What's In My Purse

Are you one of those people who loves to "rummage" through things?

I am.  

As a child I would beg my grandmother to let me snoop through her attics, looking for bits and bobs of interesting memorabilia and stuff.

Purses are like attics - they hold the most needed things of the owner, close and at hand.

I remember as a young child being taught that you NEVER went into your mother's (or anyone's) purse for anything.

In fact, even now, if we're together and she asks me to grab her wallet or something else out, I will bring her the purse.  

The only exception is if she is driving.

Believe me, those "rules" run deep with me.

However, I do love to know what ladies keep in their purses.

I'm letting you inside my bag today!

Let's get started...

It was time to first change out my current purse.

This was a great black quilted, no-name, number that I picked up in Marshall's and really love using it.

I took everything out, checking pockets and pouches and wiping it down with a damp cloth before storing it.

(My very first post was about my handbag storage!)

This is what was in my purse after the great dump out.

I started by separating things into like piles so I could fully assess what would stay and what would go.

My checkbook and RFID cardholder was going to stay, of course.

These types of cases block anyone from trying to scan your credit card strips through your purse.

My prescription glasses are in the hard case with a nice cleaning cloth.

My sunglasses always go in this hard Brighton case.

It's size really works great with oversized lenses, and I just change out my sunglasses as needed.

I added a few cleansing wipes from one of my other small bags to the bottom of the case so they were more readily accessible.

My hot tea caddy with Truvia packs was an easy grab because it didn't need any reorganization.

It's super slimline, and I love my hot tea so much I want to have bags when I'm out and about.

(Although that's not been a lot lately.)

My Happy Planner that's sized perfectly for travel can always be found in my purse.

I don't keep this one all "fancy-schmancy" because I just need to record appointments and notes to transfer into my big calendar.

I also keep a laminated sheet of the colors that look best with my skin tone and hair.

I do think that certain colors work best for each person, and making sure I buy clothing and jewelry items in my color palette means that I will choose and wear them more often.

I just downloaded this palette from the internet, printed it, then laminated it.

I opened and dumped up a bag that had a variety of items inside.

I grabbed a set of these TSA approved bags because they had so much versatility and size selection.

If you use bags like this in your purse, the chance of items getting lost on the bottom, hidden below larger items is avoided.

Nothing is worse than searching through a purse looking for a small item like hand cream or gum.

Some of the items went to other homes, like the lens-wipes and the Truvia.

I also had a collection of these "refund" credit cards, each with a few dollars left on them.

I don't know about you, but I'm not real fond of how companies are "refunding" us using "credit cards" with the refund balances.

It's hard to use them when they have limits...

I kept my card case as is, I just decided to rehome it to a different bag.

I then dumped the smaller of the two bags.

This had a whole bunch of stuff!

Mostly items centered around personal care.

Things like the essential oils that I reach for when I'm out, especially the ones that are "go-to oils."

I always like to keep a few grooming items as well as a few headache tablets available.

I love my Dollar Tree all in one tool as well as my purse holder.

I found this little gem a long time ago.

It folds out and allows me to my purse on the edge of a table instead of putting it on the floor (a big no-no) or hanging off the back of the chair - especially as many chairs no longer have the backs that will hold them.

I decided to put my sample oils back in my bag with my bottles this time and not in this little pouch.

Of course, I have a little collection of lipsticks and lip balm.

When I find a lipstick that I love and use often, I buy more than one of that color.

I keep one lipstick in my make-up drawer and one in my purse.

This way I don't have to transfer that lipstick back and forth from drawer to purse!

At this point, I had everything that I was going to return to my purse better organized and ready to go inside.

I separated them into categories that made the most sense to me.

Having those clear bags also helps to see what's in a bag so I'm not frustrated looking at it from only the opened zipper.

I took those items that were more on a "personal-care" level and packed them all into the larger of the two bags.

See how easy it is to see them all?

I then packed only my oils into the smaller one, which allows me easy sight as well.

And then it was all done and ready to be put into my spring purse.

Everything tucked away very neatly and it's easy to grab and retrieve as needed.

I love an organized purse.

It makes my life so much easier, even if I'm not going many places to take it right now.

Secrets to Downsizing

Did you know that during this pandemic, millions of Americans have been cleaning out closets, drawers, garages, and attics in an effort to keep busy, be productive, and more than likely check off these items on their "To Do" lists.

However, downsizing is more than just the physical aspect of removing items from your life, there's a real psychology and emotional commitment when purging tangible stuff.

After helping my in-laws downsize twice, and then helping my mother purge 40 years of stuff, I've learned a few tips that I'd like to share with you to help you with this task.

#1 - Begin with a PRODUCTIVE MINDSET

Photo Credit:  Pixabay

The whole idea of downsizing is to have LESS STUFF!

There are known psychological benefits to this.

Less stuff means less burden on your physical and mental self.

Less stuff means less to clean, move, and store.

Less stuff means fewer decisions to make about "said stuff" which releases you to make decisions on things that really matter.

The whole adage of "Less is More" rings true!

#2 - Separate your personal NEEDS & WANTS in life.

Photo Credit:  picjumbo.com

What do you really need to be happy, every day?

What are the things that make your life more comfortable or enjoyable?

Create a list - yes, actually create a written list - of those things that bring true joy and meaning to your life.

I have often said to people "If you could only take 100 items that mean the most to you, what would they be?"

You'd be surprised what you think of as precious, and what could easily be replaced.

Currently, a good bit of our home is packed for our downsizing move.  I can honestly say that I am not missing any of those packed items one bit - this means that when I go to open those boxes in our new home I need to evaluate if they will really work for us.

#3 - Start with STORED ITEMS

Photo Credit:  Jeswin Thomas

If you have unopened boxes in storage, start there.

One box at a time.  Don't overwhelm yourself.  

Ask yourself if you know exactly what's in that box and why is it still there.

Perhaps it's stuff and memories that belong to a deceased family member and you are struggling to know what to do with it.

This may be a time to walk through your life's history, appreciating the past, but defining your future.

Reminisce, but don't ruin the reality.

Things are not people.

When I was helping my mother go through this type of stuff I had to remind her that her mother (my dear grandmother) was not that plate, box, or chachkie. 

I helped her keep only the items that had a particular meaning to her that belonged to her mother.

For instance, for me, my grandmother always served her string beans in a particular dish.  

I LOVED her string beans so I now have the dish.

You also have to realize that what you think is so special (because it belonged to them) may not have been anything more than what it was... like the string bean dish: it was just a dish to my grandmother that held the string beans best because of its shape.

Those loved ones would not want YOU burdened with THEIR stuff just because it belonged to them.

Give yourself the gift of memories and get rid of the overwhelming stuff.

#4 - Ask yourself some KEY QUESTIONS

Photo Credit:  Pixabay

For each item that you may be struggling with, ask yourself these series of questions.

How does this item serve me in my everyday life and pursuit of happiness?

You will need to figure out if the item has value and brings you true happiness.  Is it serving you in a way that gives you joy and enhances or makes better your everyday living?

Many of our items are taking up space and acquiring dust while never serving their true calling.

Things like your family china set which never gets used.

Sure, it's pretty and is in excellent condition, but you still don't use it.

The question is why?

If you're not using it, it's not making you happy.

Either use it or lose it.

Do I have duplicates of this item, and if so, how many do I really need?

One of the funniest stories happened when I helped my momma downsize.  

She had 9 paring knives.  

Yes, 9.

No one, unless you're a Food Network star, needs 9 paring knives.

We went 3 rounds, in front of friends, over those stupid knives.

I believe she kept 2 or 3.

She really only needed 1, but I threw her a bone and she kept a few that she liked the best AND USED.

She believed she needed all 9, but no one needs that many.

I have one and use it exclusively.

When we hold on to too many of one thing, we are really clinging to a scarcity mentality.

We think we MIGHT need it in the future, only to RARELY have the future materialize.

Am I holding on to this because it is valuable?

I say all the time "Something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it."

IF, and that's a big IF, you think an item has real value, spend the time and the money to have it properly appraised.

At that point, you can sell it for the money or keep it and insure it.

Yes, all those Beanie Babies may still be stored in the attic for the big dollar windfall that was going to happen, but that train has left the building.

Unless it's a highly coveted, Antiques Roadshow piece, chances are you are attaching more monetary value to it that it really is.

We tend to overvalue our stuff because we paid "good money" for it and we hate to think that money was wasted.

This is where the money value turns into emotional value and we get stuck.

The reality is, if you bought it and used it, and enjoyed it, then you got your monies worth.

If you bought it and didn't use it then you need to evaluate why you bought it, learn that lesson, and be more thoughtful with your dollars in the future...

Then let it go!

#5 - REGIFT, REHOME, UPCYCLE, or RECYCLE

Photo Credit:  pixabay

These are some of the easiest things to do with "good stuff" that you do not want to see placed in the trash.

Regift items that are in pristine condition, OR are family heirlooms that another family member would use and value that item.

Perhaps grandma's sewing table would look perfect in your cousin's guest room as a side table instead of the basement or attic of your home.

Rehoming items is easy.  

I always offer good clothing, household goods, and the like to friends and family first.

If they don't want it, I donate OR I might sell on an app like Mercari or Poshmark.

Remember, if you donate it to charity, take a donation ticket so you can get a tax credit at the end of the year.  At least you are getting some of the value back from it.

Upcycling and recycling are just ways of looking for another use for an item.

The teacup you have from your great aunt could make a cute jewelry catcher for a guest or even for your bedside table.

The old lamp might need a good spray paint job and a new shade for your child's dorm room.

Check out Pinterest for ways to reuse items.

#6 - Ask a FRIEND FOR HELP

Photo Credit:  Elle Hughes

Sometimes you need the help of someone not emotionally tied to your "stuff."

A good, honest friend can help you work through the process of making decisions on things that need to go or stay.

They can give you a perspective that you maybe didn't consider.

I've helped several people through this process, and although they thought I was pretty tough during the process, they have all been happy once the dust settled and they were freer than they even thought they could be.

Photo Credit: Andrea Piacquadio

You can do this.

You can downsize.

Ask yourself "How do I eat this elephant?"

ONE BITE AT A TIME!

Recipe Romance

While downsizing, I cleaned out and donated quite a few cookbooks.

Now don't get me wrong, I love a great tangible cookbook, BUT I also love a good Pinterest recipe as well.

So...

I decided to purge both the hands-on and virtual recipe collections to keep what I really use and know I will make.

(There were literally cookbooks that had never been opened... cue eye-roll and heavy sigh here.)

Let's start with what made the cookbook cut.

Sometimes, the best recipes come from community-based collections that are assembled as charitable fund-raisers.

The outside books were given to me as gifts, and you can see I've been through them both and use post-it tags to mark the recipes I want to try.

The middle book was one that I personally spear-headed for my daughter's private school when she was in first grade - she's now 24...

All the recipes were collected from ladies (and a few gents) in those respective communities, so they are time tested and true.

They are also easy (no crazy ingredients) or tedious cooking skills needed.

There's always great dip and casserole recipes in these books as well.

The Pioneer Woman (Copyright protected) has some of the best cookbooks in my opinion simply because they have VISUAL step-by-step instructions.

Here's one thing I know about myself:  I am more apt to cook a new dish WHEN I can see what it's going to look like in the end.

Ree's cookbooks are filled with classic and not-so-classic dishes that make it easy for anyone to create delicious meals.

Plus, her show is great to boot!

Another surprise find was this Holiday Slow Cooker book that I found at...

Wait for it...

THE DOLLAR TREE!!!

And, just so you know, I bought it in January before the shut-down and I have not been back to the Dollar Tree since then.

(Yes, I know...it's been killing me but I did follow that rule!)

I paid $1.00 for this beautiful cookbook with its stunning photographs of every recipe.

I highly suggest you always check out the books at the Dollar Tree simply because they have some great deals.

This book would make a great gift even if you personally couldn't use it.

I have a circa 1985 Betty Crocker Cookbook that is a true classic.

It does not have photos for every recipe, but it always has the "go-to" recipes like quiche and pot roast.

It too is a great gift for a young person to have when forging out on their own.

The tips in it are truly a big help and I still refer to them.

I sometimes see these in thrift shops as well.

Another book I kept was my (original) Crock-Pot Cookbook - by the original Crock-Pot company.

If I can cook something in a crock-pot, I'm all in.

I can prep and start it early in the day and it's waiting for us when it's time for dinner.

Over the course of cooking for the last 30 years, I've also collected recipes from magazines and other people that I've cataloged into a 3-ring binder.

This was well before print magazine sales started to decline and Pinterest wasn't even on the radar.

Armed with my page protectors, laminator, scrapbook paper, and divider tabs, I tried each recipe.

If it worked and we liked it, I kept it in here.

It was my "modern" version of the recipe box collections and 3x5 index cards that my mother and grandmother had.

Some of the recipes are advertisements, like this laminated French's Fried Onion ad.

It's an easy recipe that's a mock fried chicken with fewer calories but still crunchy and tasty.

I also started to add some printed recipes which I slipped into page protectors and placed behind the appropriate divider.

Needless to say, the 3-ring binder filled up and I needed an additional place to store those recipes that I knew I'd make more than once.

So...enter the Happy Planner Recipe Book.

This is my new way to store my recipes, especially since I am now "downsizing" those recipes to serve the two of us.

I also grabbed the Happy Planner food sticker books to dress up my pages.

I made sure to laminate any tips and tricks to add to the book.

Using an arc ring punch means that I can slip them in and out as needed, just like my recipes.

As I find things that work, I rewrite them (yes, I do this and I enjoy it) adding stickers and any additional notes that werved me while creating and cooking.

Here's the one I use for my Rosemary Bread.

One thing I make sure I do is to include a note as to where I found the recipe IF that's available.

This is helpful as well if I want to look for additional recipes.

I also use this as a way to scale back a recipe.

This recipe was WAY TOO BIG for just to two of us but it is so yummy so I didn't want to abandon it.

Taking the time to scale back while writing it makes it easy to replicate.

In addition, it's easier to double or triple a recipe while cooking in lieu of halving it, especially with increments of teaspoons and table spoons.

As I find recipes I want to try, I print them and hang them on the frig.

I put them into the weekly round when meal planning. 

If they are up to par they get added to the pile of rewrites.

When I collect enough recipes, I'll take some time in the evening while watching TV to transfer them to my recipe book.

It's here that I make notes, changes, and scale down for easy use later on.

Now, it's off to eat my crock-pot lasagne recipe that I WILL need to scale down as this is way too much for just the two of us.

But, it's delicious and something I will definitely cook again.

Do have a romance with recipes?

I sure do... and boy is it a love story!