Monday, June 12, 2017

#Handbag and Book w Joanne Guidiccio Still Loving My Vintage Purse #Vintageclothing #vintageaccessories #RLForg #Rssos


Handbag and Book with
Joanne Guidoccio  

I had always associated vintage clothing with the early part of the twentieth century, but recently I discovered that clothing from the 1920s to twenty years before the present day is considered vintage.

I imagine the same applies to purses.

I purchased my first “grown-up” purse during the summer of 1977. My mother had hinted that I needed to upgrade my wardrobe in preparation for my first year of teaching: suits, pumps, an LBD, and an evening purse.

So, together we went on a mini shopping spree that included a stop at Birks in downtown Sudbury. One of North America’s most prestigious jewellers since 1879, Birks was the Go-To stop for diamonds, pearls, fine jewellery, watches, and the perfect gift for almost any occasion. Receiving a gift beautifully wrapped in their trademark blue boxes would automatically elicit oohs and aahs at birthday parties, showers, and other festive events.

While browsing, I fell in love with a black patent leather clutch on display. I recall my mother raising her eyebrows at the price of $25. Applying an Inflation Calculator, I calculated that $25 would be worth $103.71 (American) and $140.10 (Canadian) in 2017. I paused only momentarily and then bought the purse. Later, I purchased a matching pair of black patent leather pumps.

Over the years, I’ve replaced and given away many purses, but I can’t seem to part with my vintage Birks purse. It brings back memories of a lovely summer afternoon spent with my mother, preparing for that quantum leap from student to working woman.
 When Gilda Greco invites her closest friends to a VIP dinner, she plans to share David Korba’s signature dishes and launch their joint venture— Xenia, an innovative Greek restaurant near Sudbury, Ontario. Unknown to Gilda, David has also invited Michael Taylor, a lecherous photographer who has throughout the past three decades managed to annoy all the women in the room. One woman follows Michael to a deserted field for his midnight run and stabs him in the jugular.
Gilda’s life is awash with complications as she wrestles with a certain detective’s commitment issues and growing doubts about her risky investment in Xenia. Frustrated, Gilda launches her own investigation and uncovers decades-old secrets and resentments that have festered until they explode into untimely death. Can Gilda outwit a killer bent on killing again?

Find Too Many Women in the Room at: Amazon US
Find Joanne at: Website
Giveaway: Click on the link for your chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card.
 

 
Joanne, I have a handbag given to me when I graduated from high school. Does anyone else keep handbag treasures?
 

 

 

23 comments:

Angela Adams said...

I don't have a handbag, but I have a coin purse from elementary school.

Joanne Guidoccio said...

Hi Angela, Loved those coin purses--especially the ones sent from my Italian grandmother. Unfortunately, I didn't save any of them.

Joanne Guidoccio said...

Thanks for hosting me, Vicki :)

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

Hi, Angela! We found the black cloth coin purse when cleaning out Mom's house. She'd put jewelry in it.

You are most welcome, Joanne!

Linda Tillis said...

Wow! A am impressed that you have a purse from that many years past. I can't keep one. Period. For many years I wore a uniform and carried a man's wallet in my front pocket. My poor daughters tried to help. And my husband, well, he finally wore me down to a small clutch/wrist type deal. The book sounds like a great thriller! Wishing you many sales!

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

Hi, Linda! So glad you came to visit with Joanne. Uniforms do make wearing a handbag awkward. I love wristlet's and have several. Thanks for stopping by.

Zara West said...

I still have the white beaded purse my grandmother gave me for my high school graduation. It never went with anything I wore--ethnographers chasing after sheep in Greece don't have much use for fancy dress. Skirts and a nice blouse is about as dressed up as I ever get. But I just can't part with it. It reminds me of my grandmother, and how different her life was from mine.

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

Hi, Zara! I have a gray and a black beaded purse. And they come out on special occasions and that's rarely. I love the fact you cherish what your grandmother gave you. I remember my mom wearing gloves and heels with a nice bag to church.

Joanne Guidoccio said...

Good to see you here, Linda. I envy your minimalism. As the years pass, I notice my purses getting bigger. :)

Joanne Guidoccio said...

Hi Zara, I recall seeing white beaded purses at weddings. Not too practical but worth keeping...especially if memories of loved ones are involved. Thanks for dropping by. :)

Janice J. Richardson said...

Sudbury had a Burks? lol. It is a beautiful town, I loved going there on days trips from North Bay.
Vintage anything is fun to shop for. Purses and jewellery make for an entertaining thrift store shop. Loved your article!

Joanne Guidoccio said...

Thanks Janice! I love meeting fellow Northeners. Do you still live in in North Bay? I've moved to Southern Ontario. BTW...Birks was on Durham Street in downtown Sudbury. We were so sorry to see it go. :)

Melissa Keir said...

What a treasured piece of your past. I don't have anything like that which evokes the memories but I do have some pieces of my family history. It's wonderful to keep those memories alive.

Unknown said...

It's still in style! I wouldn't give it up, either.

Barbara Bettis said...

Love the sound of your latest book! Many happy sales :) Keeping that purse is a wonderful way to remember so many things in your life! May you have it for years to come!

Joanne Guidoccio said...

Thanks ladies for dropping by...

Melissa, We need to keep our memories alive. Tangible as well as intangibles--photos and tapes--keep us connected.

Debra, I've learned that if we keep purses, jewelry and other accessories long enough they will return in style. Buying classic pieces helps.

Thanks Barbara! I intend to keep it for a very long time.

Jo-Ann said...

Hi Joanne and Vicki,
I love your new book Joanne. It's an awesome whodunit.
I also love this blog post. It touched my heart how the memory of your Mom is interlaced with the memory of the Birk's bag. I would love to see it in person one day. How very special.
I also love your humor. As vintage as ... the apple. Love it.
Thanks for sharing your gift of writing.
And Vicki, thank you for sharing your posts.
all the best,
Jo-Ann

Joanne Guidoccio said...

Jo-Ann, Thanks for the lovely compliments. I appreciate all the support you have given me over the past four years. :)

Catherine Castle said...

I still have ALL my evening bags from proms. I have no occasions to use them but can't bear tto part with them. I also have a blue jeans wooden handles purse and a libra hippie bag form the 60s which bring back fond memories.

Joanne Guidoccio said...

I'm impressed, Catherine! I imagine each purse has its own special story. I'm curious about the libra hippie bag...I'll be Googling it. Thanks for dropping by :)

Sandy Tilley said...

I have no trouble cleaning out closets and tossing clothes and shoes, but I can't bring myself to part with purses. Unless I find them a good home. :)
Your book sounds so intriguing! And I love the title.

Joanne Guidoccio said...

Thanks Sandra! Purses seem to last longer...perhaps that's why we hesitate to part with them.

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

So nice to have so many guests stop by and I'm sure it is due to my guest, Joanne!