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