Hi my name is Lea. I’m a purse-aholic. It’s been a several months since I bought my last purse. I’m seriously jonesing for a fix.
Except I’m not here for your help in abstaining from my obsession, I’m here to share it. I LOVE bags. Totes, satchels, bowlers, duffels, purses, clutches, you name it, I covet it. I’m usually a practical, nonsense gal, but all that goes out the window when I spy a sumptuous handbag. There’s nothing so appealing as a fine bag, constructed from exquisite materials with precision and expert craftsmanship to serve the most utilitarian of purposes: carry my crap.
These are my favorites: My coach Madeline satchel. Look at that color! Who doesn’t need a spring green purse? No one!
They also make this beauty in hot pink but thus far it’s eluded me. One day, my precious.
How about this little one? The leather is so soft and creamy you can’t help but pet it. And then rub your cheek against it.
And though I love me some Coach and Kate Spade, I’m equally devoted to Vera Bradley and my new favorite, Spartina 449 which is based on Daufuski Island, South Carolina. My best friend and fellow writer, Laura Kaye, gave me this fantastic bag when I sold The Hoodoo Apprentice series which takes place in the S.C. Lowcountry. What better way to commemorate my first sale?
Lest you think I’ve got a money machine in my basement pumping out mad cash to purchase these pretties, let me set you straight. I most definitely do not. While it’s true that my husband has lost his mind on occasion and paid full price for one of these decadent indulgences, I prefer to procure my conquests at half price or less. How? I’ve got three sources for you:
Ebay. You’d be surprised at the pristine bags you can find which have only been used a few times. Let some other sucker pay full price, then swoop in when they’ve tired of their new toy and snatch it at a steal. Plus, it’s a great place to find bags that are no longer in production.
Consignment shops. Seriously, you won’t believe the gems you’ll find in a high-end second hand store, especially in this economy. You won’t have the selection of Ebay, but whatever is there will be high quality, stunning and most important, cheap.
TJ Maxx. It’s a gold mine full of beautiful, brand new bags just waiting for the plucking, all at least half price. My local TJ Maxx has a gigantic bag department, neatly organized by color so you can easily identify what you want. It’s the first stop I make in that store and I often find a bag I’m sure I can’t live without. Then, because I’ve promised my husband and kids I’ll show some restraint, I walk around with it in my cart debating whether to bring it home. My most painful put-back was a dark green Dooney and Bourke croc tote. It still hurts to think about it, but I remind myself that one day, I’ll find her on Ebay.
So how about you? Are you a crazy bag lady too? What objects do you covet? Comment away!
About Author
No can’t say that I am. I don’t even have a purse unless you count a diaper bag.
Oh noes, Pam! Take heart. You don’t have to settle for a bleak, plain diaper bag. I myself still have a hand me down Coach messenger-style diaper bag that my sister gave me, and a Vera Bradley diaper bag that I received as a gift from my neighbors when baby #3 rolled around. My youngest is 6 now and though I realize I should give these bags away, I can’t bring myself to do it. Indulge yourself in a little fancy bag action, ’cause amid all that poop, spit up and nostril-clogging boogies you need a little luxury. 🙂
Lea, are you peeking into the windows at my house? Just this morning, I ordered some goodies off the Coach outlet website. Not that I NEED a large lavender tote, but the deep purple suede one I bought 6 or so years ago doesn’t look right in the spring/summer and well in FL, it’s always spring/summer.
Uh, Micki you’re killing me! A LAVENDER Coach tote? Imma coming down there to swipe it from you! 😉
Oh, yeah. I’m crazy bag lady right with you! (and they’re going to open a TJ Maxx within lunch-hour striking distance from my office. dun-dun-dunnnn) Currently, I’m making repeat visits to the Brahmin website (http://www.brahmin.com) trying to decide what I love the most and can’t live without. Given their prices, it will take me two years to save my $$ and work out the answer, but I lurve their bags so so so much. Oh! And anything ostrich patterned — total weakness!
TJ Maxx will be the death of you, Jen! Now I’ve got to check out brahmin.com Thanks for enabling my obsession!
I’m pretty much a one purse person. I stick with it, it until it falls apart. But I do have lots of different tote bags in order to carry books around. It’s probably time to start buying more on my iPad.
No Janie!!! Buying e-books will mean you don’t need a new tote to carry those books! 😉
Even though I’m more a shoe gal, I do love a cute purse. I mean, you need one to match the shoes, right?
My online cart on the Vera Bradley website is always full…sigh…but I rarely press buy unless they are on sale. I’m stalking the Suzani Frame bag, and waiting for the day it will be mine. I satisfy my purse lust by posting pics of beautiful bags to my Pinterest account.
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