Mulling Over My Mulberry

I absolutely love this Mulberry tote. I bought it over a year ago. The shape was perfect for work and I could carry my whole life with me (ballet slippers, newspapers, cosmetic bag, laptop, etc.) However, because I did not read the card that came with the bag careful enough, I did not conceive how delicate the leather is and therefore, did not treat it accordingly.

You see, this bag crossed continents, went from West Side to East day after day in the summer heat, sat on benches, ledges, and any other small semi-dirt free spot you can manage to find in this city. Now my beloved tote is breaking at the piping. There's sad streaks and stains across the (once) cream-colored (still) buttery leather. 

But when you love something you don't just throw it out, especially a 4 figure something. About five blocks away from my apartment is a leather repair shop. I was told that they think they can fully restore the tote, but can't make any promises since the bag is so light. They also said that it's not going to be cheap. Should I invest any more money into this bag and try to save it or walk away from it as a lesson learned? What would you do?

The Perennial Bag

Long gone are the days of the "it" bag craze, though I never bought into "it" anyway. I'm not the biggest cultivator of Vuitton: I don't entirely identify with the Louis aesthetic - which is not to say that it's not a lovely one. However, this shoulder bag is an oldie but goodie. It has the ideal running around town, nothing to weigh me down size. It is the perfect complement to colorful summer nights and can be worn equally well with winter whites. (I promise that was not an intentional rhyme). Now that is a sartorial "it" I can get behind.

Coordinating Color

No one likes matchy matchy, though I do prefer a hint of coordination in an outfit - organized chaos is even better. I love that my nails matched my bag just perfectly today. And onto more things Chanel, I was answering emails when their newsletter dropped into my inbox. There's a coral-pinkish lipstick (almost orange meets fuchsia) inspired by the shades of Saint-Tropez that I must get my hands on. Now, if only I can find a spring bag equal in color to this lipstick.

Perhaps one of the following will do:

Burak Uyan shoulder bag (spring collection)

Marc Jacobs clutch (spring collection)

Chloe shoulder bag  (spring collection)

Kotur evening bag

...I have plenty of time to ruminate.

Tschüss!
Mari

What's In Mari's Shopping Basket - 11/12

Today's shopping bag is eclectic. Some blue tassel earrings by Oscar de la Renta, that add oomph to a neutral outfit or that extra dazzle to an over-the-top look. Two black sweaters: one for day (Bottega Veneta) and one for night (Malandrino) - love love love this sweater! I always stick my laptop in my bag as is, the titanium Mac seems to withstand a lot. But because of that, I always tend to purchase bags that must fit my laptop. In order to end this bad habit, I'm finally buying a laptop case, see Mulberry Bayswater patent-leather case below. While I was browsing through my favorite online shopping site, I gravitated toward this Alexander Wang Diego leather bucket bag in burgundy. This bag is totally not me, but there's something about it that seduced me. So I'm still deciding whether or not to get it. Knowing how fast these things (Wang) go... I give myself a 3-hour window before I lose it... 3 hours to decide - to bucket or not to bucket?

Chloé On My Mind Part II

As I've stated before on my blog, I'm both a beloved fan and customer of Chloé. Two things I've already started saving up for: this three-quarter-sleeve top and leather bow-shaped handbag in black (Hannah MacGibbons offers it in white as well) . The top is a corporate girl's dream, because throughout the day you can wear it with a jacket/cardigan/blazer, and then after work for drinks or a dinner meeting, take off the outerwear and instantly turn on the sexy by revealing the open back. Mulling over these runway images again, makes me feel like a kid in a candy store. 

Photo: GoRunway.com

Photo: GoRunway.com

In My Closet: Fendi, Mio Amore

I swear by this bag. You can take it ANYWHERE.