If I had all the money in the world…I’d own this handbag.
Since we haven’t won the lottery yet and still need to pay the mortgage I’ve settled on a similar version of this big girl handbag that I scored on super sale when Danier Leather went out of business recently. I’m still sad over the loss of yet another great Canadian brand.
I call the handbag my big girl handbag due to the classic styling. It’s not too traditional though, I think the bold blue is a bit of a twist.
The Big Girl Handbag Story
We went during the first week of the going-out-of-business sale at Danier Leather and this bag was reduced to 50% off which made it around $300 with the tax and still too rich for my blood. I chose to wait till the price went lower, crossing my fingers it would still be available.
My enabler husband ensured we returned to the store when the prices were reduced to 80% off to see if I might still find my handbag. Funny enough he managed to find a new leather satchel for himself …interesting how that works.
Anyhow I was hugely disappointed to see that no, in fact my bag was gone and only a few dejected greige handbags were left. You all know how I feel about greige.
Utterly crushed I wandered aimlessly around the store. I happened to notice another woman walking around holding three different handbags excitedly exclaiming very loudly,
“Well I have to treat myself! I deserve all three!“
In her hands was my handbag and two others. I think my heart skipped a beat. (You know you have a shopping problem when…) I casually hovered around her, not wanting to be too creepy-stalker-like, but ready to pounce like a Ninja Rabbit should she put the bag down or leave it unattended for a nanosecond. I was getting nervous and sweaty following her around, trying to be nonchalant and disinterested all the while my blood pressure was making my face turn red and I thought my head might explode due to brain overexertion willing her to just, “Put it the F down!”
But nope, it wasn’t to be.
She was delighted with her treasures and made her way to the cash to pay.
My heart sank.
My handbag was waving good bye.
I think a small sob might have escaped my chest at that moment.
My dream of owning a Big Girl Handbag was leaving with the lady that deserved three Big Girl Handbags.
And then…
in a state of shock and disbelief,
while getting out her credit card,
as if a magic fairy had tapped her on the shoulder and instructed her she didn’t need all three bags,
the woman had a change of heart and decided she no longer wanted that bag, my bag!
It was a handbag miracle!
The Big Girl Handbag Gods were smiling on me that day my friends.
I didn’t want to seem too desperate (ha! too late methinks) so I waited till after she left to ask if the bag was still available. When they said yes, like the crazed style blogger that I am, I snatched it up and held it tightly to my chest like a new born baby pug.
Eureka!
And that my friends is how I ended up with my very own Big Girl Handbag at 70% off.
Added bonus…it also has a shoulder strap. Ha!
The handbag is certainly the splurge in this outfit. The skirt (JCrew) and the top, 100% cotton by Paper Dolls, a brand I’ve never heard of before, were both thrifted on the same day. I’ve lusted after JCrew pencil skirts for a while now. The skirt is a tad large but I’m enjoying the extra comfort that provides.
I hand washed this wool skirt and it came out fantastic! I laid it flat to dry and pressed it a bit afterwards on low. I always toss whatever I buy thrifted into the dryer for 15 minutes to kill any possibility of bed bugs and this skirt was no exception. Now the icky thrift store smell is gone. How I hate that smell.
I’ve combined two brooches on my lapel, a vintage brooch in gold and white and the handmade satin flower brooch I made myself.
Have you ever stalked another person in a store for something you wanted?
What is your dream handbag?
Linking up with Visible Monday, I Will Wear What I Like, Turning Heads Tuesday, Sheela Writes
I love the bag! –Hanna Lei
Latest Post: Outfit: Floral Skirt + Stefilia’s Stone Necklace
Oh dear, we have the same dream handbag… I’d like mine in a different colour, though, maybe red…
And good for you for scoring such a pretty Big Girl Handbag! And thanks for the tip on how to get rid of the trift store smell! Maybe I will finally find courage to go thrifting…
LOVED this story. Totally did this same thing, but my addiction is shoes. I wandered around all nonchalant like after a woman carrying a pair of stuart weitzman pointed toe Leopard print flats on clearance for $49 in my size!! I just knew she didn’t want them the way I did ( sure, I might need therapy) and when she decided against them for a pair of Nike walking shoes (see previous comments about her level of desire vs mine) i seized them. Love them to this day.
Omg., i loved this story. I was holding my breath till you got that bag. And it is indeed fabulous, along with that very chic pencil skirt (thanks for the cleaning tips too). I love it that your husband is an enabler; mine does keep buying the wine. xox
Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Loved reading the adventure story behind your handbag and I’m so glad it ended well! It was meant to be!
Sherry
http://www.petiteover40.com
Since I knew the ending (since you had the handbag pictured) it made reading the story much more manageable—(I hate sad endings)!!
I admit that I don’t yearn over handbags…I’m an anomaly and carry them only to have a carrier for my stuff! Although that’s changing a little now that I’ve been blogging.
I am loving your yellow skirt—I have one too, that has gotten much more usage than I thought it would!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
ps..my husband complains about that thrift store smell too—do you know what it is?
Oh, it must have been meant to be! It’s a fabulous bag, modern yet iconic, and suits your style beautifully.
Thank goodness that woman saw the error of her ways and that you were able to get that bag. Its fabulous. The colour is wonderful, if you’re going to have a high end accessory you’ve got to get it in a colour that can’t be missed.
Love the crazy colour combo of your outfit, a veritable rainbow.
Those Birkin bags have a hideous history of cruelty, if you ever do win millions do your research, I think you’ll go off owning one. xxxx
You look sooooooooooooooo very Gucci, and I do BELIEVE IN miracles, mainly related to handbags, lol
I have never heard the expression ” too rich for my blood” I love it.
You look FANTASTICCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
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Your outfit is beauteous! I love the rainbow of happy colors and your big girl bag adds the perfect finishing touch.
I also have a yellow skirt; it’s a bit more neon yellow but I’m amazed at how versatile it is.
I’m thinkin “karma” and also the handbag fairies were clearly looking after you that day.
Have I ever been a store stalker??? Silly questions since we both think exactly the same. And I most certainly would have done it for this “big girl handbag”. Great bag, great color, and fantastic way of styling it! Love the entire outfit. So glad to hear the skirt came out fine with hand washing and no shrinking? I own several jcrew pencil skirts and have thought of handwashing them since I really hate the drycleaning chemicals they use.
I’m not sure which is better this fantastic shopping story or the way the mustard yellow and pink work together with this outfit 😀
That is my dream bag, too. Back in the 1980’s I worked across the street from a little old leather shop that had several Birkin bags for sale. In those days they were still in the $100s rather than the $1000s. I used to visit them frequently and try to think of ways of justifying spending so much on a bag. I never did but when I think back on the price I Should Have Done It! Augh!! I am so happy that the handbag fairy is looking out for you. And the pencil skirt fairy. And the looking fabulous fairy!
Oh, Suzanne, I’m so proud of you, nabbing that big girl handbag!
Have I ever stalked anyone for clothing? It was a muppet coat, bold black and white check, maybe $15. A woman right in front of me nabbed it. Ooooh. Even my googly-eyed stare didn’t scare her into dropping it.
I love your bold colourful outfit, set off so magnificently of course with that BIG GIRL HANDBAG. Yes, very sad that yet another Canadian store bites the dust. Are there any Canadian stores LEFT!??
That really is a handbag miracle story. I’m just really not a fan of purses, although I am pretty fond of my strawberry print purse at present, which I found in Cambodia. I decided not to get it, and then went back to the store a few days later with a change of heart, only to be sad because the strawberry print purse was gone. 🙁 And then a month later on my birthday I found out that my sister had sneakily bought it for me. Good thing there was only one or I probably would have two of the same purse…
YAY!
Congratulations on bagging your bag. :oD
I once wrestled a woman in a bargain bucket at Jenners (A beautiful old department store in Edinburgh) for a cashmere scarf.
She had one end I had the other…..grrrr
I had it first and was not backing down.
She may have had all of the designer gear and plenty of cash to splash.
But, I had the determination and an eye for a fantastic bargain.
I out eyebrow-raised her :oP
I wore that scarf to death….
XXX
Samantha
I love shopping stories like this because I can totally relate. I have been known to follow someone around a store hoping they would put something back that I was coveting. Sometimes it works in my favor and when it does, it totally makes my day. So store stalking is a good thing in my book.
I also think it is so cool that your husband encourages you to shop!
As far as the dryer for bed bugs, whether the item comes from the thrift or anywhere else, whenever I bring a piece of clothing into my home it either gets washed right away or put in the dryer. Bed bugs have been found in so many retail stores I’m not taking any chances!
I actually prefer your handbag to your dream one so I’m so relieved your story had a happy ending. It clearly went to the right person. And even better that it had a shoulder strap.
Oh, I’ve done the lurking/stalker thing so many times. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose but I never give up!
http://petitesilvervixen.blogspot.co.uk/
I love your stories. They’re so engrossing and entertaining. Thanks for taking us with you on your adventures.
You totally deserve this bag and maybe a Birkin too! This bag was totally meant to be. My dream bag…there may be several. I almost pulled the trigger to buy a Chanel quilted bag but I chickened out the last minute. I have been wanting a Birkin of course be have been thinking about the Evelyn Hermes bag too. I love high end bags but I am not sure if I will be ever willing to spend that kind of money on one.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
I love your stories! Feeling a bit better now, but it had to be, after 8 days in bed. This swine flu is horrific. I certainly have stalked someone, for sure, thinking the same as you did! But also funy is when I want to try coats and leave mine “around” and when I see, someone is examining it, to maybe buy it 🙂 I have to say, no no, this one is mine 🙂 Hahaha! I am so glad that you got the bag you so much wanted, and I can totally understand you! You look beautiful and happy 🙂 Loved the top, too! Bisous!
DenisesPlanet.com
I like your big girl handbag better than the Birkin. The color is gorgeous. I have been known to stalk other shoppers on many occasions – but I’ve never been as lucky as you. It was definitely a handbag miracle :)!
That is a very sharp “Big Girl” handbag, and it was obviously meant to be yours. The colour is gorgeous, and I can see it working with so many of your outfits.
I don’t think I’ve ever stalked anyone for an item of clothing or an accessory.
I love your story about how you bought your fabulous bag (yes, it’s The Bag, elegant, classic and absolutely cool too), and how you were walking around the girl waiting any chance!, mwhaha I should do it too!. The hardest part is to look disinterested meanwhile you’re keeping a watchful eye on the piece she’s carrying!!
Lovely color combo, such an amazing yellow skirt, and fabulous red details!, you look gorgeous and pretty elegant!
besos
(I don’t own a dryer, so I’m used to put anything I thrift in the deep-freezer for some weeks, particularly if it’s wool or anything I can’t wash in hot water)
Oh yes I have… hahaha. Stalked like hell. Sometimes I lucked out, sometimes I didn’t. (Yes I did it more than once.)
I love the bag and the whole outfit. Oh I can so imagine your delight when you got it. There is such a delight in getting something which you think is never going to be yours.
Greetje
Congrats on this purchase. The bag is elegant and so utterly grown up, and it’s bound to be an asset to your closet. I think we’ve all done our fair share of stalking and I was also stalked while I was in Ireland carrying a cute little handbag around a charity shop while I checked out the rest of the stock. My sister eventually told the woman to back off (in the nicest possible of ways) as Of Course I was going to buy it! Your ensemble is very chic today, with a bit of a French air to it. The blazer perhaps or that classy pencil skirt? And the red shoes are adorable too x
Anna
http://www.annasislandstyle.com