I'm cursing this thread ;) I love nice handbags - I don't wear much jewelry or buy expensive clothes, and I'm a very practical person. But handbags ARE practical! I'm fairly conservative and like very classic bags, but also love color. Shoulder bags are my favorite. I had some old-style Coach bags when I was younger, but haven't bought anything from them in years. But, I did have my eye on an eggplant bag I saw in one of their NYC stores just before Christmas. I really, really, really want a purple bag, but don't see it on their Web site. Guess that color was so last season?! Probably a good thing because if I remember, it was over my price range anyway. Mitchdesj - Love that bag!. Some reviews have said the chain makes it heavy and that the bag doesn't hold its shape. What do you think? I don't like stiff leather anyway. I've been wanting a nice tote for day trips, and just ordered this Trina Turk bag on sale: For more moderately price bags, I like Tignanello, which I buy discounted. Just picked up these two in black at TJ Maxx for about $70 each and am trying to decide which one to keep for casual wear: Awhile ago I bought my first Dooney & Bourke. This one "spoke" to me when it popped up on one of the discount sites at an incredible price. I love the plaid: What is it about handbags??

lkplatow - what a lovely and thoughtful gift. I am sure your MIL will be thrilled. You will be giving a gift that can be built upon not only by you, but now friends and other family members can purchase a charm or two for special occasions. Someone posted about the other brands of this bracelet being inferior as they aren't solid sterling (for the silver as opposed to the gold Pandora). While I am not sure about Trolls or Brighton, I did check out Kohl's silver version of this bracelet. and it is, in fact, solid sterling. The price point of the Individuality Bracelets and beads (Kohls)is a more affordable option for anyone who wants this type of bracelet in silver, but doesn't want to spend Pandora-type $$. As far as the durability of the glass beads - I've had mine for quite a few years and haven't yet had a glass bead break or chip. I have both Pandora and other brand glass beads. I am very hard on my jewelry, and don't remove it to wash dishes, etc. I like that you've chosen the sea turtle charm as one of the starter charms for your MIL's bracelet. Very thoughtful to personalize the bracelet with something you do together as a family. As a matter of personal choice, I think this type of bracelet is so much more versatile than the "Nomination" or stretchy charm bracelet that came out about 10 or so years ago. While I do have one of those, I never wore it as frequently as I wear my Pandora. For me, it is like comparing apples and oranges. Since I have accumulated many different colored glass beads, so I can make combinations of colored beads mixed with the other charms when I want to compliment a color I may be wearing. Personally, I don't like my bracelet full of charms, but prefer it only half filled. Happy Holidays!

Nuts, all those pieces are beautiful! I especially like the combination of pearls and coral. Thanks everyone for sharing these personal faves. This is my favorite, very old fashioned, from a great aunt: its a four strand pearl bracelet with diamond spacers and an ornate Art Deco diamond clasp. It doesn’t photograph very well but all the surfaces are either brilliant or emerald cut diamonds set in white gold. I usually wear it with black velvet and with my pearls by the yard looped many times around my neck.

thanks, thanks a lot :) I am now going to look on ebay. I have found my perfect purse, wallet and laptop/work bag (backpack). They are coach. I carried them for about 10 years in brown (mahogany). since I used them daily they were kind of beat up by then and I decided I wanted to start using black. I found the exact bags, all three, in black, gently used, on ebay. it took some searching but I love them still. I think I need a back up though and as time goes on I am sure it will be harder to find. I need to set up my searches on ebay again!