The September book ... what will this years "IT" bag be?

So in keeping with my desire to not buy a new purse, and to change and declutter my life - I thought it wise not  to buy THE VOGUE edition of the year. The September book, instead choosing a supermarket staple and usually a quick read -  not typically a fashion forward (sorry) magazine - Womans World. It has great little "how to's" ( kind of like the first version of ehow - without being online) well to my surprise I open it up and there in a two page spread  The Trendy bag that is perfect for you (page 8&9). I must admit I chuckled to myself while I waited for the bus home.

 When I got home I asked My Beautiful Little Lady which bag she would buy for herself.  ( Because we must instill our own vices in our children right?) My girl has good taste - a little frilly but good. Now having said it was afrilly she is currently standing in front of me in a ballet tutu.

I thought I would share my little moment with you all.. and let you know the next bag will be posted in the next couple of days - I am trying to make up my mind between the Coach mini - clutch or the Dooney and Burke red tote.

Fall Fashion book free this year ... no Lou Lou or Wish either .. feeling a little light headed.. but shall survive! Chanting Purple tote is all I need.

Live, Love, Laugh and GIVE

The Purse Junkie.. no more

Sunday morning snuggles ... Scooby Doo, and the mystery of those supermoms

I never thought I would be one of those moms, who allow their child to watch cartoons, eat processed waffles and zone out to Shaggy and Scooby Doo. I so am that mom. I had every intention of being an englightened mom, with organic food and cotton everything and of  course she would look like the Ralph Lauren babies advertised in the magazines (never sticky). Instead this Sunday it was my morning coffee, me and My Beautiful Little Lady zoned out together watching one of the best cartoons ever made. Likely to be my favourite part of my weekend!

I read books that basically say I am now offically the worse mother, because I have feed her a frozen waffle, (I have paired it with grapes, strawberries, and blueberries, and a side of milk - so I get some bonus points here) I am so jealous of those moms who can keep it all together, never turn on the T.V, work a full time job, and mind their hubbies. All the while shopping for only locally grown organic veggies (that the kids actually eat), preparing whole food meals every night and of course their children are well behaved and bright.(never sleeping in their parents beds, and would never ever hit or bite)

I on the other hand stuggle to keep the dishes done, the house clean and still find some time to feel like I have a little bit of me time (to have a bath that does not include someone else trying to get into the bathroom), hubby time ( poor guy gets less attention then the cat) How the hell do they do it all?  Is it the antidepressants half the world seems to be on or some form of supermom juice available only to those who know someone? Whatever it is, wish I had some.

During the day ahead that includes washing tons of  laundry, trying to be protactive by making a dinner or two ahead for the next week, and washing the dishes ( I do not have a dishwasher, nor do I need or want one .. or maybe that is the secret?) I will look for the "clues" to solve the mystery of the supermom.

In the day I also will do something fun like play Barbies (counter acting the image of superthin princess with messages of she recesues the prince, or  spearheads a company merger)  read a book or two and go for a walk to the park. Hopefully I will paint my toe and fingernails sometime around 8pm just before my weekly "me time" with Eric the Vampire start (Trueblood on HBO) after which I will kiss my husband good night and crash by 10pm.

How is it that in spending time with my daughter who I love beyond reason, provide food and shelter for and meet all her needs ( plus some - according to the over abundance of toys and stuff she has) I can still feel like I am not good enough?? Screw it, I am going to watch tv, bake cookies with sugar, have a BBQ that includes hotdogs and laugh with her today.. tomorrow I will figure out what change is needed so I can "unmask" me as a better mom.


So from my messy house to yours.. have a great love filled day.

Live, Love, Laugh and GIVE

The purse junkie no more.

Grandma and the plastic bag

This summer my grandmother passed away. She was almost 90 years old. It has been difficult at times, I do smile when I think of who she was. In writing this blog I thought about what my grandmother would think. I am not sure she would understand the concept of a "blog". I do think she would like what I was doing.


My grandmother Dorthy Elizabeth Woodruff was until the day she died a very fashionable lady. I have a fantastic picture of her from the 1940's in my diningroom - style from top to bottom - no one wore heels like grandma well into her late 70's I belive. Well she was fashionable, except for the plastic bag. she would take it every where with her. She had a classic black purse for winter and a light coloured bag for summer. And of course, the plastic bag was always with her, she carried her rain hat, maybe some kleenex and I really don't know what else.

Well you can imagine that this drove me insane. So I would get her those cute little carry bags ( even before the environmental bag movement) I would get little shoe bags that she could carry, little totes. Always, she would carry the IGA or Dominion plastic bag. She was recycling before "Reuse" was part if the three "R's".

No matter how many bags she was given by me, she never got rid of the plastic bag. When I was at her home after she passed away, I opened the hall closet and found a couple of the mini totes I had given her over the years ( I had given up by the mid 1990's) her black bag waiting for winter and a few very beautiful scarfs. I then heard my mom say , well look here is her plastic bag. I smiled, no matter how many times I tried, I never changed her plastic bag carrying ways.

I really wish I could put to words how great of a lady she was, but words will not cover it. So, if you see me wearing a beautiful black scarf this fall and smelling like blue grass perfume when I am walking down the street.. look in my hands .. I may be carrying a plastic bag too ..

Live, Love, Laugh ... GIVE

The purse junkie no more.

Wow what a response

So it seems many of you are following, however are not able to follow "officially" - you will notice over the next little while slight changes to the blog as I figure out how to do the whole thing, but also as a couple of friends help me figure out some of the settings as well.

I also want to say thanks to all those who have offered to "donate" bags to the cause. Once I go through my collection of bags , we can move into your closets as well. I will be posting one bag a week, so keep your eyes peeled.

There are a few "gems" coming out of the closets of some dear friends and families - these will be the big ones for sure so we will build up to those. A couple actually have to fly over the Atlantic.

So thanks everyone so far, and as we have just begun I cannot wait to see where this takes us all.

Live, Love, Laugh and give

The purse junkie no more

PS will post something later

it is not how much we give but how much love we put into the giving - said by Mother Teresa

Today I was thinking about giving and what it truely means to give of yourself, your time your heart or energy to something outside yourself. I look at all the people around me, and wonder how I got so lucky to be surrounded by people who constantly give of themselves or their time and as said by Mother Teresa  giving of their love.

What does this mean - to give with love? I give in my life because it makes me feel better about myself to know that I have helped someone, unknown or otherwise.(I have yet to meet someone who does not "get back" when they give to others)  I give in my life, because I can, and I think that because, when I have needed someone to give to me in my life, I recieved what I needed.

Does giving with love - mean giving material things? I think so - The mom of two handsome twin boys, gave up two  crib matresses that her children - just this past week stopped sleeping in. As a mom, I know that while we wish our children to grow into strong, confident and caring human beings.. we also want them to remain the little babies we brought home. So this is a wonderful time in her life.. but one that is very emotional for most. Knowing that the beds she layed her own children in, will not be stored in the basement to collect dust for an eventual donation, she is instead facing every mom's fear of seeing the baby years go, meeting the need of others head on.. that is giving with love.

During the economically difficult times companies profits drop, they donate less. We as families fear for our own personal wealth loss. Do you not think instead of a time to give less, this should be the time to give more? Isn't that what the financial world does? Invest when low - reap the rewards when high? Maybe it is in how we give that must change, maybe instead of a cheque we volunteer, maybe we give time to listen and record the stories of the seniors sitting in nursing homes.. maybe we still write the cheques and find other ways to "cut back" (office supplies - who really needs a cupboard of this stuff?) Maybe we empty our closets. I don't know the anwer or even the question I am asking. I just think.. that when more need help, more need to give.

I have spent my entire adult life surrounded by people who give their time, their skills, their money and their energy everyday to other peoples children and families. They love what they do, so they continue to do it. And almost every single one of them do more outside of their working lives. Some volunteer, some participate in weekend runs and walks, others donate time and energy to feeding others on "food" filled holidays. Others like my sister live the life they give - fostering 6 teenage girls.  Many never say a word about what they do they just do what they do quietly, others talk or like me write about it. Every one of us gets when we give - and in doing so we give with love not only to others but to ourselves.

Maybe one of the lessons this blog is  is going to be teaching me - is to look at the beauty in the people around me, and see what they do and celebrate this life along side them - and give to those who give.

Who knows - today is a reflective day for me.. and the day I hand over the first bag :)

From the mother of two handsome twin boys

Got a great message today :

We are so pleased to give these away to a young mom that will need them...and all I needed was a little push and 'bag' motivation!!

These are the mattresses on their way out to the van. We have decided to donate them to the 'Pregnancy Help Centre of Durham'...this choice was inspired/motivated by the purse junkie no more--and old colleague and spirited Mother...and I will now have a tangible and useful item to remind me of the boys baby years!!--

Okay she made me cry!! - this is exactly the feeling I wanted to provide to me and others Thanks! By the Way - the bag is now in it's dust bag, in my office waiting for her pick or drop off.

The purse junkie no more

For the love of the bag... why I have so many

After reading more of the posts on facebook in answer to my who has how many bags question - I was very surprised to find out just how many some people have. Anwers now range from 5 to 70. I know had I kept all the bags over the years I would likely be well into the hundreds by now.If I can't see them.. then I can buy more - well at least that is what my theroy was.

Now for why I buy bags- I think it started back very slowly when I was around 19 years old and going to college. A college friend - who was a great girl named Shawn bought me this FANTASTIC bucket bag, for christmas. I used it everyday to carry my binders and text books. Burgandy - I loved it. I put it under my bed over the summer , and my cat Oreo chewed a hole through it. That fashion trend past and buket bags left the shops. I missed my huge carry everything bag.. but I moved on. And it began the search for the replacement. ( found on ebay in  black 17 years later - now in my collection and use it all the time)

Back then the bags where bought because I loved them or needed them, over time as the hips expanded and tummy grew.. they became the one thing I could buy when shopping for clothes didn't work out so great - they became the only thing that always fit. Needless to say my cupboard filled quickly, and purging to others was like "losing the weight" that had collected. so began the purse diet..
Like many of the yo-yo diets of my life, the number on the purse scale went up and down.

At first, these bags were just cheap walmart bags, little acessory store bags. Then around 1993 - Elsa a girl I worked with bought the most amazing leather bag - and it happened. I went from cheap bag girl - to OMG it cost's more then I make in 3 days purse girl. The canadian designer classic leather bag and orignal messanger bag  designer extrodinaire - Derek Alexander came into my life! I bought the softest most expensive beautiful two tone, nu-buck leather bag I have ever had, touched or seen. ( this also started a crazy "Derek" trend at work all the girls in the group home I worked in, had one.) it cost me somewhere around the $150.00 dollar mark  - remember this was before the "it" bag even existed in my little world, or for that matter on the fashion magazine covers. I also introduced my mom to this designer and she for years only used his bags! They are still available and still ever so soft. I have a Derek wallet in my collection and have given My Darling Friend from Sudbury a couple that she has used for years.

This purse diet continued for a few more years, however the quality of the bags , had changed. Then one day it hit me. Why I was always buying the bags.. this wasn't all that long ago - I have known the root cause for around 5 years now. But the bags  began to take on a new meaning and filled  new needs.. so like any true addiction, the purchasing of the bags began to serve multiple functions.. sad =buy a bag, happy = buy a bag, BFF moves to Sudbury = buy many bags then give them to her on her visits, Other BFF moves to Ireland = (wonder if you stink) then buy more bags - the green bag of yesturdays post was one of many. 

So what brought me here to this moment? Am I ready to stop the "purse yo-yo diet?" Who knows, I am sure going to try. I was inspired to write a blog, by a great book I read. (Julie and Julia by Julie Powell), have been toying with the idea of stopping the bag diet, and since I use the bags as a way to deal with the food I shove in my mouth, well  this now means someone else gets the food that they need, or as it  has evolved the stuff they need.

I also have had a  great year for learning about me, about love, and how even though people you love move away, pass away, change their lives, or are standing right beside me, I don`t  need stuff to insulate me from hurting. I can face it head on - say what needs to be said, and laugh and enjoy the moments with them when I can.

So as I start this `next year` who knows what I will learn, I do know that :

Less  buying of bags = more money in bank = more trips to Sudbury, Ireland and Family Vacations = Happy me.

The purse junkie no more

The first purse junkie bag goes to the mom of two handsome twin boys

For the cost of two crib mattresses and knowing two babies out there will have restful sleeps.. now that is a deal I can live with.

Never fear those who bidded for the green bag... other great bags to come, wallets and a promise of a Kate Spade from the Fashionable Friend in Ireland.

Emotional difficulty of purge (none)
Laughter provided tons!
Starting a revolution of purses for charity - FANTASTIC!

I can't wait to hear what gets given away!

The purse junkie no more

Facebook update --- laughing and loving it

Mom of the world greatest Autistic Kid takes on Mom of two very handsome twin boys and not to be outdone Darling Friend from Sudbury!

Taken from my Facebook !
Darling friend from Sudbury  - I just cleaned under the stairs so how does 4 bags of clothes, a dehumidifier and an old computer screen sound??? that ought to get me this bag???

Mom of two handsome twin boys - apparently I have to bring out the big guns...as Mel knows my boys have done a lot of growing--and I just gave their cribs to a 19 year old mom of preemie girls...but held onto the mattresses...I will donate the two crib mattresses...250 worth today--for this bag...

Mom of the worlds greatest Autistic kid - Big guns... hmmm.... how 'bout 3 bags of clothes, 8 purses, 4 pairs of shoes, 2 winter coats, a fall coat, a lawnmower and a BBQ. And Tav, Macie and I just raised over $4000 for developmental disabilities plus donated a $1800 corporate sponsorship, a $150 photography gift certificate and a $100 piece of autism jewellery. What does that get me? lol!! But one of the other ladies can have this bag... just felt I needed to stake my claim! :-)

 Darling Friend from Sudbury - I'll throw in a trip to Sudbury!

This is FANTASTIC FUN ... will update later who the winner is!

The purse junkie no more

The First bag - goes up on Facebook

So it begins - with the a green Adrienne Vittadini bag - gently used with a few scuff marks - but a great accessory to any wardrobe for a fashionable girl. This was bought just shortly after the The Fashionable Friend moved to Ireland and the direct result of a long standing coveting of her green bag.  I will tell the story of that green bag another time. Needless to say, I no longer need it as I now have said coveted bag and the purple tote! This bag is a little harder to get rid of  then the Spunky intern tote , as it has history, but for $100 dollars in value of a donation (clothing, food or toys) to your local charity and proof of said donation for the blog ( to track the difference my closet contents can make ) I am willing to part with this fantastic bag. As I know two ladies on my facebook page that are interested in my closet contents -  Mom of the worlds greatest Autistic kid and what can only be called the most energetic and marvolous Mom of two very handsome twin boys.. lets see if this one tickles either of their fancy!

So ladies.. the closet door has opened, and I am feeling good..

The purse junkie no more

Spunky Intern -- picks up the totes

The spunky intern picked up her totes two seconds ago and will be sending me a picture of her food bank donations. Feel like this is the first step towards a new me .. or at least more closet space.
So for future reference whoiam2009@live.ca is where pictures can be sent.

The purse junkie..no more

Five things seemed a bit optimistic this weekend - but 5 bottles of not used nail polish might do the trick! ( baby steps) We delivered the bags to the Sobey's bin. I also showed great restraint this weekend at the Eaton Centre where I had to pick up some gifts and at the EX on Sunday where, lets face it there is more junk to fill your house then you know what to do with!

Today will be the first delivery of one of my totes, the spunky intern needs one for school. She has a choice of three to choose from. 1 Bag down. Hopefully I will convince her to take a picture of her food bin donation, that way I can post to see if this little experiment makes a small difference.

Well off to work..

The purse junkie no more

Early morning my favourite part of the day

I am sitting in my dining room, easily one of my favourite rooms in the house, as it looks onto my backyard and has a huge window. This is where I have my morning coffee and read my email, morning news and just simply enjoy the calmest part of my day. The Beautiful little lady and the hubby are fast asleep. The only sounds are me typing and the cat walking on the kitchen floor and the hum of the fridge ( need new one soon).

I think I like this time of the day so much,because it is "my time" of the day,when I do not have to do anything for anyone but myself, and I can simply ease into my day. Really it is the most de-cluttered part of my life. I have never been one to sleep in, I get that from my mom. As a little girl it would not be unusual to find the two of us sitting in the kitchen at the table together reading, her having tea or coffee and me eating peanut butter and toast. Both of us with our noses in books.

In starting this blog, I made the decision to share it with my friends and family, open my experiences in life with them.Hoping some would add insight, most would have a chuckle and others would just simply get to know me better. In talking to Maria (My Smart Environmental Friend ) about my decision to "clean up" the bag and clutter issues we also talked about looking at why we as people do this. Maria is an avid reader and has great insight into her reasons for her overwhelming book collection. She is also likely the most environmentally aware friend that I have, she knows more about the effects of stuff on the environment then I and is for the most part a much more conscientious buyer then I ( not claiming she is perfect, but she is definitely more aware - even gave me a book on it) as a side note, she has these FANTASTIC Shoes that are made from recycled materials. (Bathurst and Bloor Shop across from Honest Eds - in Toronto - great environmentally friendly products available)

Speaking of the environment - Do any of you now have ridiculous amounts of environmental bags since the new 5 cent for bags by law started? (In Toronto, all stores must charge a minimum of 5 cents for each plastic bag provided, so every store has an environmental bag) at last count I think I had 25 of these things! And I have used them to give lots of stuff away so I must have had around 35! These will now hold the contents that will head to charity - this weekend my goal is to get rid of at least 5 things I do not need or use.

So to keep you up to date on the de-cluttering: here is the list done: (With the emotional rate of purge in brackets)

So far I have - filled one Recycle bag (Glad clear plastic) full of clothes that I do not wear, that the hubby and the beautiful little lady do not wear. - destination the drop off bin in front of Sobeys. (Easy)
2 Green Garbage bags full of toys - gently used - destination the the drop off bin in front of Sobeys. (Easy)
1/2 the content of my linen closet. older but still usable towels, bedding, baby blankets and toddler bed sheets - destination the drop off bin in front of Sobeys. (Easy)

For the spunky summer intern at work - will pick a tote out of the collection for the back to school needs (as requested) = donation not only to higher education but also a donation to the food bank. (EASY)

Have heard the pitter patter of feet in the livingroom, the beautiful little lady is up, time for a morning snuggle. Then it will be turning on Skype to speak to the fashionable friend in Ireland.

The purse jukie no more

"The Look"

The Look. You know the one - when you nail an outfit, you have the shoes, the shirt and the BAG. Well today the purple tote got the look.I just got a passing glance. A very fashionable girl got on the Dundas Street car, looked at the bag smiled, then checked out the flip flops (failed here - remember not a shoe girl) then a brief smile at me as she then left at the next stop. I in return felt it - Yes! She approved!

Many girls will not admit to this,( for it is horribly shallow) but we all do it. For each it may be different - but we do the "look" to each other - for some it is the shoes, the hair, others the bag, even more often the whole outfit. And we.. many times unknowingly, acknowledge the individual wearing the outfit, indicating yes I approve!

For example: not uncommon in the earlier stages of friendships between females (teenager and beyond) the girl date = dress up so she likes me. You know what I mean, the decisions involved in what to wear for your first "outing" with your potential new friend. Especially with your new "Fashionable" friend, and this is different then doing the is it "sexy or not sexy enough" talk in your head for the boy date.

Take my friend Sandra she looks fantastic just wearing her yoga wear! Ah, but it is the shoes , the shirt and the BAG she pairs with them as she takes her two little boys all over place. The girl has style. When we first became friends, I would fret over putting the right outfit together, silly - especially for a confident person - Dark denim or light , with or without a scarf ? Now, I don't fret as much, but then again I now have the fashionable weekend outfits!

By the way , the purple tote looker, had a great pair of Seven for all mankind jeans on - New York Dojo, dark denim. - $198.00 Artzia - Bloor Street. I am not insane, I do not know these things all the time, just when I have purchased the same pair in the last year ( to take across the Atlantic to said very fashionable friend above) - though the love of Seven jeans is next on the declutter the life hit list.. for today.. I will appreciate the Seven jeans girl and she will have provided the "thrill" of approval for the purple tote.

The purse junkie no more

Winners --- oh so many bags!

So today as I walk by Winners - which I do everyday. I will say you do not need /want all those fabulous things! I have loved buying bags at winners simply because they are so much more affordable there! But no longer...

The only shopping for me now is groceries, Emma ( My Beautiful Little Lady), and gifts for others. The sheer amount of stuff in our little house is amazing really. Even toys - this past weekend I filled two huge garbage bags full of toys - of course headed to charity, however why did I ever think she needed so many??? Guilt for going back to work in the beginning, but other then that can't think why she needed 20 dolls?? What on earth am I teaching her?? She needs to anticipate things, work for them. Instead of it seems I have said "sure honey, mommy will buy yet again another toy". I didn't have 20 dolls as a kid. The need to surround myself with "things" ... now I gotta figure that one out! Insulation from judgment? I deserve it cause i can afford it???

I have only a couple of friends that are frugal, most are responsible consumers, and then I have many like me who are crazy about stuff. Every one of my shopping friends, I love. Some have a thing for great deals ( and thus do not spend ridiculous amounts) others love soaps and lotions, only a rare few truly understand the "rush" of the bag, many adore shoes.

Jay ( The Hubby) was beyond happy with this little attempt for me to stop shopping and examine why I do what I do.. he was often shaking his head when another new bag came in the house.. never one to say much about it, just would look at me and ask " another one? "

I have also come up with a plan.. the way in which I will weed out my current collection, when the time is right, item by item they will be posted - until they are all given away. The only cost to my friends will be one full environmental bag of food donated to a local food bank. So keep an eye on the blog and those who connect with me - I will likely also post on facebook.

And so.. on to a little less cluttered space - work. Where I have two black totes in my office drawer!

The purse junkie.. no more

So here goes....

Today i made a huge decision.. today I bought my last bag for the next year. Now to an average person this may seem strange. To me, this is huge. You see I am addicted to bags, purses and wallets.

You know those girls who buy shoes and hide them from their spouses? Well, I don't buy shoes like that.. I buy bags. Lots of them. I am not rich enough for the "it" bags. I don't own a Louis V bag, I do own at least 7 coach bags, Le Sport Sac, The Sak, Stone Mountain, 4 or 5 Liz bags, Roots and well i think you are getting the picture.

I realized a long time ago why I buy bags, it is simple they always fit. The thrill i get when I buy a new bag... well it is close to sex. Did you see confessions of a shopaholic? Well focus that attention and desire on bags and you have me!

Now, I deal with the overflow simply.. I give them away. You see I get over the "high" fairly quickly, then they end up stored in their "dust bags" until my Darling Friend Dawne comes for a visit from Sudbury and I give her all the ones she likes - so many over the years her husband think she has a problem.. well this is it... today I begin the de-cluttering of my life. And I am starting with the biggest addiction - bags. So as a huge send off - I bought one last bag today - a beautiful purple tote bag. I will have to work up to the de-cluttering of the current collection, but i WILL get there.

I am also planning to de-clutter my life in other ways.. and so today is the first day of the no shopping for purses and stuff I don't need.. wish me luck.

I am going to need it.

The Purse junkie..no more