Ahoy polloi (an island for the masses)

[JVSXOXO]

Not distracted as much as discerning, JVSXOXO.

All too often a luxury designer bag is the only thing anyone notices as opposed to an attractive contemporary alternative that draws the eye to your signature style.

Well said! It is nice to receive compliments on my bags for their style and not their labels, especially since they aren’t as commonly worn where I live.

I'm glad you found bags you love! I'm sure they are super cute, without breaking the bank! Do you think you'll still get either the LV or YSL any time soon? Or maybe what I mean to ask is, do you still want those other bags, or have the more affordable bags filled the niche just fine?

I want a nice dining table. But when we got our cheap one, it was out of our price range (might still be), and our kids destroy everything anyway. Like this episode of Fresh Off The Boat, where they had bought a beautiful white sofa right before she found out she was pregnant (iirc) and just put it into storage until the kids were old enough that they thought it would be safe (spoiler: they finally took it out years later, only to have a kid spill chocolate ice cream on it). So, the table we have now I don't really consider a "distraction table" or anything, because we actually *need* a table. Unlike another bag, I definitely don't *need* another one of those. So we get the table that suits our situation right now, and maybe when the situation changes, I can have the table I really want. But when it comes to bags, since I don't actually need any more anyway, I now have to ask myself, "why am I buying it if it's not the one I really want?" I might be able to give myself a legit reason, like I just did with the Coach bag I just bought, lol. It's black, and fall is coming, and I don't have a black bag. Sounds legit, right, lol? And I like the bag, I honestly do. But the one I really want, I also want to get in black, so it is kind of like a distraction bag. And I'm not sure I want to keep buying in this way.

Though of course I know bag shopping and buying is fun, the more the merrier, a beautiful bag party! And more affordable bags let you have more of them, so I see the fun in that. Believe me, I see too much fun in it ...

Thank you! I personally don’t foresee purchasing the Pochette Metis ever. The College Bag isn’t off the table but I’m very happy with the bags I’ve added to my collection this year so I’m enjoying this time of “purse peace”, as some like to call it. And I’ve actually come across another luxury bag that I think I’d like more than the College Bag, so it’s no longer at the top of my wishlist.

And I completely understand about the table since I’m a toddler mom. I had to tell myself that I can’t buy anymore bags that I’m not willing to throw in the basket of our stroller because bags that I feel the need to be more delicate with don’t really work for outings with the little one. So my latest purchase was a Coach Cassie 19 and it fits the bill, but I did truly want it. If you’re still thinking about the other black bag then maybe that’s a sign that you should go with what your heart truly wants. But you can never have too many black bags…

 

[nyeredzi]

Probably my best example would be my vintage Botkier Crosstown Satchel.

View attachment 5587792

Actually predating the Lowe Puzzle bag, my Botkier Crosstown‘s quality, size, and design checks all the boxes for me at a price I could justify.*

(*full disclosure: as much as I admire luxury designer bags, my plebeian little soul cannot justify spending more on a bag than I have on some of the vehicles I’ve owned. )

But perhaps more importantly, I am sufficiently enough of an egoist to have people compliment me for whatever bag I’m wearing rather than the designer.

I see all your pictures of these bags and can tell you really like them and are genuinely happy with them. I do see the Puzzle's similarity. And you know, you're so right about being able to justify the price, too. Like, even if you prefer one bag over the other, do you want it 5x as much or 10x as much as the other? Would you really like it 10x as much? At some point, even if you like another thing better, you can be satisfied with something else. I'm also a pleb, and if not for social media and internet generally, I wouldn't even know about these expensive things, they aren't meant for people like me, lol. Even when you end up spending the same amount of money in the same timeframe, something feels really different between getting 1 in that timeframe vs. getting 5.

So much to think about ...

 

[JVSXOXO]

I see all your pictures of these bags and can tell you really like them and are genuinely happy with them. I do see the Puzzle's similarity. And you know, you're so right about being able to justify the price, too. Like, even if you prefer one bag over the other, do you want it 5x as much or 10x as much as the other? Would you really like it 10x as much? At some point, even if you like another thing better, you can be satisfied with something else. I'm also a pleb, and if not for social media and internet generally, I wouldn't even know about these expensive things, they aren't meant for people like me, lol. Even when you end up spending the same amount of money in the same timeframe, something feels really different between getting 1 in that timeframe vs. getting 5.

So much to think about ...

That’s essentially what I did - I bought/was gifted 5 bags this year that probably total the amount of the College Bag, and I’ve really enjoyed carrying all of them more than I would have enjoyed the College Bag alone. Now that my collection is feeling pretty “large” (for me), I can see myself slowing down and maybe buying just one luxury bag next year. Who knows!

 

[Fimpagebag]

I see all your pictures of these bags and can tell you really like them and are genuinely happy with them. I do see the Puzzle's similarity. And you know, you're so right about being able to justify the price, too. Like, even if you prefer one bag over the other, do you want it 5x as much or 10x as much as the other? Would you really like it 10x as much? At some point, even if you like another thing better, you can be satisfied with something else. I'm also a pleb, and if not for social media and internet generally, I wouldn't even know about these expensive things, they aren't meant for people like me, lol. Even when you end up spending the same amount of money in the same timeframe, something feels really different between getting 1 in that timeframe vs. getting 5.

So much to think about ...

The secret is to wait until the bag you really want (either contemporary or luxury designer) becomes available at a price in your comfort zone rather than fill in the time with compensatory picks.

(trust me, I’ve been there and kicked myself when the bag I really wanted became available after I‘d bought a compensatory bag destined to be donated. )

 

[Mariapia]

The secret is to wait until the bag you really want (either contemporary or luxury designer) becomes available at a price in your comfort zone rather than fill in the time with compensatory picks.

(trust me, I’ve been there and kicked myself when the bag I really wanted became available after I‘d bought a compensatory bag destined to be donated. )

I couldn’t have said it better, Fim.

 

[whateve]

I'm glad you found bags you love! I'm sure they are super cute, without breaking the bank! Do you think you'll still get either the LV or YSL any time soon? Or maybe what I mean to ask is, do you still want those other bags, or have the more affordable bags filled the niche just fine?

I want a nice dining table. But when we got our cheap one, it was out of our price range (might still be), and our kids destroy everything anyway. Like this episode of Fresh Off The Boat, where they had bought a beautiful white sofa right before she found out she was pregnant (iirc) and just put it into storage until the kids were old enough that they thought it would be safe (spoiler: they finally took it out years later, only to have a kid spill chocolate ice cream on it). So, the table we have now I don't really consider a "distraction table" or anything, because we actually *need* a table. Unlike another bag, I definitely don't *need* another one of those. So we get the table that suits our situation right now, and maybe when the situation changes, I can have the table I really want. But when it comes to bags, since I don't actually need any more anyway, I now have to ask myself, "why am I buying it if it's not the one I really want?" I might be able to give myself a legit reason, like I just did with the Coach bag I just bought, lol. It's black, and fall is coming, and I don't have a black bag. Sounds legit, right, lol? And I like the bag, I honestly do. But the one I really want, I also want to get in black, so it is kind of like a distraction bag. And I'm not sure I want to keep buying in this way.

Though of course I know bag shopping and buying is fun, the more the merrier, a beautiful bag party! And more affordable bags let you have more of them, so I see the fun in that. Believe me, I see too much fun in it ...

We have our dream dining table. It was extremely expensive (custom made) but we've had it for years and we'll never need or want another one. It has survived three kids and a couple of moves. It does have some fading on the legs but that is our fault for putting it too near the window. When we die, I hope one of our kids will take it because it is too beautiful to not stay in the family. It was very worth what we paid. We had a pad made for the top and on top of that I have a thick piece of clear plastic, like a tablecloth. When that gets too beat up, I go to a craft store and buy another piece.

I like to change bags but with furniture I buy the best and keep it forever.

I have lusted after designer bags but I have come to the conclusion there is too much pressure in owning a bag that cost several thousand dollars. I'd feel I would have to love it because of how much it cost. If I didn't love it as much as I expected I would, I would feel guilty for wasting the money. I would feel that I had to carry it often to get my money's worth but then be afraid of ruining it.

 

[Tomsmom]

We have our dream dining table. It was extremely expensive (custom made) but we've had it for years and we'll never need or want another one. It has survived three kids and a couple of moves. It does have some fading on the legs but that is our fault for putting it too near the window. When we die, I hope one of our kids will take it because it is too beautiful to not stay in the family. It was very worth what we paid. We had a pad made for the top and on top of that I have a thick piece of clear plastic, like a tablecloth. When that gets too beat up, I go to a craft store and buy another piece.

I like to change bags but with furniture I buy the best and keep it forever.

I have lusted after designer bags but I have come to the conclusion there is too much pressure in owning a bag that cost several thousand dollars. I'd feel I would have to love it because of how much it cost. If I didn't love it as much as I expected I would, I would feel guilty for wasting the money. I would feel that I had to carry it often to get my money's worth but then be afraid of ruining it.

I would love to see your beautiful table!

 

[Fimpagebag]

We have our dream dining table. It was extremely expensive (custom made) but we've had it for years and we'll never need or want another one. It has survived three kids and a couple of moves. It does have some fading on the legs but that is our fault for putting it too near the window. When we die, I hope one of our kids will take it because it is too beautiful to not stay in the family. It was very worth what we paid. We had a pad made for the top and on top of that I have a thick piece of clear plastic, like a tablecloth. When that gets too beat up, I go to a craft store and buy another piece.

I like to change bags but with furniture I buy the best and keep it forever.

I have lusted after designer bags but I have come to the conclusion there is too much pressure in owning a bag that cost several thousand dollars. I'd feel I would have to love it because of how much it cost. If I didn't love it as much as I expected I would, I would feel guilty for wasting the money. I would feel that I had to carry it often to get my money's worth but then be afraid of ruining it.

Bravo, whateve!

Well said and well done.

Your post absolutely captures the essence of why our Island came into being in the first place.

 

[nyeredzi]

...

I'd feel I would have to love it because of how much it cost. If I didn't love it as much as I expected I would, I would feel guilty for wasting the money. I would feel that I had to carry it often to get my money's worth but then be afraid of ruining it.

And if that's not the crux of the matter! I'd feel the same way! And now you're caught between feeling you have to use it a lot to justify it, but then fearing if you use it a lot, you'll mess it up! I see some people talk about how they don't baby their bags and go through everything with them and they still look fab, but I'm so doubtful that could be my life. In my life, it would get messed up, guaranteed. A table would be a better investment for sure. And I'm sure yours is beautiful, too. Hand-made, wow! My table dreams were not that big. Somehow I suspect, in my current life, a nice table would still get ruined. I've never had anything "top quality", come to think of it. I'm a regular working stiff with "hot dog money", as they say, so why cultivate champagne tastes? And I'm so sure I or my kids or my husband would mess it up anyway. It really is the internet exposure, because I literally did not care just 1 year ago. But now that I see so many pics of champagne bottles, because I'm seeking them out and looking at them, it's hard not to wonder, 'well, what does champagne taste like?'

 

[Fimpagebag]

And if that's not the crux of the matter! I'd feel the same way! And now you're caught between feeling you have to use it a lot to justify it, but then fearing if you use it a lot, you'll mess it up! I see some people talk about how they don't baby their bags and go through everything with them and they still look fab, but I'm so doubtful that could be my life. In my life, it would get messed up, guaranteed. A table would be a better investment for sure. And I'm sure yours is beautiful, too. Hand-made, wow! My table dreams were not that big. Somehow I suspect, in my current life, a nice table would still get ruined. I've never had anything "top quality", come to think of it. I'm a regular working stiff with "hot dog money", as they say, so why cultivate champagne tastes? And I'm so sure I or my kids or my husband would mess it up anyway. It really is the internet exposure, because I literally did not care just 1 year ago. But now that I see so many pics of champagne bottles, because I'm seeking them out and looking at them, it's hard not to wonder, 'well, what does champagne taste like?'

I grew up in my Irish father’s bar. It was a rough and tumble workingman’s joint but every Christmas Eve (when back then by law bars had to close early in the evening) my father would break out a bottle of pink champagne and pour an infinitesimal glass for me to taste. The bubbles tickled my nose and when I took a sip…

I was surprised how awful it tasted to my nine year old’s palate.

Fast forward sixty years later, and I still feel the same.

Maybe that’s why (when it comes to bags) I eschew ”champagne” in favor of a cold Pepsi.

 

[nyeredzi]

I grew up in my Irish father’s bar. It was a rough and tumble workingman’s joint but every Christmas Eve (when back then by law bars had to close early in the evening) my father would break out a bottle of pink champagne and pour an infinitesimal glass for me to taste. The bubbles tickled my nose and when I took a sip…

I was surprised how awful it tasted to my nine year old’s palate.

Fast forward sixty years later, and I still feel the same.

Maybe that’s why (when it comes to bags) I eschew ”champagne” in favor of a cold Pepsi.

Well put. Even as I typed it it was like "and is champagne actually any better than any other drink?" it's just the value society has built up around it. Most of the time, I'd rather have grape juice, lol.

 

[whateve]

I grew up in my Irish father’s bar. It was a rough and tumble workingman’s joint but every Christmas Eve (when back then by law bars had to close early in the evening) my father would break out a bottle of pink champagne and pour an infinitesimal glass for me to taste. The bubbles tickled my nose and when I took a sip…

I was surprised how awful it tasted to my nine year old’s palate.

Fast forward sixty years later, and I still feel the same.

Maybe that’s why (when it comes to bags) I eschew ”champagne” in favor of a cold Pepsi.

I hate the taste of champagne!

 

[whateve]

Well put. Even as I typed it it was like "and is champagne actually any better than any other drink?" it's just the value society has built up around it. Most of the time, I'd rather have grape juice, lol.

I'm not much of an alcohol drinker. Sometimes if you visit a winery, they'll sell nonalcoholic white grape juice made from wine grapes. It is delicious!

 

[whateve]

And if that's not the crux of the matter! I'd feel the same way! And now you're caught between feeling you have to use it a lot to justify it, but then fearing if you use it a lot, you'll mess it up! I see some people talk about how they don't baby their bags and go through everything with them and they still look fab, but I'm so doubtful that could be my life. In my life, it would get messed up, guaranteed. A table would be a better investment for sure. And I'm sure yours is beautiful, too. Hand-made, wow! My table dreams were not that big. Somehow I suspect, in my current life, a nice table would still get ruined. I've never had anything "top quality", come to think of it. I'm a regular working stiff with "hot dog money", as they say, so why cultivate champagne tastes? And I'm so sure I or my kids or my husband would mess it up anyway. It really is the internet exposure, because I literally did not care just 1 year ago. But now that I see so many pics of champagne bottles, because I'm seeking them out and looking at them, it's hard not to wonder, 'well, what does champagne taste like?'

We put off fixing up our house for a very long time. Early this year, we remodeled about 1/3 of the house - the kitchen, laundry room, small bathroom, dining and hallway. I had no idea how happy it would make me, and that happiness is there every day. Surrounding yourself with beautiful things you love and that make your life easier makes every part of your life brighter.

 

[Fimpagebag]

I'm not much of an alcohol drinker. Sometimes if you visit a winery, they'll sell nonalcoholic white grape juice made from wine grapes. It is delicious!

I couldn’t agree more, whateve.

At our daughter’s wedding reception I toasted the bride and groom with sparkling white grape juice!