In addition to being stunningly beautiful tokens of love, diamonds have enjoyed an enduring reputation as being a highly portable, highly liquid, and highly desirable asset. While not as predictable as gold or real estate as a hedge against inflation or as a safe haven for wealth, they nevertheless gave a sense of security to … More Diamonds Are Not Forever
I am constantly considering strategies and techniques that will help me be more productive. These run the gamut from simple prioritizing (first things first) to more involved, philosophical approaches like defining and refining my purpose in life. Recently, a friend related an interesting approach which I’d heard previously expounded upon by Isaac Tigrett, co-founder of … More Thought, Word, and Deed
I’ve been less than consistent with the blog over the past few months, despite the best of intentions. An apology–and a brief explanation–are in order. We have left Paris and are now living in the French countryside. The purchase of a run-down house in the Loire-Atlantique region was an odyssey unto itself, but not quite … More A Brief Explanation
My apologies for the gap in posting. A series of out-of-town guests, numerous work projects, and a short trip to Nantes have interrupted the usual workflow. Our foreign correspondent David was in Paris recently. We had a coffee at the cafe across the street from my office and discussed all manner of things: solutions to … More Recommendations Update: The Rolex Dilemma
I have a complicated relationship with Tatler magazine, the British magazine that breathlessly chronicles the latest goings-on of the royals, high society, and well-heeled wanna-be’s. On the one hand, they have published some interesting articles on how to raise children in an affluent environment, estate planning, and other more grounded subject matter. On the other … More In Defense of Red Pants
August is upon us here in Paris. A majority of the residents have fled for the coast, the mountains, or the countryside. Parisians who still remain–healthcare workers and those in hospitality–ask my wife and I where we’re going for vacation. When we reply that we’re staying in Paris, they look at us as if we … More A Few Updates from Paris and Elsewhere
Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one. Malcolm Forbes
We recently received the comment below from one of our readers. I thought it was very interesting and very relevant. Here it is, and I’ve added some thoughts below. I happened on your site while doing some personal research on old money style and its contemporary applications, like the trendy of the concept of sprezzatura, … More The Application Process
I received an email the other day. The person suggested that I painted a little too rosy of a picture in regards to Old Money Guys and Gals. They pointed out that plenty of born-rich trust fund babies are obnoxious and incorrigible, racist, misogynistic, homophobic, and anti-Semitic. To which I replied, Oh, most certainly. And … More We’re Not All Nice
Stephan asked a question in the comments section a couple of weeks ago. I made a note to myself to respond and neglected to do so. My apologies, Stephan, and thank you for reminding me. Here’s Stephan’s question: Hi Byron, I have read the old money book recently and really appreciate it. I especially liked … More The Wristwatch Dilemma – An Updated Discussion