<p>I wear a lot of neutrals as well as green (flattering to me), so an orange bag might work. I would prefer to spend $100 or less, I would go up to $200. Don’t want to spend a lot on something I will only carry for a year or two.</p>
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<p>Ditto! But purses (and shoes) make me happy. :)</p>
<p>FallGirl, for brands in that price range, I’ve seen people say that Talbots is doing a particularly good job right now. For example, [Women's</a> Shoes & Accessories at Talbots - Pebbled leather tote](<a href=“http://■■■■■■/csL1ym]Women’s”>http://■■■■■■/csL1ym). That one’s yellow, a little muted. There’s also etsy. Have you ever looked there? Small businesses, crafts, etc.? A good resource.</p>
<p>That’s a good looking bag, Alumother - I like bright yellows and oranges for summer. I just bought this little cutie:</p>
<p>[Tod’s-G-Bag</a> Easy Secchiello Medio-Neiman Marcus](<a href=“http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod96290011&eItemId=prod96290011&cmCat=search&searchType=MAIN&parentId=&icid=&rte=%252Fsearch.jhtml%253FNo%253D20%2526Ntt%253Dtods%2526_requestid%253D30909%2526N%253D0]Tod’s-G-Bag”>http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod96290011&eItemId=prod96290011&cmCat=search&searchType=MAIN&parentId=&icid=&rte=%252Fsearch.jhtml%253FNo%253D20%2526Ntt%253Dtods%2526_requestid%253D30909%2526N%253D0)</p>
<p>In the orange, of course.</p>
<p>My closet still has lots of cashmere twin sets and high end purses which I bought when I was a working mom. But now, as a stay home mom, FLEECE is what I wear everyday. North Face 1/4 zip top with jean or even fleece pants for yoga or grocery shopping. Yes, that’s it. Paired with Merrell clogs or boots. A big canvas bag (cheap one from Gap or expensive one from LV), that’s me, everyday!</p>
<p>I am trying to upgrade my wardrobe. But I have along way to go before I could rationalize a $945 purse.</p>
<p>I love the 1/4 zip fleece tops - I usually wear a Three Dots tee underneath because I get hot, and Nike dryfit pants - the best fitting pant ever. I go from Pilates to errands and end up wearing the outfit all day. Of course, I still have my great-looking bag!</p>
<p>Mafool - the thing is, bags aren’t rational (how do you do italics?) at all - my husband doesn’t get it either - but I love a great bag and it has to be of impeccable quality - not a bunch of logos plastered everywhere - understated, fun, elegant, chic. Perhaps it’s best not to indulge, because once you do…</p>
<p>alumother-I like that bag. I just looked at my Talbots catalog (got it yesterday, hadn’t looked at it yet) and in the catalog picture the color looks really pretty. A possibility for sure. Thanks!</p>
<p>gourmetmom-I like the Tod’s bag,too but not in my budget.</p>
<p>Gourmetmom, as I said: no judgment! I would like to be in a position where I could do that for myself without guilt. For now, if I were to spend more on a bag than I had given to, say, Haitian relief, well, I just couldn’t. </p>
<p>~mafool (a High WASP by taste and inclination–but not always by means, complicated by a liberal sensibility!)</p>
<p>Gourmetmom: italics:</p>
<p>[ i] your post[/ i] but remove the spaces.</p>
<p>A slightly easier way: highlight what you want to see in itallics, then hit Ctrl I. Ctrl B works for bold.</p>
<p>correct! Much easier: just like in MSWord and other programs.</p>
<p>I want to use italics.</p>
<p>Only [ i] your post[/ i] works. Control “I” doesn’t work on a Mac?</p>
<p>A recent top 10 bags post from a handbag blog. These are all very high end, I think, but it helps you see what’s out there, set a framework for going lower priced…[url=<a href=“http://www.senoracartera.com/2010/02/spring-2010-top-10-must-have-bags.html]Designer”>http://www.senoracartera.com/2010/02/spring-2010-top-10-must-have-bags.html]Designer</a> Handbag Reviews at Se</p>
<p>Oooh, Gourmetmom, I love your Tod’s bag. BTW, I spent huge sums on my patent leather LV but I carry it every day and will for probably 3 years. Great concept I rely on? Cost per wear, cost per wear…</p>
<p>mafool, good for you. I salute you for your convictions.</p>
<p>I don’t know, Alumother, four black bags for summer? I look forward to putting away my dark bags for a couple of months. The Chloe is too fussy, but the colors are nice. The Sergio Rossi is very pretty, especially in that yellow, and I’m sure it looks even better in real life. Summer is when I really want to change up my handbags. During the winter, I’ll slog it out with the same bag mid week, but during the summer, I always coordinate my purse with my outfit.</p>
<p>My current bag is a sort of sparkly aubergine. I live in California. We don’t really have seasons:). Hence one bag at a time. Plus, like I said, some part of me is just what I call a Sturdy Gal, and has only so much patience for the exigencies of fashion. The Grandes Dames, the Artsy Cousins, they do much better.</p>
<p>Ah, California. We’re in the doldrums here in New England, waiting for a good spring rain to wash off the sand and salt so that we can break out our fashions without ruination. </p>
<p>At this time of year I start to have an eye towards transitional clothing - those outfits that work well on cold mornings/warm afternoons. Any suggestions?</p>
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<p>Here here! I have 4 pairs of these–wear them to the gym almost everyday. I think they’re the best. My Ds like Lululemon athletic pants/tops, but I prefer the Nike pants.</p>
<p>Mafool, love the WASP sensibility remark. Those genes keep me in the GAP, Ann Taylor and Banana Republic with some guilt every time I pull out my Visa card…my husband has no idea how lucky he is!</p>