THE NEW PURSE

About six weeks ago I was enjoying the luxury of getting my nails done at Beyond Bliss when a purse, hanging in the displays, caught my eye.

It was a woven fabric, in fall colours, and on the front was an elephant picked out in shiny beads, not my usual type of purse at all but it just caught my eye.

On closer inspection it had a smaller front zippered compartment that was perfect for smaller items and a roomy interior with one small pocket. Best feature of all it was half price, always a big factor in my bargain hunter’s mind. I do not feel I am cheap but certainly have a thrifty mind.

We were due to go on a vacation in a few days and the purse was just right for the job of carrying my day’s needs. It wasn’t huge about nine by twelve inches, but was roomy enough to carry my water bottle and anything else I may need. We would be doing a lot of walking among crowds so the long neck strap meant I could actually put the strap round my neck, so the purse could not be pulled from my shoulder.

Getting ready to go on vacation I put my passport and necessary papers in the front portion along with my glasses and a folding shopping bag. Inside the purse went my wallet, a book, snacks for the plane, an empty water bottle for filling after security,(remember my thrifty mind???) plus all the little things like tissues, a pen, miniature hand cream and lip gloss for the drying effect of the plane.

We spent four marvellous days in Washington DC then took a train to New Jersey, where we caught our cruise ship for a trip of the New England states and seaboard provinces, then down the St. Laurence for two days in Quebec.

My purse was wonderful, big enough to hold my ever necessary water bottle, and lunch for both of us for the three hour train journey. I also picked up a thermal coffee mug along the way as I hate drinking from paper cups, that also found its way into the bag.

Once on the cruise we spent six or seven hours each day walking in various ports and getting busses to destinations further a-field. We had fantastic weather and wore shorts almost every day but a couple of times I took along my lightweight jacket, it is both windproof and waterproof, so perfect for day trips. When not being used, it went into the bag with the other take along stuff.

One evening, on our return to the ship, I unloaded the purse onto the bed so I could find a particular item. The pile of stuff lying on the bed was enormous, several gifts I had bought that day plus the coat, water bottle, thermal mug, wallet and the other stuff I hauled around. I looked at the pile on the bed and couldn’t believe it had all come out of that small space. If you remember the carpet bag in Mary Poppins, where Julie Andrews pulled out a floor lamp and a hat stand, that is how I felt about the purse.

Back home to the usual daily stuff and the purse is just carrying my daily stuff, no need to use its unbelievable interior for carrying more than I need. However, I honestly feel it is the most amazing thing I ever bought and if I feel the need for some alone time, I think I could climb into my purse and have a quiet, cosy nap, with room to spare.