2021 Resolution: Shopping my own bag and SLG collection. Any one else?

[Sparkletastic]

NOVEMBER ACTIVITIES

1. Bags by Brand Showcase!

Each week, share photos of your bags from the specified brands. Choose a posed “beauty” shot or get your bags out and about in action shots!

We highlight 3 brands per week: 2 premier and 1 contemporary in alphabetical order as listed on tPF. Any brands not listed are showcased in our last week. Brands change to the next set each Sunday.

Our first brand week starts now - Sunday, Oct 31. Please share photos of bags from these brands:

• Bottega Venetta
• Burberry
• Alexander Wang

Tip: Grab your photos from last year in the 2020 resolution thread. Search your user name and the brand to find your photos.

2. Special Stories
Thanks @Claudia Herzog for the suggestion

Wear a bag that has a backstory involving a person, place, or opportunity for which you feel grateful.

 

[Vintage Leather]

In January, father passed away, and in March, my cousin passed away, my mother healed from her partial amputation. In June, I caught covid, and in August, my uncle passed away, I sold my little cottage in the pines in September, my 16 yr old caught covid, and I went through a second bout. In November, I was diagnosed with lumps in my lungs, and thyroid disorder. In December, I changed jobs. I had to replace the HVAC, and the next day, we had a leak on the roof. And another uncle was hospitalized yesterday.

It’s been a challenging year which has forced me to confront some hard truths about my life and lifestyle. My final stats are:

December
Bags In: 0
Bags out: 0
Accessories In: 1
Accessories Out: 14
Total out: 190


December YTD
Bags In: 4
Bags Out: 9
Accessories In: 16
Jewelry and Accessories Out: 193
Total out : 2085


1) touch everything I own this year
B+
I touched the majority of things I owned, including a major pantry rearrangement. I haven’t gotten to a dozen boxes, including tools, but have done about 95%

2) no net gain - no buying anything for my closet unless I can fund it with things I’ve sold.
A+
In addition to funding my closet purchases, I was able to partially pay for the HVAC. It was great to have the money but also really stressful

3) including my donations, do a 2021 in 2021. Eliminate 2021 items from my home.
A+
2085!!
This does not include trash, even if it was still usable, ect. I could probably eliminate another 2000-3000 without having a major impact on my life; the average American home has 9000 items in it, according to a UCLA study. I want to get to the point where I can’t lose things because I don’t have cluttered spaces, and where I can move easily and in a day or two.

 

[msd_bags]

I have been in this annual thread since mid 2016 (if I’m not mistaken), but the pandemic took my mind off bags and well, tpf, in the latter part of last year and most of this year. I involved myself in other activities that helped me keep my sanity in the midst of the pandemic.

I’ve not gotten back to regular bag rotation now since I almost only go out to go to the office. I go to the mall only for errands.

So I have nothing to report this year, only to say that most of my bags have not been out of their dust bags in a year or so. I also have not had any bag purchase since August 2020, which is actually a good thing!

 

[BowieFan1971]

I don’t remember my resolutions, but while I made some big ticket purchases (Hermès), I bought less bags than 2020. Especially in the last half of the year. I got my HG bag (gold Bolide) and rescued another bag (1956 Kelly) that is a true piece of history I am so proud to own. I will buy a bag each in Paris and Italy (bramd/style TBD), but that should be it.

I also finally honed in on exactly the bag specs that are right for me after some trial and error over the last few years. So now I can buy much more intentionally and know that I will be happy with my purchases.

I found the designers I like, much thanks to you guys, so it is easy for me to say no to what is trendy/popular/“it.”

I found “my” colors, the ones I love and will use, so I can resist other colors I would have bought because they were “missing” but that I would not use (pink, I’m talking to you…).

This has been a challenging year after another challenging year, but I have learned and grown, along with having some wonderful experiences. Not sad to see 2021 go, but I can look back fondly on the year overall.

 

[dcooney4]

In January, father passed away, and in March, my cousin passed away, my mother healed from her partial amputation. In June, I caught covid, and in August, my uncle passed away, I sold my little cottage in the pines in September, my 16 yr old caught covid, and I went through a second bout. In November, I was diagnosed with lumps in my lungs, and thyroid disorder. In December, I changed jobs. I had to replace the HVAC, and the next day, we had a leak on the roof. And another uncle was hospitalized yesterday.

It’s been a challenging year which has forced me to confront some hard truths about my life and lifestyle. My final stats are:

December
Bags In: 0
Bags out: 0
Accessories In: 1
Accessories Out: 14
Total out: 190


December YTD
Bags In: 4
Bags Out: 9
Accessories In: 16
Jewelry and Accessories Out: 193
Total out : 2085


1) touch everything I own this year
B+
I touched the majority of things I owned, including a major pantry rearrangement. I haven’t gotten to a dozen boxes, including tools, but have done about 95%

2) no net gain - no buying anything for my closet unless I can fund it with things I’ve sold.
A+
In addition to funding my closet purchases, I was able to partially pay for the HVAC. It was great to have the money but also really stressful

3) including my donations, do a 2021 in 2021. Eliminate 2021 items from my home.
A+
2085!!
This does not include trash, even if it was still usable, ect. I could probably eliminate another 2000-3000 without having a major impact on my life; the average American home has 9000 items in it, according to a UCLA study. I want to get to the point where I can’t lose things because I don’t have cluttered spaces, and where I can move easily and in a day or two.

You have had an incredibly tough year . May 2022 bring you health and happiness. !

 

[Cookiefiend]

Oh, yuck. I've got pneumonia. Oxygen saturation 88, so breathing is an interesting proposition. Hah.

The good news, though… it's not Covid. I've had the rapid test and the PCR, and they both came back negative.

My pulmonologist has me on 10 days of a strong antibiotic plus 5 days of prednisone. My face is swelling up like a balloon, and I have dimples!

I'm trying to look on the positive side, though. So many people are so sick, and I have something treatable. Plus a husband who loves me, and a comfy house to recuperate in. And I was healthy on Christmas (my birthday ), so we were able to bring my 97-year-old Mom over from Assisted Living for a couple of hours. She enjoyed herself, and we enjoyed her.

Oh my goodness! I’m glad it’s not COVID, but pneumonia is no joke. Sending you hugs and wishes for a quick recovery - take care of yourself!
Also - Happy Birthday!
And lastly, I’m so glad your mother was able to join you! ❤️

 

[ElainePG]

I remembered you have a BTW! Is yours getting saggy at the corners? I have to keep mine full or it looks a little deflated which isn’t helping my irritation with it. I’ve never had a bag sag / lose shape on me before.

And, I’m so sorry you have pneumonia. I had it once many years ago after a bad flu and it’s no joke. Every single breath hurt. Hoping for better days soon.

My BTW isn't getting saggy at the corners, but maybe I should store it stuffed in case that happens? I don't carry it very often. Maybe that's why.

I'm getting a bit saggy at the corners, though… definitely time to get back on the treadmill once I have my breath back!

 

[ElainePG]

I'm so sorry. Feel better soon! Did you ever get the pneumonia vaccine? Is that just for viral pneumonia? I got the first one. I'm supposed to go back next year for the second one.

Yes, I did get the pneumonia vaccine. But I'm not sure what sort of pneumonia that protects against. I just do what my pulmonologist tell me to. At least mine is bacterial, so there's a way to fix it. And by now, 4 days into the antibiotics, I'm feeling better.

 

[ElainePG]

I fell off the wagon last year but I'm hopping back on... one foot dangling off said wagon. As always I've given myself permission to purchase thrifted handbags and ones that are a rarity online ; however, I want to stick to minimal consumption habits especially given that I'm graduating this year. I'm so excited to see where this year takes me even if I can't buy all of the handbags I desire.

I would like to purchase the larger version of my Soho Flap in Mini Signature in either black or red. I'm definitely leaning towards the black version. A bigger bag option is definitely needed in my collection.

Finding your signature style requires an element of risk-taking. If there's a style you've always wanted to try now is the best time to do so. I suggest looking at a multitude of fashion blogs from a lot of different countries, mixing those particular elements into your personal style. If you like certain materials, keep a list of them and prioritize them.

This is the year that I'm attempting to dress more femininely... skirts, dresses, the works. My femininity is a power, not a weakness. I want to reclaim being girly and loving fashion in this deeply misogynistic society. In fact, I have this gorgeous blush pink quilted lunchbox coming in the mail. It's exactly what i'm looking for.

I love the idea of reclaiming your feminity as a power, not a weakness! Thank heavens we no longer have to "power dress" in navy suits with padded shoulders that make us look like football players! The blush pink bag sounds exactly right.

 

[papertiger]

I don't see a link to the new thread so here it is: https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...n-bag-and-slg-collection-anyone-else.1048698/

Apologies if it has already been posted and I missed it.

It got moved to the '22 thread. Thanks for posting it again

 

[ElainePG]

In January, father passed away, and in March, my cousin passed away, my mother healed from her partial amputation. In June, I caught covid, and in August, my uncle passed away, I sold my little cottage in the pines in September, my 16 yr old caught covid, and I went through a second bout. In November, I was diagnosed with lumps in my lungs, and thyroid disorder. In December, I changed jobs. I had to replace the HVAC, and the next day, we had a leak on the roof. And another uncle was hospitalized yesterday.

It’s been a challenging year which has forced me to confront some hard truths about my life and lifestyle. My final stats are:

December
Bags In: 0
Bags out: 0
Accessories In: 1
Accessories Out: 14
Total out: 190


December YTD
Bags In: 4
Bags Out: 9
Accessories In: 16
Jewelry and Accessories Out: 193
Total out : 2085


1) touch everything I own this year
B+
I touched the majority of things I owned, including a major pantry rearrangement. I haven’t gotten to a dozen boxes, including tools, but have done about 95%

2) no net gain - no buying anything for my closet unless I can fund it with things I’ve sold.
A+
In addition to funding my closet purchases, I was able to partially pay for the HVAC. It was great to have the money but also really stressful

3) including my donations, do a 2021 in 2021. Eliminate 2021 items from my home.
A+
2085!!
This does not include trash, even if it was still usable, ect. I could probably eliminate another 2000-3000 without having a major impact on my life; the average American home has 9000 items in it, according to a UCLA study. I want to get to the point where I can’t lose things because I don’t have cluttered spaces, and where I can move easily and in a day or two.

I am so sorry for your very difficult losses this year. "Challenging" doesn't even begin to describe it. If it were me, I'd be hiding under the covers.

May 2022 be an easier year for you.

 

[ElainePG]

Thank you for all the well-wishes, everyone. So much appreciated.

I'm out of bed today (whoop-dee-doo!) and feeling well enough to be at the computer for a while.

Here are my final stats for 2021. See everyone over on the 2022 thread, and happy new year!

Bags out: 5 (sold 3, donated 2)
Bags in: 4
This leaves me with 22 bags in my collection: 14 everyday bags, 8 small/weekend/special occasion bags

SLGs out: 1
SLGs in: 5 (um… I went a little nuts with card cases)

 

[papertiger]

Report Card '21

Bag rotation:

Grade: B

Apart from wearing the same 3 cross-body bags I managed to still carry at least 10 other bags on a reg basis, and some rarely-worn ones too. All this in a very poor year for travel, work and outings. Therefore, the grade has been adjusted from C+ to B to allow for lack of opportunity.

Selling bags:

Grade: D

Still have too many bags to count.

Useless

Buying bags

Grade A+
Admired many, didn't buy any

Other notable ins and outs

Grade B

Very naughty on the jewellery front but happy (Cartier and Solange Azagury Partridge) RTW and accessories were carefully thought-through (Gucci, SLP/YSL, McQueen). Scarves, stuck to my 2 or less per season + 1 preloved mousseline.

I donated plenty of good/designer clothes and jewellery to Age UK

I have been wearing and enjoying jewellery and clothes (given any opportunity). Nothing has been left for 'best'.

Leather maintenance

Grade: B

I did well cleaning and brushing bags and shoes/boots before wearing/storage. However, I lost 2 x 18K butterflies from Annoushka and Hermes earrings so will be chasing replacements.

 

[missie1]

Report Card 2021

I failed miserably at restraint Next year I plan to stick to the goals and no unauthorized spending

 

[JenJBS]

Such impressive end of year, and December - reports!

 

[cowgirlsboots]

My guilty purchase arrived today: NO REGRETS!
This bag is Galliano perfection and my heart is hammering with joy! Dior D´Trick 2004






It´s immaculate, was packaged beautifully and came with its dustbag, card, care booklet and their little envelop.