Hi guys! I’m so excited to share the newest addition to my handbag collection! It’s the Loewe Calcifer Puzzle Bag. I got it as a reward for myself for matching into my first choice program for residency on my first try, and as an IMG (international medical school graduate) as well. For those unfamiliar with the Match process, it’s basically a combination of Tinder and the lottery, where an algorithm determines where you’ll be training as a doctor for the next 3-5 years of your life. I’m so incredibly grateful that I got to match at my first choice, and even more so because I’m an IMG. American medical school graduates (AMGs) are typically prioritized for the Match over IMGs.

So, when I found out that I matched last week, I was in search of something to help commemorate the occasion. I’ve always loved Loewe’s collaboration with Studio Ghibli, but I wasn’t into handbags (nor had the money for them) during the original release. I’ve been on the hunt for this bag for a year now, and when I found it on Vestiaire for an amazing deal and literally pristine condition, I knew I had to get it! Now this bag will always be a fond memory of when I managed to accomplish what I thought was impossible and remind me of my match success. ☺️