memory lane

I have an affection for the nostalgic-evoking,
whether it be the abstract or the tangible.

Yesterday, my husband & I went on an antiquing excursion but really just a day of wandering together. The drive, listening to the radio, meandering around spaces overflowing with treasures of the past all evoke warm thoughts of our times “just married” to chasing after young ones to still enjoying each other’s company after so many years. 

Continuing with my walk down memory lane, I was carrying a Coach Stewardess Bag which I remember as the first style of Coach bag I found thrifting back in the day. This is the smaller version with less hardware to reduce weight & an ID holder window under its flap for credentials. Some have a strap with the UA embossed logo stamp that were for United Airlines Stewardesses. This classic beauty sweetly reminds me of where I began with my handbag thrifting adventures.

vintage Coach Stewardess Bag, 11 x 8 x 4.25.

give & receive

The first time I saw a Taft Bag in real life, I was actually taken aback by it. I had seen a woman carrying it in a grocery store & complimented her in passing. She stopped to say thank you & that it had belonged to her mother. Although I can’t say for sure, I felt there was happiness & melancholy in her statement. She also said with a warm smile that she had another of her mom’s bags that she should take out & carry. I was moved by what a small exchange seemed to evoke & remember it whenever I think of the Taft. Even now, my heart feels a gentle squeeze. 

Coach Taft Bag, style #9980, 13 x 10 x 4.

updating a classic

The Willis is an iconic Coach bag. I‘m always drawn to them in photos & in real life, in addition to enjoying those in my collection. Recently, I’ve been thrilled to pair them with novelty straps. The pairing brings some fabulous updates to this classic. It offers a fresh look, shorter strap length & more comfortable carry. I was excited to finally get photos of a combo to share today.

Coach Willis Bag, style #9927. Coach Outlet embossed novelty style #F31539.

come what May

With May comes flowers, flowy dresses, a feeling of carefreeness
& yo-yo weather to boot. Today had a bit of it all.

I was out & about in a vintage style maxi dress that feels straight out of the 1970s. After having ran through several handbag options in my head, I decided to just roll with it & continue carrying the Coach Convertible Clutch that I have been for the past few days. These bags are great for me when I want to carry something that’s compact yet has a nice capacity. This one is 24 years old and the leather on it is just so smooth & supple. I love that I can switch the leather strap out with a novelty or chain one like this boutique Dinky Chain Strap.
I’m a fan of this bag style, check out my burgundy one I posted here.

As for today’s weather, it began crisp, warmed up, rained a quick minute as I was snapping photos & is currently the loviest of Spring evenings.

vintage Coach Convertible Clutch in British Tan, Style #9635, 11 x 7 x 2.5. Coach Dinky Strap in light gold, Style #58847, 48” long.

lost in time

 

Some handbag styles feel especially vintage, evoking the simplicity of days long gone by. The Coach Crescent Bag is one of those bags for me. Today, I threw it on with a flowy dress with sandals & felt a bit like I was lost in another time. And much like the carefree days of childhood, after some earlier things didn’t go as planned, I simply let those little disappointments go & enjoyed the brightness of the day!

This lovely New York City bag has a body-hugging profile like that of the Pony Express Pouch at a more accessible price point & availability. It is among my favorite vintage Coach styles.

Coach Crescent Bag, Style #9235, 10 x 10 x 3.