Wise words and worth repeating often! What a lesson the lady learned!
I checked on some stored footwear recently and I caught my beautiful cognac leather boots just in time: Fortunately, they were just creased because of being stored with a fold, but I was able to smooth them out with leather conditioner unlike some other shoes which I just had to toss. I loved those boots and had been babying them a bit, but now no longer. You're right,
@papertiger: We have to fight the feeling. My cognac boots will be in regular rotation this fall!
Sometimes I've got around this feeling by buying back ups (and then using the item without concern since I have a back up) but I do this more often with clothing or footwear. It's not practical to do that with handbags, not to mention it gets very expensive!