Friday, May 17, 2013

On the road again....


One of my goals is to stick with one bag. It's a well known fact that I love bags (and shoes). It may also be well known that I'm on a mission to significantly downsize and release the majority of my possessions. My current challenge is that I am not home long enough to really tear in and clear out in the way I want to. 

Weekends have found me packing up and rolling out, which certainly feed my three tree energies (love to move, discover, explore and be on the go!) This, however, is not conducive to clutter control and organization unless the system was in place BEFORE I left the house. My system is to quicky ditch my every day weekly bag for a larger weekend bag. I need (and want) to stop doing this. I have a tote for every activity but it sticks out in my mind that it would be a whole lot handier to have an all purpose bag. And of ALL the styles I've tried, I have yet to find one that wins the "All Around" title. 

I rarely carry a purse anymore. Instead I've gotten all I need into this one. Back in 2010 on a visit to Disney World, I bought this little Dooney and Bourke wristlet. It was wayyyy more than I had ever spent on a tiny purse so I was determined to use it. This is the ONE item that I have carried with me daily, which is in an of itself a miracle since I tend to change purses, bags and totes like the weather. I have both glued and sewn it. It holds a cell phone, card organizer, lip balm, essential oil blend, Tide to go mini stick, cash, advil, receipts and sometimes change. 




This however is what I am working with presently....The things that go with me on a daily basis: bamboo utensils, re-usable towel, tea bags, journal, pens, Kindle, sunscreen and....not shown here, watercolor crayons, colored pencils, washi tape and journaling supplies. I also tote around the latest issues of both Taproot and Kinfolk magazines. (Sometimes I still like to touch pages of whatever I'm reading!)



I realize that I could downsize significantly in terms of what I pack around. This will likely be the LAST area I tackle on my minimalist journey. I am often in a place where I'm waiting on my kids, at a rodeo or a ball game or whatever and I ALWAYS want to have something to be doing! This weekend I'll be at a two day junior high rodeo event. This will give me some times to catch up on art journaling and writing. I'm working on another article submission for Amulet, THE COOLEST MAGAZINE I'VE SEEN IN A LONG TIME! I am thrilled to be included among some very talented, wise, gorgeous beings. I'll have a special post and link to share. 

I've tried a lot of totes but I am really open to suggestions so if anyone happens to have a great, all purpose bag in mind, please share in the comments below or leave a message on Facebook! My two main requirements are lots of pockets and durability. I tend to be pretty hard on bags, they get tossed in the back of a messy Subaru, thrown in a horse trailer,  drug around to various seating locations, sometimes get spilled on or in and on occasion, get slept on. 

In the meantime, I guess I'll repack. On a bright note, the clothing/closet purge that I engaged in during April has been wildly liberating. My clothes were packed in less than 5 minutes! That FEELS GREAT! I still have a ways to go but the clearing has created wonderful creativity and freedom. 

Have a great weekend! 


12 comments:

  1. robyn-
    have you checked into any of the thirty-one brand bags/totes? i think they are great! i bought the organizing utility tote for myself. has nice pockets all around, for water bottles, sunscreen or whatever & a nice big area on the inside & it zips. there are a ton to choose from...bigger ones,ones with coolers built into them... there is one called the weekender bag...maybe something to fit ur needs. they are kinda of expensive but hold up well....& im sure u can throw it in the washer :)
    happy shopping!
    brooke :)

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    1. Thanks for the idea! I do have a 31 tote with pockets and I do use it some. Usually I have it filled with art journal supplies and I keep it packed and ready. I may have to check out the weekender. I need one that I can haul all the time so perhaps I can rethink my current usage :)

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  2. Arc'teryx Blade 30..Expensive, But Awesome.
    MountainGear.Com

    Joel

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    1. SWOOT Buddy! I will check it out. You kinda know the miles that I tend to put on gear. I'll be moving on over to this website! Can't wait to see you and Carrie SOON!!! YEEE HAWWWW!

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  3. Happy Friday! The totes from Land's End are really durable. I think they're made of canvas. I've had one for years that I've carried to work everyday. They come in different sizes and colors. Not sure about number of pockets, though. Mine doesn't have any pockets because I didn't want any. You can also buy these similar bags through L.L. Bean, too.
    -Brecken-

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    1. Awesome! I think I know which one you are talking about. I used to have a knock off that I kept in the car when the kids were little....not sure where it went :D also can't wait to see YOU n JOSH!!!! WOOO HOOOO!

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  4. Well I absolutely cherish my copies of Kinfolk ever since you introduced me to the publication so please tell me more about Amulet! Is it similar?

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    1. YAY!!! I LOVE Kinfolk. Carrie, you'll adore Amulet too. The gals that I met with in Seattle are the creators/publishers!!!!!!!! That weekend is when I got the invite to submit! I wrote about 9*ki!!!
      you go to my wall, there should be a link for it. You can purchase an digital copy or a hard copy. http://www.amuletmagazine.com/fieldguide/

      Visit the link. I will have a blog button on here one of these days. I've been so busy that I haven't had a chance to post it. I guarantee you will adore it!!!!

      PS Can't wait to see YOU too!!!!! YIPPIE!!!!

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    2. I thought that might have been the one. I went ahead and ordered the Spring hard copy, is that the one you wrote in? Hopefully I'll get it before we leave Friday! I saw you on the contributors page, how exciting!

      Can't wait to see you too!! We'll get there late Friday night. Xoxo

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  5. Hi Robyn! I think you would rock a vintage carpet bag, in some sort of pasley print! I don't know about the pockets and storage. As mention above, thirty-one brand has some nice options too. Happy Trails!

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  6. Lucy, you know my style well!!! I would LOVE a vintage carpet bag!!! Know where I can get one? My sewing skills are lacking ;)

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    1. Yes, sewing carpet bag might be a bit difficult! HA! I see a few on ebay. I posted a pretty one on FB! I will keep my eye out for one!

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