The signs were there today…. in my inbox.. “what’s in your gym bag?” followed by my son comments, are you going on a trip with that thing? referring to my small carry on luggage sized purse. It reminded me of a game going around in the blogiverse…DUMP THAT PURSE … or somethiing like that.

I think I first saw on Stacy Julian‘s scrapbooking blog. A few years ago she came up with an idea for an article for Creating Keepsakes (<— as a former scrapbook junkie I know this magazine well) The article initially was balked by her editors but when she took it to the internet it went “viral” as they say. To play here is what you do. Find your purse NO STYLING … just DUMP and pick 3 things and write down…

1. what it is
2. why it’s in your purse
3. what it says about you

I would love for my readers to share if you dare and I’ll post your treasures.

Want to see more purses? Check out one of my favorite blogs Petit Elephant, Allison has been featuring purses weekly in June. When I dumped mine yesterday I went back to look at her blog and laughed how many things her and I carried that were alike We’re talking 8 out of 10 here.

There is also a collection of photos and people’s junk on Flickr taken by Jason Travis called Persona <– you MUST LOOK AT… I could spend hours looking at all these items! love the tag line you are what you schlep.

so lets play

click to enlarge

what I carry

• wipes (been carrying since I had my son in 97′)
• sunglasses
• glasses
• Colgate Wisps (disposable toothbrush and rogue poppyseed remover)
• fistful of coupons/stamp cards (pinkberry) and receipts <– keepin it real
• aunt flo ‘ammunition’
• comb (<—must be for daughter I never comb my hair)
• tape measure
• business cards
• scrunchies (not a proud moment)
• mini notebook
• Papermate Profile Pens (my fav)
• highlighter
• MAC (Viva Glam VI) Lipglass
• Bobbi Brown (nude) Lipgloss
• Lancome lip-liner & Gloss (Ideal/rose mystic)
• lens cap
• foundation sample
• memory card case ? um ok…
• Starbucks jellybeans
• Nikon Coolpix Camera
• W hotel room key
• Marc Jacobs flap clutch wallet
• Leather Gallery Calendar (my all time fav)
• I Thought It Was Just Me (but it wasn’t) by Brene Brown
• Lactaid (for Pinkberry)
• My son’s savings booklet (he still likes to get stamped)
• movie tickets

I have to share that this bag is all sorts of awesome because its convertable. 3 metal knobs let you adjust how much room you have. Its patent leather and through the years has become very elephant-like very wrinkly but I think it just gives it more character…kinda like the wrinkles on my face? um….no.

and the why part…

1. what it is
2. why it’s in your purse
3. what it says about you

Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss – I NEVER leave home without lipgloss because I can’t stand the feel of dry lips. I think that says I am either always ready for a smooch or….. I’m very vain.

CoolPix camera, I always have a camera because well you know … the BEST stuff inevitably happens when you don’t have your big girl camera. I shoot everywhere and I also have a collection of personalized license plate photos I am working on.

Lens cap to my (I think) 50 mm lens and its there because I refuse to put a leash on my lens cap and that says one thing… if it isn’t tethered down I am bound to lose it.

I’m interested to see who dumps and shares next… make sure you email me the contents I got bad eyes ya know!