I was recently in China on a business trip and on the train ride to Guangzhou, I struck up a conversation with the most interesting cabin-mate. These days when most of us charge everything to a piece of plastic, this man does something very different: He carries an ounce of gold with him whenever he travels.

It’s different, right? Paper currency feels like monopoly money compared with a nugget of real gold. To me, the man on the train had a kind of old-world charm that existed when people wore fur and heels to lunch in the dining car of cross-country trains-rides. It’s like he lives in a world that’s more real, and more tangible. Almost like he stepped out of another time when you could touch and feel your financial security.

It’s such a great idea! Instead of carrying a bag that cost you as much as an ounce of gold, why not invest in the real thing?

Just think. I bet you can picture yourself on a train with a designer JL bag, a cool crystal ring on your hand, and an ounce of gold along with your spare change.

xoxo
Jane

Dear Readers,

We’re having our annual Spring Sample Sale next weekend, so get ready to ring in the great weather (and maybe stock up for Mother’s Day as well.)

Here are the details:

Dates:

Thursday May 6th & Friday May 7th from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Saturday May 8thfrom 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Location:

The Pink House at 32 Scollard Street (bewteen Yonge and Bay Streets)

If you’ll be coming, please RSVP to gillian[at]jeannelottie.com

Spring 2010 Collection - the Hobo Group

Hope to see you there!

Recently, a friend who works as a travel guide went down to Chile during the earthquake period with his tour group. His advice to keep them safe in case something should happen: wear your comfortable decent clothes in bed and have flip flops/croc at the end of the bed. Jeanne Lottie thought: Why not a flight bag with all your emergency needs on your bedside table?

We’re happy to report that everyone on the Chilean trip got home safe and sound. But it made us wonder: what would we take with us in an emergency situation? Here’s a list we came up with: ID, credit card, some cash, glasses, and cell phone. So we designed a bag to fit all the essentials in case you need to pick up quickly and go. Great for emergencies (knock on wood!), and perfect for travel.

This light and durable bag is available in black, dark brown and light brown.

Jeanne Lottie Flight Bag is priced at $65. Now on sale for $40.

True Happiness is…having the essentials.

Denim is big this season, and Jeanne Lottie loves it! Clothing designers are showing head-to-toe denim, but that may not be for everybody. If you’re looking for a way to work a little more denim into your wardrobe, but are wary of the full denim suit, check out our new summer denim bags.

Studded with crystals, and chain-link, these washed denim bags feel like silk to the touch. Jeanne Lottie’s denim bags are available in hobo and satchel shapes.

Summer shouldn’t be fussy. Here’s a casual, easy bag for the season.

Available at selected stores and online starting May.
Priced at $65.

Imagine you’re on your way to a black tie gala on the outskirts of Paris, driving in your white sports car.  You’re anxious and wondering whether your prince charming will show up. Will he arrive bearing that shoe you lost at the last ball? Will he make it in time before your red carriage turns back into a pumpkin?

Unlock the door to that imaginary land you knew has always existed. It lies just beyond of the borders of the real. In this wonderland, the mushrooms you eat will make you grow, geese lay golden eggs, bears can talk, and every princess wears a crown.

Adventure and fairytale are within your grasp. See what’s lies beyond the everyday in Jeanne Lottie’s purse-onality key ring collection.

Available online, at selected boutiques, and the Jeanne Lottie store in Yorkville. Full collection here.

Purse-onality key rings are priced at $20 each.

Thanks to everyone who participated in our win-a-bag draw for the Spring 2010 Pink Front-Lock Tote. Our lucky winner is Brenda Penton from Kippens, NL.

We’ve received lots of compliments on our new Spring 2010 collection as a result of this contest. If you’ve fallen in love with the Pink Front-Lock but didn’t win the draw, don’t dismay! Take advantage of our 25th anniversary offer by e-mailing in your order to yorkville@jeannelottie.com and we’ll apply a 50% discount to all handbags from our Spring/Summer 2010 collection.

Congratulations, Brenda!

Tiny, precious, Itsy bitsy teenie weenie

boxy golden clutch, it’s mini!

Small and precious is our new Gold Box Clutch. Apparently we’re not the only thinking small this season. Moschino also has a glamorous gold box bag like ours this season? Do we have the same muse? Or is it telepathy? The beautiful box proves that great minds think alike!

Great for special occasions when you’ll only need the necessities: cash, card, keys, and lipstick, of course. As with so many things in life, small is beautiful. It’s at the heart of Jeanne Lottie’s philosophy. If you’ve got photographic evidence of how small is beautiful in your life, send them our way at yorkville@jeannelottie.com. We may post them on our blog for the future.

Jeanne Lottie was born 25 years ago through the ambition of two sisters in their twenties. They dreamed of a way to spread the philosophy of true happiness, in whatever form it meant to women: independence, health, or self-expression through fashion. In Chinese, True Happiness is called Jun Lok Tai. Through the products we’ve designed for strong women, it brings us True Happiness to say that we’ve been doing this work for a quarter century. We see ourselves as more than a handbag company. We are proud to create handbags and accessories that bring some joy to the lives of women.

As it’s our birthday today, we’d like to invite you to celebrate with us. From April 1st to April 30th, all handbags are 50% off through our online store – no joke! To take advantage of our special anniversary discount, send us your orders by e-mail to Yorkville@jeannelottie.com and we’ll honour our anniversary promotion.

Thank you for your support throughout the years.
It’s been 25 years of sibling rivalry, love, and inspiration that have fueled the designs that we’ve put out over the years. We’re looking forward to many more.

Happy Anniversary from the team at Jeanne Lottie!

Last week my precious Pomeranian Babydoll was at the emergency room after her last grooming session of the season. Suddenly her hind legs buckled underneath her like they couldn’t support her weight. I was so worried that I took her to the emergency animal hospital just behind the Pink House. After a thorough check-up the vet assured us that he detected nothing. So Babydoll and I went home after making a follow-up appointment with her vet the next day. We later found out that it was all because of a normal cleaning procedure. Phew! After all that, Babydoll was just fine.

During the panic to and from the animal hospital, Babydoll travelled home after the shock in my Jeanne Lottie Doggie Bag. Like a good mother, I carried Baby safe by my side in the padded cotton quilt bag. Designed especially for small dogs, this bag is sure to bring cheer to both you and your tiny loved one.

True Happiness is…bringing comfort to those you love.

The Jeanne Lottie Doggie Bag comes in bright orange, yellow and fuchsia. Available exclusively at the Jeanne Lottie boutique in Yorkville.

Light and washable. Priced at $40.

Who doesn’t love a big rock? Men out there, take note, we deserve only the best when it comes to the four Cs: cut, clarity, colour and carat. If you’re still waiting for that rock from your significant other, maybe flashing our rock around will give him a hint. If he still doesn’t get it, you might need to think twice…

Jeanne Lottie’s Diamond Solitaire Key Ring has been our top bestseller for over five years. Made from European Crystal, it’s not quite the real thing but think of it as something to tide you over until you get your genuine diamond fix.

True Happiness is… bling bling.

The Diamond Solitaire Key Ring is available from the Pink House and other Jeanne Lottie retailers around Canada. Check out our Store Locations.

The Diamond Solitaire Key Ring is priced at $15.  Currently available in silver setting only.