Meet the Purse Bowl

Last week, a friend dropped this Everygirl article into the group chat. And the Purse Bowl was born.

A Purse Bowl is a medium-large bowl on your hallway table or the top of your dresser, which you empty your essentials into — wallet, keys, etc. Then, when you need to switch purses, you just dump the contents of the Purse Bowl into your bag. Never again will you get to the restaurant and realize that the hair tie, tampons, or lipstick you need is in your other purse.

The article got me thinking about the essentials I keep in my bag. So I thought we’d have a chat about it.

A few years back, I stopped carrying a purse every time I leave the house. I realized that I like to travel light. And my Purse Bowl helps keep me organized when I need to grab a bag unexpectedly.

I utilize a Matryoshka doll-like system for my purses — I start with a small wallet and build up from there. Let me show you how.

The Bowl. The idea of a Purse Bowl is pretty genius. I already own this terracotta bowl from Amazon in two sizes, so I am using that one. It’s perfectly neutral with a great texture and complements any decor. BUT, if I didn’t already have something that would work, I would buy this gorgeous scalloped marble bowl, also from Amazon.

The Card Case. Several years ago, I bought a small Anya Hindmarch foldover card case (which she no longer makes) and never looked back. These card cases let me shove my debit card, credit card, insurance cards and ID into my pocket with my keys and just go. It’s the closest I’ve ever come to being a guy. Just grab and go.

This Quince card case is small and easy to carry. Fold over cases, like my beloved AH choice, are surprisingly tough to find if you want a clear cover for the ID and multiple card slots. The only thing that even comes close is this Aspinal London case — and glory be, it’s <$75.

The Cash Envelope. The next nesting doll up in size is my leather envelope. I own five of these Loeffler Randall embossed croc envelopes, which I have methodically collected like a squirrel from Poshmark, The RealReal and Thredup. My original one was the Christmas gift from Shopstyle in 2013. So you can only find them on resale, but they are so sturdy, hold up beautifully, and I will probably be buried with one of them beside me.

The great thing about a leather envelope is that you can just tuck it into your bag and then use it as the chicest, slimmest clutch when needed. I have carried this one to so many weddings and events. Also, 3/5 times I use it, someone tells me how much they love it. It will hold a wallet, a slim phone, a small key ring and a lip gloss even though it is very narrow.

When I don’t use it as a wallet, it holds my cash. I was robbed outside of my work a few years ago, and I just handed the guy the envelope with the cash and he peaceably walked away. He got a few hundred dollars and I got to keep my ID and debit card.

Need something similar? Graphic Image makes the nicest ones and they come in multiple sizes.

The Trinkets. Like I said, I like to travel light. Tampons (Cora is my brand; cramps are 95% better since I started using all cotton.). Lip gloss (The Outset is a must if you have dry lips.). A cute hand sanitizer that doesn’t smell like a hospital room (Touchland for the win.). And probably a hair tie and a couple of bobby pins.

When I travel, I keep these things in a small pouch from Cuyana with my medicine and the jewelry I don’t want to put in my checked bag. I bought the old version of these pouches in 2012, and they still look basically new today. So 10/10 on the durability for the price. I love the slimmer style of the new ones and may ask for a couple for Christmas this year.

The Sunglasses. I like nice sunglasses, but I lose and break too many pairs to buy them. As Sloane Crosley would say, “If you have to ask how much it costs, you can’t afford it.” So I stick to two brands pretty religiously: Quay and Ray-Ban.

These Quay aviators are so chic my husband decided to wear them one day, which, as you can imagine, was a great source of consternation when I went to put them on and they were not there. The joys of living in a community property state.

The Keychain. Our nanny drives my car. My husband drives my car. My weekend sitter drives my car. And no one knows how to put the damn keys back in the bowl. Luckily, this whimsical Maison de Sabre keychain fits an Apple Air Tag, so I can always find them. I’ve also been known to clip this to Sloane’s overalls or jacket at the park so I can find her if something happens. So many cute choices; I also love the little peach that will be in the Anniversary Sale. (F**k, it’s almost Anniversary Sale time…)

Toddler Snack. A hangry toddler is a thing to behold. It’s like a wild animal that just realized that it’s in a cage and is sure if it just ups-the-volume on the emotional outburst, you will break and free it from bondage. Luckily, these Amara snack packs, mini-boxes of raisins, and these fruit bars can be stored in even the smallest of bags for weeks because emergencies happen.

What are your purse essentials? Leave them in the comments.

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