A very practical person

I'm a mom of 3 kids...so my purses have to be very practical. I remember when my friend Becky had both a big diaper bag and a little one that she took into stores with her. I followed her example. I'd leave my big bag in the car and take my small one with me. Now that Eli is bigger, I have been able to transition out of the diaper bag stage--but not completely. I still have to be practical and be able to carry all the miscellaneous stuff that I need (including 2 diapers and a few wipes).

Last year, I found a new little bag at a garage sale and I was excited about it. I thought it was very cute and I showed it to a friend and she said, "Oh, how sporty." She said it in that way that I knew she was trying to think of something nice to say because she didn't like it. I understood--we had totally different styles. But, it still hurt a little. It made me realize that I really am very practical in my style.

Remembering the gal's comment, I was so tempted by the Coach purse store this summer--wanting to be a regular gal again who carried a regular purse. But, I realized that 1) it just wasn't me and 2) it just wasn't practical.

So, for Christmas, I got a new purse--my REI backpack purse was showing a lot of wear. I found it on REI outlet.com =) Here it is. At first, I was unsure about it, but I actually love it. It holds everything, but isn't too big and it's really durable. it was fun to find it on sale at the REI Outlet (for $30) It's the Overland Donner Bag. But, the best part about it was that a stranger stopped me today to ask me where I'd gotten it! And then another woman walked over and asked me too! That made me feel so good! Like I'm not really so strange after all =) I may be different, but maybe not so different--

It's funny how a little compliment can make you feel so good!