The first time i realized i had a problem was my senior year in high school. I was on my way to the Turnabout Dance and we stopped at a friend's house to take pictures. All the girls put their purses down for safekeeping, me included. When we came back, one was missing. We looked and looked to no avail. Then we found it. It had made its way into my neon green raffia tote that matched my dress (trust me, it was cuter than it sounds). All the other girls had little cute clutches for their lipstick and keys, but i couldn't be bothered with something so inefficient. i needed something that could carry a camera AND my keys AND a cardigan (hey, it was february!). ever since, its just been my thing. i seem to be the only one who can pick up my purse without throwing out their back, and yet, everyone comes to me when they need something and we are out and about. because, yes, i can macgyver anything i have in my bag to solve any problem.

I should also mention i'm an architect, which comes with its own set of neurosis. in architecture school, all-night studio projects meant i always had my glasses and contacts, a toothbrush and at least 2 peanut butter sandwiches with me at all times. its like i was paying $25,000 a year to be a bag lady.

but i digress, my bag today is a pretty accurate representation of its typical makeup. oh, and the purse itself is a teal cross body number with navy beading on the front. i got it in paris which by default makes it fabulous.

(1) 15" Apple Macbook Pro + charger (a must for any twentysomething involved in the design world)
(1) set of keys for my apartment, car, office, bike lock, etc.
(1) iphone (sort of makes my computer redundant)
(1) pair of headphones
(3) giant pairs of sunglasses (one would be fine, but i always forget if i have them or not)
(1) moleskin calendar/sketchbook (also made obsolete by the iphone, but i love having it to write notes)
(2) tins of lush lipbalm
(3) packs of gum (someone please take my stride mandarin flavor, i've been giving it to the interns, but they are on to me, it tastes like chewing an entire bottle of childrens triamenic)
(1) giant wallet (i only have 4 cards i actually use: license, credit, debit, bus pass. but i keep everything in there. an outdated louvre pass, my scaffolding certification card, etc. i should also mention, my wallet is sadly almost always devoid of cash)
(1) marimekko pencil case containing pens, pencils, markers, and 2 utility blades
(1) rhodia graph paper pad for sketches
(1) Leica Disto laser measure (an early birthday present from my boyfriend, and it is amazing. accurate to 1/16" over 200'. yeah yeah yeah!)
(1) checkbook, with only one voided check in it
(1) bottle of aleve
(1) bottle of french sleeping pills (they look like crackers and will knock you out for 20 hours. wild)
(1) nail clipper
(1) pair of tweezers
(?) variety of lady specific accoutrement

last but not least. my purse apparantly acts as a portable trash can. there are countless gum wrappers and target reciepts, crumpled post-its and scraps of cellophane that held who knows what.

i'm embarrassed. i think i'm going to go clean this thing out.

By: Annie At 07/10/2008 - 4:55pm |  |  |