Leapin’ Leopards!

I am in a situation that I never thought that I would find myself in. At times it is fine, I can deal with it and even find myself liking it. Then, I will have doubts, fears and find myself wondering “What the freak did I just DO?”

I now own an item made out of animal print material.

Like, on purpose. Deliberately. Even more astounding? I’m warily fond of it.

Meet my new leopard print purse:

See? It has these cute, drawstring side pockets and the lining is adorable! It’s in red. Just like the sheets it is laying on. And I love the oval shape to it. The leather is just the right gleam, too. Not too shiny, not too dull. It is a lot cuter in person, but what can you do?

Plus, it goes really well with my new leather wallet:

Contrary to the belief of my husband, I have been needing a new purse for awhile now. I also need a new wallet, because the hot pink leather one that I have had forever is completely on its last legs.

I have always loved buying fun wallets in crazy colors or designs, so I was surprised when I picked a very plain, yet gorgeous black.

Bigger surprise was the purse.

I’m still reeling that I chose LEOPARD PRINT.

Here is the thing:

I. hate. animal. print.

Like, to the point of shuddering.

Even when it is “In”. Even when people I totally love and admire think it is the bomb diggity, I just have never, ever liked it. It doesn’t matter if it is zebra, snake, alligator, or wild dingo. I just do not ever like it. ESPECIALLY leopard print.

I don’t know why, but I have always associated people that wear leopard print as being women who have perpetual roots, bad dye jobs, wear fake appliqués on their nails and are usually named Lola with children named “Laredo” and “Windi Rose” and an ex-husband named Dusty that may or may not have a criminal record.  Either that or they just look like hookers.  Take your pick.

I’m terrible, aren’t I? It’s true…In this instance I am a cliche-embracing hater. Which is lame because as I said, there are people I know that use leopard prints and pull it off fabulously. I just have never been able to shake off my personal dislike.

So what the freak am I doing with a leopard print bag?

I have no idea.

It just caught my eye and I liked it.

How I actually came to OWN it is also the fault of my friend, Bridgy.

I am not a fan of shopping. I have very little patience for it and at times it has made me break out in hives. Don’t get me wrong, I love having new, lovely things, I just HATE the process of shopping and I usually see it as a necessary evil. Right now the “Necessary” is rearing its ugly head because I am down to one pair of jeans.

Which sucks because I particuarly hate shopping for pants. It’s so boring. It is just way more fun to shop for a new top. To combat the jean shopping “Blah’s” I recommend going with a friend. It is also essential to have another pair of eyes (And not those of a male who is A: Desperate to get it over with already and B: Able to see his life flash before his eyes when his mate asks “Does this make my ass look big??”)

Luckily, I have a few friends that have great discernment when it comes to seeing which jeans make me look like I have perky buttocks or telling me (In the nicest possible way, of course) that a pair of jeans make my ass look like a deflated pair of flat, yet lumpy, pancakes.

Since Bridgy and I went out to coffee earlier in the day, she came along with me as “Designated ass checker”. She did a good job because I ended up purchasing two pairs of jeans. After the boring of jean shopping, we felt that we wanted to look at items that were a bit more lively and fun, so we headed out to just wander around when I saw it. The leopard print purse.

I picked it up.

I put it down.

I walked away.

I came back.

I hemmed.

I hawed.

I looked in a thousand mirrors.

Even Bridgy NOT liking it didn’t really stop me. (If you hadn’t noticed by now, I suck at peer pressure. I admit to being completely easily influenced. Sigh.)

Finally, Bridgy took matters into her own hands, took the purse and wallet out of my hands, looked at me and said, “Happy Late Birthday” and bought it for me as a birthday present.

Wowsers.

So…Now I have this purse. A leopard print purse lined in my favorite red. With adorable draw string sides and a cute buckle.

I gave in to the dark side and picked something I swore I’d never pick. I’m sure we will have a tumultuous, hot/cold relationship. Which seems oddly appropriate.

After all, do I have any other kind???

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