To celebrate the release of her new book, "Temporarily Employed", author Vicki Batman is joining me today for a bit of fun. Here on Margo's Red Light Fiction District, I mostly talk about books, but that's not my only hobby/addiction. I also have unholy love for handbags in general, and Kate Spade in particular. Vicki loves handbags so much she features a new one on her blog each week. If you haven't checked out her blog or her Pinterest page, I highly recommend doing so. She's not just a great author. She's also got fabulous taste!
From Vicki Batman:
When Margo
invited me to her blog, we decided to post about something we love:
handbags.
I adore handbags
and have acquired many over the years. I have vintage, handmade, and
designer ones. But mostly, I look at vintage. For a while, the
designers were churning out the same ol’ style: large garbage bag.
That was so not buttoned-up, nice, value-conscious me. And I would
much rather buy a whole passel of bags for $100 than one. Of course,
it depends on the bag.
So Margo and I
came up with three categories: Best Bargain; Most Over-the-Top;
and Least Practical. I doubt Margo can top mine. LOL
LET THE BATTLE COMMENCE!
If you have a favorite amongst these handbags, don't be shy - let us know in the comments. If you don't, how will we determine a victor?
Vicki's Handbags
Best Bargain:
This is a lovely rectangular, green kid leather bag, definitely
vintage, and I can’t read the manufacturer. The handle is short
which I like as shoulder bag handles fall off my shoulders. The catch
is plastic with a fun gold latch. Surprisingly, it does hold many
items. But I bet you are wondering how is this a best bargain? I paid
$3.00 for it at a flea market. Go me!
I’ve purchased
many a vintage bag and some have never been carried.
Surprising—right? So that makes them brand new in my book. But if
it had been carried, wouldn’t it be lovely to think of that bag
belonging to someone special who had been given it by someone special
or picked out for a special occasion.
Most
Over-the-Top: Many of you will recognize this sparkly embellished
with everything from the kitchen sink handbag from the
sixties. It’s an Enid Collins. Collins
of Texas opened its doors in Medina, Texas in 1959, producing
whimsical, happy handbags. Enid Collins, owner and designer, operated
the company until 1970, when it was purchased by the Tandy Leather
Corporation. Each purse was decorated by hand with paint, sequins,
and rhinestones in themed designs. They were intended to be good
quality, fun day handbags.
Mine
is entitled “Cable Car.” And in case you are wondering, I do have
six more Enid bags, all different (and two papier mache brooches). I
probably paid about $70.00 for this lovely one. A lot of things fit
inside. It does get a tad heavy as the bottom is wooden—rare
nowadays!
Least
Practical:
Sometimes, when I go out, I carry a party bag. This little pink box
with a very long chain was gifted to me by my sister. Being small in
size, I can get my phone, a couple of cards and cash, and a small
lipstick in it. The case is plastic covered in a pink Parisian themed
fabric. Can you say A-DOR-A-BLE!
I
have no idea about the cost as this one was a gift. However, what I
like about handcrafted handbags is they are handcrafted.
And sometimes, you can work with a designer to create a unique piece.
But
for every day wear, yeah, not practical. Sometimes, I like to carry a
small needlepoint project and that wouldn’t fit; yet, I wouldn’t
be taking a needlepoint project to a concert. LOL
Margo's Handbags
Best Bargain: This pink Coach beauty ended up costing me a grand total of $27. I bought it at a fabulous site for like-new clothes and accessories called Thred Up. I used a coupon for new customers, and scored big. It's the perfect size for me to be able to carry everything I need, without being so big that I end up with shoulder/back pain. I love a big purse, but it doesn't always love me back. It's a little plain, but I have plans to fix that by next spring. I'm thinking of adding a flower garden to the front flap to really make it pop. Yes, I'd be defiling a Coach bag, but it was so inexpensive I don't care. If I screw it up, I'll replace it.
Most
Over-the-Top: I have a confession. I'm a Pinterest junkie with a crochet addiction. Sometimes I see fabulous designer bags, and I think to myself "I could make that." Especially when the designer bags cost over $2000. So I decided last winter to put my hook where my pins are. I bought a basic leather handbag from Amazon, and some black size 3 crochet thread from Michaels. I found a free pattern for a modern type of fan lace on Pinterest, of course, and got to work. It had to re-do the lace several times to get it the right size/shape, and glueing it on to the purse took several tries. Finally I bought a gold bracelet, and broke it apart for the gold embellishment. The links are individually sewn on to add a touch of bling. Sewing through leather is tough! This purse may not be completely over the top in appearance, but it sure is in effort.
Least
Practical: I found this salmon-pink, snakeskin beauty on sale at Franklin Covey. Who knew they sold purses? I didn't, but I was happy to take this large handbag home at a bargain price. It was supposedly big enough to hold all my stuff including a 14 inch laptop, and had all kinds of little pockets in it for phones, pens, lipstick, etc. Perfect right? Not so much it turns out. The only laptop which actually fits in the purse is too small for me to actually do any work on. Also, if I do stick a laptop and all my purse contents in the bag, it's too heavy for my shoulder. The shoulder strap is painful to use when the bag is fully loaded, and is not attached to the bag well enough to actually support the weight. Using it for any time at all results in a big pull in the side of the purse. Good idea and looks practical, but does not deliver.
Author
bio:
Like
some of her characters, award-winning author, Vicki Batman has worked
a wide variety of jobs including lifeguard, ride attendant at an
amusement park; a hardware store, department store, book store,
antique store clerk; administrative assistant in an international
real estate firm; and a general “do anything gal” at a financial
services firm--the list is endless, giving her plenty of material for
her writing.
Writing
for several years, she has completed three manuscripts, written
essays, and sold many short stories to TRUE LOVE, TRUE ROMANCE, TRUE
CONFESSIONS, NOBLE ROMANCE PUBLISHING, LONG AND SHORT REVIEWS,
MUSEITUP PUBLISHING, and THE WILD ROSE PRESS. She is a member of RWA
and several writing groups and chapters. In 2004, she joined DARA and
has served in many capacities, including 2009 President. DARA awarded
her the Robin Teer Memorial Service Award in 2010.
Most
days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking "What
if??"
Find
Vicki at:
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/VickiBatman
Pinterest:
http://pinterest.com/vickibatman
Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4814608.Vicki_Batman
LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=116288777&trk=hb_tab_pro_top
Google+:
bit.ly/1zUggDF
Plotting
Princesses: http://plottingprincesses.blogspot.com
