Giving Back Is The New Chic

Your decisions on what you buy
can change the world!

Now those gorgeous purse purchases that make you feel so good also help others to feel good

Feedprojects is a wonderful endeavor that sells glorious Bags and Accessories. The proceeds of those sales go to feeding children who would otherwise go hungry in areas of the world.  Everything you buy shows clearly the number of meals you've provided.  My tally is up to 75 so far.

Just look at these pretty purses, that are also practical while fun, but most importantly our Handbag Habit is doing good in the world thanks to founder Lauren Bush.

Now those gorgeous purse purchases that make you feel so good also help others to feel good

Feedprojects is a wonderful endeavor that sells glorious Bags and Accessories. The proceeds of those sales go to feeding children who would otherwise go hungry in areas of the world.  Everything you buy shows clearly the number of meals you've provided.  My tally is up to 75 so far.

Just look at these pretty purses, that are also practical while fun, but most importantly our Handbag Habit is doing good in the world thanks to founder Lauren Bush.

Now those gorgeous purse purchases that make you feel so good also help others to feel good. Don't forget to go out to the site so find so many more styles, including leather. All beautiful!

Purchase provides 25 me

John Met Betty

What an amazing discovery I've made! I discovered this purse designer when featured at Esse Purse Museum, Little Rock Arkansas (where purses tie to Women's History, if you haven't visited, plan a visit. You'll be so glad you went - see my blog entries about my visit.)  Anyway it took Esse Museum to introduce me to an incredible purse designer right here in my Pacific Northwest backyard.

Meet Jillian Darnell, creative and outstanding artisan who designs and creates these beautiful and eco-friendly purses. I was so thrilled to meet her in "pursen" and be ensconsed amongst her creations. Her purses are the softest leather combined with vintage fabrics. Not everyone can get to one of her shows in the PNW, so be sure to visit her online at johnmetbetty.com
Jillian Darnell has been designing one of a kind vegan leather bags, totes and clutches for over 10 years. Originally from Toronto Canada, she studied fine arts at The University of Waterloo and Fashion Design at George Brown College in Toronto. Her interest in design and leatherwork began while working in the leather industry in Acton Ontario. Jillian now resides on Bainbridge Island in Washington State with her husband, two boxers and two cats. All handbags are created with eco-friendly faux leathers and new and vintage fabrics from start to finish by Jillian in her home studio.

Just hanging out, admiring the shoulder bags. Not only good looking, some organization inside, and such pretty linings.

Do you love the unique name of the company as much as I do?  Here's the fun story behind the name - direct from the designer herself
John Met Betty is named after my grandparents John & Betty Thompson, who shared a flair for style, a storybook romance and a love for the PNW. Jillian's grandparents John & Betty met and married in Vancouver BC, they had their first date riding bikes in Stanley Park. Growing up in Ontario, Canada, I often heard stories about their lives out west, picture books of the west coast lined my grandparents coffee table. It was serendipitous that my husband and I ended up out here 10 years ago, it feels like fate in many ways. With my family history in the PNW and  a love equal to what my grandparents had for this magical place, I felt it was fitting to name my company after them.

Are you a crossbody fan? Check out these lovelies. And here's an awesome twist on it, for those of us in rainy and snowy climates the vintage material is protected with a waterproof exterior. How clever and as you can see it doesn't detract at all from the style.

Well, for all big bag girls, here you go. Not only are these Totes fashionable and have a secure snap closure, they are even expandable for those days you're carrying extra. That front is a nice, big exterior pocket too for ipad, phone, glasses, anything else you need quick access to because it's nice and roomy and is secured with an impressively strong magnetic.

Gorgeous clutches, wristlets. I admit that although I usually favor big bags, it was actually these temptresses that first drew me to learn more about John Met Betty
Again, beautiful leather, and just look at those intriguing splashes of vintage material. That leather trim is confidently held down with a magnetic as well.  Don't you just love a kiss clasp?

Here's my clutch purchase for now, although it was so hard for me to choose.  I'm enjoying carrying it as a wristlet, and after buying it just last night I'm already getting lots of compliments from people.  I'll be back shopping online for the holidays

What a great idea for glasses cases. I already regret that I didn't buy that French Bulldog design while I was there.

Celebrating National Handbag Day with Whiting & Davis

All the best to you on National Handbag Day!
October 10, 2017

Celebrating the national holiday this year after an outing at Antique stores in the beautiful town of Snohomish and found old time glamorous purses by Whiting and Davis. This is the oldest handbag company in the US. It's remained so artistic throughout the decades and is still creating beautiful purses and jewelry, scarves, clothing, wallets, belts, and much more in Massachusetts.

In 1892 Mr. Whiting designed the first mesh bag. Mr. Whiting began in the company as an errand boy in 1876. He worked his way into manhagement and eventually became a partner in 1886. By 1907 he was sole owner. The company started as a true cottage industry, hiring women to hand make the bags in their homes by linking together the tiny metal rings that made up the mesh. By 1912 demand was so high they were pushed to develop an automated mesh making machine.

The mesh bags are all made of metal and they have such a luxurious feel. They're so light to carry. Here you see a bag circa 1920, when a wormn didn't need to carry much in her handbag. These Flapper style purses sparkled and delighted on an evening out.

Here's a close up of the Art Deco clasp and frame. You can also see here the detail of the sewn mesh links. So sorry to see that the colors have faded with time, but you still see the suggestion of its original beauty. Inside the lining is a yellow, satin lining that is so sleek to the touch. Included is a petite interior pocket as well.

Speaking of sparkles, this is a real treasure. In the early days of production, most Whiting & Davis bags were made of sterling silver. This is a real silver tin mesh purse. As more bags were made by machine, they were able to experiment with other, cheaper metals.

This large, round, chain mail style, beautifully shaped pouch bag has an unbelievably smooth and soft feel to it and is incredibly light to carry. You hardly know you're holding anything in your hand or on your wrist with the double chain.

It was celebrity endorsements beginning in the 1920's that kept Whiting and Davis such coveted bags.

Here you can see how flexible the gold chain link is, actually puddling on the table, and turned inside out you can see the matching gold, silk lining.

Thank you Whiting and Davis!



And whatever you're carrying, Enjoy your National Handbag Day