When I was 18 years old, on a summer vacation in Greece, I saw the purse of my dreams in one of my favourite stores.
I fell in love instantly. Yes, I'm a firm believer in love at first sight and in falling in love. Have you ever lusted after something, have you ever had a desire for something so fierce it is all you can think about? I have.
At that moment in time, this purse became my obsession. It was a little too expensive for me to be able to afford, and mymoney parents were nowhere to be found.
When I was 18, I didn't have a big collection of designer purses but my love affair with handbags began that summer.
This purse was perfect. It was small, too—like a clutch. It was black patent leather. And it had the most perfect bamboo handle. Timeless, classic, beautiful. I remember the fine details to this day.
Suddenly, my aunt appeared.
"Do you like that purse, Loukia?" she asked.
"Oh, yes, I love this purse. It's the most perfect purse I have ever seen. I need this purse so badly.... sigh..." I said to her.
I kept going on and on about this purse because I knew that in one week, when we would be heading back to Canada, she would 'surprise' my sister and I with presents, as was the tradition every year.
"Good to know how much you love this purse," she said, with a knowing smile on her face.
After our conversation, I was convinced that the purse would be coming back to Canada with me. I smiled at my purse, blew it a kiss, and walked out of the store with only a new pair of shoes in my hands.
Later, as I lay suntanning on the beach and enjoying the beautiful sea, feeling the hot sun on my skin, I started planning my outfits around the purse. My vacation was perfect.
Fast forward to our last day in Greece.
We were sad and emotional as we started packing to head back home, but there was still something to look forward to.
My aunt started walking towards me, gift bag in hand.
Looking me in the eyes, she said: "Here you go Loukia. Something extra special for you!"
I was speechless as I took the bag from her hands. I was careful to remove the tissue paper, and then... I saw it.
A white purse with beaded tassles. With a long over the shoulder strap.
"Um. Oh. Thank you." I managed to utter under my breath, while wiping away the tears from my eyes.
I quickly did some math and figured there was no way I was going to make it back to the store in time to exchange the purse for my beloved black patent leather clutch with bamboo handle.
I put the purse in my suitcase, and cursed at my mother who told me to leave my favourite Chanel perfume behind for my aunt, since she loved it so much.
17 years later, I still think about that purse. I use 'the purse' in almost any argument I am in about purchasing something you truly desire. I'm not talking about just another black sweater, but that one item that sticks out for you, that your heart flutters instantly for, that your palms get sweaty for.
You know when you walk into a store and see something you NEED? A gorgeous pair of Louboutin heels, a new Fendi bag, a beautiful dress...
Yesterday I was shopping at Holt Renfrew with my mom and my sister, and I saw the most beautiful blue dress I had ever laid my eyes on. (Along with almost every single dress from BCBG.)
I fell in love instantly. Yes, I'm a firm believer in love at first sight and in falling in love. Have you ever lusted after something, have you ever had a desire for something so fierce it is all you can think about? I have.
At that moment in time, this purse became my obsession. It was a little too expensive for me to be able to afford, and my
When I was 18, I didn't have a big collection of designer purses but my love affair with handbags began that summer.
This purse was perfect. It was small, too—like a clutch. It was black patent leather. And it had the most perfect bamboo handle. Timeless, classic, beautiful. I remember the fine details to this day.
Suddenly, my aunt appeared.
"Do you like that purse, Loukia?" she asked.
"Oh, yes, I love this purse. It's the most perfect purse I have ever seen. I need this purse so badly.... sigh..." I said to her.
I kept going on and on about this purse because I knew that in one week, when we would be heading back to Canada, she would 'surprise' my sister and I with presents, as was the tradition every year.
"Good to know how much you love this purse," she said, with a knowing smile on her face.
After our conversation, I was convinced that the purse would be coming back to Canada with me. I smiled at my purse, blew it a kiss, and walked out of the store with only a new pair of shoes in my hands.
Later, as I lay suntanning on the beach and enjoying the beautiful sea, feeling the hot sun on my skin, I started planning my outfits around the purse. My vacation was perfect.
Fast forward to our last day in Greece.
We were sad and emotional as we started packing to head back home, but there was still something to look forward to.
My aunt started walking towards me, gift bag in hand.
Looking me in the eyes, she said: "Here you go Loukia. Something extra special for you!"
I was speechless as I took the bag from her hands. I was careful to remove the tissue paper, and then... I saw it.
A white purse with beaded tassles. With a long over the shoulder strap.
"Um. Oh. Thank you." I managed to utter under my breath, while wiping away the tears from my eyes.
I quickly did some math and figured there was no way I was going to make it back to the store in time to exchange the purse for my beloved black patent leather clutch with bamboo handle.
I put the purse in my suitcase, and cursed at my mother who told me to leave my favourite Chanel perfume behind for my aunt, since she loved it so much.
17 years later, I still think about that purse. I use 'the purse' in almost any argument I am in about purchasing something you truly desire. I'm not talking about just another black sweater, but that one item that sticks out for you, that your heart flutters instantly for, that your palms get sweaty for.
You know when you walk into a store and see something you NEED? A gorgeous pair of Louboutin heels, a new Fendi bag, a beautiful dress...
Yesterday I was shopping at Holt Renfrew with my mom and my sister, and I saw the most beautiful blue dress I had ever laid my eyes on. (Along with almost every single dress from BCBG.)
It was $400. A little expensive for a blue dress. Not exactly the same as a LBD, and plus, I don't have that many events to go to where I can wear the dress in the next few months. However, sometimes purchases shouldn't need to be justfied. This dress needed to be mine.
I begged my mom for it for Christmas, but she had other ideas. I decided rather than my boys get me my Tiffany key that I also covet, I would rather open a box and see this blue dress inside—instead of a blue box, a blue dress! And I swear to God, I'll wear it all the time.
Life is too short to not cave in to what we desire sometimes. We're here for a good time, not a long time, right?
(I still don't have the dress in my possession, but I swear—the dress will be mine!)
Comments
Love the dress....but I don't think I've ever been in a store that sells dresses for that much (except wedding dress shopping). Remember, I'm super cheap!
Doooooo it.
Doooooo eeeeeet.
Were u actually wearing that dress in your pic? (are u wearing sweater underneath? Or are u standing behind a mannequin? LOLOL I can't quite tell..either way it's cute!
I want to scream YES! GET THE DRESS! But there's a part of me with the whole nagging "but what about the kids? And their college fund? And, you know, food?!"
This is why no one likes me.