When I knew I was writing a blog about my favourite Arayla Handbag, I dreaded having to pick which one. I know you’re thinking it’s because there are so many amazing ones from which to choose, but actually – honestly – it’s because I’m not one of those girls who has a ‘favourite’ handbag. I don’t really have a favourite anything, I tend to travel through life with an evolving list of desires and I never really settle on anything. So I got to thinking about my travels through life and, in particular, the moments that have defined me as a person and I realised something …Harlow. I came across the Arayla Harlow when I was staying with family in the US and there are plenty of reasons it could be a favorite handbag.
Arriving at Harlow
My cousin had just bought an Austen and was addicted to the Butter Leather. She was desperate to show it to me and I now credit her for sparking off my own addiction for Arayla Butter Leathers. I ordered the Harlow in Bordeaux reflecting my then obsession with all things ‘deep and sultry red’.
When it arrived, I must have stroked it for about a week. The colour was so sexy – dark yet bold, and its real sensual colour comes alive in the sunlight like a well-kept secret. The rest, as they say, is history because that purchase led to an introduction to Janelle and eventually led to me working at the Arayla London office.
I remember exiting the London Tube at Victoria and tightly grabbing my Harlow with nerves, as I met the Arayla London girls for the first time.
Finding Comfort in Harlow
Everyone has “that” relationship that they remember – either because they’re the best or the worst relationship they’ve ever had. In my case, it’s the latter. For someone who considers herself to be logical, rational and self-aware, I managed to find myself deeply buried into a relationship with an individual who was coercive, domineering and abusive in every way imaginable. I lived my life in darkness for so long, harmed my body and became addicted to the pain.
It took many years to crawl my way out of it and what ‘they’ don’t tell you is that it’s not the parting that’s difficult, it’s the ‘healing’ or ‘recalibration’ period afterwards that I found the most difficult to deal with.
In trying to move onto a new life, I remember wanting to get rid of all my clothing and accessories that were reminders of being a weaker version of myself.
I remember, in the middle of it all, grabbing my Arayla Harlow and hugging it for comfort. It reminded me of a purchase I had made when I was a stronger, more confident and a happier person. My soul had died somewhere in between but the Harlow was with me still and would continue to see me through this tortuous period.
Life Filled with Moments
The key moments in life are often depicted as big ‘events’ – birth, deaths, weddings, first job, first house etc. I actually think the biggest moments in life are those that change you for the better. My covid story is both happy and sad. I’ve lost friends and family.I’ve also had the opportunity to reconnect with my immediate family and be a better person.
I realised that there are things I really don’t like about myself. I’m also reminded that life is short. Whilst it hasn’t been a miraculous turnaround, I am trying very hard to be a better version of me. More positive. Less argumentative. More forgiving. Less irritable. More appreciative. Less angry.
These days I’m more aware of the simple things that I permanently rely on to get me through life and that includes an Arayla Harlow handbag sitting quietly in the corner of the room, full of what I need to keep me going.
Looking Back
This period of reflection has made me realise that I’ve been misinterpreting the word ‘favourite’. I’ve forgotten that ‘favourite’ doesn’t have to mean ‘popular’.It means ‘the things that mean most to you’, and often these are the things that you overlook because you take them for granted.
Yet these things are always there to get you through – be it a toxic relationship, a new job or life-changing periods of enlightenment. My Harlow has been with me as I have matured into the woman I am, writing this blog today. I look at her and see who I was and who I am now.
I see my struggles and down times, and my successes and happy times. She’s not just my favourite but a reflection of my life: who I was, who I am now and who I want to be. Long may the journey continue.
Sophie x
