my bag closet

you won’t find my marc jacobs in there…or my pretty little chanel. this is my broom closet turned plastic bag/paper bag storage. i either go grocery shopping way too much (for snacks) which explains my muffin top, or too much general fun shopping which explains my credit card statements. these bags seem excessive and i’m not quite sure what i should do with them. i don’t feel right just throwing them away either. if i had a dog, then i would use my plastic bags to pick up the poop…but i don’t have one...i just have a lot of fish. i do use my plastic bags as trash bags though, but we all know that i’ve been a little less than eager to clean up my apartment these days so these disposable bags have been piling up. any suggestions as to what i can do with them? how about the department store ones? what can i do with those? i wish i knew how else to recycle these things….they are multiplying by the minute and i’m too disorganized to make this closet look any better but i feel too guilty to junk it all.

in the future, i plan to use this nutrition network tote when i go to trader joe’s. instead of having them bag my food in their paper bags, they can just use my tote. if this works out well, maybe i will try to do that for most of the grocery stores that i patronize...except maybe for the galleria market. people there might just think i'm stupid. anyways, just trying to do my little part in saving the environment. amen.

the specs

i think a good wallet for me must possess these following qualities (not in any particular order of importance):

1) durability so that i don’t have to be too cautious of it getting scratched up when it’s banging around in my purses along with my keys, ipod, and pointy tubed l’occitane lotion. a five year life span would be great.
2) good style or design
3) hot color (a nice red would be great)
4) at least two pockets, one for the benjamins, the other for receipts. these pockets can’t be too deep either.
5) a coin pocket with a button closure (it would be AWESOME if the coin pocket is divided too so that i can separate my silver coins from my pennies. hahahaha)
6) a minimum of 6 credit card slots or at least enough room somewhere else in the wallet so i can bunch them up. i actually don’t carry that many credit cards, but i do have a lot of plastic (i.e. gift cards that i always carry with me just in case of accidental shopping).
7) a compact design to fit in any of my existing purses without major fit issues
8) IT MUST BE A ONE STOP SHOP. everything i need should just fit into this one wallet so if i change purses, i can just transfer the wallet and not have to rejigger the contents.

as is the case with many things in life, i think when you are desperately looking for something, it is always going to allude you. maybe fate hides when you look too hard or maybe life teases you to keep you on your toes. hmmmm…so i will continue to carry my anonymously designed wallet which i have done so for years. it serves a purpose while i keep a lookout for the right wallet that i can “heart.”

back to back bye byes

this is the chanel wallet that you would have seen me toting IF I DIDN’T ALREADY RETURN IT TODAY to the chanel boutique on rodeo drive. it’s pretty but it wasn’t meant to be. here’s what happened.

i carried my chanel caviar wallet for about a month, but to be honest with you, even though it’s from chanel, i just thought it looked too boring…and it was. i think if a wallet is to have a plain design, it should make up it’s plainness with color. but my caviar was BOTH plain AND black (BORING)…and besides, i think i do need a longer wallet and an extra pocket for my receipts. luckily, i was able to return it for a partial refund and some bloomie’s credit. then i strutted over to the chanel boutique and found this camellia wallet in light blue. i was seriously excited about it when i had uploaded the chanel box on bagnatic (tee hee), but unfortunately, after some scrutiny, i discovered it’s SHORTCOMINGS:

1) it’s made of lambskin which means it will scratch easily and probably won’t hold up with time and consistent use. with the price it commands, i need to have a good wallet that will last until I DECIDE it’s time to change it up and not because IT starts looking used up.
2) there’s only 3 credit card slots and even though i could bunch up the cards, the fit was too tight. it was not adequate to house the plastic that i need to tote for more fabulous purchases. Hahaha…not.
3) it’s a floor model because it was the last one and as crazy as this sounds, I prefer to have a virgin wallet. I did not agree with some of the creases I found on it.
4) the pocket for the dollar bills was a tad smaller than the normal bill size so my dollars would scrunch up on the edge.

i think it’s a beautiful wallet and in my heart of hearts, i feel a bit of regret in letting something so pretty go. but i need a wallet i can use and not just something to look at. after some consideration and mad phone calls to my snobby bag friends for advice, i decided it was best for me to return the wallet. it is obvious this wallet did not meet ALL my needs either and there’s no point in keeping it. i still “heart” chanel, but this season’s wallets do not work for me. :(

so here’s my plan. i still DESPERATELY need a wallet, but i won’t pay an exorbitant amount of money for one unless I TRULY love it and know it will last me a while. otherwise, i will just invest a nice amount for a good wallet that is functional and durable. we’ll see what i can come up with. bye bye pretty chanel. i still have my caviar flap bag so i’m not THAT sad over all of this. hahaha.

accidental chanel

i went to south coast plaza today for some post christmas shopping. i got something from my MOST FAVORITE ACCESSORIES/BAG BOUTIQUE IN THE WORLD (not on sale...i wish). i'm really excited about it and i think it was excited about me too because it was the very last piece in the boutique when i chanced upon it. maybe it was waiting for me....

to be continued.....

not a bag, but just as rad

this natural comfort teak bazaar shoe looks sooooooooo cute...cute online that is. i really enjoy the gold stripe across the top and the detail INSIDE the shoe adds a super nice touch to the overall look. the wedgey heel will give me a hint of height, but it doesn't look high enough to hurt my feet which is a plus. i also have a love affair with blue shoes so it was natural for me to gravitate towards this shoe. if i buy it, i will have 3 blue shoes in my shoe collection. i found this cutie online and i will try to check it out in person before i seal the deal. i think it would go great with capri pants or a skirt. you like?

going undercover

i rocked my marc jacobs ivory stam to the wedding. it was a fun piece and gave my quasi conservative outfit a bit of funk (good funk). suprisingly, this little stam held quite a few items: cell phone, wallet, digital camera, lipstick, l' occitane hand cream, three party poppers, one cheesy wedding favor, and a candy cane. i can imagine stuffing a few more things in there...good to know that my stam can hold a lot even though it looks relatively small. looks can be deceiving (that age old adage can be used for anything....).

anyways, the table we were seated at was dedicated solely to my family because my aunts, uncles, and cousin came too. although it was meant to seat 10, there were 2 empty spots so i immediately used one of the awkwardly placed chairs as a bag chair. score! unfortunately though, the chair was also in the direct line of all the waitering/waitressing. after witnessing a few precariously held plates hovering over my IVORY stam, i decided to cover it up with one of the linen napkins. better safe than sorry. i KNOW nobody at my table understood why i had to do that (except for my sis) or why i'm taking pictures of my bag (hahahaha), but the LAST thing i want to do is to curse profusely as i wipe the dark oyster sauce off of my IVORY stam. what can i say...i'm a bit protective of my bags.

the wedding: the restraunt was chic, the guest list was manageable, the decor and theme were youthful (balloons and a magician...COME ON NOW!), the food was ok, the wedding favors were cheesy, the company was fun (watching my fam interact socially is quite amusing), and the bride got fat (not like i have much to say about that though. you should see me scarf down the peking duck or as my sis liked to describe it as "dough and skin."). it was a good night even though my sis got a traffic ticket. but my marc jacobs ivory little stam got home just fine. it was a good debut for the little one.....hahahaha...i am SUCH a dork.

the debut

the whole fam is going to a family friend's chinese wedding banquet tonight. the bride is a childhood friend of mine that i haven't seen in years...might i say maybe 16 or so years? i am definitely curious to see how she looks and whether or not she resembles the dusty image i have of her...tall, lanky, with super long hair. since the whole fam is going, i can't wear a skankalicious dress (hahhaha...not that this type of weather invites a dress in general) but i was thinking as long as i don't rock jeans, i'm probably ok. besides, these asian weddings are a bit of a crap shoot. some folks go in super dressy, decked out in their prom dress best to the super casual, please-iron-your-shirt outfits. i'm thinking of wearing this black polka-dot top with black dress pants and my baby blue nordies coat. to top it off, i plan to match it with my marc jacobs ivory little stam. i hope i don't drop some soy sauce on my baby when i grub.

christmas once again.....

dear santa,

you don't know me, but i wrote to you once many years ago when i was in 3rd grade. at that time, i asked for a rubber stamp set which i didn't get by the way. well, i'm all grown up now and i'm not quite interested in rubber stamps anymore....however, i wonder if you can ask one of your elves to go to the bottega veneta boutique to pick up a fab bag for me in black? the intrecciato weaving still keeps me fascinated, but the price is teacher unfriendly so i haven't gone to saks or bloomies yet to model it....i'm trying to prevent purse frenzy. so for this christmas, i would like a bottega veneta shoulder bag in black. i included pictures just in case your elves need it for reference. thanks so much!

sincerely,

bagnatic

would you buy the hype?

this is the limited edition louis vuitton murakami tote that you can buy if you so happen to drop by moca with a few extra bucks in your wallet to spend after viewing the murakami exhibit. this tote is typical of what they carry in their stores, but sneaky murakami overlaid the typical blah monogram with his super large lv graphic. the graphic he designed was splashed with military green and pink colors…not to mention two random hands sticking out at different points. i don’t think it’s cute at all and for the price it commands, IT’S OUTRAGEOUS! i DO enjoy the pink interior, but there is no zipper closure for this tote, lending you to potential fall outs…i think i need my bags to have the zipper/clasp/button option. anyways, i modeled it when i was at their temporary exhibit store but it did not thrill me. i can appreciate the mystique of the “limited edition” hype, but this tote falls short of being fab. would YOU buy this hype?

the best bag ever!

i've decided that the best bag EVER is the one that holds my orange wedges, water bottle, and tupperware full of rice and asian sides....it's MY LUNCH BAG! yay!! at about 11:30 p.m., my stomache starts grumbling and i start looking forward to having lunch and adult convo with my peers. although our convo may include venting, aimless chatter, and a side of bitching, it is NICE to just be myself for 40 minutes before i have to edit my mouth for my students. this week in particular has been tough...the kids are alright...i think i just need the 2 week break.

bag-static

alas, internet access has been a bit of a challenge as of late. it is hard to wean this bag whore off of consistent bag research especially when i have a pressing RED PURSE to find! although my bagnatic bag-drobe is 80% complete (hahahaha! who am i kidding?! there is always room to grow!), it would be quite exciting to find my PERFECT RED PURSE just like how i found my PERFECT BLACK PURSE when i bought my chanel.

seeing red

i am still on my quest for the perfect red bag, but i'm constantly getting sideswiped by other red things! for instance, look at this red marc jacobs patchwork eugenie clutch. cute right? it has a nice, bright, red color and the sheen on the leather is spectacular! it has the right amount of funk to it too. but alas, it is a clutch and NOT a bag. i need something that hangs off my shoulders.

how about these sexy disco days christian louboutin shoes?! the red soles are hot! it reminds me of a sexy cinderella or a naughty dorothy in oz....shoot, if i was a hooker, i would totally get them.

hermes hype

the IT BAG of all time is the hermes birkin. it is the ultimate symbol of luxury which makes it the ultimate “IT BAG.” the hermes birkin has an unbelievable waitlist, it’s ridiculously overpriced (we are talking about an unbelievable 7k and upwards per bag depending on the style and skin being used), and celebrities like toting it around because it’s status…. unless you’re rich and/or famous which i’m not, it’s hard to imagine paying 7k for a bag. then again, if i was rich and/or famous, i wouldn’t be sitting around blogging about bags i want…i would just go out and get it already. ohhh the life. woes me…..

i spotted an orange birkin when i attended the lacma salvadore dali reception. i immediately recognized it because of the signature hardware it rocks which is its iconic lock and clasp across the bag. it didn’t blow me away at the time i saw it, but like any bag, you MUST carry it before it comes to life for you. it is hard to make a connection with said bag when you spot it adorning another person. you really do need that personal connection. lucky for me, i won’t ever get a foreseeable chance to do that…that is one obsession that i need not have. anyways, there are MANY commoners out there that are enamored with this bag. the “IT BAG” status must be a powerful draw! purse addicts beware!

still eyeballing the b

i still want a balenciaga, but i must admit, staying sickly these past two weeks has dampened my bagnatic spirits. i still do research and covet bags from afar, but no real action can be had until i go into a store and model the bag that i'm checking out. maybe this is a good thing after all since santa has visited me quite a few times already this year with gifts purchased with my mastercard.

while perusing my typical bag haunts, i stumbled across this interesting balenciaga first bag with contrasting leather trim in caramel. at first, i was like "ugz. not cute." but upon further inspection, my mind changed and i'm thinking "super cute!" the contrast between the leather trim and the lighter suede body gives it character and makes the purse pop! i like! pop, pop, pop, pop! i found this balenciaga online though and i'm NOT about to drop any more money on online purchases until i see it in person first. when can i get my sickly butt to barneys?! do they even have this at barneys?

purse goggling

i went to "the galleria" today which is a korean market located on olympic and oxford. i went back because i fell in love with one of their pre-packaged sliced chocolate cakes and i had to buy myself like 3 PACKAGES! i know..so fatty...but oh so good! i like to overdose on certain things before my cravings can move on. it reminds me of the days when i overdosed on bagels and cream cheese...oink, oink, but i digress.

as i perused the aisles laden with korean food stuffs, i couldn't help but notice all the korean women sporting their designer bags in the market! wow! you koreans sure rock your designer bags hard! the only other asian women that rock their's harder than the koreans might be the japanese...hmmm...but then again, maybe the koreans and japanese are neck and neck at this.

anyways, i noticed mostly lv lovers, but a korean "han-kook hahl-muh-nee" or korean grandma, was rocking an electric blue marc jacobs stam bag! i had to follow her a few steps to check out the bag...it looked real to me. that is one COOL GRANDMA! ow!

weave me one

i am somewhat intrigued by the bottega veneta bags. i don’t know if i’m calling upon some inner pacific islander in me that i did not know existed, but the weaving detail on the bv bags looks interesting. in general, weaving usually reminds me of the tropics, the phillipines, rattan chairs, and a nice blended alcoholic drink with an umbrella. i could also kill two purses with one purchase by getting a bv in red…but then again, it kind of straddles on the old lady look so am i aging myself prematurely by the bags i choose? oh forget it, i just checked the pricing for these woven babies. i would rather save it for another chanel or get a bv when i’m like 50. *sigh* cross that one off the list…

tally marks

my sis asked me how many times i’ve actually used my designer bags because she was quite disgusted with me after i purchased my marc jacobs little stam. “another one?” she asked with a dramatic roll of the eyes. even though she thought it was cute and that my chanel flap was super fab too, i think she disapproves of my obsession.

OH BUT WHY LITTLE SIS? FIRST OF ALL, you SHOULDN’T buy things based solely on usage. it is definitely fiscally wise to do so, but if that is the case, then life will be oh so boring and restrictive. i don’t want to always HAVE to justify everything i do and buy, especially when i’m still young and do not have certain financial responsibilities (like babies and a mortgage)…and god knows i have enough things to worry about. it took a relatively better paying job (whether teacher pay is good is still debatable) and turning 30 to embrace this idea.

i am all for being financially responsible because being in debt and living paycheck to paycheck sucks. but i don’t have that problem. i can pay for my own apartment and lifestyle AND still put away a little something every month (except for this month…lol) and i work extra when i can. i don’t want to live my life like an immigrant (i know that sounds harsh, but i’m a 1.5 generation immigrant so I know a little something about that all “work and no play” work ethic)….sometimes, i just want to have FABULOUS things so i pamper myself because i CAN. i want to enjoy my life and not have retail regrets when i’m 50, wishing that i can still rock that balenciaga when i had the chance. i know you all have your material wants too…EMBRACE IT!

my sis suggested that i make an excel spreadsheet to tally up my usage of these bags to see if they are worth it. i don’t need to. i know they already are…. with that out of the way, where can i find myself a HOT RED PURSE?!

in the red

my frenzy bag buying days are close to being over….no, this is not a red flag warning that i’m severely in debt or anything, but the foundation of my bagnatic bag-drobe is pretty set…not to say that there’s no possibilities of me expanding it in the near future :), but for now, i have a bag that i love to carry for most occasions…the only purse(s) i can imagine wanting is a balenciaga first bag in either blue or lilac AND a HOT bag by some HOT designer in RED. i LOVE red bags and i use to tote around a pleather red bag that i bought from this store called “up against the wall.” yeah, i know, that’s a pretty skankalicious name. i LOVED that little red bag until the zipper strap fell off (another reason to invest in a good handbag). i tried to salvage it, but it’s like wearing a torn shirt secured at the seams by safety pins. just NOT hot! i still have it in my closet…it is my pack-rat habit to have some useless things lying around…but maybe this weekend, i will finally throw it out. there’s no point in keeping this fake leather, broken strapped red purse even though it was oh so cute. that just means i will have to replace it with another hot red numba…hmmm…which shall it be? is this a call for ANOTHER hunt? in any case, i thought it was a cute purse and i would still rock it if not for its fatal break. disposable fashion... :( another reason to invest in a well constructed, quality material purse.

hot stam!

oh my gosh! here’s my newest addition to my purse family, the marc jacobs little stam! that’s the lovely surprise in my dhl box (i know, santa has come by more than once this year…but what can i say? i’ve been such a good little girl!).

marc jacobs makes a signature stam bag which comes in 3 sizes…the regular stam, the “kid,” and the “little stam.” i’ve never been too impressed with his stams because i think they are a bit bulky, but when i saw this “little stam,” i was smitten! the purse reminds me of a little coin purse hung on a thick gold chain (bring on the bling!) especially with its super cute kisslock closure and silhouette. the purse comes in three shades: black (which my sister reminded me looked too much like my chanel), teal, and ivory. i think every purse collection must have a light color purse and this marc jacobs ivory stam will do just fine for me!

the stam was still way above my WEAKLY enforced purse budget even with the black friday discount, but i had decided not to OPPRESS myself. LIVE FREE!!! LOVE YOUR BAGS!!! I SURE LOVE MINE!!!!

convo with zeyad

during my sick day off yesterday, i decided i HAD to call zeyad, the SA, over at south coast plaza to inquire about the balenciaga bags. i know only a limited number of stores carry these funky, colorful bags, but i had to inquire with my new best friend first before i plan a trip to barneys :). here’s my abridged convo with zeyad (as much as i can recall of it)…

me: hi zeyad, this is bagnatic. i bought the marc by marc jacobs tote last time.

zeyad: oh, hi bagnatic. what can i do to help you today?

me: does your store carry balenciaga bags?

zeyad: unfortunately, no, but i can order them for you. do you know the color and style that you want?

me: oh, i want to see one first. i need to touch it, carry it around...you know, MODEL it.

good lord. i actually said MODEL IT!! hahahahahaha. what world do i live in?!

another box?!?!

did i change my mind? did i come back to the chloe paddington after all? what can it be? oh my gosh! socks?! shoes?! what can it be?!?!

i want to be a b-bag girl

i’ve been eyeing this bag line for quite a while now. the balenciaga bags are quite phenomenal with 6 years of popularity under its belt. they are the quintessential slouchy bag look with a twist of rocker chick. the bag takes me back to my megadeth, kiss, guns n’ roses days when listening to hard music and dyeing my hair into all kinds of funky colors was the best way to express myself. balenciaga bags are HOT!!! they are hip, funky, fun just like me…:). i love the funky studs that adorn the bag and the color choices are amazing. i wonder if i need to stop off at a barney’s to check it out. i know balenciaga might not be everybody’s cup of tea, but is sure seems to be mine. let’s see if i’ll get the opportunity to take a sip. if i have my way, i would want a balenciaga first bag in either purple or blue.

the purse-suit :)

a woman can never have enough shoes, clothes, jewelry…or tender kisses, flowers, and pretty little things…gosh, the list can go on and on! for a small sector of the purse obsessed, collecting purses can be a thrilling experience. like any hunt, you scope out your prey and once you zone in, you go in for that inevitable kill. in this case, pulling out your mastercard or visa will be your best bet in order to seal the deal. once the purse is acquired, you might take it home and admire it for a bit. take it gingerly out of its dust bag or box and look at it closely, sniff the leather that a few of my friends have admitted doing (hahahahaha), and admire the purse in all its leathery glory. once the ritual is complete, you set it gloriously in its place in your walk in closet that houses all your other HOT purses until you find the right occasion to take it out for a spin. ahhh…the thrill and fuzzy afterglow of a good purse hunt!

depending on your purse toting style, you might want THE purse that EVERYONE wants, but only a few can attain. or, you look for timeless classics or fun additions that will add the right pizzazz to your wardrobe. when you carry it, a good purse can make any ole outfit look OH SO HOT! and as my friend perfectly stated to me once, “you know it's meant to be when you pick up that bag, try it on, and suddenly, it comes alive. you come alive. and, you know it is the perfect fit.” whatever the reason, for the love of purses, what drives you on is obtaining THE fabulous purse. and a sign of the obsessed is the thrill of moving on and acquiring the NEXT GREAT PURSE.

not everyone can appreciate an overpriced purse, or understand the madness of acquiring so many for so much. but when you find THAT ONE purse that forever makes you look at other purses differently, you will finally understand where i’m coming from. i am not mad, i am just purse OBSESSED.

pretty in pink

i typically don't rock too much pink, though i do have my pink moments. this chanel purse in pink is cute though right? really cute!! no worries...i believe it's a vintage piece and it's not on sale at any chanel boutiques. there will be no room for obsessing and then purchasing another chanel purse for little ole me. it is just another homage to chanel that i "heart" so much.

the love affair that ended even before it began....

as i sit here in my apartment on a cold, rainy friday night...coughing, sneezing, and hacking up nastiness and LAMENTING how sick and bored i am, i decided to peruse the typical haunts on the net that usually excites me...my favorite purse blogs and other purse retailers of course!

lo and behold! what do i see advertised on one of the purse blogs?! OH MY GOSH, the chole paddington is on sale! do i need it?! do i still love it?!

*sigh* i must admit, the spark i once felt for it has fizzled out. although the sale price is a lot less than the original retail price, it is still a hefty sum and it is too much for a purse that i don't LOVE LOVE anymore. i attribute this somewhat lackluster enthusiasm for the chloe paddy to my purchase of my true love, the chanel flap purse. there really is no purse that can top the chanel, thus the chloe sits in its shadows and i don't think i'm as willing to fork up the bucks for a lackluster side dish. the paddy is still cute AND i will still name my daughter chloe, but i would rather spend that price on another intriguing bag that i have my eyes on. besides, the paddy is pretty heavy with that signature padlock and my meaty arms is just not as strong as it once was.

the love affair was brief...and it was over even before it began. the paddy was the bag that started my purse obsession...how unfortunate it is for me to say this, "i will not be buying a purse at this time."

how fortuitous....

the box came from saks fifth avenue. the saks SA named zeyad sent it to me after a fortuitous meeting with THE tote. OMG! another one! hahhaha. it's actually the marc by marc jacobs dr. q tote in BOURDEAUX that i had mentioned earlier. seriously, when i first went to bloomingdales to scope out the scene, the SA there said the bourdeaux tote was out and after checking their bloomingdales' computer system, she even went as far as to say, "there's only ONE left in pennsylvania. they are all sold out elsewhere. we can ship it to you." naw...i firmly believe in fortuitous acquisitions of bags...if the price isn't right or the color isn't there, walk away. so i did.

as my friend and i walked around scp a bit more, we found ourselves stepping into saks. i bee-lined to the marc by marc jacobs section by instinct and a-ha! what do i see?! the marc by marc jacobs dr. q tote in BOURDEAUX!! exactly what i wanted! the battle was half over but i went through my typical "try-to-convince-myself-not-to-buy-another-purse" dialogue with a friend that's not too helpful with convincing me to abandon the tote. that woman is quite the enabler...then zeyad the SA stepped in and said if i'm a saks card holder, i can get it for 30% off with their presale event. although the price was still a lot higher than i wanted, i think purse frenzy took over me again. man...so i asked him a final question...do you have a NEW one in your stockroom? he said he'd check and they did. he walked it ceremoniously out to the cash register with his arms outstretched...seriously. it was hilarious.

*sigh* i bought it. that's the goody in the box. teacher tote no more! my sister expressed interest in inheriting the teacher tote...lucky for her, i have a brand new one.

i like it a lot! the bourdeaux color is HOT!

a box for moi?!?!

this morning i woke up fairly late...8 a.m. OMG!!! normally, if i don't have plans to go out and get things done, i LOVE shlepping around in my flannel pajama pants and long sleeved shirt. why not right?

well, i should PROBABLY have looked a little more decent today because a fed ex man came!! he brought me a big box! what can it be?!

what can be better than a purse?

a friend once told me that you can’t build a house on a foundation of purses (friend, correct me if i quoted you wrong). that is true. ultimately, i would like to buy myself a nice piece of property in silverlake like this one:

“Fabulous triplex in the heart of silver lake w/incredible 180 degree views from every unit of downtown la & surrounding mountains! All 3 spacious units have 2 bedrooms, 1.75 baths & walk-in closets! Expansive patios & the top unit has a wonderful roof top view deck! Meticulously maintained. Onsite laundry, storage & parking. A wonderful opportunity!”

this would make a nice compound for the family….but alas, the price for this piece of property far exceeds my purse collection times 300. it is a nice place, but realistically, what CAN you buy with a teacher’s salary? a snickers bar? some place in lancaster? valencia? san bernadino? possibly a condo located in an unsavory part of l.a.? although all my life, i’ve saved up all my nuts like a good little squirrel, it is obvious that i’ll have to store all my nuts in my purses. as of right now, there is no tree that i can afford to call my own.

true, buying bags takes this little squirrel one small step back from owning her very own tree, but as she scurries towards her distant tree, she will be carrying a HOT chanel flap bag in black caviar. muhahhaha.

live it, love it, save it, and pamper yourself when you can. life is too short to feel unfabulous!

keeping it real

i’ve been carrying this dependable black lesportsac bag for over a year now. it’s made of nylon and it’s roomy and durable. it’s the one i schlep to school because i don’t mind stuffing it in my roving closet or my desk drawer without worries that manhandling the bag would damage it…. i just shove and forget. when i had first purchased it, i had bought it because it looked durable and it reminded me of my kipling bag that i had carried for SO MANY YEARS during my college days. at that point, i was looking for functionality rather than style or quality of materials in a purse (boy, have times changed…hahahaha).

for quite a while now, i noticed lesportsac sporting a new line…one by tokidoki. i’m sure you’ve seen it too. it is colorful with crazy graphics all over the purse. initially, i was intrigued when i saw it because it speaks to the flamboyant side in me, but on closer inspection, these bags are a MESS!! too much going on! it’s like when you go in for a piercing but you come out with a bunch of studs on your face instead: two on your eyebrows, one on your left nostril, and one protruding from your chin. too much competition with your face if you go with all those piercings…just like too much competition with your wardrobe if you go for a tokidoki.

i like the plain black lesportsac bag that i carry to and fro. for the other days, my other purses come out to play. tokidoki is a NOkiNOki in my book.

my baby chanel addition

my sweet chanel 2.55 flap in black caviar gave birth to a chanel caviar wallet yesterday! yes!! i FINALLY found myself a little wallet! it is quite the cutie...nice, slick, signature caviar leather, has a large coin pocket, and 8 card slots total...and oh is it so, so chic. before you think i went nutty again (sort of), i would like to point out the fact that i had those gift cards from purchasing the flap last weekend. all i had to do to obtain this cutie was to pony up 1/3 of the price. it is TOTALLY worth it! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!! the leather is so nice!! i originally thought i should have gone with a longer wallet (i can always look for a prada or miu miu later on i suppose), but the style i wanted was not available and i was too impatient to wait. in hindsight, my most utilized purse is pretty small so this is the perfect size after all. i love it!! do you love it?! i still "heart" chanel and am enamored by this fashion powerhouse.

so this is one item out of two that i bought yesterday.....

i know i said i wouldn't.....

i bought something else today.... :( (sad face)
but i really like it.... :) (happy face)
it's not only one thing though.... :( (sad face)
but i really LOVE it.... :) (happy face)
but now you guys think i have a serious problem.... :( (sad face)
i really don't though.... :l (grimace on the face)
it just means i have to work ELP.... :( (sad face)
and intersession when it's available.... :( (sad face)
and eat canned goods.... :( (sad face)
and NEVER EVER go to south coast plaza again.... :( (sad face)
but looking at my purchases i LOVE THEM!!!! :) (happy face!)
i'd do it ALL OVER AGAIN!!!!! :) (estactic face!!!)

which tote would you tote?

as i entertain the idea of purchasing a new tote, i’m finding way TOO many styles that i would LOVE to rock. for instance, the cole haan weave embossed tote (the one on the left) is kinda hot right? i know it slants a bit towards being old lady-ish, but a hot old lady though eh? hahahha. it’s a good color and i like the contrast between the weaving detail and the middle pocket/panel. the other tote i’ve been coveting is the marc by marc jacobs dr. q. tote in bourdeaux. you already know i’m pretty enamored by the marc by marc jacobs’ line so this tote immediately spoke to me. it feels like a cousin of the dr. q. groovee bag that i own. i like the leather he uses and the simple, clean lines in his bags are nice to the eyes. but alas, BOTH these totes are way out of my newly enforced purse budget. i may have to rock my teacher tote for a while i suppose….being fiscally responsible is sooooo boring!

in? or out?

as i look at my worn out teacher tote (my main carrier of eld folders, alternative guides, and teacher’s manuals), a bag whorish thought drifted into my mind. is it time to retire this overworked tote for a more fashionable alternative?

obviously, a canvas bag like this one is more functional. i don’t mind setting it on my hardly vacuumed classroom carpet nor do i mind stuffing all kinds of crap into it. but the rainbow and apple graphic? i’m almost over that. maybe i can find a tote that serves all the aforementioned purposes WITHOUT making too much of a dent on my wallet…or is finding a good quality tote (or bag in general) on the cheaps an oxymoron?

i never thought that i would want to give up this functional tote that proclaims, “teaching…a gift that lasts a lifetime.” (how else would i be validated on a daily basis that i’m important?). hahhaha. but it’s nice to step away from the teacher image the longer that i remain in the profession. maybe it’s time for a new FASHIONABLE work tote…one that does not proclaim my profession so loudly but one which will still hold all of my shit while looking HOT.

still loving it

still loving it and still talking about it. it's like i'm an excited child with a new favorite toy. here's an im session i had with my friend about my newly acquired purchase.

me: is chanel ur favorite?
friend: yeah
friend: hahaha
me: i must say
me: good taste
friend: uh huh...
friend: yeah right?
me: it is a well made bag
friend: it grows old with u
me: seriously, VERY pretty
friend: it is very durable.
me: there hasn't been a bag yet that i've seen that looks like the chanel
me: u know what i mean
friend: YUPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
me: like there was thought put into it
me: fine details
me: timeless structure
me: good bling
me: great leather

like i need to convince you guys that i love it or something. hahahaha. promise, no more talk about chanel unless i buy another one....ahhahaha. damn!

OMG!!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!

that’s right!! i went and bought my very first chanel flap bag in black caviar!!! at first, it was a harmless inquiry at the chanel boutique (not the main one at the mall, but a small side one attached to bloomingdales). there was a lot of activity in there so i didn’t feel intimidated by the SAs. i felt comfortable enough to waltz in there with my friend and to pick up the flap bags in various sizes. the show began as i modeled it in front of the full length mirrors and got my friend to do it too. i was so drawn to it!! the bag is GORGEOUS and i was immediately SMITTEN by it. i figured the medium was the best size, but was torn between the two hardware tones. do i like it better in silver or gold? but after looking at the price tag and confirming that after nov. 1st, there was a 20% hike on the flap bags, it didn’t matter anymore. too late and for too much. i had to walk away…so i did.

at this point, i was already feeling what i call “purse frenzy.” i KNEW I WANTED IT so i called a friend in hopes of a purse intervention, but she was of no help. she told me all the things that i shouldn’t hear at that critical point…so after the conversation, i went back to the boutique to harmlessly “think some more.” but after talking to this nice SA named mike, i found out that bloomingdales will give you a 15% discount (chanel included) for opening a bloomies’ card AND will match your purchase with gift cards for an “x” amount of dollars you spend…i was speechless. i didn’t need to think about it anymore. i KNEW i was going to buy it. it was meant to be…..

at first, i was leaning towards the silver-toned hardware, but the gold-toned one gave such a POP of elegance! albeit, the gold-tone was a bit more mature looking and the silver looked more fitted for a youngster, the practical fashionista inside me clearly understood that this was an investment piece. i will ROCK THIS PURSE until i’m dead. hahahaha. besides, i saw this young asian woman carrying one in silver and i made the following connections: silver = young but not necessarily timeless + there was a hint of it looking like a possible knockoff? i think the chanel flap was originally known for their gold hardware. i went with the medium sized black caviar flap bag in gold, the classic.

i promise, no more purses! buying my chanel is like finding my true bag love. i “heart” chanel.

south coast plaza

i went to south coast plaza today. what an AMAZING mall!!! all the hot boutiques were there...lv, chanel, gucci, chloe...and of course, the fabu department stores like saks, bloomingdales, nordstrom...they even have a h & m! it would be perfect if they housed a forever 21, but life's not perfect. *sigh* but i'm quite sure it's just a matter of time.

well, i went there specifically to look for the bcbg clutch (just to check it out), but i ended up veering off towards louis vuitton, prada, and chanel looking at everything from wallets to purses. do you think i got something? stay tuned to find out!

such a clutch

is it true that every girl needs a clutch? i know every girl MUST own a bag, but a clutch? when i am dressed for a night out on the town, i don’t immediately think “clutch.” i think, i.d. in my pocket with a few drinking dollars and a credit card for possible open tabs. this strategy would free up my hands so i can have a dance off with the white pants linen man (if you were there, then you know what i mean….hahahaha. he was fabulous) if i choose to do so. if i’m going out for just a drink, then a small purse would do. it would house my clinique lipstick, my keys, my anonymously designed wallet that i’m hankering to replace, and my l’occitane hand lotion (can’t live without that one). the purse would have to be small so i can hold it close to my side and of course, it would have to be evening appropriate.

when i think “clutch,” i think cumbersome. many clutches lack a shoulder strap (hence the name clutch) and the idea of constantly holding something in my hands doesn’t always speak to me. knowing how i am, if i was to go clutch, i would end up leaving it somewhere OR feel so paranoid about forgetting it that i would spend the better part of my evening thinking about it rather than getting drunk and that would be a travesty (hahhaha…j/k). but i can see when a good clutch is needed though, such as an elegant night out on the town, a wedding reception to attend, or a date with Keanu reeves. *sigh*

one must constantly challenge their comfort zones though and i’m thinking i might have found a clutch to challenge mine. this is a bcbg max azria clutch in navy. i think it’s HOT. the only reservation i have about this clutch is that it’s in blue so i foresee a limited number of outfits that can be worn with it. it also holds a hidden shoulder strap!! what more can I ask for?! it’s quite a darling now isn’t it?

i found this clutch online at saks fifth avenue. although i am a card wielding member, i have yet to venture back to a saks because 1) the closest one is at rodeo drive and i think that place stinks and 2) i didn’t think i would need to shop at one again so i never thought of it. well, au contraire, i think i might have found the perfect shopping/purse whoring solution. although it’s a 45 minute trek without traffic, the south coast plaza mall in orange county apparently is THE PLACE to be. it houses many designer boutiques and of course all the fabu general stores like bloomingdale’s and nordstrom. i might want to drop by one day to go window shopping…and possibly buy a clutch?

goodbye

i sent back my poo poo colored dior wallet today. it is typical of me to always procrastinate a bit (not intentionally since i do feel anxious thinking about the things that i have to do until it gets done) but it happens. today, i finally had the opportunity to visit a local fedex shop to mail the wallet back. it felt good to do so though i'm a bit annoyed that i had to spend roughly 15 bucks (the cost of mailing the wallet back) just because i ordered something that i should have looked at first in person. another tally mark AGAINST online shopping!!!! let me count...that's like 3 tally marks already! ugh!

when i was in the shop, this woman in front of me had many of her personal items laying on the counter. i can tell you what she had: keys with a public library card attached to it, cell phone, planner, a few bills and coins (no wallet!)....AND no purse. what a mess. she started apologizing to me when she took a bit of time to gather her things at the end of her task. in my mind, i was thinking "stranger lady, might i recommend a purse for you? the kooba nina small shoulder bag in slade is pretty hot, though i only saw this online and if you only knew why i am here in the first place...but i digress. it's on sale now on eluxury for under 300 dollars. if i wasn't already traumatized by the poo poo colored dior wallet quite recently, i might have bought this myself."

well, the lady finally gathered her things and left and i FINALLY mailed the dior wallet back for a refund. so what is the lesson learned today? buy things online if you've already seen it in real-time AND we ALL need a purse...even some men do, too.

which clasp would you choose?

the chanel flap bag comes in two distinct clasp styles. the "reissue" one has a plain clasp WITHOUT the ostentatious "cc" logo whereas the flap bag of now has the pretty "cc" on it. i like the pretty "cc." a grand for each "c" is what i'm thinking....hmm...how about a black chanel flap bag in caviar with a silver chain and hardware? ooohhh...i think coco chanel is calling me.....

the revamped fanny pack

my friend owns a gucci belt bag. when i saw it on her, i thought, cute. when sarah jessica parker wore it on sex and the city, i thought "oh, cute." but when i saw it on a multitude of random people at a mall AND by brands other than gucci, i thought "NOT CUTE." stop rocking the fanny pack!! it IS a GLORIFIED fanny pack after all and fanny packs AREN'T hot! when i see a fanny pack, my mind runs through these three things:

1) you are a tourist
2) you are a fat, white tourist
3) you are a dork

sorry. gucci was able to pull it off...now, it's just ridiculous. do yourself a favor and stop looking like a fool. ugh.

the "it" list

i came across this "it" list of bags while multi-tasking today. you know, home chores like cleaning and laundering, with a side of blogging....

1. Hermes Birkin
The Hermès Birkin bag is named after the iconic actress Jane Birkin, who once had a highly public relationship with influential french singer, Serge Gainsbourg, to whom she bore a child (Charlotte Gainsbourg). The 'Birkin' is the symbol of ultimate luxury, due in part to its exposure on popular television shows such as 'Sex and the City'. An authentic 'Birkin' costs upwards of $6,000 and can have a waiting time of up to 2 years.
2. Chanel 2.55
This little classic will always be "in". It was born in 1955 (hence the name 2.55) after Coco Chanel decided she wanted a shoulder bag to free up her hands and is inspired py the quilting on Jockeys coats. Karl Lagerfeld released a second, updated version in 2006.
3. Chloe Paddington
The Chloe Paddington was created by designer Phoebe Philo in 2005 and is considered to be the quintessential 'Boho-Chic' bag because of it's slouchy, unstructured shape and exposure by stars such as Kate Moss and Sienna Miller.
4. Balenciaga 'City' Motorcycle
Balenciaga's line of motorcycle-inspired handbags are created out of distressed goat leather, which is what gives them their unique, relaxed shape. The 'City' bag in particular, caused quite a stir after becoming the official handbag of choice for notorious fashionistas like Mary-Kate Olsen.
5. Alexander McQueen Novak
The Alexander McQueen Novak represents the structured shapes of Fall 2005 and was inspired by Kim Novak, a vintage-era starlet who appeared in Alfred Hitchcock films. It's original run consisted of a mere 200 bags, which caused mass hysteria among handbag lovers everywhere and elevated the bag into permanent "It" status.
6. Marc Jacobs Stam
The Marc Jacobs 'Stam' is named after the designers close friend, Canadian Supermodel, Jessica Stam. The bag features quilting and gold hardware similar to that of classic quilted Chanel bags, but differentiates itself with it's relaxed look, gusseted frame and kiss-lock closure.
7. Fendi Spy
The Fendi S/S 06 'Spy' Bag is priced starting at $2,100 and is a favorite of style stars like Hilary Duff and Linda Evangelista. It's notorious status is caused partly by it's enormous waiting list, which can last up to 3 years.
8. YSL Muse
The Yves Saint Laurent muse is a status bag of the highest quality. Crafted out of the finest embossed leather, this oversize structured tote features expertly minimalist gold hardware and is often carried by celebrities such as Katie Holmes, Lindsay Lohan, Kate Moss and Jessica Alba.
9. Prada Gauffre
One of the latest "It-bags" to hit the market is the Fall/Winter 06/07 Prada Gauffre. Victoria Beckham, Halle Berry, Beyonce and Madonna have all been photographed with theirs. It is made of Nappa leather.
10. Louis Vuitton Monogram Speedy 30
The Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas Speedy 30 is more of a mainstay classic than a trend, but that doesn't stop it from maintaining "must-have" status all year round! Jessica Simpson carries hers practically every day. It is the ideal city bag, featuring a roomy interior with natural cowhide exterior and golden hardware.

THE 2.55 purse

as i continue to peruse the internet for another bag to gawk at, i'm beginning to realize a few must haves...you MUST have a chloe paddington satchel because it's young and hot, AS WELL as a chanel 2.55 purse, aka chanel classic flap bag.

but here is a question to think about regarding this bag though. does it look "old lady-ish?" i like it's shape, the quilting can be hot, BUT sometimes not depending on the leather/skin being used...the lambskin looks the best to me (err..from the pics i mean. i have yet to venture into a boutique) because it looks soooooo soft. the caviar seems a bit hard, but durable and won't scratch easily. so if you are a practical fashionista, then going with the caviar might be the best bet...and patent leather...no thanks. the chanel 2.55 is a timeless purse though. people have been rocking this since the 50s. it can be a DRESSY bag as well as a casual one...depending on what you wear i suppose.

knowing me, i would probably want an off color one, a baby blue, a bourdeaux (red), an orange, or a purple. but the practical choice would be to have JUST ONE CHANEL bag in black. i would pick the caviar (though the lambskin looks sooooo good) in either of these two sizes because unlike many women, i can exist with just my wallet, cell phone, and ipod in my bag. the two size choices for me would be:

A302224: - The Baby 7.5 W x 5.75 H x 1.75 D inches **good size!** OR

A302225: - Small 9.75" x 7.06" x 2.16"

is this the "little black bag" that i have been looking for?

here's my dangerous thought. i would want to buy a black one to be practical, BUT i would also want to buy a red one out of LOVE. *tisk, tisk*