Bag, Borrow, Or Steal

Right now, I'm wondering what sort of bag Santa uses to deliver the goods in. There are so many great things to choose from in the stores right now, and even better if you do your shopping online or on Ebay, and even better than that, there are some fun deals for bag rentals- that's right, rentals on purses!

I thought I had heard just about everything, until I read about high-end handbag rentals- starting at $5 for basic rentals, but it seems that the pricing of these can really get out of control quickly- ranging from the common Coach bags up to more exclusive offerings from Chanel, Gucci, and Prada. Somehow, though, the better things in life can't be rented. Bag, Borrow, or Steal does not offer anything from Hermes or Goyard.

Speaking of Goyard- what's Goyard, you ask? That's just how Goyard likes it. As opposed to the dreadfully recherche offernings from Louis Vuitton, whose monogram is now seemingly everywhere but on coffee mugs, Goyard has quietly gone about their business of constructing fantastic bags, wallets, and luggage for just as long as LV, but without the noise- you know the saying- the rich scream, the wealthy whisper. Check Barney's offering's out, or go directly to Paris for the 40% discount (just kidding).

I'm all for Louis Vuitton, just ask our friend Shelly (who recently got the most radical pair of jeans I've ever seen, maybe she will send me a photo so I can post it here), but especially love their smaller offerings, such as the coolest I-Pod case I've ever seen. I bought mine in April at the flagship LV store in Paris, but they are available online. Bill also bought an amazing pair of LV sunglasses, and we were served champagne while shopping. The French know how to treat customers!

Did someone mention food? No? I must be hungry, then. We've been to some great new restaurants here in the Palm Springs and Palm Desert areas that have recently opened. Our favorite of these picks is by far and away The Lobby Bar at the Desert Springs Marriott in Palm Desert. It's actually amazing that they have such fantastic sushi- particularly sushi rolls. Be sure to ask for our favorite server there, Jonathan. He'll be glad that we sent you. Another new soft opening as at The Tropicale, a 1950's-Miami-style supperclub, which clearly was the place to be seen last week in Palm Springs- the joint was jumping for a Monday night- which was great to see- they have a fantastic Polynesian style mural above the bar and serve a mean old-fashioned.
On a final, scattered note, I came across this great website with fantastic vintage graphic reproductions: Plan 59. I'm already wanting some of their photographic reproductions of the 1958 Gm Offerings superimposed on a Vertigo-like spiral graphics: Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Cadillac. The prices are very affordable ($250 at the high end), considering their large format (up to 75" x 44"). They are just really fun to look at, and they do have more than just cars.