Today’s my birthday. Yesterday was my wedding anniversary.
I’m not telling you this because I want your adoring Birthversary wishes (although, I kind of do), I’m telling you because I want free reign to talk about something completely materialistic and shallow in peace.
(This coming from the girl who talks about hair all day.)
I’m sitting here, completely present-less and it’s all my fault. I know some lovely people (namely, my husband) who would very much like to bestow a gift or two, but I can’t make up my mind. Meh, meh and MEH.
I need a new purse. Okay, I want a new purse.
Here’s the deal. When it comes to handbags, I guess you could say I like classic ones. I’m not the type to switch out my bag on different days, so the bag I choose is relatively important due to the fact that it will be on my shoulder for the next couple of years. Plus, the KICKER. I want to be able to pull it out of a dustbag in ten years and still think it’s cute. (Updated to add: I also occasionally sell my bags on eBay, and LVs have a great resale value.)
This is my current bag:
Oh, my trusty Louis Vuitton bag. You have served me well, my friend. It’s not you, it’s me! I swear!
(Have I ever told you about my fabulous boss who called my Louis Vuitton a “Vicki Lawrence”? I would walk into a breakfast meeting and in his fiercest voice, he would croon, “Girrrls working her Vicki Lawrence today!” God, I miss him.)
Well, Vicki, it actually is you…you see, the wide strap falls off my shoulder when I bend over to pick up Wito, and considering I am constantly picking up Wito, this is a problem. I need straps that will stay put. So, I’ve been putting in some time at the local Louis Vuitton store. (And when I say “time”, I mean the sales associates run for cover when I walk in, whispering “the girl with the baby and ALL OF THE QUESTIONS is here. Again.”)
I’ve tried every single bag, pulling the stuff out, putting weight in it, bending over to pick up Wito, looking in the mirror, rinse and repeat. Like a hundred times, but I’m SORRY people! We’re talking a hefty amount of cash here- I want to make the right decision.
After much hemming and hawing, I decided on this style:
The straps stay put, it’s not too big, not too small. Yee haw. *yawning*
I thought my decision was made until I saw this yesterday:
Sure, it’s not the most “classic” style, but I think I’m in love. Plus, my adoration for gray leather knows no limits. And do you know what? I’m only 33 years old – I have the rest of my life to carry a Vicki Lawrence! Plus, did I mention my lovely parents gave me this bag for my birthday a couple of years ago? Do I really need another?
People, I’ve looked everywhere. I don’t like lots of hardware, grommets, etc. I don’t like black. I don’t like LOTS OF THINGS. I think this gray bag and I were meant to be together.
Do you like the gray bag? If not, do you have any other suggestions for me?
It’s my birthday, damn it. Halp!
Oh boy, a comment to share
Happy birthday, Whoorl of the beautiful hair!
oh, the gray bag yes, from the bottom of my heart a million times YES!
don’t worry, i won’t come between you two. i’ll move aside. it IS your birthday, after all.
I was planning to fawn all over your gray bag choice until I say a pp mention some complaints about it. Darn! The LV is classic and gorgeous, but I definitely like the look and style of the gray bag better. Best wishes in your bag search!
And most important of all, happy birthday dahling!
Delurking to say… if you like LV but already have 2 LVs, what about a Goyard? I’m not sure if they’re more, price-wise, or not… Not sure where you can get them out there. Here (NYC) it’s just at Bergdorf’s and Bendels. Maybe there’s a shop in South Coast? They’d be nuts to be missing out on that cash cow if not.
Also, of the two, I vote gray! very cool.
Happy Birthday and Anniversary!
I read the above comments and so want to go with the majority and say get the grey bag, I love it! But I read the one that said it isn’t practical and ouch. Keep looking for a different grey bag because now, I love grey and LV will be around forever.
And now I totally understand the $100 hairbrush recommendation.
I hear all the caution, but just get the gray bag. If you end up hating it for open/close issues, trade it in. Christmas is coming!
I love the gray bag but if it doesn’t open and close well, then that could be a problem. Can you imagine having to fight to get it open with a child on your hip! Happy Birthday/Anniversary!
Kristabella – it’s not just you! I too think of the Happy Anniversary song from the Flinstones!
Hell to the yes on the gray bag. I’m going to pretend I never saw it, otherwise I may have to become obsessed over it, and the husband is already a bit over me and my obsessions (including the ripped out Target ad photo of the $549.95 camera that I have strategically posted next to the computer and JUST WON’T SHUT UP ABOUT AHHH.).
So, there. I love the bag.
And thus ends my love affair with said bag.
Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you….
Happy anniversary, happy anniversary, happeeeee anniversary!!!
I say go with the gray. The LV has a narrow top and may be more difficult to find/add/remove things from it.
get the LV. seriously, its not going to disappoint you. fall collections this year are all over the place and there are very few classic ones in the bunch. LV is not OC – its also very popular in Europe as a staple.
when you are out of the toddler woods then you can funk it up with trendy impractical styles!
Happy Birthday! And gray bag all the friggin way. That bag is gorgeous… AND DIFFERENT. Sometimes? I want to throw things at all of you LV people and ask you to expand your horizons a bit.
So, you already have a classic LV bag, and so I think that you should go for the grey one. That being said….I do love the LV bag you chose. And, I like how durable the LV is, and does not get scuffs and/or stains like other lighter colored leather bags can get. Can you see if the grey one is easy for you to open and close? Is it that much of a big deal for you especially since your hands are already full opening and closing the diaper bag and grabbing things for Wito out of there? I find myself spending way more time going in and out of a diaper bag vs my regular purse…Okay, so on another note Happy Anniversary ( I knew it was the Mauna Lani right when I saw the photos. We went there a couple of years ago, and we stayed at the Mauna Lani Terrace for two weeks in September–you should go there with Wito– if you have any question s about the terrace and going there with a little one let me know!) Oh yes, and Happy Birthday!!!
Gray is the IT color this fall. Go for it, girl! BTW, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your site. Ran across it somehow, and now I am addicted. My son is 2 months old, and I love watching WITO grow and change, so I know what to look forward to.
Vicki Lawrence! Bwah, I’d forgotten that story. And I still love it.
Happy Annivirthday!
Happy Birthday and Anniversary!! Big week for you!!
And go with the grey bag… LOVE IT! I have a grey purse (plastic cheapie from Tar-zet, not classy like yours) and it goes with so much … more than you’d imagine. GO FOR IT!!
Get them both. The gray bag (adorable!) for your birthday–impulsive, fun, just for you. The LV for your anniversary–timeless, classic, will last forever.
I can justify any expense when it comes to handbags.
Handbag Wednesdays in the future? Hmmm? HMMMM?
big big vote for the gray one. more personality, and i think much much more beautiful.
happy birthday!
Gray, gray, all the way! Gooooo, gray! Yay!
PS: Happy birthday!
Happy birthday!
The grey one – go for the grey one. Much more stylish and fun. The grey one is the one you want to see in pictures 25 years from now. It’s the kind of bag you wish your mother had had once and kept so you could find it all those years later and start using again.
The grey one – go for the grey one!
totally go with the gray bag.
Happy Birthday AND Anniversary!
And I’ll add that I love the gray bag. The little bit of red just makes it that much yummier!
I love the JCrew bag that deb posted earlier, but what I really must know is, why did you get married one day before you birthday? Any special reason, or did it just work out that way?
It just worked out that way, and interestingly enough, my sister got married the day before her birthday in November.
However, she’s taking it a step further- her anniversary is the 22nd, birthday is the 23rd and the due date of her first baby is the 25th. November is big in our family.
yes, love the grey bag. no comparison. soooooo much cooler. i want it. love it. don’t even consider another old fuddy duddy LV.
I have a Cabas Piano LV, which has similar straps to the bag above (which I’ve seen in person and WANT BADLY) The straps are always falling off my shoulder. It’s pretty annoying. Maybe it’s because the drop is not long enough? I don’t know.
And I was recently in NYC and EV-ER-Y-ONE has monogram canvas LV. It’s much worse than in LA/OC, and that’s saying something!
Happy Birthday and Happy Day after your Anniversary!
The gray bag is so pretty and cool.
Happy Birthday/Anniversary, Whoorl!
I agree that the gray bag is a winner – and Orla Kiely rocks. But for me, the buckle deal would give me pause because I’m the kind of girl who requires zip-top access. Give it a test-run around the store and see if it makes you crazy.
I have no advice on the purse front, but I do want to say Happy Birthday!
I guess the grey bag is the most fantastic thing I’ve ever seen. Happy birthaversary.
First, happy happy birthversary to you! Second, I vote for the gray! LOVE it. LOVELOVELOVE.
I carried a gray bag like that for a year and adored it. It goes with EVERYTHING. Also, happy happy!
Happy BirthAnniversary!!! (You’re the only other person I’ve ever…met (?) who says some sort of Birthversary/BirthAnniversary. Awesome.)
Meh, LV’s. I’m over them.
Grey one, pretty damn cute. Love the little touches of color but I see someone has said it’s not so functional. I love me some bags and purses. I’m the same way about carrying one for a long time (months and months, not years!) so GOOOOOOOD LUUUUCK. I’m a Picky mo-fo when it comes to bags and purses. I feel yo pain.
my hand got tired from scrolling to the bottom of the comments. I barely made it here. pant pant. why are you friends with me again?
While the thought of spending 900 dollars on a bag kinda makes me short of breath, I would go for the LV alma…is that what that one is? Not crazy about the gray bag…sorry:) Happy birthday doll!
When I saw that gray bag, I GASPED. Audibly. In my cube. I love it.
i vote for the grey. i just got a grey botkier? it has two short handles and one long. i love grey as well. i think you should step away from the louis, how about a goyard? i just got a yellow one they are fun, classic and come in a variety of colors!
I have no idea what to suggest as far as bags go. But happy birthday!! mwah!
Well, I am not a LV fan… too many people carry the fake ones and they have ruined it for us all (see also, Coach). I don’t like “brand names” displayed on bags – I like the thrill of having a bag that people have to ask about.
So, I am IN LOVE with Jack Georges bags. I got this one for fall a few months ago: http://www.jackgeorges.com/products/Lexington_Collection_8926_Tiffany_Bag-294-68.html in navy and LOVE IT. I have used it every day, flown about 8 times with it, and it looks brand new.
Good luck, and happy birthdayversary!
Enough with Vicki! The grey bag is also very classic! Go for it. I think that she’s sexy! Of course you’ll need to name her. I’m thinking Sexie Sadie!
The grey bag is super cute and looks like it would fit all the essentials plus cheerios and a few toys for the road.
What I really want to comment on is your wedding pictures. They’re gorgeous, as are you AND your husband! Wito is gonna be a heart breaker with your genes!
If ever a post required voting buttons, its this one.
If you have two special occassions – a birthday and an anniversary – perhaps you should have TWO BAGS! Get them both! Also I hear Christmas is coming up.
Happy Birthday & Anniversary I say GET both:) you deserve em’:)
Love the gray – you need a change!
Vicki Lawrence – heh, I love it!
Your wedding photos are absolutely stunning, thank you for sharing!
I love the grey, not so much a fan of LV. Will you let us know what you end up deciding?
November 5th is my wedding anniversary, too. And I love your blog. Especially the play-by-play styling instructions.
Too wonderful for words, really.
The bag issue is a hard one, isn’t it? I adore well structured bags and Louis does it well – but I think I’m over the LV.
While I search for a new love, I’m a big fan of Lodis (especially the wallets). It’s served me well for awhile now.
Do tell us what you end up choosing!
Happy Birthday to you…..it was mine yesterday, my heart skipped a little beat for ya…..I love having a Nov. birthday, its a great time of year…. I think your choice for the grey bag is sweeeeet……it looks soft and delicious. I could stare at purses for hours and hours sometimes, they seem to be an endless source of entertainment. I recently went back to work, and got to buy bags for carrying my laptop…….and I had some very specific criteria. Isn’t that the most glorious part of being a woman, we can be completely picky and get away with it in the most adoringly way……
Hope you have had a great day…..
Heidi
This is way over my frugal little head. I buy my purses at TJ Maxx.
happy bday and anniv! (november brides unite!)
maybe I missed it, but where is the gray purse from. i ADORE it, and I am very purse-picky.
Yay Happy Birthday! My fellow November Baby. I have to say that yes, I do like the gray bag. HOWEVER those straps look a little short. I point this out because I recently was bestowed a bag of my own which I LOVE and, admittedly, picked out myself. Like you, I use it every day. It holds everything in my world from sippy cups to lip gloss and it’s perfect. Except for those darn double straps that are just a LITTLE too short especially when the bag is filled with kid stuff and it’s always a hassle to get both of those straps onto my shoulder at once and every time I pick up my little Christopher it ends up hanging from the crook of my elbow. How’s that for a run on? Anyway, those are my thoughts. I say check it out as thoroughly or more than you have your LV’s. But it IS cute. Happy BirthAnniversary!
My name is also Sarah, and my birthday was November 2nd (although I’m 2 years older :( ).
I love ‘bags’, but it took me a looonnng time to feel comfortable spending more than $100. A Coach bag was my first splurge to myself. The fact that I went for a labely purse, was kind of a surprise to me, especially since I never thought I was a fan of branding, like the LV purse. I understand the desire for a timeless classic, but honestly like the grey purse soooo much better. If I saw you with the new LV, I would not make a comment, but the grey bag would envily prompt – “Where did you get that??!!!” Isn’t that what having a hot new bag is all about?
Can’t believe I’m weighing in on this and that you might be reading all these comments — about a purse!! What about Coach bags? Might there be any in grey? I’m all about black bags and not a big fan of LV – they’re everywhere — but love Coach. Class, simple styles. And maybe baby-proof.
Good luck!