they serve a real need even if there is no “joy sparking” when using them. But, for everything that is optional, we should only choose items that spark joy or in other words make us happy.

This thought process was useful for me because while I’d spend a looooot of time trying to get the perfect things for others, I would too often buy things for myself because they were on sale / easily accessible and serviceable. When
I heard of the “spark joy” thing and thought about it, I realized I was cheating myself. Beyond the aforementioned category of necessary functional things, why not have every other thing, experience, moment (dare I say person), etc. I bring into my life be flat out, make me giggle, amazing? Why compromise?

When I started actually thinking about it that way, it was transformational but, admittedly, a hard standard to hold. (I have to say I started this process before I heard of Ms. Kondo. Her principles gave a little bit of structure to what I had already started doing.) The more I move in that direction, the happier I am. So, I push myself.

Like with my loungewear. I have a thing for Hello Kitty. (Hello Kitty, Star Trek, Sparkly things, and the color pink. Yes, I am a big kid! LOL!) I finally said - stop the dumb stuff. I want Hello Kitty socks. So, Mr. S buys them for me in colors to coodinate with my grown up girl lounge wear. I’m soooooo happy toddling around my house in my HK socks! Ok. I admit it. I even wear them out and about when I’m wearing boots. A little thing but, more happy!

I'm a little late to do January but is there a challenge for February yet?

We have a couple that were suggested - and I need to figure out where I wrote them down. If you have a suggestion let me know. And if someone else has suggested one, please remind me!!!!

But, don’t forget, we are going to be doing our color weeks starting in Feb!

When we have our challenges and color week info, I’ll ask the moderator to switch out our tagged post.

 

[whateve]

See this this where I’m an oddball. I despise clutter and but, I am not hardly a minimalist. I enthusiastically support those who are because we’re all different. But, I like variety and change and new so I enjoy having a number of things in categories I love.

I just don’t want “extra”. If I’m not using and / or enjoying it then it needs to go. And, what I have needs to be orderly and in its place.

So I’m in the middle...sorta.
I totally get it. I felt much the same way at first.

But, it’s not that fluffy. Lol! I’ve not yet read her book so, I’ll let those more knowledgeable correct me. But, from what I understand, her approach is that things should fall in one of two categories, one being those things that spark joy and the second being those that are necessary and functional. So, she would probably say people should keep things like ironing boards, lawn mowers and floss because they serve a real need even if there is no “joy sparking” when using them. But, for everything that is optional, we should only choose items that spark joy or in other words make us happy.

This thought process was useful for me because while I’d spend a looooot of time trying to get the perfect things for others, I would too often buy things for myself because they were on sale / easily accessible and serviceable. When
I heard of the “spark joy” thing and thought about it, I realized I was cheating myself. Beyond the aforementioned category of necessary functional things, why not have every other thing, experience, moment (dare I say person), etc. I bring into my life be flat out, make me giggle, amazing? Why compromise?

When I started actually thinking about it that way, it was transformational but, admittedly, a hard standard to hold. (I have to say I started this process before I heard of Ms. Kondo. Her principles gave a little bit of structure to what I had already started doing.) The more I move in that direction, the happier I am. So, I push myself.

Like with my loungewear. I have a thing for Hello Kitty. (Hello Kitty, Star Trek, Sparkly things, and the color pink. Yes, I am a big kid! LOL!) I finally said - stop the dumb stuff. I want Hello Kitty socks. So, Mr. S buys them for me in colors to coodinate with my grown up girl lounge wear. I’m soooooo happy toddling around my house in my HK socks! Ok. I admit it. I even wear them out and about when I’m wearing boots. A little thing but, more happy!
We have a couple that were suggested - and I need to figure out where I wrote them down. If you have a suggestion let me know. And if someone else has suggested one, please remind me!!!!

But, don’t forget, we are going to be doing our color weeks starting in Feb!

When we have our challenges and color week info, I’ll ask the moderator to switch out our tagged post.

In February, I believe one of the challenges was carrying all our red bags. I think I'm going to do both red and pink. Actually I usually do that every February anyway.

One of my own challenges will be to carry small bags at least 3 times each month.

 

[dcooney4]

I know this is a very late to ask, but how’s everything, DC? I hope you didn’t lose the power and all animals stay safe.

Thank you! We got lucky this time and kept the power. It was -3 degrees so I am very happy.

 

[vink]

Thank you! I did rehab it. I usually rehab most vintage Coach. It looked a lot worse in the listing photos. All it needed was a bath and conditioning. I polished the hardware and colored the edges of the strap. There weren't any stains.

Such a good job you did there!

 

[vink]

Ok. Now I’m waffling. Lol! Since I realized I can just dye the ivory bag, I’m thinking of other potential colors.

I was originally thinking pink. Something like this color.View attachment 4317748
But, I have three pink bags - a hot pink Dior, salmon pink Prada and today’s pale pink Fendi. In a collection of 26 bags - of which 7 are black, do I need a 4th pink?
Last year I wore my pink bags a total of 13 times. So, probably not.

I thought about green which is a color I want in my wardrobe. But, a big green Chanel flap seems a bit much. Plus, while I love the color green, I’m not sure how much I’ll wear a green bag.

The two other colors I very much want to add are bordeaux and navy. I don’t see this bag looking good in bordeaux. And, I have a red Chanel jumbo. So, nix the burgundy.

Where I think I’m going to land is a rich navy. I just asked if I can do this color. Even cooler if I can get a metallic sheen. View attachment 4317743
The only question on navy for me is around the interior which is a light caramel color. It makes a nice contrast with the ivory. View attachment 4317747 But, would it be too much contrast with the navy? Perhaps not since many black Chanel bags have red lining. And, all my Miss Diors have a leather lining in a contrasting color.

With the dying, I worry a teeny bit about someone thinking the bag is fake but, I can’t let that stop me from getting the right color for me.

I’m open into any and all thoughts. I think I’m going to post in the Chanel forum and see what people think.

If you really decide to die it, go with what’ll make your heart sing. Re-dying isn’t good for the leather. If you think you love pink and want pink, I’d say pink.

 

[vink]

I’ve actually had two Chanel bags and a Chanel card case dyed but all to their original color. My grey jumbo was preloved and arrived horribly scratched (not as described by Reebonz. They were horrible to deal with. The bag took weeks to get to me, they said it came with the dust bag and it didn’t and the bag was supposed to be lien new and showed up looking like it had been used as a football. Their customer service was slippery and I had to fight to get a tiny partial refund to pay for the refurbishing.) I kept it because the ‘07 bijoux chain is hard to find and the bag was otherwise in great condition. Here are photos. It was perfectly restored by Leather Surgeons. View attachment 4317869View attachment 4317870View attachment 4317871View attachment 4317872 View attachment 4317873
And the final product. View attachment 4317874 I also had my gold Boy touched up on the edges by Leather Surgeons to look brand new.

More dying: I have a pink Chanel card case that I cleaned to aggressively after dye transfer from jeans so I also had that recolored.

Lastly I had the top flap of the currently-in-play ivory bag re-colored as it was also preloved and came in with sun fading on the top flap. Leather Pros did the wonderful work on the last two items.

These experiences turned out really well. (Though the stress made me much less likely to buy preloved bags.)

So, I feel pretty comfortable that the bag can be dyed well in a non metallic color.

I’m just wondering if the contrast with the interior would be too much for a navy. And, I’m open to hearing if another color may be even prettier.

I think they did an amazing job on your bag. You should use them again.

 

[ksuromax]

Oh Lord, this whole thing about your items having to "spark joy" makes me want to heave (sorry, not trying to deride anyone who found this to be a good thing). I have many things that don't make my eyes light up every time I see them but that are necessary/handy/occasionally used/etc.
I've never been able to understand why this became such a big deal. I guess of you're a hoarder and this has helped then its worthwhile but I've always decluttered as I go...the agony of deciding if something "sparks joy", getting rid of it, then realizing six months later that you really should have kept it just doesn't work for me.
Please, don't throw things at me if you're a big Marie Kondo fan...

i'll stand by you!

 

[vink]

I am rather frustrated myself. My new silver backpack arrived complete with perfume smell and tag removed and tucked in a pocket. I paid full retail for it so I am not a happy camper. I even sold my leopard one before hand so it would be one in one out. Ugh!

Can you send them back and ask for exchange?

 

[vink]

I think you are right in that Leather Surgeons won’t change the color (or any other element of a Chanel. But, I sent them the email just in case.

With the texture change, this could be a positive. The soft nature of the bag is really soft. I’d like it to be a bit firmer. And, unlike with my lamb bags, I’m not as maniacal about hand feel of the leather.

I think that if I go into this expecting a visually beautiful result with some significant loss in softness of texture that my expectations can be met.

But, yea. Selling and buying something else doesn’t make sense to me on this bag. I would lose perhaps $500 then have to spend $3-5K to get another Chanel I would be happy with (I’m lucky I like single flaps which are less expensive because they aren’t only available preloved). So I could be out $3500-$5500 and have the buying and hunting hassle factors. I’d be out of pocket even more if I got a Boy Bag. Alternatively, I could spend $200, recolor the bag and be genuinely happy with it. So it seems worth the risk.

Actually, a pink single flap Chanel with bijoux chain does exist. I think it’s a hot pink even. (Hot pink according to the name. Kind of the pink you posted according to my memory) if you’re not in a hurry, maybe you can wait and see if one will pop up. I’ve seen a couple of times. But that’s quite some time already.

 

[vink]

Update on the dying.

• As @mimi_buckley mentioned, Leather Surgeons won’t dye a bag a different color.
• Lovinmybags can do the navy with a metallic sheen for $550.
• Leather Pros can do navy with a metallic sheen for $250.

I’ve dealt with LP before on 2 Handbag dye efforts and been pleased with Mark’s work (Mark was the one who dyed this bag’s top flap as it had SNAD sun damage fading on the flap when I received it from TheRealReal. Never would I deal with TRR again.) So, it’s a no brainer to send to him to dye.

He can also reinforce the structure for an additional $120. This is where I’m not sure. It’s meant to be a soft flap but it’s doesn’t just look soft to me. It looks tired. I’m thinking I should do that as well. (??)

The bijoux chain was released twice. One with a harder “structure” than another. I think your ivory is from a softer year.

 

[ksuromax]

i've been quite busy (conference, meetings, etc) but i rotated my bags and already met my Jan goal - 10 bags used minimum 2 times each, 3 of them were my latest scores, and i even repeated some again, e.g. this!

 

[vink]

Oh, that is a lovely RM feed bag! I have eyed the Hermes Evelyne and the RM feed bag, such convenient crossbodies but not purchasing anything for now...

Checking in, I just finished the New Year, New Bag challenge, using my last 3 purchases 2 times each, yay!

And along with the discussion of getting a bag painted, I wanted to share edge painting I did, to make a bag I own new again...I didn't like the unfinished edges of the handles of a leather tote bag from Etsy, so I painted them with leather paint and then a top coat to waterproof...here are before and after photos: View attachment 4319236View attachment 4319238

You did such a great job!

 

[Sparkletastic]

In February, I believe one of the challenges was carrying all our red bags. I think I'm going to do both red and pink. Actually I usually do that every February anyway.

One of my own challenges will be to carry small bags at least 3 times each month.

Actually, since we did red in December, I was going to start doing the color challenge based on the birthstone of the month which would be amethyst or purple for Feb. But, I’m happy to repeat red!

And we can do a different version of our old Extreme Team challenge where we wear our 3 biggest or 3 smallest (non special use) bags at least 2x each. You will be a super achiever at 3x.

I’m going to do Money Matters where we pick 3 bags that are our most expensive and / or have relatively low CPW and wear each of them at least 2x. I want to keep getting happy wear out of the bags that cost us an arm and a leg.

 

[Rhl2987]

i've been quite busy (conference, meetings, etc) but i rotated my bags and already met my Jan goal - 10 bags used minimum 2 times each, 3 of them were my latest scores, and i even repeated some again, e.g. this!

YESSSS baguette in a bag!! This is what all bags should be used for [emoji23]

 

[vink]

Thank you! We got lucky this time and kept the power. It was -3 degrees so I am very happy.

I’m glad to hear you’re ok. [emoji4]