You know that feeling when you want to buy something so badly, and have saved for it for so many years, that it doesn’t feel right when you finally get your hands on it? On the one hand, you’re really happy, but on the other, it’s almost a shame because it means the end of all that desire and ‘foreplay.’ You can’t look forward to that moment when it’s already happened. Still with me? I’ll be a bit more clear: this was THE month. I GOT HER.
yardsale, kleingeld AND ijhallen
I’ve had a Chanel bag on my wish-list for as long as I remember, and it’s finally mine. I’m as happy as a little girl whose saved up all of her allowance to buy a Barbie. What can’t make you happy – am I right? And I know… some of you really don’t understand buying a purse for a few thousand euros. Or raising your credit card limit just to go eat at Noma in Copenhagen, and then having to eat soup and bread for the next three weeks (a story you can read all about in my book Wanderlust). But I’ve saved up for my dream bag for years by putting all of my change in a jar (it really works!), selling off my junk at Amsterdam Yardsale (one person’s trash, another’s treasure) and testing my sales-skills at the Ij-hallen, selling my H&M goodies for 2 euros a pop. I’m not the kind of person who ‘JUST’ buys this sort of bag, which I get is sometimes the vibe influencers give if you’re judge by their Instagrams. I wish! But I’m so proud of my new purchase that I’m bringing it everywhere.
vintage love
I didn’t want a bag that was too shiny and new – it needed to have some character – so I bought a vintage one at L’toile de Saint Honoré in Amsterdam (bonus: it was a cheaper, too). I’ve bought some great vintage finds there before and it’s a spot you should definitely get familiar with. Side note: if you travel as much as I do, I suggest Googling second-hand designer stores wherever you’re headed. Especially in Asia, the prices can be a little lower than they are in Europe. Just saying ;-)
Is a Chanel bag more of a taxi/Über bag than a busy metro bag? What if I pop my camera in the bag (or squeeze it in, because it doesn’t fit much)? Won’t it be too full?
+1 DURING date night
I’ve mentioned it in some of my restaurant posts, but I love date night with my guy. Those nights where I put in the extra effort to look nice and for once put on something other than my black skinny jeans. And now? Those nights can’t be considered complete unless I’ve got my new baby in tow. THE BAG is always sitting next to me on our dates like the best third wheel ever. I was recently in Rome to make a city guide (YES, based on popular demand, the Rome City Guide is, on it’s way!) and celebrate my guy’s birthday. Of course I took the bag with me during a night out in a trendy neighbourhood. But while we were standing in the busy metro I started to think that my expensive bag was a pretty easy target for someone up to no good. Hmmmm… I heard myself thinking “Is a Chanel bag more of a taxi/über bag than a busy metro bag? What if I pop my camera in the bag (or squeeze it in, because it doesn’t fit much)? Won’t it be too full?” But this is a bag that I definitely want to use and not just have around, looking pretty or to keep in my closet. Nope, this bag’s my new +1 at all parties and events <3.
When I got home from that trip to Rome I went ahead and shook out all of my change and put that first €12,40 in the savings jar. What am I saving up for next? A nice watch for my 35th? Who knows!
WITH LOVE,
ANNE
