Favourite organising tool #14 - mesh bags

These two mesh bags have a very important job in my life.

They help to keep my handbag organised. One has my makeup and the other has the medication I'm taking at the moment and my sweetener.


The pink one came in a set of three (for only R12,99 [$1,30] at Sheet Street - I know, crazy!) and I use the biggest of those to keep all my smaller bits and pieces organised when the handbag I'm using is just one big open cavern.

I can't STAND scratching around looking for things. So all I have to do is haul the mesh bag out, get my wallet or car keys, and I'm good to go.

Why do I like these mesh bags to organise?

• I can categorise
• When I'm transferring items between handbags, I can quickly decide if I need it with me or not
• It's see-through and I have a sincere love for any clear storage tools

Do you use smaller bags to organise your handbag? What other uses can you think of for mesh bags?


Check out the other favourite organising tools posts here

Now this is a nifty little handbag tool

The great thing about loving handbags is that once people know that (which really doesn't take too long with me), they bring you all these cool things to have a look at.

And of course, I'm always ready to take a photo :)

Like this...

This little gadget is a corporate gift we gave to some of our female brokers. The silver bits fold up and the whole thing looks like a coin when not in use.

The bottom of the circular disc has a rubber base so it doesn't slide off the smooth surface of the table and then you hang your handbag off the edge.

I always think, "I hope my bag doesn't get dirty on this floor" when I'm in a restaurant so I really think this is a great idea!

Now I just have to get one.

Isn't it cute?

P.S. that isn't my bag in the photo - it is waaaayyyyy too small for me!

P.P.S. Get your home organised in 2009.

Ask the organiser - finding the right handbag

Is it normal to want to switch purses about as much as you change your underwear because you can't find one that is "just right"?

Part of my problem is I can find a planner that I want to stick with. I feel comfy with a 3 ring binder planner, but I guess can't make up my mind what size. I don't really want to carry around a lot and I guess I try to be like the other moms around me but my situation is different; I sometimes would like to just have a pocket planner, but I like to see details, ya know?

I am a mom, wife, have a part-time Avon business, work overnights, and am the only driver, I keep track of all administrative aspects of the house and am just confused. Do you think I should just stop and analyse what I like and need and stop trying to adapt to other people...

Charity Wilt

It is absolutely normal to want to keep switching purses (I call them handbags). That's because either you haven't found what works for you, or you don't want to accept what is right for you and your situation. There's no point having a tiny bag if you have lots of stuff you need to carry around.

You are comfortable with your 3-ring binder and it's working for you, so EMBRACE that. Don't try and be like all "the other moms" because your situation and theirs is so different.

About the size, I understand you don't want to lug around a huge binder because a) it's unattractive and b) it's heavy so my suggestion is to experiment going to a slightly smaller size and see if that compromises much on how much detail you can see on the pages. You should be able to tell after about a week if it's working for you or if it's cramping your style, in which case, switch back :)

I think with the handbags there are two things that happen to me:

1. I get bored with using the same handbag day after day after day, which is why I have about 20 (tell your husband - he'll think you're great for only having 6!)
2. I do find that I can use one for a long time if it's really functional.

I bought this beauty a few weeks ago. I love this colour because I feel sassy whenever I wear red. Also, there are so many pockets which means everything has a place and I never have to hunt for anything in this bag. Which also means it stays neat and tidy, another bonus!

I've used this one for the last 3 weeks non-stop without getting irritated (which is big, for me).

So, Charity, getting back to your question... I think you'll keep changing bags until you find a really functional one that also looks good. Definitely make a list of what you're looking for so you can keep your eyes open, and also when you're in the store, repack your things and "fit on" the bag so you can see if it works for you.

Related posts
Organising my handbag
Organising my green handbag
Tackling my handbags

August declutter challenge - day 12

This is the last handbag for a while...unless I get obsessed with throwing out some more. The scary thing is there are many others I still have!

If you've been reading our travel blog, you might recognise this bag from our Ireland pictures.

I bought it at Primark at The Thistles in Stirling, Scotland because Dion said, "we have to wait for Suzanne to do anything touristy". That was all I needed to hear to hit the shops :)

It is HUGE and everything gets lost once it gets inside - good for travelling so that my baggage allowance wasn't compromised but not so good once we were home.

So, what are you decluttering today?

August declutter challenge - day 11

Yet another handbag...I know Beth thinks I'm crazy because she has a total of 4 handbags. I'm thinking, "how, exactly, do you match just 4 handbags to your personality?" :)

Clearly I have a screw loose!

An old, brown, casual handbag I got from Mr Price for R60 a gazillion years ago.

Out, out!!!

What are you decluttering today?


And now for my menu plan...
Monday
Stirfried chicken and rice with veggies

Tuesday
Spaghetti bolognaise prepared by Dion

Wednesday
Potato and sweetcorn bake, apricot chicken

Thursday
Pasta with spicy lentil and tomato sauce

Friday
Burgers and chips

Visit Laura for more menu ideas

August declutter challenge - day 9

Don't forget to link up on this post by 12pm EST today if you've decluttered 7 items or more this week.

This bag was one of my favourites for many, many years for a number of reasons:

• a good friend gave it to me
• it has my initials on it
• it's the perfect size to carry exactly what you need

I haven't been using it for some time now so it's time to let it go...

What are you decluttering today?

It's National Women's Day in South Africa today which is annoying because we like our public holidays on work days, not on weekends.

How are you celebrating being a woman today?

BTW, for any purchases of ebooks, ecourses or audio products from my store during the month of August, I'm throwing in a free Women's Makeover Kit (Women's Health & Wellness Manual & Self-Confidence Handbook) worth $47.

August declutter challenge - day 8 & weekly giveaway

The giveaway for week 1 is now closed.
Why don't you start the challenge now and enter next week's contest?

I'm decluttering handbags again!

I love this little one, especially the shade of green - only thing is it just is a tiny bit too small.

When I use it, I can only fit my wallet (yes, that gorgeous one), make-up case, cell phone, tissues and car keys. I have to leave my notebook and planner at home :(

So that's why I'm letting it go.

I got it at Jet Stores for about R50 a year or two ago.

What are you decluttering today?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Remember if you've decluttered at least 7 items you get to enter the giveaway.

This is what you do:

1. Write ONE post on your own blog with pictures of the 7 items, or one picture of the 7 items.
2. Link back here.
3. Put the permanent link URL in the Mr Linky below so everyone can come see what you've decluttered.
4. Beth and I will draw 3 names over the weekend and announce the winners on Monday.

Good - let the games begin :)

Here you go - sign up...

August declutter challenge - day 7

Have you been enjoying the stories behind my handbags?

I must say, I've been enjoying the process of giving them a voice before releasing them...sounds very woo-woo, doesn't it?

But it's working because I don't feel like I have to hang onto them for the memories anymore!

Is it working for you too?


Right, back to today...

In Johannesburg, it gets really, really hot in summer. I can't stand sandals with the strips of material over the feet and I practically live in these kinds of sandals (as you can see).

These ones have been with me to Thailand and Malaysia, and I have a picture of us on an elephant in a Thai jungle, with my feet in these :)


What did you declutter today?

August declutter challenge - day 4

I've been known to go up to complete strangers and ask them, "WHERE did you get that GORGEOUS bag?"

Some people will look at me like I'm weird but the true handbag lover will smile because they know what it's like

That's what I did to a girl at work and she told me, so I went out and got one.

I loved it for a while until my cell phone kept falling out of the little pockets because they were too wide.

When things don't function properly, I go off them quite quickly. And that's what happened to this brown bag.

I still love the look of this one...but after you have to scratch around in it for your cell phone for the THIRD time in the day and it's only 10:00 in the morning... you get SO ready to switch to a more functional bag.

And that's why this one is going.

Originally bought at Edgars for R129 about a year ago.

What are you decluttering today?

August declutter challenge - day 3

I bought this bag in Sydney, Australia :)

If memory serves me correctly, it was on Pitt Street. It's in the financial district, right opposite a Gloria Jean's coffee shop and near a Burger King. Trust me to remember all the food places :)

(I've just checked Google and I got the name correct - yay)

This is the hotel we stayed at.

While I'm strolling down memory lane, that was also the same street where I first saw a gay couple kiss. Oh, I do live a sheltered life!

I think I paid Aus $10 (R50) at the time, which was in April 2004.

So tell me, what did you declutter today?

August declutter challenge - day 2

I bought this black bag at Milady's in April. I was looking for a light handbag with lots of pockets that would go with most of my clothes while we travelled in the UK and Ireland.

I found the one in these pictures and while I was there, this black beauty caught my eye.

The only thing is I didn't quite get around to using it. I think it's because I already have one smart, black handbag. And I'm not really into boring handbags :)

You'll notice the price tag is still affixed. R159 for those of you who are interested in prices like I am ($US 20).

I'm now trying to sell it because Milady's does not accept returns outside of a 28-day period (I tried to return it on 5 July - no joy).

What did you declutter today?

August declutter challenge - day 1

Updated AGAIN to add
I tried a new Mr Linky so it is fixed :)



It's HERE!!! I feel like I've waited FOREVER for this day but it's been only 3 weeks :)

Welcome to the new readers and thanks for joining in.

If you're not familiar with the August Declutter Challenge, read about it over on the top of the sidebar ----->>

Don't get overwhelmed thinking about the whole month - start with ONE THING today.

Okay? It's not that bad - really, I promise :)

I'll go first and then it's your turn...


I bought this red handbag in 2001 and it has been one of my favourites ever since.

Do you know why?

Because of its texture. I don't quite know what it's made of but this bag has a deliciously smooth, cool feel. Lovely!

I'm a very tactile person - that means I like to touch things. If you meet me in real life, don't be freaked out if I touch things and go, "mmmmm" ;)

I'm letting it go because it's not quite wide enough for all the things I carry around with me.

Bye-bye, gorgeous red handbag from Truworths.


What did you declutter today?

Tackling my handbags

I tackled my handbags 6 months ago and had to do them again last weekend because of all the new ones I've been buying. I sold MANY but it didn't make much of a dent as you can see below...

Before - top of old organiser

Before - bottom of old organiser
I knew I was going to sort this out so I created a mess on the bottom of my wardrobe during the last few days (yes, it felt good)
the whole lot in one very ugly pile

Sorting it all out

1. I put one awkward shape inside of another very big bag.
2. I used the space on the floor along the back (orange bag) and surrounding my basket (beige and brown bags).
3. I rolled up some bags and positioned smaller, lesser-used bags in my basket. This basket currently holds 8!
4. The basket stashes under my new lime-green organiser (for spring) because the shelves are quite narrow, which makes for a neater look.

Here is the end result - 20 bags, beautifully organised

In case you're counting, I am wearing number 20! :-)

Just for fun, tell me how many handbags/ purses/ pocketbooks (whatever you call it) you have!

Organising my green bag

Views from the front and side

Corrie asked me how I organise my bag and while I talked about it before, I'm going to tell you about this one specifically.

1. Before I buy any bag, I empty out my current handbag in the shop and repack it in that bag to make sure it all fits. This is because my spatial ability is ...well... non-existent so I might think it will all fit and I'm disappointed when I get home and then I have to return it. All a big waste of time.

2. I like a pocket on the outside for keys and a flat pocket somewhere else - either on the inside or on the other side of the bag. The flat pocket is for pens (I'm not carrying the blue pencil bag anymore), my flash drive, my tiny calculator and my gym card.




3. Of course on the inside I must have a pocket for my cell phone and

4. My planner must fit, together with my makeup bag and gorgeous green wallet. Notice how I have a see-through make-up bag because I don't like to scratch around.

How do I keep it organised?

1. Everything always goes back in its place.


2. I clear out my wallet every weekend.


3. Of course, I update the planner hourly so that is always up to date too and I do a quick review every night.


4. It is just big enough/ small enough for everything I need so I can't cram it full of junk.

My handbag obsession

I was tidying up my e-clutter when I found these photos. This is a handbag I bought in PE on the Knysna trip.

Gorgeous, isn't it?

No, I didn't sell this one!!! My word - I'm not crazy.

And I'm almost ashamed to say I now own about 18. That's how out of control this bag-buying thing was. They all spoke to me and said, Buy me, Buy me.

Don't you also hear the voices??? :-) What are your voices about?

Creative financing

Remember this post where I told you about my handbag obsession?

All of these

equals this beauty!

My husband told me to take out insurance on it and I actually considered it for a few minutes!

Tacke it Tuesday - handbags

Okay so I promised that I’d do the handbags this week.

These were all in a big old mess (too ugly to take a picture). That’s because I am a handbag junkie. In fact, handbags, wallets and watches. But since I found my perfect wallet, I’m almost cured. Same story with the watches

I find I go through phases with handbags – at the moment, I carry around my diary, a coaching notebook (for my coaching, not coaching clients) and a general notebook. In addition, there’s a make-up bag, wallet, cell phone and some pens.

Anyway, I bought one of these fabric organiser things from Ackermans. There are 3 nice big shelves on the top and then littler ones below that. The little ones are meant for shoes but you know I like to use things, not as they were intended, but as I see fit.

Now the double rail in my wardrobe is a bit of a hindrance but I found that it doesn’t bother me too much and keeps my handbags much neater – they were all over the place before.

Top half of organiser

Bottom half of organiser

This basket is on the bottom of the wardrobe. It holds 5 bags if I place them in nicely. At the back I have a big red/ maroon bag that is holding a smaller black suede bag.

WOW - I just saw this is my 50th post. Been slack around these parts until recently.