Collections you (probably) won’t regret

Below are some ideas for collections that you are likely to appreciate for many years to come:

1)      Hardbound editions of your favorite books.

You can never have too many books. Look for special editions, signed books or those featuring beautiful cover art. Having a handsome library in your home is not only a great source of entertainment and enrichment, it is also beautiful to behold.

2)      Tins.

Vintage tins, new tins, large tins, tiny tea tins, whatever! Tins are fun because you can use them in a variety of ways. Food tins can be displayed in a kitchen. Or, you can make functional use of your collection by using your tins to store odds and ends, such as cards or sewing supplies. And if you feel like you have too many, a wonderful solution is to line the tin with some parchment paper, fill it with home-baked goodies and give it as a gift to a friend or neighbor!

3)      Handbags.

 Okay, so having a “purse collection” may just sound like an excuse to acquire as many of the beloved accessories as possible. Well, maybe it is. So what? The key, though, is to actually treat your bags like they are valuable pieces of a collection. Many women do care for their handbags lovingly, but others might not realize the value in preserving their bags as well as possible or have the know-how to do so. Follow these purse-maintenance tips to keep them looking their best:

·         Stuff them with acid-free tissue when not in use (the paper that comes with them when purchased is often good) to keep their shape

·         Avoid placing you bag directly on the floor when you are out and about

·         Know how to treat stains ahead of time for a variety of materials and keep the necessary cleaning supplies on hand

·         Use bags inside your bag! Have a bag for change, a bag for your sunglasses, and obviously a waterproof bag for your makeup if you must carry it with you. Free-roaming articles inside your purse not only cause stains and scratches but they also make it hard to find what you are looking for!

Wondering how to begin officially collecting handbags? It is helpful to have a certain type of bag to focus on. You can choose to collect a certain style of bag (evening bag, satchel, clutch, etc.) or you may want to zero in on a specific designer or brand. For example, maybe you collect Coach because your aunt gave you a coach bag for your 15^th birthday and it was the first real “grown-up” purse you ever had. Or maybe you want to collect Dooney and Bourke because you remember that your Grandma always carried one of their classic brown and tan leather shoulder bags. Perhaps you just love the style of a particular designer, like Ralph Lauren, and want to acquire as many as possible.

One fantastic source for adding to your handbag collection is thredUP. They have bags organized by style, and you can also search for a specific designer or brand. Happy Collecting!