The ultimate handbag justification

You know how certain people in your life fill certain roles? For some reason, I am the person everyone calls to justify their purchases. I believe it started in high school when I introduced my friends to the idea of amortization. "But if you wear this $100 4 times, it's really only $25 a wearing!" (At 15, this was revolutionary thinking)

I have a shoe addiction. I have also noticed recently that I have a burgeoning handbag addiction, that I have, thus far, been able to keep a lid on, bubbling below the surface. Partly because I hate switching purses. Partly because I know my life can't handle another accessory addiction.

That didn't stop me, however, from buying two evening bags over the Christmas holidays. There was a sale. I was doing random shopping. And decided I wanted the bags and was going to buy them.

Of course, this is justified since one is black and one is very "me" (hey! It is! Even my dad said when he saw it "That is definitely you". My DAD! ) And because evening bags, when purchased properly are lifelong investment pieces (my latest justification for most of my recent accessory purchases).

On this same day, I saw this other purse that I adore. A sort of yellowish background with a black vintage lace overlay. (I have no clue how to describe this). And I realized it would go perfectly with the yellow evening gown I someday want to own and wear to a gala event (that exists only in my head right now - both the gown and the event - yes, this post gets weirder and weirder). And so I've been thinking of this purse. And the two purses I purchased. And the other purse I've "borrowed" from my mother (which is now essentially mine until my sister discovers I have it).

And I thought about how I've borrowed my mother's evening bags in the past. Because I never had my own. About how I love combing through my mom's purses because they represent a time in my mom's life before she was MOM. Or when she was something other than MOM. This secret non-MOM side that you only start to see and appreciate once you're older.

And so I started thinking of Mom's accessories (jewelry and handbags) that we wear/borrow/abscond with. And Grandma's. And how these are treasures, or heirlooms, or just fun pieces with memories or extra heart attached.

And all of the above led me to the ultimate evening bag justification.

I should be buying evening bags. In all the basic colours (gold, black, silver, navy) and a few splashy ones in between. So that, one day, when my daughter (the one I don't have yet) is 18 or 23 or 27 and is attending an event, she has a bag to borrow. And she can marvel at how cyclical fashion is. And wonder how my evenings went when I was carrying the bag. And cherish the love that is present in passing down accessories for, and sharing anticipation about, nights out on the town.

I must buy evening bags to be a good mother. I owe it to my future daughter.

And that, I realized, is why people call me to help justify purchases. It's also why I will probably go and buy my yellowish, black lace purse. Well that, and because I love it.