30-Day Challenge, Day 2 - My Favorite Bag

Sometimes I think I was born with a girliness deficiency. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate a well thought-out outfit, nice hairstyle or perfectly done manicure, and I have definitely been known to lust after a beautiful pair of shoes. The thing is, while my tastes run toward the fashionable, my actual appearance is, well... less so.

Once upon a time--many, many years ago--I paid more attention to my grooming and comportment. I never left the house without doing my hair, wearing makeup and accessorizing with jewelry, hats or jackets. Back-Then Me would have been horrified at the lack of time Present-Day Me takes to get ready every day. She would scoff at my peeling nails and ponytailed hair, the unlined eyes and naked earlobes. "You'll see," I would snap back. "Once you're a mother, and working full time. Other things will become more important than eyeshadow and lip-liner."

But one thing Back-Then Me could hardly fault me for today is my taste in handbags.

While I'm a long way from being a label-whore, I've come a long way with regards to handbag quality. Back in "the day", I'd use one purse for months on end, until it needed repair or the amount of "stuff" i had to have with me outgrew the container it was stuffed into. I'd follow a cycle of having a bare-basics, small bag, then graduate to a hobo or handbag, moving all the way up to a small tote bag before shoulder or back pain would cause me to start the cycle over again. I didn't care much about matching the bag with the outfit (except when attending a dance or other formal event), and I certainly didn't care about the designer of the moment. Most of my bags were purchased at K-mart, Walmart or Payless. If a purse cost more than $10, it wasn't likely to come home with me.

Gradually, however, I learned a little more about the benefits of quality and investment. I still won't spend a week's pay on a bag, but I'll look for styles that will outlast fashion and construction that will hold up with the demands of my "stuff".

So, after all that, we come to my current favorite bag. There is a somewhat complicated answer to this question. First, I purchased the Bermuda bag from Kim Kardashian's online venture, ShoeDazzle. For those not familiar, customers sign up and are quizzed on their style preferences. Then, once a month, their team of stylists will provide you with a showroom of shoes, bags and jewelry that match your preferences. Customers can choose as many items as they wish for $39.95 each, or can skip the month if budgets are tight or fancies aren't tickled.

When this bag arrived, it was perfect. The faux leather was soft and buttery, and the perfect shade of neutral gray. The interior fit everything I feel I need to tote around day-to-day with room to spare, and the handles fit precisely over my shoulder. It was perfect in all respects, save one: In less than 30 days, I had lost two zipper pulls, the handles separated from the body of the bag to the point that they were held on by mere threads, and near the bottom and side seams, the body of the bag had developed several small holes and rips.

Saddened, I had to find another solution to my day-to-day "stuff" toting. A Christmas shopping trip to Kohls yielded a suitable alternative, Nine & Co.'s Triple Shot Hobo in red giraffe (very similar to the image at right). Though much smaller than Bermuda, this small wonder managed to fit most everything I carried in the larger bag easily. Plus, it was on clearance for half of what the other bag cost! The stitching and zippers are sturdy and the interior pockets make it super easy to find what I'm looking for. Plus, the styling says "adult" loud and clear.

Now if only I could remember to get my nails done...