The handbag of your dreams
I’ve always been on the lookout for the forgotten ones… The broken this, the tattered that, the little dusty number in the back row… It’s who I am… I’m a treasure seeker at heart… And there’s just more soul in things that aren’t perfectly-perfect. Period. Absolutely. End of story. Or, actually… Beginning of story……… You see, I’m never quite content to leave well enough alone. I like to mess around with things… to combine them in a new way… to see things differently. It makes my moments more interesting, and has given me a lifelong desire of fascination. Take that extra moment to pull the opportunity out of everything. You won’t quite believe the energy that will feed your spirit.
Join me as I give this sumptuous leather number a little extra flavor… perhaps the sassiest purse in my closet!!! Ready for any day that I need a little bohemian somethin’-somethin’!! Hope you enjoy… (Oh, and watch out… the inspiration’s contagious…)
xoxoxo,
T.
Labels: make & create, smashing fashion & beauty
Reader Comments
Tracy, I love finding things to embellish and this was a great idea. Your purse is adorable!
Wow! Tracy~
Your enthusiasum for EVERYTHING in your life is SO wonderful! And… YES! I IS contagious…Yes, Yes, Yes!
I can’t wait to get upstairs to my studio and start playing! I’ve sent out two batches of my Valentines so far, and have a few more to create.. and send (This time to a few of my Mom’s older friends in their 90’s that live alone (but are going strong!) They just love to get something special and pretty in the mail. (well,don’t we all?…)
There may even be a Valentine ‘winging its way’ to chilly Wisconsin from Cape Cod…
You just never know! ~~~-~~~~
I’m off to “Embrace Imperfection”!!! Ahhhhh…
Tracy! I am really enjoying your videos. Your energy and ideas are contagious. I have a new morning ritual…(habit too…doesn’t it take 30 days to create a habit?)…I work for about an hour, make my 2nd cup of coffee, and tune in to Tracy TV. GLORIOUS!
The handbag turned out beautifully – I have an old vintage western one – think I will try something similar…Is anyone else having trouble viewing some of the new clothes videos, like the green velvet jacket..I can get some of the videos to play and some not…just wondered if anyone else having this problem or is it just my computer?
Yes, Louise…
I actually signed back on the blog to ask if anyone else was having trouble seeing the fashion videos these past few days, and just read your email asking the same. Something seems to have changed, because I could always view them perfectly before. Also, both my computers, are having other challenges with the site in the last few days too.. ‘freezing up” or going into a ‘holding pattern’ with the loading of the pages…
Anyone else experiencing challenges with the site lately?…
~ Sandi
Louise, I could not get the green velvet jacket to play but everything else was fine.
Tracy, love your ideas, keep them coming. Do you think Nettie would cook for us in her kitchen? That would be so fun to watch.
What a cool purse – thank you for the embellishment lesson. It’s so funny, but I did a little embellishment of my own before a party a few weeks ago to some plain black slingbacks by adding some snazzy, yet clearance-priced Target earrings to the toes. I must not have used enough hot glue though, because one of my basset hounds rolled on the shoes and popped both earrings off! It was just as well however, as I wore the Chinoiserie jacket to the same event and received sooooo many compliments on it, no one would have noticed my crafty little shoes. Thanks for all the fun and fantastic videos!
Dear Louise,
I am having the same problem that you are, so it is not your computer.
Tracy, This is the first time I have ever responded to a blog in my life but I’ve been watching your videos for months now and have to tell you how much I appreciate your creativity and inspiration!!! I too can’t wait to “muck around” in my craft room and just see what happens!!!
I never get rid of handbags so I can’t wait to see what I have discarded in the back of my closet ready to be reinvented.
You motivate me… I also had a grandma named Lucy and a French great-grandma!!! Wish I could show you how amazing my fancy chocolate boxes came out which I purchased for 99 cents. I added decorative paper, beautiful ribbon and stickers from Paris!!!
Any recommendations on good stores to browse through for crafty supplies or antiques in NYC? I would love to get your opinion.
Oh, say “hi” to Michael in Tech Support. He says you don’t let him out much!!!
Hello, I am the tech guy referenced above. We are working on making the site run better. Please let me know if the changes we made a few moments ago have made a difference.
If you are having issues with the product videos on tracyporter.com, we have found that deleting your browser history solves this problem. Also make sure your pop up blocker is not engaged.
I really appreciate you letting us know how we are doing. It really helps.
Thanks,
Michael
Debbie B.,
You are about to get caught up in the Tracy Porter web!…… Once you start blogging with Tracy and this group of cool ladies, you won’t be able to escape! I am traveling to NYC tomorrow, for a few days stay. And asked Tracy for the same recommendations. ( see Jan. 28th Scrumptious Art … comment #5.) I googled each one of her recommendations and they look awesome! It is going to be MUCH fun!!!!! I have already measured a wall in my gallery for wallpaper from “The Second Hand Rose”……..These wallpapers are exquisite.
PS…. Welcome love!
Tracy……This is sooo cool! My daughter found a nifty old leather bag in a cobbler shop last month, and we are definitely going to have to give that baby a facelift!!!! This is a great project for her to work on. Thank You love!
Hi Michael,
Thanks for working on the ‘blips’ on the site. I had actually done just that.. (cleared the browser history, and double checked the popup blockers) but nothing seemed to work .. until now. Now I can get MOST of the fashion video segments to play, EXCEPT still NOT the new velvet Artiste jacket…
Any others able to view this one yet?…
Of course that didn’t stop me from ordering it first thing this morning!
Thanks again, Michael for all your dedicated efforts on this!
Misery loves company. I thought it was my computer. It takes a very long time to load Tracy’s website and videos.
I am all about embracing imperfection. Love that mantra!!!
Size question, Tracy. I am in love with Tapestry Chinoiserie Coat. I have Age of Elegance in a medium. Should I get this red in med. or large? P.S. Ladies, isn’t it amazing the comments/compliments these pieces get? Every single time I wear Age of Elegance, people stop dead in their tracks. And, by tomorrow Silver Quilted Tote will be on my arm: woo-hoo!
I couldn’t agree more. Honestly, every time I wear Tracy’s pieces people always LOVE them. There aren’t any other pieces in my wardrobe that receive that kind of response. For what it’s worth, I have the Age of Elegance and the Chinoiserie in small and the Chinoiserie seems just a bit larger. Maybe I’m shrinking. Love them both dearly.
Mallory – thanks for chiming in!!!! I’m having to hold back from hitting the “buy now” button: ha!
Virginia, i think a medium would make sense. Yes….the comments are amazing, we are blown away by all of you!! Thanks so much for shopping…we ALL really appreciate it!!
Cameo, you are going to love all of those places in NYC,
Debbie B…yaay! thanks for joining us…do check out the NYC small list i made for Cameo..all great stuff!
happy day!!
xo
Hi Michael, I still had the same problem as explained before.
And also, before, I could open wide the windows to watch the video, and now it is not possible anymore, I have to watch them tiny. Is there a way to solve this too ?
Anyway, I love this bag. I was just wondering if that kind of glue is efficient enough to hold during a long time ? I love using glue gun, but I never did on a bag, so, just wondering.
Thank you again Tracy, it is getting better and better, I love all the accessories customizing, it’s so beautifully kitschy and so great, I love that !
Yael
Tracy, thank you for this great lesson…you are helping me think “outside the box” so much more often. I have a leather purse that my hubby bought me 15 years ago and the top looks like a saddle, I just pulled it out of my closet the other day, and I think I could jazz it up a bit!
Would you consider doing a video on just putting together some casual day outfits…I like how you threw on the leather belt over the sweatshirt and vintage tee w/jeans… That seems to be my uniform…Just showing some ideas on how to throw a look together with a “little Tracy twist”
xoxo
Cameo and Debbie B. I have not read Tracy’s response to your NYC requests so she may have included one of my favorites M&J trim or J&M trim. I always look it up because I forget….Wanted to make sure you didn’t miss it. Bundle up girls it’s probably colder here than in Wiaconsin. OH, PLEASE treat yourself to drinks at the St.Regis Hotel’s Old King Cole bar. It has an amazing Maxfield Parish painting that spans the length of the bar….When are you going….Perhaps I’ll meet you for a Bloody Mary! The best in NYC.
Chating with you-all makes me soooooo happy!Hugs,Fifi
Dawn, I loved your Chinese jacket. Wow!!!!!
Ok, I’m just working on my “Bucket List” here. Maybe NYC is more manageable for some??? We could meet Fifi at the St. Regis Hotel. Bloggers, Tracy Team – anyone up for a trip in Oct. or Nov.?????? Cheap airfare, plenty of time to plan. Let’s suck the marrow from life…please!
Oh, Virginia… we are up for a trip to NYC indeed. We read your post and decided it was surely a grand idea. Any chance we can get to “suck the marrow from life”….count us in!!!! Let’s chat more about it in the coming weeks….
Have a wonderful evening girls!!!
(from a very chilly studio this afternoon)
Sarah
Tracy! Can we talk about that purse for a moment…..unbelievable….pulse pounding!!! I am also going crazy for new the bohemian frock……I’m turning the big 40 in a couple weeks and think that will help me sail through. xoxo Stephanie ps your videos are such a fun part of my day!!!
Artist…thank you…now I wish I would have had TWO made. I originally thought…it will be great to wear on the Chinese holidays, BUT now that I am thinking the “TP way”…it could be FABULOUS anyday!!! Thank you for always checking in on us ((hug)). Virginia… I would LOVE a trip to NYC anyday…even better with all of the “Tracy groupies”…sounds sooo fabulous!!
xoxo
So…….Tracy I couln’t resist and just ordered Bohemian dress with L’artiste jacket. I’m thinking I will be very cute for my b-day!!! Can’t wait till they come!
xoxo Stephanie
A New York trip sounds devine!! That would be fun fun fun.
Michael – FYI – I am having the same slow slow response time….truly thought it was just my computer…
Oh Stephanie…I am sure you will look smashing in your pieces on your b-day…those are two of my favorites also!!!
Tracy¡¡ im from Spain.Seville
Im so glad to find you..i dont know how.
You seems to me like my personal fairy godmother.
You do realize the wold of my drems.
Thanks for exist
see you
Girlzzzzzz, How fun you all are !!! If any of you are in the NYC area let me know. I’d love to meet each and every one of you. Would it not be such fun to see our amazing Tracy outfits. Great photo op’s. I keep getting my wonderful treats in the mail. Tracy, the sale has been soooo good for me !!!! I plan to wear these special and unique clothes FOREVER. They all work so well with my vintage collection and what I already own.
Gotta get the kids to school. Can’t wait to see what we’re in store for today !!!!!
Ambrosia and all, HUGS, Fifi
Michael – this morning, it seems faster! Yea. You KNOW how addicted we are to this blog. We are quite demanding, arent’ we? Thanks for all you do!!!!
Ok, girls! Tally ho…it’s off to NYC we go! Did you read that Sarah said they might make that trip? We might never come home. Woo-hoo!!!
Fi Fi ,
Love to have a Bloody Mary with you!………..if our schedules work out. Sunday morning would work for me love, If not, I will be back again soon,…. and that will give us more tome to plan.
Tracy and Sarah, put my name in the hat for a trip back to NYC for a Tracy Porter forum.!!!!……….I think FiFi’s idea of a cocktail at the” Old King Cole Bar” is right up my alley!!!!!
Virginia, I want to hear all the details on the quilted leather tote, once it arrives….. Out the door to the airport loves,…. have a great weekend.
Tracy, I am just recalling that I had a bag, very similar to this when I was in high school. Mine had a bit of painted color in the detailing. I was thinking I had gotten rid of it, but now, I’m pretty sure I saw it in my attic:) Woopie!!!!! I might just have to pull it out and then embellish, embellish, embellish!!!!
I can’t tell you how good your blog is for the creative soul. Close to every morning when Jaime and I get to the studio, we refer to stuff we learned or were inspired by on your blog:)
BTW, I am so jealous of you for having such an amazing graphic designer for your site, blog, emails and the such. Whoever it is… give ‘em extra appreciation today, b/c I so wish I had him/her for myself:) Who am I kidding, you probably do all the graphic design yourself too;)
Michael….I am laughing…just saw the other ladies comments with the same thing that I have experienced a few days now on the videos…love your letting us know how to fix it…”deleting your browser history solves this problem. Also make sure your pop up blocker is not engaged.”….but I have no idea how to do these things…and I am laughing because I am on the computer all day but this is just one more thing I probably SHOULD:) know but don’t!:) Is there a “Browser History and Pop Up BLocker for Dummies”?:)
Tracy-
)Today, I decorated it! It looks really nice:)
Mom recently aquired one of your lovely purses.(By the way,it is beautiful!)I asked if I could have it.(We had just watched your inspiring video
Hi Grace….feeling better? Good to know YOU want your moms purse! I was always in my moms closet borrowing anything she would let me get my wandering hands on! What did you do to the purse you decorated…a few luscious trims? It really is too much fun isn’t it….I started doing clothing like this when i was in jr. high…i would sew rows of trimmings onto tank tops…thought i had discovered a new world!
Melissa,Thanks so much……but, Nooooooo…I don’t do any graphic design. We have a very creative team that keeps us smiling everyday. Vicki and Trish are hyper creative souls….lovely thoughtful and ever seeking new inspiration!
xo
T.
Michael, I’m in agreement with Debbie…how do you delete the browser history and clear the pop up blocker? I too am on line all day and don’t know what you are talking about. Be gentle, you are working with older women here. LOL We didn’t grow up tech savvy. LOL
Tracy – I just checked here since I knew Grace had posted yesterday and wanted to thank you for taking the time to reply to her! She will be tickled pink by your response – she was so excited to decorate my purse (I must explain: I recently bought the Kensington Handbag, which I ADORE, as does anyone who sees it, and gave Grace my former bag. So she was delighted to see you embellishing a bag and got right to work on her new one!). I’ll leave the specifics to her – I’m sure she’ll be posting tomorrow after school. Thank you again for supporting her interest and budding creativity!
Tracy-
Thanks for replying! I did do some trims-I love that idea! Besides that,I decorated the zippers with silk ribbon!
Love, Grace
Grace, hope you can see me smiling!!!
xoxo
T.
Just check out your new Spring fashions. They are fabulous and they are very affordable!