Mine is a simple black shoulder purse...a leather rectangle about 6in. long and 4in. high. There are 5 compartments - a pocket on the front, two main compartments with a zippered compartment in the middle, and a pocket that zips on the back. The back pocket is the only one "exposed" - a large flap covers the main compartments and the front pocket, and has a magnetic clasp. I think I got it a couple of years ago at a department store for $10 or so. It's my "winter" purse. In the front pocket, I keep my pens and work ID, a few business cards, and the occasional shopping list. I try to keep that pocket clear of anything else, so I can easily find a pen when I need one. The first inner compartment holds my checkbook(s) and receipts, the zippered pocket holds change/cash, and the compartment behind that holds a small kleenex holder w/tissues, drugs (painkillers), a teeny bottle of lotion, and any "female" stuff that I need. My planner will fit in there, but I don't carry it, really. The back zippered pocket I rarely use for much - my insurance cards are in there, and not much else. Credit and store cards are in my checkbook. I've always carried a shoulder bag - even in college I just stuck my purse in a big leather shoulder bag I carried books and paper in. I never really cared much for backpacks, and I hate straps across my body, so I guess it's a good thing I don't live in a place where stealing purses is a common crime (two ladies snatched a couple of purses from people shopping at our local walmart last year - they were caught almost immediately and sent to jail for it - and it was big news here). ;-) I do put my purse in the front of carts, but I *never* leave it...if I have to walk away from the cart, my purse goes back on my shoulder, even if DH is with the cart. And the strap of my purse stays securely looped over my knee (tightly, so I can feel it) with my purse on the floor at my feet while I'm in a restarant, so I always know where it is. When I'm watching DH play pool in a bar or something, I leave my purse on the floor of the truck tucked mostly under the dash - when it's dark out, you can't see the black purse...it blends right in with the floor. ;-)

hey! thanks for all the answers ... certainly seems the winner is pear ... i like it; but it comes across sorta greyish to me ... hmmmm the very first answer was from parma (tecquila lime) & that is the choice i have been leaning toward over these many months! ... too gaudy?? ... i have never used a bright color for paint; so i can't envision what it would look like ... squirrel ... you said if i liked lime or moss that i should "knock the edge off" .... does that mean ask them to dilute the paint? .... the other colors you suggested aren't in my fan deck (color preview) ... i will definitely go to the paint store & check them out ... you are so good with colors ... thanks so much everyone; i am so pleased you all took the time to look at my samples ... it is a small room; but i really want to give it a *wow* factor ... phyl

thanks, thanks a lot :) I am now going to look on ebay. I have found my perfect purse, wallet and laptop/work bag (backpack). They are coach. I carried them for about 10 years in brown (mahogany). since I used them daily they were kind of beat up by then and I decided I wanted to start using black. I found the exact bags, all three, in black, gently used, on ebay. it took some searching but I love them still. I think I need a back up though and as time goes on I am sure it will be harder to find. I need to set up my searches on ebay again!

I like my current purse. It's not very big but is big enough for me. Has an outside zippered pocket that I put house keys, earphones, and the key ring that has all my store mini rewards cards on. Another outside pocket that has a snap, doesn't get used. There are little side slits that I keep my cell phone in and use the other side to carry cds (books from library) that I listen to in the car. They fit in there perfectly and keep the cd from getting scratched up when I'm carrying a bunch of other stuff to my car. Inner portion has a large area for my wallet, car keys and lotion pod. There is also a zippered area inside that has big rewards cards, on the other inner portion there are 3 pockets that I keep lip gloss, pens, eye drops and chap stick in. I now wish I had bought 2 of these purses so when this one wears out I would not have to go in search of another 'perfect' purse.