It's that time of the year again. Yes, the days of the final markdown are upon us. Purchases made during this time fall under several categories:

1) the elusive "I've wanted this all season but it was so overpriced that I wouldn't buy it...until now."
2) the more frequent "I like this. I managed to hold out when it was only marginally reduced but, come on, it's 70% off now. I have to buy it!"
3) the all too often "Sale! Sale! Sale! Must...buy!"

Happily, my purchases during the last few weeks have fallen into one of the first two categories. I picked up a lovely, just below the knee, full skirt made of vintage fabric at Barneys. In muted blues and greys with birds sitting amongst floral trellis' it's a little like a sofa cover but, I have to say, it's amazingly wearable. With a black cotton shirt and a blue/grey thin cotton v-neck sweater I can wear it to work and manage to feel appropriate but still me.

So, there I was. I'd managed to successfully navigate the sales without too much wear and tear on either myself or my credit card. Then it came in the mail. Saks...final discounts...50% off the sale price. I'm sorry, did someone say 50% off the "sale" price? At that point you really can't not go and at least look. Can you? Well, your willpower may be stronger than mine but I couldn't. And there, amidst the flotsam and jetsom of unwanted merchandise I saw it. A Miu Miu tote bag, canvas with leather trim. Suede and canvas badges attached. 1930's meets 1960's in browns, oranges, and taupe. I'd been eyeing pictures of it in magazines all Spring but the original $800 was too much for a canvas bag, but now...