For those of you who don't know, my tagline is Faith, Froth & A Designer Handbag, which started a discussion among writers about how much we can tell about a person by their handbag/clothing. So I decided, wouldn't it be neat to know if certain Christian writers were garage sale chicks or designer girls? Here it is, a roundup of authors and their favorites and my personal take on their choices:
Let's see, Sunni has good taste, but she's practical. You have to love that:"I'm not a big handbag gal, but I love a good black leather shoulder bag, like Coach. However, it got too heavy for my shoulder, so I now carry an Ameribag microfiber shoulder sling (medium sized)."
~Sunni
www.sunnijeffers.com
Deb has a nice purse, but needs to justify it. I can easily help her with that if she's interested:Right now I'm carrying a red leather hobo-ish style Sereta (had to go look at the tag to find out the brand...I don't give a hoot about namebrand) that I bought a year ago Christmas on sale at JCPenney. The pricetag said $80 but it was on sale for 50% off plus I had a coupon for $10 off any purchase, so got it for $30, which is still a LOT for me to spend on a purse. But I figured since it's leather it would last a long time, plus I love the red color. I'll probably carry it for at least 2 more years, unless I find another great sale that allows me to switch. I have one little evening bag my mother-in-law gave me about 20 years ago that I use for dressy events, but other than that, I never change back and forth between purses. If I get a new one, I either throw the old one away because it's worn out, or I give it to Goodwill.
Deborah Raney
COMING IN MARCH! LEAVING NOVEMBER, the new Clayburn Novel
sequel to REMEMBER TO FORGET from Howard Books/Simon & Schuster
A VOW TO CHERISH the novel that inspired the award-winning World Wide Pictures film
Visit my website at: www.deborahraney.com
C
heryl stays in the background with her bag, but don't be fooled, she's watching you closely and taking everything in:I carry the smallest black handbag, simple in design, thin shoulder strap that is wearing out because I've had it for several years. I just learned I didn't need to carry much more than that purse will hold, and it's much easier on my shoulder.
Cheryl
www.HannahAlexander.com
Nancy's practical, but not afraid to say, I could do it better next time:Hmmm. Not sure what my purse says about me...
I'm attaching a picture. I like handbags made of cloth. They're easier to "stuff stuff" into. Actually, I bought this purse from a picture on the Internet, but it's a little smaller than I'd like. My last purse was quilted - but larger. So, I'm on the lookout for a new one already! LOL!
Nancy Mehl
Look for 'In the Dead of Winter,' first in the 'Winter Break Series' from Barbour Books (Heartsong Presents: Mysteries) - January 2008
www.nancymehl.com
Gayle makes her choice based on health. Fashion is not the issue. She's wearing the flats, not stilettos, of handbags.
I carry one of those brown leather back bag, the ones that take the weight off your shoulder and support it at the hip. It looks like an inverted apostrophe. It never stays on my shoulder and things get rearranged in it all the time (not by my doing) but it is much better for my shoulder and neck. Definitely makes a difference even though it's not pretty.
Gayle
Gayle Roper
FATAL DEDUCTION
..doing puzzles can be murder
coming June, 2008
Rachel knows herself. She knows quality is an issue, and so she spends money up front so she doesn't have to do it later! She's also strong because Dooney's are heavy leather. : )
I carry a chocolate brown Dooney and Burke. Why? Because they are well made. The look great and they last. I've gone the Wal-Mart, generic handbag route and always get frustrated. They are cheap and don't endure.I used to be a Liz Claiborne handbag nut, but even her bags didn't last as long for the money I pay.
I like quality. So far, Dooney and Burke is quality.
Rachel
www.rachelhauck.com
Sweet Caroline, Feb 2008, Thomas Nelson
Janelle is a mom who loves purple and isn't afraid to show it!
I carry a big lavender leather handbag, would could probably double as a small suitcase for someone else. I bought it from Daytimers because I love every shade of purple, and I wanted leather for its durability. I love my big, beautiful bag! (It also comes in handy when I'm out with the kids and get the inevitable, "Mom, would you carry this for me?" I can oblige as long as the object being presented is smaller than a hockey stick. :-))
Janelle
Kathy says, forget this girl stuff, just let me outta here!
I'll share. It clearly marks me for who I am (since it's a beat-up leather backpack) www.KathyMackel.com
Lenora says, forget this Christian poverty business!! I love handbags and I'm not afraid to say so, check out my closet! She's my soul sister:
I love purses. I have about fifty. I go from huge chunky totes (just bought a great LUCKY Brand one that is patchwork) to very small clutches. My friends marvel at how much I can get into a little six inch evening clutch. My favorite bags--Brighton--have two of those, Coach--have two of those--Louis Vuitton--have one of those, the great doctor bag one, Hobo--have two of those, and I have a glitzy Kathy. The rest are an assortment of tote bags and evening type bags since I also freelance as a social reporter/photographer for a magazine here in Shreveport. I will spend 10 dollars on a great bag or save up and splurge every now and then--as with my Louie and my Coach (although my husband gave me one of the Coach bags for my birthday and I was so shocked I danced around the house--who knew the man even had an inkling that I would love that bag???) But having said all of that, expensive purses do not make the woman. It's the fun in a purse that attracts me. If it's lively and comfy and interesting then I'm not picky about the price. I think a purse should fit the mood. Sometimes I'm in a fun mood--as with my Lucky tote. Sometimes I want to look a bit more classy, so I go with Brighton or my Louie then. And sometimes I just want to be a recluse in the middle of the universe so I pull out a green canvas envelope bag I bought at wal-mart for about twelve bucks and head off to just get lost. I like purses that hold all the essentials but where I can also tuck away little slices of life--a bible verse on a business card, a phone number from a friend, a bit of chocolate and a good book. Sometimes I leave the house with my ID, a charge card and some cash, an ink pen and a lipstick. Other times, I carry anything I can get in there, just in case.
Oh and one other thing I love about all my purses--the way they get better with age. The patina seems to change as the years go by and that makes me feel safe--they fit my arm just right because we've traveled together and each wrinkle is a memory of those travels and every bit of treasure I find later reminds me of those memories.
Lenora :)
Warmhearted, Wholesome, Worthwhile
Books by Lenora Worth ( http://www.loveInspiredauthors.com )
http://www.lenoraworth.com
September 2007--Secret Agent Minister
Mindy may not be a fashionista, but she's a great enough mother to avoid embarrassing her kids. Personally, I thrive on it!
Hey Kristin, here's my handbag theory: No matter what size bag I carry, I will fill it to the max. Therefore, I always buy the smallest possible purse that doesn't make me look like a little girl headed to Sunday School. Once my teenagers are grown and gone, I'll go back to my favorite "purse", the reliable fanny pack. (RIght now, I'm not allowed as that causes my offspring agonizing shame. MUH-ther!) For me, smaller is better. And black or dark brown only, as they don't show as much wear and tear or dirt.
Mindy, who is obviously not a fashionista
www.MindyStarnsClark.com
As for me? Well, duh. I have a fetish. I'm not into the matchy/matchy thing and I hate brown and basic colors, so I have great bags in pink, yellow, cream, the Coach signature, etc. My favorite is Coach because I love the different styles and the quality of leather without being too heavy. Right now, I'm carrying a Dooney & Burke and I love the style, but the fabulous big hardware pulls at my shoulder. My thing is buttah leather. I don't care about brand, but I love good, Italian leather most of all. If I could I would carry probably a Farragamo or Bottega or Tod's. But I'm the mother of four and I don't want to put a used lollipop in a Tod's. So there you have it, what does YOUR purse say about you?
Delicious
21 Comments:
Here is my purse criteria; It has to be large enough to fit a book in.
I’m afraid all those years of carrying a diaper bag have done me in. I simply can’t go back to tiny purses. I need space!
There is nothing more frustrating for me than being out in public somewhere waiting for something (usually one of my kids) and realizing I don’t have a book with me.
So I always choose a purse based on if my book can fit.
Please don’t send the fashion police after me. :o)
Tricia, you're safe. I'm getting too practical to care. Not to mention my rude neighbor in the orange Porsche is spoiling me on looking "right" and being a jerk. LOL
My purse screams "cheap" "practical" and "organized", just as you would've imagined. :-)
Ok i think i may be desparate!
i do have a black handbag i only use if im out like at a show or something i rearly use one.
i do take a backpack with me most places. its easy to use when walking or riding and shopping.
We dont have a car so i often ride to do the grocery shopping (if its only a few things.) and i dont have a carrier on my bike.
but even when on holiday/vacation i use my backpack, it normally has purse, mp3 player, and a few other items.
(i go to church with my bible which has apocket for my comb and offerning.)
The purse does say alot about a person...my current purse is bursting at the seams. I can barely fit my wallet in it (and it is not because the wallet is full of cash). I bought the purse because I liked the way it looked, but it really doesn't work for anyone who carries more than a debit card and a lipstick. Unfortunately, my life is the same way right now...too many activities/responsibilities being stuffed into too little time.
How fun - I love purses. But since I'm a klutz who frequently shuts the car door on the purse/or purse strap I just touch the lovely $300 purses and dream of the day I'm tall, thin, and poised. For now (this season) I'm trading among a cool Kathy bag, a black hip Canadian designer-named (I cannot remember what it is) doctorish bag I got at TJ Maxx for next to nothing, and a Vera Bradley in Peacock. With spring coming up it's time to hit the stores and freshen up the collection. I like them big and roomy so I can lose everything in them. And also store all the crap the kids hand over.....
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If the fashion police are out in force, I'm sunk.
As I've said previously, I never carry a purse--I roll a suitcase wherever I go. There are just too many things that I need both at home and at school.(When you work at a small school, you wear a lot of different hats). Also, I share a miniscule office with someone, so when it is Wednesday, I have to clear out (and clear off the desk we share). The best way is to dump all my stuff in the suitcase and roll it to a free computer or table somewhere.
One exception to the suitcase: if it is a formal event, my husband carries my comb and lipgloss in his pocket.
What does my suitcase say about me? (1) Dorky nerd with lots of great clothes but no need for a purse.(2) Bad back, but lots of stuff to carry. (3) Inability to decide (before leaving school) what projects I'll work on in the evening. (4) Practical, flexible person willing to live out of a suitcase in a school that is running out of space. LOL.
Right now my purse says "I love my mom and I'll carry this thing she bought me for Christmas long enough that it won't hurt her feelings." I think I'm about done and can give it back to her, which is what usually happens when she buys a purse for me anyway. Could that be her goal?
They say large women can get away with carrying large bags. They don't say if you have to be tall, too. I generally go for shoulder bags shaped like me, oversized, not too tall and overstuffed. Right now I'm itching to pull out the big, khaki Kenneth Cole bag that's so big I'm using it to store other purses in my closet.
Itty bitty bags don't cut it. I need to be able to fit emergency items: a book and my asthma inhaler, in that order.
I once lived within a mile of a great gift boutique that had a separate shop called "The Hip Pocket." Nothing but purses and accessories. It was awful. I had the Asian-look purses (though I managed to refuse the Chinese take-out style they let me borrow for a magazine shoot. Not practical), a denim quilt panel purse, big purses, little purses, a purse with strange little monkeys playing musical instruments, a flamingo-covered purse and a bright red canvas bag with big white letters in an odd font that I feared spelled bad words in a foreign language.
I couldn't help myself. I was a dumpy frump queen working at a magazine striving to be stylish and shared an office with a tiny girl who interned at Playboy and bragged that her office was in the porn library.
Deep breath.
OK. Sorry I've rambled. Words are flowing faster than my brain. Bye now.
I'm totally with Kristin. I love handbags and I'm more than sure there's a name for this disease I have. My two criteria: BIG and FUN! Another plus about purses--even though your hips go up one size, you don't have to go up one size in purses.
Presently, I am carrying a beautiful yellow leather bag. I agree Kristin, there's a time and a place for basic colors, but I haven't lived through any of those times or been to any of those places.
I love to splurge on purses because they say so much about you. My current sweetie (the purse, I mean) says that I am too cool to just consider a black or brown bag. It also says I am fun and you want to get to know me. Then finally it says, you wish I could be your personal shopper because I'd make you look oh so fierce! (Chatty purse, I have!)
But while I have hot pink, muted pink, lime green, purple, red, camel and white leather, alligator skin, patent leather, and suede purses, my pride and joy is my wonderful, glorious, and absolutely fabulous Gucci bag. Yes, I own a piece of handbag art. This beautiful art that can be slung across my shoulder gives me chills. It says I had the will power and discipline to save up for it. Everyone knows I couldn't have afforded it otherwise. I mean really, I drive a Saturn Vue.
And one final note on diaper bags:
The diaper bag is not an extension of the baby/child. It is an extension of the mother. So unless you are a five year old with a baby, your diaper bag should be as fabulous as you are and should not have characters on it.
I'm done now! I have to go purse shopping.
Melanie, my grandmother did that to me! She bought me some quilted thing out of a mail order catalog because she knew I loved purses. Gosh, that was hard. I wanted to say, if you knew that, how could you buy this travesty. LOL But of course, it was sweet she bought it, and my daughter carries her Bible in it, so all is not lost.
Keisha, I like the way you think. A handbag should make you happy. Oh yes, money may not be able to buy you happiness, but I'm not quite sure about that in regards to handbags and shoes. I can get pretty joyous at the cash register and beyond. LOL
looks like im a handbag disaster.
if im just going to the shop etc i just take a small coin purse normally in my pocket.
to church i have a tote bag from an online ministry im with and it has my bible, often my church shoes (cant walk in sandles) and ends up with my runners, mp3 player, bottle of water, sunglasses and bible which has a pocket for my comb, hankercheif and offering.
You will notice the rest of the "Girls" were not included. That's because we're too cheap to buy anything expensive. LOL I spent $80 on the red leather bag I'm carrying now from eBags. I wish it were a little larger. Kristin can critique me when I see her Thursday. Yay!
I'm not critiquing anyone, I just love them for myself. I don't care what other people carry, as long as I don't have to carry it. I changed to my cream fake Dolce & Gabbana this weekend. : )
I LOVE handbags. I have red Brighton bucket bag that I get compliments on all the time. I also have a brown Fossil,black Sak and a saddle/gold Tommy Hilfiger. I like to get a bargain, but the bags I have fit my personality. I am looking now at this bag that has a turquoise stone in it with weathered brown leather.
I have a bag that belonged to my mother (she is deceased) that I keep because it reminds me of her classic, cool Swede style--it's a large basket woven white bag. I love it. I have never carried it as my style is more Western or casual, and I am not tall like she was. She had Grace Kelly style.
I also have quite a few evening bags with crystals and beads. I love them. I've collected them over the years and wrap them in tissue paper in one of my drawers.
I am seriously on the lookout for either an olive green or weathered lime green purse. I've wanted one in the worst way.
I wish I could carry a clutch, but they are just too small to be practical for every day use.
I love seeing what people carry and how it fits with their personalities. Fun post!
If handbags reflect personalities, I should be carrying a Hershey bag. *g*
I guess mine would say I like quality. I've always had a thing about purses. It's not the designer name that's important to me but the functionality of the bag. Okay, I'll admit looks are important too.
I've probably spent enough on purses over the years to retire a family of four. I've bought both cheap and good bags, but within a few weeks became dissatisfied. And I hate changing purses. I want something that fits all my wardrobe.
If the bag was too small, it quickly bulged out of shape. If it was too big, people wondered where that bag was going with that lady.
Then I found the perfect Dooney Bourke. I shopped the entire mall, checking every store for price, then I bought it.
I've carried it for over 2 years now. It still looks like the day I got it and goes with everything (except ACFW awards banquet clothes - then I carry a small beaded bag).
For now, my fetish has been silenced. Except for shoes. Hmm, I think I need a new pair.
This post forced me to browse a seriously depleted purse section at TJ Maxx for about an hour tonight. Sad, considering I already have a nice new Tig bag I've yet to change. I still bought one. It's brown striped with shades of greenish blue that go perfectly with a couple of outfits. I'll probably use it twice.
Crystal, you would have found your green purse there. They had olive and weathered lime. Of course, I'm sure it's all last season's, but still...
BTW, does anyone out there own a Matt & Nat bag? Not exactly supple leather, given the company's vegan commitment. But each bag has, inside or outside or both, a little square of text that starts with "choose life choose positivity choose the golden rule choose to be at peace with yourself choose salvation ...
I don't think he means the same things we mean by some of those things. For instance, I think choose life, to him, means choose not to kill animals for accessories, but I'd still like to own one.
I grew up with Catholic guilt, I refuse to have it over leather -- cows are used for food and other commodities as well, and look at the half-life on a plastic bag comparatively.
Consumerism is obviously a big issue in America, but I don't want to wear vinyl or rubber. That's just me.
The Matt & Nat people agree on the half-life. They have a program encouraging people to give their used bags to programs like "Dress for Success," which is cool. I've seen two of their bags at discount shops that I though were cute. Many of the ones on the website are hidious. I just like the words. Maybe we should all combine forces and start a writers' bag company featuring good words.
I carry a chocolate leather Fossil bag and I love it. It's sturdy, looks great with almost everything. I can carry plenty in it without it looking like I'm going away for the weekend. I don't have to stop and worry if it clashes with my outfit.
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