Longchamp Planètes

While I am always one to go against the grain, I have fallen beholden to a fad I cannot feign indifference to... the quintessential Longchamp tote! Every college girl and her sorority sister sports the Le Pliage in a bevy of colors or knockoffs, and now, I have too... well, almost. Instead of falling privy to the Le Pliage nylon bag, I have become infatuated with the Planètes tote, a little more classic and refined than its sister. Even better, I discovered it at a small family owned boutique in New York with a killer website featuring loads of options and wonderful coupon benefits (20% of the Planètes $168 MSRP).

RichlyPoor's Favorite Sayings!

RichlyPoor's Favorite Sayings!

Wallets! Wallets! Wallets!

Just a post ago I mused about my new Damier International and while I am in awe of the brand's gorgeous checkerboard canvas, I can't say that I wouldn't purchase the luxurious Nomade leather zip wallet. Its perfect and understated and a bit too much for my blood at $900, but fun to look at none the less.

Wallets! Wallets! Wallets!

My latest Wallets! Wallets! Wallets! post is a homage to an old friend. I am a lover all of things Louis, but alas, I am in preference of something less flashy, more demure. Now while the checkerboard Damier print is still well-known, it has flooded the market less than its predecessor, the trademark LV canvas. As a matter of fact, I now cart the International, pictured above, in my favorite totes and while it swings $530 at the malletier's website, I never pay full price.

Wallets! Wallets! Wallets!

My new view is to find luxurious brands that have subtle, but sophisticated looks. Hence, obsession numero tres: Smythson of Bond Street, the perfect go-to leatherware manufacturer for all of my favorite things! In particular: travel wallets. As with everything I adore, the prices are less than manageable, but that's what online scavenging is for! I've also posted their "Nancy" tote below - retail @ $1140!

Wallets! Wallets! Wallets!

I just love discovering brands that have already been discovered, but fly under the the radar! As such, I have happened upon ultra-luxurious Italian leather manufacturer Valextra! Their grained leather products are as good as it can get and just as expensive! Even eBay and discount resellers/retailers have the goods at pricey premiums! Doesn't mean a girl can't muse or save...

Wallets! Wallets! Wallets!

For my upcoming posts, I will be dedicating my musing to what goes into the bag instead of the bag! I'm on the quest for the perfect credit card and ka-ching holder and I am bringing you on my travels! First up is my new obsession, Guccissima from it's root Gucci! Check out eBay for some steals!

Covet: Louis Vuitton Epi Noe

My love affair with Louis Vuitton never ended, I was just having an outside dalliance with Goyard! But now, I have rekindled the flame and am in awe of Vuitton's Epi Noe in the gorgeous Cognac color displayed above. Vuitton currently lists only the Petit Noe in 2 colors at $1300, but that doesn't mean that I won't find my bag on Ebay - and for a fraction of the cost at that!

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For a New Day...

A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were discussing their lives at a class reunion.. They decided to go visit their old university professor, now retired, who was always an inspiration to them. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work, lives and relationships.

Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups. Some cups were porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite. He invited each to help themselves to the hot chocolate. When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor shared his thoughts.

"Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. The cup that you are drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What each of you really wanted was hot chocolate. You did not want the cup . . . but you consciously went for the best cups. And soon, you began to eye one another's cups."

"Now friends, please consider this . . ."Life is the hot chocolate . . .your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The cup you have does not define, nor does it change, the quality of life you are living. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate God has provided us."

Always remember this . . . . . . . . . .God brews the hot chocolate, He does not choose the cup. The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything that they have!!

Live simply . . .
Love generously . . .
Care deeply . . .
Speak kindly . . .
Leave the rest to God.

- and remember - The richest person is not the one who has the most, but the one who needs the least.

Enjoy your hot chocolate!!
image provided by: moxieq.com