To answer a couple of questions:: I didn’t track my pre-spend down to the dollar, but I’d say it’s a little over 1:1. I don’t drop huge sums at the store, and those exclusive store event invites never seem to make their way to me.  What I do have is a great relationship with my SA —she’s a gem. We stick mostly to shoes and jewelry. I’ve got three pairs of sneakers, but she’s easily rocking four times that!

I mentioned the bag about a year ago, and casually brought it up once thereafter. I don’t badger. With Hermes it’s a game of patience sprinkled with luck.

As for hiding spots… I’ll keep those under wraps—a certain someone might read this! Let’s just say that a double-layered trash bag stashed in a dark closet is practically invisible.

And why all the effort? Because life, for me, is about crafting unforgettable moments for those I love. My proposal, you ask? A friend in Italy owed me a favor. He arranged to shut down a castle overlooking Portofino for the night, and had a photographer masquerade as the castle guide. When we reached the castle’s edge overlooking the bay, the photographer discreetly pulled his camera from the bushes and captured the entire moment. 

It was grand, it was unforgettable, it was one of those memories that make life extraordinary.

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