Saturday, February 14, 2009

Could We Just Chat About Purses For A Minute?

I can count on one hand the number of purses I have had in the last 10 or so years, many of which my aunt gave me, and I would probably still have at least one finger left over. Don't get me wrong. I love purses, and I see cute ones in the store all the time, but they just aren't the right purse for me.

I'm particular about my purse. It can't be so small that I can't fit the necessary items in it, but it can't be too big, one, because I'm so short and two, because my neck and back don't hold up well under a big heavy bag. I don't like having to snap my purse shut where I really have to work at it, and I don't want to have tons of zippered compartments inside. It's kind of like having a bunch of walls that chop up your house into too many small rooms. I have a few things to keep my items in so they don't have the run of my purse, plus of course my wallet and checkbook. Then I don't have to worry about a bunch of snaps and zippers.

I have had the "perfect" purse one time. It finally had to go about 10 years ago when the leather on the outside was just too beaten up, and I've been on the search for the perfect replacement since then. Just before Christmas Hubby and I went in Marshall's and were browsing, and I wandered down the purse aisle not really expecting to find anything. I could not have been more wrong! Ta da! My perfect purse:

It has a magnetic clasp that is probably a quarter-size and it's on the inside top middle where you can't see it. It's even hidden under the fabric. It is so strong that it will usually close itself when you pick your bag up off the counter in a store after you pay. Here you can see about how big it is where Sparky is modeling it:

She was being just a little silly so I went ahead and took the picture. She doesn't model and she doesn't carry a purse. She carries a "bag." I made her model show it to you so you'd understand the vast difference between a purse and a bag. Her sister said something to her that angered her slightly right when I took the picture.

I gave her a second chance to smile sweetly for you. I just couldn't resist showing you her angry picture, too. Notice she got her braces off!

So back to my purse. Two Sundays ago the minister's wife (the ones we went birding with in Canada) told me she had seen some just like it at the outlet mall about an hour north of us. Hubby was going to take me there tomorrow to see if I could find some different colors, because I tell you, this is the most perfect purse for me. But tonight when we were running around for a few minutes while the girls were at a church get-together, I decided to run in TJ Maxx and see if by some weird chance they had any, that store being related to Marshall's and all. Hubby and I walked down different purse aisles to scope it out and see what we could find. I rounded the corner and he had four different colors hanging from his arms! By the time we had looked at all the racks, we had found 11 or 12 different colors, including two prints.

I am now set for at least the next 10 years where purses are related. Maybe more than that since I'm honestly not that rough on them. Why? Because Hubby bought me some purses tonight.










The solids are leather, the plaid is kind of like vinyl, and the tan/cranberry print is a heavy cloth. I passed on orange (the hardest one for me), tomato red (mine is cranberry), cream (would get too dirty too easily), an ugly weird beige, mustard, the most putrid light blue, and it seems like there was one more and I'm blank.

And since I have one very girly girl who has been wanting a new purse for a long time and hasn't gotten one, we surprised her with this — a purse, not a bag:

When Hubby and I went to the hockey game on Groundhog Day and I had to hand my purse over for inspection, as I walked through the metal detector the guy who had my purse said, "I'll give it right back." I don't know if I looked at him funny, but I do know the drill, and I just said, "I know," and smiled. As he handed it back to me he looked at both of us and said, "That purse is very neat and organized." You can't ask for much more than that out of a purse. Or a purse checking guy who would notice those details for that matter. A girl, maybe. But a guy?

So, anybody else out there have trouble finding the perfect purse? How long did it take you?

11 comments:

April was in CA now MA said...

I LOVE those!! For some reason I'm drawn to anything with buckles...I have issues. I recently found 'the' purse too and my hubby said he knew when he saw the look in my eye that we had to get it even though I protested at the price. Mine has the same type of closure and it's awesome.

What brand purse is that for any of us who may be interested?

Lori said...

I have the SAME problem! I have yet to find the perfect purse!!! But I'll tell you what - I sure do like the one you found!!! I may just head over to Marshalls and TJMaxx to check and see what they have! I just love all of the colors and the hardware and the style in general!!
Thanks for sharing!

Kayren said...

These are by Tignanello (good thing I don't have to try to pronounce that on here). When I got mine at Marshall's before Christmas they only had the one, because I actually looked for me colors. If you go looking and have both stores to choose from, try TJ Maxx first. But I wouldn't try the one in Rochester Hills, Michigan. They're a little picked over. :)

Kayren said...

That's supposed to say "more" colors. I haven't had a full cup of coffee yet, and Hubby is standing over me and said he proofed it. Oops.

“Old World Goodies” said...

Think that I have the same problem as you and maybe some others. It's very hard for me to find the right one, when found it's the companion that stays with me, until it's imposs. to use anymore! So far I have not had any luck since my last one, and yes I'm on a search mission...lol...and think some of you would undersnd and not roll their eyes when I say...."I want this but not that" or don't like that but this will do"....
I am glad I am not the only one that is that picky about the purse, that they will carry.....

Mari said...

I love your purses! And - what a sweet hubby to shop with you for them and buy some. Unlike you, I've had a lot of purses but I am quite particular about mine. I like to get new ones though and end up settling for something. I've actually been looking for a new one. I think I'll check out TJ Maxx!

Linda said...

Aren't you the lucky gal---Love your purses! Love the colors too, but you may have to go back for that orange one---it would look great in the summer, and then again in the fall pumpkin pickin'. I have a problem with NEVER hardly changing my purse. I guess I don't have time to take all the junk out and change over.
Happy Valentine's Day

AUTISMOMMA said...

Aaaaahhhh....the days of carrying a purse. How I miss them. We are still carrying a diaper bag and will be for some time if I have any say about it. I do take a purse on the rare trips out alone to get a haircut or the grocery, but otherwise, it's the big blue diaper bag for me.

Bonnie said...

I often have trouble finding a good purse ! I don't change purses ... I carry the same one until it dies and then buy a new one. I don't ever get the same one twice either as I'm usually ready for a change when the one I've been using dies! I'm a bit different to you though in that I have to have a purse that zips !! I'm a bit too absent minded to have on that is open ... I'd be forever losing stuff !!

Heather and Reese said...

I love those and I have massive issues with purses, in fact, I think Reese has blogged a few times about that :)

Anyway, they are really cute. It's nice to find something you love!

Heather

Anonymous said...

nice 'girly' purse.

I prefer bags now because I hardly ever more like never dress up. I always look like a hiker so my 'purse' now is a "Mountain Equipment Co-op" fanny pack. "a hiker's purse" :D and inside (the main pocket) I have: a "Roots" wallet, blackberry pearl, "The Body Shop" sparkle lip gloss, a pack of sweet mint "Excel" gum and my keys.

The other smaller pockets on the outside have geocaching swag and our labels while the other smaller pocket has feminine products for when I need them :)

I'm amazed at how many different styles your hubby got you! I use to collect purses too, until my hubby complained about it. He was right though I was wasting so much money on them...but now that I know 'who I am' in the purse world I know that these 'waist packs' are just my thing. I LOVE IT!

 
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