For quite awhile I have wanted a Kate Spade book clutch. I could never bring myself to bite and order it. The shipping was expensive, it seemed frivolous. But still I longed for one.
You will recall I was even tempted by a retro station wagon clutch - if you missed this tale of longing, by all means go back and take a look here.
However, I felt in all good conscience, I couldn't get the station wagon until I had the country house. But the clutch above. That was different. It was perfection.
So when the 30% off friends and family sale was launched 2 weeks ago, I jumped. I could justify the shipping as I decided to also buy a clutch for my daughter who is an english major at university (that clutch will be a secret until after Christmas!) I could justify the price as it was a keeper. And it is to be my christmas gift from dear old dad who is now mostly bed ridden in a nursing home and cannot shop for himself and this is likely his last Christmas. I wanted a keepsake gift, not an article of clothing.
Well, Kate knows how to pack a box! BTW - I know Kate isn't involved like that anymore, but for the purposes of the story, she is!
When I opened up the box there was lovely coral-y tissue paper - nice thick tissue paper with a lovely gold sticker:
AJC - I took a close-up picture of the gold sticker for you!
Tucked at the top of the packages was a little pink card with gold lettering. I assume Kate wrote this just for me. As I like to say: do not disabuse me of my fantasy! "kate," says I as I lifted the first box out of its tissue paper nest "You are right. She IS quick and curious and playful and strong. Thank you for noticing!"
And there was the beauty.... I have taken a lot of photos as Tabs wanted a sense of the vinyl-ness of the clutch and I have tried to capture it in various lights (you can't buy that kind of devotion, Tabs!). Truth be told, there is a vinyl aspect to the clutch, but in my opinion, in a cool way - like an old book that has been covered very well at the library.
In less direct light. Not all that shiny.
In direct sunlight on the windowsill.
A look at the inside of the bag. There is even a lovely little brown sac to store the bag in.
A picture so you can see what the clasp is like as well.
I truly love this purse. It is whimsical, but it is also clever and truly expresses great personality. My daughter's was equally lovely.
As well, I got my daughter and my son's girlfriends each a delightful little Kate Spade bauble, which came equally well packed...
How sweet are these???
All in all - love the clutch and love how Kate packaged it all up for me! One of the nicest mail order experiences I have ever had!
If you are thinking of getting one of these clutches, you must! I won't even mind if you get the same one - when our fans run into us out at some soiree, they will think it is a planned thing...
Happy Monday and stay safe out there!!!
You will recall I was even tempted by a retro station wagon clutch - if you missed this tale of longing, by all means go back and take a look here.
However, I felt in all good conscience, I couldn't get the station wagon until I had the country house. But the clutch above. That was different. It was perfection.
So when the 30% off friends and family sale was launched 2 weeks ago, I jumped. I could justify the shipping as I decided to also buy a clutch for my daughter who is an english major at university (that clutch will be a secret until after Christmas!) I could justify the price as it was a keeper. And it is to be my christmas gift from dear old dad who is now mostly bed ridden in a nursing home and cannot shop for himself and this is likely his last Christmas. I wanted a keepsake gift, not an article of clothing.
Well, Kate knows how to pack a box! BTW - I know Kate isn't involved like that anymore, but for the purposes of the story, she is!
When I opened up the box there was lovely coral-y tissue paper - nice thick tissue paper with a lovely gold sticker:
AJC - I took a close-up picture of the gold sticker for you!
Tucked at the top of the packages was a little pink card with gold lettering. I assume Kate wrote this just for me. As I like to say: do not disabuse me of my fantasy! "kate," says I as I lifted the first box out of its tissue paper nest "You are right. She IS quick and curious and playful and strong. Thank you for noticing!"
And there was the beauty.... I have taken a lot of photos as Tabs wanted a sense of the vinyl-ness of the clutch and I have tried to capture it in various lights (you can't buy that kind of devotion, Tabs!). Truth be told, there is a vinyl aspect to the clutch, but in my opinion, in a cool way - like an old book that has been covered very well at the library.
In less direct light. Not all that shiny.
In direct sunlight on the windowsill.
A look at the inside of the bag. There is even a lovely little brown sac to store the bag in.
A picture so you can see what the clasp is like as well.
I truly love this purse. It is whimsical, but it is also clever and truly expresses great personality. My daughter's was equally lovely.
As well, I got my daughter and my son's girlfriends each a delightful little Kate Spade bauble, which came equally well packed...
How sweet are these???
All in all - love the clutch and love how Kate packaged it all up for me! One of the nicest mail order experiences I have ever had!
If you are thinking of getting one of these clutches, you must! I won't even mind if you get the same one - when our fans run into us out at some soiree, they will think it is a planned thing...
Happy Monday and stay safe out there!!!
L-l-l-l-loooooove the Kate Spade book clutches. I have the wordsmith dictionary clutch, recommended by Tiffany Rose (Trail of Sequins). I'm so happy she did as I hadn't noticed that one. It's gorgeous as is yours. Nice picks! Your daughter will be delighted. I think KS delights 9x of 10. Or maybe 10 of 10. :)
ReplyDeleteNow that I have seen Tiffany Rose's. dictionary one, I am really lusting after it - it is beautiful! Great choice!
DeleteI was debating the book titles but the leather got me to decide on the dictionary. Besides, I've loved words all my life so it had to be the dictionary.
DeleteThat is such a lovely gift to keep as a keepsake from your dad and I love the pretty packaging.
ReplyDeleteAlas, the vinyl look is the dealbreaker for me, I think I prefer the dictionary one which is much more matt, I wish she had stuck to printed fabric/leather.
I just read your previous post, you are so so funny and such a good writer, can't believe you've written three books and not tried to get them published, what were your subjects?
Oh middle school aged books - I used to write a lot but my job is so busy now I don't have time - I plan to try again and that' s why I love the blog!
DeleteThat's fantastic, you certainly have a talent for it.
DeleteWell that is high praise coming from you!
DeleteOh the club rules are hilarious!
ReplyDeleteI am Capricorn - we love rules!
DeleteI may have to add to my clutches with the dictionary one - it is divine! It would be a nice counterbalance to the zebra!
PRESENT PERFECT Well, you know my grabby hands and click-y fingers are mad for a cocktail party dictionary. In the meantime, I will content myself with picturing a lovely Christmas morning moment between you and your Dad WMM. To me the best part of this box arrival is the packaging, feels like a gift, even tho' you bought it. Made my first online purchase from Club Monaco recently and was pleasantly surprised by tissue, ribbon etc. as well. Very different arrival than the JC and LE plastic bags tossed in a box.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Barry should be very proud of this acquisition.
DeleteP.P.S. I am coming for tea biscuits (they are not an ON thing unless I make them). Will bring NS strawberry jam and a bird plate offering.
DeleteGetFresh - you got it! It is even better in strawberry shortcake season! I am seriously thinking i need the dictionary as well once I saw Tiffany Rose's post this a.m. I believe I can easily justify them (Oh I can justify anything!) and what a lovely 50th birthday gift they could be! WHen asked I would say "Darling, I looked up fabulous in the dictionary and found MOI!" Heehee!
DeleteI hear you on the packaging! It was so funny - when I got my lovely gift card and "so sorry" card from Mickey and staff there was a lovely ribbon. Those touches add so much to the whole experience!!!
OH PPS back to you - just got an email that periwinkle shoes are backordered now till the 21st of November (they were originally to ship today) am curious about those ones!
DeleteWill hold off on sending you the Blue Suede Elvis party song set then.
DeleteHA!
DeleteOoooh it's excellent! I too love the way the packages arrive, the tissue, the darling boxes...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the good review. xo!
I really think i need the dictionary, too. I have a 25 percent coupon and it may be a birthday gift! Aren't the boxes lovely? I was gob-smacked!!
DeleteHi WMM, I'm so glad you love your clutch, it's hard to tell with something like that whether it will be as fabulous in real life as on the page or monitor.
ReplyDeleteI also loved the last post - it's quite the testament to the warmth and openness of your blog that none of your answers surprised me!
Thank you Patricia! I have kept a few secrets but in general, i do not have a mysterious bone in my body.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the gold sticker!!! I have to admit, I always though those clutches are too much but you might have changed my mind... Did your hubby smile when he saw the purse?
ReplyDeleteI do love nicely wrapped purchases. It feels like opening up fancy candy boxes, making it so much more enjoyable and special.
You definitely should get back to writing!
Husband won't see it till xmas day - he will be surprised! I agree - nice packaging is so lovely!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the wonderful review, WMM! The clutch is fabulous! I agree about the packaging, too. Kate Spade, Tory Burch, and Brooks Brothers all send their merchandise out lovingly wrapped. It really does make for a much more pleasant online shopping experience. Like opening a present, as was mentioned before. :)
ReplyDeleteHi FFM! Hope all is well and that your back is feeling grand these days! I was so surprised to see how beautifully it is all wrapped - a real treat! some may go under the Christmas tree just like this!
DeleteWe have a Kate Spade store right near us - blow because I want this rich fantasy of ordering something for I too am all those things (funnily enough...and especially after a glass of vino). Loved her line: She is the first to make a toast and the last to say goodnight.
ReplyDeleteOh how I love it WMM!! What a wonderful gift that will make you smile for years to come. There's something to be said for that alone. I adore how KS items are packaged, it makes me giddy. I love those round boxes for quick trips to store earrings and such. I was very tempted by these pretties, but alas, will not use it enough. Some day though... I am, however, obsessed with all the idiom bangles. I'm going to be needing the "look on the bright side" one asap. What a fun reminder. Thanks for sharing the great review!
ReplyDelete