2023 Resolution: Shopping my Own Bags and SLG Collection

[Vintage Leather]

A long standing tradition in this thread is to remind ourselves of how wonderful our own collections are by showcasing them. We can see how far we have come, collection wise, and we reminded that we have all (or most of) what we need making it easier to shop our own closets.



• New theme weeks start each Sunday

• Don’t jump ahead but, if you miss a week, please do show your bags “late”.

• Show bags individually or in a group

• You do NOT have to wear the bags that week

• For added fun, show old pictures from previous years to demonstrate how you have curated it over time.

• This is completely voluntary. There is no pressure to post at any time.





So what are the showcases? In the Fall, we group our bags by makers! Feel free to show bags, small leather goods, or however it is easiest to organize!

August 13 - Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta

August 20 - Burberry, Celine

August 27 - Coach, Chanel

September 3 - Chloe, Dior

September 10 - Dooney & Bourke, Fendi

September 17 - Ferragamo, Givenchy

September 24 - Goyard, Gucci

October 1 - Hermes, Kate Spade

October 8 - Loewe, Longchamp

October 15 - Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs

October 22 - Michael Kors, Miu Miu

October 29 - Mulberry, Prada

November 5 - Proenza Schouler, Rebecca Minkoff

November 12 - Saint Laurent, Tods

November 19 - Tory Burch, Valentino

November 26 - Bags by Jewelers: Bulgari, Cartier, Tiffany Co, Van Cleef & Arpels. Alternatively, the pillboxes, compacts and other lovelies made by jewelers that fit in your bag.

December 3 - independent artisans and custom bags.

 

[whateve]

Thank you! The dress has been with me for over a decade now. For some reason, my default winter outfit is often pants and jeans, and I end up not wearing dresses much. I really should wear it more often.

Beautiful! Love the bag and scarf pairing!

I often wear my crossbody bags as shoulder bags -- I prefer them that way, as long as the strap drop is not too long. Being able to access things inside without taking the purse off is indeed a nice feature of a crossbody bag. Agree that puddly bags are harder to photograph, but the pictures do manage to capture the beautiful and sumptuous leather.
I hope you will post pics of your afghan when you are ready.
@nyeredzi, you are a skilled knitter! The socks are great and the pattern looks quite complicated. If either of you do decide to crochet the raffia tote, we would love to see pics. I can only do basic knit and purl, and while I have knitted easy wool scarfs in the past, my one big project, a vest for my dad, has stagnated right around the point it gets a bit complicated for my skill level (reducing the stitches to shape the neckline). I need to get over the inertia and try to complete it. I started knitting because I figured it would be easier to do while watching TV (unlike cross stitch or painting, which require more of a time commitment and focus from me), but perhaps I should stick to very basic projects even with the knitting.

Doing it in front of the TV is why I like knitting and crochet, but it helps to have an easy project. If you have to keep looking at the instructions/pattern you can't focus on the show. Afghans are the easiest - you don't have to worry about fit, although we don't really use them. I used to love counted cross stitch. Now it seems too hard to count. I used to love to paint too but DH doesn't want me to do it in the family room so I would feel exiled if I had to do it somewhere else.

 

[Cordeliere]

Oh no! Are you going to unravel it? You can always just say you did it intentionally, lol. You were improvising the color sequence. It was like ... color jazz.

I do use double points for socks. I hate circulars for socks, hard to maneuver such a tiny little circle. I have seen people knit socks on a single set of circulars, but I'd think at some point, like at the toe, it's just too narrow and they'd have to either switch to double points or use 2 circulars. I love circulars for big enough things, like hats or sweaters. All knits, no purls! But if you are comfortable with double points, socks are not hard, especially if you keep the pattern simple. The trickiest part is the heel. Allow me to share my most difficult socks, from a pattern called QBert (hmm, looks like the project name changed to Q ... maybe copyright issue?). In my current life, I'd never attempt these. I'm burned out, and need relaxing yarn projects.

View attachment 5766356

very impressive!

 

[Bag peace]

Coming up for air after a messy and deeply depressing month. I hope nobody minds if I post my monthly stats early.
Mum and I had a big clear out. We let go of:

- A big chunk of mum’s fine china (to be sold at auction and all proceeds to go to Ukraine, Yemen, Turkey and Syria).

- Some more sterling silver jewellery, as per my resolution to reduce to only my favourite fine jewellery pieces. Also auctioned, as per above.

- Clothes, including much of my remaining workwear. Not gonna lie, this had me sobbing. It was a necessary step to let go of my former life and truly accept that I can’t undo the accident, and I can’t go back to the way things were before.
Part of me was holding out hope for a normal job though I know I don’t have a normal appearance to match. This is me closing that chapter, once and for all, after many (so, so many) previous half-attempts to do so.
The clothes went to a charity helping women returning to the workforce. Much better than them sitting in my storage unit waiting to see the light of day again.

- 2 bags! This wasn’t planned and I wasn’t quite ready to let go but, I was already donating so figured I should just add the bags along with the workwear. Mum also donated 2 of her bags and 2 wallets.
We have a couple of vintage bags we’re ready to release but the corner of the world I’m in will not value their history. I will wait until I’m back home at some point to let them go. Whether it’s to friends or to a small thrift shop, I know that vintage will be better understood (and the items respected) back in England.

- 3 watches (1 of which was mum's). Also unplanned but happy about it. Someone else will love them.
I think I have one more I want to let go of. I’m going to enjoy it for a bit longer, just to be sure, and then put a new strap on it before letting it go.

We also managed to make a nice gift out of some personal care items. When I moved here, I was given vouchers for various stores (Zara, H&M, etc.) to help set me up. As they were non-transferable, I tried to use them wisely and picked up some homeware, small perfume bottles, body lotions and other assorted bits. None of it was stuff I’d wanted or was using, and I’d gifted some of it earlier on but, somehow still had the majority left with me.
Mum packed it all into a pretty gift box, added a cultured pearl necklace and bracelet set of hers, and we gave the box to the overnight custodian who cleaned my ward during my admission this month.
She is the sweetest young girl who always had a smile on her face while working her exhausting shift. She was thrilled at the very random selection and immediately tried on the pearls and sprayed some of the perfume. Was incredible to see her light up and get so excited.

I can’t remember my year-to-date stats but, there’s less of everything. I am reminded of how incredibly fortunate I am to have enough to share.

Sadly, I have only carried 2 bags so far this year (the 2 I just donated, lol). My goal for a while has been to reduce my bag collection and I am making great progress in that area by slowly removing bags as the opportunity arises.
I will be moving into the rainbow metallic suede bag I made. I’m quite excited to see how it’ll hold up with some daily use and am hoping the bright colours will help lift my mood a bit.

Gah, I need to stop with these crazy long posts! Sorry everyone!


PS. @dcooney4 Did you get that tan Hammitt? How do you like it? Sorry if you've answered this before but for some reason I've stopped getting alerts for thread updates.
______

Also, topic for the group, if anyone is up for chatting:
Do you think people notice when they begin to take their privilege for granted? Or can we slip into entitlement without even realizing it?
Those of you raising kids, do you worry that they may not recognize their privilege because this generation is so used to seeing luxury on social media?
It’s a broad topic, sorry, but I’m interested in any thoughts you may have.

 

[dcooney4]

Coming up for air after a messy and deeply depressing month. I hope nobody minds if I post my monthly stats early.
Mum and I had a big clear out. We let go of:

- A big chunk of mum’s fine china (to be sold at auction and all proceeds to go to Ukraine, Yemen, Turkey and Syria).

- Some more sterling silver jewellery, as per my resolution to reduce to only my favourite fine jewellery pieces. Also auctioned, as per above.

- Clothes, including much of my remaining workwear. Not gonna lie, this had me sobbing. It was a necessary step to let go of my former life and truly accept that I can’t undo the accident, and I can’t go back to the way things were before.
Part of me was holding out hope for a normal job though I know I don’t have a normal appearance to match. This is me closing that chapter, once and for all, after many (so, so many) previous half-attempts to do so.
The clothes went to a charity helping women returning to the workforce. Much better than them sitting in my storage unit waiting to see the light of day again.

- 2 bags! This wasn’t planned and I wasn’t quite ready to let go but, I was already donating so figured I should just add the bags along with the workwear. Mum also donated 2 of her bags and 2 wallets.
We have a couple of vintage bags we’re ready to release but the corner of the world I’m in will not value their history. I will wait until I’m back home at some point to let them go. Whether it’s to friends or to a small thrift shop, I know that vintage will be better understood (and the items respected) back in England.

- 3 watches (1 of which was mum's). Also unplanned but happy about it. Someone else will love them.
I think I have one more I want to let go of. I’m going to enjoy it for a bit longer, just to be sure, and then put a new strap on it before letting it go.

We also managed to make a nice gift out of some personal care items. When I moved here, I was given vouchers for various stores (Zara, H&M, etc.) to help set me up. As they were non-transferable, I tried to use them wisely and picked up some homeware, small perfume bottles, body lotions and other assorted bits. None of it was stuff I’d wanted or was using, and I’d gifted some of it earlier on but, somehow still had the majority left with me.
Mum packed it all into a pretty gift box, added a cultured pearl necklace and bracelet set of hers, and we gave the box to the overnight custodian who cleaned my ward during my admission this month.
She is the sweetest young girl who always had a smile on her face while working her exhausting shift. She was thrilled at the very random selection and immediately tried on the pearls and sprayed some of the perfume. Was incredible to see her light up and get so excited.

I can’t remember my year-to-date stats but, there’s less of everything. I am reminded of how incredibly fortunate I am to have enough to share.

Sadly, I have only carried 2 bags so far this year (the 2 I just donated, lol). My goal for a while has been to reduce my bag collection and I am making great progress in that area by slowly removing bags as the opportunity arises.
I will be moving into the rainbow metallic suede bag I made. I’m quite excited to see how it’ll hold up with some daily use and am hoping the bright colours will help lift my mood a bit.

Gah, I need to stop with these crazy long posts! Sorry everyone!


PS. @dcooney4 Did you get that tan Hammitt? How do you like it? Sorry if you've answered this before but for some reason I've stopped getting alerts for thread updates.
______

Also, topic for the group, if anyone is up for chatting:
Do you think people notice when they begin to take their privilege for granted? Or can we slip into entitlement without even realizing it?
Those of you raising kids, do you worry that they may not recognize their privilege because this generation is so used to seeing luxury on social media?
It’s a broad topic, sorry, but I’m interested in any thoughts you may have.

Wow you have both been very generous. The Hammitt bag came and went. The size was perfect , the color to delicate, so out it went.

 

[Bag peace]

The Hammitt bag came and went. The size was perfect , the color to delicate, so out it went.

I completely understand that. I wouldn't be able to keep that colour pristine. Glad the size was good and it sold easily for you.

Wow you have both been very generous.

In all honesty, it was a selfish exercise. I have been feeling like a worthless member of society, between repeated bouts of illness and this extended unemployment. I needed to feel somewhat useful, in whatever small way I could be. I'm quite ashamed.
It did feel very good to do, though. I hope the recipients will all love the pieces and will enjoy using them as much as we did.

 

[dcooney4]

I completely understand that. I wouldn't be able to keep that colour pristine. Glad the size was good and it sold easily for you.


In all honesty, it was a selfish exercise. I have been feeling like a worthless member of society, between repeated bouts of illness and this extended unemployment. I needed to feel somewhat useful, in whatever small way I could be. I'm quite ashamed.
It did feel very good to do, though. I hope the recipients will all love the pieces and will enjoy using them as much as we did.

I am sure they will love it. By us we have a fb buy nothing group. I try to put a lot of things on there. There are a lot of struggling young families on it.

 

[Bag peace]

I am sure they will love it. By us we have a fb buy nothing group. I try to put a lot of things on there. There are a lot of struggling young families on it.

That's such a good idea. This cost-of-living crisis is very real and hitting many of us hard. You and others on that group are helping tremendously.
Edit: I ran a quick search and there is an FB group like that for my area. Now I know to use it next time. Thank you for the recommendation!

 

[lill_canele]

Which brings me to a question:
Have you gone from being lukewarm to really loving something? Or vice versa? How have your bag tastes changed in that respect? Interested to hear!

I have indeed! I was always a crossbody sort of girl. Very much on the move, loved having my hands free.

But when I changed my aesthetics and style, I really dislike having a crossbody strap twist a blazer or wrinkle up a suit. Especially that thing where it would raise up one side of the jacket so it would not lay flat and be symmetrical to the other side. Kind of became a pet peeve of mine lol.

And then when I dated and married my future husband, he was a very romantic guy and would spoil me, and I started being driven around everywhere we went, and him insisting on carrying my things, etc. so I started getting into top handle bags.
(I have always loved the aesthetic of a top handle but it didn't fit with my lifestyle previously.)

Now I'm really into shoulder bags. It just feels a little more safe and secure when I'm out and about. Still able to be relatively hands free as well.

My only metallic bag: BV Knot. I was in the middle of putting my winter dresses away, so snapped a pic with one, but this bag is perfect year round, and works just as well with spring and summer outfits too.
View attachment 5766328
The ring belonged to my mom. It has a Tiger's eye stone set in the center, and I felt the color of the stone somehow went with the overall vibe of the dress.

Gorgeous bag! Love the look!

Also, topic for the group, if anyone is up for chatting:
Do you think people notice when they begin to take their privilege for granted? Or can we slip into entitlement without even realizing it?
Those of you raising kids, do you worry that they may not recognize their privilege because this generation is so used to seeing luxury on social media?
It’s a broad topic, sorry, but I’m interested in any thoughts you may have.

Hmm, yes and no.

In my personal experience I grew up in a very privileged family but I was really naiive and unaware of a lot of things. (I was also very sheltered in some ways.) My parents did a good job to raise my brother and I as normally as possible and would often turn us down when we wanted something. (like lemonade at a restaurant, because they said it was too expensive; or a toy at a store saying it was too much for us.)
But I got my first laptop when I was 9, and that was in the 90s...and I thought that was normal. I thought all kids got a laptop. It wasn't until I told my highschool friends that their jaws dropped, and said that was something their parents promised them as a graduation gift when going to college.
I was used to travelling with my family. Taiwan every year, Italy, Australia, Japan, etc. To me it was normal to travel out of the country at least once a year. And I didn't really notice how special it was until I went to college. In college, I really got to meet many people across the country from different backgrounds and different socio-economic statuses, and learned a lot about how spoiled I was. My parents paid for my tuition in full, they also paid for professional school as well. They bought me my first car.

So yes, in that sense, I took it for granted but I was blissfully unaware of how privileged I was until I kind of got out more.
I also met some incredibly rich and spoiled people in college to the point where I felt they lacked common sense, but in a sense they were like me, and probably even more sheltered than I was.

In high school, my parents sent me to do a lot of community service. They really put me out there to give back and to realize how lucky I was. I kind of got it. Like I didn't mind it. It made me happy to help others. But I still think I didn't quite make the connection. I'd just do it and go back to my normal life.
When I was 16, I went to a village in Taiwan to teach children English for a month. I slept on the floor of the school classroom, there were cockroaches and rats. It didn't really bother me tbh (I was a tomboy.) But this time, I got to get to know the children. And I think that's when I made the connection. Many kids had single parents, or no parents, were beaten by their parents or had alcoholic parents. There was a boy who wore the same shirt to school everyday. A girl who got a bloody face from her dad. We had a typhoon in the middle of the month, the classroom was flooded, kids still tried to go to school. One kid ran in the hallway, slipped, fell on his head and got a concussion. Just a lot of things. But it was a wonderful experience.

And then, I went on medical missions to Africa. And wow, that was a game changer. But I loved it every step of the way. At this point I was a little sick of all the affluence, consumption, etc. in my area. And I embraced my work there fully. This post is getting too long and I've chatted a bit about this already but every trip I went on made me feel so lucky to be where I am now and I have a lot of great memories that keep me grounded to this day. I haven't been on one after the pandemic, but I hope to go again in 1 or 2 years!

 

[Bag peace]

This post is getting too long and I've chatted a bit about this already but every trip I went on made me feel so lucky to be where I am now and I have a lot of great memories that keep me grounded to this day. I haven't been on one after the pandemic, but I hope to go again in 1 or 2 years!

Thank you so much for sharing! To me, that post wasn't long enough!
Medical missions are totally life-changing experiences, but I want to point out that it's you that makes them so. Many people see all that and do their best, then just go back to their regular lives (like you described doing in high school, and like many of my mother's colleagues did in her day).
You have your eyes open to the world and you made the connection to those people, and you grounded yourself and made those lessons you learned a part of you. That's beautiful! It speaks volumes of your character!
Thank you for sharing your perspective and thank you for the amazing work that you do.

ETA: Just noticed my reply is unrelated to the original question, but I get your point that exposure has a lot to do with whether or not we recognize our privilege. I can see how those who are sheltered and living in their own socio-economic bubble are simply unaware to an extent, because that is all they know and it's not their fault.

 

[lill_canele]

Thank you so much for sharing! To me, that post wasn't long enough!
Medical missions are totally life-changing experiences, but I want to point out that it's you that makes them so. Many people see all that and do their best, then just go back to their regular lives (like you described doing in high school, and like many of my mother's colleagues did in her day).
You have your eyes open to the world and you made the connection to those people, and you grounded yourself and made those lessons you learned a part of you. That's beautiful! It speaks volumes of your character!
Thank you for sharing your perspective and thank you for the amazing work that you do.

ETA: Just noticed my reply is unrelated to the original question, but I get your point that exposure has a lot to do with whether or not we recognize our privilege. I can see how those who are sheltered and living in their own socio-economic bubble are simply unaware to an extent, because that is all they know and it's not their fault.

Haha, thank you! It was a team effort. I got to work with some amazing people! And there are patients who have touched my life who I am so grateful and thankful to have met, and who I feel honored to have participated in their care.

Btw, you have seen the look on my mother's face when I said I was going on my first medical mission. She is very protective of me. So I knew that if I had "asked", she would have said no. Instead I agreed to going with the team and bought the plane tickets beforehand so that they could not be refunded. And I was like, there's no way out of it mom, I'm going!

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

Doing it in front of the TV is why I like knitting and crochet, but it helps to have an easy project. If you have to keep looking at the instructions/pattern you can't focus on the show. Afghans are the easiest - you don't have to worry about fit, although we don't really use them. I used to love counted cross stitch. Now it seems too hard to count. I used to love to paint too but DH doesn't want me to do it in the family room so I would feel exiled if I had to do it somewhere else.

Aren't Afghans usually crocheted or are there knitted ones too? I don't know how to crochet. An easy project for me would be a knitted scarf or shawl.
I've gone off cross stitch lately, mostly because I don't seem to have the patience for it. I have lots of leaflets and books though, so I think I will come back to it at some point.

I have indeed! I was always a crossbody sort of girl. Very much on the move, loved having my hands free.

But when I changed my aesthetics and style, I really dislike having a crossbody strap twist a blazer or wrinkle up a suit. Especially that thing where it would raise up one side of the jacket so it would not lay flat and be symmetrical to the other side. Kind of became a pet peeve of mine lol.

And then when I dated and married my future husband, he was a very romantic guy and would spoil me, and I started being driven around everywhere we went, and him insisting on carrying my things, etc. so I started getting into top handle bags.
(I have always loved the aesthetic of a top handle but it didn't fit with my lifestyle previously.)

Now I'm really into shoulder bags. It just feels a little more safe and secure when I'm out and about. Still able to be relatively hands free as well.

You bring up a good point that I had overlooked about how crossbody straps do not always sit perfectly and can wrinkle up a blazer or suit. Completely understand your pet peeve about the bag raising one side of the jacket. I like crossbody bags best with casual clothes.
Aww, how nice of your husband, and so interesting that he was instrumental in your starting to use top handle bags. Agree that shoulder bags feel more secure tucked under the arm. Crossbody bags are secure too, especially when positioned in front, rather than to the side.
Thank you for the kind words about the BV Knot and outfit.

Coming up for air after a messy and deeply depressing month. I hope nobody minds if I post my monthly stats early.
Mum and I had a big clear out.

You and your mom did great this month, jblended! Definitely inspirational to read about how much you decluttered. I'm sorry to hear that the month has been difficult, and hope the upcoming months will be better. It was brave and strong of you to let your workwear go, and even though you might feel like that chapter of your life has closed, I trust there will be other doors that will open. I don't know if I mentioned this before, but have you considered writing? Your posts are eloquent and well written, and perhaps trying writing -- either fiction, books for kids, or any other form of writing that appeals to you -- would be something you would really enjoy. I am still pondering over your discussion question, and wanted to let you know it's good to see your post. Also, I hope you and your mom are fully recovered from covid.

 

[880]

Coming up for air after a messy and deeply depressing month. I hope nobody minds if I post my monthly stats early.
Mum and I had a big clear out. We let go of:

- A big chunk of mum’s fine china (to be sold at auction and all proceeds to go to Ukraine, Yemen, Turkey and Syria).

- Some more sterling silver jewellery, as per my resolution to reduce to only my favourite fine jewellery pieces. Also auctioned, as per above.

- Clothes, including much of my remaining workwear. Not gonna lie, this had me sobbing. It was a necessary step to let go of my former life and truly accept that I can’t undo the accident, and I can’t go back to the way things were before.
Part of me was holding out hope for a normal job though I know I don’t have a normal appearance to match. This is me closing that chapter, once and for all, after many (so, so many) previous half-attempts to do so.
The clothes went to a charity helping women returning to the workforce. Much better than them sitting in my storage unit waiting to see the light of day again.

- 2 bags! This wasn’t planned and I wasn’t quite ready to let go but, I was already donating so figured I should just add the bags along with the workwear. Mum also donated 2 of her bags and 2 wallets.
We have a couple of vintage bags we’re ready to release but the corner of the world I’m in will not value their history. I will wait until I’m back home at some point to let them go. Whether it’s to friends or to a small thrift shop, I know that vintage will be better understood (and the items respected) back in England.

- 3 watches (1 of which was mum's). Also unplanned but happy about it. Someone else will love them.
I think I have one more I want to let go of. I’m going to enjoy it for a bit longer, just to be sure, and then put a new strap on it before letting it go.

We also managed to make a nice gift out of some personal care items. When I moved here, I was given vouchers for various stores (Zara, H&M, etc.) to help set me up. As they were non-transferable, I tried to use them wisely and picked up some homeware, small perfume bottles, body lotions and other assorted bits. None of it was stuff I’d wanted or was using, and I’d gifted some of it earlier on but, somehow still had the majority left with me.
Mum packed it all into a pretty gift box, added a cultured pearl necklace and bracelet set of hers, and we gave the box to the overnight custodian who cleaned my ward during my admission this month.
She is the sweetest young girl who always had a smile on her face while working her exhausting shift. She was thrilled at the very random selection and immediately tried on the pearls and sprayed some of the perfume. Was incredible to see her light up and get so excited.

I can’t remember my year-to-date stats but, there’s less of everything. I am reminded of how incredibly fortunate I am to have enough to share.

Sadly, I have only carried 2 bags so far this year (the 2 I just donated, lol). My goal for a while has been to reduce my bag collection and I am making great progress in that area by slowly removing bags as the opportunity arises.
I will be moving into the rainbow metallic suede bag I made. I’m quite excited to see how it’ll hold up with some daily use and am hoping the bright colours will help lift my mood a bit.

Gah, I need to stop with these crazy long posts! Sorry everyone!


PS. @dcooney4 Did you get that tan Hammitt? How do you like it? Sorry if you've answered this before but for some reason I've stopped getting alerts for thread updates.
______

Also, topic for the group, if anyone is up for chatting:
Do you think people notice when they begin to take their privilege for granted? Or can we slip into entitlement without even realizing it?
Those of you raising kids, do you worry that they may not recognize their privilege because this generation is so used to seeing luxury on social media?
It’s a broad topic, sorry, but I’m interested in any thoughts you may have.

You are so kind and generous! I am sure this next stage will be fulfilling and rewarding. We are here for uou! Hugs

 

[BowieFan1971]

Do you think people notice when they begin to take their privilege for granted? Or can we slip into entitlement without even realizing it?
Those of you raising kids, do you worry that they may not recognize their privilege because this generation is so used to seeing luxury on social media?
It’s a broad topic, sorry, but I’m interested in any thoughts you may have.

No, I don’t think they do. In most cases, wealth/status change happens gradually over time so people get used to where they are and don’t realize how much their circumstances have changed overall. Even if someone gets a windfall and their circumstances change overnight, it doesn’t take long for them to adapt to their new life and the new to become normal. Most people only remember where they came from when something happens to remind them. And given how aspirational our society is, there is little incentive to remember.

I never fail to be amazed at people who wax poetic about the “good old days” as sone kind of bucolic utopia forget that many of the things that are hallmarks of “average” life today, like a bedroom for each kid, two cars per household, a large wardrobe, multiple pairs of shoes, meals out were extravagant and rare among the middle class.

 

[whateve]

Aren't Afghans usually crocheted or are there knitted ones too? I don't know how to crochet. An easy project for me would be a knitted scarf or shawl.
I've gone off cross stitch lately, mostly because I don't seem to have the patience for it. I have lots of leaflets and books though, so I think I will come back to it at some point.

You bring up a good point that I had overlooked about how crossbody straps do not always sit perfectly and can wrinkle up a blazer or suit. Completely understand your pet peeve about the bag raising one side of the jacket. I like crossbody bags best with casual clothes.
Aww, how nice of your husband, and so interesting that he was instrumental in your starting to use top handle bags. Agree that shoulder bags feel more secure tucked under the arm. Crossbody bags are secure too, especially when positioned in front, rather than to the side.
Thank you for the kind words about the BV Knot and outfit.

You and your mom did great this month, jblended! Definitely inspirational to read about how much you decluttered. I'm sorry to hear that the month has been difficult, and hope the upcoming months will be better. It was brave and strong of you to let your workwear go, and even though you might feel like that chapter of your life has closed, I trust there will be other doors that will open. I don't know if I mentioned this before, but have you considered writing? Your posts are eloquent and well written, and perhaps trying writing -- either fiction, books for kids, or any other form of writing that appeals to you -- would be something you could really enjoy. I am still pondering over your discussion question, and wanted to let you know it's good to see your post. Also, I hope you and your mom are fully recovered from covid.

You can knit an afghan too. You have to use a circular needle to accommodate the number of stitches or you could make it in panels and sew them together. With crochet, there is no limit to how wide you can make it. I can knit and crochet but I prefer crochet. It is easier to stop in the middle of a row and you don't have to count your stitches if you are worried you might have dropped one. It is much easier to rip out stitches and pick up again if you make a mistake. Also there isn't an obvious wrong side to crochet like there is with some knit stitches.

 

[Jereni]

Which brings me to a question:
Have you gone from being lukewarm to really loving something? Or vice versa? How have your bag tastes changed in that respect? Interested to hear!

I don’t know if my bag tastes have changed much in the last few years. I still really love a top handle flap satchel, something a little dressy but not crazy formal. Still tend to prefer wearing long straps on the shoulder rather than crossbody. Still don’t care much for largish, open shoulder totes.

I guess I disliked the ‘slight hobo’ bag for a long time but that’s back in style and low and behold I have a few…

I actually carried - and took a picture - of one of my metallic bags. It’s a Chanel in straw, with metallic champagne gold camelias all across it.

I tend to use it as a personal item when traveling or a very tiny beach bag, because it is lined in plastic. It has a wristlet for private purse items you want to keep secure, and holds a phone, headphones, a book, a sketchbook, a large battery and charging cables, a small water bottle or reusable cup and a bikini or change of underwear.

A little worn but very much loved

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This is very cool! I’ve not seen it before.