Shiny, thanks for chiming in on this thread! I am only 5'2", so I have a lot of the same limitations. Style-wise, a medium-sized purse is about right; the larger ones can overwhelm my frame. And I have health stuff too--I am supposed to wear crossbodies instead of carry stuff. Plus, I like having my hands free. But I can make exceptions every now and then *if* the bag is not heavy! Someone else also mentioned that the leather bags weigh a ton even empty, so I will probably have to stay away. Plus, I would throw so much potentially messy stuff into the large bag (food, thermos) that I'd probably ruin the leather anyway.

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one with this purse dilemma!

Just wanted to pipe in - I drink my water hot too!

Thanks, lyn*! I think it's supposed to be good in general for the immune system...gives your body less to do (heat up the water) so that it has energy for more important things. :^)

My dad says it keeps the "spirit" in good balance - I guess that's the same thing!

Shiny; you're so right about hobo bags! DD is 5'2" and has a slouchy pleather bag from Target that would probably be considered medium size. She calls it her Mary Poppins bag. She can't fit her laptop in it and doesn't have an iPad, but manages to pack a change of clothes, shoes, water bottle, and the normal purse stuff. I should really look for something similar because it is so hard to find something that holds quite a bit that is in scale with a petite stature.

It was my acupuncturist who told me about it...it's part of Chinese medicine. Is your dad Asian?

Oh this is such an interesting thread. I am afraid that I too am in the bag plus reusable shopping bag camp at the moment. And the bag, which my mum gave to me in new condition only in July, is looking very shabby already.

But I plan to get back to cycling to wor, so won't need a bag daily then. I do want to get a better backpack, with a fluro stripe or some other high visibilty decoration, and a waist pack.

I drink my water hot too. Especially in the winter. I do think it is an Asian thing since I am Chinese-American and my mother and sister-in-law have always drank their water this water. Something about being less of a shock to the system.

As for the multiple bags, I too have long try to deal with this problem. My daily commute consists of a .75 walk to the Metro/subway, 45 min Metro ride, followed by a bus ride and another 10 min walk. I use one stylish tote containing my wallet, cosmetics, dental hygiene stuff, headphone/iPhone, & coupons. I use a second larger lightweight tote (Scout bag http://www.scoutbags.com) to carry lunch, water, shoes, daytimer, kindle and a magazine. I am definitely loaded down and probably look like a bag lady.

I prefer fake leather because of the weight issue as well. My mom tried to give me a beautiful bag a few years ago but it was heavier empty than my other bag was when it was full of stuff including books and a water bottle!