I have a giant purse. Huge.
I was even given the cocktail napkins at a retreat after people heard me talk about my undying devotion for oversized bags.
I remember one time telling Roger that I needed a purse with wheels to lug around all my stuff.
Roger told me, “That’s called a suitcase and you have a problem.”
I will always have a giant purse (because I love them and see the napkin above…) but I don’t need to have the back and shoulder pain that go with an overstuffed purse.
So once a week I do my three step method (I use this all over the house, but here it will apply to handbags,) to keeping my bag from overflowing.
1. CLEAR IT OUT I simple take my purse and dump it out in a grocery bag.
- Anything I want to keep (but doesn’t belong in my purse) gets put away. (This is when I go through receipts in my wallet – or the ones that have been thrown in my purse, pieces of paper, etc.)
- Anything that is garbage stays in the bag and gets thrown away.
2. PUT IT BACK Anything that belongs in the purse, stays in the purse. This includes
Wallet (I like the kind that has a place for a checkbook because I still have to write a couple of checks a month, plus, it keeps my business receipts better organized.
Make-up bag
- Lipstick and gloss
- Eye liner
- Powder
- Sunscreen stick
- Blush and brush
- Eyeglass cleaner wipes
- Hand sanitize
Sunglasses case
Cell phone
Keys
Emergency kit
- Hollywood Tape
- $20
- Needle and thread
- Nail glue
3. KEEP IT UP If I do it once a week, it really is easy to stay on top of it.
Also, have a small bag for makeup, and an emergency bag, it makes it easy to transfer the contents of the purse into my computer bag.
So tell me – do you have any fab tips for keeping your bag clean and light?
I have two preschoolers, so I keep two small coloring books (half sheet size) and crayons in my purse for church days. I’ve just recently come across these crayons called Twistables that come in little clear, thin plastic holders. No more crayons rolling around the bottom of my purse! It’s helped me keep things much more organized.
Hi Kathy
My purse, my purse, it’s like carrying an extra person. I recently discovered a way to keep mine a little bit neater. I seen to accumulate all kinds of paper that I think I need to keep i.e. receipts. So that even I hate to see it when I open my purse. So I got a nice zippered cloth bag that I keep in my purse and put all paper into that. so when I open my purse it looks neater. I clean out this bag once a week and find that I throw out most of the paper anyway.
Thanks for the blog. Love it.
My car came with only 1 set of keys so I have to know where they are at all times. A new set will run over $200. I keep them clipped to a ring hanging outside of my purse. I also carry a small backpack/totebag similar to the ones they give out at the Apple store; this holds my Bible, journal/sketchbook, pens, highlighters and what ever book I am currently reading.
I am slowly turning into my mother and one of characteristics is a dwindling purse size. I love my large bags but with my 5 year old, toddler, stroller, diaper bag, etc. I feel a little silly with yet something else huge to carry. But, that said I do agree with a thorough regular cleaning. I usually do it while on the phone with a utility, doc’s office, on hold, etc. A great multitasting chore.
At what age do we start turning into our moms? Does it directly correlate with children? At this rate I will have a change purse with long handle by end of year – or sooner!
i keep my purse clean by changing purses on a daily basis. Yes, I know it’s weird and time consuming but I like change!
Hi Kathi! Fabulous idea. I love myself a huge purse but I never quite get into the dumping it out/cleaning it routine. I’m going to start doing this.
Kathi,
I’m with Amber! Loved the blog, girl!
In order to keep my bag light, I carry a 19 month old named Liam! I keep things like lotion, Bible, gum, nail file, hand sanitizer, etc. in my car. So I guess my car is a huge extension of my purse!
Kathi:
You have piqued my interest: What is Hollywood tape?
Amberly
Hollywood Tape is amazing – it is like double sided tape for your clothes – especially great if you have a shirt that you want to keep a little more “Gidget” than “Basic Instinct”
Hi Kathi,
I have to laugh. I have never carried a purse. I tried, but just can’t get the hang of it – so to speak. BUT – I have a laptop bag that I am teased about constantly. It has been likened to a small suitcase. When people see it, they ask where I am travelling to.
In that bag I have a few items you mention (I am not a make-up person), plus a few other things like extra batteries, gum, and a Bible. There is also enough room for my laptop and it’s accessories, legal pad notebook, my mobile office supply “box” and my Daytimer (which I use as my wallet).
When I leave the house, at the minimum, I carry my Daytimer.
So I guess in a way, I do carry a purse. Well I don’t carry it. It’s on WHEELS!