I would get yourself a beautiful stylish, ROOMY tote, big enough to carry your work stuff as well as tuck in a small amount of groceries and/or the lunch box. (Consider getting yourself a reusable grocery bag that folds up small, so you always have one on hand). Then, get a small clutch for your essentials to tuck inside that tote. When you go out to lunch at work, or need to hit the bathroom, etc, you just grab the clutch and take that.
Otherwise, since I telecommute, carrying work stuff isn't really an issue for me. My preference in bags is slouchy, hobo style bags in leather, with a single handle, not too big that it overwhelms my frame. Then I use a purse insert to keep all my stuff organized and accessible inside, and to make handbag switching much easier. In all but one of my bags, there is room to throw in a cardi or scarf, umbrella, bottle of water, camera, etc... depending on what I need to add for the day.
Incidentally, regarding the company-issued tote bag? Let your company know it is a security risk to carry a bag with a logo like that. Well, okay... maybe American Greetings doesn't have to worry too much about intellectual property theft... but this is one thing I've had drilled into my head at work. We're forbidden to carry bags that have our logo plastered on it. (We still give them out to customers though!). And to only wear logo'ed polos when at trade shows - never when traveling.
