Fess up! What’s in your handbag?
October 10th, 2008This might be a personal question, but I’m happy sharing the contents of my handbag. I don’t carry very much because I change out my handbags often. Sometimes twice a day if I need a clutch at night. This strategy allows me to have many handbags, which is my consolation for being unable to have loads of shoes (fussy feet have small footwear wardrobes). Having an assortment of handbags also allows me to have fun with different looks, and sport a healthy posture.
This is it:
- Wallet
- Keys
- Cell phone
- Tissues
- Lipstick
- Small notebook and pen
- Business cards
- Travel-size tin of Nivea hand cream
I don’t need to carry books, gum, snacks, make-up case, sunglasses, medication, a camera, kids toys or a bottle of water. Greg’s wallet often ends up in my handbag when we go out, but nothing else. How is the contents of your handbag different to mine? Let us know in the comments if you are comfortable sharing this info.
October 10th, 2008 at 9:41 am
I’m your opposite. I love big bags so I can carry a lot. Today’s bag contains:
Digital Camera w/USB cord
Flip Camera
Business Card Case w/business cards
wallet
keys
Kate Spade cosmetic pouch w/lipstick, lipgloss, chapstick, mirror, powder and min perfume
hand lotion
bebe sunglasses and case
tin of Peek a Boob Strips
Hello Kitty Notepad
pencil
two Detox tea bags
Vitamin E face mist
Pepper Spray (I have to be careful not to mix up the face mist with the pepper spray - LOL)
October 10th, 2008 at 9:44 am
On any given day I do have to carry some kids stuff:) Usually I have a small makeup pouch(holds lipstick, lipgloss, chapstick, oil blotters), wallet, notepad, pen, small diaper holder, snacks and drinks for the kids in the side pocket. Fortunately I am at the point where I don’t need a full on diaper bag but my mission for each season is to find a larger bag with side pockets for the drinks. This was my most recent purchase http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....ryID=27693
October 10th, 2008 at 9:46 am
I have my wallet, cell phone, business card holder, lip balm, small mirror, small hairbrush, Rescue Remedy spray, and a small notebook. I’m not too ashamed of the small amount of contents…I’m more embarassed that I carry a small Dickies purse–hee hee! I’m in my 30’s. I do have nicer handbags…But, the stylish ones today are so large…My stuff gets lost in ‘em. If anyone wants to recommend a small designer bag to me?
Maybe one of those small Coach clutches? 
October 10th, 2008 at 9:54 am
You make a great point about a minimum of purse items making it easier to change bags. To your list I have to add a comb and couple of hair pins in case I need to put my hair up, my blood glucose monitor, and South Beach bar in case my blood sugar drops. Often store coupons. Too often I end up with lots of receipts. How do others deal with these?
October 10th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Oh, goodness.
wallet, cell phone, mirror, assortment of old shopping lists, coupons, and receipts (now sorted out and taken care of), chapstick, candies, chocolate, a book (Wuthering Heights), mascara, keys, bus pass, keycard for work, bluetooth headset, pen, extra hair elastics/hair pins
Typically I also carry my significant other’s insulin in my purse when we are out together.
October 10th, 2008 at 10:00 am
I have the basics: wallet, phone, pen, lip balm, brush. Then I have those things that are specific to my “always be over-prepared” motto: extra car key, paperback (If I don’t have a book, I start reading labels and fine print on ads. So this is a necessity to keep from looking like a nut.), glasses cloth, water bottle (sometimes), and a small makeup bag to carry feminine products. Carrying a giant purse to the restroom is like holding a street sign.
I’ve been known to stuff various discarded toddler items of clothing, hair accessories, and jewelry in my bag and use it as a briefcase (this should give you some idea of its size!).
I love posts like this… it’s always interesting to find out what other people find are necessary, and you can get handy ideas.
October 10th, 2008 at 10:03 am
I would also like to know how other people deal with coupons and receipts
They are often the culprit when my handbag is a mess.
October 10th, 2008 at 10:11 am
My purse changes are pretty easy, but that’s because I have a clear makeup bag that holds all the small stuff that would otherwise fall to the bottom of the purse and be impossible to find when you want it.
I typically carry:
- keys
- cell phone
- wallet
- sunglasses case
- plastic makeup bag containing: multiple lip glosses, headache medicine, face powder, hair elastic and bobby pins, mini sewing kit (tiny, hotel freebie), perfume sample vials, Lactaid pills, tweezers, Burt’s Bee’s Res-Q Ointment, and allergy/sinus pills or cough drops (depending on the season)
October 10th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Well. . . . . I have my old, broken wallet ( I do plan to purchase a new one, after reading Angie’s article the other day), small cosmetic bag (lipstick, dental floss, band-aids, aspirin) tissues, keys, sunglasses, calendar, pen, reading glasses (can’t leave home without them!! ), gum/mints. . . . . whew!!! I tend to like an east/west style purse, and zippered satchels (like the bowling bag style), this way, my purse doesn’t become a black hole. As usual Angie. . . . . great article!!
October 10th, 2008 at 10:14 am
I also keep a minimum in my handbag:
Keys
Wallet
Phone
Lipstick
Bus tokens
Makes it MUCH easier to change bags! (Before I got the cell phone, I often didn’t carry a bag at all, just the keys in my pocket and wallet in my hands.)
October 10th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Well….
I carry the same Coach Bag every day - I change purses about every two - three months.
In the bag: Wallet, Checkbook, Moleskin Calendar, My Iphone, several pens, a small notebook, an envelope of coupons, and a small vera bradley bag w/ antibacterial gel, mints, a few extra hairpins and elastic, and tylenol. Oh, sunglasses and my classroom keys, too.
If it fits comfortably, I don’t mind carrying it in my purse.
October 10th, 2008 at 10:20 am
ooops. . . . how could I forget cell phone in my purse!! (whatever did we do before them). As far as coupons and receipts, I put receipts in my wallet (where the checkbook goes) to insure that I record them in my checkbook. Once home, I transfer the receipt from my wallet into an empty envelope box (just for this purpose). This way, they are all in one place, and easy to retrieve whenever my husband balances the checkbook or I need to make a return. Of course any type of bin or basket would be much more “attractive” than my little box”.
As far as coupons, I keep the department store coupons in my wallet (since I might make a spontaneous stop at the mall) — this way, I always have my coupons with me. Every so often, I go through my wallet and toss out the expired coupons. Hope this helps.
October 10th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Let’s see….In my handbag is:
My Wallet
Makeup bag with assorted lipglosses, lipsticks, perfume and powder
Keys
Cellphone
Bluetooth
Notepad
Several ink pens
Silk scarf
Lifesavers
Gum - for my sweetie
Wow, that’s a lot.
October 10th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Usually:
o tiny wallet with essentials (no cash)
o cell phone
o keys– actually these get put in a drawer at home
o receipts– I need a better method for these too but I don’t transfer them between purses
o diapers (but I don’t transfer these just replenish as necessary– I just keep two in every purse except clutches)
Sometimes (when I remember)
o lipstick
o larger more complete wallet
o sunglasses (I actually try to keep these in the car usually)
I always thought changing purses was a hassle. Now that I move two things between purses usually– cell phone and essential wallet– it’s much easier. Keys get grabbed out of a drawer as I walk out the door.
October 10th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Oh dear. I carry a big handbag that is always overstuffed and I hardly ever change it because it’s so much trouble. I seriously need to downsize. Here is my list:
Wallet, keys, cellphone, garage door opener, appointment book, cheque book, hairbrush, makeup case, 2 lipsticks, small notepad, about 15 pens (some of which are not mine), small umbrella, 3 books, hair elastics, couple of barettes, 2 handkerchiefs, sunglasses, business cards, water bottle, letters I need to mail today, assorted receipts, calculator, vitamin pills, and safety pins.
No wonder the thing weighs about 25 lbs.
October 10th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Ha, mine is going to be ridiculous:
-Wallet, of course
-Anywhere from 1-3 folders that are stuffed to the point of tearing (one for each class)
-A pouch holding my pencils, glue stick, x-acto knife and blades, white out pen, and Sharpie markers
-Small hair brush, lip balm, pack of gum, lip gloss (just in case though I hardly ever use it), oil-absorbing sheets, a little fan from Chinatown which I need to remove since it’s no longer hot enough to justify carrying it, hair elastics, and a few bobby pins
-Sometimes I’ll have some other artsy-craftsy odds and ends in there like Studio Tac and bristol board, but usually not
-Phone and ipod
-Small notebook
On Thursdays, when I have work but no classes, I size down significantly. I just have my phone, lip balm, brush, ipod, wallet, and a granola bar. Sometimes I experience a nanosecond of panic, thinking that I left my bag behind somewhere, before realizing that I actually do have my bag and it’s just significantly lighter than what I normally slug around. I really do feel a bit naked and strange carrying around such a small bag and always wonder if I’m forgetting something.
October 10th, 2008 at 11:24 am
I carry a big bag, but with only a few things, since the size of my bag (large tote or small clutch) depends on whether or not I’ll be at school, and what classes I have that day.
On my clutch days:
wallet
bus pass & id
keys
hairpins and elastics (an absolute must)
phone
ipod,
chapstick
BREATHMINTS
When going out with friends, I carry my pepper spray, as well.
On my tote days, I might also carry a pencil, small sketchbook, glue stick, small craft scissors, flash drive, lipstick, and small mirror. Most of the time though, just a pencil and my schoolwork, and my jacket or sweater will get stashed inside.
I took some pictures of my clutch and its contents over the summer:
http://i15.photobucket.com/alb.....1525b6.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/alb.....e2dd5b.jpg
The contents are mostly the same.
October 10th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Changing handbags is always something I consider a chore, so I only do it about twice a year. I carry my white bag in the spring, and once I have to start wearing jackets I switch over to my winter bag which is usually black. Handbags are throw-away fashion for me. I never spend over $30 on one, and they last a year or two; then I get a new one. I’m not against fun colored handbags or carrying a white bag in the winter. I just like having something that goes with every outfit for the season and not having one more thing to do every morning (picking out a bag and moving my stuff into it). Clutches are something I reserve for formal occasions, which don’t happen often in my life.
All of that said, here is what is in my purse. It may seem a long list, but I’m very picky about it being organized, so it’s not a problem for me. I think I’ll win the prize for the longest list on here.
Wallet (containing: change, my driver’s license, a few pictures, gift cards, and far too many credit cards)
Small calendar
Pen
Note pad that serves as my shopping list and for notes to self
Small, flat calculator
Checkbook (which I almost never use anymore)
Small make up bag (containing: hand cream, small mirror, lipstick, chap stick, lip gloss, and my 8GB flash drive)
My inhaler (It’s habit since I have exercise induced asthma, although I don’t need it as much now that I’m not in high school and spending a lot of time doing sports)
A comb
Small tube of sunscreen
Sunglasses
Klenex
An Altoids box (containing Altoids, vitamin C drops, gum and things like aspirin)
In whatever small pockets my purse has: nail clippers and file, shout wipe, eye drops, hand sanitizer, floss, my cell phone, and a digital voice recorder (which I use in classes as well as in practicing singing)
October 10th, 2008 at 11:33 am
As I mentioned on the forum, I am trying to swap purses more often. To make this easier, I adopted the approach someone suggested of using the freebie make-up cases from the dept store free gifts to group items. On the upside, most have a light interior and it has made finding my dark-colored wallet, cell phone and keys easier– at least until I break down and get a new wallet. I have three pieces to my purse:
1. small cosmetics bag 1 (the must haves– or what would make it into a clutch): wallet, keys, blackberry, building pass, lip gloss, brush/mirror combo, sunglasses
2. small costmetics bag 2 (infrequently used items): bandaids, business card holder (cards on one half, coupons on the other ), gum, ponytail holder or two or ten (!), tissues, shout wipes in single serve size, mini sharpie, thin pen, mini purell
3. Envirosax (resuable shopping bag)
My bag is a tote sized just large enough to also hold my laptop and do add this for the commute but never have it in at lunch or on days off.
October 10th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Oh yeah, keys too.
October 10th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Oh dear my purse is a mess! I carry a basic black coach purse and I never change it out unless I want to carry my wristlet (which I keep in my glove box), like at a kid’s park etc. that only fits my cell and keys. The problem I have is with kids wipes, snacks, small toys, and tons of change, which somehow ends up at the bottom of my purse, along with business cards and bits of paper. I am good with receipts, they always go straight into my wallet. Somehow the change never makes it there. LOL.
October 10th, 2008 at 11:42 am
New to posting to the forum, but love this site. My handbag’s contents seems minimalist. Wallet, keys, Kleenex, pouch for asthma inhaler and eye drops, 2 pens, small notepad, sunglasses. I don’t have cell phone or wear any makeup, so don’t need any of that clutter. Sometimes I’ll have an elastic to catch up my hair. I want my bag to be pretty light weight. Sometimes, I just carry my keys, my ID and a debit card.
October 10th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
I have nothing that I wouldn’t want any security guard to see if a search was required.
At this very moment.
Wallet
Casio camera
Hair pick
Hand lotion
Tylenol Go Tabs
Flashlight
Hairclip
Breath spray
Tape measure
Neosporin neo to go
All in one screwdriver
Floss
Bottle opener
A tiny Tupperware container full of Tylenol
A roll of film
Makeup; power foundation, lip-gloss, lipstick, blush, matte finish sheets
Extra car key
Dailies contact lenses
Eye drops
Very small Swiss army knife
Golf pencil
Receipts
Finger nail file
Tissue
I’m a girlie girl when I’m not farming.
I confess, I’ll spend the money for bags that I love! I should change my hand bags out more often. This has forced me to brain storm for a solution to doing just that. Thanks Angie!
October 10th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Guaranteed to be in any purse I carry:
- Hand sanitizer
- hand soap sheets (can’t be prepared enough for shady restrooms!)
- keys
- pen(maybe a pencil)
- wallet
- lip balm(s)
- phone
- two aleve
- tissues
- eyeglass wipes
- travel size tin of nivea hand creme… it’s the best!
I used to carry a child’s backpack filled with EVERYTHING, in case of an emergency, which never really happened. I went to not carrying a purse, and now I only carry small ones.
October 10th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
I try to carry as small a bag as possible, but it’s still full of cra—err, stuff, so I still need some sort of satchel. Especially on workdays. I always have my wallet, cell phone, two sets of keys (personal and work), business cards, lip balm, lipstick, travel size Aveeno lotion, ibuprofen, allergy pills, Altoids, gum, sunglasses, Bluetooth earpiece that I’ve NEVER used, iPod, pen, tampons, Ms. Manicure emery boards (the set that looks like a matchbook), hair elastic, bobby pins, small notepad, small packet of almonds, tissues, receipts I always forget to shred, and about 10 pounds of spare change at the bottom!
On the weekends I usually try to switch just the wallet, keys, phone, and lip balm to a much smaller bag in order to save my shoulders while out running errands!
October 10th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
It’s funny how similar people’s lists seem to be! Mine varies slightly depending on the size bag I’m carrying. It generally comes down to whether I want to add essentials +1 or essentials +2. Let me elaborate:
Essentials (clutch, small bag):
-Wallet
-Cell phone
-Key book (so they don’t scratch or get tangled up)
-A small tube of hand creme (L’Occitane preferred)
-A pen
-Lip gloss/pencil/whatever I’m using
-Blotting tissue
Essentials +1 (medium sized tote, hobo or satchel):
-All that’s in Essentials
-A book
-My makeup bag (a whole other list!)
-iPod
-Small notepad and pen
Essentials +2 (large tote/hobo/satchel):
-All that is in Essentials +1
-Macbook
-Nintendo DS (I like to be occupied :P)
-A lighter (you never know)
-A shawl, light jacket or scarf
-A pair of flats if I’m wearing heels
And as a bonus, in my makeup bag:
-Tweezers
-Small makeup brush
-Cosmetic mirror
-Bobby pins
-Safety pins
-Hair ties
-Small pair of scissors
-Bandaids
-Q-tips
-Nail file
-Tissue
-Blotting papers
-Touch-up powder
-Lip pencil/gloss/stick
-Lip balm
-Touche Eclat
-Travel-sized sunscreen
-Travel-sized hair cream
-Zit cream
It’s a lot of stuff, but most of it is really small; if anybody ever asks, “Do you have (insert item)?” I’ve probably already pulled it out for them!
October 10th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
wallet
sunglasses
cell phone
keys to office
pocket digi-camera
nail file
lip gloss
tampons
pen
craft store coupons
car keys
………………surprisingly not as much as I thought. It sure feels a lot heavier though. I carry medium bags during the week for everything, then little bitty bags on the weekend. On the weekend I just need my phone, gloss, and a couple of cards.
October 10th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
I take the bus to work so I have a larger bag during the day:
during work day:
small wallet, cellphone, keys, mini iPod, paperback (to read on bus), knife (to ward off bums and pimps on way from bus stop, but looking for bear spray), small cosmetic bag for lip gloss, eyedrops, tampons, gum, and compact, and usually whatever 2 smaller tupperwares are carrying my lunch.
if I go out in the evening:
small wallet, cellphone, keys, and my lipgloss will actually fit inside my wallet, so sometimes I don’t even need a purse.
as far as receipts&coupons:
I keep coupons in an envelope on the fridge next to the grocery list and only carry it to the store.
for receipts, I usually tear and throw on the spot, or fold them into my wallet and pitch them later. I don’t balance my accounts, just download transactions from the bank into budgeting software and look over them every day.
If i need a receipt for a large purchase/rebate/clothing (things that might have to be returned), I keep the receipt pinned to the new clothing, or for appliances etc, it goes in the file cabinet with the user’s guide.
October 10th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I have 2 Vera Bradley zip pouches for my purse. One is for receipts and change, the other for cosmetics and a pillbox. This has made my life much more tidy. I also love using the long flat, wallets for cards and paper money. Having an outside phone pouch is an essential. Now if I could just put my keys in a pouch of their own each time!
October 10th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
When I started using a cane two months ago, when I broke my knee (operation next week, finally!), I realized how much in my purse I didn’t need as an over-shoulder, small as possible bag was all I wanted to manage with a cane or more weight on the knee than my own :^)
Now its:
wallet
small makeup bag (pillbox, chapstick, lipstick, compact, floss, mints, hair tie, bobby pins)
car keys
house and work keys
tissues
phone in the outside pocket
All rest of stuff I “need” is stashed in a work drawer or in the car and at home, I don’t really need to have it in a purse.
Loved the new wallet talk yesterday - I’m feeling the need for a new one too. I’m with you, Angie, I love pulling a bright wallet out of the purse, makes me smile, and it doesn’t get lost with everything else.
October 10th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Cell Phone
Lip Gloss
Tissues
Check Book
Pen and notebook
Gum
Car, house and office keys
IPod
Floss
Small tube of hand cream
I am surprised I don’t carry more. I just carry a large bag. I think I would feel lost without it. Of course when going outI have a variety of gorgeous clutches!
October 10th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
I started a new job where I travel more so I’ve upgraded to a bigger purse (I got the green one and it looks better in person…): http://www.payless.com/Catalog.....bagsWomens
Wallet
Keys
Cell phone
IPod
calendar
receipt book (travel expenses)
Chapstick/lipstick
Hairspray
Antibacterial lotion (I’m traveling to nursing homes…)
mints
medications
lots of pens
nail file (mine always chip)
nametag
sometimes pepper spray
Joy and Emily Kate - here is the web address or the receipt book: http://gifts.barnesandnoble.co.....0641768897
I also have a friend that uses his iPhone to take pictures of his receipts and somehow files them that way. Way too sophisticated for me!
October 10th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
I don’t carry a “purse”, but when I carry a messenger bag, I carry things differently. If there’s a star, it’s essential.
-Cell phone*
-Wallet (Need a new one)*
-Keys*
-Digicam*
-Book*
-Nintendo DS/PSP plus 1 game
-Medicine (That’s a whole another story, but it includes thermometer)*
-Tissues (when I have a cold this would be starred)
-Ziplock bag for trash when there’s not a trashcan in sight*
-Water Bottle*
-Planner*
-Extra pair of socks
-Deodorant
-Pocket watch*
October 11th, 2008 at 2:45 am
I have a post about my new bag at my blog…but the only things I tend to carry regularly besides your awesome list….is my digicam (DH travels a lot and I try to capture everyday moments for him to see….) and my knitting. I think I would hyperventilate if I left the house without it!
P.S. I too carry a red wallet - don’t you just love Hobo - they make the best ones I think!
October 11th, 2008 at 7:57 am
OK, now that I’ve read everyone else’s I don’t feel so bad about my own list!
Wallet
Large makeup bag (which has the UNIVERSE in it, tampons, mini lotion, mini hair gel, mini deodorant, lip balm, a tiny comb, Rolaids … shall I go on?)
Check book
Sunglasses
iPod
Phone
Gum
Pen
Tissues
I must have a giant bag, too, unless I’m just going out for an evening. And keeping all the sundries in a makeup bag makes switching bags a snap!
October 11th, 2008 at 9:22 am
My handbag contains:
- Wallet
- Pouch containing extra, rarely used cards like Staples club card or movie club card
- Pouch containing feminine hygiene basics in case of a surprise
- Pouch containing chapstick, lipstick, swiss army knife, small packet hand lotion, mini flashlight, individual packets moist towelettes, individual packet alcohol pad, band-aid, hair band, pen
- Tic-tacs
- Cell phone
October 11th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Usually a wallet, cellphone, tissues, lipstick, ipod, notebook, pen, sunglasses, glasses, keys, memory stick, book. When kids are with, add 2 nappies, bag for dirty nappies, small bum cream, wipes. Receipts are just stuffed into the handbag, but I’m quite good with taking them out when I get home - I don’t like receipts in my bag except if I need it for my outing.
October 11th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Yes… I do carry a small bag. Can’t stand to have my pockets lined with all the accoutrements I have to carry during the day. Cell Phone, wallet, Blackberry, keys, tissue, sunglasses, travel toothbrush and toothpaste, face cleaning pads.
October 11th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Keys, cell phone, calendar, wallet, pens, bluetooth headset, hair ties, bobby pins, gum, calculator, and assorted detritus that has made it to my purse to be put somewhere else. If I am carrying the larger of my purses I can fit either a water bottle or a paperback book.
October 11th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Oh dear, call me a notebook fetishist, or an analogue freak - I’m going to ask anyway: what kind of small notebook is that? And what pen do you use for taking notes?
Me myself I’m strictly into Moleskines and Lamy. And i have no handbag at all - the free space in my Tucano Second Skin folder is rather limited. Pockets do the rest of the job.
October 11th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
I have a range of bags for particular occasions, with different sizes to suit the amount of stuff I need to take with me. I prefer to carry as little as possible, which for me means I am most often carrying a tiny hand bag that fits my wallet, phone, keys and a lip gloss. I take a bigger bag if I need to take an umbrella, lunch, books, paperwork, makeup, etc.
For me, none of my stuff ever lives in my bag. At the end of the day I take everything out, including receipts from my wallet, and store my bag back in the wardrobe. Each morning I choose and fill whichever bag suits me that day. It keeps my bag very clean from collecting junk!
October 11th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
My purse contains:
- wallet
- keys
- cell phone
- small cosmetic pouch— sunscreen, hand lotion, SPF15 chapstick, comb
- sunglasses
- silk scarf
- notepad + pen
sometimes:
- hat
- gloves
- bottled water
October 12th, 2008 at 10:33 am
I posted earlier but my post got eaten. Here goes again!
I am using the chameleon insert, so no wallet at the moment. I have in it:
- cell phone
- sunglasses
- two tubes of lipstick (I always end up with more than that)
- credit cards, DL, health care cards, DSW and Sephora reward program cards…. all in the designated pockets of the chameleon insert
- bills in the velcro compartment
- big stack of clothing store coupons, folded into credit card size where necessary, and held together by a hairband.
- nicotine gum (quit over two-and-a-half years ago, but will probably chew the gum the rest of my life to ensure I stay quit)
- a few tissues, if I remember to grab them
- handy collabsible brush
- pen
- I want to get a tiny notepad
- key chain - it’s a cool key chain; it detaches into two pieces, one for car key and one for house key. Very convenient. Plus, it has chapstick on the ring so I am never without it.
These are the items that go from purse to purse and I’m never without. Every purse is well stocked (in zipper compartment) with sanitary products, because you never know when you may need them (especially since I’m perimenopausal now).
In summer, I usually have a powder compact for the shiny forehead. In winter, I usually have a pair of gloves.
If I’m carrying an oversize tote, and depending on where I’m going for the day, I add to this. Like yesterday, as I headed for the ER, anticipating a lot of time to kill, I threw in a bottle of water, a book and a magazine to read. I ended up added my left shoe. Still had plenty of room, believe it or not!
If weather is subject to change, I may throw in rain hat, compact umbrella, cardi, wool hat, scarf (tied to my handbag strap).
Change: I hate carrying change because it gets too heavy. I also hate hunting around for change when I’m buying something (I usually use my ATM to pay for everything - so carry very little “real” money anyway).
Every few days, I sweep out all the quarters, and put them in the car for parking meters. The rest goes into a basket, when it gets full, the kids roll it up in sleeves, and we deposit in the bank, or take it to one of those machines where you can convert it into gift cards. We usually get starbucks gift cards so we can keep us supplied in good coffee.
October 12th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
It depends on where I’m going.
But in most cases:
My iPAQ Pocket PC, mini headphones, tissues (though usually it’s a napkin from a cafe and not a pack of tissues), lip balm\lip gloss\lipstick of the day, powder (for its mirror), sometimes eyeliner, money & cards (not in a wallet but tucked into a zip pocket, unless the bag is really large), keys, gum
In summer: + small chinese fan & sunglasses
In winter: + hand lotion
Sometimes: wallet, pen, cell phone, Swiss army knife, medication, ID
Yeah, I’m one of those strange people who rarely use cell phones
October 14th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
wallet, wide tooth hair comb, Rescue Remedy spray, Total Effect face cream, hand lotion, Olay spf 30 zinc sunscreen, Neutrogena spf 70 dry touch sunscreen, keys, various partly used gift cards, bobbie pins, hair clips, occasionally a pony tail elastic, sunglasses, black embrodiered (has a lobster on it) sunglass case from Mexico, Revlon yellow neutralizer face powder, pressed, powder brush, two neutral toned lip glosses.
October 16th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Late to the party, but here we go! I carry the same medium-size bag almost every day and don’t do a lot of switching around.
* Wallet/checkbook
* Keys
* Cell-phone
* iPod Nano
* Digital camera
* Breath mints
* Travel-size tubes of hand cream and Aquaphor
* Sharpie marker, ballpoint pen
* Umbrella (this is Seattle after all!)
* Sunglasses
* Bus pass and office keycard
* Mini-bottle of Aleve
* MAC Blot compact
* At least 2 lip glosses or lipsticks
* Band-aids
* Disposal latex gloves tucked into a zippered side pocket (these are kind of an “emergency” item, useful nonetheless)
* Hand sanitizer
* Hairpins
* Emery board
Other things that I switch in and out as needed:
* Gloves
* Scarf
* Collapsible fan from Chinatown
* Collapsible hairbrush/mirror if I’m wearing my hair down that day. (i.e. rare!)
* Kleenex
I want a Moleskine too.
October 17th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Cell, keys, wallet, 1 hair elastic, 1 tampon, tide pen, lip gloss, gum, oil blotters, usb drive, trial size clinique powder foundation, mirror, rollerball perfume, stack of rubberbanded gift cards and an empty mac eyeshadow case holding two advil. occasionally sunglasses.
Receipts are my pet peeve. I save a lot of them, but never allow them in my bag. I’m not really sure what receipts everyone is hanging onto, but this is my system: At gas stations I say no reciept, at restaurants I tear them in half and toss them on my way out and at stores I always say to put the receipt in the bag. Then, when I get home I take the purchase out of the bag and put the reciept in one of a few places: 1. large home purchases go in the file box with warranties or instruction books 2. clothing reciepts go in a basket on the floor of my closet and 3. others go into a random receipt box in my office.
If I’m going to return something, I put the receipt in the bag with the item when I leave to return it.
As for store coupons, I keep them in the door of my car next to maps and take them with me on my way into the store I plan to use them in. Restaurant coupons are a huge pain and usually I just store them at home for take out.
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:52 am
Oh jeez.
-wallet
-moleskin weekly planner
-Magnificat
-subway pass
-work security card
-iPhone and headphones
-bobby pins and hair elastics
-sunglasses
-small hairbrush
-manicure kit
-mini pack of tissues
-mail I need to mail
-mail I need to read
-reciepts galore
-chapstick
- three lipglosses
-make-up bag with blotting powder, concealer, blush, blush brush, mini perfume, and mascara (I never seem to get the make-up on until I’m in the bathroom at the office)
I’ll clean it out - really I will! someday…
October 24th, 2008 at 5:59 am
[…] Frall Friday!, I’m just a Girl, Just for FUN!, Lifestyle, Meme I recently saw this post on You Look Fab. The name of the game is you dump the contents of your purse and explain their purpose. I […]
October 24th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Without looking:
-wallet
-house keys
-work keys
-cell phone
-lipgloss
-lipstick
-chapstick
-kleenex
-moisturizer
-book
-pen
-sunglasses
-hairbrush
And now I’ll look and see what I’ve missed…
-feminine hygiene products
-random business cards that should be in my wallet or desk at home
-hat and gloves (it was -2 when I left the house this morning)
November 12th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
I’ll chime in. I have always chosen extremely small purses that barely fit my wallet and checkbook at the same time… until I started knitting. Now my purses are big enough to also tuck in a sock knitting or similar very small project. In addition to that, my purse always has:
wallet, keys, lip balm, lip color, lip gloss, emery board, a single mint, one pen, small folded paper for notes, cell phone, pocket rosary
Recently I returned to carrying & using my PDA, so that’s a recent addition.
As needed, I add one or another of these: iPod mini & headphones, checkbook, Tupperware catalog or flyers (I sell the stuff).