'You Found A Time Machine': Woman Finds Her JCPenney Purse From 1994 and Unlocks an Accidental Time Capsule The contents went untouched for almost 30 years.

By Emily Rella

Opinions expressed by BIZ Experiences contributors are their own.

Thrifting and vintage shopping can be an exciting feat, giving people a tangible way to step back into the past and get a first-hand look at history.

Now, one TikToker is going viral for finding a purse from her tween years — and what's inside has the internet in sentimental stitches.

"I found this purse in my mom's attic that hasn't been used since 1994," she wrote in the video that's been viewed over 240,000 times. "It's been up there for almost 30 years and I wasn't sure what 13-year-old me left in there to find!"

The woman begins by pulling out old notes, photos, and handwritten birthday party invitations (truly a relic of the past) and even an old jolly rancher wrapper from an Arizona brand bag that she said was from JCPenney.

@wedontwannagrowup So, I found this bag (surely from JCPenney) when we went through my mom's attic. It's been up there for almost 30 years and I wasn't sure what 13 year old me left in there to find! #1994 #90s #90saccesories #90steen #90stiktok #treasure #90smemories #90snostalgia #throwback #flashback #wedontwannagrowup #fyp #foryou ♬ Stay (I Missed You) - Lisa Loeb

She then finds a Taco Bell sugar packet with an antique design and an envelope from Walmart that contained photos printed from a disposable camera from when the TikToker was in middle school, of course donning a perm and a Goofy shirt.

There was also a ball from McDonald's original ball pits of the 90s.

One commenter even pointed out that there was an old-fashioned movie stub to see the 1994 hit "Forrest Gump."

"You found a Time Machine," one person wrote in awe.

"This actually made me grieve my childhood," another lamented. "Wish I could go back."

The TikToker also posted a follow-up video showcasing a 1994 JCPenney catalog, which was rife with floral prints and oversized shorts.

@wedontwannagrowup The Girls section of the JC Penney's 1994 Spring/Summer Catalog! #1994 #jcpenney #jcpenneycatalog #90s #90sfashion #90sstyle #90sclothing #ilovethe90s #90sgirl #90shair #nostalgia #throwback #flashback #wedontwannagrowup #fyp #foryou ♬ The Sign (Long Version) - Ace of Base

The TikToker ironically runs a podcast called "We Don't Wanna Grow Up" which muses on pop culture from the past few decades.

Emily Rella

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at BIZ Experiences.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Want to be an BIZ Experiences Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Starting a Business

These Brothers Started a Business to Improve an Everyday Task. They Made Their First Products in the Garage — Now They've Raised Over $100 Million.

Coulter and Trent Lewis had an early research breakthrough that helped them solve for the right problem.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for BIZ Experiencess to pursue in 2025.

Franchise

How to Prepare Your Business — And Yourself — For a Smooth Exit

After decades of building your business, turning it over to someone else can be emotional. But with the right mindset and a strong plan, it can also be your proudest moment.

Franchise

10 No-Office-Required Businesses You Can Start for as Little as $5,000

With strong Franchise 500 rankings and investment levels starting under $5,000, these brands are ready for new owners to hit the ground running.

Business News

Here Are the 10 Jobs AI Is Most Likely to Automate, According to a Microsoft Study

These careers are most likely to be affected by generative AI, based on data from 200,000 conversations with Microsoft's Copilot chatbot.