Unfortunately, my current favorite handbag, a soft green leather Linea Pelle creation, the Dylan Zipper Tote to be exact, met the misfortune of a spilled cocktail. It was Friday night, a good friend & I went out to dinner and drinks with our husbands. Someone reached for a drink while I was setting my handbag down on the bar. The drink and bag collided and the drink won. Ok, so it was mine. Specifically, a French 75, my favorite champagne cocktail. If you've never tried it, here's the recipe. I highly suggest.

I digress...I was then left with dark stains over the front of the bag. Not cute at all. What to do? After a quick Google search, and a multitude of results, I decided to consult an expert. I took my beloved bag to the best leather cleaner in the city. To my dismay, he told me that handbags were done at the owners own risk, he could not guarantee that the bag would not come back discolored or worn in. He also said that in his industry handbags were considered 'throw-away' items to be used only for one season. WTF? I get it, but these bags aren't cheap. I subscribe to the theory of purchasing a fabulous bag, using it for a season, putting it away for the next, and then busting it out some other season in the future - it's vintage!

Leaving the store frustrated, with my screaming two-year old in tow, I decided I'd take matters into my own hands and figure out how to clean this bag. Once home, I put baby down for a nap and called Linea Pelle directly, asking them for advice. The very helpful customer service rep told me to try the following:

a) Wipe the bag with a clean, damp cloth

b) Mix 10 parts water with 1 part gentle dish soap and dap with wet cloth

She also suggested doing a search on The Purse Forum - have you been there? It's awesome!

So I did all three things. After consulting the purse forum, many people suggested a specific leather cleaner. I decided I was going to buy it. But in the meantime, I tried mixing h2o with detergent and guess what? It worked! The washed lambskin of the Linea Pelle bag is I guess, washable. It took out the champagne and lemon like a charm. I am going to treat the bag with leather protector to hopefully avoid anything like this again, but I am just thrilled that it worked!

PS: In my great sadness over the stained LP Dylan, I decided to buy another handbag to help get me through my depression. I got the Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Tye-Die Tote in Sunshine. Is that bad?