I have been a purse buying tear over the last year and a half. I went from not buying any for years to suddenly racking up a total of seven. It started somewhere around the time that I made this purchase.

After I bought that bag, Coach kept sending me coupons. So I bought a couple more purses – they do come in so many different and pleasing colors and styles – and a wallet. And then I picked up this out of season Kate Spade bag I’d always liked on eBay. This spring I made my slightly tipsy assertion in Vegas that I was going to go gamble and win money so I could buy a Louis Vuitton purse. Well, I never did win any money. Gambling is just not fun for me. At one point, bored and bitter after my flight got delayed I was actually up about $17 on the slots at the airport, but $17 isn’t getting me any purses. Actually eBay came through again there, and I acquired a Cabas Piano bag that I absolutely love. It is the perfect size, shape and weight purse. Seriously, if that thing ever wears out, I’m buying another one. That’s how much I love it.

Lately I’ve been eyeing an absolutely adorable red patent leather LAMB bag. I’ve wanted something red patent leather for a while. I could never quite justify spending money on shoes though, because really, how much use am I going to get out of red patent leather shoes? A bag, however...

So I watched it for a while. Then I found out my friend Laila had bought the exact bag I wanted, but in green. She loved hers. Still, I waited. I was very disappointed in Nordstrom for not including it in their Half-Yearly sale. I even dragged poor Becky in to my obsession with this bag. Which is why, when she got a coupon from Bloomingdales today for a 15% discount and free shipping, she immediately sent it my way. And I pounced. My new bag arrives on Monday!

But that is it. I am done with buying purses for a good long while. I have enough. I have more than enough! In fact, I just remembered I bought a clutch to take to England with me, which brings my total up to eight.

There are two exceptions to this rule, which I will lay out ahead of time.

1) Should I actually ever get knocked up, I reserve the right to spend a ridiculous amount of money (ridiculous to be defined by me) on a diaper bag

2) In the extremely unlikely event that I get invited to a fancy shindig, I may need to buy an evening bag

Aside from that though, I am publicly declaring a purse moratorium. You all heard me. I'll just have to find something else to blow money on. Or perhaps I'll try this newfangled thing I've heard about called "not spending money on fripperies."

Posted by Bad Penguin at August 20, 2008 11:24 PM