The first time a girl holds a handbag

After getting the girls off to school, I headed home to begin a marathon of packing, and also to do some last minute things in Paris. The highlight on my list was the Marc Jacobs store. Tucked away near the Louvre in a small side street and I had my eye set on a bag. It wasn't impulsive... I just decided I wanted THAT ONE last night... at about midnight when it was far too late to call anyone. I even wrote a list of reasons! And I spent all morning contemplating it, so it was definitely NOT impulsive. And before you start mouthing 'OH GOOD GOD what has she gone and done now????' keep reading and I'll continue explaining.


I went into the store, and I think it's pretty obvious to the staff which customers are there to try and find a cheap 'souvenir' and those that are there for the REAL DEAL. I asked (in French of course!) about the small bag with a gold bird on the front, and the guy said they didn't have the small one. I looked around, and although the bags were absolutely G O R G E O U S, they weren't the one. He saw me staring at them all - I hadn't come to Paris to leave empty handed! - and said he'd go and have another look. Wow. And he came back with THE bag! :O He was so lovely, and I practically jumped up and down (Ok, so I hopped about and clapped my hands, beaming and delightedly repeating 'merci! merci! merci!'). It was lovely, BUT not as amazing as it was on the internet. It was very small, and if I'm going to spend money on a bag, I want to be able to use it every day, and not for a trip to the theatre with only a lipstick and mirror inside! THEN I spotted the one. The bag. Mustard yellow, similar design to the Mulberry's Alexa bag - small handle and shoulder strap, designer stamped plaque on the front, and it's 'signature monochrome twill' inside. AND, it was THE LAST ONE. (Obviously meant for me then.) SO, I bought it. 

  

 

Reason one: The best things I got for my birthday was a box of apples and a Rihanna CD (thank you very much, and the CD fits brilliantly into the bag!), but I feel that after my 18th Birthday achievement last year, I really should follow on from that in the same designer streak. Reason 2: WHAT a year. Oh my goodness. If I deserved anything, it really was this bag. Whether you look at this past week, past month, past four months in France which NOBODY seemed to think I'd actually do, or just another year gone by with all the general ups and downs, it's been tough. Reason 3: I spent my euro money, so my bank account remains unharmed, and my euros wouldn't even buy me a cup of hot chocolate in England, so I might as well put them to good use while I can! Reason 4: This is actually saving my life! I mean, with a fur coat and a (faux)-fur bag, I really could have been attacked by some animal-rights activist, accusing me of wearing half the animal kingdom! (Oh, and I also have tusks hanging off my favourite earrings...) And as much as I love my fur coat and my fur bag, I really don't want to look like I've mauled about 20 furry felines for fashion purposes... 


And one extra reason - come on, I'm in P.A.R.I.S! You can't NOT buy something truly spectacular when you're in the Fashion Kingdom. And just so I didn't feel completely selfish (although everyone needs to at some point each day!), I bought a few 'souvenirs' for Christmas pressies. :D


And to end a truly amazing day, this evening was so relaxing and happy. William's in Lyon with his AWFUL parents, Caroline and Marie have fled from Nazi's - sorry - 'left' Paris for their holiday in Switzerland, so it was just me, Margot and Juliette, being relaxed, unstressed and happy. It is so much simpler without the parents! They're alone this weekend (they're seeing Lady Gaga on Sunday before travelling to Switzerland on Monday) and I felt really sorry that they'd been abandoned, so I cooked a huge tub of pasta (they are true pasta-addicts), a cake and some chocolate cornflake cakes for them to have tomorrow. 


Oooh! And SHOCKING NEWS!!! (Hold tight to your jaws, readers!) - As Marie was leaving this lunch time... 1) She hugged me 2) She actually kissed me on the cheek (awww) 3) She was really friendly and smiley and even said 'merci' and 'au revoir' and 'joyeux Noel'. I take back everything horrible I said about her. Really. It's so LOVELY when she insists on taking the damn dog in the car, and ignores me after school. I cherish those moments together. I even gave her a box of chocolate cornflake cakes to have on the journey, which put another smile on her face. I think my heart skipped a little! (It's about to bounce right out of my mouth after all the handbags this morning!)


An early start tomorrow morning, and I hope the snow doesn't settle! 
(And please don't be too mad about the handbag quest, Dad...)