Ladies...Is it a purse, or a suitcase?

Come on, spill it. No, not your purse, just the facts.
Do you carry a tiny change purse, or a huge lump of luggage
with the items to get you through any emergency?

Is your purse stuffed with overdue bills or children's toys?
Could someone get hurt digging through your purse?
If a robber stole your purse, would you laugh?

I've been through various phases over the years. I'm currently
going through a phase of trying to keep organized, which is why
I quit carrying a purse for years on end at one time. They just
seem to be a bag for clutter for me these days, so I'd rather limit
myself to only what I need for the event.

When my kids were smaller, though, I guess that caused the need
for the suitcase-type purses.

Anyone care to spill, or share?

(P.S. To keep it safe, let's not discuss credit cards, cash, etc.)

Mine is a small carry-on bag...all the basics and then some! I try to keep it under 20 lbs...during the work week and then switch to a smaller bag with just a couple of items in it for the week-end shopping and running around si it is only about a pound and a half.

I couldn't even tell you where a purse is LOL I carry my money ID, etc, in my pocket. Hate carrying a purse.... and I have coats with lots of pockets..... so no purse for me :)

I carry a mid-sized as in Toyota Cambry sized bag. Only have about 4 things in it. Don't carry a ck-book any more, very little cash, atm-one credit card. and hundred lists. Guess I should down size to a VW.

LOL, this is so funny. I've never been much of a purse carrier, but since I've been on pain meds I find it necessary to lug one around with me so that I have my meds if I need them. If it's a short outing everything goes in my pockets. However, I am one of those gals that needs to change purses often. The size can range anywhere from just bigger than a wallet to saddle bag size. What I've found is that the bigger they are the more you'll stuff into them!

Once at Wal-Mart DH and I were standing in the check out line, both of us in front of the cart putting it's contents onto the belt thingy for the cashier. I turned around to grab something from the cart just in time to see some guy with his back to me grab my purse out of the cart and run with it! It had been sitting in the part where you normally seat little kids. I didn't say a word to my DH, no sound would come out of my mouth. I pushed the cart out of my way and took off after the guy, I think my plan was to jump on his back....I don't really know. About 6 steps into my high heeled sprint the guy turned around and it was my DB with a big grin on his face. Oh, yeah, funny. I took my purse back and started beating him with it. DH missed the whole thing till I started beating him and thought I was doing that just for fun. Men??

The most anyone's really going to get out of my purse on most days is a couple dog bones/treats, a granola bar, some gum, a hair clip, enough change to make a phone call, a couple dr's appt cards and maybe some contact solution. The purse itself is worth more than that!

LOL Heathr,

You know, I see women with their purses just laying there in
the baby seat, either wide open like a garage door for all to
see, or zipped shut, yet still vulnerable.

So many times I've wanted to ask the women why they don't
fasten the purse with the baby straps. I sure do. I can't wait for
the day some doofus tries to grab my purse and run only to find
he's taking the shopping cart with it.

My other fantasy is to loosely carry a purse in hopes a snatcher
will take it. Inside will be only a note that reads "STUPID".

LOL. Okay, so I have odd imaginary daydreams.

KM

LMBO, I wish so badly my purse had been "strapped in" the night my DB took off with it. I can just see him trying to run but flying up in the air instead, LOL! It's going to take me about two days to get that image out of my head...but this is a good thing. I still wonder if anyone saw the whole event on the security tape and what they thought at first.

When we're shopping I never leave my purse unattended. Just can't do it. Those doggie bones are too expensive. But, really, once a woman started shopping out of my cart....she just started pulling out clothing items I had in my cart. DH and I were standing right next to the cart with our backs to it. I turned and saw her and didn't know quite what to say, lol. She was holding up a shirt I planned on buying and admiring it.

Of course, there's always those times when you're not thinking....you're tired, your feet hurt, you just want to get out of the store and go home! That's when your stupid DB comes by to remind you that you're not paying attention.

Good thing it was your brother. Phew!

LOL @ the shopping in your cart. Reminds me of the yard
sale I recently attended. I was finding some great stuff, made
my selections and began picking them up only to hear a woman
exclaim "That stuff is mine!" Though I apologized, I could not help
but to laugh at her out loud (it just popped out) because she could
have simply said "I'm sorry, those are my things, I just set them there."

It's not like I was going to grab her choices and run out without paying.
LOL.

I'm with Wuvie, just the pockets, I can't stand toting a purse around. Only problem is the amount of "laundered money" I end up with!

OMgosh, yes, laundered money! If we are ever low on money DH always tells me to go check my pants pockets, and without fail, I find some every time. I've even put on old jeans that hadn't fit in 5 years and found a $20 in the pocket. Makes me wonder if I've ever given money away with my clothes!

So glad you mentioned that! In cleaning coats and jackets for
the season, I just found twenty bucks, a lip gloss and a pair of
sunglasses in my jacket.

Whoo hoo!

LOL, I usually don't find mine until I head for the clothes dryer. Although I have found an occasional bill or two in a pants pocket that I didn't immediately launder.

Guess I'm one of those who don't like change much. I will find a purse I like and carry it until it totally falls apart! Mid size for me, and it's always stuffed. Receipts, papers I jot notes to myself on and then can't find them. No doggy biscuits though.

I, like Woofens, carry a wallet in picket when I go to town. I haven't carried a purse in years. It's just one more thing to remember, and I don't need that. In my purse carrying days, it weighed a ton, and I was constantly leaving it at restaurants, people's homes, etc. I do have one purse... it is a black woven purse with a leather handle. When we drive the 120 miles to Anchorage about twice a year, I carry that purse with all the stuff I might need. It seldom leaves the van. I just grab from it and stuff my pockets, as needed.

I take a purse along everywhere, but I usually don't carry the purse itself when I go shopping or to school functions, church, meetings, etc...
I leave it in the locked trunk of the car - though without my wallet there's nothing too valuable inside.
I do, however, carry it into my office with me daily, as it usually holds my lunch and drinks.

My actual 'wallet' has a strap,and I put the strap over one shoulder and the wallet hangs/rests in front of my chest. I would most definitely forget or leave my wallet in strange places if it weren't for that strap.
So I guess I have a purse within a purse!

I call my purse my office, LOL - it includes a little bit of everything.
Bills, notes of reminders, papers/projects I need to work on, (often) my lunch, etc...
It actually acted as a diaper bag just a few years ago when diapers, wipes, bottles, snacks, drinks were needed - didn't see the need to carry two bags!

It is indeed a fairly large sized piece of 'luggage'.
I like that I can simply stuff anything I need into it when I go to work each day - it's big but it's handy!

I'm terrible, set my purse down and never know where to find it..it's always a 'treasure hunt'..poor St. Anthony - patron of lost objects must get tired of hearing my prayers.. I have a change purse that I put my drivers license, interact card in..two things I need each and every day along with a tube of lipstick..I keep it in my pocket..unless I plan on changing clothes, it's easy to find..lol.. if I plan on shopping for the day, the waist wallet is always a 'must'..

Did anyone see the "Hogan Knows Best" episode where Hulk Hogan's wife and DD bought him a "man bag" for big $$$ and he threw it in a fountain at the mall and said it was a purse? It WAS a purse if you ask me.

I carry the smallest purse possible that will fit just what I need, small wallet, keys, phone, and camera. I lose stuff in a big puse.

LOL the whole thread. Only women would get how you can discuss this.
I've been through various kinds too and jacket/pants pockets and still not sure what's the best. Lately have decided to keep the load to a minimum but then find myself in store without coupons , grr. And the one I have now is able to carry a puzzle mag or book in case of waiting in DR office or a kid to come out of wherever I'm picking up from. My van must always have suitable 'waiting' supplies. I had an 'office' on the thing between the front seats of my vehicle. Until dear puppy jumped up and shoved it all off. sigh.
My current wallet is a bit bigger than I might want, but it has lots of card slots, and is Liz Claiborne and sentimental value so it stays for now, which means can only carry it in a large pocket.
Wonder if I can go to a fishing vest type of thing.....

LMBO @ the fishing vest idea! However, I can see it adorned for Christmas with ornaments and sparkly decorations, ohh, la la! Could work for Easter, the 4th of July....nearly any holiday or occasion. And, you know, there's hats and hip waders that match too! A whole ensemble....and they come in neutral tones. I think this is a great idea. I'll be in the fishing dept. at Wal-Mart if y'all are looking for me!


Another bonus is that these are waterproof....did ya ever set your purse in a puddle?

you could stuff your purchases into your hip waders and save the plastic bags

my van that I drive daily, is half my purse. plenty of room to thorw the books, coupons, tissues etc that could require a big bag.

I hang my purse from my knee sometimes in restaurants to be sure I don't forget it or have it hanging in the way on the chair back.

I need an intervention. Mine has been called luggage (by men) most women understand. I just can't seem to downsize - it is all important! LOL Ok, I went and measured it is 12x13x4 shoulder tote.....maybe one day, when my shoulder gives out.

I am liking the fishing vest idea.

-Kim

Maybe you could switch to rolling luggage? ;-)

I kid you, but do understand. There was a time I carried
everything. It might not be needed right then, but surely
it does come in handy to have, oh, say, a spare package
of Lee Press-On nails, a recipe for roasted garlic sauce,
or even a plastic screw for a sprinkler.

What was the name of the show with all the purses? The
host would give money for certain items. I can't think of the
name of the show, oh, wait, "Let's Make a Deal."

;-)

Yeah, I would have made a fortune off on Monty:) Well, this whole thread is just an excuse to buy a new purse! a smaller one of course.

But, but. We need one in brown, and in one black, yes?

And maybe one to match a certain outfit, and...LOL

;-)

Now you sound like me Wuvie. I never feel right if my purse doesn't match or blend with what I'm wearing. Other gals can do that and it looks so cute, but not me. I find myself buying a new purse about twice a year, spring/summer and fall/winter. I guess I get bored with them because I don't really like them to begin with, lol.

What I'd like to know is what is most anyone has ever spent on a purse? I don't get the totally overpriced, designer ones. Of course, I've never really had one either. The most I've ever spent was around $50 and I used that one for about two years. It was worth it to me. Most of my purses are from Wal-Mart, I confess. I'm not in a metro area and I don't work, so that makes a big difference too....I could carry a plastic bag and probably get away without too many odd looks, lol!

Ok, here it is. I didn't think I'd be able to find it, but I did.

http://www.bagborroworsteal.com/ui/welcome

This site lets you rent high end bags, for those who are totally depressed without them, but can't afford them, lol. They also have jewelry.

I saw this on TV, I don't remember where. I think it's a great concept. Does anyone do anything like this?

Oh my gosh, at the risk of offending anyone here who may
use such a service, I'll just bite my tongue.

LOL

ok, I have to admit..... I do have a pair of clogs and a purse that matches them.... (blush) They are cow hide Birkenstocks and a matching cow print brown and white purse. I had a pair of jeans that had suede inserts in the legs, and it was a really cute outfit (25 pounds ago LOL)

And you're not going to model them for us?

well, the jeans went to my mom (sigh, she is still a size 3, how gross is that??) and the purse is at the old house hanging in the pantry LOL

I never spend much on a purse but I lust after a 'fossil' bag at the deprtment store. I just loved it, but won't pay the money myself. My current one was Target clearance last fall...

The most I spent was about $120 for a Fossil, and it has lasted forever! Much longer than a less expensive one - don't think I can ruin it!!
I do have a lot in many different colors along with gloves and scarves to match.

I have a friend who must own 30 purses. She changes them often to match her outfit of the day. I guess that would be a deterent from carrying too much stuff with you. I just haven't that much energy when it come to accessorizing.

Go ahead and LOL @ me but I'd never heard of a Fossil bag. Had to go look them up. Sounds like $120 was a steal!!

I love the look of those shoes Woof! I bet that outfit was adorable.

I guess as gardeners we're not the most trendy, huh? Probably the only reason we'd spend $250+ for a purse was if we figured we could smuggle plants in it! (Now, that wasn't meant as encouragement y'all!!)

From a different angle, I have been nailed in the chest, stomach, arm, back, groin, etc from large purses dangling from women who turn to look at a store as I'm walking the opposite direction. I find that large "luggage" to be dangerous from a pedestrian point of view. Typically the owner of the "sack of potatoes" doesn't even realize they are carrying a "shot-put" on a strap and really couldn't care less.

I see several guys in my neighbourhood who use those "man purses". Can't understand it myself. If you tied a broom to their hip, they would sweep the sidewalk as they walk along.

HeathrJoy, I really really wanted the black and white but all they had left was the brown and white. I don't wear them often, not often enough for what I apid for them :(

Janis

WEll, I wish I could get by with a pocket in my coat or pants, but I carry 3 sets of keys and my diabetes bag! Insulin, needles, blood checker, etc. geez, then add wallet, checkbook and all the lists I write that I can't find in there!

I tried smaller ones and they just keep getting bigger!

arggghhhh!

I had a pinched nerve once, arm, and that was awful few days, and the doc said heavy straps on ladies shoulders are a big culprit.

anybody still have a fanny pack? My friend goes to amusement parks alot and uses a nice leather one for that. Course, no way to fit more than money and whatever else can cram in about 4 by 4 by 8 inches.

or once in a blue moon you see a lady with a basket- purse.

Hubby wears pants with big pockets, so often I leave
all the major luggage in the car and use him as my purse.

*giggle*

"Honey, could I have my lipstick?"

"Honey, can I have my wallet for a second?"

LOL