2025 Resolution: Shopping my own Bag and SLG Collection

[papertiger]

Do wet want some new challenges in August?

How about wearing one non-black neutral per week (whatever is a neutral for you)

 

[textilegirl]

View attachment 6147725

I haven't worn my Paddington for over 10 years, now I've worn black/black Paddington 3 x in 1 week

Sorry for the same pic.

I almost wore a similar outfit to yesterday, but not the coat. Raining today. I went ol' school classic to go to town: Burberry Summer weight Burberry mini-trench, dark denim flares, black cashmere polo-neck (is 'polo' understood in the US/elsewhere - or is it roll-neck?) Cartier Tank and jewellery, Italian leather black, block heel boots.

Felt a bit sad today. My Hermes SA is leaving. I don't know if I feel sad because she's leaving or because I feel a bit 'stuck'.

De-lurking to say your outfit description is so vivid in my mind, and fabulous! (Wait, what, no hat? 😉).

Sorry about the SA situation.

 

[papertiger]

De-lurking to say your outfit description is so vivid in my mind, and fabulous! (Wait, what, no hat? 😉).

Sorry about the SA situation.

Thank you So nice to see you here.

OMG, you are correct, I did not wear a hat OR scarf today

I think I communicated badly in my last post. I'm sad my H SA is leaving, but I didn't mean to imply I'm stuck at H without her. She wrote me a lovely note, and I'm very happy for her and wish her well. It just feels like I'm a little stuck in myself- too much time alone, that's all. DH is still recovering from pneumonia and texts me 100 x a day while I'm at work but won't just call.

I was published in a prestigious journal last week after many, many weeks of work on the article, so maybe it's the post-excitement slump. I'll start researching for another next week, I'm sure that will help.

I suppose when my SA told me she was moving on, it's a reminder that everything always changes. Those that make the changes are the deciders. Those that don't make changes get changes whether they like them or not. Something like that.

 

[whateve]

View attachment 6147725

I haven't worn my Paddington for over 10 years, now I've worn black/black Paddington 3 x in 1 week

Sorry for the same pic.

I almost wore a similar outfit to yesterday, but not the coat. Raining today. I went ol' school classic to go to town: Burberry Summer weight Burberry mini-trench, dark denim flares, black cashmere polo-neck (is 'polo' understood in the US/elsewhere - or is it roll-neck?) Cartier Tank and jewellery, Italian leather black, block heel boots.

Felt a bit sad today. My Hermes SA is leaving. I don't know if I feel sad because she's leaving or because I feel a bit 'stuck'.

A polo neck is called a turtleneck in the US. When you say polo, we think of a knit collared shirt with a couple buttons.

 

[whateve]

Thank you So nice to see you here.

OMG, you are correct, I did not wear a hat OR scarf today

I think I communicated badly in my last post. I'm sad my H SA is leaving, but I didn't mean to imply I'm stuck at H without her. She wrote me a lovely note, and I'm very happy for her and wish her well. It just feels like I'm a little stuck in myself- too much time alone, that's all. DH is still recovering from pneumonia and texts me 100 x a day while I'm at work but won't just call.

I was published in a prestigious journal last week after many, many weeks of work on the article, so maybe it's the post-excitement slump. I'll start researching for another next week, I'm sure that will help.

I suppose when my SA told me she was moving on, it's a reminder that everything always changes. Those that make the changes are the deciders. Those that don't make changes get changes whether they like them or not. Something like that.

Congratulations on the article! I hope you DH will be home soon.

 

[papertiger]

A polo neck is called a turtleneck in the US. When you say polo, we think of a knit collared shirt with a couple buttons.

OK, we have polo shirts that are like you describe too. They are named after the sport. They were also tweaked to create tennis shirts.

I thought we called the polo-neck jumper (sweater) after the UK Rowntree mints sweets (candy) which were inspired by the US Lifesavers. I thought it referred to the hole



But it's not true. I just looked it up.

Polo-necks were first worn under chainmail in the 15C to protect Knight's necks from chaffing under the armour. So perhaps the Polo shirt and the polo sweater are related by their function of being worn on horseback(?).

 

[textilegirl]

Thank you So nice to see you here.

OMG, you are correct, I did not wear a hat OR scarf today

I think I communicated badly in my last post. I'm sad my H SA is leaving, but I didn't mean to imply I'm stuck at H without her. She wrote me a lovely note, and I'm very happy for her and wish her well. It just feels like I'm a little stuck in myself- too much time alone, that's all. DH is still recovering from pneumonia and texts me 100 x a day while I'm at work but won't just call.

I was published in a prestigious journal last week after many, many weeks of work on the article, so maybe it's the post-excitement slump. I'll start researching for another next week, I'm sure that will help.

I suppose when my SA told me she was moving on, it's a reminder that everything always changes. Those that make the changes are the deciders. Those that don't make changes get changes whether they like them or not. Something like that.

Many congrats on the article, best wishes for great reviews and comments! Hopefully your DH will make a speedy recovery and can catch up on the day over dinner together.

It’s funny, but I actually prefer some quiet when I’m doing a closet edit, or searching online for a new piece, or trying to put some pieces together to see what might work or whether I really need the new thing I’ve been contemplating/obsessing about. I need the space in my head to really pay attention (and not DH asking me what I’m up to, bless his mostly fashion clueless heart 😂)

 

[880]

Thank you So nice to see you here.

OMG, you are correct, I did not wear a hat OR scarf today

I think I communicated badly in my last post. I'm sad my H SA is leaving, but I didn't mean to imply I'm stuck at H without her. She wrote me a lovely note, and I'm very happy for her and wish her well. It just feels like I'm a little stuck in myself- too much time alone, that's all. DH is still recovering from pneumonia and texts me 100 x a day while I'm at work but won't just call.

I was published in a prestigious journal last week after many, many weeks of work on the article, so maybe it's the post-excitement slump. I'll start researching for another next week, I'm sure that will help.

I suppose when my SA told me she was moving on, it's a reminder that everything always changes. Those that make the changes are the deciders. Those that don't make changes get changes whether they like them or not. Something like that.

Congratulations on the journal publication! That is such an achievement. I’m glad your DH is recovering. That can be very slow
I personally dislike change lol. . .

 

[Sparkletastic]

I don't have a clue where all the things people buy in the stores go to once bought.

I don’t either. We talk on tPF about handbags, jewelry, shoes and fashion. There are a ton of fashion content creators. And the fashion brands are making billions. Yet, I live in a top 10 US metro area and everyone always looks like they woke up and threw on clothes more suited for yard work or a nap than being outside the house.

So who / what / where is fashion?

I’m not one for holding to overly strict social fashion norms (wear white in winter - it can be cute!) but people really look quite disheveled, haggard and tired now. I guess people look like many of us feel sometimes now with so much unrest.

A polo neck is called a turtleneck in the US. When you say polo, we think of a knit collared shirt with a couple buttons.

Thanks for doing the translation. Being in the US, I did think @papertiger was wearing a collared knit shirt.

@papertiger - You have sooooo much going on. And yet you’re still achieving so much! Give yourself room to breathe. You don’t need to be at the forefront of the new and the transformational in this moment.

Celebrate the good and give space for coping with the not so good. The time to be a change agent will come later.

Sending you hugs!

 

[Sparkletastic]

Sparkletastic’s Grey Bags

• Chanel Medium Classic Flap in pearly grey lambskin and shw.

This is one of my faaaaaavorite and most used bags!



• Chanel Jumbo Single Classic Flap in dove grey lambskin and shw featuring the lovely ‘06 bijoux chain.

I love how unique this bag is. I don’t wear her often but I can’t ever give her up.

 

[Bag peace]

I've been having a hard time so decided to go out late yesterday (which is unlike me; I'm an early morning person). I went to the outlets and browsed some really beautiful bags, thinking it would reduce my stress levels. Biggest mistake of my life!
I fell in deep, unconditional love with bags from Ferragamo and Loewe. They were lush. The leather was divine.
For the first time ever, I really longed for something totally unaffordable and felt depressed that I couldn't have one of them. Don't get me wrong, I've wanted bags I'm priced out of before, but usually, I can just enjoy them from afar and not need to own them.
This time was different. Maybe because they were in the outlet so they were just out of reach (by a few hundred, rather than a few thousand) and that made it a bit harder because...so close but not really, lol. It actually hurt to walk away from them.

I got swept up in a morality spiral which is so pointless but my brain wouldn't shut up.
If I had the money, would I really spend this much on myself? Have I earned the right to something this beautiful? Could I allow myself to use it knowing I don't live up to the beauty of the bag? Am I a good enough person that I can justify this self-indulgence?
Then I started saying, okay, if I had the £600, would it not be better to spend 200 on myself and give the other 400 to someone who needs it more? What's the cut-off for me vs. other people?
It's such a useless guilt trip to go on. Morality shouldn't be tied into material items. Yet, here I was, more depressed than when I ventured out because the two were interlinked in my mind.

Anyway, what I learned from torturing myself is that I think my style is evolving. These bags are not my usual aesthetic. They're more refined. I felt like that could be the start of a new chapter for me. Maybe that's all I'm after, in the end. I'd like this miserable chapter to end and a quieter, more beautiful one to start. I think many of us feel that way right now.

If I had the means, I would completely rebuild my bag collection at this point. I feel ready for a drastic change. I'd limit myself to 5 or 6 stunning bags that made me as happy as those bags I tried yesterday did.
While I wait for my lifestyle to match my daydreams, I'm going to enjoy the bags I do own while they're with me. I've only been using 2 crossbodies so far this year and that's somehow made me fall out of love with everything. I'm going to pull some bags out and immediately start carrying them, so I can remind myself of what I already have.

Edit: @Sparkletastic Beautiful grey bags above!

 

[Bag peace]

because I feel a bit 'stuck'.

It's the worst feeling in the world. I think it happens because so much is out of our control when our loved ones are unwell and we can only watch and hope for the best. Be kind to yourself. You're doing amazingly well.

DH is still recovering from pneumonia and texts me 100 x a day while I'm at work but won't just call.

Oh, I'm like this as well. It's easier to text and send messages when I'm unwell than it is to call and hold a conversation, no matter how brief. Talking takes more effort somehow.
I hope he's feeling better overall. Pneumonia is so difficult.

I was published in a prestigious journal last week

This is incredible news! Congratulations!

 

[cecchetti]

Thank you everyone for your support over the past dreadful week.

I was not prepared for yesterday (Saturday)- I went to my parents’, having been told that my Mum had finally eaten something , so my sister had gone to a football match.
I took her Mother’s Day card early(see below).

She could hardly breathe or swallow-it was one of the most stressful days ever.
When my Dad went to lie down I managed to give her some apple juice and about 1/3 of a yogurt, but she struggled to swallow.

Really she should be in hospital.
I honestly don’t know whether she will survive.

I was so relieved to arrive home, but didn’t sleep last night, and got up to waah my hair at 3am and write to my girlfriend with an update..

I don’t know what the next few days will bring, or how I’ll get through them.

 

[Bag peace]

Thank you everyone for your support over the past dreadful week.

I was not prepared for yesterday (Saturday)- I went to my parents’, having been told that my Mum had finally eaten something , so my sister had gone to a football match.
I took her Mother’s Day card early(see below).

She could hardly breathe or swallow-it was one of the most stressful days ever.
When my Dad went to lie down I managed to give her some apple juice and about 1/3 of a yogurt, but she struggled to swallow.

Really she should be in hospital.
I honestly don’t know whether she will survive.

I was so relieved to arrive home, but didn’t sleep last night, and got up to waah my hair at 3am and write to my girlfriend with an update..

I don’t know what the next few days will bring, or how I’ll get through them.

What a heart-breaking update. I'm so sorry!

It does sound like she ought to be in the hospital. She can get severely dehydrated very quickly if she can't swallow. Would you consider arranging that for her?

I'm so sorry you're going through this. Please just keep taking one day at a time. It's all you can do. Shower her with love and know that this makes her stronger.

 

[cecchetti]

I've been having a hard time so decided to go out late yesterday (which is unlike me; I'm an early morning person). I went to the outlets and browsed some really beautiful bags, thinking it would reduce my stress levels. Biggest mistake of my life!
I fell in deep, unconditional love with bags from Ferragamo and Loewe. They were lush. The leather was divine.
For the first time ever, I really longed for something totally unaffordable and felt depressed that I couldn't have one of them. Don't get me wrong, I've wanted bags I'm priced out of before, but usually, I can just enjoy them from afar and not need to own them.
This time was different. Maybe because they were in the outlet so they were just out of reach (by a few hundred, rather than a few thousand) and that made it a bit harder because...so close but not really, lol. It actually hurt to walk away from them.

I got swept up in a morality spiral which is so pointless but my brain wouldn't shut up.
If I had the money, would I really spend this much on myself? Have I earned the right to something this beautiful? Could I allow myself to use it knowing I don't live up to the beauty of the bag? Am I a good enough person that I can justify this self-indulgence?
Then I started saying, okay, if I had the £600, would it not be better to spend 200 on myself and give the other 400 to someone who needs it more? What's the cut-off for me vs. other people?
It's such a useless guilt trip to go on. Morality shouldn't be tied into material items. Yet, here I was, more depressed than when I ventured out because the two were interlinked in my mind.

Anyway, what I learned from torturing myself is that I think my style is evolving. These bags are not my usual aesthetic. They're more refined. I felt like that could be the start of a new chapter for me. Maybe that's all I'm after, in the end. I'd like this miserable chapter to end and a quieter, more beautiful one to start. I think many of us feel that way right now.

If I had the means, I would completely rebuild my bag collection at this point. I feel ready for a drastic change. I'd limit myself to 5 or 6 stunning bags that made me as happy as those bags I tried yesterday did.
While I wait for my lifestyle to match my daydreams, I'm going to enjoy the bags I do own while they're with me. I've only been using 2 crossbodies so far this year and that's somehow made me fall out of love with everything. I'm going to pull some bags out and immediately start carrying them, so I can remind myself of what I already have.

Edit: @Sparkletastic Beautiful grey bags above!

PLEASE don’t feel depressed-everybody sees things that they can’t buy/could have bought if they hadn’t bought something else, you are not alone.❤️.
It IS a useless guilt trip, you are a wonderful person who deserves wonderful things.

Just enjoy what you have, and let your imagination think about bags you will have in the future.

Thinking about what you Don’t have will just make you miserable.

Sending you a big hug.❤️❤️❤️!

 

[cecchetti]

What a heart-breaking update. I'm so sorry!

It does sound like she ought to be in the hospital. She can get severely dehydrated very quickly if she can't swallow. Would you consider arranging that for her?

I'm so sorry you're going through this. Please just keep taking one day at a time. It's all you can do. Shower her with love and know that this makes her stronger.

My Dad is in charge of her care(he is healthy)- and although he worked in medicine and was in hospitals for 50 years, has a dread of them for some reason ..

The carers go in 3 times a day, and there was a nurse going in yesterday evening, I’m waiting for an update..

My sister is very forceful, but at the end of the day my Dad has the last word..

I will update..