Bringing Home the Birkin: My Life in Hot Pursuit of the World's Most Coveted Handbag
by Michael Tonello (Goodreads author!)
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Read in May, 2008
(Reprinted from the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography [cclapcenter.com]. I am the original author of this essay, as well as the owner of CCLaP; it is not being reprinted here illegally.)
So are you familiar already with what's known as the Birkin bag? It's the product of Hermés, one of those European "designer boutiques" that exists for no other reason than to severely overcharge rich people with self-esteem issues; you know, one of those places that sells hundred-dolla...more
So are you familiar already with what's known as the Birkin bag? It's the product of Hermés, one of those European "designer boutiques" that exists for no other reason than to severely overcharge rich people with self-esteem issues; you know, one of those places that sells hundred-dolla...more
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PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Starred Review
In a funny, whip-smart memoir sure to be a sensation among Vogue and W devotees, erstwhile hair and makeup artist Tonello (now a columnist for HuffingtonPost.com) chronicles a surprising (even to him!) trans-Atlantic move from Provincetown, R.I. to a city he’d fallen in love with on a short trip: Barcelona, where he knows no one and doesn’t speak the language. Tonello’s initial euphoria dissolves when his new job fails to materialize. To stay afloat, To...more
Starred Review
In a funny, whip-smart memoir sure to be a sensation among Vogue and W devotees, erstwhile hair and makeup artist Tonello (now a columnist for HuffingtonPost.com) chronicles a surprising (even to him!) trans-Atlantic move from Provincetown, R.I. to a city he’d fallen in love with on a short trip: Barcelona, where he knows no one and doesn’t speak the language. Tonello’s initial euphoria dissolves when his new job fails to materialize. To stay afloat, To...more
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bookshelves:
nonfiction,
otherrequiredreading
In this hilarious, dishy memoir, Michael tells of deciding to move to Barcelona on a whim. Quickly, the job he had lined up fell through--he's broke with mounting debt. He also has a closet full of clothing appropriate to his old life on Cape Cod, but not so suitable for sunny Spain. So, he sells it on Ebay. He quickly catapults himself into a career buying Hermes scarves that are easy to get in Spain, not so easy in the US.
This escalates in trying to hunt down the elusive Birkin. He finds...more
Read in March, 2008
In this hilarious, dishy memoir, Michael tells of deciding to move to Barcelona on a whim. Quickly, the job he had lined up fell through--he's broke with mounting debt. He also has a closet full of clothing appropriate to his old life on Cape Cod, but not so suitable for sunny Spain. So, he sells it on Ebay. He quickly catapults himself into a career buying Hermes scarves that are easy to get in Spain, not so easy in the US.
This escalates in trying to hunt down the elusive Birkin. He finds...more
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nonfiction-shelf
Read in April, 2008
recommends it for:
Fashionistas, arm chair travelers and anyone looking for a fun book to read
If the sight of orange Hermes boxes makes your heart go pitter-patter, this will be a page turner. Even if you're not familiar with the Parisian luxury goods maker, it's still a fun (and funny!) sneak peak into that world. The author, Michael Tonnello, is openly gay and writes with an acerbic, gay man's humor that is quite enjoyable without being overly campy.
I'd also recommend it if you're interested in traveling to Europe just because it gives an American's insight into being dumped in...more
I'd also recommend it if you're interested in traveling to Europe just because it gives an American's insight into being dumped in...more
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bookshelves:
humor,
memoirs-bio-and-autobio
recommends it for: Girly-girls and people who like humorous memoirs
Read in February, 2008
recommended to Clackamas by:
Goodreadsrecommends it for: Girly-girls and people who like humorous memoirs
This was a cute story (I'm sure the author will cringe at my use of the word "cute", but that's how I felt about it). I'm not one for chick-lit and would not have thought to read this if it hadn't been given to me, but I'm glad I did.
This story was quite anecdotal in parts. It didn't feel forced at all or take itself too seriously. I laughed out loud several times and smiled through most of it, nodding my head because I could totally identify with the author's thoughts.
I would...more
This story was quite anecdotal in parts. It didn't feel forced at all or take itself too seriously. I laughed out loud several times and smiled through most of it, nodding my head because I could totally identify with the author's thoughts.
I would...more
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read-in-2008
recommends it for: armchair travellers, fashionistas and people who want a funny, light read
Read in April, 2008
recommended to Paula by:
new title buyingrecommends it for: armchair travellers, fashionistas and people who want a funny, light read
I have an ARC of this and so far (27 chapters in) it's made me giggle at least once per chapter. Some chapters it's been so hilarious I can't help sharing it.
It's light, funny, and the story draws you along. The characterisations are fantastic - it's easy to view people and scenes in your mind's eye (important to me!). Michael Tonello doesn't take himself too seriously and better still, knew when to give it all up.
It's going on the shelf as a re-read. A keeper - for at least a while, and...more
It's light, funny, and the story draws you along. The characterisations are fantastic - it's easy to view people and scenes in your mind's eye (important to me!). Michael Tonello doesn't take himself too seriously and better still, knew when to give it all up.
It's going on the shelf as a re-read. A keeper - for at least a while, and...more
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Read in May, 2008
recommended to Cary by:
A friendrecommends it for: Anyone who likes a fantastic story!
I can't put it down. I LOVE it!!!!!!
Bringing Home the Birkin reads so easily! I enjoy the way the author describes things, whether it be a place, a dinner or the various Hermes employees! I especially like his exploits in Paris--I'm mentally walking right along with Michael! I'm not a big fashion person, but a friend recommended it to me. I enjoy reading good stories, and this one certainly is! Besides being a page-turner, it's also a travel guide--a global Year in Provence!
Whethe...more
Bringing Home the Birkin reads so easily! I enjoy the way the author describes things, whether it be a place, a dinner or the various Hermes employees! I especially like his exploits in Paris--I'm mentally walking right along with Michael! I'm not a big fashion person, but a friend recommended it to me. I enjoy reading good stories, and this one certainly is! Besides being a page-turner, it's also a travel guide--a global Year in Provence!
Whethe...more
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Read in April, 2008
recommends it for:
Anyone wanting a fun and light hearted book to escape into.
I loved this book! I could not put it down,and stayed up way past my bedtime to finish it.
I love the authors writing style and storytelling talent. This book is fun and funny, interesting and international.
This is a book that only comes around once in a lifetime!
Michael Tonello went where no man had dared to go. He was the first and the last maverick
in the history of Hermes;to round up such a herd of hides.
Oh, and the cover of the book is too wonderful to hide on a shelf...more
I love the authors writing style and storytelling talent. This book is fun and funny, interesting and international.
This is a book that only comes around once in a lifetime!
Michael Tonello went where no man had dared to go. He was the first and the last maverick
in the history of Hermes;to round up such a herd of hides.
Oh, and the cover of the book is too wonderful to hide on a shelf...more
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Read in February, 2008
recommends it for:
anyone loving the fashion chicl-lit genre.
Loved this book. Honestly, when I first picked it up I had no idea 1. it was written by a man and 2. it was considered non-fiction! Both of these revelations made me enjoy this book even more. Reads like a chick-lit Bergdorf Blonde behind the scenes delicious tell all! Who knew? So sorry Hermès, you lose.
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read-2008
Read in April, 2008
recommends it for:
marketing executives and fashionistas
This was a delightfully fun, fast read. It makes a nice companion to "Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster"
by Dana Thomas, a book which highlighted Hermes as one of the "good guys" in the luxury business. Both books show how false images and self importance are created.
by Dana Thomas, a book which highlighted Hermes as one of the "good guys" in the luxury business. Both books show how false images and self importance are created.
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currently-reading
I don't want to finish this one because it's so much fun to read and the narrator is so likeable. You'll want to buy several copies to give your friends and relatives as gifts. It's a perfect summer read, take it to the beach or on vacation.
More later...
More later...
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Read in April, 2008
This book is a style guide travel book business manual memoir of an accidental businessman. I loved every page of it. And the book itself is adorable. The hardcover looks like a Birkin bag and the inside is dotted wit great illustrations.
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to-read
i have spent entire lunches with girlfriends talking about this purse...can't wait to read it and give a copy to my girls ;)
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It's a book about fancy purses. With a little life lesson thrown in. What more can you really say. I loved it.
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