Happy Hanukkah, 2018! We’re three days into our festival of lights, bookish joy, giveaways, and mayhem.
I look forward to this week all year, and I hope you enjoy it, too.
Ready for today’s giveaway? Seriously, as much fun as it is to build the gift guides and shop for all of you, it is extremely enjoyable to shop handbag stores looking for adorable bags that are low-maintenance, not too heavy to carry, and above all, hold a book (or books) (or ereader) (or ereaders) easily.
So let’s do this!
Today’s prize is:
A kate spade Dawn Place Mini Kona Deep Plum Velvet cross body bag!
Want some specs?
- Lots of carrying options: it has double handles with 4.5″ drop, plus a detachable adjustable strap that can expand to a 21″ drop
- Triple entry top with front and back zip compartments, and a main center compartment with snap closure
- Interior double slide pockets and zipper pocket
- Bag measures 9″ W x 8″ H x 4.5″ D
Want to enter? Yay!
Just leave a comment telling us your favorite purchase this year! Some awesome fluffy socks to keep your toes warm? Did an Instant Pot change your life? Let us know!
Standard disclaimers apply: I am not being compensated for this giveaway. Void where prohibited. Open to international residents where permitted by applicable law. Must be over 18 and ready to lint roll the heck out of this purse if you own pets and/or children. We also won’t judge you if find yourself absently petting your new velvet purse. And romance authors, feel free to steal the euphemism of “petting your purse.”
Comments will close Wednesday 5 December 2018, at or near 12pm ET, and winner will be announced shortly afterward.
Good luck, Happy Hanukkah, and thank you for being part of Smart Bitches!
Winner update: Congratulations to Make Kay! Please check your inbox and spam folders shortly.
We have several days of Hanukkah-palooza giveaways left!
My Kindle Fire!
I moved from the west coast to upstate New York for school, and my favorite purchase of the year is my winter coat. It is warm and wind-proof and water resistant.
The best thing I bought this year is my iPhone Back in January. I went from a years-old iPhone to a new one and I love it mostly for the fantastic photos I can take of my kids.
My favorite purchase was a ring-bound planner. I buy undated inserts, so I don’t feel bad for wasting paper (and $$) if I don’t get around to planning a day or week. And I love ring-bound because I can remove old inserts so it doesn’t get too bulky. Plus, I love playing with the stickers!
wow – I loved reading about everyone’s purchases and how seemingly simple items are life-changing (boot socks, anyone?).
I’m with Donna Marie – necessity-only budget, but I needed new linens and am so happy to walk into my bedroom and see a nice new duvet cover and fresh sheets.
My favourite purchase this year is my pixel 2 phone. Life is so much better when you have a reliable and top of the line phone! It was a massive expense but totally worth it!
My favorite purchase this year was a small bottle of rose essential oil.
This is a gorgeous bag! I bought tickets to Hamilton on Broadway for myself and 2 of my nieces, and although I had to wince and close my eyes to click on the “Buy” button(the total price went slightly into 4-figure territory) it was totally worth it.
You find the best handbags! I love it. Best purchase this year – plane tickets for a fantastic vacation. I am looking forward to the trip.
Thanks for the chance to enter! My favorite purchase this year was my new iMac! I got a loan from my bank (look, ma! I’m a grown-up!) and was finally able to start playing Sims 4. It’s brought me a lot of joy. When I’m not reading, of course! ❤️
I think mine is signing up for a trapeze class. It’s not necessarily my favorite experience of the year, but I like that it represents being able to try new things and not worry about them. And it was fun!
My favorite purchase this year has been a pair of beautiful handmade leather earrings – so light and they go with everything
My favorite buy this year is definitely my weighted blanket. It has helped so much with my anxiety and sleep!
I bought these amazing hair bands that look like curly telephone cords and now I get way fewer headaches!
Oh gosh, we just got a google home hub and mini during the black friday deals and it is awesome. Morning news voice controlled lights including on our tree and pausing netflix with our voice. Love it
My favorite purchase was definitely a new mattress – no more waking up with random aches and pains!
My Rothy’s points! (I won’t say how many pairs I already own–ha!) And I first learned about these when Sarah posted a picture of her lapis python Rothy’s points earlier this year.
I’m not a shoe person. I am all for never having enough purses, but I only have a few shoes. I needed new sandals for a while so I finally bought some. So happy to have shoes with the sole firmly attached now.
*It was a gift so doesn’t count but I got the cutest pair of cat bookends. They make me so happy.
Tickets to London by way of Iceland–our family had a blast, and it let me buy a few bars of Cadbury’s (the real deal!)
My favorite buy was my work backpack from REI. It has so much support, is built for a smaller frame and the chest strap is a game changer when carrying my heavy laptop
We just bought a 50″ tv after not having one for almost 2 years. It’s huge and so great!
Bow-Ties for my puppies! Made by CurlyTailTies and Tuesday’s Ties.
Either my air fryer or my geeky Svaha dresses. Unless I can just name all the books.
My favorite purchase this year was one of the smallest—a Captain America pop-socket for my phone. It’s the best gadget, from taking photos without dropping the phone, to having a phone stand whenever needed.
The best thing I bought this year (other than a gazillion books) is a burgundy cashmere sweater that is just right.
I broke down and got a new iPad and Apple Pencil, and both have been great. I take a lot of notes for work, and they help keep me organized.
My favorite purchases are always travel, and this year was a fantastic trip through Italy, eating as much as possible!
My best purchase this year was a stunningly soft lavender shirt. It matches everything and it is lined in French terry. I can’t stop wearing it. Looks good with a skirt or skinny jeans.
Of course, it also looks great with all the trashy novels I read.
My best purchase was an artist-made silver snake ring. I wear it almost every day because it makes me happy. A little bit goth, but also a naturalistic, realistic design.
A pair of butter jeans that I found at TJ Maxx. They feel like pajamas and I’m spoiled for all other pants now.
My favorite purchase this year were the Adidas adapt cloud foam slip on sneakers.
Hmmm, I have to say it was my super warm and comfy winter parka.
I splurged and bought a huge set of 96 brush pens, watercolor markers, and they have changed my life! I didn’t realize what a difference having so many shades would make, and how versatile the little brush tips are. I’ve been using them in my embroidery fabric as well as my coloring and drawing. I LOVE THEM! (Arteza is the brand, if anyone cares.)
My favourite purchase this year was plane tickets for my upcoming trip to Portugal! Experience > stuff for me any day… although that purse would be a perfect carry-on
My favorite purchase is a 1000-piece Ravensburger puzzle, purchased as a gift, yet to be given. It is called “The Bizarre Bookshop No. 2” and it features numerous fractured titles of classics, for example, “The Prime Rib of Miss Jean Brodie”, “Anne of Green Peace”, “A Room With A Viewfinder”, and “The Spy Who Came in From the Cod.”
Microfleece sheets and a fleece bedspread
Book purchases not included, my absolute favorite purchase has been a sunrise alarm clock. It is a game changer for getting my ass out of bed 🙂
Happy Hanukkah! My favorite purchase was a Vera Bradley throw. I found it at the outlet in Destin. It’s now our go-to blankie. It’s so soft and cozy plus it’s much bigger (longer) than your typical throw. It is perfect for reading and tv. When I’m not using it, my husband even wraps up in it to watch tv. I need one more so we don’t fight over it.
My favorite purchase this year was several empty notebooks to organize my recipe collection.
My very favorite purchase was a gorgeous amethyst Pelikan M205 fountain pen. So beautiful and comfortable to write with!