I Have Love Handles! Plus, a Little Jungle Fever!

Welcome to the 539th Metamorphosis Monday!

How has your Memorial Day weekend been going? Hope it has been a relaxing one spent with family and friends.

A while back I shared a little problem I was trying to solve. Last summer when I carried this handbag for the first time, I worried about the canvas fabric handles becoming dirty. I tried covering the handles with a Hermes twilly, a popular method I’ve seen many YouTube handbag fashionistas employ to protect the handles of their handbags. That did not work well for this bag, I think because of how the handles widen out at the base where the handle attaches to the bag.

Prada Wicker Bag, Pink

 

I wondered if someone made covers for handbag handles and Googled to see what I could find. I came across these cute little handle protectors at Etsy and ordered a set of pink ones that I thought would coordinate with my bag. I went with the color above the arrow.

Handle Covers for Handbag

 

They arrived a few days ago and here’s how they look on the bag. I’m really happy with how they look and feel. I wouldn’t mind if they were about an inch longer overall, but they are working great so far.

Protect Handbag Handles from lotion, skin oils, dirt

 

Here’s how they look from above. They are held in place via a narrow strip of velcro where the cover sections overlap. So the velcro doesn’t touch the bag, only the soft handle covers come in contact with the bag itself.

They are so soft, very comfortable to hold. I will feel much more at ease carrying this bag this summer now that the handles are protected from lotion, sweat, skin oils, etc…

If you have a handbag with handles that could use a bit of protection, you’ll find these in a bunch of different colors here: Handle Protectors. I like their motto: Solving Purse World Problems-One Bag at a Time. Ha! 🙂

Handbag Handle Protectors

 

A Change-up for Our Summer Dining

Last summer when I was visiting with my grandchildren, while everyone was away from home for a few hours, I set a fun table for dinner with some new melamine dinnerware I had just purchased.

Pagoda Umbrella for Outdoor Table, Outdoor Dining 2

 

It was a big hit with my two grandsons, as well as my son and daughter-in-law. (View this previous tablescape here: Beach Themed Table That’s Mostly Child-Friendly.)

Driftwood Chargers for Beach Themed Table 2

 

Recently, while shopping in Target, I came across these adorable jungle plates. The price was so good, I couldn’t pass them up. I’ll be visiting family again in a couple of weeks and I can’t wait to use these in another surprise table for my grandsons. I’ll have to think of a fun centerpiece to go with this jungle theme. I may look for some jungle toys for the centerpiece.

Jungle Plates for Outdoor Dining

 

This is the platter that goes with this set. Isn’t it hilarious?! I thought my son could use the platter for hamburgers or whatever he will be cooking on the grill for our outdoor feast.

This set is even cuter in person. It was hard to take photos because the reflection of the melamine sorta freaked out the camera. If you look down at the plates stacked in front of the platter, you can see how they look in person. The colors are vivid and really cute for summer.

You’ll find this dinnerware available online here: Jungle Theme Dinnerware for Summer.

 

The other item I picked up was this beautiful blue and white hurricane pillar candle holder. I can’t wait to use it in a blue and white table this summer! It’s available here in two sizes: Blue & White Hurricane. The one I bought is the larger one. It’s really beautiful when the candle inside is lit in the evening!

Blue, White Opalhouse Hurricane Candle Holder

 

Enjoy the rest of your Memorial Day!

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Comments

  1. Wish there were Targets here! Like the jungle theme.

  2. Cute summer finds Susan, thanks for the links!

  3. Love Handles! OMG, who would have thought. What a cute, clever solution to this problem. Susan, you always find THE MOST AMAZING THINGS! A few summers ago I bought one of those coated canvas totes at Kate Spade. I loved it. It was so much fun and so summery. It was a quite colorful drawing of the Italian coast with a rope handle. The problem was that because the bag was made of a fabric, rather than leather, even though it was coated, it became dirty rather quickly and did not hold up well. The rope handle also became frayed. This was not the first handbag made of fabric that I had purchased where I had the same experience, and none of them were inexpensive handbags. I vowed never to purchase one again, no matter how stylish they were. I’m sure I am not the only woman who has had this problem, and I suspect there is some solution for this out there that I am unaware of.

    • I know Kate Spade isn’t inexpensive so that has to be frustrating! I wonder if spraying it with Scotchguard when it’s brand new would help. I don’t blame you for not wanting to purchase another one.

  4. Margaret says

    The love handles that you chose are a good match for your straw bag & very pretty. I would love to spend a day, or so, perusing your table settings. You have also chosen table accessories of mix & match. Needless to say it’s a fantastic inventory. Thanks for finding many of the things we are all looking for but have no idea where to find them.

  5. I’d get protectors too if I had the gorgeous and high end quality purses you have. Great taste, Susan. I carry my departed and beloved Auntie’s vintage 1960s wicker purse and get compliments all the time. The leather handles are showing some wear, no wonder – it’s used all season year after year. May have to look into those protectors. What a genius idea. You sure find the cool stuff, Susan. Thanks again for that.

    Come over and look at how big my pink-garbed grand daughter has gotten.
    I actually posted – shocking, I know, haha. ♥

    • Thanks, Michele! I have really culled my bag collection down to just the pieces I truly use and love. I just recently sold two bags to Fashionphile so I could buy another one that I have wanted for ages. At this point, I have what the Fashion YouTubers call “Purse Peace” (lol) meaning I’m happy with my current collection…at least for now. 😉
      Aww, your Auntie’s vintage wicker bag sounds wonderful! I love the vintage wicker bags!

  6. Susan, I just want to say how much I enjoy your blog! You know how long I’ve been a fan and follower, but don’t know if I’ve told you recently that your blog still stands out to me. I’m not a handbag collector, and honestly never even thought about protecting the handles. I do love handbags, and have saved favorites from through the years. In hindsight, I wish I had taken better care of them.
    That said, I often find myself clicking on related posts from the past, and this morning I did just that! I ended up several links later revisiting your 2011 posts on Doris Day’s hats and fashion. What a wonderful look back at a favorite icon of my childhood. I laughed at the beach hat, thinking back to my youth in the 60s growing up on the Gulf Coast. I don’t have specific memories of such hats, but when I think about all the things in the gift shops along the beach communities, I’m absolutely positive such hats would have been there for sale. Too funny!
    Did you ever make a wall of hats in your office area? I saw the wonderful vintage hat rack, but didn’t find the post where you show how you used it. We have hat racks in several rooms. My husband and I are both definitely hat people. We live in Texas and had a sailboat for over ten years, convertibles for over 20 years, and of course we walk and I garden. Hats are a must! But back to hatracks. I’ve used the kind you show as well as the type that has a round flat end. Both can cause the straw hat to become misshappen over time. The best thing I’ve found is head forms, so the hat sits as if it is on one’s head. They take up much more room, so I admitedly only have three of these. They are fun though, and probaby my favorite idea. One rack has a shelf across the top, so we can just lay the hats on the shelf. Writing this has given me an idea for a blog post of my own! Perhaps I’ll write one.
    As for the cute new dishes, do you recall the darling monkey pitcher you have? You helped me find one for myself. I still have it and use it, especially in the summer. As for a centerpiece, definitely use something the boys could relate to and play with. What about safari hats hanging on the back of their chairs and camaflouge or animal print napkins? I just googled Jungle Animal Toys and Target has a set that looks adorable. They look to be a perfect size for a centerpiece with the giraffe being 13.5″ tall if I my observation is correct. They show the pieces in scale with a child. Good luck! Can’t wait to see what you come up with. I know it will be fun!
    Hope you have a wonderful day! ~ Sarah

    • Thanks so much, Sarah! That means so much, appreciate those sweet words more than you know! I’m so glad you mentioned that previous Doris Day post. After she passed recently, I meant to create a post linking out to those previous posts, so I’ll do that sometime soon. Those hats were sooo cute! I wish we all wore more hats these days. I wish I looked in hats like Doris Day looked in her hats! 🙂

      I kinda did do the wall with hats in my office. You can see how they turned out in this previous post…just scroll down to the 3rd photo in this post: https://betweennapsontheporch.net/a-pop-of-color-for-the-office-answering-your-questions-about-the-bucket-list-travel-map/

      I like the head forms…that sounds like a good way for hats to help keep their shape.

      I love the idea of the safari hats on the backs of the chairs…that would be so cute! When I was in Kenya back in 2015 I purchased 5-6 hand-carved, wood animals for my grandson, Court. I think I’ll take those with me when I visit in June. They would be really cute in the centerpiece of a jungle or African animal table setting, too. Love your ideas! This should be a fun table to create for them! 🙂

      Oh, so glad you mentioned the monkey pitcher! I need to take mine with me for that table setting. That would be adorable! I love that silly thing! I’ll check out those jungle toys are Target! Thanks for the heads up on those! 🙂

  7. LOL Susan, I read you wrote “I have love handles!…” and all I thought was:
    “No way, you have love handles, Susan! You’re so beautiful and skinny!” …
    then I saw what you meant and… ooohhh, THOSE love handles! Okay, my bad! 🙂 THOSE love handles are the only ones I love, too, and you chose a beautiful color! ♥

  8. Kathleen says

    Those are really cute and fun plates. The grandsons are going to love them. I did some research on my fear of buying melamine because of the top rack only in the dishwasher. I guess the plates eventually fade. How much I’m not sure, but if that’s the case it would be worth a try. What’s a little fade? Melamine is microwaveable isn’t it? Why would dishwasher heat be any different. Go figure. Like the idea of your love handles and the match is good, but I’m not sure I like the logo on top of the handles. Although, it would be a good conversation starter. lol

  9. Thanks so much for hosting each week!! Happy Memorial Day!!
    Hugs
    Debbie

  10. Biodynamic Barb says

    You don’t look old enough to have grandchildren….

    I love the blue hurricane’s!

  11. The jungle plates are grrreat! EnJOY your Memorial Day!! franki

  12. Cute dinnerware!

  13. susan, Can you tell me or send me a link for the patio umbrella that you got for your son and DIL? It is so cute!
    thank you,
    Linda

    • Sure, it’s called a Pagoda umbrella and I found it at Pier 1 a few years back. I just looked and they do have a Pagoda umbrella in stock, but I don’t see this color available this year. You can see the ones they do have in stock here: http://bit.ly/2I8Lpyy
      The Pagoda style is the first one on the second row at that page and it’s currently on sale.

    • It looks like Overstock has a similar style umbrella, too. You can see it here: http://bit.ly/2I2oEMC

  14. Just wanted to address Kathleen’s question above….melamine is not microwaveable.

  15. Love the “handle savers” and must say that the jungle themed dishes will absolutely be a hit with the grandsons! Thanks for hosting Susan and have a great week!!!

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