So I decided to clean out my purse...Part 1

So, I decided to clean out my purse...Part 1

My overstuffed envelope style messenger bag. 

Yes, I have been procrastinating about cleaning out my purse. I guess I was a little scared about what might be lurking at the bottom of it. I am the type of person that wears a purse to death. I don't stock pile them. I just toss them once they have lived their life.

I am willing to bet that I am not alone lugging around an overstuffed, big, heavy bag. Part of the reason for this is that I use my purse, not as a fashion statement, but to hold my lunch, or as a file cabinet, or just as a test subject to see how much they can hold without breaking the zipper. 

Make-up, Sunglass, coin, pill & contact
cases.

As part of my personal goal for becoming a more organized, I was checking out some of the cool things you can use in your bag. I was thinking if I made it pretty it might stay organized. Not everything is for everyone, but I got out to see what's available.

Pouchee (back ), coin purse/key case,
large & small flat wallets, zippered key

Pouchee's are great if you change handbags often or if you have a large bag and everything goes to the bottom. They are small (3" x 8") divided bag with pockets to hold items with ring handles.They hold lots of small items keeping them at your fingertips- not rolling around loose. 

Gem lights

There are also strip types of pockets (Joey's)  that you can fill and roll up to drop in your purse, Some might have a light so you can see in large bags or when you are in a dimly light restaurant, theater or at night in the car.

There are actual "fancy" lights that look like gems in several colors that light when you bounce your purse.

Pill case, contact, sunglass

If you wear contacts, I found several pretty clam type cases. The hard cover over the actual lens case not only looks pretty but should help keep the grit that ends up in your purse from collecting around the screw caps.

Hard sunglass cases are the hot ticket this season. Found them everywhere. Plain or glammed up.

Both for a buck!

Zippered bags containing 8 compartment pill boxes might be something to consider. I like to take vitamins throughout the day, so this is good for me.

 I got looking at Charming Charlie's, Target, and The Front Porch and realized a lot of what I was finding was  the same as some of my free bee make up cases (you know spend "x" and get the free gift at the cosmetic counter). Some looked like pencil cases. So I headed for The Dollar Store. Okay they were cheap but I like black and white.

My key case. Yes, my phone and pen happen to match.
So I like green.

Key cases come in a wide variety of choices. The one I stick with has a zippered case for my license, insurance and debit card. This is all I need for a quick trip to the grocery, or Redbox.

Wallets are another thing that come in a variety of sizes and shapes. They can be an entire purse in themselves. I choose a flat wallet and hope I don't over stuff it. Collecting lots of change does in the hinges on these so if you invest in one, I suggest you dump your change at the end of the day or get a coin purse too. I use coins to I also have a coin purse.

One can achieve the same organization without purchasing all these items. First check your closets and dresser drawers for things that you can substitute. Ziplock bags can work too. If you are a sewer, cases don't take much fabric- zip some up.

Check out what's available and in my next post we can start cleaning.