Hermes

Ok, here's a post for the girls (and fabulous guys)....

Hermes.

You know, the iconic French brand of handbags and accessories that graces the arms and necks of practically every star, royal and dignitary worth their salt?

Victoria Beckham owns over 1.5 million dollars worth of Hermes.... can you blame her? here.

My mom has a mild obsession with Hermes, which she has passed down to me. Leaving Paris this summer, we almost missed our flight hanging out in the Hermes store, desperately wavering over an Hermes scarf (for Mom) and tie (for Dad). 

That's why I nearly screamed when I saw this message from her:

"Emily,   There is actually a Birkin bag on Shopgoodwill.com.   Take a look.  MOM"

WHAT??!! An Hermes Birkin bag donated to GOODWILL?!?

That's the stuff of urban legends. But... it was true.

It looked like this camel one, via Pinterest

When I looked at the listing it was going for $600 dollars. When my mom realized she had missed the final bid, the price was over $1,000. Sound like a lot to you? Remember: these bags retail for between $9,000 to over $30,000 and often times the waitlist is YEARS long. $1,000 dollars is a pretty fair price, given also that the leather ages to a beautiful patina almost more attractive than the newly minted bags. Am I sad that Mom missed the auction and that I will not be receiving a Birkin as my inheritance. Uhhhh, YES.

The Huffington Post snobbily wonders, with people like the Kardashians and other reality stars toting Birkins, have the bags lost their elite status? UHhhhh, no. Look at these images below (thanks to because i'm addicted), showing the painstaking detail and quality involved in the process of making an Hermes bag. Each bag is handcrafted, start to finish, by one exceptionally skilled craftsperson using exceptionally fine materials. Each bag is like a portable work of art....

So many great colors!

Swoon - that iconic gold hardware!

Anyways, I don't think I'll probably ever have the honor of carrying a Birkin bag. But it's awfully fun to dream about, so maybe that's ok :)

Wardrobe Refresh

I have a confession to make. Today was one of those days where getting dressed takes multiple tries and results in half the contents of your closet ending up on the floor. We all have those days. But even worse was the fact that half of this mass of clothing dismissal was caused by broken zippers, holes, and worn out clothing. I must admit it, friends, my wardrobe is getting just a little bit shabby.

What my wardrobe feels like. here

I think I've fallen into a bit of a rut and I contribute this mainly to my budget-friendly, thrifty-store-loving shopping style. I tend to buy things because they are such a great deal and go to places (goodwill, salvation army, target, etc.) that mainly stick to my I -won't-pay-anything-over-$20-for-a-damn-shirt rule. In short, my clothes are half-way worn when I buy them.

This post by Sherry from Young House Love really made me think. She says she's able to convince herself not to buy something just because it's a good deal by thinking about the average awesomeness of her closet. If you only by things you absolutely love, your closet average is a 10. If you start buying things that are meh - maybe just an 8 on your scale - your closet average goes down. The goal is to be able to close your eyes, stick your hand in your closet and pull out something you love every time. And right now, I can't do that. There's too much meh in the way.

So this weekend's goal: clear out the meh, get it out of the way, and start shopping for some 10's. I want to love getting dressed again and not feel like I can't spend some money to look the way I want to. 

P.S.: I'll be taking style inspiration from these ladies:

Stripey lady - perfect sassy work look. here

Kendi knows how to do easy chic.

Gwyneth, obv. Gotta love those pants! here

Oh, and my stylish friend Mer who I want to publicly peer-pressure into having a style blog.

Wish me good shopping karma, friends!

Happiness List

here

I was reading through a few blogs the other day, as I normally do, and I was pleasantly surprised by Orchid Grey's post. Rather than her normal content (cool, vintage clothes) she stopped to make a happiness list - all the things that she wanted to remember were making her happy.

Today is the perfect day for me to write my own happy list. A lot (alotalot) of good things are happening lately, but sometimes change - even good change - can be incredibly stressful. And I tend to get sucked into the vortex of being excited, then worrying, then feeling guilty about worrying, and then 

diving into chocolate ice cream.... 

So instead, behold the things that are making me happy:

here

Green tea in my water. I just drop a tea bag in (the Lipton fruit blends are yummy) and the nasty work water tastes so much better!

Making plans. Trips, transitions, interior design schemes and job dreams. It's fun (mostly) and so exciting!

here

Cherry season! I'm on to my fourth 1lb. bag in two weeks. Yes, by myself.

Goodwill craving. Sometimes, I shop too much and I'm done for weeks. Nothing better than getting that drive to hunt. Look out, I have a list and I'm ready to shop!

Long shiny nails. There's something summery about shimmery, pretty nails. With my nails growing like grass, it's fun to give them a quick, easy polish!

here

Pool time. What's better than lounging in the water with your sweetie? Maybe adding in a cool drink ;)

here

And this gif. That cat looks - and acts - exactly like my Opie. Aww!

What makes you happy today?

Mark Your Calendars...Now



Via Pinterest

 Ok everyone. I'm going to tell you something, even though I may regret it later. Here goes: On the first Saturday of every month, Goodwill offers 50% off everything. That's right, a sale at yours and my favorite smorgasbord of used and unusual things. Just imagine. That lovely vintage skirt that was $3.50 --BAM--$1.75. Or the designer label coat that was $9.00 --SHAZAAM--$4.50. Or the $.99 knickknack that has no use but fills you with inexplicable joy so that you just have to have to have to buy it --KABLAAM-- just $.45.

I tell you this because I am a generous person. But I warn you. Get in my way on first Saturdays and

I. Will. Cut. You. Legit.

So here's a breakdown of my haul from this Saturday.

1. Pair of dueling snowball makers. Watch out, winter.

2. Raincoat. Gap, tan, average. Watch out, fall

3. Bronze Owl. Amazing. Also found out The Boy's school mascots were the Hooters or something ridiculous like that. Oh, California.

sHOOT, I'm cute.

4. What's also ridiculous? This chair. Yeah, it's broken. But I wants it! and it was only five dollars. It fills up a corner for now and may make a very elegant plant stand someday when it grows up.

wouldn't you wants it?

5. We also purchased two large, framed art pieces. One was really just for the frame- so The Boy could finally hang the artwork he loves so much he's been keeping it in a closet rolled up the entire time I've known him. The other was a lovely framed print. I can't share it with you because it is a special, holiday gift for someone who may be reading this right.now. Could it be you??

6. I should also include that The Boy was very excited by some grey wool dress pants that "must've cost a hundred dollars!" Yawn.

So, yeah, all this for around 30 buckaroos.

Sharing this better give me good karma points for the next First Saturday, all I'm sayin'.

BTW, shout out to Fab Finds Under $50, another Indy blogger. She finds pretty amazing stuff at goodwill and brags, I mean, blogs about it often. Check her out and share the bloggy love.