(no subject)

Oh, New York.  I love you.  The weather has turned absolutely-fucking-perfect the past two days, and I've finally gotten off my tush to enjoy it.  It's been really nice hanging out with Rachel during the day when it's just us and Bess.  Bess is a really low maintenance infant, so Rachel and I have been able to have some really real conversations, and I just love being a part of this family.  

After lunch yesterday, it was just so gorgeous out, and I had nothing on the agenda, so I decided to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to hang out a bit in Chinatown.  I bought some cheap souvenirs, like ya do when you're in Chinatown, and then walked back to Brooklyn, listening to The Decemberists on my Zune the whole way.  That's the best music for a good long walk.  

Rachel had already left to get Frankie from school when I got back, so I chilled with Slim (the best dog ever) for a few quiet moments before they got home.  Frankie eagerly jumped into my lap when they got home and demanded my attention and cuddles.  Fine by me :)  She's the sweetest little girl.  She wanted me to hold her upside down and swing her by her ankles, and because I have no maternal instincts whatsoever, I only sort of acknowledged the potential dangers in this and indulged her for as long as my arms could handle it.  

Frankie's big concern these days is whether or not something is spicy.  I can totally relate.  To her, spicy is synonymous with gross, and she uses them interchangeably, but she wants to know if everything is spicy.  Dr. Pepper?  Gum?  Pizza?  Salad?  Water?  New trick -- if I don't feel like sharing something, just tell her it's spicy.  

This morning, I decided to go for a run across the Brooklyn Bridge.  The walk had been lovely, and the weather was even nicer today, plus I haven't done enough running lately, so after breakfast I hit the pavement.  I really hadn't noticed at all just how much of an arch that bridge is in all the times I've walked it, but the run really made it clear -- I managed, though, and it was actually a really lovely run.  I added "Let it Grow (Celebrate the World)" to my running mix -- it's from The Lorax and I recommend it to everyone.  The song and the movie.

Since Zac was ill, he canceled our bridge date on Monday, but we've rescheduled for this evening at the Honors Bridge Club in Manhattan.  It's obscenely expensive for a club game, but I'm the pro today, so I'm off the hook for the card fees.  Still, might be hard to convince Zac live bridge is better when he's used to paying $2 per BBO tournament.  Anyway I'm really excited to play with him in person.  It'll actually be the first time I meet him!

Calling all Fashists

"Need" is such a strong word, and I acknowledge right now that I'm using it very much in the first-world-problems sense, but I need a new purse.  Nothing's really wrong with any of the multitude of purses that I own, though my favorite ones (all Bungalow360) are made of cotton canvas, and they're pretty dirty.  They're washable, but they're pretty discolored from such heavy use, and they just look dirty all the time, even when they're not.  I love this brand, though, and would be happy to buy the whole collection.  But they're all going to have the same problem, and also, they're very casual.  I have lots of funky handbags, and that's certainly my style, but I would like to own one nicer bag.  

I have several issues with buying a nice handbag, though.  First of all, they're stupid expensive.  I refuse to spend more than $50 on a fucking purse.  Even $50 makes me cringe.  But the "good" ones can be well into the four figure prices!  I am not so stuck up that I wouldn't buy a knock-off in Chinatown, and that probably is what I'll end up doing, but...everything that is considered fashionable in handbags just looks ugly, ugly, ugly to me.  They look like clown bags.  I do need a large-ish bag -- preferably one large enough to hold my kindle, phone, a lot of gum and pens, and my convention card (about a 9" square that I use for keeping score in bridge).  I imagine my main use for such a bag would be bridge games, when I'm more dressed up and would want a bag that suits.  But I just kind of hate all the options.  I don't want a million pockets or superfluous snaps and zippers and wild colors.  I want something that doesn't stand out or call attention to itself, but also something that doesn't mark me as a clueless cheapskate, either.  Are stylish and practical mutually exclusive in the world of handbags?  

Anyway, I'm taking suggestions.  Feel free to link fancy things that I can maybe find a cheap Chinatown knock-off, but I will not be spending much.  I pride myself on my sense of style, but when it comes to looking like a lady, I'm kind of hopeless.  I rock the funky like nobody's business.  But for once I'm not shopping for funky.  Your help is much appreciated!  :)