2024 Resolution: Shopping my own Bag and SLG Collection

[Sparkletastic]

December Activities and Challenges - pick and choose as you please.

I. 2024 Year In Review Reflection
(Thanks @Vintage Leather)

Utilize these thought starters to evaluate your collection, your usage patterns and your lessons learned in 2024.
• What is your most useful purse?
• What is your best purchase of the year?
• We’ve all had a lot of lifestyle changes this year - how has it affected your style?
• What is the one thing we’ve learned this year that you want to take into the next?

II. Setting 2025 Goals
Take this month to consider what you want to do with your handbag collection, wardrobe or even your beautiful life in 2025. Share these thoughts in January when we start the 2026 Shopping Your Closet thread.

III. End of year optional challenges

• Holiday colors: December has many holidays celebrated across the world - red & green, brown & gold, blue & white and more! Pick the holiday that you want to honor and wear / show off your bags in those traditional colors.

• End with a bang: As we come to the last part of the year, wear the last bag you’ve purchased at least 3 times this month.

@Vlad please pin this to the top of our thread.

 

[Sparkletastic]

I’ve fully indulged my desire to add variety to my collection and am now securely chained in my heavily guarded, steel reinforced basement prison on Ban Island. So I’m going to happily shop my closet for quite a while.

In support of that, I’ll complete two of this month’s challenge’s:

#2. In April, I bought a Marc Jacobs Stam in deep green w/ghw. I think most people would say it’s probably “out of style.” But I’ve been waiting all year for fall to come to wear it. I think I’ll make it the first bag I wear after I recover from Monday’s surgery. I’m super excited!

#4. My two most used bags are my black on black YSL Lou Camera bag I bought in 2020 and the black Prada double zip tote I bought just this year. (After that, it’s really a seasonal/what’s going on in my life determination on which bags I pick - nothing is really a strong third.)

It’ll be interesting to see what becomes my go to easy-to-grab neutral bag which is what the YSL & Prada have become for me. I’m going to be VERY conscious to not overuse my new LV tote as the point of this challenge for me is to not blindly rely on a functional black bag by default.

And if I find that hard to do, then it will tell me some of my lesser used bags may need to be replaced (not added to) by other functional bags in various colors and styles I can switch up with these three super functional black.

There’s no point in me owning 35 bags if I keep this post 2020 bad habit of only using two or three of them. This challenge will shine a spotlight on the true usability of what I have for the life I have today.

 

[whateve]

Polish on my toes never chips regardless of brand. But, I use dip powder manis on my fingernails because nothing else lasts more than a day-ish. So strange the difference.

********
One of the bags I bought just arrived and I’m in LOVE!! Jimmy Choo Bon Bon Bucket in brown calfskin. I have two of the mini Bon Bons (pink satin and black) but this is my first full sized one. I absolutely love JC’s leathers and don’t understand why more people don’t love his bags. (I pray the Michael Kors team doesn’t change this.) But I guess it’s good for me because I can buy new JC’s on deep sale or buy like new JC’s resale for next to nothing. 🤫

Anyway, believe it or not, this is the very first brown bag I’ve ever owned!!! I’m adjusting the color palette of my wardrobe to include more warm colors so my bags have had to follow. Hence me purchasing the raffia and tan Loewe Gate, the Gucci python 1970 with greens and golds, the beige Fendi and now this brown JC this year. This is a perfect errand running bag. Yay!

Buuut, it also needs a spot in my “no room at the inn” tower. I think I’m going to have to move my sunnies to my foldable sweater section and fold the sweaters more efficiently. View attachment 6083120

I love it! You know drawstrings are my favorite.

ETA: perfect brown color, what Coach calls saddle or British tan.

 

[whateve]

Doing a quick skim because I've missed out on too many pages to catch up properly.

@papertiger Hope there's more good news for DH and his appetite continues to improve.

@cecchetti I adore your cats! Thanks for the pic and congrats on the calendar.

@dcooney4 So sorry about your broken wrist! I hope you're not in too much pain and that it recovers nicely!

@Sparkletastic lovely new bon bon! I don't usually gravitate to browns but this one is great!
Oh I've just seen you'll be having surgery. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

@Vintage Leather I hope the changes you mention are all positive ones! The Knight will be off to college now, right? I hope he's loving every second of it! You must be so proud!

Sorry to anyone I've missed out. I hope everyone is keeping well. The year is whizzing by and I'm just trying to fumble my way through. I think I have another 3 bags going out! I've put them aside to wear this month and make my final call. I've done some serious culling this year and I'm worried I might regret it if I don't slow down.
I've still got the stinky bag in my possession and not much has happened in terms of progress. It hangs outside my window, getting lots of sun and air, and is stuffed with paper, but remains smelly. Giving it more time because it's so gorgeous.

Spoiler: Personal updates

My mum's recovery is coming along nicely. There have been unexpected complications since her discharge, but we're putting out each fire as it starts. Thankfully, she's doing well overall and nothing unmanageable has occurred, but I would be lying if I said everything's normal now. We're both dealing with the trauma of what has passed and adjusting to this new way of life.
I'm incredibly thankful that we're together and we're able to navigate this as a team because it's so very hard. I also feel lucky that I'm getting to act as her carer and show her just how much she means to me.

As for myself, I'm on a trial medication that seems to really be working. I haven't felt this alive in a long time! I'm hoping I can stay on it without any complications and that I continue to feel better.
Tbh, with every round of treatment I always think I'm improving, only to find that nothing has changed much and a lot of it was a placebo effect. However, this time feels significantly different and even my doctor is impressed with how I'm responding. I'm so very fortunate and grateful to be here. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this is an actual step towards good health and not another placebo period.

Edit: @More bags That Ateliers Auguste bag is lovely! Is it new? It's very much your style! Very refined and elegant!

Also, mildly infuriating that I cannot seem to 'like' any posts.

So glad you hear you are doing so well!

 

[whateve]

It’s amazing how quickly we can lose fitness. I have always been very active: weight training, dance classes, cardiovascular activity… it was all part of my daily life.

Then in 2020 I had the brain tumor. Ugh! Since then, I’ve battled health issues both related and unrelated. In fact, I have two more surgeries coming up - one on Monday and one in December. (Being brutally honest, this is why I’ve been on such a purse buying binge It’s been self soothing.) In ANY case I’ve really struggled to keep my fitness level up and have gained weight. So, I’ve had to make health & vitality my number one priority and it will stay that the rest of my life. Age plus health conditions plus lack of vigorous exercise equals disease, decay & signs of aging. I just refuse to go down the path of not feeling good. What I can fight is getting kicked in its head.

So know that I 100% support you and am sending you all kinds of good vibes and cheerleading. You can do this!

We’re here to help if you need ideas.

I feel for you typing this with your left hand.

Thank you! I'll be thinking of you and hoping for a speedy recovery from your surgeries.

 

[More bags]

Doing a quick skim because I've missed out on too many pages to catch up properly.

@papertiger Hope there's more good news for DH and his appetite continues to improve.

@cecchetti I adore your cats! Thanks for the pic and congrats on the calendar.

@dcooney4 So sorry about your broken wrist! I hope you're not in too much pain and that it recovers nicely!

@Sparkletastic lovely new bon bon! I don't usually gravitate to browns but this one is great!
Oh I've just seen you'll be having surgery. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

@Vintage Leather I hope the changes you mention are all positive ones! The Knight will be off to college now, right? I hope he's loving every second of it! You must be so proud!

Sorry to anyone I've missed out. I hope everyone is keeping well. The year is whizzing by and I'm just trying to fumble my way through. I think I have another 3 bags going out! I've put them aside to wear this month and make my final call. I've done some serious culling this year and I'm worried I might regret it if I don't slow down.
I've still got the stinky bag in my possession and not much has happened in terms of progress. It hangs outside my window, getting lots of sun and air, and is stuffed with paper, but remains smelly. Giving it more time because it's so gorgeous.

Spoiler: Personal updates

My mum's recovery is coming along nicely. There have been unexpected complications since her discharge, but we're putting out each fire as it starts. Thankfully, she's doing well overall and nothing unmanageable has occurred, but I would be lying if I said everything's normal now. We're both dealing with the trauma of what has passed and adjusting to this new way of life.
I'm incredibly thankful that we're together and we're able to navigate this as a team because it's so very hard. I also feel lucky that I'm getting to act as her carer and show her just how much she means to me.

As for myself, I'm on a trial medication that seems to really be working. I haven't felt this alive in a long time! I'm hoping I can stay on it without any complications and that I continue to feel better.
Tbh, with every round of treatment I always think I'm improving, only to find that nothing has changed much and a lot of it was a placebo effect. However, this time feels significantly different and even my doctor is impressed with how I'm responding. I'm so very fortunate and grateful to be here. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this is an actual step towards good health and not another placebo period.

Edit: @More bags That Ateliers Auguste bag is lovely! Is it new? It's very much your style! Very refined and elegant!

Also, mildly infuriating that I cannot seem to 'like' any posts.

Thanks @Bag peace! The Ateliers Auguste Monceau Mini is a recent purchase. You are very kind with your words!

Congratulations and best wishes to both you and your mom!

 

[dcooney4]

October Update: Intentions, Challenges, and Stats

• Bag Rotation: carried 17
• Most frequently carried: Ateliers Auguste Mini Monceau Gold Edition Burgundy Box Leather, my Birthday bag acquired this month
• Books Read: 2 - Crossroads: My Story of Tragedy and Resilience as a Humboldt Bronco by Kaleb Dahlgren, and My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman
• Exited items: 18 - household items

October 2024 Stats
Bags - 1 in, 0 out
SLGs - 0 in, 0 out

YTD 2024 Stats
Bags - 3 in, 0 out
SLGs - 0 in, 0 out

View attachment 6083385

What gorgeous bag.

 

[papertiger]

October 2024 stats

Where did the time go?! Nothing much to report for October though.

• 0 bags in; 0 bags out
• 5 / 14 bags used
• For most used bag: a tie between my Celine Boston bag and Gucci Jackie bag. No surprise here haha.
• SLGs: 0 in / 0 out
• Accessories: 0 in / 0 out
• Shoes: 0 in / 1 out
• Jewelry: 0 in / 0 out
• Clothes: 2 in/ 2 out

I finally threw away 2 Dior eyeshadow palettes that I barely used. I was just holding onto them because I spent the money on them. But I just almost never reached for them and I’m pretty sure they’re expired by now anyway lol.

Speaking about makeup and skincare. The Sephora Rouge sale started today and I ordered quite a haul! I usually restock my favorites but this time there were some things I was eager to try. So I’m looking forward to that beauty package. Also decided to dip my toes in Chanel nail polish. Got 2 bottles. Hope they work well, never had Chanel nail polish before.

Chanel make very good nail polish.

I have successfully managed kept away from the Sephora sale. This is the first year I haven't bought myself (under the guise of buying for others) anything for the Holidays.

Going through my things, I found so many still boxed or hardly used makeup items. I always think about my lovely but underused eyeshadow palettes I seemed to have amassed during the Pandemic, but I found lipsticks, blushers, mascaras, pencils, finishing and setting powders - you name it. I emptied all carefully considered Lisa Eldridge, Hourglass, Nars, Danessa Myricks, Suqqu, Hindash out of my Sehora, Beautylish, Liberty, Selfridges shopping carts. Now '0'. Gone.

 

[papertiger]

Some good news after all the doom and gloom recently..

Every year for the last 5 years I’ve entered my feline babies into the official Siamese and Oriental cat calendar.

Tammy featured twice, Baryshnikov has featured twice.

Miss Bianca has got in every year, and will be in the 2025 calendar, for the 5th year running-I’m SO proud of her!

I entered an old picture of her with my Hermes Tsako which I gifted a year and a half ago, which will feature in August.

She deserves a new catnip banana -although she will still probably play with the old one!My Mum loves the calendars as well, so I’m especially happy.

Con-cat-u-lations and jubilations Miss Bianca!!!!

 

[papertiger]

Bag
In 0
Out 1 (vintage)

Other
In: 2 Velvet skirt, pure wool cardigan (Walker Slater)
Out: 3 glass bowls, lots of RTW donated, vintage compact and fashion jewellery

Spoiler: DH Update

DH has been doing well. He has been eating well. The hospital will be giving him rounds of chemo throughout Dec and into Jan. He did 6 miles on a stationary bike last week which is 1M miles away from where he was 3 weeks ago (pun intended).

Resolve: I went into Walker Slater yesterday for a waistcoat. The women's Iona waistcoat looked quite nice and the tweed was so lovely, but the lining and back material was a bit thin and cheap-feeling. I wasn't wowed. I left it, and bought a mustard Aran-style cardigan from menswear which looks so effortless and is so cosy. It uses all the traditional stitches but asymmetrically. It was twice the price of the waistcoat but is was rather than a . I used to have a similar cardigan from Moschino that I loved to death, but this one is a much better colour for me so I like it even more.

 

[cecchetti]

Bag
In 0
Out 1 (vintage)

Other
In: 2 Velvet skirt, pure wool cardigan (Walker Slater)
Out: 3 glass bowls, lots of RTW donated, vintage compact and fashion jewellery

Spoiler: DH Update

DH has been doing well. He has been eating well. The hospital will be giving him rounds of chemo throughout Dec and into Jan. He did 6 miles on a stationary bike last week which is 1M miles away from where he was 3 weeks ago (pun intended).

Resolve: I went into Walker Slater yesterday for a waistcoat. The women's Iona waistcoat looked quite nice and the tweed was so lovely, but the lining and back material was a bit thin and cheap-feeling. I wasn't wowed. I left it, and bought a mustard Aran-style cardigan from menswear which looks so effortless and is so cosy. It uses all the traditional stitches but asymmetrically. It was twice the price of the waistcoat but is was rather than a . I used to have a similar cardigan from Moschino that I loved to death, but this one is a much better colour for me so I like it even more.

Great news about DH❤️

Thank you on behalf of Miss Bianca!❤️

 

[Sparkletastic]

I have a bag mystery.

I have no clue what happened to my black Fendi By the Way bag.

It’s not in my for sale / to donate closet. I don’t remember selling it.I have no notes on selling it. I checked my selling history on my accounts and nothing. It’s not DD as she has her own that I bought her and she hasn’t seen mine. Yet it’s nowhere.

Have any of you seen one running for its life down the road? LOL!

 

[FizzyWater]

I have a bag mystery.

I have no clue what happened to my black Fendi By the Way bag.

It’s not in my for sale / to donate closet. I don’t remember selling it.I have no notes on selling it. I checked my selling history on my accounts and nothing. It’s not DD as she has her own that I bought her and she hasn’t seen mine. Yet it’s nowhere.

Have any of you seen one running for its life down the road? LOL!

I’m torn between the laughing and sad emoji responses.

Could it be inside another bag/tote/suitcase, or in your car?

 

[FizzyWater]

Bag
In 0
Out 1 (vintage)

Other
In: 2 Velvet skirt, pure wool cardigan (Walker Slater)
Out: 3 glass bowls, lots of RTW donated, vintage compact and fashion jewellery

Spoiler: DH Update

DH has been doing well. He has been eating well. The hospital will be giving him rounds of chemo throughout Dec and into Jan. He did 6 miles on a stationary bike last week which is 1M miles away from where he was 3 weeks ago (pun intended).

Resolve: I went into Walker Slater yesterday for a waistcoat. The women's Iona waistcoat looked quite nice and the tweed was so lovely, but the lining and back material was a bit thin and cheap-feeling. I wasn't wowed. I left it, and bought a mustard Aran-style cardigan from menswear which looks so effortless and is so cosy. It uses all the traditional stitches but asymmetrically. It was twice the price of the waistcoat but is was rather than a . I used to have a similar cardigan from Moschino that I loved to death, but this one is a much better colour for me so I like it even more.

Hooray for your DH doing better, and for thoughtful culling and purchasing for your wardrobe!

 

[cowgirlsboots]

I am LIVING for how you painted these! I’m so inspired right now and neeeeeeed to do this on something.

Thank you! I always thought of the paint as of a makeshift solution... same as the little embroidered flowers my mother used to put in my childhood clothes to cover up holes.
It feels great to be inspiring.
Please share as soon as you start painting on clothes. I'd love to see.

That’s a great bag!

The chain on the Miss Dior sliding chain bags are very light- just heavy enough to feel like great quality but the lightest of all my chain straps.

That's good to know! My short chain is very heavy. It feels luxurious, but is quite annoying.

or I’m gutting the kitchen and making it a purse closet!

Well, why not? I had my vintage bags and the cowgirls boots collection on shelves in the kitchen for ages in the home I left.

This suit is everything! I think it is spectacular.

Thank you so much!

 

[cowgirlsboots]

one on Monday

Good luck and lots of positive energy to you.