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

[Purses & Perfumes]

Hard lockdown starting here in Germany today. Full house. And I have been the last couple of days panic shopping. Mostly online too, as apparently delays are to be expected now that shops are closed for Christmas. I don‘t know how delivery services are going to cope...

Now entering hopefully a more quiet phase... This is going to be a strange Christmas.
But the tree is up, the lights are on, pantry is full, spirits are high (or at least I am determined they will be) and we are good to go...

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@BowieFan1971, I really feel for you. On top Of everything, that is hard.

I lost my mother hardly two years ago to cancer. In her case, it was very quick, supersonic: a month from diagnosis to the fatal end. People say it is a blessing, that she had less time to suffer, and I can see that. And I get what you say, even during such short time, the person you know changes. And it was hard, to be there for her at those moments. But I wanted nothing more than for that time to last just a little bit longer, to have a bit more time to go through it with her no matter what, in whatever circumstances... So find confort in that all the time you spend with her is precious.

I am so sorry for your loss. Big hugs to you.

Your tree is absolutely beautiful. Regarding the lockdown, when we went into lockdown in the spring, the grocery deliveries were very erratic in the beginning. It took a while but most of the stores now do curbside/contact-less pick up, and also eventually the deliveries stabilized. Some shortages are to be expected, but items usually come back in stock. I do hope you will be able to find the things you need and get them delivered to you.

 

[Annabel Lee]

Here´s the De Manta after I worked on her last night.
Most of the yucky (food?) stains and bits of red glitter came out. The suede is very good quality and did not mind a lot of brushing and erasing. At some point I stopped, though- clean is clean enough! Any more might have affected the leather. Being suede it shows pawprints immediately when you only touch it, anyway.
I refreshed the colour on the leather trims and repaired the edge coating, too. (Only repaired, as it wasn´t bad enough to remove and redo. Never touch a working part!)

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In the background on "Olga"´s head there is my latest millinery project made from a very random 80ies hat. (Not finished, yet.)

The De Manta looks fab! You did such a beautiful job--it looks brand new! I love your "assistant" Olga--she looks very chic as well.

My bags in current rotation

Great collection!

In the spirit of sharing unique, vintage bags, I decided to shop my closet for some of my own. This picture highlights 3 vintage gals, one of which belonged to my mom and two of which I thrifted at a local shop.

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The one on the left was my Mom's. She had little means and never cared for fashion or buying clothes but acquired this bag in her 20's, right around the time she got married to my dad, I think. This bag is one I have always loved. It isn't branded but has a "made in Italy" tag on the inside. It appears to be a combination of straw, thick plastic flower beading, and thick lining that reminds me a bit of Marco Massaccesi's bag linings -- a thick, ribbed fabric (cotton?). There is a crack in the plastic top handle, but I adore this bag and have used it on occasion. Mostly I keep it because it reminds me of my mom and what it must have meant to her to have a dress bag from Italy!

The middle and right bags are from a local shop. The black is snakeskin and the brown is lizard. they are fun top handles for a brunch or evening out. I believe they were designed in the 1950s but I will have to check on that.

Tomorrow I will pull out other vintage bags.

What a cool vintage collection! The one from your mom is really special, both because of the family history and the neat design.

Thank you for this post. I love your bags! So visually interesting, and it's great that you also included the outfits you pair them with. I can just imagine the little Anthropologie clutch with a black dress & pewter heels.

Love that rattan clutch. You don’t even need to wear it, would make so nice decoraction...

@Annabel Lee these are fabulous, my favourites are the Olive tote and the minaudiere, great texture on both bags.

These are so cool.

The Antropologie is a dupe for the Panier from Perrin of Paris (which I've always wanted) and the blue/rainbow is soooo cute

Is the velvet a Roberto di Camerino or a Fior? Whatever, it's fabulous

Thanks, all! I love fun bags. @papertiger, I'd never even heard of the Panier from Perrin of Paris, but you're right that must have been the inspiration. Thanks for the introduction! And the velvet bag is by V°73. It very much looks like a Roberto di Camerino--I hadn't made the connection myself, so I love the handbag knowledge everyone here has to share.

Speaking of vintage (late 1940s, I think) it's been a while since I showed this fun clutch. It's made of a special fabric called cordé. The handle is lucite. This isn't a family heirloom; I bought it from a site that specializes in vintage bags. But there is a family story involved. My great-uncle Joe had a (very tiny) factory in New York that produced cordé evening bags. I learned about this from my Mom a few years ago. She told me that all the women in the family carried one of Uncle Joe's cordé evening bags… even she did, and she wasn't particularly interested in bags! Of course, hers was long gone, so off I went to snag my very own.

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I remember this bag! It's probably one of my favorites I've never seen IRL--very cool!

I've managed 4 bags in December and it's not over yet. I'm proud of myself because since March it's been 95% H Evie or nothing.

H Double Sens maxi (Etain/Black)
H Evie 29 (black ghw)
H Bolide (Rouge H ghw)
Gucci 1955 (Baiadera multi)

I really enjoyed carrying my Gucci velvet 1955, an unexpected pleasure. The flap stays put more easily than I thought (no magnet or flip under the tongue) because the leather grips, and the compartments are really well organised. They knew how to design a woman's handbag in 1955. I thought the shortness of the drop carrying cross-body would bother me but over a slim coat it was fine. If I wore it with, my thick double-breasted Burberry, it would have to go under, same as I wear all X-bodies with furs/sheepskins. Anyway, far more practical on an all-day adventure than I thought.

Yay! I love bag success stories. The 1955 sure feels like a winner.

No bag, but new to me... I´m so happy with this purchase. It´s "YSL variation"- from the 90ies, I guess- and my very first piece of designer clothing. I´d been watching it on the classifieds for ages, then inquired about it, but the listing was deleted. Last week the seller suddenly contacted me and asked whether I was still interested. Of course I was and without much thinking just bought it. When it arrived I knew it was meant to be mine. It fits perfectly and feels like an old friend.

Gorgeous! Leopard done right can be so elegant, and this is definitely done right!

@cowgirlsboots I think we were discussing uniquely shaped bags that were handmade for me before my hospital visit. Here's another that I remembered when posting my reply above. It has a bit of a story behind it.

My mother worked in Argentina when we were young. My eldest brother got me my first backpack from there- this football shaped bag made from recycled tyres. I wore that thing right until I graduated Uni, at which point the rubber was disintegrating and leaving sticky residue everywhere!
I briefly lived in Hong Kong after graduating, and sadly, I could not hack it. As wonderful as I'm certain it is, I felt suffocated by everything and had to move very quickly. Perhaps I was too young? Anyway...
Whilst I was there, I asked the friends I'd made where I could buy a backpack similar to my own and, to my absolute delight, was told I could have an exact replica made. My lovely friends took me to a workshop where they took my beloved (and very much on its last legs) rubber backpack and made a beautiful copy of it from leather!

Now, this is not an exact replica as I asked them to make it a crossbody, because I was getting older and felt it would look more appropriate as a shoulder/crossbody bag, and the artisan altered the design a bit, changing the closure and the dimensions to make it functional, but otherwise it looks almost like the original. Cost me a pretty penny back then, but was totally worth it!
The inside is just an empty hole and the leather scratches very easily, but nothing a little Blackrock's can't buff right out. The closure is irritating to work with, but overall, I love this bag! It's one of the superstars in my oddball collection. Especially due to the memories it brings of my brother's gift to me as a kid, but also as a memento of my brief time (and my newfound friends) in China.

I've put it next to my Coach ombre because that was the bag I carried on my walk today, but also to show how small it is. The Coach ombre WOC is 8x5" I believe, so I think my football bag is around 8".

Also, for those that like this design, I recently saw an advert for Mirta Bags that look very much like this! The Mirta bags are more sleek and functional (a flap opening which will certainly be easier than the opening my bag has), so definitely worth checking out.


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Edit: Just checked and Mirta does an almost identical bag, which I love! It looks sleeker than my own! Oooh, I may have to upgrade when mine dies.

Opera Brown - Vachetta Leather Crossbody Bag | MIRTA

Like its Italian meaning, Opera is a masterpiece made by Boldrini Selleria. Entirely handmade in Tuscany where fine craftsmanship has been passed down thro

www.mirta.com

and

Operetta Brown - Tuscan Vachetta Leather Crossbody Bag | MIRTA

Operetta crossbody, like its name, is more than a bag. It is a real masterpiece. Handmade in Florence by Boldrini Selleria, where perfect craftsmanship is

www.mirta.com

I have eyed the Mirta bags myself! You were so ahead of the times with your version. I love the story behind it as well. So glad you got a bag that had so much meaning to you--I'd have had it remade as well.

Hi everybody. I hope you’re all having a lovely day, fitting of your lovely selves!

Money is a bit tight right now so I’m beginning to toy with selling one of my Louis Vuitton wallets. I would like some help deciding which one I should sell.
I love both of them; however, I have gotten more use out of the multicolour wallet. As it stands though I don’t have many purses it fits into + COVID has killed using cash. As for the Ikat wallet, I’ve only used it a handful of times. I have kept it for collecting purposes. Which one should I sell? Which would be easier to get back if I wanted to replace it later on in my life?
Thank you all ♥

Sorry you're parting with something you love. The multicolore line is very hot right now and fetching some outrageous prices. I think you'd get more money for that, but it sounds like you'd miss the ikat less in the long term.

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My Balenciaga Sharp shoulder bag accompanied me in the car today.

Ooh, talk about a bag that lives up to its name! that bag is SHARP!

My collection, minus the Gucci Abbey hobo tote that’s on the way...and the “just because” roses.View attachment 4932055View attachment 4932056View attachment 4932058View attachment 4932060

What a great collection! As an LV fan myself, I'm drooling over several of your bags!

 

[Annabel Lee]

It is crazy how something like that just becomes your “new normal.” I have my moments...for a while I could not even think the words “brain cancer”, let alone say them, without my eyes starting to tear up. Her recovery had been a roller coaster. I spent a long time waiting for the woman I have known my whole life to come back, but realized over the last few weeks that is not going to happen. So I am focusing on loving her who and where she is. The tumor was on her cerebral cortex, which affects speech/communication/language along with some memory and mental coordination. She jumbles things a lot...words, people, ideas, places. She cannot do some simple things like arithmetic and figuring out how to use a credit card machine. I had to help her spell my name the other week...Laura. She can no longer drive and gave up her license. She is sometimes unsteady on her feet. This was a woman who was always sharp, had a memory like a steel trap and extremely active. If it weren’t for my stepfather, who retired early this year (he is 9 years younger than her), she honestly could not live on her own. This is not a place I ever imagined being in. But it is our life, our new normal. All this since March, 2-3 weeks before what was supposed to have been my wedding on April 4. No wedding, no honeymoon, but we did get married, just the 2 of us and the officiant at home. To be honest, every area of my life except my mother is going really well right now and I am happy, which helps me deal with my emotions regarding my mom. The only area in my life that truly sucks is something out of my hands that I cannot do anything about or change, so I don’t dwell on it because to do that just makes me, and everyone around me, hurt. I do what I can...I visit (luckily only live an hour from her) every week and I call 2-3 times a week beyond that, even if for just a few minutes to say hi and I love you. I keep it together around her and have patience with her, even when she does not have patience with herself. It’s just what you do....it’s life. I thank God every day for all the wonderful things in my life, I have so many. I know He is looking out for me and my family because He has cleared the path in so many ways so that I have only as much as I can handle and He brought the best partner I could ask for into my life and I married him. My mother has brain cancer and is on IV chemo twice a month for life, but I am happy. So everything really is ok.

This is so tough. I really admire that you're able to count your blessings, live in the moment with her and take it day by day to meet her where she is. I'm so very sorry that you're in this place with her, especially knowing who she has been previously, but it sounds as though you're being a terrific daughter to her still, and that's all anyone can really ask for. Hugs.

My own mother passed away 2 years ago. This time of year brings it home that she's gone.

My mother's illness was a mystery, she was in the hospital on and off for 3 years having tests, found nothing, often not being believed. At one point she felt so bad she felt she was going to die and didn't want to call the ambulance because she had nothing specific to tell the operator or paramedic. Then she had a stroke. She regained some of her functions, but nurses/docs called her uncooperative because she had a hard time verbally communicating (because of the stroke) and kept reassessing her for Alzheimer's. She was barely 70. They told me my mother was behaving erratically because she didn't want her meds (Fentanyl - they made her hallucinate really awfully). I told them my mother had been an eccentric lady all her life, not wanting the drugs they were giving her was the sanest decision. I asked them how I could make a complaint and they backed-off. She then had an operation for fluid build-up, and I thought she was getting better at last. When she went back into hospital for a simple check-up she died there.

@papertiger, how awful. I'm so sorry for your loss, and I'm so sorry your mom's medical journey wasn't smoother to get her more answers. I know there's just still so much we don't know about medicine. I'll be thinking of you and your family this holiday season, which can be so tough for people who are missing beloved family members.

 

[papertiger]

This is so tough. I really admire that you're able to count your blessings, live in the moment with her and take it day by day to meet her where she is. I'm so very sorry that you're in this place with her, especially knowing who she has been previously, but it sounds as though you're being a terrific daughter to her still, and that's all anyone can really ask for. Hugs.



@papertiger, how awful. I'm so sorry for your loss, and I'm so sorry your mom's medical journey wasn't smoother to get her more answers. I know there's just still so much we don't know about medicine. I'll be thinking of you and your family this holiday season, which can be so tough for people who are missing beloved family members.

Thank you

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

about a hundred pages back, @Vintage Leather commented that once you have closed on an apartment, a purchase of a bracelet seemed relatively trivial. (Forgot to ask her which bracelet) DH and I are about to close on the 23rd and his mom, who has terminal epithelial peritoneal mesothelioma, has decided to forgo Dana Farber for a more conveniently located, less qualified treatment center closer to home. DH and I have turned to retail therapy to manage stress as even restaurants are now closed for indoor dining in NYC. @BowieFan1971, I agree with you that it’s such a blessing to have a wonderful life partner to help you through these times which are the ‘new normal.’ It may be superficial, but finding great deals and Spending a lot of time on TPF are helping me get through.
If you buy vintage distressed and have @docride restore them to burnished beauty, that is kind of closer to shopping your own closet rhan shopping NIB. The former is almost like sustainable recycling instead of shopping. I don’t remember if it was @jblended who talked about loving vintage clutches with with finger loop in the back, but I’ve also been influenced by @diane278 ‘s love of clutches. Here is a new to me Hermes clutch in silver. The interior has two compartments and it’s easy to carry. From the Japanese reseller Brand jfa, who seems to have mixed reviews nowadays, but with whom I’ve always had good luck. And, I got a very good deal on 32 sellier box kelly, (looks prune but is more purple IRL) that @docride spa Ed. Weather treated and brushed hw. I fortunately found these deals right before Prices inched back up (on bags and real estate)
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Beautiful bags! Would love to see more picture of the 32 sellier box Kelly -- it looks like a stunning color. I know very little about the different Hermes leathers and colors, but I have always absolutely loved the Kelly. In fact, a lot of my bags are the Kelly shape or style. I don't live near a boutique to facilitate building a relationship etc, and anyway not sure if I want to go that route. And I have not looked at the pre-loved market for the Kelly, but it seems like the pre-loved market is a popular option. Just need to learn more about the leathers and colors before eventually deciding on next steps (if any). In the meantime, I am also on a bag ban!

December Challenge: Carry five different bags
Bag 6: Hermes So Kelly Eclat 22 Bleu Saphir/Bleu Izmir
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Bag 7: Hermes Rouge H Garden Party 36
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Gorgeous! Love the bags and the scarf choices.

@indiaink, a welcoming hug to you. I don't know very much about Bottega Veneta, but I absolutely loved your ostrich knot reveal. I am usually not a clutch person (need a shoulder chain option), but I have been recently drawn to the Knot clutches -- they are so lovely. If you get a chance, I would love if you would share what fits in the chain knot, since it looks a bit bigger than the standard knot.

 

[SouthernPurseGal]

OMD - crazy pupper! I am a CS in another life and dogs do the damnedest things. Please keep us posted!!!

ETA: What kind of dog? What's his name? (Not a Chow Chow by any chance?)

Yes! A black 8 mo old male chow that was just neutered and eyelids operated on last weekend.

I’m s9 sorry about your dog. Hope his stitches are okay and that he didn’t get anything infected. I recall this was only one of his two medical procedures? it sounds like he was recovering and just went a bit stir crazy at home?

Yeah it was neuter and eyelids. He's been doing great but he loves to go for a big romp and poop in the woods off leash.

So he's fine, the sutures are giving him an ulcer on his eye but I have ointment. Monday the sutures come out and the cone will come off. Whew.

 

[BowieFan1971]

I would say you are extremely experienced in LV! you have a gorgeous view from your terrace door! Love your taste (seems extremely classic and streamlined, like an H plume or bolide. Brand JFA also had some shoulder bags that looked like lancel to me too). Your DHs roses are so pretty! I need to google Gucci abbey hobo. . .
@indiaink, I like the pouch, but I wasn’t sure I’d use a clutch shaped like a lap dog when draped in my arms, so I bought a few Etsy inspired ones.
@SouthernPurseGal, I’m s9 sorry about your dog. Hope his stitches are okay and that he didn’t get anything infected. I recall this was only one of his two medical procedures? it sounds like he was recovering and just went a bit stir crazy at home?

Oh, I looked at the Plume and Bolide...the Bolide is nice and I like the history. Don’t know if I could spend what I was seeing sites like TRR and Fashionphile wants for them.

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

The torture of uncomfortable shoes is unlike any other! I have never been one to wear pretty shoes even if they make my feet bleed ( I have a friend who literally endures this on a regular basis).

Yup, I refuse to suffer for the sake of fashion. I had a few shoes that were deceptively comfortable when I tried them on in the store, but started to chafe when used for a longer period of time, so they departed from my collection. Actually, my footwear collection is truly well curated and streamlined right now, and I'm happy about that.

 

[More bags]

I lost a loved one to cancer in the space of 4 months. He was initially misdiagnosed and then got the right diagnosis about 3 weeks before he passed. There was nothing that could be done and he only truly suffered that final month. It's a blessing and a curse having it happen so quickly.
Similarly, I lost a dear friend when I was last in hospital this year. He was having issues for months but couldn't be admitted and investigated properly due to Covid. He was diagnosed with Leukemia a couple of weeks before passing and was being given chemo whilst he was in a coma. I missed the whole ordeal and came out of hospital to the news. His family could not speak to him or be near him due to Covid, and he was in the coma so soon after the diagnosis that nobody had time to say the things they needed to say.
There's always the question of whether he would have been diagnosed earlier and potentially saved had Covid not been in the picture.
It's devastating and I think we'd all want more time to say goodbye to our loved ones.

It's such a precious bond, that between parents and kids. I count myself as very fortunate indeed to have had a mother whom I can count on and whom I get along with. I see people who do not have that in their families and I can only hope they get that support from others in their lives. We cannot do everything alone and there will be times we require pillars and times we act as pillars; I just try to remember to be grateful in both instances.


You're so right, imo. It's important that patients retain their sense of agency. I was speaking to a friend on TPF a few days ago about this as her own mother is making medical decisions that her children do not necessarily agree with.
However hard it is for us who may not agree with the choices they are making, it's important that we allow them the dignity and independence they are trying to grasp on to when they make these decisions. I hope your MIL will get the medical care she needs at the new facility.

___
Apologies for all the heavy talk. It seems this year has really been doing a number on us all!
*Edited out typos

 

[More bags]

Beautiful, and great pics too

Thank you PT!

I will first say how much I love the way you pair your bags and scarves. So chic!
But, also, I'm learning so much today! First the Rolex Cellini line from the post above and now I've seen my first So Kelly. At first I thought the flap must be tucked into the bag, but on a second look I realized the shape is nothing like the usual Kelly. This is a lovely variant and seems almost more practical! I know so little of the H world so it's nice to pick up these little crumbs along the way!

Thank you for your kind words jblended!

These are both stunning and in the colors I am drawn too. I love your taste.

Thanks dc!

 

[More bags]

Love these - especially that blue! Is the second color inside?

Hi @momasaurus, thanks and you are right, Bleu Izmir is on the inside and contrast stitching!

 

[BowieFan1971]

Hi @momasaurus, thanks and you are right, Bleu Izmir is on the inside and contrast stitching!
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Wow! Gorgeous!

 

[880]

Oh, I looked at the Plume and Bolide...the Bolide is nice and I like the history. Don’t know if I could spend what I was seeing sites like TRR and Fashionphile wants for them.

There are a lot of TOF posts warning re the TRR (authenticity and condition issues) and fashionphile has become super pricy. Japanese resellers have these bags for a much more reasonable price. I think I saw some as low at 1K or 1.5K this summer. If you like the Plume, a smooshy collapsible version is thea Victoria, which I’ve seen for 1.5-2K At resale. There is also an elan model (slimmer). After the holidays, I think the prices will drop again. the 1923 Bugatti ? Bolide is also nice (no strap, but I think an outside. But there are lots of other bags that no one ever thinks of. . .
@More bags, love the blue Izmir and rhe contrast!

Thanks @Purses & Perfumes. I find the best deals are rhe heritage leathers like box. Here are some other pics of the two kelly bags. the blue grey 28 one was 6100 usd this summer. The prune 32 box one was 5300 usd this fall. This summer, I also picked up a box kelly longue wallet (from 2028) for about 4K, basically unused. The 28 and the wallet needed almost no work. I love box, barenia, VN etc. and after docride treats them, I don’t mind if they get a bit wet, but I don’t take them out in a monsoon or anything. whenever you are ready, there are lots of people here who can help you find whatever you decide.
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[Vintage Leather]

Going for the rhyme...
Thomas Maier, Daniel Lee,
It’s all BV to me!

Honestly, I really don’t know enough about BV to know the difference. Like I said, maybe you just need to “experience” H and BV to get it. I know I didn’t understand LV until I did.

Maier was the previous long-time director of BV, and his specialty was a tight weave, with smooshy leathers (they had the best deerskin!) and subtle colors with some lovely variations. I think the best bag he was responsible for was the toasted marshmallow cabat. Absolutely no logos.

Lee ... threw out the baby with the bathwater. He’s the new guy, and his plan was to take the Thing BV is Known for (woven bags) and he designed them with very thick belts and stiff leather. Looks like a seatbelt bag, imo, but stuffer and less interesting. Needless to say, Lee has managed to alienate the whole darn old-school fan base.

There’s no prizes at the end of the day for having the best or fanciest bags (although, I suspect that my family may mention my bag collection at my funeral...). Just the best bags for you and your life. Your collection is gorgeous!

And if you decide to go to the H-side, we’ll help you sh

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

Thanks @Purses & Perfumes. I find the best deals are rhe heritage leathers like box. Here are some other pics of the two kelly bags. the blue grey 28 one was 6100 usd this summer. The prune 32 box one was 5300 usd this fall. This summer, I also picked up a box kelly longue wallet (from 2028) for about 4K, basically unused. The 28 and the wallet needed almost no work. I love box, barenia, VN etc. and after docride treats them, I don’t mind if they get a bit wet, but I don’t take them out in a monsoon or anything. whenever you are ready, there are lots of people here who can help you find whatever you decide.
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Wow, your Kelly bags! They are absolutely gorgeous and I really cannot decide which one I love more -- the blue grey or the prune. The wallet is beautiful too. I love box leather. Thank you for posting!