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.

 

[880]

I buy myself b-day and Christmas presents every year. LOL! I get things I want year round and leave them in the box unopened. Then months later, I wrap them in that box. The day of, I end up surprising myself. Anything expensive I buy within 30 days of opening so if there is a problem I can return it. But if it’s a fun little item or something I’m 99% sure will be ok, I’ll buy it and squirrel it away for later.

Life is short. IMO we should find every way to make it fun!!!

…because some of it’s icky! Pocket Friends, I’m really struggling. Trying to work out and get fit with various body parts weak and / or recovering is NOT easy in the slightest. It was so much easier to work out when I was fit than it is to get fit after two years of intermittent surgeries and injuries. I literally sat in my car and cried after going to the gym today and I feel so silly about it. I know intellectually the only way for this to get easier is to just keep going. But it’s early days on my “re-fitness” journey and emotionally it’s just… hard.

So my “bag” of the week is this waist belt. It holds my phone, id, credit card, cash, keys and these two water bottles. That keeps me from setting anything on the germy gym floor.

I may check in with you guys from time to time for encouragement. This is tough. Mr. Sparkle and I used to easily go to the gym for two hours and do vigorous workouts. But now I swear every part of me hurts after a beginner level one hour workout. I left him there to finish hauling weight as I escaped. I’m going home to shower and then go back out for a mani / pedi treat.
View attachment 6106800

I’m so sorry! You are amazing for putting in the effort! We are rooting for you!

@SakuraSakura , wishing you all the best in the coming year!

 

[lill_canele]

Merry Pugmas!
One last holiday bag challenge moment!

 

[Sparkletastic]

I’m so sorry! You are amazing for putting in the effort! We are rooting for you!

@SakuraSakura , wishing you all the best in the coming year!

Thanks for the support. I’m taking it one day at a time.

 

[dcooney4]

I buy myself b-day and Christmas presents every year. LOL! I get things I want year round and leave them in the box unopened. Then months later, I wrap them in that box. The day of, I end up surprising myself. Anything expensive I buy within 30 days of opening so if there is a problem I can return it. But if it’s a fun little item or something I’m 99% sure will be ok, I’ll buy it and squirrel it away for later.

Life is short. IMO we should find every way to make it fun!!!

…because some of it’s icky! Pocket Friends, I’m really struggling. Trying to work out and get fit with various body parts weak and / or recovering is NOT easy in the slightest. It was so much easier to work out when I was fit than it is to get fit after two years of intermittent surgeries and injuries. I literally sat in my car and cried after going to the gym today and I feel so silly about it. I know intellectually the only way for this to get easier is to just keep going. But it’s early days on my “re-fitness” journey and emotionally it’s just… hard.

So my “bag” of the week is this waist belt. It holds my phone, id, credit card, cash, keys and these two water bottles. That keeps me from setting anything on the germy gym floor.

I may check in with you guys from time to time for encouragement. This is tough. Mr. Sparkle and I used to easily go to the gym for two hours and do vigorous workouts. But now I swear every part of me hurts after a beginner level one hour workout. I left him there to finish hauling weight as I escaped. I’m going home to shower and then go back out for a mani / pedi treat.
View attachment 6106800

I feel you on this. The OT I see is tough and it hurts a lot, but I am trying to remember that it will be worth it in the end. You got this.

 

[DME]

I buy myself b-day and Christmas presents every year. LOL! I get things I want year round and leave them in the box unopened. Then months later, I wrap them in that box. The day of, I end up surprising myself. Anything expensive I buy within 30 days of opening so if there is a problem I can return it. But if it’s a fun little item or something I’m 99% sure will be ok, I’ll buy it and squirrel it away for later.

Life is short. IMO we should find every way to make it fun!!!

…because some of it’s icky! Pocket Friends, I’m really struggling. Trying to work out and get fit with various body parts weak and / or recovering is NOT easy in the slightest. It was so much easier to work out when I was fit than it is to get fit after two years of intermittent surgeries and injuries. I literally sat in my car and cried after going to the gym today and I feel so silly about it. I know intellectually the only way for this to get easier is to just keep going. But it’s early days on my “re-fitness” journey and emotionally it’s just… hard.

So my “bag” of the week is this waist belt. It holds my phone, id, credit card, cash, keys and these two water bottles. That keeps me from setting anything on the germy gym floor.

I may check in with you guys from time to time for encouragement. This is tough. Mr. Sparkle and I used to easily go to the gym for two hours and do vigorous workouts. But now I swear every part of me hurts after a beginner level one hour workout. I left him there to finish hauling weight as I escaped. I’m going home to shower and then go back out for a mani / pedi treat.
View attachment 6106800

I’ve been in similar shoes, trying to get back in shaoe after a long hiatus. More than once. And for various reasons. From reading your posts, I suspect you’re a lot lot me: Very Type A, very tough on yourself. I would love to tell you this gets easier, but I don’t think I ever figured out how to be kinder to me. (If you learn that trick, please share!) What I can tell you is that you will get there - because that same personality trait means you’re stubborn and won’t give up. So I say just hang in there, recognize those breakdowns will happen (much as you wish they wouldn’t) and give yourself some time to work back up to what you used to do. I am rooting for you and know you’ll get there!

 

[cowgirlsboots]

I buy myself b-day and Christmas presents every year. LOL! I get things I want year round and leave them in the box unopened. Then months later, I wrap them in that box. The day of, I end up surprising myself. Anything expensive I buy within 30 days of opening so if there is a problem I can return it. But if it’s a fun little item or something I’m 99% sure will be ok, I’ll buy it and squirrel it away for later.

Life is short. IMO we should find every way to make it fun!!!

…because some of it’s icky! Pocket Friends, I’m really struggling. Trying to work out and get fit with various body parts weak and / or recovering is NOT easy in the slightest. It was so much easier to work out when I was fit than it is to get fit after two years of intermittent surgeries and injuries. I literally sat in my car and cried after going to the gym today and I feel so silly about it. I know intellectually the only way for this to get easier is to just keep going. But it’s early days on my “re-fitness” journey and emotionally it’s just… hard.

So my “bag” of the week is this waist belt. It holds my phone, id, credit card, cash, keys and these two water bottles. That keeps me from setting anything on the germy gym floor.

I may check in with you guys from time to time for encouragement. This is tough. Mr. Sparkle and I used to easily go to the gym for two hours and do vigorous workouts. But now I swear every part of me hurts after a beginner level one hour workout. I left him there to finish hauling weight as I escaped. I’m going home to shower and then go back out for a mani / pedi treat.
View attachment 6106800

Sending you a big hug xx

 

[cecchetti]

Unbeknownst to my closest girlfriend, who I see several times a week, I’m putting myself on a temporary self imposed clothing ban-or trying to.

Yesterday (Christmas Day), I bought a dozen pairs of Skins leggings, and the last 8 Sweaty Betty black linen tops (they’re from 2022)- v neck loose and sleeveless, I wear them over Skins long sleeve base layers.

I live in a very hot building so have barely worn my sweaters, wish I’d only bought Joseph as they will last next year as well.

The ban will be tested on January 10th, when we have a day out together shopping and lunching (we shop anyway 3 times a week), I’ll have to buy things other than clothing -footwear doesn’t count as I’d like more boots.

She is an enabler so I’m not telling her!

My overall clothing budget for 2025 is higher-it’s not to save money, it’s just to have a break as I’ve bought a lot recently.

It’s not easy as there are a few suits atm I’d like -I’m trying to avoid the designer sales…

Writing it here hopefully will help me to stick to it-I don’t know whether or not I’ll last as long as I hope to, but I’ll give it a go!

Right now I have more clothes than I’ve had in my life, as I’m a minimalist, I’ve replaced some pieces which were wearing out and updated them, but far more has come in than gone out this month.

I’ll report at the end of January on my progress-or lack of it..

 

[cowgirlsboots]

Unbeknownst to my closest girlfriend, who I see several times a week, I’m putting myself on a temporary self imposed clothing ban-or trying to.

Yesterday (Christmas Day), I bought a dozen pairs of Skins leggings, and the last 8 Sweaty Betty black linen tops (they’re from 2022)- v neck loose and sleeveless, I wear them over Skins long sleeve base layers.

I live in a very hot building so have barely worn my sweaters, wish I’d only bought Joseph as they will last next year as well.

The ban will be tested on January 10th, when we have a day out together shopping and lunching (we shop anyway 3 times a week), I’ll have to buy things other than clothing -footwear doesn’t count as I’d like more boots.

She is an enabler so I’m not telling her!

My overall clothing budget for 2025 is higher-it’s not to save money, it’s just to have a break as I’ve bought a lot recently.

It’s not easy as there are a few suits atm I’d like -I’m trying to avoid the designer sales…

Writing it here hopefully will help me to stick to it-I don’t know whether or not I’ll last as long as I hope to, but I’ll give it a go!

Right now I have more clothes than I’ve had in my life, as I’m a minimalist, I’ve replaced some pieces which were wearing out and updated them, but far more has come in than gone out this month.

I’ll report at the end of January on my progress-or lack of it..

Good luck with your challenge! I'm sure you will succeed! You are disciplined and exactly know what you want.

Like you I certainly have more clothes than I need. Unlike you I am a terrible hoarder and always on the lookout for pieces that might tell a story- pieces I am very unlikely to have a chance to wear much. .. During the last few weeks I bought a bit too much and need to ban myself from even looking.
I guess it's lucky that my DS in his very tense pre Christmas mood managed to spoil my fun completely by giving a lot of unsolicited opinion on my purchases making me shove them in a box in the sewing room and doubt my instincts... So most likely no fun shopping for me in the near future, just because it isn't fun in the end...

 

[cecchetti]

Good luck with your challenge! I'm sure you will succeed! You are disciplined and exactly know what you want.

Like you I certainly have more clothes than I need. Unlike you I am a terrible hoarder and always on the lookout for pieces that might tell a story- pieces I am very unlikely to have a chance to wear much. .. During the last few weeks I bought a bit too much and need to ban myself from even looking.
I guess it's lucky that my DS in his very tense pre Christmas mood managed to spoil my fun completely by giving a lot of unsolicited opinion on my purchases making me shove them in a box in the sewing room and doubt my instincts... So most likely no fun shopping for me in the near future, just because it isn't fun in the end...

That’s so sad to read, as the first thing which came into my mind was that beautiful coat which you transformed..
You do make clothes fun-I’m very much a classicist, I don’t want your hobby taken away!

 

[Sparkletastic]

I’ve been in similar shoes, trying to get back in shaoe after a long hiatus. More than once. And for various reasons. From reading your posts, I suspect you’re a lot lot me: Very Type A, very tough on yourself. I would love to tell you this gets easier, but I don’t think I ever figured out how to be kinder to me. (If you learn that trick, please share!) What I can tell you is that you will get there - because that same personality trait means you’re stubborn and won’t give up. So I say just hang in there, recognize those breakdowns will happen (much as you wish they wouldn’t) and give yourself some time to work back up to what you used to do. I am rooting for you and know you’ll get there!

You nailed the issue. I’m Type A plus and have spent many years and therapy dollars trying to be less driven and self-demanding. So while I know intellectually that getting to my current state was unavoidable, I still feel like I “coulda / shoulda” stayed in better shape through some super human magical approach.

But, you’re right. Beating myself up is making the journey harder. I just need to think of this in terms of finishing this day’s work out well. Living in the present vs bemoaning the lengthy journey is likely a much better approach. Thanks.

Unbeknownst to my closest girlfriend, who I see several times a week, I’m putting myself on a temporary self imposed clothing ban-or trying to.

Yesterday (Christmas Day), I bought a dozen pairs of Skins leggings, and the last 8 Sweaty Betty black linen tops (they’re from 2022)- v neck loose and sleeveless, I wear them over Skins long sleeve base layers.

I live in a very hot building so have barely worn my sweaters, wish I’d only bought Joseph as they will last next year as well.

The ban will be tested on January 10th, when we have a day out together shopping and lunching (we shop anyway 3 times a week), I’ll have to buy things other than clothing -footwear doesn’t count as I’d like more boots.

She is an enabler so I’m not telling her!

My overall clothing budget for 2025 is higher-it’s not to save money, it’s just to have a break as I’ve bought a lot recently.

It’s not easy as there are a few suits atm I’d like -I’m trying to avoid the designer sales…

Writing it here hopefully will help me to stick to it-I don’t know whether or not I’ll last as long as I hope to, but I’ll give it a go!

Right now I have more clothes than I’ve had in my life, as I’m a minimalist, I’ve replaced some pieces which were wearing out and updated them, but far more has come in than gone out this month.

I’ll report at the end of January on my progress-or lack of it..

I know you can do it. Focus on all the self identified benefits this decision will bring you and I know you’ll meet your goal.

 

[Sparkletastic]

Mr. Sparkle’s mother is seriously ill and so we’re driving to see her again. Between our trips for my surgeries and ones to look after her, I feel like December has been a swirl of doctors, medical offices, hospitals and tests. More than likely, this trip will end in a decision to place her in long term memory care so this isn’t a time where I have any interest in taking anything but a tight set of functional clothes and one functional handbag. So, I’m going to share my December and 2024 year end totals as they won’t change between now and the 31st.

Sparkle’s Combination December Month End and 2024 Year End Update:

December Stats
Bags - 1 in (gift), 0 out
SLGs - 0 in, 0 out

2024 Year End Stats
Bags - 15 in, 0 out
SLGs - 2 in, 0 out

This was a wildly high number of ins that I never intend to repeat. The positive is this yielded the variety I craved after years of holding ins to a minimum. My learnings are 1) In the name of all that’s holy, Sparkle, STOP buying preloved bags unless they are pristine because they will never make me happy!!! 2) I overwhelmingly reach for my most functional bags right now. So, as much as I love sparkly, jewelry like bags, I have enough. Future purchases will perfectly blend form and function.

Collection Totals

• 40 handbags
• 8 handbags listed for sale
• 6 SLGs
• 12 non luggage functional bags (laptop, beach bag, backpacks, etc.)

December Challenges and Activity

• Holiday Colors Wear Challenge: 2 worn. Three trips for my medical care and two for my MIL this month caused me to flame out on this challenge.
• End with a Bang Challenge: Prada Chocolate Brown Bowler Bag worn 1 time. Another fail but at least I learned I don’t like the bag so I’m putting it up for sale.
• Bag Rotation: Carried 8 bags

2024 was rough but I’m truly looking forward to a great 2025 with all of you!!

 

[cecchetti]

Mr. Sparkle’s mother is seriously ill and so we’re driving to see her again. Between our trips for my surgeries and ones to look after her, I feel like December has been a swirl of doctors, medical offices, hospitals and tests. More than likely, this trip will end in a decision to place her in long term memory care so this isn’t a time where I have any interest in taking anything but a tight set of functional clothes and one functional handbag. So, I’m going to share my December and 2024 year end totals as they won’t change between now and the 31st.

Sparkle’s Combination December Month End and 2024 Year End Update:

December Stats
Bags - 1 in (gift), 0 out
SLGs - 0 in, 0 out

2024 Year End Stats
Bags - 15 in, 0 out
SLGs - 2 in, 0 out

This was a wildly high number of ins that I never intend to repeat. The positive is this yielded the variety I craved after years of holding ins to a minimum. My learnings are 1) In the name of all that’s holy, Sparkle, STOP buying preloved bags unless they are pristine because they will never make me happy!!! 2) I overwhelmingly reach for my most functional bags right now. So, as much as I love sparkly, jewelry like bags, I have enough. Future purchases will perfectly blend form and function.

Collection Totals

• 40 handbags
• 8 handbags listed for sale
• 6 SLGs
• 12 non luggage functional bags (laptop, beach bag, backpacks, etc.)

December Challenges and Activity

• Holiday Colors Wear Challenge: 2 worn. Three trips for my medical care and two for my MIL this month caused me to flame out on this challenge.
• End with a Bang Challenge: Prada Chocolate Brown Bowler Bag worn 1 time. Another fail but at least I learned I don’t like the bag so I’m putting it up for sale.
• Bag Rotation: Carried 8 bags

2024 was rough but I’m truly looking forward to a great 2025 with all of you!!

I’m so sorry to hear about your MIL and wish you a healthier and very Happy Sparkly 2024!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

 

[Purses & Perfumes]

Good luck with your challenge! I'm sure you will succeed! You are disciplined and exactly know what you want.

Like you I certainly have more clothes than I need. Unlike you I am a terrible hoarder and always on the lookout for pieces that might tell a story- pieces I am very unlikely to have a chance to wear much. .. During the last few weeks I bought a bit too much and need to ban myself from even looking.
I guess it's lucky that my DS in his very tense pre Christmas mood managed to spoil my fun completely by giving a lot of unsolicited opinion on my purchases making me shove them in a box in the sewing room and doubt my instincts... So most likely no fun shopping for me in the near future, just because it isn't fun in the end...

Please don’t doubt your instincts and allow unsolicited opinions to take the fun out of your hobby. I’m sure you have very good instincts when it comes to fashion and dress making. We have all seen that here in your postings and designs.

@Sparkletastic, sorry to hear about your mother in law. Hope 2025 will bring good health and recovery to you and well being to your family.

 

[cecchetti]

Like @Sparkletastic , I’ve decided to do my December stats early.

Although in my case, just because I had an extra long day at my parents(my Dad went out to get his car tyres done and was delayed and for parts for his aquariums) , so I had to change my taxi times, and now can’t sleep.

My parents loved the snowman Chanukah card(their only one), the cat calendar featuring Miss Bianca, the giant box of chocolates and Mum loved her Peter Rabbit.
We had lunch, and watched 3 ballets and I chatted to her and cuddled her-that’s all she’s really up to, sadly…she liked the chocolates!

My stats aren’t likely to change (I hope)

Bags in-0, bags out-0

Festive bag-black sequin bag for party(sorry I don’t own a red or green bag)

Jewellery-my girlfriend gave me a silver necklace with a tiny diamond for Christmas

Clothes - 38 in , 10 out!

This fills me with horror as I’m a minimalist classicist, but it was all things I wear regularly, and I stocked up with Skins tops and leggings etc.
My New Years Resolution is a temporary clothes ban-I’ll say how long when/if I keep it, as I have more clothes than I’ve ever had in my life.
It’ll be Very hard as there are designer pieces I want, but there will be more when the ban ends..
If I hadn’t written it here, I would probably break it on January 1st..

My best present was having my Mum still alive, but my Dad said he hadn’t bought me anything and had to get me something , there was nothing I really wanted so he’s paying for the clothes I bought on Christmas Day, which makes me feel a bit better.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE and good health to you all!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

 

[Sparkletastic]

We’re here with MIL and there’s a lot of waiting. She is mostly lucid right now though it’s clear she can’t stay on her own much longer. But, I’m an in law and her kids are the ones (rightfully) making decisions on how to proceed. So, I’m just trying to be moral support / errand runner / food provider. It’s frustrating because I’ve worked at an executive level in healthcare for 15 years so I have insights but I’m all but nailing my mouth shut until someone asks for my opinion.

To keep myself occupied in the down times, I’m thinking about happy things like handbags. As part of that, I’m changing my goals for 2025 that I’d thought I’d just decided upon. I’ve realized “shopping my closet” is less about having an intent to not buy and more about being conscious of what I reach for when I’m selecting my bag of the day.

When I buy, I’m too influenced by what looks beautiful / fills a past desire or dream / makes me giddy in the moment. What I need to do is refocus on what I “shop” for (meaning reach for) daily.

For example, I am getting a ton of wear out of my new LV Blossom tote. But while it’s a beautiful bag, it’s not a set-my-heart aflutter sparkly bag. Shopping my closet, however, shows me clearly that future purchases need to be more of the former vs the latter. What I shop for regularly in my closet is what I need to buy. Bags similar to the ones I own but don’t use need to stay in photos or threads like the one @papertiger just started. Look and love but don’t buy.

This seems like a “duh” level insight but it’s really an epiphany for me. I’ll look at what bags get the most wear and double down on those styles for (LIMITED) buying vs getting distracted by beautiful bags that sit in my closet and give me guilt when my CPW utterly sucks because I don’t reach for them. I’m also going to consider selling bags I love to look at but don’t wear often. I don’t need the guilt, it’s not keeping with my worldview to only hold what I use and that closet space can go to bags that are beautiful and serve my life.

Anyone else have bag epiphanies from 2024? I’d love to hear and learn from you!