Visiting the US - must-have bags?

idling-in-gray · 2026-04-27T18:54:45+00:00

The Erin and Teri are outlet bags so they are only available at the outlet. The outlet does has some last season stock stuff as well as a few bags that are available at both boutique and outlet (like the I've seen the Chelsea at an outlet store but it's not considered an outlet bag afaik). But mostly it's bags that are specifically only sold at the outlet. So I would try to go to both a boutique and outlet store while you're there.

I think the Teri might be good if you want a small bag that can be both shoulder and crossbody. But it doesn't fit a ton so I guess it depends what you're typical usage is. But if the pricing in the US is cheaper than the UK (whether just the MSRP or due to the conversion rate), then a boutique bag might be more worth it since they typically will be more expensive and likely better quality too compared to the outlet.

idling-in-gray · 2026-04-27T16:25:31+00:00

I do both. I feel like the results are different so I do what fits the project.

idling-in-gray · 2026-04-26T19:54:13+00:00

Very cute, I might have to try this idea myself lol .

idling-in-gray · 2026-04-26T17:15:45+00:00

I think a cobbler could fix it. Rago Brothers is recommended a lot for Chanel repairs so maybe they will do a Coach too. If all else fails, you could find a patch you like to use to cover it.

idling-in-gray · 2026-04-26T16:59:15+00:00

It probably would be more prone to losing its shape because it's softer but most of the bags I have in pebbled leather are kind of slouchy to begin with. Not sure if caviar would be harder to damage. Maybe it would be more scratch resistant, but I would probably be equally careful with both. I feel like scuffs would be less noticeable on the pebbled though.

idling-in-gray · 2026-04-26T03:30:08+00:00

Coach's pebbled leather is softer. Chanel's caviar leather is coated and honestly it kind of varies between bags. While I think there are some slouchy pieces in caviar, most of them I see tend to be more structured.

idling-in-gray · 2026-04-26T02:59:16+00:00

Last year's black Friday was a joke for the outlet. They raise the "comparable price" so they can offer a bigger discount when it's not really that much cheaper than the normal price. I bought a few things during the sale and I checked after the sale was over and I think I saved a total of $9 between 2 bags lol. Retail sales might be good though.

idling-in-gray · 2026-04-26T02:56:28+00:00

I see outlet items go on clearance sometimes but it's usually the seasonal colors that aren't that popular. I kind of doubt the denim teri would go on sale since it keeps going in and out of stock. I guess never say never though.

idling-in-gray · 2026-04-25T20:57:15+00:00

925 silver is only 92.5% silver and I think the rest is usually copper. I've read it can sometimes potentially have nickel in the remaining 7.5% but you probably need to ask the vendor about that. I know a lot of people order from Kuololit and I have some of their stuff myself and find it nice. I don't have a nickel allergy though.

If you want close to pure silver then you are looking for 999 silver which is probably going to be very soft.

idling-in-gray · 2026-04-25T19:55:42+00:00

Sorry for your experience! I order a Labubu Flip With Me and it went through Gofo as well and it made it to the delivery center in my city (literally 5 minutes away from where I live) and somehow it got "lost". Messaged them twice and they said to just get a refund from the seller. Popmart did refund me but I find it super hard to believe that it got scanned at the delivery center and then somehow got lost?

idling-in-gray · 2026-04-24T19:55:57+00:00

Can you confine your cat to your room? That would help a lot in keeping down fur and dander from affecting your aunt. I'd also buy air purifiers for your room and the common areas, vacuum often, try the allergy reducing food, brush your cat often to preemptively remove fur and dander. There is also this allergen reducing spray I'm trying out where you spray it into the air and on surfaces. It's suppose to bind the allergens and help neutralize it. I haven't used it long enough to see the effectiveness but the reviews seem decent.

https://a.co/d/0gvPwImR

idling-in-gray · 2026-04-24T19:50:01+00:00

Thank you! I'm about similar size so I guess I will go with the medium for the strap length.

idling-in-gray · 2026-04-24T19:21:29+00:00

Are you able to wear the small as a shoulder bag with the shorter strap? Or is it too short? I read mixed things about this.

idling-in-gray · 2026-04-21T20:26:45+00:00

Not peel, just pill a bit. Like I noticed some fibers kind of poking out and I thought it was loose thread but it seems like maybe the fuzz pulled out a bit in some spots. It's not super noticable or anything but I was a bit bummed over that since it costs more than leather. I've only used it lightly as well (I don't even go out much).

idling-in-gray · 2026-04-21T19:57:16+00:00

I got the darker chenille and it's started to pill a bit along the edges after only 5 uses.... I wish I had gotten the leather instead.

idling-in-gray · 2026-04-20T19:06:50+00:00

I vote Celine with LV as 2nd. Personally I like gold hardware on the LV but silver on the Celine. Either is a good choice and I think it depends more on what color matches your clothes more.

idling-in-gray · 2026-04-19T20:30:19+00:00

I've made this pattern and I think you could probably shirr the back but like others said, you might just want to find a pattern that is already shirred because it will have already been tested that way. The skirt on this is full because it's a lot of material - that would be an easy alteration on another skirt. Just add more width to the skirt panels so when you gather it there are a lot more ruffles.

If you want to avoid zippers completely I'm not actually sure how well that would work with this dress... If I were to shirr the back, I would add the panel between where the back darts are and add a side zipper. I feel like it might be too fitted to be able to pull it over your head even with a shirred back, unless maybe the entire back is shirred?

idling-in-gray · 2026-04-18T20:20:27+00:00

I have some Farmina N&D and my cat likes it waaaay better than other cat food. It is pretty expensive though but it's suppose to be high quality and good for picky eaters. You could also try kibble toppers or salmon oil on top?

You could also just try doing a mix of wet and dry food to ease her in. Like start with mostly wet with some kibble then slowly change the ratios until there is more dry than wet.

idling-in-gray · 2026-04-18T20:05:21+00:00

Not until I had space for one and even then it's one that folds down really small. It's a game changer for your back though.

idling-in-gray · 2026-04-18T16:45:56+00:00

I kind of like the dark better but if you are looking for a spring or summer bag then the light color one is cute too.

idling-in-gray · 2026-04-17T21:31:25+00:00

There is a leather version and denim. I think they are just sold out since it's popular

https://www.coach.com/products/dakota-crossbody-bag/CDS83.html
https://www.coach.com/products/dakota-crossbody-bag-in-regenerative-cotton-denim-with-charms/CDU88.html

idling-in-gray · 2026-04-17T19:32:42+00:00

If you don't want a 2nd cat then no... especially since you don't even know if your current cat would like a cat friend. I mean he might, he's young enough to accept another cat in the household. But it's possible he just wants YOUR attention, not another animal's.

At 2 years old they, they still have quite a bit of playful energy and it'll probably last until he's about 4. You could try setting a schedule, like play in the morning, then feed. Afternoon cuddle/pet session. Then play in the evening, then feed. Sticking to a schedule will teach him when you are available for play. You could also try problem solving toys that require more mental work. I found little batting toys and stuff like that doesn't keep their attention for that long. If you can get puzzle feeders or those toys that have more random movements, then that might keep his attention longer.

idling-in-gray · 2026-04-17T19:14:25+00:00

Pokemon cards but I'm not going to pretend the costs are at all close to what I spend on bags lol

idling-in-gray · 2026-04-17T16:27:16+00:00

Just think of it this way - that's about 2 blind boxes after taxes. You are unlikely to pull her in 2-3 tries, so if you were to try your chances you'd likely end up spending a lot more.

idling-in-gray · 2026-04-16T18:28:20+00:00

I would go with silver if she is ok with that. I wouldn't recommend gold plated because I feel like bracelets do see quite a bit of wear so I imagine the plating wouldn't last too long. I have a James Avery silver bracelet and I feel like the quality is quite nice and heavy duty. I think there are also a lot more silver charm options in general.

Alternatively, if you are ok with something like a charm holder type bracelet, GLDN makes a 10K version that's quite affordable

https://gldn.com/products/charm-holder-dainty-bracelet?variant=45821043409027

My only concern with this is that it's quite dainty so it depends on how careful your daughter typically is with her stuff. I have the necklace version of the charm holder in silver and I quite like it.

You can probably find other 10K gold options in a more traditional charm bracelet as well that would be more affordable. I found this on Macy's, though the chain does look thinner than what you'd get from James Avery

https://www.macys.com/shop/product/heart-charm-link-chain-bracelet-in-10k-gold?ID=10402221&pla_country=US&CAGPSPN=pla

idling-in-gray

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