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.

 

[baghabitz34]

The fellas - my son, my sweetheart - hooked me up for Mother’s Day this year.

I gave them a list of items I liked & they picked two. So excited & happy!
Since I already know what’s in them, do I still need to wait until Sunday?

 

[Cordeliere]

I need to start doing this too. And the red pillowcase idea is hysterical… but also brilliant! I wonder if someone sells this on Etsy???

ETA: Yes, someone does. Isn't that funny? https://www.etsy.com/listing/860511852/custom-pillowcase-red-pillowcase-girl?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=red+pillowcase&ref=sc_gallery-1-3&sts=1&plkey=3b9d59002d914234515cc6bad7fa969a52ed2114:860511852

Awesome! There is one of those in my future. I like purple better than red. Both are equally hard to overlook IMHO. Thank you so much.

Update: This is on its way to me with the message: "Don't Leave Me"

 

[Katinahat]

That's great that you were able to reach your usage target with this bag -- I love the color! I don't need another tote at present, but if I needed one, I would get the Bayswater tote as it sounds like a sturdy bag that is also not heavy. I love that you are able to use it both for walking as well as driving commutes. I don't track cost per wear, but just try to rotate my bags as best as I can.

Thank you. It’s a great bag. Anything that helps with rotation is good. It’s great to use all our lovely bags!

Congratulations! I love a good tote!

I love keeping track of wear (and keep track of CPW just for curiosities sake)... I don't know why necessarily, but sometimes we do things just because they make us happy.

If it makes us happy just go with it!

And - without further ado - my April stats!

Bags in or out - 1 in, zero out. I bought another Tory Burch McGraw in a tan leather. I feel I could use a tan bag with a shoulder strap... but this isn't it. I like the bag, but I don't love it like I love the same bag in smooth leather in the burgundy color. So I'm still looking for that bag. I think I really want a smooth leather cognac color, rather than tan. Still - it's a nice bag.
SLG in or out - 1 OUT!! It took almost a year to sell the darling Longchamp wallet - so cute and with a darling lining - so YAY!
Scarves in or out - ZERO! Seriously - this might be news worthy! But I've already bought 1 in May... I had to do it! I was in Paris!
And it's beeeeeee-you-tee-ful!

I have no idea what the challenge was in April. I had a very bad month - there was too much going on (taxes and our CPA(s), still working on the basement flood aftermath, I got sick, then got depressed about everything, and trying to get ready for our trip to France) and was doing good to get anything done at all.

I did carry 7 bags in total but it's kinda skewed because I was traveling. I did take the Dior Lady and the H Vespa to France and they were both perfect. I also took the MZ Wallace Micro Sutton in black but didn't carry it... I think I'm going to sell it.

Onward into May! What are the challenges? Oh and I forgot to post my silver bag (same as last years), and I do have a multi-colored ebellished bag to post... oh and the bag I ended up carrying to the formal dinner at the Clos de Vougeot!

@jblended - thank you sweetheart for asking about me - you are a dear!

I’m so sorry to hear what an awful month you had. Hang in there and look after yourself. Your stats are great.

Proenza Schouler PS Courier small - formerly owned by our sweet @Sparkletastic
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Embellished bags:
Kurt Geiger Mini Kensington (super cute, but also super small)
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Stuart Weismann clutch (carried this for the formal dinner)
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Me at the Clos!
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Love the bags and you look beautiful!

I don't track cost per wear. It would take a lot of the joy out of owning my collection. Some of my bags get very little wear and I am fine with that. I am happy to have those bags, even I only carry them once in my lifetime. Just looking at them brings me joy. These are bags that I did not purchase to be daily bags--they are niche bags. If I started thinking about CPW, it would not make me carry them more and for me, it would be a major buzzkill. I would tell myself that it was so wasteful to purchase them. I prefer telling myself how great they are and how happy I am to have them.

What you are doing is different. You have zeroed in on a subset of your bags that you want to increase your use of and are using to spreadsheet to increase their carry. That is actually a different goal than reducing CPW. Falling CPW is just a measure of use.

It also sounds like analyzing bag use is a pleasurable activity for you. It is another way of playing with your bags. I like analyzing my bags by playing with their pictures. Last night I sorted them by color, which was very informative. Then I sorted them by type. That was really informative. It made me realize the common denominator of my favorite bags, which is a single handle that is short enough to function as a top handle, but long enough to shoulder carry.

Increasing my use of my niche bags is not a goal for me, but I would like to rotate my daily bags more. It is not a cost issue. For me, it is an "increase the joy" issue. It occurred to me I would probably rotate them more if I stored them in the buffet by the front door as opposed to upstairs in the bedroom. Maybe I should devise a way to track bag joy per day and work on increasing that. Cleaning my bags could increase bag joy. Online shopping for specific bags is joyful. Looking at other peoples bags is joyful as is learning about how other people manage their collections.

Your Baywater tote has simple styling and great lines. Love her elegant posture. The closure looks very functional. After looking at her pic, I went straight to Mulberry. It doesn't look like your color is currently available. Great choice on your part. I like the gray also, but the blue interior with the gray just didn't work for me. Treasure your beauty. Seeing it increase my bag joy for the day.

You are right, it’s not hugely important to me. It is just a way to increase my usage of certain bags. I totally accept that some of my bags are more niche too. I don’t go out to lovely smart places as much as I got to work - now that’s a shame!

The bayswater tote is great. Thanks for enjoying the colour. It’s quite classic and goes with navy or black based clothing.

Thank you!
Paris was packed, lots of people everywhere. We had a day that we spent with a chef (catering) - she took us to a street market (I fell in love at one of the cheese stands - the guy looked just like Bradley Cooper!) and then a cooking lesson - I learned how to make a soufflé!
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We made Magret duck breast, mashed celery root, and a pan sauce.
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We fithe Musee D’Orsay,
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had coffee at a bistro on a sidewalk, bought a baguette and took it to Luxembourg Gardens and ate it sitting and watching kids playing with boats. We walked everywhere, had so many fabulous dinners (I highly recommended Guy Savoy but it is very spendy),
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and I met the lovely women I bought my second Plumes En Fete from and had dinner at her restaurant.

It was our second trip to Beaune, but our first time to attend an event at the Clos de Vougeot - the Chapitre d’Amitie Franco-Americaine. I can’t even explain what a production this is, it’s just incredible.
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We also toured Dijon,
View attachment 5396244had lunch with Laurent Ponsot at his new winery, saw the Hospice de Beaune
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and managed to walk up and down a cobblestoned path in high heels without breaking my ankles or falling over after a very long evening fill with fabulous wine.
And then back to Paris, where I found this at the Sevres boutique - Marble Silk Brides de Gala! ❤
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What an incredible and interesting trip! Sounds like you had a great time. That scarf is beautiful!

I’ve seen bits and pieces of Charmed, but I never really got into that one. Not sure why, given my love of Buffy and Angel. Plus Charmed has both Shannen Dougherty and Alyssa Milano. I was a big Beverly Hills, 90210 fan and loved Who’s the Boss. All of those things combined should have put it more on my radar!

And I’m the same as you when it comes to counting the years until DD is off to college. A good friend told me when DD was born to take it all in and enjoy it because you only get them for 18 years until they fly the coop and go off to college. (Her DD is six years older than mine.) I’ve been counting down the years ever since she told me that. Like you, it makes me feel old and sad.

I think we are at a very similar stage despite locations dividing us.

Mine have all flown the coop. It's been years now. They are scattered all over the country so I rarely get to see them.

That must be hard - even if you get used to it. It means you’ve done a good job as a parent though.

Your trip sounds magical And your photos are so gorgeous! You deserve it after the things you dealt with at home! Hugs

@Katinahat, @DME, @Jereni, I watched Buffy, charmed, 90210 too lol

+1 for eggs for breakfast
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Those eggs look delicious!

Thanks for the link… I just bought this one!

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This is stunning jewellery!

I'm with you! I make very good eggs, but I'm fussy about them. I'm not good at making poached eggs, though, so if we're at a restaurant I might order poached eggs on english muffins. Even then, it's hit or miss since I like the whites firm & the yolks runny.

That’s just how I like my eggs. I had to look up English muffins as I didn’t know what they were. I like my muffins big and triple chocolatey! Clearly a different kind!

I love color of this tote, and I'm happy for you that you've reached your target.

I'm tracking usage very carefully this year, and since I know how much each bag cost I suppose I could track CPW, but most of my bags were bought ages ago so the CPW fgure wouldn't make sense mathematically. I think usage will be the most helpful for me by the time 2022 comes to an end.

Thanks so much! And great to hear you are tracking usage in a way that works for you.

I'm so sorry you had a bad April, dear @Cookiefiend . T.S. Eliot wrote "April is the cruellest month" (The Wasteland, Part 1) and I think he makes a good point. Spring is ahead of us, but it isn't here yet. Winter is behind us, but not all the way behind us. And (though not in Eliot's time, I suppose) taxes! I hope May will be better for you.

The Wasteland. That takes me back to my school days!

My multi-color bags… more than I realized!

Coach Borough - oldest bag in my collection at this point. Don’t wear it as much bc I sort of want to keep it pristine.
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Coach Dreamer 21. Perfect summer evening bag.
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Coach Floral Swinger. Twins with @afroken on this one I think.
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Tory Burch Studio
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Tory Burch Moon bag. This is my first foray into circle bags and I’m not sure it’s been successful.
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Burberry
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Johnny Was velvet hobo. This is the least ‘me’ of my bags but I love it regardless.
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LV Multi-Pochette. Prob my favorite of my multi-color bags.
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Lovely bags! Multicoloured but subtly so in neutral shades.

 

[880]

The fellas - my son, my sweetheart - hooked me up for Mother’s Day this year.
View attachment 5396795
I gave them a list of items I liked & they picked two. So excited & happy!
Since I already know what’s in them, do I still need to wait until Sunday?

Hooray! what fabulous guys you have!

happy Mother’s Day to all of you!

 

[whateve]

Thanks for the link… I just bought this one!

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That's the one I was considering! It's gorgeous! Thanks for removing the temptation! I have a vintage copper bracelet that hurts to put on so I'm not sure I will like these.

 

[whateve]

I'm with you! I make very good eggs, but I'm fussy about them. I'm not good at making poached eggs, though, so if we're at a restaurant I might order poached eggs on english muffins. Even then, it's hit or miss since I like the whites firm & the yolks runny.

My kids (and I) loved Eggs Benedict so I made it for them every weekend for a few years. I got pretty good at poaching eggs but it is difficult to get them right every time. The way you like them is perfect. Even when I order them in a restaurant, often they are overcooked.

 

[whateve]

What kinds of things do you buy from Japanese sellers?

purses! I got some of my Balenciagas and Bottega Venetas from them.

 

[880]

A few months ago, I gave myself some usage targets for certain bags. I was aiming to reduce CPW for some of my newer or less used bags. My main purpose was to reduce CPW before buying more but then DH gifted me the Brioche (do birthdays count?!). I was trying to get to a CPW of under £10 per bag. After that, I had 11 bags with targets on them (including ones I was gifted as I put them in at retail price).

I remember we had a discussion at the time about who does track/think about this and who not. I respect and understand all views on this. I don’t worry about cost per drive of my car for example and I chose to buy expensive bags so in many ways I don’t care. However, I’m a bit spreadsheet obsessed and it’s all part of the hobby for me. It’s perhaps more about increasing usage really and hence shopping my own collection.

Anyway, to bring a long story to the point, I reached the target on one out of the 11 bags today so this post is a small celebration. It’s the Bayswater Tote, 25 carries this year so far, my most used bag. I’ve used it lots for work as it suits just as well for walking or driving commutes. So here’s a little nod to this bag!
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Just 10 to go, and several of them are smaller evening or going out bags and have a higher target still so much harder to achieve this with.

Congrats! And, I love your Kilim too
@ElainePG , i agree with @whateve re Japanese resellers. during Covid, Japanese resellers had great deals on structurally sound Hermes bags. I checked recently and the prices were high for not so great bags, but fashionphile prices are slowly going down. . . Of course it’s necessary to do your due diligence re authenticity etc. JMO of course.

 

[whateve]

My multi-color bags… more than I realized!

Coach Borough - oldest bag in my collection at this point. Don’t wear it as much bc I sort of want to keep it pristine.
View attachment 5396768

Coach Dreamer 21. Perfect summer evening bag.
View attachment 5396769

Coach Floral Swinger. Twins with @afroken on this one I think.
View attachment 5396773

Tory Burch Studio
View attachment 5396774

Tory Burch Moon bag. This is my first foray into circle bags and I’m not sure it’s been successful.
View attachment 5396775

Burberry
View attachment 5396776

Johnny Was velvet hobo. This is the least ‘me’ of my bags but I love it regardless.
View attachment 5396779

LV Multi-Pochette. Prob my favorite of my multi-color bags.
View attachment 5396780

What a great collection! I love the Johnny Was bag. It's so unexpected. I'm curious as to why the round bag isn't working out. I've considered one for awhile.

 

[Katinahat]

The fellas - my son, my sweetheart - hooked me up for Mother’s Day this year.
View attachment 5396795
I gave them a list of items I liked & they picked two. So excited & happy!
Since I already know what’s in them, do I still need to wait until Sunday?

So exciting! Can’t wait to see inside too.

 

[whateve]

Thank you. It’s a great bag. Anything that helps with rotation is good. It’s great to use all our lovely bags!

If it makes us happy just go with it!
I’m so sorry to hear what an awful month you had. Hang in there and look after yourself. Your stats are great.

Love the bags and you look beautiful!

You are right, it’s not hugely important to me. It is just a way to increase my usage of certain bags. I totally accept that some of my bags are more niche too. I don’t go out to lovely smart places as much as I got to work - now that’s a shame!

The bayswater tote is great. Thanks for enjoying the colour. It’s quite classic and goes with navy or black based clothing.

What an incredible and interesting trip! Sounds like you had a great time. That scarf is beautiful!

I think we are at a very similar stage despite locations dividing us.

That must be hard - even if you get used to it. It means you’ve done a good job as a parent though.

Those eggs look delicious!

This is stunning jewellery!

That’s just how I like my eggs. I had to look up English muffins as I didn’t know what they were. I like my muffins big and triple chocolatey! Clearly a different kind!

Thanks so much! And great to hear you are tracking usage in a way that works for you.

The Wasteland. That takes me back to my school days!

Lovely bags! Multicoloured but subtly so in neutral shades.

lol, isn't it funny we call them English muffins when the English don't even know what they are? They are kind of like a crumpet except the holes are only on the inside. You split them, then toast. The outside gets a little crisp and the holes are great for holding melted butter and marmalade. I adore them.

 

[DME]

lol, isn't it funny we call them English muffins when the English don't even know what they are? They are kind of like a crumpet except the holes are only on the inside. You split them, then toast. The outside gets a little crisp and the holes are great for holding melted butter and marmalade. I adore them.

I haven’t had an English muffin in ages, but all this talk about them is making me want one. Toasted. Lots of butter!

@Katinahat, your version of muffins also sounds really yummy right now!

It’s a long time (too long!) until dinner…

 

[DME]

I think we are at a very similar stage despite locations dividing us.

That must be hard - even if you get used to it. It means you’ve done a good job as a parent though.

I turn 50 this summer and DD turns 15. From things you’ve posted, I agree that I think we’re at similar stages of life.

I always say that, while it will devastate me as a parent, raising a strong, independent DD who can stand on her own two feet will be my greatest accomplishment, so I completely agree with your sentiment about @whateve ‘s post.

 

[Katinahat]

lol, isn't it funny we call them English muffins when the English don't even know what they are? They are kind of like a crumpet except the holes are only on the inside. You split them, then toast. The outside gets a little crisp and the holes are great for holding melted butter and marmalade. I adore them.

These muffins sound delicious. I’m mostly a toast, butter and jam girl if I bother with breakfast. We Scots are better known for eating porridge!

There’s a famous Scots cartoon “The Broons” where they highlight the tradition of putting porridge in a drawer to eat later cold!

Too small to read (and Scots is hard to understand) but please note the need to remove toy cars from the drawer before adding the porridge if you give it a try.

 

[Cordeliere]

A BV hobo is a great idea, maybe in a smaller size. I prefer structured top-handle bags, so I have not tried any of the bags mentioned below, but perhaps you might find something interesting.
The Prada Cleo bag comes to mind, as does the Givenchy soft Antigona (although that does have a zipper closure). I leave most of my zipper bags partially open most of the time for easy access to items.
Ferragamo has the Trifolio shoulder bag on their website and it comes in two sizes. And then there's also the Delvaux Pin bag, which has a very casual vibe, IMO. Sorry but not sure how to link pictures. Good luck in your quest and hope you find the perfect bag for you!

I started re-reading this thread from about Mid February. Just found your post responding to my search for the perfect bag. Thank you for the suggestions. Sorry about my slow response. I just missed this post. Opps.