Last year, I wrote a post about random things I like to keep in my purse. It caused me to think about how I organize the things that I tote around with me from day to day. I come from a long line of pack rats and the last thing I’ve wanted to do was emulate that behavior…especially with my purse.

I edit quite frequently. I really don’t change up my handbags all that often, but when I do, I never go bigger. A bigger bag just means more room to lug around my junk.

Lately, I’ve been pretty organized and I thought it was time to do a post about the things that I really use and need in my bag!

So, you already know that I love my lips and recently have enjoyed changing up my looks. I used to keep a couple of tubes of lipstick in a pouch inside my purse, but if I made a quick stop or knocked my bag over, I’d lose them. During the Anniversary Sale at Nordstrom, I stopped by the MAC counter and purchased a lip set that came with this cute zippered pouch. Now I keep all my lipsticks in there together and I never have to go searching for them. I feel SO organized and it makes me happy to not have to scrounge around for what I’m looking for!

So often, I’m running from meeting to meeting and I rarely slow down to check my makeup, reapply, or even look to see if I have food in my teeth. But every once in a while, I know I need a quick fix or to check something out. Years ago, I received this engraved pocket mirror in my stocking at Christmas and I keep it close by for just in case moments. It’s the perfect size and I am so thankful I have it…especially after a messy lunch!

And speaking of messy lunches (or stinky ones), I always have an assortment of mints, breath fresheners, or gum. And lately, I’ve been keeping floss, too. You never know when you’ll have a seed stuck in your teeth or run across a George Clooney look alike and decide you NEED a quick makeout! ; )

I am also obsessive about keeping my coupons close on hand. People, coupons are like money. I’m a recent covert/evangelist and can’t speak enough about finding savings everywhere you go. I make a great salary and am fortunate enough to not to need to coupon, but let me tell you, it’s just the smart thing to do…and also, it’s like gambling. I seriously let out a little whoop last night when I saw how much I’d saved on groceries!!!

On that same wavelength, I’ve started carrying around my giftcards lately. Whenever I get one, I tend not to run out and spend them, but rather, make thoughtful decisions on what I want to purchase. This year, I had saved up enough Best Buy giftcards that I was able to buy a flatscreen tv for my bedroom. But unfortunately, I had gone into the store and remembered that I’d left them all at home in a “safe hiding place.” I’m still thoughtful about how I use my giftcards, but now I keep them in my bag!

So, what about you? What are your necessities in your handbag? How often do you edit what you’ve got in there???