This is just a piece of advice from a frivolous lady.
Do not go to London. Do not buy a cheap ticket ostensibly for your daughter's university Open Day. Do not relish the idea of a break from home. Do not take a near-empty suitcase.
Do not turn up on a strikingly sunny week where you can walk for hours,
dawdling, wandering, discovering. Do not go down posh streets you've never
savoured before. Do not gaze into shop windows.
Do not be tired out by teenage shopping and start hankering for some
age-appropriate surrounds.
Do not spend a whole afternoon in a bookshop sofa reading half a book.
Do not spend a whole afternoon in a bookshop sofa reading half a book.
Do not be enthralled by the big city rush and will you stop checking out all
the handsome and varied men that London throws your way?!
Do not drink all that excellent beer.
Do not drink all that excellent beer.
Do not fall in love with a handbag. You live in Italy, land of handbags and
shoes. You have bills. You are a moneyless writer.
Do not go back and look at handbag. Touch her. Open her up.
Do not go back and look at handbag. Touch her. Open her up.
Do not have marvellous lunch with best mate who like you is a devoted dream
shopper.
Do not think how much said handbag could help you out of your post-winter slump and the last so-so months. Do not tell yourself you have a significant birthday ahead. Well, only eight months away.
Do not think how much said handbag could help you out of your post-winter slump and the last so-so months. Do not tell yourself you have a significant birthday ahead. Well, only eight months away.
Do not ask for your daughter's approval - duh, she already wants to borrow it.
Do not think, I deserve this! Who says you do?
Do not go back to posh shop.
Do not cross road with sweaty hands and weak knees.
Do not feel like an idiot (again) in front of Polish doorman.
Because there's no turning back.
Do not go back to posh shop.
Do not cross road with sweaty hands and weak knees.
Do not feel like an idiot (again) in front of Polish doorman.
Because there's no turning back.
Haha! Forwarding this to my friend who just had an entire closet renovated to accommodate her purses: all 47 of them.
ReplyDeleteAll 47? Oh I wish...
DeleteIn fact I've been thinking when my kids move out I could really use a walk-in wardrobe area. Hmmm.
Hope you're doing fine I'll make sure I have a Campari in Venice for you sometime this spring! xcat
Suckah!
ReplyDeleteI am guilty.
DeleteWhat is it with handbags, I just don't get it?
ReplyDeleteI know! It's crazy! Deriving satisfaction from a big pouch carrying your wallet and keys.. And yet!
DeleteHaha - I just imagined your kids coming home for the hols and being offered the shoe shelf - only, knowing you and your shoes, the kids will get the dog shelf!
ReplyDeleteOr the chicken shed in the yard.. How I delight in being a non-Italian Mama!
DeleteOh this made me laugh. Wish we could have met up again - next time.
ReplyDeleteAnd Vivienne Westwood?! SWOON!
Yes! Don't worry I'll be back. New book launch this summer. Yikes!
DeleteI am such a handbag whore. I once took a sewing class and we made bags. Two seconds later I was dreaming of opening a shop that I was all ready to call "The Bag Lady."
ReplyDeleteJust another way we are connected.
One of my friends has already called me the 'Bag Lady of Padova'! I think I just needed a serious pickup, and MSB this is serious.
DeleteI also love making stuff but dread to think what sort of bags I could produce. I think I should stick to cushion covers, which is where my sewing skills peter out.
I own only one handbag and I rarely carry it, but that doesn't stop me lusting after a collection of them. My theory is that since I can't afford a really good bag, I will stride along mannishly without one as if I can't be bothered.
ReplyDeleteXO
I tried the one-classy-handbag thing and, well, I live in Italy girl ! It's like pretending ice cream and good-looking men don't exist. The thing is, I didn't even bring a bag to London because I had a crap one at my aunty's and thought I wouldn't care.
DeleteBut then I saw her..
I can't believe I just wrote that!! Eejit!
Oh I could easily spend a day in a bookshop reading, I'd never leave. Handbags hmmmm I own one, a bit like my shoes, although my hubby just bought himself a 'man bag' does that count. Possibly not it was from an opp shop in Saluzzo lol xxx
ReplyDeleteand yes you deserve that Bag!!!
Oh thanks Lisa! I managed to convince myself eh? And bookshops - that was the best. Just plonking everything down and reading.
DeleteWell if Sam has bought a 'man bag' it can only mean one thing. He's turned totally Italian! Xx
It actually sounds like you had a fabulous time. A new gorgeous handbag, a great pick me up.
ReplyDeleteOh but we did. And the Open Day which was why we went was absolutely inspiring! Also there are loads of literary evenings on now.. wish I could have stayed longer.
DeleteMeanwhile I'm in handbag heaven back on the ranch.. which makes no sense!
Oh my dear. I love handbags and sandals. I believe this relates to my avoidance at ever wanting to try anything on. Unlike jeans and dresses and swimsuits, handbags and sandals remain the same size, even if I do not. There is something disturbingly comforting in this.
ReplyDeleteHaha I never thought of this. I also like the fact that my daughter can't walk in heels without looking a bit like Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver (sorry G!) and so she can't borrow my heels .. yet.
DeleteHahahahaha! Oh but it's FUN being shallow!! Handbags rule. And a Westwood one rocks. x (from the woman who just bought an Anglomania dress...)
ReplyDeleteOh I KNEW you were an Anglomania chick! I think we need to go a-cruisin together! Xcat
DeleteAw. Please know I'm living vicariously through this post. A sunny day in London. Exploring posh shops. Losing yourself in a bookstore. Hanging with your daughter. Cold, foamy beer. I have absolutely no idea about handbags, I'm notoriously oblivious to certain girlish attractions, this being one, but I love the fact that you treated yourself to something so glamorous. You deserve it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Leslie! Not sure whether I deserved it but she is a joy to behold! And I do feel rather flash. It's also good to get over all that ex-Catholic guilt and just DO. And yes the wandering and books and beer were wonderful. Next time you're in Europe..?
DeleteIt was a great week and seems so long ago now! Xcat
Do not read your fabulous blog when you have a million deadlines and three children's whims to cater to! I love your writing. Thank you
ReplyDeleteHaha! Thanks for caving in to distraction and dropping by Lou! How's everything in Sydney? Ciao cat
DeleteThis made me laugh ... you do know how to tell a story! I love the look of handbags but I am so lazy. I just use the same one day in day out. Then I don't have to worry about forgetting to transfer something over. The only time I change my bag is occasionally for night. You really wouldn't want to know me - I don't own one pair of heels either! What I do have lots of are beads and necklaces. I change them over all the time!!
ReplyDeleteYou know I have a gazillion beads and necklaces from my Ghana years - I used to make necklaces and even had a gallery going. The glass beads in Ghana are beautiful and worth researching and collecting. The oldest ones were used as currency and are truly astonishing, mostly brought out from Venice. Today's coloured glass ones are made of recycled bottles or using coloured powders. There! I've finally brought my bead passion into my blog. How unexpected was that?
Delete