What's in My Purse: Before and After!

Birchbox recently sent out a call to all "Birchbloggers" asking us to expand on what's in our purses.  This couldn't have come at a better time for me, because I just underwent a major purse overhaul.

I have always been the type of girl to carry around a ginormous purse, ones so big that people were often prompted to say "Where the hell are you going that you need all that stuff?!"  Let's just say that I liked being prepared for anything.  Up until this week, the photo above is what I had going on in my purse.

1. Melie Bianco Sandy Tassel Tote - I love this bag so much.  I got it in my very first Little Black Bag.  It's pretty huge--one of my coworkers asked me if it was my backpack and if I was ready for back to school!
2. Sephora mirror - This came with a gift card I won through a blog giveaway.  Cute and compact!
3. Trident gum - I chew gum like it's my job, so I always have a pack on hand.
4. 4GB USB Drive - Because, why not?  I guess I just like the idea of having one if I ever need to transport some data on the fly.
5. iPhone 4 - I don't think I know anyone who doesn't carry their phone on them at all times.  I flipped mine over so you could all see how adorable my penguin Casemate case is.
6. Melvita Eau Florale de Rose Water - This was one of my past Birchbox treats!  I absolutely love it because it smells awesome and it's perfect for a mid-day facial spritz in this humid summer weather.
7. Neutrogena SPF 70 Sunblock - I don't really need an SPF that high, but this was a free sample and I like to have it on hand.  I know that they aren't a cruelty-free company, but I have no plans to actually purchase their products (please don't hate me for using the free sample, though!).
8. Savvy Boheme Natural Deodorant - This lip balm-sized deodorant is perfect.  I always end up forgetting something when I travel, so when I forget deodorant I've got this as a backup.
9. Korres Lipstick - I got this lipstick in my Look Bag and it's a great nude shade.
10. Revlon Lip Butter in Tutti Frutti - I bought these Lip Butters before Revlon became no longer cruelty free.  Tutti Frutti was the first shade I bought, and I decided I wanted two more because I have a problem (with buying too many lip products).
11. Revlon Lip Butter in Sweet Tart - Tutti Frutti is an orange-y shade, so next I wanted a pink.
12. Revlon Lip Butter in Peach Parfait - This is the perfect daytime shade for me.  It blends in well with my coloring, but it's still shimmery enough to be fun and work-appropriate.
13. Lavanila Laboratories SPF 40 The Healthy Sunscreen - I think this little guy came as a free sample from a Sephora purchase.  I didn't really know what else to do with it, so naturally I just threw it in the bottomless pit that is my purse.
14. Nivea Hand Lotion - I know they aren't cruelty-free either, shame on me.  But I get really dry hands so I like to have a lotion with me, and this one was another free sample.
15. Clean Well Hand Sanitizer - This came in a Conscious Box and is a great little hand sanitizer.
16. minteas in Cocoa Mate - These are so yummy!  I got them in a past Birchbox.
17. Stila Lip Glaze in Action - Another Birchbox item.  This one smells great and has a nice gold shimmer.
18. J.R. Watkins Lip Tint - This came from an Eco-Emi box and is the shade "Simply Mauve-lous."
19. eos Lip Balm - I love the shape of these.  This one is Strawberry Sorbet and smells really nice.
20. My car keys on a USMC lanyard with a cute little keychain I found at Urban Outfitters.
21. Wallet - I need to buy a new one
22. Checkbook
23. Kindle Fire - I like to read on my lunch break at work.

So, yes--quite the amalgamation.  It was all starting to get way to heavy and I wanted to downsize to a smaller crossbody purse.  I found one that was really cute and exactly what I wanted on Forever 21's website so I bought it.  Here is what I'm carrying around now, with the new products in bold:

1. Crossbody from Forever 21
2. Wallet and checkbook again
3. iPhone 4
4. Nivea Lotion
5. Badger Balm Cocoa Lip Balm - I love this stuff!  The scent is Sweet Orange it's amazing.
6. Clean Well Hand Sanitizer
7. Melvita Eau Florale Rose Water
8. Trident gum
9. Lavanila Laboratories SPF 40
10. Savvy Boheme Natural Deodorant
11. Sephora mirror
12. 4GB USB
13. leftover Red Wings baseball ticket
14. car keys

I went from 23 to 14 items, which was definitely a big transition for me.  After lugging around huge purses for so long, I thought I wouldn't be able to function without so much crap, but I was wrong.  I feel almost liberated to be carrying around such a small purse!  My back thanks me, too.