I Have Baggage and Issues

We all have our "favourite" item in whatever category that may be.

This simple, black, nylon tote has been my most used bag since 2009 when I got it.

I didn't think of it as a favourite as it was free, simple, and highly utilitarian.

I mistakenly thought that one of my many other bags in my collection would have ranked higher than this black tote.

My most obvious "favourite"bag would be my Picnic Kelly bag.

But this bag is so weather dependant and even though I got a raincoat for it - it is just too high maintenance for my liking.

This is my other wicker bag that I got in Japan but there is no covering so not very useful nor secure for London.

I love my garden party tote but it starts to change shape 
if you put more than a 1 kg ( 2.2lbs) in the bag.

I do love my evelyne cross body bag but I can't really bring myself to fling and thrash it about like my other workhorse bag.

I do take them all my bags out for a spin now and then but between my pockets and that black tote, it tends to be a once a fortnight appearance for them on a rotating schedule.

But I am in a crisis right now.

As you can see, my black tote has seen better days.

The zippers have either fallen off completely or come of one of its tracks and the inside lining is completely ripped.

I even put some red ribbon on as a pull that had fallen off three years ago and I was complimented on my stubbornness to use this bag by my mother.

But now that the bag actually has holes opening up at the bottom of the tote.

Not just one side - but one burrowing a hole steadily on each side. 

I only found out because a pen fell out a few months ago.

But this bag is no longer in production and I am now panicking that I may have to retire my tote making me realise how much I have depended on this bag.

My only real option is the Longhcamp "pliage" bag in nylon but 

I can't bear to get another bag when 

I have a few languishing on the shelves.

I can't fix the world so I am trying to make the best decisions within my control! I shall let you know how I go.

Necklace to Bracelet and back to Bracelet to Necklace

While I don't accessorize very much - 
I rarely wear my wedding ring - 
I do enjoy jewellery and accessories from time to time and always on others!

But most likely in the case of many, 
there are items that I enjoy having in my jewellery tray and admiring.

Chaine d'ancre silver necklace in the very small size

I also like to try on different pieces with my outfits 
which are terribly boring as
 I don't wear many prints and tend to save those for scarves.

I have this necklace which is a simple and classic design that has been around since the Greeks had used them in their motifs back in the B.C. days.
It displays classic symmetry that the ancient Greeks liked so much -
 it's an oval that is split in half and linked to symbolize eternity.

As a necklace, it is a good staple to have and can be used in daily wear or for a nice lunch date.
But for some reason I would wear it around the house but
 I could never commit to it when I actually left home.
Who can explain these odd quirks?

But like so many of us, I want to either use and cherish my items or they become clutter no matter how valued / valuable the object was.

 I love bracelets. 

While I am very simple in my manner of comportment, 

I love a bracelet stack and throw away any minimalist tendencies when it comes to bracelets.

I was playing with my necklace and double wrapped it and realized that if I got rid of a few links 

( 5 in my case ) then I could wear it as a bracelet.

So I took it to a jeweler and had them drape it around my wrist and confirm with their professional expertise that the amount of links taken out would work as a bracelet. 

This is a commitment as I won't be able to wear it as necklace with the new length but the jeweler will be able to put back the links if I choose to wear it as a necklace again.

My newly configured bracelet

In my previous post, 
I tried on a carnelian Byzantine ring in the quatrefoil/ four leave clover that went with my Alhambra bracelet also in carnelian.

I absolutely adore the quatrefoil motif as mentioned 
in the previous post and 
would collect every stone in both yellow and white gold if I could!

To satisfy my craving for an Alhambra necklace without having to actually buy one, 
I got a chain from another necklace that wasn't too long but 
long enough to turn my bracelet into a necklace.

My bracelet turned into a temporary necklace with a chain extender

As a necklace is generally seen from the front, the chain satisfies displaying the motif.

I also have a shorter chain by a couple of inches and it changes the drop of the necklace to hug the neck.  
You can purchase extenders at most jewelers and I find them so useful in changing the way you wear your items.  
It could also make a necklace become a long chain necklace and 
is a way of maximizing the jewelry you already own.

You could use them to turn necklaces into a double wrap bracelet or triple wrap even but the extender would be more noticeable on the wrist.

I hope you look through your accessories or 
take some pieces to your jeweler and 
see how you can make the most of your collection.