I'd love for this blog title to be the beginning of a Cagney and Lace series but sadly Mulberry Mondays are a rarity and rightly so. After going back and forth on whether I should post about my new baby I've decided to go for it, I love reading about new handbag purchases on other blogs and I'm proud of being able to buy my new Mulberry all by myself so without further a do meet Willow.

I've been lusting after the Mulberry Willow ever since it hit the Spring Summer thirteen catwalks, a practical tote bag with a satchel strap AND a detachable clutch on the front? Come to momma! Sure it's an indulgent purchase but for me it's a true investment - I've a few designer handbags to my name including a Chloe Paddington and my much loved Mulberry Alexa and I must admit that my British made Alexa has faired much better than my Chloe. With the exception of holidays I've used my Alexa bag every day since getting it in 2010 and it's aged with real grace unlike it's French cousin the Chloe Paddington.

After managing to track down the much sought after Willow in Biscuit Brown (thank you Mulberry Leeds) the girls told me it would be in store on either Friday 26th or Saturday 27th April. As Craig and I had planned to spend my birthday in Leeds I knew it would be a sign if my potential new companion arrived in store on Friday so you can imagine my delight when I got the phone call to say the eagle had landed on the morning of my birthday. As soon as Willow and I came face to face it was true leather love and I knew I couldn't leave Leeds without her, especially when I knew how few were left in the company (just five to be precise).

My twenty fifth birthday will be one that I'll not forget in a hurry and no that's not down to the gaping hole in my bank account. I can't wait to start using my new Willow bag and hope she'll age just as gracefully as my Alexa - Mulberry, you did good.

Do you swoon over designer handbags or are you a secret shoe lover at heart?