I feel good. I knew that I would. I feel good. I knew that I would. So good. So good. I got a…New Bag!!
Adding another bag to my collection was the last thing I had in mind today. Earlier I ventured out to take care of some personal business.
Had to get dressed and take care of some personal business earlier today!
And on the way home, I stopped at Rite-Aid to see if I could pick up another Wet n Wild concealer. I know. I wrote about this concealer yesterday, and while it isn’t a WOW concealer, for the price of $3.99, it was worth purchasing a backup.
Since I was on the Main Line, I also decided to make a stop at the TJ Maxx in St. Davids. This TJ’s is one of the best I’ve ever been to. On my mental list was a reminder to search for more micellar water at Maxxinista prices because I’m not spending a ton of money on fancy water.
Just my luck, I knew those Philadelphia Main Line frosted blondes would snag all the micellar water up. There was none. But, I was left with remnants of other fancy water. I ended with a Korean brand of hydrating water for the face. The water is manufactured by a company named WELCOS and the brand is IOU.
My new obsession. Spraying water on my face at random intervals during the day! The little bottle on the left was $2.99 –overpriced but it’s in my purse now. The larger one is a Korean brand–and I’ve been hearing a lot about Korean and Japanese beauty brands these days. The larger bottle cost $3.99. Excuse me while I spray my face.
The packaging was very user-friendly as I didn’t need a tweezer or scissors to remove the shrink wrap! And the water does feel very soft and refreshing on my face.
And as I wandered around aimlessly, my little red cart bumping into displays and people, I noticed something. It was on a display shelf in the bag section. Now—I’m not a fan of the bags that TJ Maxx or Marshalls sells. I’m not talking about The Runway section bags at TJ’s, because quite frankly, even at the markdowns, I still can’t afford the bags that this privileged section sells.
Have you ever been to The Runway at TJ Maxx? Some very high-end designer clothing and accessories, but I find better deals at Neiman Marcus Last Call.
Last week, I spotted a Balenciaga City Bag–the small one reduced to $800 from $1,300. At this juncture in my non-career, the discounted price is too much money for me to spend!
I’m talking about the other bags, usually three seasons ago and many of the bags, just not to my taste.
The something I spotted was standing gloriously proud and with perfect posture. On the first tier of a display shelf. I was skeptical of approaching because I’m basically broke. And it looked expensive. But the magnetizing current drew me closer. The color was appealing to me. Not quite green, and not quite gray. It’s the color I want to paint the living and dining room walls but Bonaparte says the color is too dark for him.
I picked it up and looked at the price. Then I did a double-take. $19.99. Oh man, this was too good. I inspected the bag like a jail warden getting ready to do a body check on an inmate. No marks. No nicks. In perfect condition. Into the cart, it went.
The tag said “Vegan”–that’s just a marketing ploy for “pleather”. I’m telling you, this is a bag of chips and more!
And it’s got those little “feet” at the bottom to protect it from standing upon dirty floors!
Did I need a new bag? Nooooo-ah. But this bag—it was just so aesthetically pleasing to me that I found a way to justify the purchase!
My justification? All my bags are big. Some are huge. I like big bags and I cannot lie. Big bags are an outlet for my stuff. Stuff that I don’t need to carry with me but I do.
My brown leather Longchamp bag–I use this more than any other bag. The items I stuff into this bag is ridiculous. I practically have my house in here!
BHere’s another biggie. J. Crew Brompton Bag. Oona got this for me many Christmases ago and I use it every winter. This holds a ton of stuff. It is big and heavy and I still love it!
The fact is, I could use a bag that isn’t big. Except I want a nice looking one. I have a small bag that I can’t stand. It holds nothing and is such a pale color that it’ll get filthy. It’s a Tory Burch bag and isn’t worth the money I foolishly spent on it.
Ugh. I can’t even stand to look at this waste of money. Thankfully it sits in a dust bag. Let me tell you, I learned quite a lot about bags from my days at Nordstrom. Tory Burch bags are NOT worth the money. They are cheaply made. They are poorly constructed. A great many Tory Burch bags are returned. I know this. I wasted my money. You’re welcome.
I need a bag I could take to the web design class that I’m going to tomorrow—with just enough room for my wallet, and a few other essentials. A bag that I could comfortably carry while going to do some grocery shopping and run errands.
This bag was perfect. And I ended up buying it.
Let’s take a better look at it—shall we?
The adjustable shoulder strap is long! That means you will be able to adjust the strap to your personal liking and body length. It won’t keep falling off the shoulder. The hoop handle–OMG–so like the hoop earrings I love so much. The bucket shape. Granted, this is not a bag that holds a lot–so it isn’t an everyday bag. That’s unless you normally don’t carry the contents of your home in your bag!
And the hoop handles are solid. The overall construction of this bag is also very impressive!
Another added touch. The faux suede fabric closure at the top of the bag with the “vegan” drawstring. More security and it gives a luxe look to the bag.
And the faux suede doesn’t look cheap…
We have an equestrian-themed lining, a zippered compartment on one side
And a pocket on the other side of the interior
Another look at the lining.
There is also a zippered compartment on the outside of the bag.
So far, I have my wallet, facial water spray and a little expandable shopping bag that I got for one euro at Nicolas. There is also enough room for my phone, a pad and pen, and lipsticks.
The bag looks great against our dining room rug!
Sometimes you happen to find little treasures you never expect to find—and those are the ones you appreciate and use more than others. I’ll be using this bag a lot!
And so, as I sit here writing, my new bag set on the table next to me so that I can look over and admire it, and my baby Chippy at my feet, I realize that today is a darn good day!
It’s true! I’ve been admiring this inexpensive bag all afternoon! I love the look of it!
And my little man is resting by my feet! It’s a great day!
Momma may have a brand-new bag—but so does Papa. James Brown!
Loving the bag, I am hopeful one day of downsizing my bags – my natural inclination is for shopping trolley size. Small bags worry me – especially the teeny tiny ones, how do people cope???
Hi Juliet! Oh. Those micro-mini-bags? To me, they aren’t even bags. I don’t know what they are and I don’t know how anyone can exist all day carrying one around. You need a bag to put STUFF into!!! I mean, I am loving the bag that I just bought, but I can’t use it everyday–I need to lug my belongings around!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Ooo…I do love this bag…color is very nice…gold hoops are attention-getting…and the best is the taupe suede top closure. How do the hoops lay when you use the shoulder strap…can you do a cross body carry without getting tackled up in the hoops? The size is nice too. Love TJ’s. Wonder if this one is at the local TJ’s here…hmmm.
Hi Jeanne. I tried the cross-body way and the hoops don’t get in the way. They just kinda stand there. I just love everything about this bag!! Go check out your TJ’s!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Catherine,
Wow! Your honesty about the Tory Burch bags!
Thank goodness I don’t own one.
The bag you purchased would have been my favorite.
Gotta love compartments and little storage solutions.
Hugs,
Robin
Hi Robin, I have six pairs of Tory Burch Reva Flats. It took a while for the breaking in but they are ridiculously comfortable and my oldest pair is about ten years old. I have a Tory Burch Tunic that I love and a pair of Tory Burch Riding boots that took years to break in but I now love them. The bags are a whole different ballgame. They are way overpriced and the quality just isn’t there. Her bags are what would be considered “bridge” bags. In the middle of affordable and high end. Better choices for bridge bags are Rebecca Minkoff or Marc Jacobs–both make a well-constructed bag that’ll last. XXOXOXOXOXO!!!!
Hi Cathe, I just have to say – you are always so put together, but lately your complexion is amazing! We know how many choices you have but you have to tell us, what are you wearing today and what were you wearing Sunday in terms of primer, foundation, lippies <–stole your word there, lol! Also, I know I for one cannot wait until you have your videos online!
Hi Kewl. I swear to God, I don’t know where my replies sometimes go. Let me start again LOL! Both days the foundation I used was the inexpensive $5.99 Wet n Wild Photofocus foundation! I applied with a big oval brush. I used The Ordinary’s primer yesterday and today, e.l.f. Blush both days was Stila Petunia cream blush. Concealer was the Wet n’ Wild Photofocus. Lippie yesterday was both Chanel Gloss and Fenty Gloss Bomb. Today I wore the Covergirl Outlast in –I think it’s Mauve rose. I’m shocked at how many compliments I received from this foundation. Bonaparte loves it on me!!! XOXOXOXOXOXO!!!!
Wow! That should tell you something! We all see how radiant you are in photos online, but he sees you up close and personal! You really have it going on! I forgot I also wanted to ask Dash do you spritz the water on your face on top of makeup? Or is it after you take your makeup off
DID you tell PAPA?
Thought SO!
How long will it take for him to NOTICE!!!!!!!!!!!?
XO
Elizabeth..The Frenchman notices everything! He saw it the moment he arrived home and was thrilled when I told him I shelled out cash!!! LOL!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
BETTER THAN THE ITALIAN……….TAKES HIM MONTHS TO NOTICE!XO
BWAAAHHHHH. LOL!!! I would rather the Frenchman not notice at times!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!
Cute bag! I’ve seen that style all over the blogs over the summer. But they were smaller, I believe, and Target had a version too!
Hi Trudy!! Oh!!! Shows you how much I look at fashun blogs!! LOL. And how many times I’ve been to Target over the summer! I’m so in lust with this bag!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
I just happened to see it repeatedly because one of the bloggers, I follow was using a smaller version of the bag and I wondered how useful it was being so tiny.
Trudy. I don’t know what can fit into a bag tinier than the one I bought. I’m telling you, this bag is small for me!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
That’s why I never looked at it, I carry a lot.
I popped in to a TK Maxx in London not realising what it was and just thought it was the weirdest shop on earth. The chain has just opened in Australia, so I need to find one here to see what it is all about again, and what offerings we will get here. Based on the economic demographic in the places they have put them, I don’t imagine we are getting the big name brands (the one I visited in London was down the road from Kensington Palace)
Hi Q. I have a raspberry colored trench jacket/coat that I bought at TK Maxx in Dublin back in—2005–and I still wear it. I love it and I think it was ten euros!!! It’s a fun store!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Yep. It’s time to switch out from the summer one I’m still in love with. But can’t find anything I really like. I’m so picky!
Hey Lady Calen. It’s hard to find that perfect bag!!!!! OXOXOXOXO!!!!
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Thank you Suman!!!