Vintage Thingies Thursday: It's In The Bag....Vintage Handbags

Welcome everyone to Vintage Thingies Thursday. If you are new to this party, please take the time to read and follow the instructions for participating in Vintage Thingies Thursday, click HERE. I try and keep things fairly simple, so please make sure you follow the instructions. I have gotten a few complaints about people linking in and not doing what is required, please, try and visit each and every participant, that is really important. I know we are all busy, but even if it takes a few days to do so, please do that. Lastly, if you link in, LINK back to my blog, so everyone can see all of the vintage goodies being showed that day. If you don't link back here, they won't know who to visit......thanks so much.

This week, I want to show you a few of my vintage purses....that I DO NOT COLLECT. Let me say that right up front.......ahem.....


I found these brand new, never used purses several months ago, at GW. When I first saw them, I immediately thought of my grandma. I studied these for several minutes, then passed them by, and headed straight to the housewares department. However, I could not get these purses off of my mind, or my grandmother for that matter. I swear, she had a purse exactly like this when I was a little girl. So, I decided they were calling to me and I had to take both of them home that day. So I have them......I don't use them......they are really Granny purses in every since of the word.....but they evoke a sweet memory for me, and they are happy living in my sewing room.....yes, they have a great home.....forever!

Now, this is just amazing....I received a gift in the mail this past week from a stranger......however, no longer a stranger......but this is only a peek at the goodness that was in that package. More on that in a couple of weeks, that evokes a post all by itself.....However, I had to show these ads to you today, as they go with my Granny purses.....in a way.

Just look at these ads from the 1950's....the prices.....the charm. I know you will love it as much as I do.

This great basket purse was a thrift store find.....I paid $2.00 for it, and once again, I noticed it, and went on my way.....had to double back before I left, and brought it home....it does not evoke a single memory for me, but for some reason, it called to me that day. It is really a great piece.

The inside is like brand new.

Now, this is really in a bit of a rough condition, but it did evoke a memory of my sweet auntie who had a very similar purse like this when I was a little girl. However, her purse was brown, and a little larger. I remember one Christmas, when I was staying with her on break, we had gone to the grocery store....well, she sat her purse on top of the car and drove off.....I am here to tell you these purses were very well made, because it crashed onto the pavement of the street with all the contents spilling all over the road. We hopped out of the car and very quickly grabbed everything up.....all the while my aunt was laughing....saying, "Oh, Gosh!!!" I can still her laughing today, and I never forgot about driving out of the HEB parking lot and hearing that purse hit the ground.....funny how things from your childhood just stick with you. Great memories of great folks.

I love the mushrooms on this purse, and while it is in a bit of rough condition, I may be able to redo the inside, and fix it up a bit.....no matter, it has a forever home.....

Now, this little black patent leather bag is indeed dreamy. I was fortunate enough to win a giveaway over at Tracy's blog, The Crazy Suburban Mom, and this was my wonderful handbag I received. There is a bit of history here too, this bag belonged to Tracy's 80 year old Auntie...and this one was left over from lots of handbags she sold for her aunt....how wonderful for me, because I really love it. This also had a great little purse mirror inside. This looks like it was never used....just lovely. Include in my box was this great dishtowel and these wonderful coffee mugs.....totally made my day. Thank you Tracy, so much!!!

So, like I said earlier, I don't collect vintage purses....I think they purses collect me.....and I promise, I don't ever start out looking for them, they just sorta find me. Have a wonderful Vintage Thingie Thursday....and remember, don't be afraid to bring home something that is normally out of your collection range....it might be calling out to you right there in the store and just might belong with you, and how sad to pass that up! Believe me, I know all about it!