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.

 

[BirdieK]

Yes! I thought it would be a fun bag for summer.

I know this is old but I've been looking at these totes for travel. Do you still like it? How are the handles?

 

[cecchetti]

I haven’t slept , I’ve been up reading one of my books which I brought back from my parents’ house(the other was the pizza cookbook I used whilst at Northern Ballet School)

Worth, Father of Haute Couture.

The descriptions of the dresses and fabrics are so sumptuous and so gorgeous that I want to break my New Years Resolution before NYE!

They are so extravagant ,woven with pearls and cloth of silver, silk slipper satin etc.
Although I’m minimalist, I’ve always loved beautiful,luxury fabrics and used to use a Bond Street tailor in my late teens, early 20’s, who was Greek, where I would take bolts of exotic suiting like cashmere beaver for mini skirts, and later the oldest British Couture house still existing , Lachasse, who I modelled for charity for many times, who copied my Valentino dresses in better fabrics, and also their own creations.

It will be a Miracle if I last the first week of January, let alone January, as I Love clothes, and all of the new collections will be coming in.
It’s like torturing myself!

I guess when the ban is over-I’ll write here when, and I go shopping again, it’ll be worth it.

My classical ballet training is decades behind me, I’m testing its discipline now, in a hard way.
Watching my girlfriend shop will be my vicarious shopping for a while..

 

[Sparkletastic]

I haven’t slept , I’ve been up reading one of my books which I brought back from my parents’ house(the other was the pizza cookbook I used whilst at Northern Ballet School)

Worth, Father of Haute Couture.

The descriptions of the dresses and fabrics are so sumptuous and so gorgeous that I want to break my New Years Resolution before NYE!

They are so extravagant ,woven with pearls and cloth of silver, silk slipper satin etc.
Although I’m minimalist, I’ve always loved beautiful,luxury fabrics and used to use a Bond Street tailor in my late teens, early 20’s, who was Greek, where I would take bolts of exotic suiting like cashmere beaver for mini skirts, and later the oldest British Couture house still existing , Lachasse, who I modelled for charity for many times, who copied my Valentino dresses in better fabrics, and also their own creations.

It will be a Miracle if I last the first week of January, let alone January, as I Love clothes, and all of the new collections will be coming in.
It’s like torturing myself!

I guess when the ban is over-I’ll write here when, and I go shopping again, it’ll be worth it.

My classical ballet training is decades behind me, I’m testing its discipline now, in a hard way.
Watching my girlfriend shop will be my vicarious shopping for a while..

I’ve found that when a ban I’ve implemented is hard for me it’s because I am not fully bought in to the value of the outcome.

Is there a true and real reason for your ban? Will you gain something(s) from abstaining that deeply resonate with you?

If so, spend time rejoicing in what those reasons and / or benefits will be and this ban will breeze by. Or if not, then let yourself off the hook and enjoy buying what meets your needs and gives you pleasure.

 

[cecchetti]

I’ve found that when a ban I’ve implemented is hard for me it’s because I am not fully bought in to the value of the outcome.

Is there a true and real reason for your ban? Will you gain something(s) from abstaining that deeply resonate with you?

If so, spend time rejoicing in what those reasons and / or benefits will be and this ban will breeze by. Or if not, then let yourself off the hook and enjoy buying what meets your needs and gives you pleasure.

I think (don’t know)- when I’m with my Mum, I can’t control her declining health etc.
My classical ballet training was all about discipline(my ballet teacher sometimes had a stick to Nick me on the ankles with).
In no areas of my life at the moment do I really need to exercise this discipline , and I can’t do ballet classes as my knee injury hasn’t totally recovered (I could do with another X-ray really)- I had hoped to do RAD Silver Swans ballet classes for fun..

Giving myself this challenge is a test of my willpower and discipline; I don’t need to diet, I don’t work out (although I do walk a lot), it may turn out to be impossible as fashion has always been one of my hobbies.

That’s my Freudian interpretation-that I’m using my ballet discipline, it may not work out, anyhow, it’s not for the year..luckily!

 

[Sparkletastic]

I think (don’t know)- when I’m with my Mum, I can’t control her declining health etc.
My classical ballet training was all about discipline(my ballet teacher sometimes had a stick to Nick me on the ankles with).
In no areas of my life at the moment do I really need to exercise this discipline , and I can’t do ballet classes as my knee injury hasn’t totally recovered (I could do with another X-ray really)- I had hoped to do RAD Silver Swans ballet classes for fun..

Giving myself this challenge is a test of my willpower and discipline; I don’t need to diet, I don’t work out (although I do walk a lot), it may turn out to be impossible as fashion has always been one of my hobbies.

That’s my Freudian interpretation-that I’m using my ballet discipline, it may not work out, anyhow, it’s not for the year..luckily!

Ahhh - that makes sense. Your mom’s health is giving you a need for control somewhere in your life. As I recently admitted, I’m uber type A (working to shed the mania), so I fully understand that.

I just wonder if fashion - being something you love - is the best place to force an unnecessary sense of harshness and withholding. What I’m learning for me is that being gentle and bountiful with myself is better for those tough times than harkening back to when I had to be strictly disciplined to reach lofty goals. Perhaps this is time for you to do the opposite of what you have in the past: buy as you normally would with your wardrobe (including being in keeping with your minimalist aesthetic) and then ADD to your life an area of indulgence and softness to help you cope with your mom’s situation. Perhaps it’s filling your home with healthy scented candles or claiming a day a week for in spa or at home beauty treatments or choosing a lovely place for a weekend mini vacation each month.

While the harsh raps to the ankles may have contributed to you being a gifted dancer, I’d encourage you to leave pain as incentive behind and embrace soft care as enabling going forward.

Just my two cents to you, dear one. I support you regardless of your choice.

 

[cecchetti]

Ahhh - that makes sense. Your mom’s health is giving you a need for control somewhere in your life. As I recently admitted, I’m uber type A (working to shed the mania), so I fully understand that.

I just wonder if fashion - being something you love - is the best place to force an unnecessary sense of harshness and withholding. What I’m learning for me is that being gentle and bountiful with myself is better for those tough times than harkening back to when I had to be strictly disciplined to reach lofty goals. Perhaps this is time for you to do the opposite of what you have in the past: buy as you normally would with your wardrobe (including being in keeping with your minimalist aesthetic) and then ADD to your life an area of indulgence and softness to help you cope with your mom’s situation. Perhaps it’s filling your home with healthy scented candles or claiming a day a week for in spa or at home beauty treatments or choosing a lovely place for a weekend mini vacation each month.

While the harsh raps to the ankles may have contributed to you being a gifted dancer, I’d encourage you to leave pain as incentive behind and embrace soft care as enabling going forward.

Just my two cents to you, dear one. I support you regardless of your choice.

Thank you my darling friend❤️❤️❤️❤️-I DO intend to buy some jewellery-I have my eye on some Argyle pink and white diamond earrings ..

Should I find too difficult , I’ll abandon it, I’m not going to punish myself, and it IS temporary..

I just need an aim or motive to occupy my mind, with my Mum so ill, actually tbh I have another day out in April booked with my girlfriend for my birthday-that would end the ban(IF I succeed-and it’s a Big IF)!

❤️❤️❤️❤️

 

[dcooney4]

I know this is old but I've been looking at these totes for travel. Do you still like it? How are the handles?

I really do. I have two of them now. With all the buying and selling I do they remain and get used, yet still look brand new.

 

[whateve]

Thank you my darling friend❤️❤️❤️❤️-I DO intend to buy some jewellery-I have my eye on some Argyle pink and white diamond earrings ..

Should I find too difficult , I’ll abandon it, I’m not going to punish myself, and it IS temporary..

I just need an aim or motive to occupy my mind, with my Mum so ill, actually tbh I have another day out in April booked with my girlfriend for my birthday-that would end the ban(IF I succeed-and it’s a Big IF)!

❤️❤️❤️❤️

At my age I've decided life is too short to take away things that give me joy, especially as one gets older, some of the things we used to love we can no longer indulge in.

 

[cecchetti]

At my age I've decided life is too short to take away things that give me joy, especially as one gets older, some of the things we used to love we can no longer indulge in.

That’s true-I know it sounds ridiculous , but I would give Anything to still be able to dance with Northern Ballet Theatre!

All of my dreams(when I do sleep) are set in Paris(where I lived for 9 years), and I’m a ballerina in them..

 

[cowgirlsboots]

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!

You are so kind. Don't worry, please, I might be feeling a little low, but nobody will take my hobby away. I don't know, why I even let my DS' comments make me feel low.

He takes everything literally and usually has no perception for potential while all I usually see in the seemingly random cheap pieces I buy is their potential...

The dresses in question are a late 60 ies two piece (dress and jacket) in the strangest shade of pastel orange I' ve ever seen and an early 60 ies silver- blueish brocade evening gown. He hated them at first sight, because both need to be washed and both are not black, which is the colour he knows me in. For now they are in the basement until I will muster the energy to clean them and try them on in front of a mirror. I never got that far...

For Christmas I gave him a vintage leather jacket I had to put a lot of work into. (Severe cleaning, several repairs, colour change) He is a fan of Tyler Durden from the Fight Club movie and was keen on his red jacket. I couldn't find the correct cut/style, but I found the Potential to get the vibe in a true vintage handmade 80 ies biker jacket... Had DS seen the jacket the day it arrived he wouldn't have touched it ( I almost gave up, because it was absolutely not as described) ...
Now he is very happy with it even though he still questions how I managed to make it the colour from the photo without losing the true vintage patina.... well, I just did...





BTW he absolutely did not believe in my painted coat until it was finished and he saw me wear it. Until then he kept questioning why I was scribbling and winging the design.

And I 'm playing with a very tattered 1930 ies devore velvet dress- black and so far unchallenged.

 

[cowgirlsboots]

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.

Thank you!

 

[cecchetti]

You are so kind. Don't worry, please, I might be feeling a little low, but nobody will take my hobby away. I don't know, why I even let my DS' comments make me feel low.

He takes everything literally and usually has no perception for potential while all I usually see in the seemingly random cheap pieces I buy is their potential...

The dresses in question are a late 60 ies two piece (dress and jacket) in the strangest shade of pastel orange I' ve ever seen and an early 60 ies silver- blueish brocade evening gown. He hated them at first sight, because both need to be washed and both are not black, which is the colour he knows me in. For now they are in the basement until I will muster the energy to clean them and try them on in front of a mirror. I never got that far...

For Christmas I gave him a vintage leather jacket I had to put a lot of work into. (Severe cleaning, several repairs, colour change) He is a fan of Tyler Durden from the Fight Club movie and was keen on his red jacket. I couldn't find the correct cut/style, but I found the Potential to get the vibe in a true vintage handmade 80 ies biker jacket... Had DS seen the jacket the day it arrived he wouldn't have touched it ( I almost gave up, because it was absolutely not as described) ...
Now he is very happy with it even though he still questions how I managed to make it the colour from the photo without losing the true vintage patina.... well, I just did...

View attachment 6108804View attachment 6108805



BTW he absolutely did not believe in my painted coat until it was finished and he saw me wear it. Until then he kept questioning why I was scribbling and winging the design.

And I 'm playing with a very tattered 1930 ies devore velvet dress- black and so far unchallenged.

You are just SO talented ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Of course you must do the dresses, and the jacket looks magnificent!

 

[cowgirlsboots]

You are just SO talented ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Of course you must do the dresses, and the jacket looks magnificent!

Thank you!
I guess what makes me doubt myself and lose my joy is good old PTSD. I've had nasty comments from my ex for far too long. He always aimed to make me feel insufficient to make himself feel superior. From the distance I know he did it, because my being truly good at something simply scared him.
Now to learn to be proud of my talents, again...
( And start believing in myself, so I will not have to prove myself all the time. I mean why should I? I know I can do it!)

DS certainly is scarred by my ex, too. And he sometimes follows his patterns. That's something we will have to work on.

 

[cecchetti]

Thank you!
I guess what makes me doubt myself and lose my joy is good old PTSD. I've had nasty comments from my ex for far too long. He always aimed to make me feel insufficient to make himself feel superior. From the distance I know he did it, because my being truly good at something simply scared him.
Now to learn to be proud of my talents, again...
( And start believing in myself, so I will not have to prove myself all the time. I mean why should I? I know I can do it!)

DS certainly is scarred by my ex, too. And he sometimes follows his patterns. That's something we will have to work on.

I want to give you a massive hug-I’m sure that I’m not the only one here feeling like this.

Yes, you Can do it-we’ve all seen your work!You are very gifted and produce unique clothing, no need to prove yourself!

We all Love seeing your work!
Don’t believe otherwise..big hugs to you ❤️❤️❤️❤️

 

[whateve]

If anyone starts a year of the snake thread, please let me know. I like to see what all the designers do to commemorate it. Snakes aren't my favorite animal but maybe someone can make it cute or pretty.