I am not a bag lady. At all. Prior to YLF I was "one-bag-is-enough" lady. Now with Angie's influence I am starting to understand the role a great bag can play in the outfit. Since joining YLF almost 2 years ago I have added 2 bags (pic 4 and 5) to my single bag "collection" ( pic 6) I am checking bag section first when I come to the store and drool over great quality bags there. But...
I have a problem and it is my lifestyle: it just does not have room in it for bag styles I love:
- I walk to work;
- I carry my lunch to work almost every day and gym things at least twice a week. It means I lag my purse, lunch bag and a big bag with gym uniform.
- My bag is only a part of my outfit while I walk to work - at work it sits on my desk all day;
- I am too lazy to switch my stuff from one bag to another every day so I end up with using the same bag over and over again;
- outside of work my use of bags is limited: I prefer my hands free when I am out and about.
So I had a revelation recently: I don't need a lot of bags but I need the right kind of bags:

1.small cross-body purse - actually kind of cross body wallet for running errands, shopping, etc.
2. medium cross-body bag I can use for day trips and longer trips which can fit a wallet, small umbrella, camera, a water bottle and a guide book if required and still be small enough to carry comfortably around for prolonged long time;
3. large tote for work which I can carry on my shoulder as well and which can fit my lunch and my gym things in addition to my regular purse stuff;

As much as I admire the look of a satchel bag and get drawn to them in stores all the time I just struggle to find the place for them in my life. I adore my red Chromia satchel but it is not big enough to use for work so I end up carrying it and my lunch bag together - not a fab look at all.
So I am rebuilding my bag collection from a practical point of view now:
1. small cross-body wallet; I am using one now which I bought in Goodwill last year. I love the concept but want to find a more stylish option
2. medium size cross-body for trips - I hope I scored last weekend with this teal L.Credi one from TownShoes (pic.#3). It is the right size for what I need and it has the happy marriage of a satchel style I love and cross-body style I need. I hope the color will be versatile for me but I may be adding other colors in a similar style later.
3. large tote for work - I think I also scored last weekend on this one in Winners. May I introduce you to my very own "Monty" <waving to Claire>. It is Miztique brand in faux leather but I like the quality, it has a very nice feel to it. It is big enough to fit my lunch and gym stuff in and handles are long enough to wear it over my shoulder! I have been using it every day this week and really happy with it. It was the love from the first sight in the store - and Claire, you and your Monty were in my thoughts!

I hope I can still find place in my life for my red satchel (pic 4), tan hobo(pic 6) and turquoise tote (pic 5) but from now on my new bag purchases have to fit my lifestyle as well as my taste.
Thank you for reading this long "aha" moment - I just felt like sharing it tonight!