was the price tag on a purse I saw today at TJMaxx. I first saw one for $899, and I thought that was high until I saw the other one!! The more expensive bag was an Yves St. Laurent, and I must say, it was beautiful and the craftsmanship and leather were exquisite. But I simply cannot imagine paying $200 for a purse, let alone $900 or $1100. Even if I were as rich as a Rockefeller, I couldn't do it.
I remember walking in Rome on a street that ended at a well-known plaza (with steps, the name escapes me at the moment). There were quite a few eponymous shops there, named for the famous designers whose wares they carried. Even the least expensive, smallest purses in their windows were priced at $1400. When I buy a purse, I am hoping it will last me at least ten years. I suppose at $1400, divided out over the span of that many years, it wouldn't be so terrible to spend that much - but - what if I didn't really like it enough to carry it for years? I know I have talked about this before on the blog, so bear with me.
So, since no purse there under $150 caught my eye, I left and went to another shop where I have had good luck in the past finding a bag I like. Guess what? No luck there either. Everything had too much extraneous metal on it; metal that served no purpose at all. Stuff like that scratches easily and makes a purse old before its time. Leather can be polished, but cheap metal cannot. Dangles, tassels, studs, grommets and the like are the same way, and they get old looking quickly. So, I suppose I will go on carrying the bag I bought two years ago, which I don't really like. It's good for travel (a cross-body strap) but not efficient for daily use. I can never find anything in it without taking it off over my head and removing most of the contents.
No clothing caught my eye either; or if it did, they didn't have it in my size or it looked like it belonged on a chubby old woman (which I am, but don't want to dress like one.) Ronni Bennett will chastise me for saying "old woman", but it fits me today.
My mother use to go to the malls with me when she came here to visit. Year by year I saw her tiring sooner and shopping less and less. Eventually, she plopped down on a bench and waited until I finished my shopping, seldom venturing into a shop. Now I know how she felt. I was out for about 2 1/2 hours and I simply didn't want to do it any longer. Maybe if I had been successful in finding something I wanted, my energy level would have kept pace with my mind - but it didn't. I eschewed going to the mall for one last try....maybe Monday..or after Christmas. Yeah, that's the ticket!
In case I don't get back here again before the 25th, I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, if that suits you better. I hope all of you get exactly what you want (or need), and that you remember from Whence it came - and be grateful for it.
11 comments:
The Spanish Steps in Rome is what I was trying to think of...
I am shocked by the prices of everything these days---Baga, Shoes, Accessories of all kinds...Luckily, I don't need many of these things anymore because I can't really go anywhere....BUT, if I could...I don't believe I would pay the kinds of prices that they are asking.
Oh yes....tire more easily with each passing week.
Wishing you and Mr. Kenju and your beautiful family (Including those "swoon worthy" boys...lol) a Very Merry Christmas, my dear Judy!
I knew that ! Like you I cannot spend that kind of money for a purse. TJMAXX has gone a bit upscale I would say. It takes me forever to find just he right bag. I lie the one I have now. I had ordered it online years ago. It needs to be replaced. I found it online again and am just going to buy the exact same purse !
I too went in search of the "perfect purse". It should have large zipper pocket in the front for my new Kindle and an open pocket at the back for my pocket calendar easy access (it holds our life) and keys, plus a zipper center for billfold, camera, phone, make-up and medicine. I found it...at Walmart! $16.00...Priceless.
I find the best bags/purses on days I am not looking for them. Mind you the same thing happens with clothes. If I go out with something particular in mind - I never find it.
A Very Merry Christmas to you Judy, and all your family!
Grannymar
No, I ABSOLUTELY could not pay that much for a bag (purse). I wonder how much the women making them in Bangladesh, or China or wherever were paid?
And I feel just like your mother when I go shopping, which I very rarely do. On-line shopping is all I do, though it always annoys me I have to get in the car and drive to a Post Office to return anything. Though to be fair, some firms do use Couriers, who you can phone up and they will call to collect. At no extra cost! (Yippee!)
Have a lovely Christmas, Judy.
MTL gave me £100 pound to buy something I fancied for Christmas. I couldn't find anything I wanted to wear but fellin love with a bag. It was a lovely honey colour, as light as a feather and there was nothing annnoying about it BUT it was £130 I tried my best to get her to budge on the price but with no success. Normally I am not a bag person but I could be happy with this for the rest of my life. So I bought it and I didn't let MTL pay the excess because he buys me lots of presents.
Judy,
Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you and your family.
I love your blog and get a great deal of pleasure reading about your luncheons and weddings and all the other things you and your friends and co workers do.
2013 HERE WE COME!!!!!!
Neither could I spend $200 for a purse; maybe consider $200 shoes because they go on the feet and must fit comfortably.
In my dreams I aspire to a $300 Brahmin purse. It won't happen.
On a good day I can be out shopping for two hours at the most.
I haven't been to a large mall in a very long time because just getting into the store, finding what I'm looking for, finding the fitting room, lucky that item fits - than I have to find a salesperson to take my money - it's just to much work!!
The most successful thing I can do in the shopping department is"shop in my closet."
I went back there yesterday and believe it or not - that 1K bag was gone!! The $800 one was still there. I found one that had been reduced to my price range - so I'm happy!
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