Looking for a Perfect Handbag .....

I have a big, wonderful, gorgeous bag I got as a gift for Christmas from my mom. I carry it every day & get compliments regularly from strangers. It's a Vera Wang we got at Kohl's on Black Friday. It's got a long, adjustable strap which is removable & also 2 handles if you're not a shouler strap kind of chick. The one thing about it I don't like is that it doesn't have any outside pockets, but inside it has 2 big sections (I use one for wallet/keys/cell phone & the other for papers/lists/chap stick/gum). There is an interior zippered pocket & a couple of little compartments in there as well which fit my cell phone perfectly. Mine is kind of a gray color with black trim & it's a faux crocodile pattern. It's my favoritest bag everrr!!

So wierd... I was going to suggest the one Melissa J is suggesting! I have the "sister" purse and absolutely love it! It's durable, looks nice and I carry it every day!

If you wait for Kohls to have a sale (pretty much monthly) you can get it for under $75- mine has two pockets on the outside and is also a Vera Wang.

Good luck, I'm 44 and still haven't found the perfect bag!

Do you have Charming Charlie? I bought this huge purse (it's teal, and has 2 open compartments and then a zipper pocket in the middle) for $20 from there almost 2 years ago... I LOVE IT!! I use it as a diaper/overnight bag, and as a purse. This thing rocks. I throw it in the wash all the time and it's not even beginning to fall apart!!

http://www.charmingcharlie.com/locations

I love my Olivia + Joy purse (30 bucks at ross).
I tend to use a small clutch inside my larger purse for all my makeup and another for other items. So I needed a purse that had lining pockets only and not compartments (mine has a total of 4 inside lining pckets and 1 non zippered on the outside).
I bought it originally thinking it was good for going on interviews with because it was large enough and the right size to fit my small work portfolio, but once I got everything in it, I just love it and can't give it up lol.

A little more expensive, but I got a great bag from an etsy seller called Moop.

I think mine is called the small messenger bag. The quality is great, you can wash and dry it, has plenty of pockets. Does not look like a diaper bag.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/moop

I have a big Dooney Burke purse with one of those "Kangaroo Keepers" inside it. (You know, the ones you buy at CVS? :) Here's a link so you can see the purse: http://www.dooney.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?sectio...

Anyway, it's large enough that I can carry all my stuff, plus kids' sweaters, snacks, etc. I'll also point out that although it's not technically a "diaper bag," the end pockets are perfectly sized to hold sippy cups or bottles, or a bottled water, etc. Plus, being Dooney Burke, it's built sturdy enough to take a beating. Mine is 3 years old and looks new, although I've schlepped it everywhere.

NY and Co has some really cute and trendy bags that are not leather but often look like it. You can get one in the $20-$35 range. Then you can switch it up a few times a year. Inside, put some smaller bags that contain your stuff - then you can just pull them out. The bags you get from Lancome that come free with purchase are great.

Otherwise, go to Kohls or Macy's and look around. And opt for a tote bag. Totes are the best for carrying a lot of stuff.

Timi and Leslie make some really good looking bags that can function as both.
You can find them on Amazon.

Do you like Vera Bradley purses?

I liked them very much for the kiddo stage because of all the pockets, they are soft and don't look like a diaper bag. They come in lots of sizes from "purse" to super-giant!

www.verabradley.com

This probably is a little smaller than you want, but I am madly in love with my new purse. It is from Fossil, and I've actually have some really stylish-looking women stop and stare at it and compliment M. on it.

It only has a front and back pocket, with a separate pocket inside the front part, so it doesn't allow for much stuff. But it has forced M. to be really streamlined.

Check out purses from Fossil.

Get a nice back pack and use it. This way you will have room for everything and it will look nice. The leather bags are out until your last child is 16. I once used an overnight tote as a diaper bag/purse and it was nice.

Fashion is out and practical is in. Just make sure you get a color that goes with everything you would wear.

Best to you.

The other S.