After the YWCA 'Open Your Purse' Event I was feeling in need of a new handbag for myself, of course I couldn't afford anything as luxurious in terms of brand, so I braved the frigid temperatures of last week and headed to Deerfoot Mall. I already had something particular in mind. I wanted something suitable for not only now but spring 2010 as well. My favorite bags so far that I have seen have been from Nina Ricci. Her spring line has (for me) been really on trend. The size, shape and embellishments are just right. I think the over sized Mary Kate and Ashley homeless person bags are over. For spring, keeping the fundamentals of your bag feminine with a strong shape and a slight touch of edge (chains straps, minimal studs) is really where it at. It's more about feeling light and sophisticated, less about making a bold and obvious statement.

Of course I managed to find what I wanted for my budget. I am quite skilled in that area now. more of my holiday shopping while I was there. The best part was I ended up with more for myself than I had originally intended. While shopping for small gifts for people from the office and stocking stuffers for the family, I took full advantage of buy one get one half off sales and BOGO's. I would give the first item and I considered the second one that was free a gift for myself! The hard part came after the shopping when I had to return home. When taking transit in ridiculously cold weather, handling multiple shopping bags is less than desirable. However these days I try less to complain and let things like that affect me. Certain things in life just aren't worth the stress when you put it into perspective. For example: Everyday when I go to work, at the same spot, at the same time, There is this man walking with two little boys ( I would imagine taking them to school). He requires two arm braces to walk. It looks as though every step is a struggle. I see him everyday, regardless of the snow, the ice, the cold. I can't imagine how he does it. So if people like that, or like the women from the YWCA, can survive their situations, I really have no right to complain about a few bags weighing me down.

Since that shopping trip, I have been packing and re packing. Undecided if I should leave room in my suitcase to bring more back. Thinking about the clothes I gave away and could reclaim. When it comes to the past though whether it is a pair of jeans or a man, I think it is best to move on. I never did try to find my ex- the photog- on Facebook. Just like my clothes I left behind, all I can really do is wish him luck and hope he has a good home and somebody appreciates him. I think it really is better that way, in terms of packing anyways. I leave for Toronto this Friday, returning on the 29th. I still have no idea what I will do with myself for NYE. Cher is going with her BF to Hotel Arts for a masquerade ball, I was invited to Vinyl, C.O.P. and a few others as well but I really don't know what to expect from any of those parties. I may just forgo the festivities and stay home. It would save me alot of money. Which in typical style I am always short on.

Kath has informed me she can get me in anywhere and not to worry about tickets or anything. however, I would feel like a third wheel joining her and her newly acquired piece of jewellery. Her BF proposed to her last week. We found the dress two days later at ETHOS. It was one of the most enjoyable shopping experiences ever. She is so cut throat when dealing with salespeople who have attitude. I guess she doesn't make all her money from being a push over. So to join her and her fiance as they cling to each other in their newly discovered bliss... Might not be for me. Maybe I will just stay in Ontario for New Years. I guess anything is possible. I do feel as though I should start 2010 with a bang, in grandiose out of control style.

Open your purse

What’s better than a designer handbag? A gorgeous male model displaying it. That’s exactly what we found last Friday at the YWCA's Open your purse event at Hotel Arts. Right after work we headed over to the event that started at 6:00pm. I don't know how these well to do women manage to pull it off but it seemed that only a handful of the some 200 guests were in casual attire. Myself only having time to re apply some mascara and lip gloss, The rest dressed in cocktail dresses and recently coiffed hair and fully done make-up. I imagine they must be hockey players wives or the type of woman who is certainly not working the 9-5 job. The bags were stunning, from the Elisha Cuthbert donated and signed to the Fergie. I would have bid and tried to win each but my dire circumstances only allowed me to glance and the bags... I am referring to the purses not the mens'. Kath however attempted to bid on two yet was outdone by another ferocious bidder. Beyond the material aspect of the evening, the theme and message of the night was clear and relevant to all the female attendees. Domestic abuse. Hitting on the somewhat current topic of Rhianna and Chris Brown. Stories were shared from victims to educate and drive home the importance of supporting foundations like the YWCA that assist women in their most strenuous and life changing events. I was glad to have taken part in it. It truly shows that this is an issue that can affect anyone at any time and the effects can be far reaching, from the individual victims to their children and families. During the later half of the night after the auction was over and women began to leave with their prizes, I was introduced to Kaths Stylist from SHE Apparel, who in turn introduced me to a couple members from Energy 101.5. I thanked them for the shout out they game me on twitter and Facebook that one day. They of course had no clue who I was or what I was talking about but were gracious and pretended they did. We exchanged pleasantries and common first impression statements. When asked about myself and explaining I came from TO, what I do fro work, who I was wearing and finally where I was living, I felt embarrassed to tell them I had just moved into Kaths (which for the record has been awkward and I lost out on my damage deposit from my old place for late notice on vacating but the price is right and her tub is huge!) I looked and spoke radiantly, Kath tried to set me up with the few straight men that were in attendance and single. I think the total was two. Before we left for the night with our gift bags, I caught a familiar face.... An ex from back home. Not necessarily a bad break-up. He was a photographer who I use to see for 2 years, attended many a fashion show and once to Montreal fashion week with him. We ended the relationship as he was moving to Vancouver for a job op with a magazine. Like most couples we played the staying touch card but never did. He looked good. I looked better. I don't think he caught my gaze as I walked out. I wonder if I can fid him on Facebook.