What's in My Handbag

 I have been cutting back on the junk I carry around in my bag.

 There! 

 I said it out loud.

I still have days when everything, but the kitchen sink comes with me, but as the children get older I need less. My bag is not full of wet wipes, snacks and emergency toys any more.

When I am teaching I have a large carry all bag for files, books and whatever resources I need for the day. My drinks and lunch bag go in there too.

So I have built up a little collection of smaller bags - how did that happen?

I have my purple zatchels satchel, which I love, but I get frustrated with the undoing of the buckles. Lazy ? Maybe.

Purple zatchels satchel

I have my gap bargain, green cross body bag. This is a lovely small bag - perfect for shopping days when you need your hands free!

Green Gap bag

Then there is my latest love. An impulse buy. A coral/red colour in leather from Next. At only £25 it would have been rude not to.

Coral Next leather bucket bag

The Contents

What's in my bag?

I still cannot cope without my notepads and diary. I am a writer. I do put my calendar into my ipad, but I have to write everything down too. I make lists and jot down notes as they occur to me. It is not quite the same dictating them into a phone. However I do use the Evernote app for lists and I find that helpful.

Every few days I have to decant everything and get rid of the stuff that has crept back in that I do not need. 

I still carry my ipad around when I am at the kids clubs - it means I can work as well as watch them play their sports!

The hand cream is the lovely freebie off a magazine this month from Neal's Yard. I love it and will probably repurchase when it is all gone.

I love this little make up bag. It only cost £5 and is just large enough for a small mascara, a concealer and a lipstick. Sometimes I can squash a few plasters and painkillers in there too if needed. 

The hand gel is a must when working in school - need I say more.

My purse is a Marc O Polo bargain - lovely and roomy. I can fit all my cards, stamps, receipts and coupons in here.

What would be your essentials to carry in a small bag?

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www.takingachanceinlife.blogspot.uk 2012 - 2013

All personal images are owned by Another New Day

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Images may not be downloaded,manipulated or reproduced without prior written permission. All rights are reserved.

Commercial or Private use without explicit written consent is prohibited and action will be taken through UK and worldwide copyright laws.

Organisation ....

 On a day to day basis.

I think we would all agree our lives run far more smoothly when we are organised. When we have planned ahead and prepared. I know for me if I am not organised our commitments come tumbling down around our ears like a card tower in a puff of wind. When the building work on our house starts I know it will be organisation that keeps me sane.

If you are a regular visitor to my blog you will know I like to plan ! I write a two week menu plan and shopping list from these twice a month to keep my budget to a minimum. So it is probably no surprise to you that I also apply this sort of structure to other areas of our lives.

It works for me.

Our children do a lot . They have football, tennis, music lessons and swimming clubs to fit in. Cricket as well in the summer ( weather permitting). These then create the inevitable matches at the weekend. They have homework to complete and all the other appointments of course to fit in like haircuts, dentist, doctors checkups, physio appointments, play dates, seeing grandparents and so on. 

So I approach it with military precision.

Long term, Mid term and Short term planning.... and of course it must be pretty!

I did attempt to just use my phone and ipad, but I am a writer at heart and I always seem to resort back to writing so here is how I plan.

Long Term :

I use the monthly Calendar App on my Ipad and at the beginning of each month I put in all the dates I know. I can see this at a glance and I usually carry this around with me to clubs and the like.

Mid Term:

I then have a weekly planner pad that I write and scribble all over. You tear a sheet off each week. This cost me £2.99 and isn't dated so can be used in any year. I refer to this every morning - it is stuck above my desk.

Short Term:

I then have a diary and notebooks that I carry around ALL the time with me . These are for lists and notes and dates that crop up as we go through the day. I write ideas down as they occur to me as they disappear from my thoughts as quickly as they come nowadays! The large purple notebook was a gift from a special friend and I use it to write my blog ideas in.

At the end of each day I will quickly update the weekly planner if needed.

This may seem over the top, but it works for me. I think a weekly planner and a notebook for lists and notes would be a good starting point if you are starting your organisation from scratch.

There are various free planners available online ranging from weekly planners to chore planners to menu planners. Here is a link to start your search!!

Free Printable Planners

 I do find that Wilkinsons here in the Uk have a good range of reasonable notebooks.

How do you organise your week?

Design ©2012 Another New Day

www.takingachanceinlife.blogspot.uk 2012 - 2013

All personal images are owned by Another New Day

unless stated otherwise.

Images may not be downloaded,manipulated or reproduced without prior written permission. All rights are reserved.

Commercial or Private use without explicit written consent is prohibited and action will be taken through UK and worldwide copyright laws.