Authentic-Luxuries

A Couple (Or Three) New Lovelies

2009-07-25T14:39:00.000-07:00

I can not believe how long it has been since I posted. Shame on me!

There are three new lovelies that I need to share with all of you but until the third one arrives, you will just have to wait. But...

How about a few clues?

1. A timeless classic

2. A Fall favorite (and my favorite pie flavor)

3. Martini garnish

That is all for now...

;)

Ahhh Yes, The Something Yummy Arrives!

2007-10-06T01:11:00.003-07:00

Oh, when I saw it I had to have it. I mean, I just had to...

At first I thought this was a 32cm HAC in Ebene clemence but as it turns out, it's Marron Fonce fjord! Woohoo! I love it - truly! The color with the gold hardware is perfect. The richness, the warmth - just what I need to get ready for winter!

So, am I sticking with HACs? Well, yes and no. It really does depend on the individual piece but I must say that the HAC just "works" for me. The size, capacity, shape, and look. It's just very, very me.

After all, isn't that ideal fashion? To find pieces that work with your lifestyle, body type, and comfort level? I believe in this philosophy which is exactly why I was drawn to Hermes in the first place.

I am against the "IT" bag. Oh, don't think I haven't fallen victim to the trends! Yes, I had a Louis Vuitton Multicolor Speedy, I have owned THE Balenciaga bag, and I my closet still has a place for my Chanel Cambon Reporter (though it doesn't see the light of day that often, I am sad to say). But, as I mature and get more and more comfortable in my own skin, I am proud to say that I am not as inspired by trends as I used to be. Sure, they're fun but that's what admiration (from afar) is for! I don't need to be psychic to tell you that I will never, and I mean NEVER look good in skinny jeans. That's just the way it is...

So, ultimately, of all the designs in the world, I find myself attracted to Hermes most of the time. The timelessness, the quality, the feel...they all appeal to my inner sense of self - what my husband calls "my old world soul".

Connecting to the pieces you own and truly owning them as you wear them. Understanding that is the cornerstone of truly being fashionable...

Something Yummy...

2007-09-26T04:00:00.000-07:00

...coming soon...

Stay tuned.

The Bolide That Kept Haunting Me

2007-09-26T03:37:00.000-07:00

What can I say? When I get something into this head of mine, it just festers until I do something about it. A few months ago, I saw a beautiful 37cm Mou Bolide in Blue Jean Clemence. It was GORGEOUS but for some odd reason, I kept waivering. Was I really a Bolide girl? Would it be too heavy (never too big, though, I have a thing for big bags - something about makng my thighs look smaller...)? Anyway, I kept waivering and as is the case with so many things Hermes, the opportunity was gone.

But Bolides are not too hard to come by. They aren't as popular as Kellys and of course, Birkins, but I can honestly say I have no idea why. Bolides are beautiful pieces. Truly. Very functional and classic. Yes, my cup of tea exactly.

So, about a month ago, the opportunity came up again. Same size, leather, and color! OK, I knew what had to happen. I had to have it and have it I did!

I absolutely love it and have been using it at least 5 days out of the week. It's just the perfect piece for me and my lifestyle.

Now, back to the "not as popular" thing. I have been very surprised by the number of compliments I receive on this Bolide. People really seem to like it. Now, DH loves it but that's just normal. He actually "gets" my love of Hermes. But, random people on the street? Nurses? Waiters? The craziest one of all - my father. My blue collar, contractor, still has the same checkbook cover from when I was a child, father. He actually said, "I think this is truly a beautiful bag, A." Cute, huh?

It is nice, though, to have such a lovely piece that definitely flies under the radar. Nothing makes me more self-concious than carrying a bag with logos, etc., allover it. Yes, yes, even I carried a Louis Vuitton Multicolour Speedy but when I think back, I remember feeling so uncomfortable. That's just me, I guess. Now that I am in my 30's, I know what I like and that kind of attention is definitely not for me.

So, here's one more shot of me, pregnant belly and all, with my new Bolide. I do adore this bag and someone suggested using it as a diaper bag but we'll just see about that. ..

It's Been WAY Too Long

2007-09-26T02:05:00.000-07:00

I can not believe that the last time I posted to this blog was in March! Wait, no I can believe it since that's when I found out I was pregnant and that pretty much took over everything. But, I am now 33 weeks pregnant and have made some yummy Hermes purchases since then that I simply must share.

First, I purchased an Hermes 31cm Trim II in Rouge H clemence with palladium HW.

The color was magnificent and DH loved it but alas, I just couldn't work it properly. First of all, I am HORRIBLE at stuff my bags to the gills and a stuffed shoulder bag is a heavy shoulder bag. Plus, clemence isn't exactly a lightweight leather so by the end of the day, my shoulders were aching. No joke.

I ended up selling this beauty because I hate having gorgeous things that stay cooped up in a closet. It's not right, I tell ya! They need to be enjoyed and my poor Trim wasn't getting any love at all. I need both beauty and function or else it's a bust for me. Sadly, this gorgeous beauty didn't work out but at least I tried, right?

OK, so it was time to move on and this Rouge H experience really started to make me think about color again (remember my turquoise Bearn?). Anyway, I had the perfect opportunity to fulfill my color desire while at the same time scratching the itch left by the absence of my Trim, so lo and behold, I acquired an Hermes Picotin GM in Vert Anis Togo and a Dogon wallet in Raisin Togo. SCRUMPTIOUS!

I am a big fan of the Picotin. People either love them or hate them. I can understand the apprehension to a piece that has no real top or closure to speak of, is very simple - almost minimalist, and is completely unassuming but those are the reasons I love the Picotin so much. No fuss, no big to do. The Picotin doesn't take itself too seriously and I really like that in a bag!

As for the Dogon, well, it's in Raisin and that, in and of itself, is just perfect. Easy and wonderful for when I don't need to take every credit card I own (why do I do that, anyway?) and it's the perfect size to fit just about anywhere. Love it!

OK, one more purchase to add but I think this one deserves it's own post...

Hermes Color Can't Be Beat!

2007-03-07T13:52:00.000-08:00

Woohoo! I took the plunge into Hermes color and I really couldn't be happier! Too fun!

Chevre is a wonderful leather for many reasons but one of my top reasons for my love if chevre is the way color just POPS with this leather. I knew I wanted a Bearn wallet tri-fold (too many CC's for the double) but I always thought I would go with something safe like black, gold, or ebene. When I saw this gorgeous wallet for sale, I knew I had to have it.

Without further ado, here is my new Bearn wallet in turquoise chevre mysore. Y-U-M-M-Y.

I also decided to get an agenda and this is the one I chose. Again, chevre but coromandel this time, in a beautiful green called "Vert Amande". I love the way the two pieces look together. I guess I decided to stay true to my water sign color preferences!

HERMES Fall/Winter 2007

2007-03-05T10:04:00.000-08:00

JPG has done it again! The new Hermes Fall/Winter 2007 collection is absolutely gorgeous staying true to traditional Hermes signature leather pieces with the innovative vision of a master artist. These are some of my favorites. Enjoy!

To view the rest of this collection, visit www.style.com.

On the Hunt! (again)

2007-03-02T11:59:00.000-08:00

Well, she's gone! My beautiful black chevre HAC... But no time for nostalgia, it's time to get back on that horse and begin my quest for the Birkin I have been longing for for quite some time. A black box calf 35cm HERMES Birkin with gold hardware like this one carried by CZJ. Yes, the classic Birkin that I will one day pass on to - well, no one at the moment (do pugs count?), but one day. I won't hold my breath but I will keep my eyes, ears, and everything else open to grab the opportunity. Time to put a little buzz in my SA's ear...

For now, though, I am quite content with little Hermes victories here and there. I always thought of myself as a neutral kind of girl but I can't resist Hermes colors, especially in accessories. I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of a Tri-Fold Bearn with palladium hardware in turquoise chevre. Any day now, any day now...

I am still contemplating a color for an agenda and though I was unsure at first, Rose Shocking has really caught my eye. (Thanks, Purse Forum!) Maybe orange? Vert Anis is also quite nice! Decisions, decisions!

Sold! That was quick!

2007-02-27T16:40:00.000-08:00

Thanks for all the emails and offers! The gorgeous chevre HAC has found a new loving home!

Hermes HAC/Birkin FOR SALE!

2007-02-20T15:24:00.000-08:00

If you have ever considered taking the plunge into the world of Hermes, please do take a look at this wonderful piece. It has been called the Holy Grail of handbags and for good reason! Not only is it an absolutely stunning piece of Hermes craftsmanship but it is almost as ellusive as the Grail itself! Waiting lists, if you can get yourself on one, are YEARS long! Why wait??? Here is the perfect opportunity to buy an authentic Hermes HAC/Birkin bag at an incredible price!

The Hermes Haut a Courroies, (pronounced roughly, "oat ah coor wha") is the original Birkin bag. It literally translates to mean "high belts" and compared to the regular 35cm Birkin is taller with shorter handles. It is very flattering and tends to give the wearer a taller look - perfect for those of us that are a bit vertically challenged!

This is an authentic (of course) Hermes 32cm HAC made of Chevre (goat leather) in black with 24K gold plated hardware. It was made in 2004 and is in near mint condition! Aside from the normal wear signs from use (scratches on hardware, some corner rubbing, and a tiny scratch in the back) this piece looks brand new. Chevre leather is one of the most sought after leathers for it's richness and durability. Colors just seem to come alive when combined with Chevre. The 24K gold plated hardware is just perfect and brings out the warm quality of this color and leather combination.

Interested in purchasing this authentic HERMES Birkin? EMAIL ME I’ll get back to you ASAP!

The Musette in Paris

2007-02-14T01:47:00.000-08:00

The Louis Vuitton Musette is one of my favorite bags. It is stylish, simple, and completely functional. I remember the first time I saw a young woman with a Musette slung across her hip - it was love at first sight! I kept getting warned about the difficulty of dealing with the infamous "flap" but I decided I needed one. The flap turned out to be one of the high points of this piece. I would even venture to say I prefer the flap opening to a zipper or clasp. It is so easy to get in and out of that I recommend the Musette not only to travellers but students, moms, dads, or anyone that enjoys the unobstructed use of their hands!

I was lucky enough to be able to spend my honeymoon this past December in Paris. The Musette served as my workhorse on every single sightseeing expedition. I enjoyed the wonders of Paris while having my hands free to shop, take photos, and even share a romantic afternoon stroll with my new husband. I keep looking for another messenger-type bag but I have yet to find one that compares. If I grow tired of it, I can always get one in Damier...

Hermes Spring 2007 RTW!

2007-02-13T03:57:00.000-08:00

Jean Paul Gaultier's latest collection is, in a word, amazing. The colors and textures of his Ready-To-Wear for Spring 2007 are a feast for the senses. Some of us had our doubts about JPG and how he would fit in the Hermes house but our worries are, in my opinion, finally put to rest.

Here are a few of my favorites. To see more of this wonderful collection, go to Hermes Spring 2007, Ready-To-Wear at Style.com.

Piseau Is A Fashion God

2007-02-11T10:28:00.000-08:00

I have a love of many things but two that are in my top ten are animals and fashion. Piseau is a Maine Coon that I adopted from the Colorado ASPCA. He was named "Smokey" there but when we got home, he adopted a love of French fashion and so became "Piseau". He loves the camera and the camera loves him!

Here are a few of my favorites. Enjoy!

Piseau and Hermes Kelly 32cm Box Calf in Brique

Piseau and Louis Vuitton Suhali pieces - Le Fab, Le Tal, and Bracelet

Piseau with Louis Vuitton Graffit pieces - Speedy, Alma Horizontal, Alma, Pochette Accessories

Pisea and classic Chanel black caviar leather

Celebrity LOUIS VUITTON Sightings!

2007-02-06T09:58:00.001-08:00

Let's face it - celebrity sightings are fun but when you pair sightings with Louis Vuitton, it's even better! Thanks for the idea, Anita! Keep the comments coming!

If you have a celeb Louis Vuitton photo to post EMAIL ME and I’ll credit you!

Paris Hilton and her Miroir Alma GM ~ $2100

Rose McGowan and her Epi Soufflot ~ $1080

Vanessa Bryant and her Denim Mini Pleaty ~ $705

Salma Hayek and her Epi Pochette Accessories ~ $360

Jamie Lynn Siegler with her Monogram Pochette Accessories ~ $285

Faith Hill with her Louis Vuitton Epi Alma ~ $1090

Bai Ling with her Louis Vuitton Bedford ~ $1180

Carmen Electra with her Louis Vuitton Le Fabuleux ~ $3700

Hermes Fun - Part 1

2007-02-02T12:04:00.000-08:00

Eye Candy - YUM!

I've put these together for size comparison purposes.

Enjoy!

Barenia Picotin MM, Barenia HAC 32cm, Chevre HAC 32cm, Bracelets, Necklace, Charms, Bookmark, Twillys

Togo Birkin 35cm, Togo Picotin PM, Box Calf Kelly 32cm, Courcheval Birkin 35cm

Togo Birkin 35cm, Box Calf/Toile Travel Birkin 55cm

Is Multicolore DEAD?

2007-02-01T10:16:00.001-08:00

Let's face it. When we all saw that "Newlyweds" episode in which Jessica Simpson sportied her Louis Vuitton white Multicolore Speedy 30 on her camping trip, it was like a car accident - we couldn't look away. The gorgeous colors! The beautiful golden hardware! Then the J-Lo Murikami ads; it was just too much for words! WE HAD TO HAVE IT.

And we did. In droves. We ran to Louis Vuitton with credit cards in hand (some close to being maxed, in fact) and ready to shell out about $1500. That was the approximate retail price back in 2003. Almost a bargain compared to the current price of $1910 but the $1500 price tag actually was a bargain when the MC Speedy first came out because there were none to be had! Sold out! EVERYWHERE! And with the LV buzz going around that the Multicolore line was to be discontinued, people were in a frenzy. It was quite normal to see one of these Speedys bring in more than $2500 on Ebay. Talk about a mark-up! But, to the fashionistas of the world, a tiny, minuscule price to pay to have the "IT" bag of the decade.

Then something happened. Louis Vuitton decided that Multicolore was here to stay. Why wouldn't they? They were making killing on their most influential line to date. They would continue to make a killing on Multicolore - or would they? Now, every LV boutique carries Multicolore in droves and Eluxury is stock full of them. They are hardly "hard-to-find" anymore and with that and a mighty "BOOM", er, make that a dreadful "fizz"; Multicolore lost its appeal.

It's done. Over. Finished. I remember walking down the street, being blinded by all the colors. Everyone had at least one Multicolore piece, whether gorgeous and authentic or a disgusting, horrible fake. I truly wonder if there has been a bag or a line more counterfeited than Louis Vuitton's Multicolore line. It was that popular. And now, well, honestly, I can't remember the last time I saw an MC piece. It's truly over.

So how come I still have my black Multicolore Keepall 45? I no longer have either of my Speedys (too heavy, I told myself, when really, I just couldn't carry them anymore because they were so so so overdone), my Alma (I loved that thing but when I saw my Church secretary with a fake one, it just had to go), all the accessories (to accessorize with what? All my bags were gone - I sold them on Authentic-Luxuries ); but the Keepall stays. For now. Why? Because it's gorgeous and like a first crush, you never truly fall out of love with the beauty of it.

Some of us Multicolore veterans remember the "MC Madness" with the sort of fond recollection you have for your time at boot camp - great experience but you wouldn't want to do it again. Hours of endless searching and refreshing your screen hoping and praying that Eluxury would get that Speedy in. Wavering on spending $1000 above retail for a bag, albeit a gorgeous bag; it all just seems so insane now. But the "IT" bag can do that to you. Believe me.

So, for nostalgia's sake, my Keepall stays and every once in awhile, I take her out for a look and remember my time in the trenches with all of you other Louis Vuitton Multicolore Veterans. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, and it was really quite insane. At least I have my Keepall as a souvenir of the times I spent with my Multicolore veteran brothers and sisters.

Welcome to the Authentic-Luxuries Blog!

2007-02-01T10:16:00.000-08:00

This is the place to ask and answer all those great fashion questions. Is an Hermes Birkin for me? Is my Louis Vuitton Multicolore Speedy passed it's prime? What's the new "IT" bag? What's hot? What's not?

I will definitely be sharing my thoughts with all of you but I would love to hear what you have to say! So get in here and start talking but don't take it too seriously. I mean, this is just fashion after all. But, then again...

And, if you happen to be looking for exquisite luxury goods, be sure to visit the Authentic-Luxuries Ebay selling page at Authentic-Luxuries For Sale Now