Last night, I saw a woman walk out of Starbucks without her bag. I know. It was sitting on the ground next to her chair while she chatted with a friend cum real estate advisor (which is what I gather from bits of their conversation), and she just…left it there.
Don’t get me wrong; if my idea of a handbag was a pint-sized imitation Vera Bradley (not even the real abomination; a fake Vera Gag-me!), I’d probably leave it on the ground, too. I might even leave it on the cold cement of the drive-through, in the pouring rain, slightly to one side to make sure it and its contents get obliterated by the next beverage-bearing vehicle.
Because, really, who even cares, at that point?
For that woman, a handbag is just something she thinks she should carry, not a completing element of her outfit, her day, her personality. That woman and I—I would imagine—would not agree on much.
Going far beyond the basic functionality of allowing a girl to carry everything she needs for her WHOLE LIFE, handbags can, and should, make a statement. Statements needn’t always be loud; I’m not saying you need to carry a neon bag if you have an outgoing personality. Your bag should be a fabulous manifestation of exactly what makes you fabulous, not just something in which to throw your wallet and hide under your arm.
Be it a yellow hobo with a bling’d out peace sign on the front, a sleek, black tote for your laptop, or a muted grey hobo with tough hardware, a handbag is the most functional complement to its owner, a completion, if you will.
PS The woman made it halfway to her vehicle before realizing the treasure she left inside. But she’s lucky I didn’t dispose of it, for her own sake, before she returned. (verabradleeey…)

How could you just leave your purse?? that lady is crazy. and victoria beckam’s birkin is GIANT!!! haha i lovvve it.
she left her bag?!?! I would never do that! I treasure the bags I have a lot because unlike most people who buys however many so a year, for me I don’t even really buy one every year. I don’t have the money for so many bags and I don’t think my parents(especially my dad) would like me having so many bags. That’s why when I’m able to get a bag(like if I win any of the two givaaways you [handbag heaven] are having), I really take care of it until I can get a new one which won’t be say in another year or two possibly as I’m still a student.
I’ll admit, I’ve left my bag before, and I have no real excuse for it. I can sit here and say that I was carrying a lot of other stuff, or that I was in a big hurry, but it doesn’t matter. It’s like trying to defend yourself when you leave your child in a hot car. There is no excusing it!
Needless to say, the second I realized that my 3rd arm is missing, I did a lightning-fast about-face and high-tailed it back, only to find my poor innocent bag, right where I left it.
And I would always apologize profusely the entire drive home and maybe take it out for ice cream.
haha! I always talk to inanimate objects. Ma bag is no different =) I understand.
So I find myself here. Oddly engaged by a blog about handbags. Well-written as it is, it’s still a blog about handbags. No hiding this fact. And here I am. Typing away.
I am a man. Rustic and handsome. I don’t carry a handbag. Not even a man-purse. I like the company of women. A lot. Yet here I am. Leaving a comment on a blog. About handbags.
The curiosity I now find myself in digs deeper. I’ve been a quiet spectator of this energetic, engaging and dare I say it, fun blog for some time. Yes. I’ve been here before.
It’s a blog. About handbags.
Confused. Slightly embarrassed. But always entertained.
Carry-on,
Reluctant Metrosexual
i just love the maureen chain handbag i just lost my mom to colon cancer july 23 rd she ahd it since 2004 and she liked her purses also when she got done with hers she would give them to me i miss my mom and trading purses hope everyone has a good day bye deb
Yeah, and this one time….I left my PRETEND Coach bag in a shopping cart at wal-mart. Guess what? I went back and it was still there! Can you believe it??
No one wanted my PRETEND Coach bag either. Go figure!
Oh, and I also left the kid there too. Hmmm come to think of it, maybe the kid is what scared everyone off.
I mean who wouldn’t want a “COOCH” bag?
Ha! You know, forgetting your handbag when you’ve got chocolate frosting (or lime chips!) inside one of those grocery bags isn’t *completely* unforgivable.
Thank goodness for your bag, because who KNOWS how long your little one would have sat in the cart, waiting? And, really, who needs that kind of negative attention from the mother-in-law, right?
And I’m new to the “Cooch” bag, I’ve always called them “Fauxch”
OMG, my mom LOVES Vera Bradley. I agree, gag. But, God love her, she also likes wearing dickies under those sweatshirts with nature scenes printed on them. You know the look I’m talking about. I guess if that’s what she likes….
I would notice right away if I walked away without my bag. At least I like to think so. It just feels wrong now, like driving without a seat belt on.