Shopping for a Handbag, A Soul Searching Experience...

The title of this article just spoke to me, "The nerve-wracking, soul-searching; exhilarating process of Shopping for a Handbag," by Rachel Dodes in the Wall Street Journal. Here is the link to read the article; Shopping for a Handbag. I get to the second paragraph and I am taken back by my laughter and surreal experience of totally understanding the line, "I appear to be suffering from an increasingly common condition.  Call it Handbag Decision Paralysis (HDP), a type of commitment phobia in the accessories milieu."  My mind jumps to a few years ago, when I am standing in T.J. Maxx staring at the most gorgeous handbag I have seen, it is purple (my favorite color) and a dark green too with purple leather and the most exquisite Nubuck suede patchwork pieces.  Then I check the price, "Yikes, its $160!"  I CAN'T  spend that much on a handbag that is going to be thrown on the floor many times, going to get dirty and I know that I will put it on the public bathroom floor sometime in the life of this handbag.  But I love it!  I WANT it, I HAVE  to have it!  Immediately I go into Handbag Decision Paralysis (HDP), should I buy it, its too expensive, what will my husband say, it costs so much, I love it, I want it, I deserve it, I am working so hard, I should have it, I can't, it costs too much and on and on....  I must have stood there handling that handbag forever till I walked away to another store and came back a short time later.  I was GOING TO BUY THE HANDBAG!  My inner dialogue was racing, can't shouldn't, cost, too expensive, it was a major battle in my head.  I was driving myself crazy!  Finally, with heavy feet, I decided to buy it.  I paid for it, went home, showed my husband with lots of explanation of why it was necessary to have this handbag.  I think I did the explaining more to wrestle with my guilty demons that had been wrecking havoc in my mind.  Well, that handbag was wonderful, I don't have it anymore, got worn from being thrown everywhere and I passed it on to someone else in a bag of give-aways.  Now one would think that I got over this fear of buying handbag, guess what, NO, I still wrestle with my Handbag Decision Paralysis (HDP) every time I have to get a new one.  Its awful, I look forever, not the right size, not the right brand, everything I like is so expensive, and on and on.  Its like a disease hanging over my head when TIME TO BUY A NEW HANDBAG happens.  My last purse I bought, I circled the Coach store demanding to myself that I was not going to leave until I bought something.  It was over $100, and of course I felt guilty for buying it.

I may never get over my Handbag Decision Paralysis (HDP) but at least I am not alone after having read this article and that makes me feel better and IT'S NOT TIME TO BUY A NEW HANDBAG YET!

Some Handbags I own, sold and love below:

My Orange Vintage Handbag I bought for $1, no problem!

This was a bargain at a consignment store, Jill didn't like it, so I sold it on eBay, got my money back!  

This is the current purse I am using, I do love the Pink Color!  I did pay over $100, that hurt.  Like my Coach Smiley Face, $5 at a garage sale, Bargain!

This is cowhide, gorgeous and I bought it at a garage sale for $20.  I know it cost more than that retail!

This purse is all Leather, Vintage Coach!  I got it for $3.00.

I love Pink/Fuschia, this one is all Metallic sequins.  It was around $50 at a Coach outlet, I believed it retailed for over $300.  Only problem, the two buttons in the front fell off, now I need to get it fixed.  Not ready to be retired yet!  It is loud like me!

Vintage Beaded Dress Clutches, another garage sale find!

I wish I could show you the Gucci, Fendi, Prada and other designer bags I had in the past, but many years ago, when I wanted to cleanse myself of things I did not need, all the handbags were either given away or sold off at a consignment store.  I only wish I still had the Metallic Green Prada bag!  It was so, so beautiful and unique.  It would be 27 years old now, and it would probably worth some money.  

Who knows where it is?

Something about Shoes.....

I never thought I was a shoe collector or fanatic but lately I feel like I have a hidden passion that I never knew existed.  My last blog was all about these fabulous leather boots I got a garage sale.  Well, I got lucky again this past Saturday, with another pair of shoes.  These shoes are weird, funky, outrageous all in one!  For $6.00, they were a steal.  They are made of some sort of animal fur, not sure what and they are made in France.  See the pictures.  I don't know when I will wear them, but I just HAD to have them!

It is made in France.

Then I found my favorite brand of shoes Pikolinos on sale at Nordstrom!  If you have not worn Pikolinos, you must try them.  They are all leather, very well made, and beyond comfortable.  They are hands-down the MOST COMFORTABLE shoes that are FASHIONABLE!  They are also unique, the leather has nice designs, the heel is cool.  I can't say enough good things about Pikolinos.  For all the uniqueness, style, fashion, leather, they will cost you, but you will not be sorry spending money on this brand.  They are soooo worth it!  Since I saved so much money buying 90% of everything I need at garage sales, I can splurge on Pikolinos shoes.  Here is their website.  http://www.pikolinos.com/us/en/default  Here are my shoes are my Pinterest board, I love them so much they have their own board! http://pinterest.com/lindaapark/pikolinos-wonderful-shoes/

Painted Tulip

Tulip Close Up

close up of tulip, so pretty, so pink, so red, so yellow, love it!

Belts are IN! Put your Belt on Ladies!!

I just read a great article about belts in the WSJ. Since I am a dedicated WSJ reader, I ALWAYS read the fashion section. All kinds of belts are in now. You can wear a corset belt, a loose hanging belt that lays at your hips, a traditional belt to hold your pants up (must for the low-waisted pants), and a metallic chain belt and so on. You can look like Michelle Obama with her high-waisted sweater belt look, or have a belt to squeeze in your tummy as a girdle. Belts have not been in style for way to long. The last time I remember belts being popular was when I was a teen. So, now it is time to bring out your belts. Add a belt to a dress, a sweater, a shirt, pants, well pretty much anything. I have found some wonderful belts at estate and garage sales. I picked up four real Coach Belts for $1 each at a recent rummage sale. I was so excited to see that they were real Coach Belts; I grabbed them and didn't try them on. When I got home, guess what? Three of them were too big! I can't even wear them without them falling down. Oh well, so much for my bargain. They are going to end up on eBay soon. I hope that I can sell them for more than a $1, and then I can recoup my investment! I might even consign them at the local consignments stores @Jane or @greenestreetconsignment. These are two of my favorite stores in Princeton. A must when you come to Princeton, NJ.

60's-70's Earring Find

You just never know what to expect at a garage sale.  That is what makes it so exciting for me.  I found a fabulous pair of 1960's earrings in green, yellow and orange.  Totally funky!  What is fabulous is that I only paid $3.00 for them.  If they were sold in a vintage store, the price would have been $25-$35 or more.  The earrings are in perfect condition and I can't wait to wear something orange to wear them.  I had to put them on yesterday just to show you all.  Take a look! Totally groovy, love them!

I know that I go overboard with my garage sale passion but when I find something I love for next to nothing, it gives me the greatest pleasure and satisfaction.  I know that my dad would be proud how I can dress so well for just a few dollars.  Everything I wear is usually one of a kind, I haven't seen anyone else dress like me not even my identical twin sister! 

Musings on Saturday's estate sale

So the excitement builds..an estate sale..right around the corner...I never know what to expect...will it be good and I walk out with a bag of goodies or come out empty-handed?  Well, it was definitely a goodie.  The sad part was the Mom had passed away and her children were selling off her collectibles and clothing that they did not want.  You can tell alot about a person looking through their drawers and closets.  Besides seeing what size they are (the obvious) you get to see a window into their personality.  She was a hip, colorful, person and her clothes reflected that.  I got a bunch of tops for my Mom, a dress for me, a hip fringe vest, a shawl-sweater in my favorite redhead colors and shoes!  Jill made out with four pairs of new shoes (or used shoes, but new to Jill) all short boots, two blacks, one white and one cool hiking boot.  All for $25!  What a deal.  Now the big question remains, will she wear them or will they end up in the bag for donation.  For $25, I will take the risk.  The lady of the house loved lots of interesting things, I got 2 unusual Israeli coins, one with the Shema on it, and a really neat vintage tiffany lampshade lamp.  Love it!  I will post photos later.  Gotta run, literally, time to exercise...