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

[Bag peace]

Hope it comes out! I read about Coach fans “dunking” their old Coaches all the time. You may want to check out some of the repair and restore threads there, like Coach Rehab and Rescue. They are serious!
From experience...watch out for linings. They can bleed onto the leather and stain it...ask me how I know...

I'm dunking it as we speak!

Not sure it will survive the bath but I've got nothing to lose at this point. I never could bring myself to like the bag, and my friend got it for a bargain (I think $30 in a clearance sale). I do hope I can get it back into decent shape out of respect for the source of the leather.
I've never had a dye do what this one did (and I dye my bags regularly)! I was quite shocked at how it formed this pasty, chalky layer on top of the leather. It was like the dye was chemically reacting to the leather, lol!

Thanks for the warning about the lining! I'll keep that in mind for future endeavours; thankfully this bag has beige lining so should be ok.

 

[BowieFan1971]

Question....any of you ladies familiar with vintage Fendi canvas. I am basically done buying bags, but have one hole left. I want a cute little coated canvas shoulder or crossbody bag and have not seen an LV I love for the money they want. I have seen some in Fendi, but I know nothing about the brand’s canvas. I see it wears differently than LV/Gucci coated canvas from how some pre-loved look. Would love more info.

 

[BowieFan1971]

I'm dunking it as we speak!

Not sure it will survive the bath but I've got nothing to lose at this point. I never could bring myself to like the bag, and my friend got it for a bargain (I think $30 in a clearance sale). I do hope I can get it back into decent shape out of respect for the source of the leather.
I've never had a dye do what this one did (and I dye my bags regularly)! I was quite shocked at how it formed this pasty, chalky layer on top of the leather. It was like the dye was chemically reacting to the leather, lol!

Thanks for the warning about the lining! I'll keep that in mind for future endeavours; thankfully this bag has beige lining so should be ok.

I want to hear how it turns out! What those Coach ladies do is AMAZING! What brand/leather type is the one you have? Curious to see if the same technique works as well in other types of leather than the thick chewy vintage Coach leather.

No matter what the price, I think I would about cry to get a chalky, nasty looking mess like that!

 

[Bag peace]

I want to hear how it turns out! What those Coach ladies do is AMAZING! What brand/leather type is the one you have? Curious to see if the same technique works as well in other types of leather than the thick chewy vintage Coach leather.

Agreed; those Coach rehabbers are incredible!
My bag is a Vince Camuto mini bag (7x5 inches) in "bubble leather" (as per my friend's description when she got it for me).
I know very little of the brand or their leathers so I'm also curious to see how the dunking will pan out. I'll post an update once I'm done.

 

[BowieFan1971]

Agreed; those Coach rehabbers are incredible!
My bag is a Vince Camuto mini bag (7x5 inches) in "bubble leather" (as per my friend's description when she got it for me).
I know very little of the brand or their leathers so I'm also curious to see how the dunking will pan out. I'll post an update once I'm done.

Bubble leather? Like Chanel caviar? I only have a pair of Camuto boots in saddle. Totally different leathers.

I just had a thought...if it is light color, the dye maybe responding poorly to the coating/finish on the bag. I notice some brand’s light color bags have almost more of a paint/surface coating on them rather than a dye finish that goes all the way through.

 

[Bag peace]

Bubble leather? Like Chanel caviar? I only have a pair of Camuto boots in saddle. Totally different leathers.

I just had a thought...if it is light color, the dye maybe responding poorly to the coating/finish on the bag. I notice some brand’s light color bags have almost more of a paint/surface coating on them rather than a dye finish that goes all the way through.

It's textured leather- quite large bumps, similar to Chanel caviar but with larger bumps.

I prepped the bag really well, removing all the top coat and original oxblood colour before dyeing it with the yellow, so the dye wasn't reacting to the finish on the bag. I'm not sure what it was reacting to, to be honest, but it certainly responded very poorly to being applied to the leather.

You're right about the bag only having a surface layer of paint rather than fully dyed leather. I was surprised when I prepped it to find the oxblood colour wipe cleanly away, revealing a grey-ish leather underneath. It's almost like their bags are spray painted!

 

[BowieFan1971]

It's textured leather- quite large bumps, similar to Chanel caviar but with larger bumps.

I prepped the bag really well, removing all the top coat and original oxblood colour before dyeing it with the yellow, so the dye wasn't reacting to the finish on the bag. I'm not sure what it was reacting to, to be honest, but it certainly responded very poorly to being applied to the leather.

You're right about the bag only having a surface layer of paint rather than fully dyed leather. I was surprised when I prepped it to find the oxblood colour wipe cleanly away, revealing a grey-ish leather underneath. It's almost like their bags are spray painted!

Wow! I understand doing that with a light color bag, but ox blood?!? How lazy is that???? Guess what brand I won’t ever buy! But that certainly ups the mystery factor on that dye, except to say it is crappy! What brand dye is it?

 

[msd_bags]

I just backread more than 10 pages! It had been hectic at work plus I got migraine and mild vertigo attack. Yesterday and today are much more relaxed, thankfully.
I managed to complete the 5-bag challenge this December! I know I posted until bag 3 before (Proenza Schouler tote, Longchamp Le Pliage Club and Givenchy Pandora).
Bag 4 - Coach Cassie (old photo here)


Bag 5 - Saint Laurent East Side(?) tote

 

[Bag peace]

Wow! I understand doing that with a light color bag, but ox blood?!? How lazy is that???? Guess what brand I won’t ever buy! But that certainly ups the mystery factor on that dye, except to say it is crappy! What brand dye is it?

Yep, based on this bag I can't say I'd recommend them. Not sure if their other bags are better as it's not a brand I gravitate towards or have handled much. I've learned that I like only Coach and Hammitt at these price points ($100-350-ish). Most other brands are just letdowns.

The dye was just a random one I picked up in an art supply store. The brand name is written in what appears to be Mandarin, so I couldn't tell you!
I picked it because the colour looked so pretty- and it really is! Such a shame that it didn't work out.

*Edit to add that Angelus has never given me any issues (I've dyed bags and shoes repeatedly with no problems), and whilst I don't personally like working with Jacquard leather paints, they are still excellent and do what they're intended to do. Lesson learned: use brands that are established and do not experiment with random dyes!

I just backread more than 10 pages! It had been hectic at work plus I got migraine and mild vertigo attack. Yesterday and today are much more relaxed, thankfully.
I managed to complete the 5-bag challenge this December! I know I posted until bag 3 before (Proenza Schouler tote, Longchamp Le Pliage Club and Givenchy Pandora).
Bag 4 - Coach Cassie (old photo here)

Bag 5 - Saint Laurent East Side(?) tote

Yay! Happy to see you back! I was wondering where you'd gone.
So sorry to hear about the migraine and vertigo. They often come on together, unfortunately. I hope you continue to feel better.
Love both your bags. The strap on the Saint Laurent is so much fun.

Also, you won't believe this but I found some Sapin Sapin at the Asian market and I gobbled it up! It didn't taste the same as I remembered it but it was still such fun to eat.
Thanks for giving me the correct name.

 

[msd_bags]

I last bought a bag in July this year. After that, the reality of people having financial difficulties during this pandemic hit me. While I have a stable job, I felt that I have to spend more wisely. Plus, since I have been staying more in the house, there are a lot of things I’ve noticed that need some fixing.

Maybe it’s a good thing too that I went back to an old hobby - baking. It got my mind off bags a bit.

Btw, I received a gift, a Coach Mercer. In oxblood. While I like this Coach style, I have also a beloved Mulberry Small Zipped Bayswater in oxblood! Not exactly the same shape, but fairly close style. But the gift is not something I can return or ask for a replacement or give to somebody else, or much more sell. So I suppose I will keep it even if it’s some kind of a duplicate. What would you do?

 

[msd_bags]

Yep, based on this bag I can't say I'd recommend them. Not sure if their other bags are better as it's not a brand I gravitate towards or have handled much. I've learned that I like only Coach and Hammitt at these price points ($100-350-ish). Most other brands are just letdowns.

The dye was just a random one I picked up in an art supply store. The brand name is written in what appears to be Mandarin, so I couldn't tell you!
I picked it because the colour looked so pretty- and it really is! Such a shame that it didn't work out.

*Edit to add that Angelus has never given me any issues (I've dyed bags and shoes repeatedly with no problems), and whilst I don't personally like working with Jacquard leather paints, they are still excellent and do what they're intended to do. Lesson learned: use brands that are established and do not experiment with random dyes!


Yay! Happy to see you back! I was wondering where you'd gone.
So sorry to hear about the migraine and vertigo. They often come on together, unfortunately. I hope you continue to feel better.
Love both your bags. The strap on the Saint Laurent is so much fun.

Also, you won't believe this but I found some Sapin Sapin at the Asian market and I gobbled it up! It didn't taste the same as I remembered it but it was still such fun to eat.
Thanks for giving me the correct name.

The strap on the Saint Laurent is by Anya Hindmarch. I find it so cute!!

Yay for the sapin-sapin!! My sister in the US also makes it at times, from some (instant) ingredients at the Asian store. I think the ‘authentic’ way to do it is to grind a mix of water and rice grains. But I actually don’t know how to make one, lol!

 

[BowieFan1971]

Yep, based on this bag I can't say I'd recommend them. Not sure if their other bags are better as it's not a brand I gravitate towards or have handled much. I've learned that I like only Coach and Hammitt at these price points ($100-350-ish). Most other brands are just letdowns.

The dye was just a random one I picked up in an art supply store. The brand name is written in what appears to be Mandarin, so I couldn't tell you!
I picked it because the colour looked so pretty- and it really is! Such a shame that it didn't work out.

*Edit to add that Angelus has never given me any issues (I've dyed bags and shoes repeatedly with no problems), and whilst I don't personally like working with Jacquard leather paints, they are still excellent and do what they're intended to do. Lesson learned: use brands that are established and do not experiment with random dyes!


Yay! Happy to see you back! I was wondering where you'd gone.
So sorry to hear about the migraine and vertigo. They often come on together, unfortunately. I hope you continue to feel better.
Love both your bags. The strap on the Saint Laurent is so much fun.

Also, you won't believe this but I found some Sapin Sapin at the Asian market and I gobbled it up! It didn't taste the same as I remembered it but it was still such fun to eat.
Thanks for giving me the correct name.

This year I think I am going to play around with leather paint and dyes more. Thanks for the heads up on brands. Sometimes you get what you pay for! Keep me updated on your bag progress!

 

[BowieFan1971]

I last bought a bag in July this year. After that, the reality of people having financial difficulties during this pandemic hit me. While I have a stable job, I felt that I have to spend more wisely. Plus, since I have been staying more in the house, there are a lot of things I’ve noticed that need some fixing.

Maybe it’s a good thing too that I went back to an old hobby - baking. It got my mind off bags a bit.

Btw, I received a gift, a Coach Mercer. In oxblood. While I like this Coach style, I have also a beloved Mulberry Small Zipped Bayswater in oxblood! Not exactly the same shape, but fairly close style. But the gift is not something I can return or ask for a replacement or give to somebody else, or much more sell. So I suppose I will keep it even if it’s some kind of a duplicate. What would you do?

Could you sell the Mulberry? If you can’t sell the Coach and they are similar...plus, you will get more for the Mulberry.

 

[Cookiefiend]

Added one more bag to make the 5 challenge for this month. I had to walk to an appointment near the centre of the city in which I live this afternoon. I was going to take my new Alexa but thought I’d branch out and carry a different bag for this challenge! Mulberry Mini Cara seemed the perfect option for the 5.5km walk each way. Big enough for essentials, small enough to carry easily and wears as a backpack so very practical. I love the Steel Blue colour and quilting on this bag. The leather is thick but really soft and feels so good!

View attachment 4936686

1. Mulberry new Alexa Icon
2. Coach Signature Central Zip Tote
3. Mulberry Tessie Hobo
4. Kate Spade Daily Small
Satchel
5. Mulberry mini Cara

Ohmigoodness - this is adorbs, and I love the color!

Wishing all of you Merry Christmas!

View attachment 4936879

We put up our Christmas tree this afternoon. It might not be a classic beauty, but it´s perfect to us: the tree came from our yard. It was growing out of a wall and would have had to be cut anyway. The baubles and lights came from a garbage pile at the curb years ago. Some old lady must have died or moved to an old peoples´home and all her "worthless" belongings ended at the curb- the baubles carefully packed in their original grey cardboard boxes.

Merry Christmas sweetheart - I love this tree!
I'm glad you've rescued someone's once loved treasures and adopted them as your own - that is lovely.

I just backread more than 10 pages! It had been hectic at work plus I got migraine and mild vertigo attack. Yesterday and today are much more relaxed, thankfully.
I managed to complete the 5-bag challenge this December! I know I posted until bag 3 before (Proenza Schouler tote, Longchamp Le Pliage Club and Givenchy Pandora).
Bag 4 - Coach Cassie (old photo here)
View attachment 4937072

Bag 5 - Saint Laurent East Side(?) tote
View attachment 4937074

Goodness - I'm glad you're feeling better!
I think the Cassie is a really cute bag, and this pink color is so fun!

I last bought a bag in July this year. After that, the reality of people having financial difficulties during this pandemic hit me. While I have a stable job, I felt that I have to spend more wisely. Plus, since I have been staying more in the house, there are a lot of things I’ve noticed that need some fixing.

Maybe it’s a good thing too that I went back to an old hobby - baking. It got my mind off bags a bit.

Btw, I received a gift, a Coach Mercer. In oxblood. While I like this Coach style, I have also a beloved Mulberry Small Zipped Bayswater in oxblood! Not exactly the same shape, but fairly close style. But the gift is not something I can return or ask for a replacement or give to somebody else, or much more sell. So I suppose I will keep it even if it’s some kind of a duplicate. What would you do?

Ohhh - that's a tough one. I would hate to get rid of a beloved purse, just because I had one that was similar. I might put the Coach in the closet, and maybe use it on the days you'd normally carry the Mulberry, but the weather is bad.

 

[Bag peace]

Btw, I received a gift, a Coach Mercer. In oxblood. While I like this Coach style, I have also a beloved Mulberry Small Zipped Bayswater in oxblood! Not exactly the same shape, but fairly close style. But the gift is not something I can return or ask for a replacement or give to somebody else, or much more sell. So I suppose I will keep it even if it’s some kind of a duplicate. What would you do?

I would re-gift the Mercer since it's brand new, if at all possible. Do you know anyone who could use a professional bag like that but perhaps could not afford to buy one for themselves?
Or if you're willing and able, there are charities for people looking to return to the workforce like Dress for Success (or similar alternatives) where a bag like that would really give someone a big step up as they start or return to their careers. Especially this year given how many will be unemployed and looking to start over.
Of course, you can choose to keep it and enjoy it. They may be similar bags but they're not exact duplicates, so perhaps you'd find the Coach fits in well in your bag closet somehow without competing with the Mulberry? They're both special bags!

Yay for the sapin-sapin!! My sister in the US also makes it at times, from some (instant) ingredients at the Asian store. I think the ‘authentic’ way to do it is to grind a mix of water and rice grains. But I actually don’t know how to make one, lol!

What a great idea! I'll look for the instant stuff when I'm next at the store. I would never be able to make it authentically, but I think I can do the 'just add water' approach and not mess it up, lol.
They had some fresh Ube and I really wanted to grab one, but I wouldn't know what to do with it. I'll be looking at some easy recipes so that I can buy one next time as well and experiment in the kitchen.
If nothing else, this will bring back fond memories.

This year I think I am going to play around with leather paint and dyes more. Thanks for the heads up on brands. Sometimes you get what you pay for! Keep me updated on your bag progress!

How exciting! It can be a lot of fun to change up the look of a bag entirely.
Unfortunately, this bag is not faring well. Most of the yellow dye has come off, but some of it is stubbornly adhered to the leather. It just looks bad.
The bag itself has kept its shape and should be good to use after it dries. I'll either dye it black and let it go since I never liked it much, or I'll buy some Angelus dye in yellow and do the job correctly. I'll decide later.