Spruce up your handbag

I was scouring through my handbag last night trying to find my keys amongst the contents, when I started thinking, do I really need all of this STUFF with me every day?  Most of us lug our lives around in our bags, which are becoming heavier and larger now than ever before.  If your expanding bag has worn a crease in your shoulder, and it’s so overfilled that it takes you forever to find your keys, it’s time for a handbag overhaul.  It is time to clear out all the useless, unnecessary clutter, that you have acquired over the past days and weeks.

Organisation is the key!  Empty the contents out to reveal all that unwanted junk and clutter.
Next, you decide which should be essential and non-essential items and cull everything that is unnecessary.  Once you have done this, it will be much easier to de-clutter on a regular basis.
I have found an easy solution; I like to sort everything into plastic zip-lock bags.  It's like an internal filing system and makes it so much easier when transferring things from bag to bag.

Essential items are likely to include a wallet, make-up bag, keys, phone and notebook.  We are also often reluctant to leave the house without our basics like deodorant, brush, mascara and lip balm.
Keep cosmetics in a small make-up bag inside your handbag and just include the bare essentials for the day.  This usually means what is required for touchups of your lipstick, foundation, blusher etc when needed, rather than mountains of extras.  It is not necessary to carry your whole make up bag around with you, although I do find it hard to leave anything in that department behind!  Then you have to maintain it by not allowing your bag to eventually become cluttered again.  

I have managed to narrow down the contents in my bag, and it is a vast improvement of its former self.  It is awesome to finally see the rear end of all of those paper dockets!

Here is an inventory of the things I dote on, in my handbag...

Lip Balm/Gloss - Shizen Stick Conditioning Balm and Bare Minerals 100% Natural Lip Gloss
Bronzer - Glo Minerals Glo Sheer Tint Base Bronzing Gel
Mascara - Bare Minerals Big Tease Mascara
Pressed Powder/Concealer - Glo Minerals Matte Finishing Powder and Glo Minerals Brightener Highlight Concealer
Refresher Wipes - Dermalogica mediBac Skin Purifying Wipes
Sunscreen - Invisible Zinc Face & Body Sunscreen SPF30+
Hand Cream - Simplicite Nourishing Hand and Nail Creme
Blotting Papers – Glo Minerals Blotting Papers
Deodorant/Body Spray - Dermalogica Environmental Control Deodorant and Evoke Body Spray
Compact Mirror – Chanel Miroir Double Facettes Mirror Duo
Hair Brush – Lady Jane Compact Purse Size Brush
Grooming Kit - Manicare 4 Piece Grooming Set
Hand Sanitizer – Surya Organic Moisturising Hand Sanitizer

Other essentials
Day Planner or Notebook and Pen
Keys (House/car etc)
Purse/Wallet
Mobile Phone
Sunglasses
Mints/Gum - SweetBreath Mints
Water Bottle
…and in my case disposable nappies, baby wipes, various little toys, snacks and baby bottles (The joys of having two toddlers, LOL)

A good tip is to invest in some minis; compact/travel sized beauty essentials, they are convenient and take up less space in your bag, and most of your favourite brands now stock them.

Love Mel xxx