Life Beyond Pleather

There comes a time in every girl's life when she just starts to want nice things, when the pilled-up, wool-like sweaters and three-wear discount-bin bras somehow no longer feel right, when she suddenly starts to want quality—even if it means she'll have less, and potentially more boring, stuff.

This happened to me recently. I was packing up for a short work trip and I realized that the only overnight bags I have are a button-strewn backpack from college and an ill-shaped, awkwardly zippered pleather weekender (reminiscent of my enormous pleather couch—when I purchased this item I actually thought it was the real cowskin deal). Anyway. It made me start thinking about how I'd like a sophisticated travel bag, the kind that will weather beautifully and make me feel adult and even glamorous when I carry it. Right now, I've spotted this and this and this on eBay. They're all gorgeous and well-made, and best of all, if I buy any of them, I know I won't have to deal with this problem again for years.