I love shoes and purses. That’s a fact. So when I realized I’d be in Las Vegas when I turned sixty last spring, I decided I might just treat myself to a new purse. But not just any purse. A Louie. I’ve adored Louis Vuitton purses since I was a little girl turning the pages of Glamour and Vogue magazines. I had always dreamed of owning a real Louis Vuitton purse. So what better place to buy one than Vegas?
As it turned out, Vegas is where I broke things off with Louie. My wonderful agent invited me to lunch at a great Italian restaurant and we decided to shop afterwards. I told her I was considering buying a Louis Vuitton. She got excited and when we came upon the store, I was in awe. I’d visited one of the stores before and knew the drill. The sales associates aren’t very friendly and you don’t dare ask the price of anything. But we went inside and stared up at the beautifully displayed handbags. She received a call from the airline about her flight home and stepped outside. I looked at several purses and wondered which one I could truly afford. But honestly, after the associates glanced at me as if I were an annoying gnat, I got a bit discouraged. I kept thinking of that scene in the movie “Pretty Woman” where Julia Roberts goes to a fancy store on Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles and is treated beyond mean by the associates. Not that I’m Julia Roberts, but I could identify with her. I wanted to go buy a Kate Spade purse and come back and quote Julia. “Big mistake. Big. Huge. I have to go shopping now.”
© Oliver7perez Dreamstime.com – Louis Vuitton Window Display Photo
But I didn’t do that. I looked at all the pretty purses and smiled to myself and thought, “What are you doing? You have purses. And what you’d pay for one of these can buy a whole new bedroom set for your new house. Or better yet, make a nice donation to a worthy charity.”
So I smiled at the not so friendly but surprised associates and said in my best Southern drawl, “Thank y’all so much.” And I walked out the door. We did look at the Kate Spade purses which were at least more affordable, but I didn’t buy one of those either. We wound up in Macy’s where I found a perfectly pretty purse with butterflies on it for half-price. And later I found the matching wristlet wallet and still paid a fraction of what I would have paid for a Louis Vuitton.
So, while I still admire Louis Vuitton purses, I am so over them. And Coach and Michael Kors and maybe even Kate Spade. Why did I want a Louie so much in the first place? To prove to the world I could have one? To make myself feel better about life in general? To show everyone who ever teased me about ugly purses that I could afford more now? Probably a little of all of those things. But I’m beyond all of those things. I’m blessed to have more than one purse and a closet full of shoes. I’m blessed to live in a comfortable home in a country that lets me choose what I want to buy and wear. I’m blessed to write the kind of books I love and I’m blessed to have so many great writer friends to support me and encourage me and to keep me on the straight and narrow. I don’t need someone else’s name on my handbag. I like butterflies on my handbag much better. They make me smile.
Have you ever had a purse crisis? Have you ever bought an expensive purse? What is your favorite purse?
“Throw in your lot with us, We shall all have one purse.” Proverbs 1:14
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hello from france, no vuitton bags are to be seen around here. they are for corporate gifts, tourists, divorced women with huge alimony, and show business (they often have them for free). vuitton is showy and platitudinous at the same time. with ordinary, everyday clothes it’s a masterpiece of bad taste. it attracts thieves by the way. you’re never quiet since your purse is worth 2000 $ and e-bay exists… 😀
Thank you, Karine!! That seals it. I love how French women dress so I will follow your lead. My instincts were right!!love your name!! Glad you posted this!
Love this! We hold a purse auction each year to raise money for a children’s book program. It is fun to see the women donate money wildly to benefit children and buy a fancy purse! I, myself, don’t own a Louie and relate to your feelings! The power we have to give place to objects astounds me.
Y s. And I’m going to use my power for something more substantial I hope. I used to be on the board of our local Dress for Success. I helped dress women to get them back into the work place. Looking pulled together makes all the difference. But it was even more rewarding to see their new confidence!! That is the brand that is priceless.
Great post, Lenora. And proud of you! I’ve never been much of a purse or shoe person. Just give me functional. I’m actually trying to learn to carry smaller bags so that I’ll stop ruining my shoulder. I’m sure I don’t need everything I haul along with me, but I think I do. 😉
Thanks, Robin. I’m doing the same. Just the essentials in a small purse. Mostly, my medical insurance card and some lipstick!! I’m slowly weeding out my purse collection, too. Beach living makes me a more casual person!! And yes, my aching back and shoulders can’t handle a lot of weight. Or maybe it’s the weight of having too much of a good thing. 🙂
I love how you ended your blog with that verse. Very creative. Love the pun. Did you know that Jewish culture and also in the scriptures there is a lot of puns. God has a way of using words even within a single verse with so many different meanings. Isn’t He wonderful!?!
Yes, Jennifer. The Bible is so beautifully perfect. After all Christ wore the original sandals, right? I can always find encouragement there. Even when I’m letting go of some of my misguided dreams.
Loved this blog! No I don’t have an expensive purse or shoes. Not my thing. I do have a desire for other things though and also find myself thinking about who or what else could use the money. I have been told that I should indulge my desires since I can but I remember times when I couldn’t and dreamed of being able to add mushrooms to a casserole when that was an unthinkable luxury.
God is good and mushrooms and a shelf of bags and shoes is a way of life with enough to help others as well.
Thanks for sharing your lesson with us.
Jen, I feel the same. I grew up on a farm. We had plenty of food but we were not rich. I tried to run away from that life but now I thank God for it. It makes me appreciate what I have and I never take it for granted. I do have a steadfast rule. When I buy something new, I give something away. Pass it on. I think of each object as a blessing that I can share with someone else. I say a little prayer and imagine someone loving what I have enjoyed. It makes me glad that I am more able to help others.
Isn’t that true? We all desire things that just maybe aren’t what we need. I love though that God directs our desires if we let him and he always gives good things – sometimes mushrooms, sometimes a new purse, sometimes just contentment in what we already have!
Love this post!
I decided long ago that it didn’t make sense for me to carry my empty wallet in an expensive purse! 😳
I had rotator cuff surgery a year ago and, out of necessity, have made myself carry a smaller purse. I love my Lily Bloom bags. They are so lightweight and cute and not very costly! 😊
Melissa, Lily Blooms are adorable. Sounds lovely. Rotator cup pain is not fun!! You are wise to be careful. Thank you!!
I agree, I rather have a cute & fun purse/wallet than something that expensive. More fun things to do with that money – if I had that kind of money
Hello…..I am a Dooney&Bourke fan.I just love the quality and they last forever.I buy mine at a fraction of the cost on ebay.
Good choice. They are reasonably affordable. I’ve never owned one but I do stop and admire them in the store 🙂
I’m over brand names unless I can get them at a resale or consignment shop, like I did when I got my first and only Coach bag for $6.
That was a good deal 😉 Glad you found that one! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I love this, Lenora! I feel the same way. I love my “nice” bags but find myself using my “butterfly” ones more as well. ☺️
As I get older I find myself gravitating towards the unique as well. And I’m with Diana-there are great bags out there at a fraction of a cost that will last for many years. I prefer those.
If you’re at RWA, we need to meet and go shopping. 😉
I won’t be at RWA this year, Lara. Another one of my cutting back decisions. I will miss you, however. I’d sure go shopping with you!!!I think I’m slowly working my way back to my more Bohemian self. I always was a flower child and I love colorful tunics and jeans. That’s becoming more of my style now. I haven’t completely given up on designer duds but now if I like it and I can afford it, I buy it whether it’s at Wal-Mart or Saks. But my new rule is all about being more unique. I have brands I will always love but I don’t have to HAVE brands now just for the sake of the brand name 🙂
Have fun at RWA!!!
My Harveys Seatbelt bag is upscale enough for me, and it’s American made.
Yes!!! Heidi! I like American made. That is truly the best brand 🙂
Lenora, this is spot-on. I think it’s beautiful that you had a spiritual awakening, so to speak, in such a spot. I do enjoy Kate Spade bags that I received as gifts, and have found the KS outlet to be much more pocket-friendly. And the store clerks are friendly!
Hi, Geri. You’re right. The associate in Kate Spade was bubbly and sweet and totally understood that it was a big investment. She didn’t pressure us at all but she at least treated us with respect and kindness. And the Macy’s associate gave me extra savings and was very upbeat and helpful. That’s worth a lot to me 🙂
I don’t buy expensive purses, and I don’t buy purses that my Kindle won’t fit in.
My current favorite is a denim one I bought at Walmart and then embellished myself.
Love that, Susan. I like bling! And yes, has to fit our Kindles and I-Pads.
I love this, Lenora. Confession: I always used to drool at the vintage Louie Vuitton trunks– the ones that had the writer’s desk in them. They would stand upright with drawers and nooks for clothes and writing implements and the desk would fold down– the kind Nellie Bly would’ve used. Truth is, we don’t travel by steamship anymore and they don’t work for our crazy lifestyle today. But the idea of living out of a classic Louie Vuitton trunk on the Orient Express leaving Istanbul. . .
I know the one! I drooled, too. So romantic. I will always drool but now I can think of it as fine art that I can’t afford. I’ll “visit” the LV purses and smile. I have shoes that I can’t wear anymore and one day, I’ll have to pass them on but for now, I visit them in my closet. And btw, Wendy, you would look so fetching with a bellman lugging that trunk behind you!
I understand what you mean? I bought a few (3 or 4) designer purses, from friends that were tired of them. I paid a fraction of what they did. However, my favorite purse is leather & I paid less than $50.00 for it on sale. I don’t worry if I get a water spot, dirt or whatever. When it starts looking too bad to carry, I toss it and look for another on a clearance sale. Shoes?? I hate shoes. Wish I could go barefoot all the time. The one purse I drooled over was one with a huge price tag (way out of my price range) and even at 75% off it would be too much for me. We could have taken a vacation for a week or more. Or a down payment on a car. What purse, a small one by Herme’s. Personally, I would rather spend my extra money on grandchildren & books.
Oh, Hermes. Yes, so hard to wrap my brain around a purse that costs that much. I adore them but can only admire them in pictures. The Kelly was made specifically for Grace Kelly. I think I learned how to dress from watching her and Lucille Ball and Loretta Young. I can still see Loretta Young coming down the stairs in a full skirt. So graceful. Sigh. I do love fashion 🙂
I love the way Loretta Young, Doris Day, Jackie Kennedy & Grace Kelly dressed. Also, Jean Simmons – she played Diana in THE ROBE. Another one that always dressed like a true lady was Susan Hayward. She was GA and a wonderful actress. Give me books any day over purses & shoes.
All wonderful dressers! I love books as much as I love shoes!!
Wow, you have set aside covetousness and embraced modesty, and founnd it fill your heart Well done.
Lenora, this is why I love, you girl. I’ve come to the same point, where the name doesn’t matter when in the light of the term hoodie that same money could be used in a way that matters. I just have to be careful not to turn into a miser. 😊
My favorite purse is my black leather backpack bag with Mickey, Donald & Goofy on it I got at a garage sale for a dollar. My everyday bag is a Donna Sharp that has a lot of pockets so it stays more organized than my Mickey backpack.