It is Friday.
We are fighting the frump with Fussy. Today the Nirvana is talking purses. My purse.
I have not always been a purse participator. I didn’t carry one until diaper transportation was a necessity. At first, I used a diaper bag with my wallet thrown in. Now I use a purse with the diapers thrown in. I have learned that life is too short and the diaper years too long to be toting a bag decorated with duckies and rainbows in various shades of blue.
To qualify for a position as my purse, you must have the following qualifications:
1. Must be able to stand upright when set on the floor or table.
2. Must have outside compartments that can carry a sippy cup, water bottle, keys, phone and camera.
3. Must have straps that can be slung over shoulder easily and comfortably. These straps must absolutely not slip off my shoulder when carrying child or bending over to pick something off the ground.
4. Must be closed on the top so if inverted the contents are not scattered.
5. Must be able to accommodate a file, manila folder and the calendar that hangs on my kitchen wall.
6. Must be neutral in color and attractive.
7. Must be a reasonable price.
Let’s do an annual review on my current purse. It is vintage Target couture 2006. It retails for $19.99.
It stands on its own. It is neutral in color. It is reasonably attractive. It is large enough to hold essential gear. It has a zipper on the top so contents are secure. It’s straps are comfortable and stay in place as I move.
I love the side pockets on this purse. They can accommodate a baby bottle, water bottle or sippy cup. They also can carry my phone and camera tightly.
I use a clip for my keys that is easily attached to the strap. I know this is not exactly frump-free, but cut me some slack here. I need quick and easy access. With the keys in this position I can lock/unlock the car while walking away/to the car while carrying a child and yelling at the other two to stay out of traffic.
This purse has met all qualifications. This purse has been a loyal worker. This purse is 2 years old and needs to train a replacement. I have been searching for a replacement, but have not found many qualified candidates.
Now let’s explore my E.H.S.F.I.P.C.C. (Elaborate Holly System For Interior Purse Clutter Control). EHSFIPCC is a compartment system that allows for groups of items to be added and subtracted from the purse with minimal thought on my rushing mommy brain. Not all compartments get the pleasure of traveling on each outing. It is a privilege, not a right to be in my purse. Here are the hopeful travelers:
Listed clockwise from the 12 o’clock position:
1. Orange super wallet. See below for details.
2. Large paper compartment. It carries coupons, directions, papers picked up on a trip, papers needed for a trip. It can hold an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper without folding or crumpling. I go through it often to discard out of date coupons, receipts, etc. that tend to accumulate.
3. Diapees & Wipees. This is one of my very favorite things in the whole world. They come in pretty fabrics and hold 2-4 diapers and a travel wipe container. When the boys were a bit younger, I had one set aside for each boy. The older boy’s contained a change of underwear and an extra pair of shorts. They were all different fabrics so I could easily grab the ones I needed for a particular outing. I also want to add that I have given up the notion that everything related to the boy’s diapers needs to be blue and child-like. I have chosen Diapees & Wipees that I like. I have several pretty pink ones *gasp, she has 3 boys!* because I like pink and I am the one that has to lug it around.
4. Tech compartment. This has my ipod and ear phones, portable video games or any other item I may be toting for myself or others.
5. Hand-washing center. This compartment has hand sanitizer and lotion.
6. Ziploc bag central. It is my belief that you can not have too many Ziploc bags in your purse. I use them for diaper disposal when out. I use them to create new purse compartments on the go. I use them to carry wet anything.
I love my wallet. It is so compact and orange. It replaced a wallet nearly twice it’s size. It is also a Target find (currently on sale for $4.99). The many sections in the fan create oodles of organized space for credit cards, all those store-specific buying cards, gift cards, library cards, etc.
Here are a few items that escaped the EHSFIPCC sorting process and made their way to the bottom of my purse. Non-conformers. They will suffer the consequences of their actions…
We are fighting the frump with Fussy. Today the Nirvana is talking purses. My purse.
I have not always been a purse participator. I didn’t carry one until diaper transportation was a necessity. At first, I used a diaper bag with my wallet thrown in. Now I use a purse with the diapers thrown in. I have learned that life is too short and the diaper years too long to be toting a bag decorated with duckies and rainbows in various shades of blue.
To qualify for a position as my purse, you must have the following qualifications:
1. Must be able to stand upright when set on the floor or table.
2. Must have outside compartments that can carry a sippy cup, water bottle, keys, phone and camera.
3. Must have straps that can be slung over shoulder easily and comfortably. These straps must absolutely not slip off my shoulder when carrying child or bending over to pick something off the ground.
4. Must be closed on the top so if inverted the contents are not scattered.
5. Must be able to accommodate a file, manila folder and the calendar that hangs on my kitchen wall.
6. Must be neutral in color and attractive.
7. Must be a reasonable price.
Let’s do an annual review on my current purse. It is vintage Target couture 2006. It retails for $19.99.
It stands on its own. It is neutral in color. It is reasonably attractive. It is large enough to hold essential gear. It has a zipper on the top so contents are secure. It’s straps are comfortable and stay in place as I move.
I love the side pockets on this purse. They can accommodate a baby bottle, water bottle or sippy cup. They also can carry my phone and camera tightly.
I use a clip for my keys that is easily attached to the strap. I know this is not exactly frump-free, but cut me some slack here. I need quick and easy access. With the keys in this position I can lock/unlock the car while walking away/to the car while carrying a child and yelling at the other two to stay out of traffic.
This purse has met all qualifications. This purse has been a loyal worker. This purse is 2 years old and needs to train a replacement. I have been searching for a replacement, but have not found many qualified candidates.
Now let’s explore my E.H.S.F.I.P.C.C. (Elaborate Holly System For Interior Purse Clutter Control). EHSFIPCC is a compartment system that allows for groups of items to be added and subtracted from the purse with minimal thought on my rushing mommy brain. Not all compartments get the pleasure of traveling on each outing. It is a privilege, not a right to be in my purse. Here are the hopeful travelers:
Listed clockwise from the 12 o’clock position:
1. Orange super wallet. See below for details.
2. Large paper compartment. It carries coupons, directions, papers picked up on a trip, papers needed for a trip. It can hold an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper without folding or crumpling. I go through it often to discard out of date coupons, receipts, etc. that tend to accumulate.
3. Diapees & Wipees. This is one of my very favorite things in the whole world. They come in pretty fabrics and hold 2-4 diapers and a travel wipe container. When the boys were a bit younger, I had one set aside for each boy. The older boy’s contained a change of underwear and an extra pair of shorts. They were all different fabrics so I could easily grab the ones I needed for a particular outing. I also want to add that I have given up the notion that everything related to the boy’s diapers needs to be blue and child-like. I have chosen Diapees & Wipees that I like. I have several pretty pink ones *gasp, she has 3 boys!* because I like pink and I am the one that has to lug it around.
4. Tech compartment. This has my ipod and ear phones, portable video games or any other item I may be toting for myself or others.
5. Hand-washing center. This compartment has hand sanitizer and lotion.
6. Ziploc bag central. It is my belief that you can not have too many Ziploc bags in your purse. I use them for diaper disposal when out. I use them to create new purse compartments on the go. I use them to carry wet anything.
I love my wallet. It is so compact and orange. It replaced a wallet nearly twice it’s size. It is also a Target find (currently on sale for $4.99). The many sections in the fan create oodles of organized space for credit cards, all those store-specific buying cards, gift cards, library cards, etc.
Here are a few items that escaped the EHSFIPCC sorting process and made their way to the bottom of my purse. Non-conformers. They will suffer the consequences of their actions…
Holy cow woman!
I just bought a new purse today at Off Broadway Shoes and I think it’s only the second one I’ve bought in the past five years. It is totally wild for me. It’s clear, trimmed in lime green leather and the interior bag lifts out and is this wild (for me, boring practical purse woman) pucci type print.)
I need to use your organizing tips!
Checking out your local thrift store is a good choice for fun colorful purses too!
I love the crap found at the bottom of the purse – I usually find LEGOS, Polly Pockets, lollipops and plasticware in the bottom of mine.
G.Y.T.R.T. = Giiiirl, you totally rock Target. Love it! 🙂
My purse starts out like this – then by Friday it looks insane! I clean it out every Friday. I shudder to think what it might look like if I didn’t!
Too goood. This comment–“It is vintage Target couture 2006.” will turn me into a regular reader.
GREAT post!
Smacking my head against the desk. I organize my junk drawers little bags of stuff, why had I never thought to do it with my purse? Which let’s face it just a traveling junk drawer. The heavens have opened and the angels have sung and now I’ve seen the light.
I lament that this is the first I’ve heard of diapies and wipees as I am now near the end of that long long road but not so near that I won’t get one for the princess panty needs that I’ll inevidably have for the next few months.
Just found your blog but I know I’ll be around to stay.
You are so funny. I love the Target couture (sp?)! heheh This post is a riot.
Now, come on over – i’ve created a new game. it’s called 40 & fit-abulous. I know this is for you – you’re the perfect age. It’s for anybody who has figured out life — which I believe happens at a certain age. It’s what happened to me when I turned 40 (or probably right before, like age 37 or something). I’d like you to join in by sharing each week what you’ve accomplished that’s positive (that’s the “fit” part)tell everybody how you’ve accomplished something mentally, physically, spiritually, or emotionally — and make linky-love in the process. *yippee* Lemmeno you’re interested and I’ll add you to my blogroll. We’ll play every Friday/Saturday (most likely Saturday since not as much going on that day). Thanks for your consideration ma’am *smooches* and have a gr8 weekend.
Wow, you have put a LOT of thought into this!
But I have to say, regarding #6, I have been craving a purse of NON neutral color lately. Like ORANGE or BRIGHT GREEN.
Must be some sort of midlife crisis. Hmmph. 😉
I bet that when you walk past the purse section at stores…all of the purses vie for your attention. I can hear them now “pick me…no pick me”. You are one very organized woman. You are my hero!
Your purse requirements are frighteningly similar to my requirements for a bra.