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.

 

[papertiger]

View attachment 5941502Today’s bag is a backpack my son surprised me with at Christmas. Took it out while he was in the room, so he knows I appreciate his gift. The weather is still grey here. Though it seems to be good for taking pictures. Lol

What a lovely gift, and from such a thoughtful and tasteful son. I absolutely love that bag.

 

[papertiger]

This was a game-changer for me, too. I sold off a bunch of pieces over a decade ago, but still held on to a lot of pieces just because. They were mostly ones my mom had given me after she and my dad divorced. They weren’t my style and I wasn’t wearing them, so I finally decided to purge. I took in another two rings in last month. I am keeping track of the money from that and other items I’ve sold in various forums (e.g., consignment, site at work) and am putting money toward new purchases, mostly those I have been wanting to add to my fine jewelry collection. It’s a bit of a way to justify the new things coming in.

Keeping your DH in my thoughts and hoping for good news about his treatment!

Most were pieces my mother gave me, or I bought whilst shopping with her . I have to remind myself how ruthless she was in selling things that I thought she'd be sentimental with.

My mantra for '24 is unused 'stuff' is just ballast.

 

[dcooney4]

What a lovely gift, and from such a thoughtful and tasteful son. I absolutely love that bag.

Thank you!

 

[Cookiefiend]

View attachment 5941502Today’s bag is a backpack my son surprised me with at Christmas. Took it out while he was in the room, so he knows I appreciate his gift. The weather is still grey here. Though it seems to be good for taking pictures. Lol

That is a super cute bag!

Most were pieces my mother gave me, or I bought whilst shopping with her . I have to remind myself how ruthless she was in selling things that I thought she'd be sentimental with.

My mantra for '24 is unused 'stuff' is just ballast.

That is a great mantra - I'm going to use that too if you don't mind!

(ps - sending hopeful thoughts for DH and you!)

 

[880]

You always strike me as someone who knows and understands their needs/wants very well, and UTA, for the perfect gift it's always worth spending more (if possible).

Your Rainbow Bolide is stunning, it works on every level as a modern and bold accessory and object of art too.

Thank you so much. The feeling is mutual; I have learned so much from you and from others on TPF

 

[jbags07]

@cecchetti , heartfelt condolences on the loss of your Tammy
We lost one of our beloved pups a few months ago too, so i feel your pain. Sending you big hugs

@papertiger , your 2024 mantra resonates so much with me. May i copy it? I will print it out to help me continue purging. ‘Ballast’ is exactly what unused stuff is - it holds us down with unneeded weight. Really love this analogy Fingers crossed for positive news for DH too 🙌

@whateve , i am late in my response regarding your kids stuff. One thought - from someone who kept all of my stuff from when i was younger — as the years passed and i moved a number of times, the stuff was an anchor weighing me down. I eventually in the last move just got rid of 90% of it and really wish i had done so years ago. Take pictures if everything and then donate it all. Maybe keep a handful of really special things. The pictures will spark the special memories for most of it, and your kids probably don’t really want it or would already have taken it all

@cowgirlsboots — wish we lived closer b/c i would love to see all of your cool vintage stuff

Thank you @Vintage Leather for sharing How to Practice - what a great read and very timely for me


I’ve been sick again, and trying not to scroll too much in an effort to suppress the shopping urges - i did too much damage the first week of January lol, but gosh this thread moves fast - i had to catch up on quite a lot! Will try to stay more present with y’all

 

[jbags07]

Jan stats
Bags in - 2
Bags out - sold 6 & Gifted 10
slgs in - 0
Slgs out - 1
Bag charms in - 0
Scarves in - 6 vintage H scarves
Scarves out - 1

Usage - i carried a total of 7 bags. I enjoyed each bag so they will all remain.

Goals: pause all bag purchases. I just added a HG bag - Watercolor Speedy 30 in excellent almost unworn condition. And another beautiful Bolide. I need to carry what i have. Also need to attempt to pause scarf purchases. Am really loving vintage H scarves but i need to be careful about color. Too often i fall in love with one and when it arrives the colors do not suit me.

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

1 more bag, 4 pairs of wedge sandals and 1 pair of boots out to charity (goodwill).

Vintage frame bag was never going to be used and just sitting there like a forlorn animal, so hopefully it'll go to a good home. I've worn the boots and had good use (although they still look great) so feel OK about letting them go, a couple of the sandals were too high for daily wear, just feel a bit sad over the never worn ones with ankle straps, maybe I didn't give them a chance. Thinking about re-buying them tomorrow.

The reason I went was primarily to take more jewellery to sell, but the buyer wasn't there so I have to go back. My collection's looking more orderly now. Those bits, those too long/short chains, single earrings that were once a pair, things that kept needing to be repaired... things I can't even remember buying, I want them gone. Never mind the bag's. Only having jewellery that really speaks to me and I wear has been a revelation.

Spoiler

DH is with his mother and family abraod for a while, so it's a chance to clean and clear. Awaiting results of the chemo, so fingers crossed

Keeping you and your DH in my thoughts and hoping for good news.

What has made you invest more (or less) in a bag?

I have to love the bag. The style needs to be timeless (in my opinion) in order for me to invest more in a bag. If I perceive a design as super trendy, (and love it), I am more likely to want to invest less, or find a less expensive version.

 

[piperdog]

Too late for end of month stats, I'll just park this here today and try to remember come end of Feb.

1 more bag, 4 pairs of wedge sandals and 1 pair of boots out to charity (goodwill).

Vintage frame bag was never going to be used and just sitting there like a forlorn animal, so hopefully it'll go to a good home. I've worn the boots and had good use (although they still look great) so feel OK about letting them go, a couple of the sandals were too high for daily wear, just feel a bit sad over the never worn ones with ankle straps, maybe I didn't give them a chance. Thinking about re-buying them tomorrow.

The reason I went was primarily to take more jewellery to sell, but the buyer wasn't there so I have to go back. My collection's looking more orderly now. Those bits, those too long/short chains, single earrings that were once a pair, things that kept needing to be repaired... things I can't even remember buying, I want them gone. Never mind the bag's. Only having jewellery that really speaks to me and I wear has been a revelation.

Spoiler

DH is with his mother and family abraod for a while, so it's a chance to clean and clear. Awaiting results of the chemo, so fingers crossed

Fingers crossed

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

January stats:
No bags in or out. My most carried bag was my Pochette Metis in turtledove. The long strap came in handy over bulky coats and jackets. Overall, January was kind of blah and I've been a bit under the weather, and have some check-ups and doctor visits coming up. I will be prioritizing my health this month, trying to eat better and eliminate sugar from my diet to the extent possible. Also focusing on reducing junk food.
On using things up, I've made good progress in using up some beauty products, lotions and suchlike, since setting them up on a tray on my bedside table. Seeing them out there was a good reminder for me to incorporate them into a before bedtime routine. Empties include foot cream, hand cream and oils. I also replenished my shower gel stash which was at an all-time low.

 

[papertiger]

Keeping you and your DH in my thoughts and hoping for good news.

I have to love the bag. The style needs to be timeless (in my opinion) in order for me to invest more in a bag. If I perceive a design as super trendy, (and love it), I am more likely to want to invest less, or find a less expensive version.

That makes perfect sense to me

 

[lill_canele]

View attachment 5941502Today’s bag is a backpack my son surprised me with at Christmas. Took it out while he was in the room, so he knows I appreciate his gift. The weather is still grey here. Though it seems to be good for taking pictures. Lol

Aww that's so sweet!

While we're waiting for the colored bags. Maybe we could show bags that we've received as gifts?

Actually, where is the pinned post for the bag schedule? I don't see it anymore. Does anyone else still see it?

 

[Vintage Leather]

Someone posted they spend more on neutrals and go for contemporary when choosing a colour. For me, I'll invest more money for a variation of a bag I know well and have loved for a long time. Sometimes that means a special version of one I own already, sometimes, one I always, always, always wanted. What has made you invest more (or less) in a bag?

For me, the exact opposite is true - buying another bag in the same style is “stealing” usage from the first. I will do it, but it’s got to be an insanely good bargain.

As for my “worth it” calculations, the longer I’ve wanted something, the more I’ll spend. But, at the same time, whatever I buy has to be better than what I have.

So, VintageMath, I’ve kept track of all the bags I’ve bought, and what I’ve spent on them. If I’ve sold something to fund a new item, I’ll roll that into the new price.

If I’m buying something new, the questions I ask are the 3/2/1 rule:

- Do I have three things I can wear with the new thing,
- do I have two occasions where I can wear the thing, and
- Can I get it down to $1 per wear.

If all those are true, then the next question is, “is this better/different than what I already own?” I bought my most expensive bags when I was in my early 20s. I avoided the most insane of the price hikes, and have had a few years to get that ol CPW down. So, when I’m looking at a bag, and it is more than a thousand dollars, I’ll ask myself “is this worth more than a medium Chanel flap?” And often, the lining won’t be leather, or the hardware won’t be 24k plated solid brass, or the material will feel thinner. So, I’ll put it back.

My one exception to the rule is Judith Leiber clutches. Having them on display gives me a great deal of pleasure, I collect them, and they go into the Clutch Library. So, I buy them like art, not like handbags

 

[whateve]

View attachment 5941502Today’s bag is a backpack my son surprised me with at Christmas. Took it out while he was in the room, so he knows I appreciate his gift. The weather is still grey here. Though it seems to be good for taking pictures. Lol

This is so cute!

 

[Vintage Leather]

Bags In:
Bags Out: 5
Accessories In:
Jewelry and Accessories Out: 4
Household:
Donations Out: 67
Pounds of shredding: 17
Total out: 90

I decided to count a pound of shredding as an item. I went through everything in my closet and china cabinet. (But not table linens, because I love them and I haven’t had the courage). My aunt took several of my suitcases (why do I have plural?!) and I let go some stemware and crystal. I’m getting close to my 50th birthday, so I decided to set a rule for myself - anything I haven’t used by my 50th, I’m letting go. Do I need two tea sets? Only if I invite people over for tea. Do I need champagne flutes AND coupes? Again, ten years ago, I used them. But in the last 6, I haven’t been social. So, use it or lose it.

I did buy a bag and some accessories, but they will be for Valentines and Easter. I keep debating if I should include VintageMama’s stats in with mine, because I’m afraid they will be my burden in the next year or so, but it might also be insanely frustrating to have things swelling my stats when I can’t control the flow. So, I think I hold off, but it’s something to keep in mind.

I finished a puzzle, which doesn’t sound like much, but it has been on the table since last July and it’s a relief to have it done. The shawl I’ve been knitting since ‘18 should finish in February.

I didn’t study Italian last month. Next month.