Disco Donation

Last dance
Last dance for love
Yes, it's my last chance
For romance tonight
I I need you by me
Beside me, to guide me
To hold me, to scold me
'Cause when I'm bad
I'm so, so bad

So let's dance the last dance
Let's dance the last dance
Let's dance this last dance tonight
Donna Summer
Queen of Disco

A trip back to the 1970's and the lovable disco era. Donna sang it and I danced it. Notice the jagged edge hemline in my favorite disco dress, the blousy top, the spaghetti straps . . .

and of course the small disco purse you could wear while dancing your moves to Donna, to the Bee Gees, and more!

I'm dedicating this blog entry to my sister Joan who gave me this beloved disco purse for my 21st birthday for when I went out in San Francisco during the peak disco fun era. I was addicted to disco, and I loved this purse.  It was great to leave the big, leather, flap closure generic shoulder bag of the '70's at home, and dance the steps and twirl the twirls with my date - little disco bag flying. Now that's style'in

Look at that intricate, beautiful weaving.  And see the strategically placed knots on the woven strap, for display.  And that perfectly fuzzy tassle.

The Esse Purse Museum at Little Rock, Arkansas is an amazing and comprehensive collection of 20th century purses recording women's herstory.  But I did find one tiny purse puzzle piece that was missing.  The 1970's was missing an actual disco purse.  I am so excited to be donating my beloved disco bag to Esse to be immortalized at the museum.  Thank you to my sister Joan!  When you all visit Esse, please look for my purse in the 1970's where it takes its' rightful place in herstory.

When you visit Esse Purse Museum, if you happen to find a purse puzzle piece missing and want to donate, you can.  See Esse link here -
http://essepursemuseum.com/purse-donation/

You didn't need much on the disco floor.  Here you see that I carried Almay to rub on the roses in my cheeks.  And it was Avon that provided the gloss on my lips.  Both had to be freshened periodically through the night.  A girl needed some cash, I didn't have any credit cards yet. Inside also my driver's license, student id, and keys.  Notice the snap closure to keep all secure through the twirls.

That's right, these were days long before cell phones, no cell phone pocket.

See the silky lining behind the woven exterior.  And notice no label, this is a generic bag.

I admit it, it's difficult for me to see the back of my beloved disco bag as I will pack it for mailing to Esse Purse Museum.  So many fun memories! But those memories will be "Stayin' Alive" (thanks Bee Gees) in Seattle in my heart, and will be suggested in the display in Little Rock

During the tremendous Disco Daring times, I harbor only one regret. I could never afford those amazing platform shoes with the flashing lights in the heels that flashed on the dance floor every time your heel hit the ground.  Talk about ground breaking!  At the time this was the most amazing new novelty of technology, and I coveted every pair I saw.

Of course, soon after disco fever the cost of these flashing shoe lights went way down and became favorites in children's shoes.  Both my sons enjoyed this novelty.  Ah well, c'est la vie.

In the profound words of the Bee Gees, I want to encourage you to get up and move - "You should be dancin', yeah!"