Giving Thanks! And Sarah Josepha Hale

 Wendy Kendall:  I have so very much to be grateful for. Part of my joy is that I'm eternally thankful for all my readers. I love hearing from you all who tell me how much you've enjoyed Kat Out of the Bag and also the recently released prequel Purse-Stachio Makes A Splash, which also appears in the anthology A Taste of Danger with two fellow The Wild Rose Press authors' wonderful stories - Julie Howard and Peggy Chambers

I had so much fun writing these stories! And more are on the way!

Thank You for enjoying my books and blog. Wishing you a Happy Holiday Thanksgiving!

Here's the story of the extraordinary woman behind the push for a National Thanksgiving Holiday, and a special purse of her time . . . .

Sarah Josepha Hale

She was widowed in 1822, single parenting 5 children. Her many accomplishments including publishing poetry, a novel, and a second book of poetry that included the familiar - Mary Had a Little Lamb .

By 1828 she became the first American woman editor of a magazine - Boston's Ladies' Magazine. By 1837 she merged her magazine with another creating the most popular fashion magazine of the 19th century - Godey's Lady's Book.

The magazine was famous for its drawings of women dressed in the newest fashions. Those illustrations were produced by engraving a sheet of flat metal called a "plate" in the shape of that woman model. That flat metal sheet the image was reprinted into the pages of the magazines. The images were then meticulously colored by hand. In the past, have you ever heard of a woman referred to as a fashion plate? This process is the origin of that saying.

Sarah Josepha Hale also campaigned President Lincoln persistently to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday. She pitched the idea as something that would bring the country divided by the civil war back together again. Lincoln issued the proclamation in 1863.

Here's text from a page right out of her own magazine, showing the fashionable Marguerite Pouch, an oval shaped purse and a style which is still sold today:

Our pattern is in dark blue velvet, lined with white silk. The ornaments, the lock and chain, are in steel. The velvet may be worked with a pattern in braiding or beads, the stars with steel beads, the steel hanging ornaments replaced by tassels made with steel beads, and the chain by blue velvet ribbon now so much in vogue. They make a pretty finish to a linsey dress.

Thank you to Pinterest for this photo: https://www.pinterest.cl/pin/4362930877188813/

Designing Women

Nuciano is an award-winning luxury handbag label based in Seattle, that offers women a freedom of expression in uncompromised high quality and luxury handbags without the usual exorbitant price tags. Wendy Kendall in Purse-suit of Fashion had the privilege of chatting with Nuciano.com founder Joy Egbejimba award-winning purse designer.  Wendy Kendall In Purse-Suit of Fashion with Joy Egbejimba - enjoy our fun chat

From desk-to-dinner, the selected curated collection features elegant designs with a variety of fierce color options.  Recommend you have more fun by browsing online - Nuciano.com


In just 5 years Nuciano designs have become so well known and they accessorize Hollywood red carpets and are truly an iconic fashion statement. Joy has been quoted as saying, “A handbag is something that defines a woman’s style, her journey and story.” 

Beautifully expressed. I feel that way too and wrote my mystery Kat Out of the Bag with that in mind..

The characters in the mystery book Kat Out of the Bag, donate purses, other accessories and dresses for high school students' homecoming. 

In real life, Joy E. generously gives back her time and resources in so many ways including Nuciano Scholars? You'll be interested to read all about this valuable cause.

Joy E. also gives back to the local Seattle community. In just one example a news report spoke of her donation of beautiful leather handbag gifts to three women who had just finished a drug recovery program. The women speak with emotion of how it made them feel worthwhile and hopeful, to go from having nothing to receiving a gift like this. Hope is such a powerful gift to give. And Nuciano gives customers the opportunity to gift hope too, by purchasing from Nuciano, and specifically buying the Hope Tote where 100% of proceeds go to breast cancer awareness Cancer Aware Foundation.

Only top grade, and gorgeous leathers! The Tatum and Aurene handbags are especially delightful. 




For big bag girls there are the Angelique Totes. Great organization, room for a favorite mystery paperback, and even padded protection for electronic devices. 





The signature collection is fabulous. Check out this incredible, deep caramel color 



And oh! The crystals collection. Such sparkle! 

Salute To Veterans

Katherine: On Veterans Day - Thank You to all Veterans for your service and Thank You also for those who are serving.

Jason Holmes: I wholeheartedly join you in that Thank You.

Katherine: The sacrifice made by these individuals, and by their families is awe inspiring. And in our book Kat Out of the Bag, we do reveal that you are a Veteran yourself, Jason. You fulfilled your service partnered with a U.S. military service dog. Those are amazing animals.

Jason: Yes, my German Shepherd partner Robby.

Katherine: Thanking a Veteran or Person currently in service by phone or online or in person if they're in your family is such a wonderful, and heartfelt sentiment. There are also some helpful organizations for Veterans and for those in service and their families that you can donate to on this important day.

Jason: Great idea.

Katherine: I recently discovered an exciting group I'm donating to - R. Riveter American Handmade Handbags. 

Jason: Leave it to you Katherine to find a handbag way to help those in service.

Katherine: The company is a network of military spouses known as Riveters all across the country. "R.Riveter doesn't hire military spouses to make handbags. We make handbags to hire military spouses, and create a greater sense of mission." They encompass the memories of Veterans and military spouses from all eras too. Their slogan is - 

Of Many One.

Katherine: Their bags are incredible, and the styles are all inspired by women Veterans from present day and from all eras. Talk about matching personalities and bags! Learn more about their story here. And you can shop their handbags, accessories, and other products here. While striving to empower military spouses through mobile and creative career opportunities,  R. Riveter also makes an effort to partner with like minded Non-Profit, Veteran Owned & Military Spouse founded organizations. I'm headed online to shop now.

Katherine and Jason: Thank You for Your Service!