Bought: Marc Jacobs Rio

What: Marc Jacobs Rio (Bowler or Leather Satchel), Fall Winter 10 Collection

Where: His shop on Mercer Street in New York

Price: Enough to make me paranoid about liquids and rough surfaces

Know how to not feel remorse after a large purchase? First, be irresponsible. But then, do your research as follows:

1. Get caught many times at work looking at purseblog and netaporter and polyvore, as opposed to looking at income tax laws. But really, who would blame me? And I'm still employed so w/e.

2. On a trip to New York, when you realize that 40% of your travel companions (with whom you are sharing a small apartment) are big poops, pretend to be sick and then sneak out later and spend the entire day visiting every place that sells bags. Make sure that your intended purchase is not going to end up chilling in the discount bin in a few months. Compare the prices, see if you could fit your laptop in the bag (in a pinch only!), get turned off by the cruddy service at Bloomingdale's.

3. Get your short-list together. I was down to:

OMG those look cute in miniature.

Then I realized that this was my first bag purchase that was a lot of money (for me), and I decided to go with the most understated of the three. Understated for me involved golden hardware, a keylock, pyramid studs all over the place and a bowler shape.

So I went with the Rio, and I am very happy, and it was fun to visit the line's actual store, and I pet it and lovingly put it in it's dustbag when it goes to bed each night. Just kidding, but I do pet it.

I'm trying to cut back on quantity of shopping and instead do a bit more quality. So I've got my mind on a Balenciaga next or possibly the large PS1 (which they carry at the Bay, shocking.) But I'm waiting at least a year! Or at least six months. Or at least three.

Made: Amy Butler "Birdie Sling"

I am a beginner sewer. While it's definitely a hobby, I like to make things I'll actually use, not just cushions and tea covers and little bandanas for my dog. He doesn't even appreciate them, anyways: apparently Maltese have more personal style than I expected.

My very first project was a pattern by Amy Butler. Her house must be incredible. It's a tote-like bag called the Birdie Sling. Here was my first attempt, made with some gorgeous Amy Butler print and a strong black organic cotton:

I lugged it all around school, packed with a laptop, lunch, thick textbooks, my Income Tax Act...this bag was my life. Until the dry-clean only white strap started to get yellow and nasty.

So, I decided to make it again. This time, I cheaped out and went to Ikea and bought a cute little print. I also used an old pillowcase to line. I skipped all the random "interfacing" as well, except on the strap, and I used scraps. So this is the ghetto version, and I actually like it more:



The first one cost about $40, the second about $12. Not including my time to make the bags. To include that, add about 50 cents.

Overall, great for a beginner, fun, very useable, super sturdy, and pretty styling in my opinion. I also reviewed it here.