Handbags and purses have a long and illustrious history, but is there anything a man from North America dislikes more than carrying his wife’s purse? How did pocketbooks get such a bad rap? I’ve seen real men carrying small, handsome leather purses in Italy. I read recently that men in Sicily have gone so far as to change the word for purse, la borsa (feminine noun), to il borsello (masculine noun). But better not quote me; I’ll have to ask friends from my Italian group to verify this.
Don’t you love the fact that if you’re with a group of women and ask, “Does anyone have a nail-file, a pen, a piece of paper, or a Tylenol,” some kind soul will reach into their purse and find the item. Women are generous that way, and few are without a handbag. I have friends who aspire to carry the smallest purses they can, but eventually reading glasses or some balky item will prompt them to move to a size larger. One dear friend insists on using a purse barely large enough to hold a checkbook, but I notice she now carries a larger bag in which she inserts her purse. What’s the good of that? But she’s content, so who am I to disapprove?
I admit, I own more purses than I use. In fact, several have sat idle for years. But they were gifts from my husband or the such, and I may change my mind and want to use them someday. In the summer, I might use that beige purse, although I never seem to. Or I might take a trip to a tropical island. Not.
I think I’m using the perfect purse right now, because it will carry my necessities and stand up by itself. However its black interior camouflages my keys, etc. The truth is: there is no perfect purse. Or am I wrong? Do you own it? What are you’re thoughts? If you’re looking for durable bags, then look no further. A leather duffle bag brings together durability and sophistication, making it a stylish choice for travellers. Crafted from premium full-grain leather, it ages beautifully while providing ample storage.
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| A fun Amish-made Handbag & Change Purse from Lancaster County! |
Someone leaving a comment will win this Amish-made handbag and coin purse from Lancaster County, and a signed copy of either Leaving Lancaster or Pennsylvania Patchwork. Sorry, USA only. Please leave your first name and an email address or contact info in case you win!
Congratulations to Marilyn V., last week’s winner of a signed copy of either Leaving Lancaster or Pennsylvania Patchwork! Thank you to everyone who left a comment!
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| Coming June 1, 2014 |
I totally agree that there is no perfect purse. I love homemade items, though, and love the look of this one!
Debbie Rhoades
ReadingMama922@gmail.com
I love homemade items too, Debbie, especially if made by an Old Order Amish woman! Thank you for entering the contest!
What a cute purse….I love it & I know I would really get a lot of use out of it…
It is a cutie. Thanks for writing! Do I have a way of getting a hold of you should you win?
There is no perfect purse. I like the looks of this one. Thank you for the chance to win it.
susanmsj at msn dot com
Hi, Susan, thanks for entering the contest! Good luck to you!
Beautiful purse……Who wouldn’t like to ave this one! Especially being handmade. Keeping m fingers crossed.
Thanks for leaving a comment, Darlene! I’m trying not to get too attached to this purse myself. Do I have your contact info in case you win?
I would lov
e to win the purse
I would love to win this===bjhallett@comcast.net
Thanks for visiting my blog and entering to win the purse and one of my novels! Good luck!
I just live purse’s and I just think this one just rocks. Please enter me. mama_cindy3@yahoo.com.Thank You
You are entered in the contest! Thanks for writing and good luck!
What a lovely prize!! Please enter me in the contest! Lovely prize from a lovely lady!
Hi, Karla! You are entered in the contest, you lovely lady!
I think the perfect purse has to have straps long enough to be worn over the shoulder and space enough to store whatever I usually carry plus a book. No small bags for me! Thanks, Jean jclements69@outlook.com
Thank you for writing, Jean! I’m so impressed how many women carry a book with them. Good idea! Mine usually get left in the car, but then I have nothing to read if I get stuck in a long line. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Love to read your books. A person feels like they are right there. Very meaningful. I would love to win especially the purse. A dream of mine to own one. Sandi Lawrence** gizmo7960@hotmail. Com
Thank you so much, Sandi. I’m delighted you enjoy reading my book’s! You are entered in the contest. Good luck!
Love your books and love the chance to win the purse! Thanks so much!
Thank you, Dena! I appreciate your kind words about my books and would love to give you a chance to win the purse. However I don’t see any contact info in case you win …
I have loved your books, would love to own the purse..Thankspeggyhacker@ymail.com
I’m so pleased to hear you have enjoyed my book’s! Thank you. And thanks for entering the giveaway. Good luck!
What a fun prize! I’d love to have something made by the Amish. Thanks for the chance.
susanlulu @yahoo.com
Susan in NC
Hi, Susan, thank you for entering the contest! Good luck to you.
Would love to win! The colors are so pretty! bsparkplug3@gmail.com Blessings….
Thanks so much for entering the contest, Becky! Glad you like the colors. Good luck! Fortunately, the winner is chosen at random or I don’t know what I do!
I would love to win, as I love your books, Kate! I have everything in my purse, except for my kitchen sink, or at least that what everyone tells me! Reusable bags, lip gloss/lipstick, hand lotion, eyeglasses, sunglasses, mints, my wallet (of course), pens, stuff that all women carry (*wink, wink*), and usually a rosary or two. Told you I carry I lot! This purse would be perfect for me – not too big and not too small! Please choose me! Thanks for doing this giveaway, and God bless!
Mallory Fry
seagirl_98@hotmail.com
Hi, Mallory, I won’t be needing a kitchen sink, but all your other items sound very practical and probably come in handy. I try to never buy slacks without pockets to carry my tissue, but the other items just won’t fit. Thanks for entering the contest. The winner is chosen at random, fortunately for me. But I can wish you good luck!
Would love to win this purse! I’m with purses like some people are with shoes! Lol
Thank you for the chance to win! God bless!
I’m sure you have a marvelous collection of purses, Carol! it would be fun to add one more. Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
so cute!
Indeed, it is!
Would love to win. I like lots of pockets in my purses to keep it organized – can’t have to many. And it has to be large enough to hold my Kindle for on-the-go reading!
Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway, Johnda! You didn’t leave contact info but I think I can track you down on FB if you win. Good luck!
What a pretty purse! Red is my favorite color! My purse has to be big enough to carry my wallet, glasses, cellphone, checkbook, and my Kindle. This one looks perfect! Thanks for the chance to win it!
This purse would be perfect, Kathi, especially if red is your favorite! Oh, I just noticed you did not leave contact info in case you win.
No there is no perfect purse! Every time I think I’ve found one that will work great it always has something that isn’t right for something I need. Oh well … I keep trying. I’ve even tried going without & just carrying my wallet. That doesn’t work! Need one for lots of things when there’s a toddler around. And I usually have my 2-year-old grandson with me 5 days a week while his Mommy & Daddy work & big brother is in school. I would be honored to win one of your books Kate. And I love the handbag! Thanks for the chance to enter.
Mary Ellsworth
mdegram218@centurylink.net
You sound like me, Mary, when it comes to purses! How wonderful to have your grandson close by. There is much to be learned from grandma too. I’d be honored to have you win the handbag! I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t choose the winner by random, but I must resist temptation. Good Luck!
I, too, have purses I don’t often use, but haven’t given away because they are still nice, although not too good for what I need on a daily basis. Cute topic. Never thought about it before! Would love to win a book, maybe!
Hi, Sonja! I have no idea what got me writing about purses, but really enjoyed the topic and all the fun responses. Thank you for entering the contest! I’ve often thought that if a person hasn’t read one of my books they don’t really know me. Good luck!
I don’t think that there is a perfect purse. I think I just adapt to it and get used to where things are in it and changing purses is always a major traumatic experience. I keep searching, thinking this one is it and then finding out it’s not. I shove everything into my purse. I work full time. My Kindle goes in there. My lunch. Water bottles. GPS because I can’t find my way out of a paper bag, wallet, checkbook, money, credit cards, gum, extra everything that I might need and stuff that I don’t even know how it got in there.
I would love to win this giveaway. Is this the perfect purse? It could be and I would love to be the one to give it a try.
Karen C.
sweetnessnlight@comcast.net
Yes, changing purses is a traumatic ordeal, especially when you realize you’ve left something important in the old purse. You fit your GPS in your purse, Karen? I haven’t tried that. Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
This is absolutely gorgeous!! Like most people, half my life is in my purse… lol sherylharvey@frontier.com
Thanks for entering the contest to win this oh-so-pretty handbag! Good luck! I wish the Old Order Amish woman who sold it to me could get on the Internet to see what a wonderful response there is. She picked out the coin purse to go along with it too.
That’s a cute bag! Thanks for the chance to win it!
Emily J.
emjoplin@hotmail.com
Thank you for stopping by my blog to enter the contest, Emily! Good luck!
Would love to win a new purse!
Tiffany G.
tiffanyhgoss@gmail.com
You are entered in the contest to win the purse, Tiffany! Thanks for stopping by and good luck!
Loved this Kate, but all you said is right, tho I used a belly bag for over a year because my shoulders hurt so bad from carrying heavy purses for so long. It did help and I made it just fine with the little I could carry, but then I went back to my regular purses. And, yes they do make my shoulders hurt. Would love to be your winner. Lots of competition tho. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
Hi, Maxie! My mother blamed my poor posture on my heavy shoulder bag. I also have started wearing my shoulder-strap purses across my belly, but for that reason must keep the purse small, not a perfect solution. Wishing you good luck in the contest!
This comment has been removed by the author.
Pam Hunter’s entry here!
i would love to win this purse thanks n God bless u houswife@gmail.com
Thanks for entering the contest, Ida! Good luck!
I have to come to the conclusion, that I have to at least carry a medium sized bag. Although my husband says I need one with wheels! The purse looks very cute and summer like, thanks for the opportunity to win!
Tina (sweeps4us at gmail dot com)
Funny, what your husband says, Tina! Yes, this purse is waiting expectantly for spring and summer, as are we all. Thank you for entering the contest!
That is a lovely purse. My husband never has a problem holding or carrying my purse. I love purses and shoes because they always look good, even when you gain five pounds, they still look good!
videoclimber(at) yahoo (dot)com
Tia
The fact that your husband is willing to carry your purse tells me he is confident and sure of his manliness, Tia. What a great man you married! True about purses and shoes always looking good, never fluctuating with our weight. Thanks for your fun comments and for entering the contest!
I doubt there is such a thing as a perfect purse – if so, I’d love to have one! It seems I can never find my keys, whether I have a small, or large, purse – I have one of the decorative attachments to hang on my purse (for holding my keys), but worry that it will come off – so don’t use it (LOL)!! And one needs different color purses, also, to match each outfit – right?? Variety is the “spice of life”!
Thanks for the opportunity to win the cute purse, and one of your books, Kate!!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
Funny how keys submerge and hide at the bottom somewhere, Bonnie. I’ve had to dump all the contents out of my purse to find them before. I like the idea of different purses for different outfits. Thanks for entering the contest and for your fun comment!
I have yet to find a perfect purse. I like a medium size one that will hold most of my “important” stuff that I might need (clippers, kleenex, bandaids, mints, gum, coupons) etc. Donna d[dot]brookmyer[at]yahoo[dot]com
Thanks for entering the contest, Donna! I gave up on most coupons because I usually forget them. Even if I bring them into the store … You sound much more organized than I am! Good luck!
Love all kinds of purses! Sandy
swaltonmama42@hotmail.com
I guess I must love all kinds of purses two, Sandy, or I wouldn’t hold onto my old ones. Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
Looks cute
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
Thanks for cruising by my blog to enter the contest! Good luck!
Hi Kate. I would love to win Pennsylavania Patchwork. It would be a wonderful addition to my Amish library. To answer your FB question~~ what is hiding in my purse?? ~~dust bunnies, a very empty wallet and lots of pens (maybe someday I will “pen” my own book, hence all the pens I carry around) Blessings, Kristin keithkrisjager(at)aol{dot}com
I’d love to see Pennsylvania Patchwork in your library, Kristin! Dust bunnies, a wallet and pens. Maybe a book is brewing in your mind, which means you need paper too. Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
Love the purse……I carry a tote bag….haven’t found a purse to hold what I need to that I like. Especially after carrying a diaper bag holding everyone’s stuff…….awesome giveaway! Mommiebethers{at}gmail{dot}com
Thanks for leaving your fun comment, Beth! I’m glad you love the purse. Good luck in the contest!
Hi , love the purse and really need a new one,,,have a great week
Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving your comment, Karen! I hope you have a great week too!
I love the purse . . . bright and cheery! Thanks for having the giveaway.
Heather
koho143 (at) hotmail (dot) com
The purse is bright and cheery, Heather! Thanks for leaving your comment and good luck in the contest!
I change my mind constantly on size, color, shape, etc., but no matter what, it’s gotta have a lot of pockets. 🙂
amybradsher@gmail.com
Not stuck in a rut, Amy. Good for you! Thanks for entering the contest!
Would love to win. God bless your day.
Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a lovely comment, Lucy!