2022 Resolution: Shopping my own bag and SLG collection. Anyone else?

[Katinahat]

2 Aug - brand showcase: A-F
4 Sept - brand showcase: G-L
11 Sept - brand showcase: M-R
18 Sept - brand showcase: S-Z
25 Sept - totes
2 Oct - satchels
9 Oct - crossbodies inc WOCS
16 Oct - shoulder bags
23 Oct - bucket bags
30 Oct - clutches
6 Nov - backpacks
13 Nov - bags that don’t count
20 Nov - pairing bags with shoes
27 Nov - pairing bags with other accessories
4 Dec - bag storage
11 Dec - SLGs
18 Dec - charms

Challenges:
Sept - bags in different locations
Oct - Halloween: wear orange or black bags
Nov - International Merlot Day: wear wine coloured bags or pair bags with wine.
Dec - use the bag.

 

[BowieFan1971]

Here is a dumb question. Sincere but dumb. What makes a bag approachable?

It doesn’t make a standoff-ish statement, even though it is designer, and makes the wearer look warm and real. Like someone you could approach and talk to, not get the cold shoulder from. I would think in an office with new coworkers and potential allies, that would be a good thing.

 

[BowieFan1971]

Me: ( waves from off the wagon)

Hi everybody! I haven't updated you guys in a while but things have been so busy. I'm entering a fresh new semester so that leaves little room to chit-chat.

I am celebrating some pretty big milestones, everyone. I'm turning twenty-five in around two months. I'll be done my degree by the end of December. I decided that I'm going to treat myself to something shiny and pretty...

What do you guys think? I'm attempting to decide between a Louis Vuitton Vernis Alma BB in Amarante ( $1600 CAD , basically new) or a Louis Vuitton Ikat Grand Bleu Catalina BB ($1095 CAD, also basically new)... orrr something else

Some background... I have owned a Louis Vuitton Reade PM in a baby blue sort of colour. I felt restricted by its limited ways of being carried and how the straps were untreated leather. This is going to be a more special piece in my collection but if anyone owns the Catalina, how narrow is the top-handle? Since I've gained some weight my arms aren't as thin as they used to be. My wardrobe is mostly blues and greens but since I thrift often I am not too picky about the color difference.

LEt me know what you think!

I saw an Alma BB vernis in Pomme d’amour on Fashionphile for $930 if you are not stuck on color. In good condition and stunning!

 

[880]

If you can’t find the recipe, let me know and I’ll see if I can share a link. I’ve made it a couple of times and it’s straightforward. WaPo also posted a triple garlic bread recipe that’s totally worth serving with the Cacio e Pepe. I usually make multiple loaves at a time and freeze in portions; it reheats well.

ETA: Thanks for the recommendations on shoes. All of those stores/brands are available at Tysons in Virginia, which is where I’m headed on Saturday!

Thanks! i dislike the new (to me) Wapo layout, but I found it (I have a Wapo subscription, but I believe it’s also google able )

if anyone needs it, here are the basics (I am not a minimalist, and not a stickler for detail, so might double/triple the cheese et al for a pound of bucatini). I add freshly grated nutmeg to my cacio. Not sure if that addition would be welcome here or not)

for the cacio y pepe: it’s basically the usual recipe, but brown the butter, sauté the za’atar for a minute, add and reduce the cooking water into an emulsion; and drained cooked pasta and the two cheeses (the finished product is not golden but brown speckled)

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons za’atar, divided
• 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
• 4 ounces Parmesan cheese, very finely grated
• 1 ounce pecorino Romano cheese, very finely grated
• 2 teaspoons whole fresh marjoram or thyme leaves (optional)

for the triple garlic bread
roast a head of garlic 40-50 minutes, blend or mash the cloves into 8 T of butter; slather onto a loaf of french bread cut lengthwise and bake.

if your nieces wedding is on grass, perhaps consider a stacked espadrille heel or something that won’t sink?

hugs

 

[JenJBS]

@JenJBS , before DH and I revamped our lifestyle, diet, and exercise, we used to adore sourdough pancakes, waffles or biscuits for dinner. . .

Yummy!

@JenJBS What's the vibe in the new office like? If it's quite casual and colourful, pick one of the purples because it's most "you" and will have you feeling most confident. Otherwise, pick the black while you're getting settled in, and introduce colour as the week goes on. HTH

Thank you! It is a casual environment.

@JenJBS That purple BV bag is epic. I sort of agree that black could be good. They can form their opinion of you first and the bag second. The Rebecca Minkoff is sort of in-between. Not black but not so eye catching.

Thank you!

 

[JenJBS]

I vote for the BV MonaLisa, even though all of them are gorgeous, because when it popped up on my screen I said "Wowza!!!" And I think it expresses your personality so well.

It would look great with grey pants (less of a contrast than black pants) but then what top are you considering? Is this the sort of office where you need to wear a jacket, or can you do a different sort of top, like a sweater or a shirt? Also, would you be wearing jewelry? What kind and how much? (Before I retired I was teaching in a university, and also doing a lot of public speaking, so my outfit choices were different than they would have been in an office. I'm hopelessly behind the times in knowing what's appropriate!)

Thank you!

With a purple bag, I was thinking black ballet flats, jeans (feels weird to wear jeans on a first day, but that's what everyone in the office wears), black shirt. Flame painted copper bracelet. Small stud earrings.

 

[whateve]

Thank you!

With a purple bag, I was thinking black ballet flats, jeans (feels weird to wear jeans on a first day, but that's what everyone in the office wears), black shirt. Flame painted copper bracelet. Small stud earrings.

View attachment 5394480

I love this bracelet! Who makes it?

 

[880]

Thank you!

With a purple bag, I was thinking black ballet flats, jeans (feels weird to wear jeans on a first day, but that's what everyone in the office wears), black shirt. Flame painted copper bracelet. Small stud earrings.

View attachment 5394480

If everyone wears jeans, I change my vote to your ferragamo violet which is one of my favorite bags on TPF

 

[whateve]

Multicolor bags. Some of these I've shown other weeks.
Coach Kaffe Fassett Marleigh from 2019.

Michael Kors Manhattan from 2019.



Coach Metallic camera bag from 2019.



My two Brahmins, from 2020 and 2021.

 

[papertiger]

I would love to embrace a capsule wardrobe mindset, but I have a general shopping habit. That said, the majority of my wardrobe is made up of two brands (Lilly Pulitzer and lululemon), so I do have an aesthetic, if you will. Summer is mostly loose, printed dresses from Lilly for work, then shorts and tanks from lulu on weekends. Winter is mostly some form of athletic wear. I dress up when we travel (no matter the season), so there are exceptions, but those are my go-tos.

My niece’s wedding is in two weeks and I have a dress identified, but am struggling with shoes. I know what I want; I just don’t own them and online research hasn’t turned up anything, so off to the mall next weekend I go. I want light gold sandals with block heels. I’m all ears for those with suggestions!

I'll keep my eyes open

 

[cowgirlsboots]

You really know how to stir up bag lust. (Resisting pursing LV Epi bags).

Oops... sorry!
I hadn´t been thinking about LV Epi for many years, actually since shortly after seeing the bags in person in Paris in 2015 and then realizing they were still too expensive for me preloved. At some point I bought a monogramme Speedy 25 which didn´t suit me at all but became the perfect graduation present for my younger DD.
Well, and then this new shop popped up and I couldn´t resist.

 

[cowgirlsboots]

I looked up red Almas and immediately a Pomme vernis Alma BB is excellent condition pops up for $930 on Fashionphile. But I see LV Epi bags in good condition for $200-500 all the time.

Wow, that´s great! In Germany they sell for more.

 

[papertiger]

Multicolor bags. Some of these I've shown other weeks.
Coach Kaffe Fassett Marleigh from 2019.View attachment 5394490

Michael Kors Manhattan from 2019.

View attachment 5394498

Coach Metallic camera bag from 2019.

View attachment 5394501

My two Brahmins, from 2020 and 2021.

View attachment 5394503View attachment 5394505

You choose your multi-colours so well

 

[cowgirlsboots]

Oh yes! I now recall she mentioned a trip recently! Thank you for that!


They never fall from grace in my world! That's the reason my collection is bloated!
It's nothing anyone else would find special, but it was very special to me. Marc by Marc Jacobs Goodbye Columbus crossbody bag (can't find a picture of mine right now, but it's just a small, basic camera bag).
I wanted it when it was in the shops but couldn't afford it. Found it later at an outlet and wasn't sold on the colourway/ still wasn't really able to afford it.
Then around 4 years later, found it preloved in perfect condition for $30! Pounced on it, painted it so the colours were more to my liking, and then carried it, loved it, petted and hugged it to death.
For whatever reason- and I own a lot of nicer, really unique, more expensive bags- this one was the one I thought I'd never be able to get, and was the one that felt absolutely perfect when I finally got it. It's the most ridiculous bag to ascribe HG status to, honestly, and yet...

...a true HG: personal!

 

[papertiger]

Way late on these shares but here are my metallic (and jeweled) bags.

The one on the right is a $98 evening bag from Nordstrom that I changed the strap on. Such a simple piece but really functional.

View attachment 5394119

Both are fab!

The one on the right has a Peretti feel about it, I suppose it's her knitted mesh silver jewellery.

It also reminds me of a Vesace Medusa Oroton top I have. I bet it looks stunning worn.

 

[cowgirlsboots]

Well done you! It’s great you do the capsule wardrobe thing and are enjoying making your purchases. Going out has become something we appreciate more. I forget that my work experience of the last two years is quite different to my friends who often still WFH. I’m glad you are getting out and hope that your work situation resolves itself soon too.

I’m awful at Capsule Wardrobe! As soon as I find one thing I love that fits, I get it in several colours. I think I have a general shopping habit not just bags! The weather here is changeable but I wear jeans all year round and I think they are currently breeding .

I have about 12 pairs of skinnies, straight, or mom jeans in uk sizes 10-12 (more in size 8s and 14s in storage) plus chinos and crops for summer. I pair jeans with long sleeve tops and thick knitwear for winter and T-shirts with thinner knitwear for summer (also breeding). I have too many boots, trainers, coats and jackets for each season too. It’s a good thing my storage is generous (although hardly the full room some members have).

My workwear is the same. Multiple options in trousers, jackets and so many dresses I can’t count! Plus I have clothes that only come out for hot holidays abroad or the rare short heatwave here. I don’t like to let things go until they are well worn and my size fluctuates so much that I just store what is too big or too small in another room.

What about other members? Capsule wardrobe, general shopping habit or somewhere in between?

I´m an absolute hoarder- wandering wardrobe personified! I have rather few black basics, jeans and useful shoes but tons of vintage coats, leather jackets, dresses from the 40ies to the 70ies plus matching shoes, hats, gloves.... and I won´t stop shopping...
At least most of my "old life" clothes from 15 years ago that weren´t my style at all anymore has been sold or thrown out lately.