So this morning when I woke up (late…) I decided, for no apparent reason, to check prices on plane tickets to Paris… (my next trip, in September, is already booked, but I like to see what’s available!)
This is a bag that would last the rest of your life, even if you’re a newborn infant… 
Then, just for the sake of comparison, I looked for one amazing personal style purchase that cost almost exactly the same amount:
This is a bag that would last the rest of your life, even if you’re a newborn infant…
But Paris… sigh…
These are the kinds of decisions that define our lives.
And who won the incredibly fun Hot Tips? One of my all-time favorite bloggers – Madame La Bas, who writes the beautiful, thought-provoking and always wise New Year, New Dreams! Chere Madame, I need your address… send me a note at theviviennefiles at gmail dot com.
Love,
Janice
LauraH says
June 13, 2014 at 12:31 pmAlthough the bag might last the rest of your life, as life changes you'll likely find yourself needing something different so where's the 'investment' then? I'll go for a (much) more reasonably priced bag and take those tickets!
Eileen says
June 13, 2014 at 3:05 pmI purchased a second hand botttega veneta several years ago. So not Paris but certainly a ticket cross country. I find real joy in the daily use of something so beautiful and functional. The quality of the leather and weaving. How it keeps getting smooshier with daily wear. How I can look forward to carrying it for years to come. So I don't think of it just in terms of tickets vs bag but rather a concentrated sort term dose of happiness vs a lower dose longer acting injection of happiness into my daily life. One isn't better or worse than the other.
Janice Riggs says
June 13, 2014 at 3:55 pmA perfect explanation of the choices we face – neither are better or worse, they're just different, and sometimes difficult.
hostess of the humble bungalow says
June 13, 2014 at 3:59 pmAh Paris trumps a handbag!
Congratulations to Madame La Bas…I really enjoy reading her blog too.
Lo says
June 13, 2014 at 5:13 pmParis trumps the bag for me, too. I've always been more about experiences than things.
ladylighttravel.com says
June 13, 2014 at 5:57 pmNo contest for me – plane tickets!
Amy says
June 13, 2014 at 7:27 pmAlthough I understand @Eileen's rationale above, I'm all about spending money on experiences. I'm all over the trip to Paris. In fact, I might actually be going there in August/Sept. Haven't decided yet.
frugalscholar says
June 14, 2014 at 6:29 amEven within a choice like the one you pose, there are other possibilities. While airfare to Paris may be a given, one's accommodations are not. Ditto for food. If you downgrade your hotel or rent a small apt and eat, say, half your meals in the apt or in a park, you can have both the trip and the bag.
Written from Paris, by the way. We passed by your beautiful hotel and I thought of your wonderful anniversary trip.
Eleanorjane says
June 14, 2014 at 9:42 amExperiences over stuff (most of the time – I make an exception for very occasional pieces of jewellery). Also, to me that bag looks booooring! I like to be able to change my wardrobe and accessories every so often, not be stuck with the same (excellent quality) thing forever.
Lisbet says
August 21, 2014 at 9:41 amI wholeheartedly agree. Life over possessions. I love things BUT not so out of my financial reach that I would have to forego experiences. The hand bag may be of exquisite quality but… Even worse, though, is to fritter a bunch of money on a bunch of insignificant items that end up cluttering our lives.
Linda says
June 14, 2014 at 11:03 amI always look at choices with this same perspective Janice. Every 'yes' is a 'no' to many other options. I try to choose the 'yes' and follow it joyfully and without regret. Sometimes it is the experience (today my husband and I will spend the day in the city – Chicago – holding hands, eating, relishing in each other and the day) other times it's a purchase or giving to someone in need. Choices make us who we are and reflect us.
suzie wong says
June 14, 2014 at 4:04 pmHmm. Bag/Paris, Bag/Paris? Paris/Paris!! No competition, I will make do with un sac plastique rather than not go to Paris.