Hello there, dear enablers! So much purse talk lately and today, early for an optometrist appointment, I found myself compelled by fate to kill time in a shoestore with a big sale and found a real cutie and I went for it. It's fairly compact, dark brown leather but very light, and having pockets inside for money, pens, cosmetics, cellphone, transit pass, and slots for cards. Great design--at least I think so. Do you like?

It's impossible to resist the lure of the handbag in this forum. But I guess I was due after a good 5-6 years of almost uninterrupted Vera Bradley. So who else is due for a new bag?

That looks nice Fiveoaks, very stylish:-) I could use a new black purse, the one I use now for everyday is a tad too small.

I am anxiously waiting for the new spring collections to come out in the stores - I have my eye on a small multicolor Prada bag that I saw in the February issue of Vogue.

It is a lovely bag and well deserved.

That's really cute! I like it!

Cute!

Thank you! So no one else is buying right now? I was hoping for some partners in crime.

In that same store I saw some dark brown boots to match, also on sale. Thinking about going back...

I am home with my children and getting out (to shop!!) is not really an option, except on weekends. And by weekend, I really just want to hang with my husband and kick back, not go running here and there. Zappos.com is my shoe shopping accomplice. I went on there to buy some boots because I lost weight (!!!!) and my calves could fit into the tall boots I've been itching for for some time. Anyway... I just clicked over to purses on a whim, and BAM! I walked away from the computer having ordered the boots, 7 purses, and quite a few wallets. I will not keep all 7 purses and certainly not all the wallets, but zappos has the easiest shipping and return policy in the world. Free shipping both ways and one year to return stuff. I'm finding that I really like Hobo International's purses, especially the frame bags. I like to be able to open my purse WIDE so I can access stuff easy. Plus they look so ladylike. Here's a couple that I ordered:

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/22959742/c/3008.html

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/27997411/c/100310.html

I try really hard not to live up the frumpy-sweatshirt-and-jeans stereotype that stay at homes moms can sometimes have. I wear feminine but practical clothes and I decided that I deserved a new purse or two or three to help spruce up my appearance. My hair is next in line for improvement. I need a new cut and style sooooo bad.

Isabella, I love that Hobo International Brooke purse! When I looked at it up close I spontaneously said "Ooooooohh!" Very lovely and it looks practical too. I also like a purse where it's easy to see inside. The one I got has a double zip that can go almost all the way down on both or either side or, if I just need to reach in and get my bus pass, I can open the zipper a little way. When you decide which of the items you're keeping, I'd like to know which ones make the final grade. Congrats on getting spiffed up!

Good for you, Fiveoaks! Cute bag. I'm not in the market--at the moment--because I got a beautiful one for Christmas. But come spring...

Isabella, I love the second one!

Just as an FYI, Hobo shows up a lot at the TJX stores, you might want to keep your eye out. They run about half price.

I want one of the new Prada fairy bags so bad, it makes my head spin. But they cost thousands, so that ain't gonna happen unless I hit the Lotto. I'll be hunting for a new Spring bag soon.

Me too. I was applying makeup at the gym after working out when a friend stopped and asked why I was bothering as it was 6:00 pm and I was going home to my husband. Maybe its old-fashioned, but I like to look nice. BTW, Zappos is a great company to order from.

Wonderful bags ladies. Enjoy!

-Noelle

My dream bag is the Louis Vuitton. My husband kept saying, I'll buy it for you, but I have to remind him the price tag. I told him I'll be happy with an LV wallet and I got it.

Louis Vuitton bags never really tempted me, except for admiring the workmanship, but when I saw this one I flipped and burst out laughing. It is so over the top it appealed to me. However, I'll have to wait till it turns up at the Salvation Army before it can be mine. LOL

Some of the LV bags are really out there. I prefer the speedy in black.

Scemtual, I looked. The Speedy is very nice. Black is sleek. It also comes in that silly lace I like so much.

So, 5-O, did you go back for the boots??

When I ordered my boots, I only intended to get black, as they are the most versatile. But I wasn't sure if the size they had in black would be ok, so I ordered brown too, thinking that at least one pair would fit. Well..... now I'm being really bad and thinking of keeping the black and the brown. Talk me into out of it, will you?

Thanks for asking, Isabella. I did go there today and tried on the boots but they didn't impress me, so I passed. Even though it's still icy cold, boot weather will be on the way out before we know it anyway. This purse should go well with my regular shoes and sandals.

In your case, if the boots are both good and the price is right, it's not bad to have black and brown. I say that imagining that boots last for several years and don't need to be replaced every year and can be alternated. When I buy boots, I use them till they're shot, then I get a new pair. Usually a pair lasts about 3-4 years. Not sure what your boot-buying schedule is but if you have two pair to last quite a while, that sounds reasonable to me. (Not much help, huh?)

Well, I have had exactly 3 pairs of boots since my feet stopped growing at age 12 (BTW, I am 38 now). Red and blue moon boots (which I have had since about age 11!!), which I still have and use for sledding, etc. They are U.G.L.Y, but warm. Then, during a period of fashion confusion, I bought a pair of Doc Martins boots. My brother has the same pair. (UGGH!!) I don't wear these much, as they don't suit my style. I had a pair of gorgerous taupe tall boots, but, after wearing them for 15 years, they died and went to boot heaven. For the last 5 years or so, I've been essentially bootless (except for aforesaid doc martins and moon boots).

Boy! After saying all that, I guess I am due for some boots, even two pairs!

Enjoy your purse 5-O! Just speaking of sandals has me daydreaming!! Summer will come, won't it!!

Given that set of circumstances, I would say you should definitely keep both the black and brown!

Just last month I hit the clearance sales at Neiman Marcus and found the most wonderfully stylish and comfortable boots, and I bought both black and brown. You can't go wrong if you find something comfortable and good quality - basics are always a worthwhile purchase.

Sounds to me like you're due, Isabella. Those moon boots are probably a collector's item by now. Maybe you could sell them and the Doc Martens and use the money for the up-to-date boots. You're lucky to have the choice to buy boots or not. Here you couldn't go without serious winter boots for one day if the cold and snow hit.