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alb


Marc Jacobs

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Back after loooong shopping sabbatical . . .
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Hi everyone--I hope you guys are doing well!  I once was a regular here a long time ago but have been MIA pretty much since moving to Cairo, Egypt w/ my husband two years ago (sorry).  I have missed you guys though and I do check in periodically.  My shopping has taken a huge turn since I have been living in the middle east.  I have not had easy access to fashion as before, so I had to compensate by ordering things through the internet and having my mom ship them to me, and doing all of my clothes shopping for the year while on vacation in the US and Rome.  In 2 weeks we will be moving back to the US though, and my shopping instincts are already starting to kick in!  So that's my story.  Now for my very important question . . .

I am debating buying a large charcoal grey patent leather tote bag from a leather factory here in Cairo that specializes in copying designer bags.  I am not really into knock-offs, and this bag is not a k/o of anything--it's just a cute bag and I think it would be nice for the fall w/ jeans, cashmere sweaters and the like.  Also, I think I'd use it every day since it will go with browns and blacks, and it's a nice size to accomodate all the loot I carry for my two small children (ages 3 and 1).  It's about $200.

Based on the description (sorry don't have a pic), would it be a good purchase or is everyone sick to death of patent leather bags by now??  It's in a very nice unexpected color, which is why I like it so much (more of a grey verses a silver). 

Classic and timeless or too trendy??  Would love to know your thoughts!  Thanks! 

-- Edited by alb at 03:52, 2008-06-12

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relrel


Marc Jacobs

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The bag sounds beautiful actually. I have no idea if patent will still be popular in the fall, but truth be told, I have no clue if it's popular now. I'm not exactly a trend follower. I do love the idea of a gray patent bag though!

But more importantly...how the heck are you? And where are our two years worth of pictures? smile.gif Also, if you've been there for two years (doesn't seem that long ago that you were talking about going, but I guess it has been!), and the little one is a year...did you have him/her there?

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D


Hermes

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hey - good to see you around smile

I think the bag sounds nice also.  Patent seems to be hitting its height in popularity this year, so as long as you're not spending a mint, I think it will be a good purchase.



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alb


Marc Jacobs

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hi rel rel and D! Thanks for your responses--i think i'll get the bag then :)

rel rel--i am doing fine, thanks for asking.  we are moving back to washington dc in a couple of weeks so i have been busy saying goodbye to friends here and shopping and packing!  i know i have promised to post pictures, so i'll update this thread tomorrow with some pictures of cairo for anyone whose curious.

To answer your question about my one year old--I was pregnant when we moved here with my son, ben, but giving birth here is not recommended by the american embassy here in the cairo, so i flew back to the US to have him and then came back here.  he is one and a half now and my daughter. lucy, is three.  it's amazing how time flies!  how are things with you???  

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relrel


Marc Jacobs

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Dude, seriously...giving birth in Egypt seems like a bad idea which is why I was curious about the timing. Has the three year-old been able to pick up any Arabic?

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ayo


Coach

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Hi Alb! The bag sounds cute! I'd go for it..
by the way good to see you...we should try to link up when you get back in town..I'll PM you...
:)

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alb


Marc Jacobs

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relrel wrote:

Dude, seriously...giving birth in Egypt seems like a bad idea which is why I was curious about the timing. Has the three year-old been able to pick up any Arabic?


Yeah, the stories are pretty shocking.  Cairo specifically and Egypt in general is MUCH more third world than people realize.  My three year old does speak a bit of Arabic, as she has Arabic lessons in school once a week.  She says a few words here and there, like "yala," which means lets go, and "maya," which is water.

She also knows a couple of nursery rhymes and can sing Happy Birthday in Arabic.  It's so cute!  Thanks for asking :)




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alb


Marc Jacobs

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ayo wrote:

Hi Alb! The bag sounds cute! I'd go for it..
by the way good to see you...we should try to link up when you get back in town..I'll PM you...
:)


Hey ayo!  how are you?  i'm glad to hear you'd get the bag; i really value your opinion and admire your taste!  Definitely pm me--i get back on the 26th and would love to get together.  by the way, your daughter is BEAUTIFUL!  how old is she now?  ben is 19 months, wonder if they're near the same age.  take care and thanks for responding.

  



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Hermione


Kate Spade

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Hey Alb :)
I've also been MIA for about 2 years and so was happy to see a post from you - seems like you were moving to Cairo yesterday (or about the last time I signed in, anyway)
Do you have pictures you can show us?
(p..s. - Alb and Ayo, remember I am originally from Old Town/ DC too?)

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Karina


Chanel

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hi alb! i've also been pretty MIA... so nice to hear from you! hope you and the kids are doing well!

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Vanessa


Kate Spade

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Nice to hear from you A! I'm also not on here as much but it's good to hear from some of the old gang -- although I'm starting to think I'm the only one who hasn't had a baby yet - and I say that with the best intentions and a bit of baby fever :)
I am dying to see pictures so please share! And welcome back to the US :)

PS- I loooove grey patent leather. It's my favorite color patent, if that says anything. I think $200 is a good price, too.

Take care!

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alb


Marc Jacobs

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Hey Hermione, Karina, and Vanessa!  It's great to hear from some old regulars.

Hermione - I had forgotten that you were from Old Town/DC.  We just sold our house in Old Town and are looking to rent in Arlington, Vienna, or Mclean for a year.  Are you still there?

Vanessa - I'm glad you're doing well - understand about the baby fever!  I promise to attach pics as soon as i get a chance!  Thanks for your opinion on the bag also - I love grey patent too!   

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ILoveChoo


Hermes

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hey Alb!!! So good to "see" you again!!

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erin


Chanel

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welcome back alb! grey patent sounds wonderful :)

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alb


Marc Jacobs

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Hey Choo and Erin! Glad you guys are still around, and thanks for the opinion, Erin. 

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Hermione


Kate Spade

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Hey Alb -

I'm actually in TX, and only make the trek back to the DC area about once a year.  I do however, still have family and friends there - I will tell you McLean seems to be the new hotspot!  A ton of Alexandria people I know have relocated there - of course Tyson's has always been there, so you know you'll have a great mall - i guess you can also get more for your money out there!
I prefer Arlington just cause it's still closer to the city -
Show us pictures when you can!!

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alb


Marc Jacobs

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Hey Hermione - I had also forgotten that you were in TX.  I was born and raised in Fort Worth and moved from there to Alexandria in 2004.  I prefer to live in Arlington as well, but now that we have kids we have to live close to their school, which is why we are considering Mclean or Vienna (my daughter will start preschool in Vienna in the fall).  I am glad to hear that Mclean is getting better though :)  If you hear of anyone renting or subletting a house in those areas please let me know!  Thanks and it's good to "chat" with you :)  

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Cricket


Gucci

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Ciao!  Glad you're back! 


Oh, and get the bag!

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tina242


Kate Spade

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Alb, a grey patent leather bag sounds great - I am sure you will get lots of questions asking where you got it!  You can say Cairo and make everyone jealous!!

What brought you to Cairo?  Are you happy to be back or will you miss it?

And Vanessa, don't worry - I'm 30 and baby-less :).

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tk
alb


Marc Jacobs

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Thanks, Cricket!

Hi Tina!  Thanks also for your opinion.  I got the bag today.  We are here because my husband works for the American Embassy (State Dept.).  It's been a great experience and we are sad to leave the friends that we have made here, but we are also ready to go back to the US.  We miss the fresh air, good shopping and restaurants and the less chaotic way of life.  Thanks for asking :)   

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