Let’s get purseonal…
I said purse–in case your mind went dirty. Purses are so fun and personal. What kind we use in general, and what goes in them.
So today I have a two part question for you. We’re getting purseonal. *Wince* Bad joke? Well I made it in the subject line, too. I’m full of them. Don’t get me going. Okay. Onto the question.
The first part…
Do you like a designer purse that screams designer–like has the name somewhere on it.
Or do you like to a purse that still looks fabulous–but doesn’t scream who made it.
Me, I’m the purse with no names. That little hippie purse above is by Isabella Fiore, but you may not know that unless you happen to drool over her stuff (like me! And some day, with a nice royalty check/advance I’ll buy one. Maybe.).
Second question. If we were to turn your purse upside down and shake it, what would we find? Besides a wallet. 
What’s in your purse? Like without fail? Here’re mine…
1. Cell phone. I can’t imagine not having my cell phone on me. When I forget it at home or something, I feel naked. Panicked. Isolated.
2. Inhaler (yes I’m asthmatic) That’s another panic moment when I forget it. If I don’t have it I swear it’s hard to breathe. Just because I know I don’t have it.
3. Lip gloss I don’t do makeup every day by any means, but I AM a lip gloss addict. Completely. Like any brand from cheap to way too much. I love it. All flavors and colors. I. Dig. Lip gloss.
4. Fortunes and receipts: these tend to just be sprawled around the interior of my purse. I need to clean up my purse, like, daily. I save my fortune cookie fortunes (well I do have fortune cookie Thursday on my blog!) and forget to throw away receipts.
5. USB key chain: though I don’t use it enough at all! It’s the free pink one I got at RWA last year. With Harper Collins on it I think? Like the best free promo item EVER!
So come on ladies–and gents?–spill it!
January 28th, 2008 at 2:06 am
OMG my free pink USB thing we got last year is still in the box! I’m so lame.
Well I always have my cell, a couple of lipglosses, a pile of receipts, maybe a fruit snack for youngest and wipes. Cos my kids are always spilling something or making a mess in the car. Wipes are the bomb.
And I’ll admit it I’m a designer bag whore.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:12 am
I can’t stand signature bags. Why would I pay a fortune for a bag merely to advertise for the designer? Now as a teenager, it was a different story. If you didnt have the latest signature bag…Well you know how teenage girls can be.
As for what is in my purse…
Hello Kitty Checkbook
Cell Phone
PDA
A pen
A notebook (in case inspiration strikes)
A book
Lipgloss (I can’t live without it)
Inhaler (I’m right there with you, Shell.)
Pill box
Ipod
January 28th, 2008 at 2:13 am
Ooooh! I forgot! The most important thing: hand sanitizer gel!
January 28th, 2008 at 2:19 am
Karen, the USB thing doesn’t hold much on it at all. I tend just to save my most recent WIP on it and back everything else up on my biggie.
Emma, that’s kind of how I feel about the sig. purses. Or I mean, a purse says so much about you. A big C on a purse…what does that say about me? I love funky stuff.
And here’s how I know I’m a bad mom. I always forget the wipes and sanitizer gel!
January 28th, 2008 at 7:52 am
Okay inside, let’s see:
purse (given)
keys
ipod
phone
tissues
wipes
inhaler (for three of my four kids, cause one always forgets theirs)
sunglasses
camera
ez-link cards (it’s for buses and trains and I carry spares for the same reason as the inhaler)
PDA
diary
notebook and pen (attached so it doesn’t get lost)
book
womens things (daughter reading over shoulder says I can’t say tampons)
panadol
map of Singapore (in case I get lost)
hand cream
and anything my kids take and don’t want to carry.
Damn! That’s one full bag.
I’m not a designer girl but I did buy a popular designer bag in Vietnam for US$10 and we saw the same bag in the shops here for Sing$150.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
No designer bags for me, I just need something with straps long enough to sling over my shoulder (I can’t stand the short little handle kind - but nothing TOO long, either) and big enough to hold a book and a camera. As for what’s inside…
Allergy meds
Advil or Tylenol
Tissue (always!)
Pen and small notebook
Book
Camera
Blistex
Some kind of throat lozenge like Halls Vitamin C Drops
Pocket address book
High lighter
Hand wipes (mostly in summer when we’re doing more outdoors)
January 28th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I’m not a designer bag person. I did fall in love with a bag at Nordstrom’s once, though. But it was $1300 so alas I didn’t buy it.
BTW, you totally stole my blog topic. I actually took a picture of everything in bag last week, LOL. It’s a mess. Right now everything is wet because I spilled my water bottle in there a few days ago.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Rachel and Heather, you ladies are PREPARED!! Like in a big way! Wowsers. I need to take a tip from you both.
Feisty, I’m sorry! I suck, man! You should still post the pics. Cause that’d be fun to see :)
January 28th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
I LOVE purses
but I don’t love the logo’s
why would I spend a thousand bucks on a purse to
a) advertise the brand
b) see everyone else buy a knockoff version for a twentieth of the price?
I like the unusual and the classic, LV, Gucci, and my favorite oddities Lulu Guinness.
In my posh purses I carry very little, credit card, mirror, lipstick, car keys. In my every day bag (at the moment a black LV ‘Speedy’) I have cell phone, all the above, mints, bookmarks, bit of paper with directions on them and stuff I pick up from the kids :)
January 28th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
I HATE designer labels on anything! I do have a total purse fetish though, it’s bad. I don’t do the shoe thing but I make up for it with purses…and glasses actually, the kind you drink out of not wear.
Anyway, what I keep in mine, a notebook, pens, wallet, make-up pouch, a water bottle and a book. :) I like to keep it simple cause I change purses all the time, so that’s about it. :)
January 28th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
I hate to carry a purse because I loose them. I usually just carry a wallet in my coat pocket or just carry the wallet. When my son was little I carried a bag with things he might need, but now that he is 3 I usually don’t carry a bag unless we are going some where that I might need extra stuff.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Kate, you have good taste. I can tell ;)
Samantha, I can almost understand the glasses thing. Very cool.
Jambrea, I used to be like that. Still sometimes am and it freaks me out!
January 28th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
I’m a WalMart girl - that’s good enough. I’m with Heather, the straps have to be long enough to sling over my shoulder.
What’s in it? It would be easier to say what isn’t. I get teased about it all of the time.
Wallet
check book
pen
nail clippers
calculator
nail file
cigarettes
inhaler
calendar
address book
every piece of paper handed to me (like receipts, vet papers, etc)
check stubs
advil
GC from where I work (it’s our Christmas bonus)
hairbrush
totem bag
tissue
napkin (yes, that kind)
lipstick
mirror
keys (house, car, work)
other keys (other peoples houses, etc.)
tweezers
extra lighters
sunglasses (two pair because I’m always losing one)
My phone is always in my pocket because obviously I can’t find it in my purse.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Bailey, Walmart has some cute stuff! I’ve bought my purses everywhere! I don’t bring a lot in my purses though. I do have a really big wallet though…so my purse has to be bigger. I kind of hate that.
Oh wow. I just realized. I want a new wallet.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Hello to Shelli and everyone,
I’m not usually a design-anything person, but one
day while trolling through the handbags on eBay,
I came across a very simple black bag. Not being
into designers, I didn’t know it was a Coach bag
until I read the description. I figured, “What
the heck,” so I placed a bid. I won the auction
and I’ve had the bag for about four years. I’ve
since found the same bag in red, again on eBay.
Supposedly you’re to register the bags when you
acquire them, but I figured, “What the heck,” and
so I didn’t! Usually found in my bags: checkbook/
wallet, keys, small notebook, pen, eyebrow pencil,
a Rosary, receipts yet to be recorded, and my faith stone (like “worry” beads). Thanks, Shelli,
this has been an interesting blog subject!
Pat Cochran
January 28th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Patricia, I love Ebay! Sometimes you can find the best deals on there! I got a pink Lovcat wallet on there (the one I just decided it too big!)
Thanks for commenting!
January 28th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
I am soooo boring. I carry a purse so I can have my checkbook, wallet and my cell phone all in one place. Even when my kids were young I didn’t carry much else.
I didn’t know you were supposed to make a purse a fashion accessory until my friend told me I really needed to ditch the “granny purse” and try something a little more young and hip. But black goes with everything! (And I’m glad I’m not the only one picking them up at Wal-Mart
)
January 28th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
What’s in my purse?
First and foremost, never enough cash!
Tylenol
Panty Liners
A tiny fortune in change
Tons of receipts
Lip Gloss
Pens
762 cards from every local grocery store that requires a “savings” card - what a huge pain in the ass and a huge pet peeve of mine - hey, sorry, you have to wait forever behind me while I search through my bazillions of freakin’ cards to find THIS stores card - freakin’ stupid
Pictures of my daughter and a few of you and your daughter too
My ID for work
Miscellaneous crap my kids toss in there - who knows? It’s always a surprise.
Kashi Pumpkin Spice Flax granola bars
Extra car key in case I lock my keys in my car
Cell Phone
Receipt I’ve been meaning to send to insurance company for reimbursement - shit, meant to do that months ago
I’m pretty boring, nothing exciting!
January 28th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Oh, forgot, I’m not rich enough to buy designer purses! If freakin’ utilities didn’t cost so much maybe I could afford one, but realy I’m not that much into name brands. I love Target.
January 28th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Nina, I’m still somewhat that way. Seriously. My purse is so not fashionable.
Jammie, Target has great stuff! And yeah. I can’t afford the expensive stuff. Hee hee.
Plus here’s what I don’t get. If you DO get the newest trendy purse, for $350, don’t you have to replace it the next season when the next newest trendiest comes in?
January 28th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
That is so weird! I posted everything in my purse and it’s not here…I tried to repost it and it said it was already posted…
January 28th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Jammie I found you in the spam filter!! You’re up now.
Ah you have pics of us in your purse?! That’s so sweet! I don’t even think I have pics of my own kid since she was a baby. I’m so out of date. EEEK!
January 28th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Plus here’s what I don’t get. If you DO get the newest trendy purse, for $350, don’t you have to replace it the next season when the next newest trendiest comes in?
Not really. I don’t really follow seasonal trends with handbags. I do with clothes because thats kinda necessary. And there are reasonable semi-high end designers out there. Elliott Lucca is super reasonable and so is Kate Spade.
January 28th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Emma, you’re kidding, right? I got a super reasonable Kate Spade purse…at a garage sale for $5.
January 28th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
I had a great designer purse, and then I developed an allergy to it. How lame is that!
My purse is pretty simple
Wallet
Cellphone
paperback
mininotebook
pens (multicolors)
kleenex
digital camera (a fantastic idea btw)
palm pilot (this one is a maybe)
miscellaneous makeup most of which I forget to wear unless I’m around Lisa. LOL
January 28th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
OK..you ladies carry waaaay too much stuff in your purses. I can’t stand it cause I’ll always be constantly digging for what I’m looking for and again…I Hate It!!! I’m a minimalist.
Cell phone
Keys
Carmex
Checkcard holder (that holds drivers license, couple of check cards, credit card etc.)
Pen
Small Pad
$$$
Checkbook
That’s it. Nothing else.
January 28th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
No designer labels…but I love funky purses. Love them.
nothing too exciting in mine
wallet
phone
phone charger
checkbook
gloves
thumb drive
loose change
one pon in the zipper pocket
chapstick
compact case with poweder foundation
that’s it
January 28th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
I have a co-worker who has one of those expensive designer purses (long story on how she got it) and she’s more afraid of someone stealing IT than taking anything that’s inside it. You should see her looking for hiding places at work. LOL
January 28th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Dana, an allergy to a purse?! Was it made of cat hair or something? LOL.
Lyric, I’m a minimalist in the purse too really. I never bring books or cameras or much. I already confessed to forgetting wipes :(
Gwen, I love funky purses. You see a persons personality when they wear them.
Bailey, that’s too funny! I know people like that! LOL.
January 28th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Purse? Hell, I don’t even carry a wallet. I have a money clip with cash, DL, Costco, ATM and credit cards.
I do have two cell phones though.
January 29th, 2008 at 3:24 am
Will, lol, I’m honestly a bit relieved you don’t have a purse. That whole man bag thing…kind of scares me!
The two cells now…hmm? What’s up with that?
January 29th, 2008 at 9:29 am
I used to love (and carry) Stone Mountain bags because they last forever and I could always find one the right size with just enough compartments. But I have back problems, and about a year ago when I was traveling I got a small purse that I could put inside a larger one to carry on, that could also hold bottle of water and other misc.
In the purse I carry daily:
cell phone
NO wallet - it has slots for credit cards and a compartment for cash (bills) as well as coins, ID cards, etc.
check book
tiny hairbrush
spare car key at the bottom
keys with a small maglite flashlight and all the mini-versions of the “club” cards - Borders, grocery stores, etc. - attached
small pad of paper
2 pens
outside flap is for sunglasses
usually my Palm TX
coupons for whatever restaurant/fast food places
lists - grocery, errands, books I want
postage stamps
lip balm
tiny pack of emery boards
and
attached to the over-the-shoulder-strap - a tiny bottle of hand sanitizer, because after all, if your hands are gross, why would you want to dig around in your purse to get to it?
January 29th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Purse SLUT!!!!!! I am I am. I dont care if it screams designer or not. I’m a purse slut.
Right now I”m carrying a (for me) uber small Coach sooooo all i can get in it is my cell phone, lipgloss (2-3 tubes), Pens (about 6) and my wallet. I can’t even get my big-ass keyring in it.
I ALSO carry a big-ass tote bag. It has my vitamins, cigarettes (shut up), bills, extra lipgloss and lipstick (2-3 more tubes yes I have issues) and tons of writing stuff (right now it’s an entire manuscript i need to input edits so I can send it out for review)–it’ll even carry my Alpha Smart.
January 29th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
PS that was me, amie
January 29th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
cigarettes
inhaler
My sunglasses are always on my head.
January 29th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
I don’t care for designer purses at all. To expensive. The most I have EVER paid for a purse was $50. I am allergic to most flowers so my husband, instead of sending me flowers, sends me purses. Isn’t he sweet? I am not a shoe person either. I prefer the type of purse I can put over my shoulder. Have to be in the mood for just a small handle one.
In my purse I have: wallet, cell phone, pda, book, chap stick, inhaler, pens, excedrin, seasoning salt (I don’t use salt or pepper, never have), binder with latest college book for class, hankie, one feminine napkin, chocolate bar (I crave it, once I buy one, I don’t want it), a couple of music cd’s, small hair brush, nail file, pepto, keys, Head-On, gum, twizer’s and cuticle clippers. I think that’s it.
January 29th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Amie, you are too funny! And I’m cracking up over what you consider a small purse!
Daun, great stuff in your purse! Does that Head On stuff work? I’ve always wondered! :D
January 29th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
Amy, that Stone Mountain bag sounds cool. I’ll need to Google them. And yes to the sanitizer on the outside!! (Sorry your post got caught in the spam filter, I pulled it out!)
January 30th, 2008 at 2:03 am
Good question.
To be honest with you, I hardly ever carry a purse. Unless it’s a cute coin purse.
I have a Ruby Gloom one I take with me everywhere nowadays.
But what I always, always take with me is my USB drive, lip gloss, keys and mobile phone. :)
If I did carry a purse, the only other thing I would add to the mix is a notebook, pen and licence, etc.
January 30th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
You have a problem with that Ames?
January 30th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Yes it does. I didn’t think it would until I mentioned at work once that I had a headache and my boss pulled her Head On out for me to try. I have one in my purse and one on my desk at home. It cools your forehead down.
January 31st, 2008 at 1:15 am
Yolanda, you’re inspiring me to have a smaller purse.
Daun, I’m totally getting Head On!
January 31st, 2008 at 3:05 am
Check out the Stone Mountain Sale and Clearance items - I used to shop at an outlet store and the salesperson who was always there got to know me - she’d call me when “my shape” purses came in! http://www.stonemountainhandbags.com/ecom/viewallcat/40/11
Love that you can shop by shape on the website, as well as price, style, line. The testimonials are awesome - I think I may just reminded myself of how much I loved my lovely leather purses. I even got on their mailing list…