If you have been following my blog, you are aware that I had gastric bypass on May 27th of this year. The sole purpose of this surgery is to lose weight. Fast. It restricts your intake to 4-6 ounces of foods and liquids at any given time. You can try to eat more, but I guarantee your tummy will strongly object.

I have been documenting my progress by taking full body and face pictures. The results are amazing for me and most people. I could tell right away in my face. Most people can. I have posted a side by side face picture on my Facebook and will post it below so you may see. No full body yet. Not that brave. Things are very saggy. Need to tone.

With all the weight loss (54lbs in 9 weeks), I am updating or have updated my profile picture on here. I love the picture. I'm glowing. I will also continue to do this as my weight comes off and I may get brave in a few months and post a full body. I am also going to be blogging about the journey this surgery is taking me on.

PS..... If you are someone that thinks this is an easy way out, then kindly do not follow these threads and keep your uninformed opinion to yourself! Thanks!

Hi. My name is Sarah and I'm addicted to buying purses. All kinds. Totes, handbags, bowlers, crossbody, you name the style; I probably have one. Ya know those big plastic totes that you can put a Christmas tree in???? Ya....mine is completely full, will barely close, and has purses on top of it. Lord.

This little addiction began after high school. It used to be just different styles or colors. Now it is different brands, styles or colors.From Vera Bradley to Louis Vuitton. Purse party purses to good imitations. I have them all.

Most purchased, most loved, and most used are Coach.  I have 3. All under $150. If you know Coach, you know this is a great deal. They are stylish, classic, and durable. Luckily, I live not too far from a Tanger Outlet that has a Coach store, so I get quite the deal on those. To my husband and wallet's dismay, a Michael Kors just opened 3 days ago. Lord help me.  I have had imitations for years, but when we moved to West Virginia it was game on. I was put in a restriction by my husband the first time we walked through the doors. 1 new purse once a year. Pppfftttt. That didn't last long. Oh....they often send out coupons for the outlet. Save more!

I discovered Vera Bradley when I moved to West Virginia. Many people do not like them because of the different patterns. I don't care, I love them! There are a number of different styles and a number of different patterns. They are lightweight, durable, and easily washable. The best....range from $25 to $100. And, go on sale frequently. The VB customer service is outstanding! One of the best I have ever dealt with. When you sign up on their website, you get sale information, a gift card for your birthday for so much off, and can follow their blog. When new patterns come out, they give away different bags on the blog.

My old favorites are my Dooney & Bourke bags. My sisters knew of my obsession with these bags and I received one as a present one year for Christmas from them. I was ecstatic. Almost fainted. I screached like a teenager in the 90s at a N'Sync concert. The house could have blown up around me and I wouldn't have cared. I had a Dooney. Black and grey. Classic over the shoulder style. Extremely durable. Beautiful. Still have this purse and cherish it. My husband then fueled this fire and purchased #2 for me. He is awesome. And yes, he knows he is aweaome. I recently purchased a new one from Hautelook. Great deal, fast shipping. If you don't know what Hautelook is, please check it out. I paid $89 for a $200 or more bag. If you would like the link for Hautelook, please leave your email in the comments and I will send it to you.

The deal with my obsession is that I like nice things and will work my butt off to pay the price. Some people could care less about what they carry. Good for them. That is just not me. Ask my mother. I work hard as a nurse and have earned the right to purchase what I want within reason.  Don't get me wrong, I have purses from Target, Gordmans, Walmart or have knock offs and am not a snob. An eyebrow snob...yes. But purse snob.....no. I like what I like. Does not matter where it comes from. I do tend to use the shit out of my higher end purses and take damne good care of them. 

I never pay full price for a purse. Ever. I shop at TJ Maxx, Coach outlets, online. There are ways to get these at a lot less of a price than the retail price. Ya know, the ones that take your breath away because you can't believe how expensive something they are. I recently had this experience with Miss Me and Rock Revival jeans. I almost died of shock. For real. Holy shit. They. Are. Pricey. Search for online coupon codes. Wait for after the holiday sales. End of season sales. Sale. Sale. Sale. That is my rule. I recently purchased a Michael Kors tote from Macy's. I placed the order with the bag on sale. I watched the sale for a few days and behold....there was a coupon code to knock another $30/off the price. Easy fix. I emailed Macy's customer service about this and viola....they credited me the difference!!!

This sounds very braggy. Sorry. I want you guys to realize that you do not ever have to pay full price for things! There are always sales and coupon codes. Use them to your advantage.