Some women love shoes. Some women love purses. Some women love both.
I’m not sure where I fall within those categories. Chris would tell you shoes without a doubt. However, I have large feet and finding shoes to fit is a problem. So when I find them, I tend to buy them. Then when I wear them for a whole day I tend to find they don’t fit like they did when I tried them on. I won’t wear shoes that aren’t comfortable, but I also won’t throw shoes away unless they are worn out. Yeah, I have a shoe collection.
Purses, on the hand, I love. I would love to have a collection of purses to draw from and change out to match my daily outfit.
Unlike shoes, though, purses are a luxury not a necessity. So, I buy sturdy, practical purses that will coordinate with pretty much everything and carry the same one until it completely wears out. Then I purchase my next purse and toss the old one.
I LOVE fashion purses, but I need functional purses. Organized compartments so I can remember where I put the important stuff. That wouldn’t be such a big deal if my purse didn’t become a catchall for every receipt, piece of mail, a book to read, notes from school, tissue dispenser, make-up for the day, reading glasses, a medicine cabinet for up to four people, holder of every store rewards card ever made, change collector, well, I think you’re getting the picture.
My purse is the everything INCLUDING the kitchen sink kind of bag. Now do you understand why it needs to be sturdy?
A few years back there was a trend for bags made by crafters. The handles where all unique. The bags had prints instead of just leather. There were even purses formed like bustiers with a feather boa like trim around the top.
I would never be daring enough to carry a bra purse around, but I was drawn to it. The one’s I liked that were a little less risqué were expensive. Ok, my idea of expensive for a purse is $40, but hey, to each their own.
So, I asked Chris if he thought we could make a purse if I bought all the supplies. A little “I just don’t know how we could attach beaded handles to a fabric body…” and he was in for the challenge, certain he could make it work.
And make it work he did! Lots of comments on my homemade purse! The body was made out of a fur-like material; the handle I beaded on a very stiff piece of wire. It had a shiny black liner. I can’t remember how he attached the handles for me. I carried that bag for quite awhile.
I think I wore the feathers off and went back to boring, sturdy, store bought purses.
Inspiration for this post was taken from 30 Days of Your Stories . Please hop over to her blog and check out her awesome idea!!!
1. Saturday mornings
2. Neighbors
3. Vacation
4. Music
5. Accents
6. Cars
7. Books
8. Purse
9. Your favorite grade
10. Your Go-To Story
11. Holidays
12. Letter to yourself as a teenager
13. Lying
14. Pets
15. Sports
16. Your Room
17. One time you weren’t cool
18. Weather
19. Recipe
20. What you want to remember
21. Traveling
22. Shoes
23. Favorite Bible verse
24. Your bravest moment
25. Garden
26. Your favorite color
27. The breathings of your heart
28. Comfort
29. The book inside you
30. Your worst fear
Carrie Ann Tripp 
Posted by Mary Burris on November 16, 2014 at 10:12 AM
I had one of those bustier purses. The only time I used it is when I was vacationing in Vegas. Was a lot of fun, but certainly wouldnt want to use it for everyday use. I have a faux Louis Vuitton for that!
Posted by bookworm on November 16, 2014 at 4:02 PM
I also wear purses into the ground (in a manner of speaking); I love the Stone Mountain brand as they are about the only ones that hold up for me – except those cloth/quilted crafts purses hold up well, too. I own two – one in a peacock pattern and one in the puzzle piece autism pattern. I liked the one you had made for you, too – the handles were wonderful! Alana
Posted by LindacSmith on November 16, 2014 at 4:59 PM
Well, I'm certainly not a shoe person. I'd go barefoot everywhere all the time if I could. For purses, I found a company, American West, that makes leather purses that, to me, are like owning artwork. They are tooled by hand and the designs are stunning. They even come with a guarantee and there are matching wallets! I bought myself one about two years ago now and I'm hoping I won't have to buy another for a long time. I get so many compliments on it, it's truly a piece of fashion.