I can't remember when I first fell in love with unique
brooches and handbags, but it was years ago.
To me, they go together like cookies and cream.
Hold a purse, wear a brooch.
Or even better - pin brooch on purse.
The beaded number above was found in a London shop a decade ago.
The cramped shop was stuffed to the brim with old purses, dresses, shoes
and home goods. The saleswoman told me it's from the 1950's.
I'll buy that. And did.
The base of floral needlepoint is finely stitched,
and would have been enough in its own right
to make me drool. But then, they added that hand-applied bead work!
Louis Vuitton could never get my heart racing like this thing does.
All items seen in this collection are from my own personal stash;
a reflection of my style on any given day.
And that's the cool thing about accessories, isn't it?
What I especially like about vintage brooches and purses though,
is the story they tell.
Handbags showcased in mall window displays do nothing for me.
They're gorgeous and fun and very designer-y,
but there's something about the
smell of an older purse that says,
"I've been around. Outrageous parties, whispered conversations
with occupants snuggled tightly on velvet settees."
At least that's what springs to mind when I use my ebony
beaded evening purse handed down by my M.I.L.
This fall, I'll be toting around this needlepoint owl handbag quite a bit.
Dark jeans + white blouse + pair
of leather scarlet shoes will tie the look together.
Much as an interior designer may plan a room
based solely on the vibrancy of a cherish, antique rug,
a girl can easily construct an outfit around an attention-getting purse.
Not only are needlepoint purses so darn kitschy chic,
they just flat out remind me of my grandmother.
In all the best of ways.
And it's not just an ode to sweet nostalgia.
Toting around a needlepoint
or decoupage purse is like showing off a petite work of art.
Colorful. One-of-a-kind. Creative.
Yet, also a workhorse. How many piece of art can act as such utilitarian
helper-outters: keys, lipstick, I.D., gum... all tucked neatly inside.
DECOUPAGE purses are a real trip.
Handmade of wood, painted, latched and decorated with cut-outs and glue -
purses simply do not get more individualized.
My little red school house purse features a hinged top
that opens wide, plus faux bone handle.
On all four sides, scenes depicting schoolhouse life tickle the viewer pink.
Ladies stop me on the street, wanting to turn it around and examine all the details.
We do it together. Ooh'ing and ahh'ing.
My only regret, is that whoever painstakingly created the purse didn't sign their work.
As much as I love vintage purses, I can make an allowance
for a newly made handbag if its uniqueness over-qualifies it.
My hot pink Harvey's seat belt purse certainly does the trick.
They come in black and grey and plenty of down-to-earth colors, but for me,
it was the idea of utilitarian, masculine seat belts dyed pink which
added the riot factor.
My bohemian rhapsody purse it just that.
A fanciful melody of fabrics, jean's pockets and ribbon all sewn together.
A purse that's all over the place.
Mish-mash fabulousness.
This thing is my daily go-to, as it holds so much stuff,
and works perfectly with any jeans or t-shirt I may throw on.
Though my husband teased me endlessly about my "bag lady" purse the day I brought
it home from April Johnson's booth at Gold Rush Days in Dahlonega, Georgia,
I've since received no fewer than a million compliments.
In the end, it doesn't matter what anyone says.
All my purses and vintage brooches add a twist and smile to my day.
And like a pair of children, I love them both equally.
That house purse is awesome!
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