Traveling Fool

I like to label myself otherworldly because I have nothing better to do, but in reality I'm much more of an other-continental-ly being. I'd like to say I'm a super-linguist and travel buff that has visited all seven continents (even the one that's just a block of ice), but that would be a lie and I'm not a politician. I have ventured to other landmasses besides my home territory and in doing so have realized how much of a pain it is to not travel like a gazillionaire. Firstly, baggage checking is frustrating and secondly, not baggage checking is just as annoying. Since most people must carry-on (in more ways than one) and I'm included in that bubble, I have been looking and looking for a stylish, quality brand to keep-all my travel goods. I am the proud owner of a leather Coach duffle, but when it's loaded down it's not fitting in the overhead compartment and I can't shoulder the burden. I've perused and perused and after loving and leaving Tumi ($595 for a carry-on bag just wont do), I've decided on the BRICs x-bag line. It's light, it's cute and I won't go mental if it is dropped or scratched or lost (THE HORROR, TSA). The cost of the 21inch Carry-on Spinner Trolley and the Large Sportina Shopper vary depending on the site, but my one true love Amazon.com has them both for around $250 (here and here).

*Image courtesy of bloomingdales.com

Reader Digesting: Spinster

As much as I enjoy (window) shopping for items I can't afford, I also enjoy reading. Hence my interest in Spinster, a novel that I'm partial to for many self-indulgent reasons. As I continue to work towards getting my stuff together, I will also blog about novels I've read and liked. The inaugural post goes to the aforementioned title by Catherine Jerome. The synopsis is as follows:

Jane is stuck in a perpetual rut, and she’s not sure if she put herself there or if she was ever in another state to begin with. Her family worries she’s a closeted lesbian (and can’t express herself to them) — or so she believes — and she’s only ever had a relationship with the high school lothario, if you could even call it that. Now she’s stuck planning his wedding, dodging the nitwits she was “friends” with in school and contending with her new “more than just cute” boss (freshly imported from England) and all too willing to inadvertently remind her that she may be a Spinster.

The first few chapters can be previewed on the author's website. Spinster is available for Kindle readers or those with the free Kindle app for $.99.

Covet: Maiyet Small Como Satchel

It's been a while since I've waxed poetic about anything. I've been very busy being lazy and haven't returned to my one true love of pining for material items I can do without; however, thanks to a new brand (to me that is), I'm back in my temple of materialism. Maiyet has been branded (by me because I'm so important [insert irony]) as a brand with a conscience. From their website:

Paul van Zyl spent over 20 years working in human rights and transitional justice, first under Archbishop Desmond Tutu as the Executive Secretary of South Africa's Truth Commission and then as the Co-Founder of the International Center for Transitional Justice.  After winning the Skoll award for social entrepreneurship and attending the World Economic Forum at Davos, Paul met Daniel Lubetzky, a pioneer in using business to promote peace.  They decide to co-found a company that would use the power of the market to allocate capital to peace. Their hypothesis was that if they could source from and grow companies that had a stabilizing effect on their communities, they would be on their way.  Paul and Daniel believed that a fashion brand held the greatest opportunity, and the idea for what is now Maiyet was born.

Noble acts aside, I'm in lust for the Maiyet Small Como Satchel, which retails for $1549 out of my budget range at Barney's. The shape of the bag and the craftsmanship make this brand one of mine to covet and moon over on my increasingly long wishlist.

***image courtesy of google images.