Today’s post is one of those I dread publishing because it is so simple that (1) I should have done it months ago instead of procrastinating, (2) I’m slightly embarrassed of the befores, and (3) this is hardly a life-changing blog project that will revolutionize your life and break Pinterest until they can move to a larger server.
I cleaned out my purse. [Party noise maker!]
Last week I mentioned that my purse situation was becoming dire, as first world blogging problems do. I wanted to switch to a smaller bag and carry a book bag for my ipad, magazines, books, etc. But how small a bag was a mystery since I filled my garbage bag-sized purse quite nicely. I thought I might be able to get away with a medium-sized bag, but everything I found looked too small or had a prominent logo or something else wrong. Really, I think I felt weird about spending money on a new purse because everything out there seems similar to what I already have. If I really want to feel the difference in my back, I’m going to have to switch to one Meg brilliantly called “not the prettiest girl at the dance.”
I decided to use what I already have until I find something close to perfect, and I’ve already received some great recommendations–I just need to find them in store! I’m not an online shopper. I want to touch it, feel it, and pass out at the price in person. For now, I’m using this purse I blogged about a couple of years ago.
I don’t want to blame my mom for my purse problems, but she doesn’t read my blog so let’s just agree it’s all her fault. I asked her for a wallet for my 40th birthday and she gave me this black one that I didn’t like (I don’t wear much black, ever) but decided to keep because it is of very good quality and compact. Yes, I’m really that practical. It’s a wallet; I don’t care what the person at Starbucks thinks of the one I carry. I care that I have enough money inside of it to go to Starbucks. For me, a wallet has to last years. I carried the one I got for my high school graduation until my 30th birthday, and I replaced that one with this one. I just noticed my wallets are tied to momentous occasions. Weird.
Anyway, this wallet could be great but can’t hold receipts.
So this happened. Since my birthday I’ve been pretending my purse is a portal to a receipt organizing dimension. The important receipts I kept in the wallet and would move to a folder when it become impossible to open my wallet without mimicking a gag can of peanut brittle. Don’t try to understand why I didn’t just toss the other stuff right away because it’s like trying to understand the Rule Against Perpetuities.
This is a comparison of the pile after removing the receipts, coupons, and little trashy bits I should have tossed ages ago.
And this is what happened when I placed all my beauty supplies (DO YOU NEED PLUM LIPGLOSS? I HAVE ALL OF THEM.) in a small makeup bag. I also got rid of the day planner I stopped using months ago, put away the 400 loose business cards, and officially made that floral Anthro clutch-thingy my receipt bag.
Here it all is in the bag. There is room for my ipad and a magazine. The pens I put inside a zippered pocket, but I might move them to their own zippered bag similar to one my mom has. She keeps everything in small pouches. Her purses are always immaculate, organized, and incredibly easy to switch back and forth because it’s as simple as moving a few zippered pouches. Like I said, it’s completely her fault.
I tested out the bag with my ipad in it and it is so uncomfortable. It’s heavy and awkward. The hunt continues, but it’s not pressing.
Now it�s your turn! Feel free to share how you have lived according to the William Morris quote, �Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.� Made a plan? Cleaned a drawer? Bought a sofa? Tell us about it with a link or comment. A few guidelines:
- Please link to a specific post, not a general blog address.
- Your post must relate to your efforts to create an intentional home. I have a delete button, and I�m not afraid to use it.
- No links to giveaways, please.
- Let�s use this weekly link up as an opportunity to gather inspiration and motivation. Click links. Discover new people. Say hi and good job. I know I will.
There’s nothing I like more than a good purse organisation post. This was so satisfying to read, please don’t judge me and my lack of existential priorities.. ;)
I’m forever trying to lighten up my purse which is forever heavier than it should be. Pouches are fab though; I got a set of Fossil pouches as a present (http://gallery.allwomenstalk.com/Bags/2011/02/9-cute-clutch-bags/3_fossil-key-per-triple-pouch_9-cute-clutch-bags.jpg this kind, although different styles) and it’s revolutioned my bags. I use the small one as a wallet – cards, cash, ID and receipts all perfectly fit in – and the medium one holds hand wipes (decanted in a ziplock bag, because I really am that anal), tweezers, pressed powder, bandaids, painkillers and err ladies’ supplies. Because they’re sturdy, my purse is always organised and it’s indeed super easy to switch purses in a hurry.
However let’s not talk about the 20 bobby pins, hair elastics and 13 lipsticks and lipglosses I barely ever use. (btw, I adore plum glosses. There.)
But yeah, I can’t recommend the flat pouches thing enough.
I love your rosy pink purse. A favorite style of mine and surprisingly not easy to find. I have had success managing receipts using a recycled item. Somewhere i came upon one of those free useless very snall pocket calendars that come with a plastic cover and are often given away in December by various local stores. I pitched the calendar and made it a neat organizer with pockets on two sides to stuff my receipts. This is really handy during November and December when holiday shopping. I admire your ability to stick with a purse and wallet for years and years! Good for you!
Are you kidding? This is a fabulous William Morris post . . . Of course, I’m in desperate need to do the same . . .
I like your lovely receipt receptacle. :) Those pesky things multiply, I swear; must find a way to reel them in.
Oops – somehow posted this on your last Morris post by accident. Trying again:
� Since my birthday I�ve been pretending my purse is a portal to a receipt organizing dimension.� Brilliant!
Even more brilliant? A blog post that mentions both plum lip gloss and The Rule Against Perpetuities! (whispering) I actually understand the Rule Against Perpetuities. And when I went to Mega Law Firm as an associate, my first assignment was to figure out how to use it to get what a client wanted. I might be one of the few (living) attorneys who has
used it. (Not sure if that�s a source of pride or embarrassment that I�m such a law nerd.)
Lately, I feel like I should be getting paid as an Evernote Evangelizer, but…
Have you used Evernote?
I’ve found it’s the perfect way to save receipts, business cards and all the other detritus that falls to the bottom of my purse. I snap a cameraphone picture of said article of paper and file it away for when I need it. Evernote *magically* turns those pictures of words into text that is searchable. It also syncs across whatever devices you have it loaded to – desktop, laptop, tablet, mobile phone, etc.
It can do so much more (endless possibilities!), but this is one of the handiest uses I’ve found for it.
I second the recommendation of Evernote to capture receipts — especially because I think your photo includes an iPhone, Jules, and the Evernote app for iPhone is the easiest thing I use. It might fit into your life beautifully.
That said, thank you so much for this post. I love the pouches!
As for purses… I use and highly recommend the convertible Isabelle Hobo bag from Coach’s Madison collection. The leather is gorgeous and supple, the lining colors are incredibly cheerful, and the bag is very lightweight, and roomy without being large — I can carry it on the subway at rush hour and not take up any extra space. I regularly tuck my lunch bag and iPad into the purse each morning, and sometimes file folders for meetings mid-day. It might work for you, if you can find you to test on your shopping trip. <3
Minus the lip gloss (I’m lucky if I can find a tube of Burt’s Bees), your before photo might as well be my purse. I’m sure I have extra makeup bags and pouches stashed all over this house–time to put them to good use.
I’m the same way about wallets. Just now, I tried to remember what my wallet looks like and it really took some work. I do realize that it’s in the purse here in my desk, but truly: the appearance of my wallet is so inconsequential to me that I forgot what it looked like, and I’ve been using this one for a good eight years now. Like you, I care whether or not there’s money in it or adequate funds in the bank account associated with the Visa card in it.
Anyway. Now I want a new wallet. And I want to clean out my purse. Neither is going to happen while I’m at work, but I will officially spend my down time today shopping for one online.
Your before bag doesn’t really look that cavernous. I use this, which can double as an overnight bag.
I can’t use a leather tote, because I would probably injure myself with the added weight.
http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/longchamp-tote-le-pliage-large-shoulder?ID=641314
It has one tiny pocket on the inside, but other than that it is pretty much a black hole. I find the multiple pouches the only way to go–otherwise I would never find my earbuds.
When I am not lugging all my worldly possessions to work, I use a smaller leather crossbody bag that I received as a gift. It is by Tignanello–they have many smaller leather options that I might purchase if I could justify buying another bag that I would only use on the weekends. they make a few “organizer” styles, but I think I prefer using my own pouches because it makes it easier to switch bags. They sell them in department stores–in my area they have them at Macy’s.
My daughter uses Longchamp and pretty much beats them to death – but they hold up beautifully in our experience. And it is nice to start out with something that isn’t heavy when it’s empty.
That Longchamp is what I’ve been looking for, and it comes in a medium! I would do the black since it has brown straps, which somehow gives me the illusion that it goes with everything and matches my wallet. (I’m a bit crazy.) I may have found my bag and my birthday present. Thank you!
I have a green Tignanello bag, also in leather. It wasn’t until you said something, Heather, that I realized the weight of the leather is what is making my bags so uncomfortable. Duh.
Great post! Your “before” picture looks exactly like my purse did, right down to the 135 receipts and 23 plum lipglosses. What I ended up doing was buying a much smaller purse; one that only holds my wallet, keys, phone, sunglasses and a few other odds and ends. That way it forces me not to collect all the other random things in there. If I need to bring more with me, I use a Vera Bradley tote (I’m kind of over Vera Bradley, but the totes are a great size and have good pockets) and slip my smaller purse inside.
Coincidentally, after reading the comments, this is the second time today that I read about someone who has/loves that Longchamp tote. I think it’s fate, and I might need to get one and retire my Vera Bradleys! Good luck on your quest for the perfect bag!
I think the Longchamp is it! My birthday is in a few months, and I think I’ll get the medium in black.
I just bought the black to put away for the holidays for my younger daughter, and I like it so much I might get one for me too. I mean, put it on my wishlist and hope someone buys it for me. :)
Yeah Jules! Treat yourself. I’m going to do the same, for my birthday in a month. I need to go and see it in person to see what size I want. And I had the same rationale about getting the black one (it goes with everything, right?!)
My sister showed me “the way of the pouches” a few years ago and it has been the best for finding what I need and changing purses. I use the little cosmetic bags that come with those free samples in them from Target, maybe quarterly. It is also easy to find the ones people get at the dept. store cosmetic counters at the thrift store for super cheap. Thanks for posting this. I love all the William Morris projects – big and small! Also, the joke about the portal to a receipt organizing dimension was excellent!
A receipt bag is a stroke of genius. That would solve 96% of my purse problems!
I carried a Land’s End bag as purse / briefcase for years back in the dark ages before even mobile phones never mind all the gadgets out now. I’m too tightwad to do the electronic media things that seemingly vacuum the brain and bank account. The Land’s End bag worked beautifully except that I would fill it and injure my back. When I retired I switched to purses and found them tedious so now I mostly use backpacks with only a bottle of water and a notebook in the large section, so it’s ready for the odd purchase, a bit of grocery shopping or some library books (!!). It’s not chic or stylish but it’s fine for me. I can carry more weight safely on my back and still have my hands free for other things…
Great reference to R.A.P – it really made my day!