Can’t Leave The House Without….

My bag weighs a ton, literally. I have downsized, and sized back up. Cleaned it out only to see it full again. Started going to the chiropractor to repair the damage from my purse…

I have finally come to terms with the fact that my bag has too much in it! It’s way too heavy, and by the time I get home from work my shoulder aches. I used to be a girl scout and so I have an “always be prepared” philosophy about my bag. However, I’m afraid of becoming one of those people who is always rummaging through their purses looking for their keys, wallet, money, or whatever! And so I took an inventory of what is in my bag and here is what I came up with:

• I have an emergency ziplock bag containing everything from packets of aspirin to matches (I don’t smoke but you’ll never know when you might need them!).
• I always keep a magazine or a book on me for the train ride
• My mail, which is still un-opened, although I have every intention of going through it
• My Netflix that need to be returned
• My Day Planner, which hasn’t been updated since April
• Pens and Pencils
• My Ipod
• Today’s Newspaper
• My glasses, contact case and solution
• My digital Camera
• Makeup, etc…

I attempt to clean out my bag every week or so, but I always seem to fill it up again! I’ve tried carrying around smaller bags, but then I feel like I’m missing something.

What do you have in your bag, and what’s your advice for keeping it clean and organized?

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Recycling Instead of Donating or Tossing Clothing

There is this remarkable trendy woman that I tend to run into at social outings time and again. I noticed that she was carrying a new purse. I thought it was adorable and when I asked her where she got it I was shocked to find out she had made it herself. She had a pair of brown leather boots, that were just worn out and no longer wearable. She cut off the top, added an old earring for embellishment, and an old necklace as the handle.

Doesn’t her new purse look great?

It turned out really well, and so I started think about the 5 garbage bags that are sitting in my living room full of donations. Is there a way that I could take those old items that no longer work well for me and use them for something new and fun? Besides, this way I can get a whole new set of clothing without putting too much strain on my wallet, and I’m always looking for new clothes without breaking my bank (or my budget).

Here’s what I came up with.

- I could turn my old jeans and pants into a brand new skirt: How To

- My old tank tops can become halter tops: How To

- Old Bags can become flower pots or wall art

- I can make items that still fit new again with a simple dye job or embellishment

Wouldn’t it be great to be able to take an entire wardrobe of things that you don’t want, and re-vamp it into an amazing and fun new wardrobe! We could take this whole “green” recycling movement into the closet! Here are more great websites with ideas of how to recycle clothes:

Wikihow

Great for kids (or us “big kids”)

My Personal Favorite

What are your favorite ways to recycle clothing or household items?

Can the Perfect Handbag Impact My Social Goals?

The perfect handbag is as elusive as the perfect partner. You try them on, take them out, see how your friends feel about them, and then take them home. You want to break them in, but you know that they aren’t going to change too much from the initial meeting. You want to be able to take them anywhere; out to dinner, to the movies, or to a fancy dinner, and know that they will fit in. When you’ve finally found that perfect handbag, or date for that matter, you never want to let them go, and can’t even imagine a replacement!

I am still on the hunt for the perfect bag, but I can envision it in my head. I have the entire wish list, yes, the same kind I had for “the perfect spouse” once upon a time.

Here are my requirements (for the bag, I’m not sharing that other list):

1) Black with silver hardware, preferably leather

2) Medium size- not too big or too small, so that it is ready for any occasion

3) Lots of pockets so that I can stay organized and don’t become one of those “bag ladies” who is constantly digging for her keys, phone, makeup, or whatever.

4) Adjustable shoulder strap so it can be worn on one shoulder, or across the chest

5) Matches anything

Just as I quest for this infamous bag, it seems I also have my social goals to match.

1) A government who cares for its people more than it cares about power and money

2) A country that is more concerned with community that TV

3) Health and wellness for all, regardless of social status or circumstance

4) A minimum wage above the poverty line

5) Affordable housing, so that good and hardworking families are not living on the street

It seems at times that the search for the perfect fashion statement seems trivial when we have all these other concerns on our plate. However, one thing this ongoing quest has taught me is this, no matter how “dreamy” our wish list may seem at times we can never stop looking. When we stop looking for the perfect bag, man, woman, or government then we will lose all hope of ever finding it. Perhaps when I do find that perfect bag it will just be more confirmation that my other goals can also be achieved. We just need to roll up our sleeves, tighten our Prada belts, and continue searching for those things that we deem “perfect.”