Our local community services organization loves to receive donations of travel-size shampoo, hand soap, deodorant, shaving needs, tooth paste/tooth brushes, manicure items, etc. These are appreciated by the homeless or sheltered people who depend on them. Before retirement I traveled ~100,000 miles/year and got packing down to a science. Kept all liquids in the required 1 qt zip-top bag. Cosmetics in a small zip bag (7" x 5" x 1.5") that is fitted with elastic loops for brushes and a pouch for small jars. This was a give-away item from Bare Minerals about 5 years ago and I still use it. Very sturdy. Remaining small bathroom stuff is in a small clear vinyl zip bag: hairbrush, tooth brush with its little cap, meds like decongestants and aspirin, manicure tools, etc. I keep a pencil and small post-it notes in liquids bag. While on a trip I write whatever needed replenishing and stick that inside the liquids bag. The first thing I do when returning home is to refill the moisturizer, shampoo and whatever else is on that list. Takes 2 minutes. As a result, I never pack bathroom stuff or forget anything because it's always in the suitcase. Just pack clothing, but that's another topic! And about my purse: After injuring my shoulder reaching into the back seat and lifting my huge tote bag, I downsized to a shoulder bag that holds only my wallet, Blackberry and a couple small things in the zipper pocket. I keep it on the passenger seat or floor. It took a year before the shoulder was healed (couldn't reach up or put on a sleeve without pain). I don't miss the load of the things I used to carry as 'essential'... not worth the pain.

I get it - the way men hand us their stuff, so they are prepared but unencumbered. I try (not too successfully) to keep a neat handbag, then will end up with additional phone, reading glasses, sunglasses, what ever paperwork he may have had in his hand. I don't like to carry a large bag either, and for those times when I really want hands free (like to take notes) I bought a cross body camera bag that I'll 'wear'. Another option I like and turn to a lot - vests with lots of pockets. Travel vests, camera vests, they serve double purpose since I'm seldom too warm. Had you thought about a travel or camera vest for him? Travelsmith has a great one for both men and women. DH doesn't worry a whole lot about looking unmanly - pink doesn't scare him :) - and I think he'd 'wear' a cross body bag in special circumstances if I asked. OT, but a friend of mine spent several weeks in Australia&New Zealand last year and was quickly cured of calling her purse on a belt a 'fanny' pack or bag. Apparently it has a different meaning there, and fanny isn't the rear view of someones anatomy but something we think of as much more private/personal womans body part - which caused her huge embarrassment.

Mrsmarv, I get their emails. They're having a great summer sale now, except the fabric I ordered for my purse wasn't on sale. :( ks, I like the Bella bags but they're just too small in width for me. If they were just an inch or two wider I would have bought one. I am SO picky. lol. So I caved and bought myself an early birthday present. Below is the link t021171217967N976D14791--> Your Name: Your Email Address: Subject of Posting: Message: Optional Link URL:    Name of the Link: Information about Posting You must be logged in to post a message. Once you are logged in, a posting window will appear at the bottom of the messages. If you are not a member, please register for an account. Please review our Rules of Play before posting. Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review your post, make changes and upload photos. After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it. Before posting copyrighted material, please read about Copyright and Fair Use. We have a strict no-advertising policy! If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum. If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help. Learn more about in-text links on this page here Return to the Kitchen Table Forum Most Recent Posts Help w/ HVAC decision for new construction, quotes attached. â¢Â by tega Kobe vs XtremeAir Range Hood â¢Â by radaM66 What's behind your cooktop--backsplash question â¢Â by suellen_2010 Old 12 gage wire and new 12 gage wire â¢Â by greg_2010 "Serene" bedrooms--yawn â¢Â by Violet.West Territorial Seed â¢Â by ltilton Older Daylilies (1990 or Earlier) â¢Â by xokientx French Provincial beds - want to restore but questions â¢Â by cran Opinions on prep sink against the wall â¢Â by HomeChef59 New pothos surrounded by 1000s of tiny dead bugs â¢Â by Lauraeli Explore GardenWeb Ann's Cream Cheese Babka Perfect for Holiday Baking Feeding Hummingbirds Will they survive the winter?

You've all got me laughing this morning! I am getting ready to go shopping because after one full day of carrying that purse around.....I don't want to wait for the mail to deliver me anything! Keep your fingers crossed that I find one or two perfect bags! I plan to look for a fanny pack first as I wear pants almost all the time. My doctor told me that with the chemo that I'm taking now, that I can forget about the side effects that are normally associated with chemo. I probably won't have any of them. After surgery I will be taking a stronger chemo and might have some other side effects, but he has never mentioned hair loss. But my life is more important than my hair and I might get lucky and have body in my new hair if that happens!! *S* Hmmm, I think I would rather be Sophia than Her Royal Highness! LOL