a good friend always carries your clutch

{ a follow-up to "it's clutch" }

My fabulous friend/neighbor and I were discussing the blog the other day, and I started to tell her about the article I was writing about clutches. I was explaining the dancing dilemma, in which you want to dance and have a good time while you are out, but you feel tied down since you have to carry your clutch onto the dance floor. My friend then explained her strategy in those situations: always bring your friend that carries a bigger bag. That way, you can slip your clutch into her bigger purse, and be hands-free the rest of the night. 

Now some people might say that this is not very fair to your friend, but I beg to differ. Your friend was already carrying a big purse into the bar. Your choice to force her to carry your clutch is simply economical. Maybe your friend enjoys sitting at the table guarding her bag, while she watches you do the electric slide clutch-free. It's a maternal thing. And you are just giving her the gift of responsibility. 

So to all you girls out there still dealing with the clutch problem, there's your solution. That, or just use a cross-body. ;)

*Note: this article is tounge-in-cheek. Please don't be offended. 

its clutch

Ah, the clutch. I don't know if it's the same way for you, but for me, the clutch is contradiction. It is both to big and too small. I love my everyday bag because it has room for everything I would need during an average day. On the other hand, I love carrying a small clutch or evening bag, because it's just so much lighter and less of a hassle.

The problem with the small bag is that it's a small bag. For a night on the town, you never know what you'll need. I usually start out with my cell, ID, debit card, and lipgloss. But what if we end up eating at Mexican restaurant for dinner and I need a breath mint? I toss those in. And what if I get a headache right when things are getting fun? Toss in the Advil. And if I dance all night, I'm going I need my oil-blotters and my powder. In they go. If we walk home from the restaurant, I'll need my flip flops to change into. And if we end up staying out all night, I don't want to be stranded the next morning without my sunglasses. Oh, and my house key...I'll need that too.

All of the sudden my "small" bag is stuffed to the brim and I can't even close it.

The next time I go out, I decide just to take the cell, ID, debit card, and Chapstick. I shimmy out to the dance floor, but I don't feel free to dance since I've got my clutch in one hand and my drink in the other (and we all know not to leave our drink unattended). Now the clutch is too high-maintenance.

It's times like these where - gasp - I wish we could just stuff all our stuff in our pockets like men.

For my upcoming night out in Las Vegas, I've packed three evening bags. One small crossbody, one adorable clutch, and one small shoulder bag. I'll let you know how it goes...

home base

Since Christmas, I have spent a lot of time reorganizing my house (FYI, I see a yard sale in my very near future). My family and friends blessed me with all kinds of new goodies, and I wanted to make sure everything had a home. I had a few home decor items that quickly found a home. The kitchen stuff was a little bit more of a battle. Since there seems to be an endless array of kitchen tools, it was harder to toss something to make room for something else. With clothes and bags, I try to stick by my rule of "one thing in, one thing out." But what about all those small things? Adorable mini pack of tissues, small hand lotions, the fancy pen, and the new wallet.

I've got the essentials that always travel in my purse (wallet, phone, keys). I've got the replacement things I will use once my other runs out (hand lotion, tissues). And in addition to that, I've got those things that I sometimes need to carry with me, but not always (coupon book). My problem is this: where do I store all of this stuff?

A couple of months ago, I got an idea as I was drifting off to sleep - yes, I occasionally dream about handbags. I decided I needed a "home base" for my purse. I went out and bought a small wicker "box" that now sits by my front door. Every day when I walk into the house, that is where I set down my purse. That is it's designated spot. Now I have decided that the contents of my purse also need a home (when not in their natural habitat - aka my purse). Thankfully this decorative basket/box is spacious enough to corral all of my items.

I believe every woman needs a Home Base for their bag. This is a place where you can organize the different genres of items that you need to carry. This will also be the place that may save you from a sore shoulder. If you sit next to your Home Base every few days and reassess what you are carrying, that may literally take a load off your shoulders. Throw away the trash, organize and address the receipts, replace the empty tin of Altoids, and you've got a fresh start.

These are some pictures of my first attempt at a Home Base. I'm sure I will adjust things as needed, but I think this is a good start!