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Waiting and hoping.

That's what everyone was doing in 1943. The war was on, and everyone was doing their part to try and keep everyone's spirits up.

With this set, I wanted to really bring together what would be in a woman's purse in 1943. I wanted to bring to life a very specific moment in time. Photos, ration book, a theater program, it all seemed to come together and I could picture it, hear it...feel it.

Here's what's included in this set:

• Vintage, brown purse, perfectly usable, with chain to put over your wrist.
• Vintage pin (stones are not precious)
• WWII era ration book with ration stamps still inside
• Vintage, 1940's era powder & rouge compact with mirror and powder puffs still inside.
• WWII era theater program with movie listings inside
• Two 1940's era photos
• One music sheet, copyrighted 1940, with music from the movie, "Rhythm on the River" starring Bing Crosby

The vintage, brown purse, if you decide to use it out in our modern world, will most definitely get you some admiring comments. Though vintage, it's still sturdy enough to use. And it's roomy enough so that your phone, wallet, and plenty other essentials will fit inside. I saw this hanging in an antique shop in an old gold rush town and just thought it was adorable. I asked the ladies there about the era it was from, and though they couldn't confirm, they all said the 1940's. The little button clasp lifts up and opens the purse, I don't know why that click is so satisfying, but it is. And if you don't want to leave the house with it, it looks so sweet hanging up and adds such depth and history to a space.

The vintage pin works perfectly with this set. It matches the purse and adds that "stepping out" feel to the whole set. Everyone wore broaches and pins back then, it sort of completed their outfits. And I love that it's neutral enough to wear with just about anything. Bring back some 1940's class to your day out, or simply use it as decorative piece next to old books or photos. Sometimes I put small things like this in places where I see them everyday, like my desk or dresser, just because they make me smile.

The WWII food ration book tells a story all its own. It belonged to a Joan L. Harrison who lived in San Francisco. These books were issued by the US government during the war because certain foods were scarce and needed to be rationed out at the grocery store. Inside these books were "tickets" to purchase certain foods. Joan's still has nearly two full pages of tickets that haven't been torn out and used. This is a true piece of history, and is something to display and cherish.

The mirrored compact has two interior "doors" that open to reveal powder area (empty) and rouge (still full with bright pink pressed powder!) and both still have their thin powder puffs (to open the doors, just push the little buttons to the right and the they'll pop open). The exterior has a burl wood inlay (front and back) with gold colored trim. To open, slide the top and lift it backwards (I say backwards, because it's the opposite way you'll think it lifts open). Use this sophisticated compact as your purse mirror, keep it near your other makeup items to bring some vintage class to your bathroom, or simply keep it with the set to tell the whole story.

The WWII era theater program comes from the Orange Theater in Old Town Orange, California. This one is extra special because Old Town Orange is where both my grandma and my mom grew up. My mom remembers going to this theater, and my grandma was living only a few streets away from it during WWII. Some of the movie titles in this program reflect the time, such as "Bomber's Moon," "Salute to the Marines" and "This is the Army". This little folded piece of paper was something that most people threw away, but this one has made it through all the years to be with us in 2023. Amazing.

The two photos were chosen because they put faces to the story. I love the one with the girl holding the baby. A baby that new nothing about the war, and was just happy being held and loved. The girls dress and hair too, so cute! The other photo of the couple with the car may be a bit more on the late 1930's side. But I picture it being Joan and her husband's first car as a married couple. The same car she uses to go into to town and see a movie, or go to the grocery store. Soon he'll be back with her.

The music sheet just puts a smile on my face. And I think that was the point of it back then as well. These music sheets were very popular back then, and would always be printed with a movie release. People literally "entertained" in their homes at that time, and would play the latest songs for their guests. The title on the front of this particular music sheet is "That's for Me" with music from the Paramount Picture "Rhythm on the River," starring Bing Crosby, Mary Martin and Basil Rathbone. I love it!

This set is one of the most well-rounded and specific sets I've done so far. I absolutely love how all of it lets you portal to an actual day in an actual life. A day that was very much like every day in the last two years--a day of waiting and hoping that loved ones would be home soon when the world was at peace again.

PLEASE NOTE: This set is not meant as a toy and has tiny parts that can be a choking hazard, please keep it away from little ones!

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