On a mission!

The other day at work a friend told me she was trying to shop for a new purse, but was having trouble and feeling overwhelmed. The purse she has is small and black and about a million years old (pre-babies/pre-husband) and beginning to get worn out. She probably wasn't asking for my help, but making conversation when I took it that she wanted me to look for one for her. Before I began my mission, she gave me a couple guidelines I had to follow. She didn't want a red purse (or any shade of red), it has to be bigger than what she has now because she needs to fit all her kid's stuff in it and it shouldn't look too young for her. I forgot the color restriction when I began because I love red purses, I think they look very sharp and go with most any color. She did not think they went with her black (puff) coat - I told her she needs a new coat! We'll shop for that later...


When she went to look by herself, she found some cute ones at JCPenny's and told me I should go check them out - to get my approval I'm assuming. The first one was a Green Mondani square shape purse that I loved and thought would be the perfect size for her, not too young and bright enough to add a pop of color. The price tag was a little steep for me on this one at $70.00, but she said she would be willing to pay that much for a good quality purse that she will have for a long time.

The next one she saw at JCPenny's was a Teal Liz Claiborne crocodile skin-esque. I had a special spot in my heart for this one because I had just bought at teal Liz Claiborne a couple weeks ago - mine was much larger. Since this one was crocodile skin, she thought it might be too young for her, but I think it adds just the right look to any outfit with all colors. Great color for spring too!

Now I was on my own. Again, I couldn't let go of the red color and thought I would try to convince her with just the perfect purse. The first one I picked out was at Burlington Coat Factory, it was a Coral Nine West bucket shape purse. I immediately fell in love with it! And with spring coming I thought  it would be perfect for her. I sent her a picture. I was rejected. NO SHADE OF RED! So I went on..

I guess I thought I'd try one more time. I found this red gloss finish purse (can't remember the brand - and really who can see the little writing of the label when you're walking around and it's under your arm?). This one seemed to have a business feel somewhat resembling a briefcase shape. She's very important at our job so I figured she would like the classy look of it. Picture sent. Denied.

Ok, I get it. You don't like red. I'll find a better one, I promise. While shopping for myself at Plato's Closet, I browsed past the purses and found an amazing yellow hobo purse that I loved for myself. I knew that my friend wouldn't like it because it was a different shape and was too bright of a color. There were really only dark colors at Plato's, besides the few tacky purses that are still there marked 50% off that they can't get rid of. I did manage to spot a shiny purple purse that was smaller than the others we had looked at. I remember thinking while I was taking the picture, the others she didn't like; this one is smaller, a different color and a different shape. She HAS to like it! I sent her the picture and she told me that she like the color, but it wasn't her.

I give up on the purses, there's no pleasing her. I'm starting to look for a new coat. Hopefully, I will find at least one that she likes. Anything is better than a puff coat. Right?