2020 resolution - shopping my own bag and wallet collection. Any one else?

[More bags]

You look incredible! Love the bags, obviously ha ha, but also really digging that jacket!

Happy I'm not alone in my fondness for the clutch stripe. I've never seen the Balenciaga ipad covers but love all things Bal! I'll have to Google them.

I can see why it would have been a favourite...seems like it would feel more 'real' and charming being only partially done, and it's technically the kids' tree since the adults didn't finish it for them!
___

I had an unexpected outing and went to visit my mum's new workplace! It's great seeing how well she's settled into this city and her new job so quickly. Any fears I'd had about her working through the pandemic, instead of sheltering, were cast aside as I watched her run around during her shift, grinning underneath her masks. She loves taking care of her patients and this is her calling so, I have to stop stressing and trust her judgement.
I've been trying to donate blood so they can use my covid antibodies for critical patients but was turned away again due to my general health not being up to par. However, because I have antibodies and am safe to be around patients, they allowed me to sign up as a volunteer to help out the hospital admin when they're overwhelmed, so at least I'm doing something useful.

Carried this little beauty when I went to the hospital (I'm really screwing up the challenge and am now at bag no. 7!).
View attachment 4925065
I don't know the brand; it was a vintage find. I like it because it reminds me of the Coach parker 16 convertible backpacks. It's the same measurements and shape, but more unique with the different types of leather (croc embossed, real snakeskin, suede, patent and smooth leather). Sorry for the light reflection, it's not easy to photograph it in a way where the different strips of leather show clearly.
I was planning to buy that Coach backpack for my next birthday (online pic of black with gold turnlock), but having used this bag today, I'm reminded that it is essentially the same- perhaps, nicer?- so I've scrapped that idea. My bag closet really is ample!
View attachment 4925068

I like your vintage backpack, it has more personality than the Coach in black. Kudos to you and your mom for the work you’re doing to help others. Stay healthy and safe.

 

[SouthernPurseGal]

Once you go black you never go back.

I take my hobos like my coffee...black.

Seriously though I was not happy with the blue so....now my new lock is black and I'm satisfied!

 

[Kimbashop]

Another Christmas tree story is the year we let the kids decorate it, so the decorations only went halfway up, and we were all so busy we never finished the top half. That was one of my most favorite Christmas trees!

Oh, we did this once too! it was really funny. the other not-so-funny thing was all of the broken ornaments (slipping out of little hands). I lost a few good ones that year. But their excitement was worth it.

 

[Kimbashop]

Once you go black you never go back.

I take my hobos like my coffee...black.

Seriously though I was not happy with the blue so....now my new lock is black and I'm satisfied!

That is a gorgeous Lock !
Do you know about the Facebook Massaccesi BST page? If you get to a point where you would like to sell it, you could post it there.

 

[More bags]

Once you go black you never go back.

I take my hobos like my coffee...black.

Seriously though I was not happy with the blue so....now my new lock is black and I'm satisfied!

Gorgeous rebirth as a black New Lock! I love it!

 

[880]

It’s wonderful that you share your beautiful bags. We are all at different stages of life, some have been collecting for decades, some for a few years. Some people are building their collection, some are curating, some are downsizing. While the thread title is shopping our own collection, it’s not a ban thread, we celebrate new purchases, treasured preloved finds, rehabilitated beauties. When I am interested in a par bag I can research it in the brand specific forum/threads. I choose to spend more time here because I find the depth of conversation richer here. I enjoy the conversations, the friendships, the community, the monthly challenges and the variety of eye candy!

This is the best post ever! @More bags, many thanks for your compliments again (I edited my thank you post on the previous page to also include Tpf recommendation of Duna for the Etsy strap you liked.
also have to say, I’m truly inspired by the vision articulated by @cowgirlsboots and others in this thread about how to shape and curate. . .

 

[whateve]

Another Christmas tree story is the year we let the kids decorate it, so the decorations only went halfway up, and we were all so busy we never finished the top half. That was one of my most favorite Christmas trees!

That happened in our house too!

 

[cowgirlsboots]

Once you go black you never go back.

I take my hobos like my coffee...black.

Seriously though I was not happy with the blue so....now my new lock is black and I'm satisfied!

Hi Sis,
a black New Lock is simply a classic. I love mine and when my 17-year old DD saw it she snatched it to take photos for her Insta...
It´s great you know how to change the colour in such a perfect fashion! I´d love a tutorial!

 

[Annabel Lee]

Confession: I'm always wary of posting pics of my bags because my collection is full of odd balls, lesser known (i.e. cheaper) brands or custom bags. I know they pale in comparison to the beauties everyone else collects though I love that nobody ever judges and there's a corner for all types of bags on the forums.

I'm not as active on TPF these days, but I had to jump in here, even though so many people already expressed similar sentiments and did so beautifully. As a handbag lover, I really do love seeing all bags, and my own collection has both super cheap ones and super pricey ones--they were all just bags I happened to love.

I do think conversation on this site overall can skew toward more high-end brands, but I think that's for a couple of reasons. One is that with pricier bags, people want to do as much research as possible before plunking down major cash for something. And of course, once they buy it, they may want to know how to maintain it to get their money's worth. Another is that not everyone "gets" expensive hobbies, so it may be harder to find like-minded friends/family IRL who won't side-eye these kinds of purchases. But even so, I do see a lot of conversation around the most popular models. I have some weird, more niche styles from major brands that aren't represented well here either.

But like @More bags said, this forum is so fun because I get to see bags I wouldn't see anywhere else! Everyone here has such lovely taste, and I love being introduced to new styles and being surprised and delighted by them in a way that more ubiquitous bags don't necessarily do for me anymore.

Bag lovers are bag lovers, whether they enjoy them with a champagne budget or a beer budget, and I personally love learning from everyone here and seeing everyone's fabulous collections.

 

[keodi]

Well said @cowgirlsboots


@keodi, what were some of your favourite additions this year? I recall you added some treasures this year.


Another great find! I’m sure it will enjoy loving restoration by your talented hands.

What a lovely thought, thank you.

Ha ha, this is awesome. It makes me think of you. I remember you’ve referred to yourself as a spider waiting to pounce. Perfect visual reference to our Dior spider!

quite a few!
Beloved India
Carre Kantha
pelages et camouflage

It’s wonderful that you share your beautiful bags. We are all at different stages of life, some have been collecting for decades, some for a few years. Some people are building their collection, some are curating, some are downsizing. While the thread title is shopping our own collection, it’s not a ban thread, we celebrate new purchases, treasured preloved finds, rehabilitated beauties. When I am interested in a par bag I can research it in the brand specific forum/threads. I choose to spend more time here because I find the depth of conversation richer here. I enjoy the conversations, the friendships, the community, the monthly challenges and the variety of eye candy!

So true, and very well said too!

 

[keodi]

I'm not as active on TPF these days, but I had to jump in here, even though so many people already expressed similar sentiments and did so beautifully. As a handbag lover, I really do love seeing all bags, and my own collection has both super cheap ones and super pricey ones--they were all just bags I happened to love.

I do think conversation on this site overall can skew toward more high-end brands, but I think that's for a couple of reasons. One is that with pricier bags, people want to do as much research as possible before plunking down major cash for something. And of course, once they buy it, they may want to know how to maintain it to get their money's worth. Another is that not everyone "gets" expensive hobbies, so it may be harder to find like-minded friends/family IRL who won't side-eye these kinds of purchases. But even so, I do see a lot of conversation around the most popular models. I have some weird, more niche styles from major brands that aren't represented well here either.

But like @More bags said, this forum is so fun because I get to see bags I wouldn't see anywhere else! Everyone here has such lovely taste, and I love being introduced to new styles and being surprised and delighted by them in a way that more ubiquitous bags don't necessarily do for me anymore.

Bag lovers are bag lovers, whether they enjoy them with a champagne budget or a beer budget, and I personally love learning from everyone here and seeing everyone's fabulous collections.

Well said Annabel Lee!

 

[Annabel Lee]

On that note, I want to share some of my non-mainstream bags (Hipster bags? ) I have a ton more, mostly clutches/evening bags, but here are some of my favorites.

First up are the clutches.

• The minaudiere with the funky design is from Anthropologie, though I'm not sure what brand. It is absolutely gorgeous with a little black dress, and sometimes I wear it with pewter heels to match the grays on the bag. I bought this during a bag ban just a couple years ago--I had to have it.
• The black satin clutch is THE perfect evening bag. It's visually interesting, elegant and has no visible hardware, so I can wear it with gold or silver jewelry. I got it on Zappos a million years ago.
• The rattan clutch is from a flea market. It's a bit fiddly with the clamshell style opening, but it is so cool, I don't care. I always get a ton of compliments on it too!
  

And the day bags:

• The olive tote with the cool handle is another find from Anthropologie. My mom has the same one, and we don't live in the same state, so it always makes me smile to carry it, because I think of her. Also, she has exquisite taste, so I'm in good company there.
• The bright blue bag was a find from a cool gift store. Depending on how you view the bag, the rainbow strip in the middle appears wider/narrower. I love this bag with a plainer outfit--talk about a pop of color! I love it with grays in particular.
• It might be hard to see, but the velvet bag has a trompe l'oeil buckle effect. We don't get much of a winter where I live, so I'm not sure I had any business buying such a seasonal bag, but I absolutely love this. And I always pet it when I wear it!

 

[Kimbashop]

I'm not as active on TPF these days, but I had to jump in here, even though so many people already expressed similar sentiments and did so beautifully. As a handbag lover, I really do love seeing all bags, and my own collection has both super cheap ones and super pricey ones--they were all just bags I happened to love.

I do think conversation on this site overall can skew toward more high-end brands, but I think that's for a couple of reasons. One is that with pricier bags, people want to do as much research as possible before plunking down major cash for something. And of course, once they buy it, they may want to know how to maintain it to get their money's worth. Another is that not everyone "gets" expensive hobbies, so it may be harder to find like-minded friends/family IRL who won't side-eye these kinds of purchases. But even so, I do see a lot of conversation around the most popular models. I have some weird, more niche styles from major brands that aren't represented well here either.

But like @More bags said, this forum is so fun because I get to see bags I wouldn't see anywhere else! Everyone here has such lovely taste, and I love being introduced to new styles and being surprised and delighted by them in a way that more ubiquitous bags don't necessarily do for me anymore.

Bag lovers are bag lovers, whether they enjoy them with a champagne budget or a beer budget, and I personally love learning from everyone here and seeing everyone's fabulous collections.

Well said! I love seeing everyone's bags and reading people's stories behind them. I feel like TPF has become what Facebook used to be for me: a happy, supportive, warm place. I log in to TPF far more than my FB page these days!

 

[Kimbashop]

On that note, I want to share some of my non-mainstream bags (Hipster bags? ) I have a ton more, mostly clutches/evening bags, but here are some of my favorites.

First up are the clutches.

• The minaudiere with the funky design is from Anthropologie, though I'm not sure what brand. It is absolutely gorgeous with a little black dress, and sometimes I wear it with pewter heels to match the grays on the bag. I bought this during a bag ban just a couple years ago--I had to have it.
• The black satin clutch is THE perfect evening bag. It's visually interesting, elegant and has no visible hardware, so I can wear it with gold or silver jewelry. I got it on Zappos a million years ago.
• The rattan clutch is from a flea market. It's a bit fiddly with the clamshell style opening, but it is so cool, I don't care. I always get a ton of compliments on it too!
  View attachment 4925482

And the day bags:

• The olive tote with the cool handle is another find from Anthropologie. My mom has the same one, and we don't live in the same state, so it always makes me smile to carry it, because I think of her. Also, she has exquisite taste, so I'm in good company there.
• The bright blue bag was a find from a cool gift store. Depending on how you view the bag, the rainbow strip in the middle appears wider/narrower. I love this bag with a plainer outfit--talk about a pop of color! I love it with grays in particular.
• It might be hard to see, but the velvet bag has a trompe l'oeil buckle effect. We don't get much of a winter where I live, so I'm not sure I had any business buying such a seasonal bag, but I absolutely love this. And I always pet it when I wear it!View attachment 4925484

This is such a fun collection! I love the Anthropologie bags in particular. That olive green woven tote is art.

 

[880]

It´s the feelings we have towards our bags that make them come to life and significance!

I keep coming back to this!
@Annabel Lee, love your aesthetic and your choices! And your sentiments re an all champagne or all beer budget your velvet bag reminds me of some older Roberta dI camerino velvet bags (as per @cowgirlsboots)