Regardless if it's a hectic Monday morning or a leisurely Saturday afternoon out strolling the thrift stores, one thing remains constant. I've always got my trusty purse right at my side.
A woman's purse is her story. A sleek and slim purse is typically owned by a sleek and slim 20- something with no kids. A large, frumpy bag belongs to a Mom with kids that needs to hold everything from diapers to a screwdriver. Thankfully I got to dump my frumpy bag about three years ago. Your bag, in essence, holds the contents of your life that explain who you are and what you do. The purse I have been using for sometime now a trusty, simple black purse with just enough room to hold my wallet, a hairbrush, and some hand sanitizer. Although once in awhile I find a Matchbox car in there. It's not a large purse, but it's big enough for my essentials.
This past Saturday, I promised my son that we would go look for a toy monster truck and swing by McDonald's. While paying for our lunch, I had to dig for my debit card, it fell out of my wallet., which also was on it's last legs- the zipper is broken.
While scourging for the card, I find that my hand sanitizer cap fell off the bottle and I had gunk all over the contents of my purse. To top it off, my son decided to use my purse as a trash bag earlier that day for his half-eaten snack-size bag of Cheetos, which of course spilled all through the purse. Still digging for that blasted debit card, my phone rings and now I start rummaging through this space filled with cheesy hand sanitizer and I finally find it, (then wiping it off on my jeans) I answer with a frustrated "Hello!?"
It was the husband. "Do we have any super glue here?" We did, but then I remembered that I put it in my purse days before because I needed it at work to glue the wooden trim on my bulletin board. Naturally, when I went to look for it in the side pocket, the metal tube had broken at a crease and super glue now made the side pocket on my purse stick shut.
"No", I answer flatly. We don't have any super glue at home. I'll get some while I'm out". Ugh. This is a true story, I couldn't make this all up!
Like some crazy "light bulb above my head" idea, I was suddenly struck with realization that if had a different purse, perhaps I could eliminate a small portion of that unorganized chaos from my day-to-day routine.
So my quest began. Obviously the purse that fell victim to super glue is now a ward of the local landfill. It was totally unsalvagable.
I hunted all over looking for that perfect purse, after analyzing all the important details:
Priority one is function. I have had some adorable purses, my favorite being a red, white and blue plaid one by Longaberger, but it was a little small for my needs. It didn't offer any side pockets or little niches to hold my phone, so I eventually had to park it.
Style isn't important to me. I don't particularly care if my bag matches my Keds. Although for many months prior to my purse revelation, I considered getting a Miche Bag. I liked the idea of changing the purse without changing the purse. But then I priced it. No thanks.
I realized also that my present purse really didn't offer much in the way of organization, which is exactly what I needed. I need to know right where to go when my phone rings or I need a fingernail file. I need a few dividers, one to store the aforementioned hairbrush and some daily makeup essentials. Then I need a space for "office" supplies. You know, pens. A note pad. Small scissors.
Finally a space big enough to hold my wallet, which in itself is a whole other organized compartment. I don't want to fumble for loose change in the bottom of my bag. I want to open my wallet and just know where to find a dime for the parking meter. I want to know what credit cards are in there. Looking for a new purse prompted me to look for another wallet as well. The zipper was broken on mine anyway, remember?
So, the rest of Saturday and part of Sunday became time devoted to seek out a new bag. I looked at Target, Gabriel Brothers, Kohl's, and eventually found the bag of my dreams at a local thrift store (for a whooping 2.99!) of all places. Even better!
It's a great Dooney and Burke creation, a little bigger than my last purse. The straps are just the right size, and there are enough compartments that I can keep related items together without mixing stuff up. My wallet, however is still being used because I have yet to find an appropriate one to use with my new bag. One thing at a time...
You know, the new purse really has improved my daily routine! Now I know right where to go for things. Nothing sinks to the bottom, which was always a problem with my previous purse. And I've laid down some ground rules. My son is not allowed to touch my purse. He has his own tote for his toys and snacks. Food, Altoids being the only exception, are forbidden. I can't count how many times I've emptied my bag in the past and have had to shake out crumbs. And the occasional napkin-wrapped chicken wing. Don't ask.
Just yesterday I had to run to the post office, and voila!- it took me two seconds to locate my dime for the parking meter! And this morning, instead of rummaging through the bag with one hand and driving with other trying to find my phone when it rang (bad idea, anyway- I definitely would not endorse this behavior, but I believe we are all guilty!) I reached right into the side pocket and found it right away.
So pleased am I, I really felt it would be beneficial to share this with others. Take a good look at your purse. Analyze it- is it so cute but it's just not functional? At some point, you realize your sanity takes precedence over appearance, and you ditch it for something more practical. It's very liberating! Believe me!
*I'd also like to add that I looked at Dooney and Burke bags online, and I found one similar to mine that retails for $255.
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