@rosee: Whew! Glad they both meet with approval. This shopping is hard work! Hopefully, this is the first of several handbag purchases : ) It will get easier, right?

Oh good, you ordered the red bag! I was going to suggest red, and I get so much use out of my red bag. It acts as a neutral for me. Is the wallet Fossil also? Now I want a teal wallet too! You are an enabler, Kelly!

Pff I am pretty handbag impaired too, the right one is the one you like best I look and see the pretties, find stuff I like, get overwhelmed, close all the windows/put them all back and get no new bags ^^ Can't wait to see this one in action!

Thanks, Debora! The wallet is Lodis--also on sale at Nordie's in a yummy selection of colors. I really liked the aqua and watermelon combo but I thought it clashed too much with the deep red. Linky:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/lo.....ltback=632

Kellygirl, I have the Fossil satchel that you ordered in the saddle color. It's a really nice every day handbag. I chose it over the shopper because of the zipper top, longer handle drop, and those front pockets. The front pockets have magnetic snaps and are perfect for keeping your keys and cell phone in.

About the crossbody strap, it can be completely removed, but I found that if you unsnap one end and pass it through its brass ring and then snap it to the ring on the other side, the doubled-up strap loop doesn't hang lower than the satchel and looks good like this. Then you still have it right there if you want to convert it back again.

I hope you like the bag, too. The leather softens right up and becomes very supple once you start using it.

Claudia, thanks for chiming in! I'm really excited to hear that it's very functional. The reviews were all very good but many differing opinions about the outside pockets. They look perfect for keys and my cellphone. The tip on the strap is fab. I was thinking I could tuck it inside the bag but I like your idea even better : ) I can't wait to get it!

Thanks for the wallet link, Kelly! With Mother's Day fast approaching, I am going to start dropping some not so subtle hints around the house!

Sounds like a great idea. I need to tell DH not to order *me* an ipad for Mother's Day. He's wanted one for quite awhile ; ) A red handbag is much more functional, don't you think?

Definitely more functional! I just dropped the first hint for a new wallet, and DS is grumbling that a new XBox might be better - his just suffered the red ring of death (whatever that is)!

The handbag lover in me wants to say 3, because I love it....but since you don't change bags I would get 2, it will go with everything! Or, just do what I do and get both!!!

(Debora the "red ring of death" is when the machine breaks, instead of being all green and glowy around the power button it's red. Usually signalling a fatal error that cannot be fixed unless you send it back to Microsoft. I may or may not really enjoy video games ^^)

Thanks for the explanation, Aida! Maybe now he can concentrate more on studying for SAT's and less on Black Ops!

I think you need a red AND purple bag, Kelly. Then you can work towards cream and blue.

Sarah, can we PLEASE sort out your handbag deficit.

Oh, Angie - you have NO IDEA what it took for me just to wear *boots*! Give me time...it's going to have to be simple, cross-body...I'll get there.

But...this is about KELLY! And she's on a role ; )

Crossbody sounds perfect, Sarah. I will hold your handbag hand all the way.

You're awfully sweet, Angie : )

Sarah, I see a closet full of handbags in your future. Mwaahahaha!
@Aida: Your description of handbag shopping is the same as mine! This is the first time I'm actually ordering something! I hemmed and hawed over Mamapicklejuice's last purse post until everything was sold out.