My Zippered Frog

As I was looking down at my summer purse the other day I realized it had become sort of rag-tag.  It is a straw purse and a frequent scratching post for the cats because they just can’t resist.  Like it or not, I have to embark on a quest to find and fall in love with a new summer purse.  I know some women love handbags and change them every day, sometimes more.  Not me; I settle into a bag and develop a meaningful relationship.

First, the purse has to be just the right size-not too big and not too small.  It needs to comfortably hold a 12 ounce bottle of water and in almost all cases it must be black.  It absolutely has to zip all the way across, because in between falling frequently and dropping my purse even more frequently, I need everything secured.  The inside of the purse must be divided for a number of reasons, including keeping my water in one side and my Blackberry in the other, just in case.  Yep, it’s a little OCD and thank you so much for asking.

Let’s say after a lot of false alarms I find a purse that meets the criteria above.  Now it is a candidate, but by no means has it won my heart yet.  There absolutely, positively has to be a little pocket on the inside, and it too must zip.  I need that pocket for all the things that will otherwise land in the depths of my purse and never be found again; lipstick, mints, pens, etc.  If I manage to find a bag that also has a similar zipper pocket on the outside I’m in heaven.  No digging around for car keys.

The strap must be just the right length, or adjustable, and not too many metal decorations on the outside that are just going to catch on things when I clumsily bump into them.  Last but not least is the matter of the moral dilemma…is the purse leather?  In the old days when I didn’t care about all the innocent animals being kept in horrible conditions and then slaughtered, it had to be leather.  Nowadays, I strongly prefer fabric of some kind.  I’ll never give up my leather shoes, but I try to compromise on my handbags.  Still, if it’s leather but meets all my other criteria I will probably buy it and live with the cow blood on my hands.

I’m probably going to have to kiss a lot of frogs before I find my princely bag, but eventually I will find my true love.

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12 Responses to My Zippered Frog

  1. Marcie Lovett says:

    I, too, agonize over the purse issue. Gotta have the right pockets, fit my planner and my huge wallet, not be heavy, not full of excess decorations, etc., etc. I finally succumbed to the unlovely cross-body trend and found a huge improvement in back/neck pain AND I don’t drop the purse so much anymore.

    The one I bought last year was great for winter but now I want one in a lighter color for summer. Could have bought it in two different colors, but I didn’t know it was a keeper then and, being on sale, it was too late when I went back. Now it’s discontinued. Here’s a link for a similar one (although it is leather) http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/tignanello-handbag-item-east-west-leather-convertible-crossbody?ID=710912&CategoryID=26846#fn=sp%3D1%26spc%3D27%26kws%3Dtignanello%26slotId%3D7. Good luck with the hunt.

  2. Mom says:

    Just bought a Big Budda bag. I think everyone will find what they’re looking for! They are great! Mom

    • Jill Foer Hirsch says:

      You know mom you’re like snow white or something. A happy peaceful sleep until somebody starts blogging about purses and shopping and you POP to attention!!

  3. Kate says:

    I too am looking for a replacement for my “summer” bag. The only difference between my summer bag and my winter bag is the color. Black for winter, tan for summer. When you find the perfect bag, let us know, there may be many of us interested! Oh, I like lightweight and back healthy too. No wonder I never find anything!

    • Jill Foer Hirsch says:

      Yes–lightweight and back healthy is critical! Fabric is much lighter than leather. Just sayin’

  4. Abbe says:

    My sentiments exactly…I have been searching for about a year now for a replacement bag that will be just right; you just listed every one of my requirements!

    • Jill Foer Hirsch says:

      Well if you find one, let me know! I’ll let you know if I make a love match. 🙂

  5. Ann says:

    I too have exacting bag requirements. I haven’t given up leather, but Big Buddha uses “vegan leather.” Look for them on Baghaus.com, probably others as well.

    • Jill Foer Hirsch says:

      Thanks for the tip. I may be emotionally ready to embrace “vegan leather”

  6. mimijk says:

    These searches are very important and one must not stop until the perfect princely bag is found. May the fashion force be with you.

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