Monday, June 1, 2015

...an unhappy hour leads to a death purse-- literally...



Book purse with my fella's RUSH lunchbox because he was a "Working Man" :p

Where was my intervention? Thanks a lot, Blogosphere. You all are a bunch of enablers! As B. Spears giggles (because goth bloggers don’t cite her enough), “Ooops, I did it again.”

I like books. I like books as décor. I like supporting art. Book purses become my weakness and when I saw this one, I did not pass Go; I did not collect $200. I clicked Add to Cart and then bought it as soon as I could… eventhough this makes book purse #4. I wouldn’t even PIN this sucker on Pinterest before it was officially mine! I’m not ashamed! After all, this is a modified version of The Oxford Book of the Death.

The book description:

The inescapable reality of death has given rise to much of literature's most profound and moving work. D.J. Enright's wonderfully eclectic selection presents the words of poet and novelist, scientist and philosopher, mystic and sceptic. And alongside these "professional" writers, he allows the voices of ordinary people to be heard; for this is a subject on which there are no real experts and wisdom lies in many unexpected places.

The description of the purse by bibliobags:

This unique purse was crafted from a vintage 1987 copy of "The Oxford Book of Death." It features two different fabrics: Alexander Henry's black and white toile featuring dapper skeletons and a plum damask printed with white lacy skulls. I hand carved both black wooden handles with the initials "R.I.P." and roses to make them resemble tombstones. The zipper charm is a lovely skeletal cameo of a woman with a red rose in her hair.

The inside has two roomy pockets for phones, keys, etc. The fabric has been treated with a stain and water resistant spray.

I’m sorry but she had me at “Death.”

Since the purse arrived today during a thunderstorm (bwahaha), I haven’t actually used it except to place contents inside of it and parade around my house. Is it blue or black? Neither my fella nor I could determine the book cover’s exact color. We determined that it’s blue-black like my hair when it doesn’t have purple tint in it as it does now. The bag appears to be quite sturdy although the skeletal cameo wasn’t connected to the purse. At first I thought it was missing but I later found it in the bottom of the box. To be honest, I would have probably removed it anyway because zipper pulls usually get in the way more than they function in my opinion. I’ll use the cameo for something though because it’s cute but it gives the bag more of a whimsical air than I would prefer. We’re talking Death… Oxford style! This is serious, people!



Connie making friends!
So how did I find this little beauty? When Connie from Hartwood Roses and I were planning to attend last Thursday night’s Unhappy Hour in the Poe Museum's Enchanted Garden which included music by Teejay Johnson and the opening of the "Oblong Box" exhibit, I did a quick search to see what types of Poe book purses were available. I found one of Autumn’s (of bibliobags) bags which just happened to be sold… but then… BUT THEN… it was liked the stars had aligned. I mean, who would love this Death book purse more than me?!? Exactly. Now I’m officially in time-out… (whispers “for now”.) 
In an oblong box!

So I was asked, "of all my book purses which is my favorite?" Does a mother tell her children she favors one over another?!? They are all different and I love them just as I would any favorite child, *clears throat*, I mean handbag. Besides, as Autumn at bibliobags reminds us, "Every purse has a story." 









26 comments:

  1. I can absolutely see why this new bag was so irresistible. Nothing wrong with listening to that little voice in your gut and reacting instantly to something like this like you did ... it was a reflex, out of the control of your conscious brain ... a primal thing that some have evolved away from. That little voice tells it like it is, and it is only the very MOST evolved among us who comply when it speaks ... like when it says to get that Chihuahua on FB ... but, that's another story entirely.

    Thursday was fun. Now I know what to expect, and I will totally be prepared to do arts and crafts, sip beverages, and hang out with the decor.

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    1. ... And hang out with random men who befriend us for the evening :p

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    2. I wasn't sure how to address THAT part of Unhappy Hour. He was harmless and entertaining.

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    3. He just made Unhappy Hour that much more weird. Poe would approve ;D

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  2. Smart move not to pin it until it was yours! LOL

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  3. STOP it!!! You are continuously making me want to buy purses for which I have no need AND no space, not to mention no money!! And NOW I want to find a copy of that book (with all the pages in).

    When will it END???????

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    1. Look, I asked for an intervention. If that isn't a cry for help, I don't know what is ;P

      My parents always told me that I could only owe money on school and books.... I'm just gonna sneak in the book purses :D

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    2. Yes, but codependents can't help much with interventions, can they? And I think I must be one, at least with regard to books (and, by association, book purses). ;-)

      BTW, I will be buying the actual book (complete with pages) very shortly. Found it on Alibris for only 99 cents plus shipping!

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    3. I've been thinking of starting a book club. Maybe we could start a virtual one with folks reading from The Oxford Book of Death? :D

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    4. Oooooooh, YESSS!!! And I just ordered my copy today! Happiness... err, gloominess IS... ;-)

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  4. I LOVE the fabric on the inside! Great find!

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    1. Autumn is an artist with an excellent eye. I simply have an eye for shopping :p

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  5. The Unhappy Hour sounds so good! I wish I could come! I am glad it was an event, I was thinking you had a really bad day when I read the post title!

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    1. Oops, I guess I should have pointed out that Unhappy Hour is a regular monthly event during the summer to fall months at the Poe Museum. It's a happy hour but with Poe events (and sometimes bad original poetry).

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  6. Such a terrific purse! I'll have to look at bibliobags!

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    1. She has had some really nice ones... I stalked her Sold section in Etsy.

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    2. Thank you guys so much! I have a blog where there's a gallery of my "best" purses. :D http://bibliobags.blogspot.com/p/gallery.html

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    3. ooooh, now I have to check out that gallery!

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  7. I NEED a book purse in my life! You, my dear, are an evil enabler! ^^

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    1. I'm sorry. I really do try to use my evil powers for good ;D

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  8. I'm a total idiot. How did I miss this post??? I'm so humbled and happy that you would post about the purse! It seriously means so much. I put a lot of myself (I'm a little morbid, obviously) into these purses and it just makes me so thrilled when someone is happy with one! Sorry I was such a dingbat and didn't see this earlier! Thank you again! <3

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    1. Awww, I love the bag! I've used it much more than my others. I even used it last night for a lecture on mourning traditions :D

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  9. BTW, your post has convinced me to stop with the zipper charms. I totally agree--they are useless and get in the way, fall off, etc. I'm sorry yours feel off. :( I really appreciate the feedback; I've been frustrated with those charms and even though they're cute, it's probably too much (and not useful). Thank you!

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