BagExchange.com

The world of blogging has been fun for me, and it provides a quick resource to pamper myself amongst care-giving and cleaning (remember, I’m a stay-at-home-mom). However, sitting in front of the computer screen for the purpose of finding content has its down-side: too much eBay-ing, too much time spent reading other shopping blogs, too much time looking at sale items. In fact, I have been blogging less, because I’ve whittled so much time looking for things to buy. Now, while due to this side-line surfing, I have become more educated as to the finer details of high-end items, I have also become a rabid consumer of such. I was never into designer items where I felt the need to own them. For the longest while, admiring them was enough. Things changed recently. I think the fact that I have time on my hands and no discernible stable schedule have made me feel edgy, discontent and lost. I would look for the quickest way to smooth the nerves and that would be done simply by jumping onto the internet.

My mantra,”Okay, just one nice Yves Saint Laurent….just one Muse” conveniently got silenced as the id of my sub-conscious took over as I browsed the YSL site. Soon, I had rationalized that I needed another Muse, and then to be sure that neither Muse would get overused, I so convinced myself that I needed a Tribute to alternate with. Only a year later from that first spark of desire, I now have 3 YSLs and…gulp, 3 Balenciagas, 1 Botkier, a few more Kate Spades added into the mix. And, I still want more. While our household finances are not so bad, and we have retirement and the kids’ college funds set up, I feel my spending ways could get us into trouble if I don’t do something about it soon. We worked so hard to get out of debt when we first got married. I had over $40K in student loans on top of that. So, why do I want to mess myself up? Am I a self-hater?!

Looking into the cause of my discontent will take time, but to act now, I need to figure some quick solutions. I think to curb my impulses, I should not look at those high-end items I’m so drawn to, but that’s unrealistic given that my blog is about all things beautiful in a handbag, regardless of price. However, I am good at not buying handbags at full price so I hope that will continue to be my saving grace. I already have steered clear of department stores, so I wouldn’t even be tempted. The problem remains that the internet is too convenient and too accessible. I can ban myself of anything that smacks of deals, steals and sales which means good-bye to eBay and Bluefly. I think that I should look at alternatives to the $1200 handbag.

I intuitively know that a great looking item is not synonymous with a designer name or high pricetag. So, why do I deny it at (most) times?  More moderate taste will be reflected in future postings, and I hope you will join me in this ride. Oh, I’ll keeping oohing and aahing on gorgeous expensive handbags, but I will also look into lower cost ones too. Great taste comes in all scales and prices.

By the way, here’s a no-nonsense advice and solace for people who shop to feel good.

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