Dear Sam,

It is with sincere regret that I am withdrawing my participation in the Cigars blog. Key Point: This means I'll no longer be a participating author.

Yours,
Ellen Hartman

P.S. This means I can be entered in the drawing for the bag you made. I WANT it!! ;-)

P.P.S. Let me know as soon as you're finished picking a winner so I can sign back up as a participating author. K?

Samantha, I love bags/purses/totes. You name it. Just recently I have purchased 3 purses BUT got them on sale, wahoo. The first is a blue number and is quite large(deep) and I'm sure I'll have problems finding things that are on the bottom. But I love it. The second number is a red purse and smaller. The third is a purse I had my eye on for some time but being it is a different color and won't match many outfits I decided not to buy it. The other day when I was in the city I went to checkouts and lo and behold there was a cart with purses on sale. My dream bag was in there and for $5.00 down from $29.97. I made the decision to purchase right then and there, lol. The color is carmel like.
My requirements for bags/purses is that they hold lots of objects. I carry everything but the kitchen sink in my purses.

Now I'm being serious.

I love bags. I don't actually love to carry them, but I do love them. I use a backpack as my "purse." Always have. When I can't carry my backpack--going to the movies or out to dinner--I make do with pockets (mine or my husband's).

The backpack is more about my needs than style, though. I love gorgeous bags. I have a lovely evening bag from a vintage clothing store--beaded and embroidered in turquoise silk. I also like to make quilted bags. I have a pattern I adapted that I make for a lot of my 3 year old relatives. It's the perfect size for them to carry their own snack, a book, and some other little items kids that age seem to feel are necessary. Gives them some independence.

I almost bought my editor a bag as a holiday gift this year. But I agree with you, Sam, that in this area personal taste is a huge determiner so I skipped it.

I still want to win your bag, though, so I'd like you to note that I've now posted 2 comments. That means my name goes in twice. ;-)

Ellen

I love large bags with lot of pockets to carry my stuff in. For some reason I have to carry a lot of stuff. My bag needs to be big enough for my stuff and a book if I need one. It seems like when I carry a purse it is never big enough to put that extra book in. I don't need a fancy bag or purse as long as its big enough. Maybe I need to start carring a back pack to just for my stuff.

When I moved away from Ithaca, NY, my mother-in-law came to visit one last time just so she could buy a tapestry-type handbag that a local woman made there and sold in a little handicrafts store. She bought four of them, gave one to me, and kept the rest so that when one wore out, she could go on to the next.

I thought she was kind of silly.

Now that my tapestry bag is wearing out, I'm ready to drive 5 hours to Ithaca to get another one. I love my bag. I can't move on...

My bag is now almost in tatters, and I still carry it around like it's a ratty blanket and I'm a stubborn five-year-old.

Okay, that's about as much as you ever need to know about me....

--Diana

in my bag. But the one I carry is one I was 'awarded' as my 10yr gift from my work and it has one zipper compartment and a place for your cell phone. I like it, it's functional, but it's one big open hole and I have to have my things organized just so. You can however fit in a paperback when you go out to lunch alone.
The name game - when I lived in Maryland (going back many years) I called them pocketbooks. When I moved to Florida, they called them purses. So, I had to give in to peer pressure or be made fun of. I was already teased on how I said other words, so calling a pocketbook a purse was an easy decision.

Sam, I love bags too - more than shoes. Shoes are evil and painful. I think it was a book by Cathie Linz, where the heroine loved shoes - but was betrayed by them when a heel broke, so she turned to bags because those weill never turn on you, and your size doesn't matter.
For me, I can't find a single pair of dress shoes that work. They can be cute etc, but they shred my feet. Even aerosoles, etc. I don't know what it is - I'm unlucky.
Bags, now, I love. However, I generally choose a good "mid" sized one, and carry it EVERY DAY until I wear it out. They're not like totes etc; but bigger than a clutch. I need to carry everythin in it- and be able to fit a paperback in my purse as well. I'd switch around more, but I'm afraid I'm forget to transfer my wallet/keys, etc. But I do really love bags - it's always important to have a good one you can carry to... an elementary school, or a five star restaurant, all in the same day, in my humble opinion :)

I never liked shoes (I only wore them because I had to) and went with only flat shoes like tennis shoes or other shoes with low heels. I too had a bag fetish (and still do) but have tamed it somewhat. The last bag I bought was last summer when I was in Gatlinburg and bought a backpack type bag which was easier to carry while I was sightseeing. And I would love a bag by you.
PS. Until I cut my hair short I had more hair clips than one could count and still have most of them even though there's not enough hair to hold any now.

Hey, Sam!

I am a somewhat new member to the "I love bags" group. Growing up, I couldn't stand the thought of having to carry a bag or a purse someday--I remember telling my mother that if I couldn't carry it in my pockets, then I just didn't need it! Well, that attitude has changed quite a bit! Ha ha ha ha! I have a total bag fetish now, but it only started within the last few years or so. I have many bags for many different occasions-- 1 for the winter (because it's weather-proof), 2 or 3 for nights out with the girls (they hold much less stuff and don't take up a lot of space), 2 or 3 for days of shopping, and 2 or 3 for everyday use. I have a few bags called "ChicoBags" (don't know if anyone else has heard of them) that I use for book store or grocery store shopping--they fold into themselves and clip onto the side of your purse/bag, but open up into these big bags to hold groceries and stuff in! They are WONDERFUL (and washable)! I love them.

(I used to have a shoe fetish--my fetishes change about every 5 years! Hee hee!)

Oh, and our taste in bags seems to be quite similar... I MUCH prefer the first kind of bag you posted the picture of. I am a huge fan of tote/messenger/cross-sling bags. They are the BEST.

Sam--I love knowing that you are a bag person. I love bags, too, but I usually have one purse (sorry) that I carry until I'm ashamed of it while I switch out totes and messengers regularly, depending on what else I'm carrying. The crazy thing is that I have other purses at home, but it's such an effort to switch, that I don't. I did recently switch out of a red bag that I love so that I don't wear it out. I was very proud of myself for making the effort.

Jeannie (who wears heels, too)

I also prefer bags I can carry over my shoulder, so my hands are free. In the winter months I carry a leather bag and summer means something lighter-----crocheted or quilted.

I think I have like 5 pairs of shoes(including my winter boots LOL). I love purses too but they need to fit a certain criteria. The strap has to be long enough to go over the head at rest just below hip level (I use a walker so I don't want a purse that keeps sliding off shoulder). I can reach easily into purse at hip level. If higher I end up choking myself LOL. It needs some pockets so things I need are easily found. Like keys. I don't want to be standing outside in winter digging in a purse for keys LOL. It needs to be big enough to hold a book along with everything else. My sister got me one at Christmas that's perfect. I'll probably use that till it's falling apart (cause I have a tenancy to do that with alot of things. I hate shopping) or she gets me a new one(she's a shopper and coats and purses are her passion)

I really don't go for accessories? I'm such a lousy girl. I can see when a bag is pretty. I go bananas for amazing shoes. But I don't buy either for myself. My own bag is a tan bagpack that is a laptop case. It was superceded by the panda printed felt diaper bag. No purse, just a wallet. :)But at least I have diapers!

I know, laaaaaaaaaame. :)
Dee

I love purses. For work I like a big tote with lots of pockets on the inside for my wallet, keys, phone, water and other knickknacks. I like small purses and wristlets when I'm going out. I've been lucky that the purses I received as gifts were my style and to my liking. You can never go wrong with a Coach or Kate Spade purse.

Bags are my weakness; in fact, I buy myself a new bag every year AT the national conference, while I'm out and about. Hey, if I can't bring home a RITA, I can at least bring home a new bag! I can tell you where and when I bought each conference bag. In 2003, when the conference was held in NYC, I came home with five new bags, all very cool knock-offs that I bought from the sidewalk vendors. I bought a hand-tooled leather bag with gorgeous silver decorations when I was in Texas, and a sequined, pink GONE WITH THE WIND bag in Atlanta, with a picture of Scarlett and Rhett on the side...tacky, but I've gotten lots of compliments on it! My closets (all of them, even my husband's and my kids' closets) have shelves that are stuffed with my bags, all textiles and styles. I try to use them all as much as I can, but admit it can be a pain to transfer all my "stuff" and sadly, Sam, my little Kate Spade bag (one of my favorites) isn't big enough to hold my new wallet. I leave it unzipped, but then it slides off the passenger seat and gets up-ended on the floor and then I'm scrounging around the car for all my makeup, loose change, etc. My most practical bag is a simple black messenger-style bag that I can throw over my shoulder. Fun post!! And Ellen nearly gave me a heart attack, too!

Great post today which I can totally relate to. Each season here in town the women go absolutely crazy when a particular department store has their sale. SOme on them have both arms with at least three or more purses lined up. Names, colors and styles are all important. I have my favorites. Dark for winter and lighter for the other seasons and never large since I am small. Also enough room for mecessities. Some nowadays are like suitcases which are a bit much.

I so, do not have a thing for shoes. I own tennis shoes, flats and a pair of cowboy boots i never wear.
As for bags, my closets are full.
In fact last year my mother and i drove the three and a half hour drive to check out the longaberger factory in dresden. It was pretty cool, i wanted to buy all the purses, but my car isnt that big. and my husband would have killed me.
every time my mother and i go shopping i end up with a new bag. I love a large roomy bag, but sometimes i have to carry the small longaberger totes when i dont want to carry anything heavy. but that doesnt last long and im bag to the big bag.

I had a bag once years ago that i carried until it fell apart. i was heartbroken. It was a lovely black leather backpack that had so much room, and slung over my shoulder so easy. even if i changed bags i always came back to it. i'd love to find another one like it.
My bag has to be big enough to hold all my junk, pen and paper (of course) and a paperback. plus whatever of my sons thing he's too tired to carry.

I saw this commercial a couple months ago for a purse that is a black base that you change the outside covers to match your outfits. the cover attach with really strong magnets. it looked so cool, but a bit too much for me. oh well.
jody
A confirmed purse-a-holic!
Just ask my husband.

This is the bag i was talking about. pretty cool idea. wish id thought of it!
lol!
http://www.michebag.com/
check it out!

Sure count me in. Sounds great.

I don't like that word, either. It looks like we have the same taste in bags. Your style and convenience preferences match mine. Those little clutch things are cute but, I like a more hands-free bag. I'm to busy to hold it. Okay, I'm to forgetful to hold it.

I like the clean lines of Coach and Kate Spade. My friend is a collector of Louis Vuitton and gave me a piece as a special Thank You gift. I don't like logos on my stuff.

I am currently using a red Coach backpack. It's a small backpack. I love it. I can wear it and still shop in comfort without the fear of losing my bag.

LOLOL Ellen! I was reading it at first and saying oh no, and then laughing!!

Samantha, I so hate shoes! Really, I can't walk on the heels! And I just don't feel comfy with some shoes, so I'm very picky and usually stay with a similar brand. But love a bag anytime! I have to have them for my books! I'm always caring one around me. Never know if hubby will run out of gas (don't ask, LOL)

...that I am not alone in this addiction. LOL

I also am doing something new, based on this thread. I have given out a bunch of bags to family, friends and some readers, plan to do that more, and so I asked a few people I have given bags to for pictures, and on my new website (coming soon, I promise!) I am posting a "Bag Wall" (I can't come up with a clever name for it, Bag Wall is the best I have been able to do...)-- pictures of everyone with the bag I have sent them. So, if you win, you are promising to send me a pic of you with the bag for my bag wall! ;)

Will be fun!

Sam

I'd definitely send a pic if I was the lucky winner. I love homemad items; Mom was a great sewer/crafter. I also dabble in crafts.