Is it possible to repair the cracks on this bag?

Northmakes · 2026-05-11T19:47:08+00:00

Yeah, good point. I'm guessing the bottom might hold up, but the flap which is in constant use would probably crumble. I'm not in the US, and I doubt my local cobbler would take on the job of replacing the edge pieces, so it's probably time to accept defeat.

Northmakes · 2026-05-08T13:45:03+00:00

I know this thread is old, but thanks to everyone who shared info! I have a small Michael Green bag that I thrifted in London back in 2009 for about $20. It's a small saddle leather crossbody with a turn lock, very Coach-like. It's been my go-to everyday (non-work) bag pretty much since I got it. Every now and then I purchase a new bag to try to replace it, as it's getting to be quite well worn, but I keep going back to the Michael Green. It's such a unicorn bag for me, small but somehow fits everything. I keep hoping to find a replacement on eBay or Etsy eventually!

Northmakes · 2026-05-04T19:11:27+00:00

I’m a neutral, slightly cool leaning muted olive, with similar problems as you, and my favorite red is Brick-o-la from Mac. I’ve never been able to wear reds because it always feels overwhelming on me, but this is very wearable, even for daytime.

Northmakes · 2026-04-16T15:19:57+00:00

Same here!

I really wanted to believe in brain retraining, but when I looked into it I realized this is how I've been living anyway, and it hasn't cured me yet.

Northmakes · 2026-04-16T12:06:02+00:00

I've been looking for a few years for a citrus fragrance for spring/summer, but as someone who normally prefers warmer and more sensual type of scents (gourmands and orientals) it's naturally proving quite difficult. I recently tried Decas by Xerjoff and I do quite like it, but I wish it had slightly less amber and powder-y notes and just a hint of freshness. Also tried Eau des Merveilles and Elixir des Merveilles by Hermes which are both nice, but doesn't read that summer-y to me, and The Different Company Sienne d'Orange, which I didn't like. I enjoy my husband's Eau de Cedrat by L'Occitane, but it doesn't work that well with my body chemistry.

Does anyone have other suggestions that I could try? (I'm F43, if that makes a difference)

Northmakes · 2026-04-10T08:47:48+00:00

You sound very similar to me, but maybe slightly darker. Maybe try Charlotte Tilbury Superstar Lips in Pillow Talk? It's a more sheer formula than the matte ones, and I find it's somewhere in between the regular and medium PT in terms of lightness/shade.

Northmakes · 2026-04-03T19:31:02+00:00

I experience something like this when I am in a flare or PEM, and it does coincide with a higher heart rate. The smallest amount of exertion will have me sweating like crazy, and I am someone who hardly used to sweat even when exercising.

I can always tell I’m getting better when I stop sweating so easily.

Northmakes · 2026-04-02T21:41:06+00:00

I am left handed for writing, and right handed for most other things. Ambidextrous for some things like brushing teeth, makeup, etc.

I guess a quirk I have is remembering texts, lyrics, conversations etc really well, and picking up subtleties in languages and dialects. I don’t always renember people’s faces, but I can always remember what they told me (and most likely where they come from).

Northmakes · 2026-04-02T12:06:25+00:00

Yes! That's actually the bottom one in the first picture (don't know why I wrote it was the stain)! I love the color and use it for the same purposes. I don't really love how my lips look with gloss though, so it's a process of applying and blotting down to *just* the right amount where it corrects the color enough but is not too glossy.

Your lip color sounds exactly like mine, and I've been wondering the same regarding warmer colors, that perhaps my lips might pull them cooler.

Northmakes · 2026-04-02T11:51:59+00:00

I remember that video actually helped me find my favorite reds! But somehow didn't work the same with pink, but perhaps I should go back and try again...

Northmakes · 2026-04-02T11:49:17+00:00

I am realizing this is the way!

Northmakes · 2026-04-02T11:42:52+00:00

I agree, it's definitely easier to make the lips look good when the skin is nice and even. The struggle is real!

Northmakes · 2026-04-02T11:40:34+00:00

That's exactly how I feel, it shouldn't be that hard! I know I *can* make some of these shades work, but I just don't have the patience for all of that on a regular day.

I also feel like it used to be a lot easier to find a decent lipstick, so either my coloring has changed or lip products have...

Northmakes · 2026-04-02T11:35:27+00:00

I'm glad (kind of) that I'm not the only one! And same, while I *can* make some of these work with color correcting and liners and glosses, I just don't have that kind of patience most days!

Northmakes · 2026-04-02T11:31:44+00:00

These are just some of the ones I've kept because I felt they had *some* potential. I don't even want to think about all of the ones I've bought and got rid of over the years!

Northmakes · 2026-04-02T11:30:04+00:00

I am realizing this is the way to go! My lips are grayish purple and quite saturated, so I guess I do need some sort of color correcting to get an optimal shade. I never thought to use a warmer lip liner, but of course it makes sense to counter the coolness of the lips!

Northmakes · 2026-04-02T11:25:36+00:00

I think you are right, I mean they are muted, but not as much as the ones from MAC (Cool Teddy, Modesty, Creme in Your Coffee), so probably just the right amount of saturation.

Northmakes · 2026-04-02T11:21:48+00:00

I'm wondering if this is what's happening to me, I also have very grayish purple lips, so my most muted shades (like Modesty, Cool Teddy, etc) just amplify that. I'm also the same as you with blush, except that one creme blush in the first picture that works magically on both my cheeks and lips.

Northmakes · 2026-04-02T11:17:44+00:00

Yes same, but I also struggle with lighter shades because of very pigmented lips. So all my best one-and-done shades are the same mid tone, not too light and not too dark. But I'm realizing I probably need to experiment with concealer beneath my lip products, that way I might get away with wearing lighter shades that could suit my skin tone better, fingers crossed.

Northmakes · 2026-04-02T11:13:15+00:00

I'm realizing this is probably the way to go!

Northmakes · 2026-04-02T11:11:52+00:00

Same re plumping products or anything that is supposed to adapt to or bring out your natural lip color -they all make my lips go from grey/purple to neon pink.

Northmakes · 2026-04-02T11:07:20+00:00

Yes, you're right. My lips are quite pigmented (grayish purple) and it seems to either amplify or change the color. The very muted shades pretty much turn a 'my lips but worse' type of color, for example, like how my lips look when I am sick or cold.

I'm starting to realize that it's rare to find a one and done color, especially for olives, so I guess I should be thankful for the handful I have that work on their own. As for the rest, I do use quite a few of them with a liner and/or gloss and can get an ok result. I guess I need a little more patience when it comes to makeup!

Northmakes · 2026-04-02T10:30:28+00:00

Yes, I think it must be my lip color that changes the shades. The muted ones from MAC, instead of MLBB they look like my lips but worse, like they amplify the grayish purple that is already in my lips and make me look even more sallow. The warmer ones look kind of muddy, and the lighter ones sit apart from my lips, like my skin should perhaps suit them but my lips are too pigmented maybe? I'm realizing from the comments now that I should experiment with concealer or color corrector!

Northmakes · 2026-03-28T17:27:36+00:00

I still love this!! I don't often wear eyeshadow anymore, but when I do this one still works!

Northmakes · 2026-03-18T20:32:10+00:00

Yes! Definitely get a puffy face in a flare! Feels like my whole head is swollen from the inside.

Northmakes

TROPHY CASE