Diana: You might want to look at the Fossil Sydney Zip-Top if you're going to Nordie's. While it does have a long (adjustable) cross-body strap, the strap is detachable. So you could detach it when it's in your tote, and put the strap in the bottom of your tote to prevent it from tangling up with your other stuff. Also, if you already have a wristlet strap, then you can easily attach it to the bag, making it into a wristlet.

I have the Sydney Zip-Top and it's great for travel (packs flat, lightweight, can convert easily from crossbody bag to clutch/wristlet). It's big enough to hold my smartphone, small wallet, keys, mini flat umbrella and my bulky sunglasses case. (Though by that point the bag looks rather bulky.) I love that the bag has a main, large interior space, and also another outside zip pocket.

Some drawbacks are that the main zipper has somewhat sharp teeth (something to consider if you'll be going in and out of that bag frequently -- it's rough on the hands), the small zipper pull of the smaller outside pocket can sometimes be hard to get ahold of, and the loop holding the main zipper pull looks a little cheap-keychain-ish.

Here it is at Nordie's and Amazon:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/fo.....ag/3667487

http://www.amazon.com/Fossil-S.....B00HYBQUSY

Jumping on the train late, but I have a little Baggallini bag, and here is something similar.

http://www.zappos.com/baggalli.....black-sand

They are ripstop nylon, but cute and come in tons of different sizes and configurations.

Diana, just showing you one of my Zara clutches. It's cheap and handy, Incase you want to first try the feasibility of a bag inside a bag before buying something pricey.

The strap detaches and you can either leave it behind at home or keep in your tote (just Incase you need it). The wristlet is not removable.

This is what I need to do when I lug around a diaper bag thanks Diana for asking this

And I thought I was unique in doing the clutch-tote dance. Here are my latest sets, unfortunately they're sold out. The Zara tote even has a detachable clutch inside but it's made from really flimsy fabric so the piece is unusable on its own.

I do this all the time. It's a great solution for compartmentalising the contents of your tote. I go for cosmetic purses and pencil cases because they tend to be lightweight and voluminous with a few internal pockets of their own.