These oversized clutches aren’t too big or cumbersome and the neon piping is on-trend for spring.

Poppie Jones Neon Pop Tassel Clutch, $30 

Wearing a red outfit on Valentine’s Day might be a little obvious. How about carrying a red clutch instead?

American Apparel Suede Clutch, $83

My best friend Lisa bought me this Skip Hop Versa diaper bag long-distance (she lives in Dubai now!) for our baby shower and I’ve been alternating between it and a bright, fun Vera Bradley bag from Ashley.

Back when I was searching for a diaper bag, I knew I wanted something that was affordable, comfortable, could fit on our stroller and was large enough to store all the baby’s items, as well as my wallet, keys, cell phone, etc. (I’m not a big fan of toting two huge bags around, plus a stroller, plus a baby, plus a car seat…)

Although I haven’t given this bag a huge work out yet (only a few trips outside the house this week!), I’m really liking it so far and how organized/spacious it is. When I was searching for diaper bags, it was hard to find a middle ground: bags were either stylish and totally impractical or incredibly practical and very “diaper bag.” This bag is, so far, the perfect middle ground.

Skip Hop Versa Diaper Bag, $70 - Free Shipping

Love the color!

ASOS Suede Envelope Clutch, $41 (from $64), free shipping

I am way behind on my Organize Now! posts, but I guess that’s more realistic than if I had been pounding these things out week after week. It’s hard to get motivated to organize some things (like my inbox), while others (like my handbag) are a regular necessity. (I even enjoy organizing my handbag!) 

Here’s a little catch-up for you:

• Week 10 - Organizing Magazines & Newspapers - Check!
• Week 11 - Organizing Email & Social Media - Check!
• Week 12 - Organizing Your Mail - Sort of check! (Hint: throw away junk mail as soon as you bring it into the house.) 
• Week 13 - Organizing Your Child’s Toys - Not necessary…yet!
• Week 14 - Organizing Your Crafts - I don’t craft.
• Week 15 - Organizing Your Photographs - I have a small collection of actual photographs and they are already in albums. Which brings us to…
• Week 16 - Organizing Your Purse

Ah yes, your purse…or handbag or satchel or backpack. Whatever you use you haul around your stuff!

Brandon will often try and find something in my purse, only to get frustrated and toss it at me asking, “How the hell do you find anything in there?” I then proceed to find the item in a few seconds. How do I do this? How the hell do I do this?!

It’s quite simple, and I was excited to see that Organize Now! encouraged the same system of organization I’ve already been using for years.

But first! A few housekeeping items to get you started.

If there’s anything you can’t identify, better throw that away too. Unless you’re fastidious with your receipts for tax purposes, keep only the receipts of items you are unsure about keeping or big-ticket items (like appliances, tech gadgets, etc.) Don’t keep these important receipts in your wallet unless you know you’re heading to the store soon. Instead, create a special “receipts” file in your home office or another place you keep important paperwork and store them there until you need to use them.

It’s important to keep a file on record with the numbers for your bank cards/credit cards (make sure to note their expiration dates and customer service hotlines as well).

If your wallet is ever stolen, or you don’t have it handy but need a number ASAP, having a second record of this information may be important.

Here are some other things to consider recording as well:

• Your AAA membership info
• Library card number and/or password
• Health insurance information
• Drivers license number or ID card number
• Car license plate number and insurance information

Now the fun part!

Consider “zones” like categories of items:

• Must-haves
• Makeup
• Communication items
• Assorted toiletries
• Medication(s)

Here are the zones I use for my handbag and the items in each zone.

• Daily planner
• iPhone
• Kindle

• Sunglasses
• Keys (house AND car)
• Wallet

• Cosmetics bag for assorted makeup
• Hand sanitizer gel 
• Travel-size hand lotion
• Lip gloss or lip balm
• Travel-size perfume or body spray

• USB flash drive
• Black pen

How do you keep your handbag organized? Do you have a system for remembering where you put things?

livehanny asked: Hey Jacklyn,  I first of all love your blog! I love how you find styles at a cheaper price!
I was wondering where do you think i could buy a quilted leather purse? I’m thinking in the range of $20-$50 

Here are a few different styles, all under $50:

1. Target Quilted Crossbody, $15

2. Forever 21 Quilted Clutch, $25

3. Nine West Quilted Satchel, $40

4. ASOS Quilted Bag, $26

5. Forever 21 Quilted Shoulder Bag, $20

6. Forever 21 Small Quilted Shoulder Bag, $26

7. Forever 21 Small Quilted Studded Bag, $21

AND…

The winner of the Marcia Sherrill handbag is…

Lauren!

Congratulations!

Watch for another awesome giveaway this Friday. (Hint: it’s for your hair.)

Winner chosen using Randomizer.org.

I have such a fun giveaway for you today!

I first heard about Marcia Sherrill via e-mail, and fell in love with her new handbag line: Anabelle by Marcia Sherrill. I especially loved her pretty, preppy (and affordable!) Palm Beach collection.

I was also really intrigued with Marcia’s story: She started the luxury handbag line Kleinberg Sherrill with her ex-husband and it was carried in many major department stores (Saks, Bergdorfs and Harrods!). But, after they divorced, he left her completely penniless and she had to work from scratch to launch this new collection.

Marcia has generously offered to give one lucky reader her Fran bag ($58) from the Palm Beach Collection!

I love the old-school pineapple print and preppy colors, and the tote is the perfect size for a couple magazines, a laptop and all sorts of other goodies. The quality is fantastic for the affordable price point, too—this is a really well-made bag!

HOW TO ENTER

1. Leave a comment on this post with your name and valid e-mail address.

2. Earn additional entries by liking my Facebook Page, following my blog’s Twitter account and/or by following Bon Marche on Tumblr. (Please specify in your comment which of these additional steps you have done!)

You have until the evening of November 24 (when the clock strikes midnight November 25!) to enter. Tell your friends and good luck!

This adorable little crossbody bag is more than 50% less now than its original retail price and come in two pretty, vibrant colors.

Crossbody bags have all the benefits of the loathed fanny pack (hands-free shopping!) but are also stylish, easy, fun. If you’ve never used a crossbody bag before, you’ll use it once and be hooked on the fact that you don’t have to worry about slinging some huge satchel over your arm, or bowing half-over under the weight of your tote on your shoulder.

Also: crossbody bags are so much smaller than most handbags that they force you to edit what you carry with you everyday. One lipgloss instead of six and one pair of sunglasses instead of three.

Nine West Studded Crossbody Bag, $21 (from $70)

MOTHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE AND GIVEAWAY!

Nahui Ollin sent me one of their candy wrapper bags to check out (picture to come!) and I was impressed with the quality of these colorful, eco-friendly bags. These bags and clutches are made from recycled materials—up to four thousand candy wrappers for one bag!

For an environmentally-conscious mother, this is an awesome gift.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

You can win the bag above ($54)!

HOW TO ENTER:

Super easy!

• Leave a comment on this post!

You can enter this giveaway until midnight Monday, May 10.

The winner will be randomly selected and announced on Tuesday, May 11!