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Yeah, I *am* pimping Wal*Mart
Apr. 15th, 2007 05:55 pmI think I may finally have found the perfect purse...and it isn't a purse.
One of the difficulties of my job has been hauling around the stuff I need...I've always favored bags the size of watermelons, but it's hard to find the right kind of bag. Tote bags are poorly organized, and have a tendency to be open at the top, making them prone to spill their contents at inopportune times. Briefcase-type bags tend to be too regimented---they aren't flexible enough to hold things like an umbrella, a liter of soda, a folder full of papers, a notebook or two PLUS a wallet and incidentals.
There are two bags I've had, out of dozens over the years, that served me well. One was black leather and styled like a doctor's satchel, meaning the top opening folded back, allowing complete access to the contents. I found it at a yard sale somewhere. It was a bit smaller than I would've liked, but was still very versatile, and I was quite bereft when the latch broke. The other bag I got retail, from the fabled J Peterman catalog (Yes, Virginia, there IS a Peterman!). The size is great, it's very useful---I've had it for going on ten years now, and there are only two things about it that I would change: one, I'd offer it in black, and two, I'd put two zippers on it, so one could wear it left or right-handed and maybe close it with a baby padlock if necessary.
The Peterman bag
Then I found something that combines all the best features of both bags. It's spacious, opens like a satchel but has two zippers that can meet in the middle, has enough room for the purse I was carrying, PLUS lunch, umbrella,a small family of polar bears, a couple of books, and all that jazz. Roughly this:
except for the color, which is beige and tan. If big bags aren't your thing, it would also make a terrific gym bag or overnight bag. For someone like me, who has a lot going on and going with them, it's a great find. It's the next best thing to Mary Poppins' carpetbag, only without the portal to another dimension.
Manufactured by Rooster, sold on the tool aisle at Wal*Mart, about $16, plus tax.
One of the difficulties of my job has been hauling around the stuff I need...I've always favored bags the size of watermelons, but it's hard to find the right kind of bag. Tote bags are poorly organized, and have a tendency to be open at the top, making them prone to spill their contents at inopportune times. Briefcase-type bags tend to be too regimented---they aren't flexible enough to hold things like an umbrella, a liter of soda, a folder full of papers, a notebook or two PLUS a wallet and incidentals.
There are two bags I've had, out of dozens over the years, that served me well. One was black leather and styled like a doctor's satchel, meaning the top opening folded back, allowing complete access to the contents. I found it at a yard sale somewhere. It was a bit smaller than I would've liked, but was still very versatile, and I was quite bereft when the latch broke. The other bag I got retail, from the fabled J Peterman catalog (Yes, Virginia, there IS a Peterman!). The size is great, it's very useful---I've had it for going on ten years now, and there are only two things about it that I would change: one, I'd offer it in black, and two, I'd put two zippers on it, so one could wear it left or right-handed and maybe close it with a baby padlock if necessary.
The Peterman bag
Then I found something that combines all the best features of both bags. It's spacious, opens like a satchel but has two zippers that can meet in the middle, has enough room for the purse I was carrying, PLUS lunch, umbrella,
except for the color, which is beige and tan. If big bags aren't your thing, it would also make a terrific gym bag or overnight bag. For someone like me, who has a lot going on and going with them, it's a great find. It's the next best thing to Mary Poppins' carpetbag, only without the portal to another dimension.
Manufactured by Rooster, sold on the tool aisle at Wal*Mart, about $16, plus tax.
