topic Re: Work (tote) bag organization in Among Friends

Work (tote) bag organization

seaswirl — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:20:31 GMT

For those of you who carry a daily work/tote bag, how do you organize it? Mine seems to be a black hole. Any tips?

Re: Work (tote) bag organization

Irish1210 — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:23:53 GMT

To go along with your question..............I am looking for the perfect tote. I would like something that can be carried like a shoulder bag.

Any suggestions appreciated : )

Re: Work (tote) bag organization

jaxs mom — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:25:15 GMT

It sounds like you need an organizer insert for the bag.

Re: Work (tote) bag organization

seaswirl — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:32:22 GMT

Irish1210: Here's the tote I've been using for years. It's very sturdy and the leather is beautiful. I carry it over my shoulder. I got it from Duluth Trading.

Re: Work (tote) bag organization

chrystaltree — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 15:51:04 GMT

Forgive me if I don't understand the question. It's just not that hard for me. Right now, I am carrying a large east-west D&B tote. It gas a zipper and slot on one wall and I keep my cell phone in the slot (it's deep) because my phone is large. I put my sunglasses in the zipper pocket because the case is soft, I put my Peeps cleaner in there too and my work ID which is on a lanyard. On the other wall of the bag, there are two pockets. One tiny, one a little bigger. I keep my keys in the small one because they don't fall out, I also keep a couple of dollar bills in that pocket. I keep my hand sanitizer and a small pack of tissues in the bigger pocket. The bag is lined in red so it's a big red hole. All my necessities are in a pouch; which came with a smaller change purse type pouch which fits into it. My credit cards, hospital cards, some cash are in the change purse. My makeup and a small hand lotion are in the larger pouch and it all slips into my bag. I always carry a sweater and sometimes a scarf and I fold them and tuck them into my tote. My laptop can fit into it but I rarely have to carry that around. I do carry my Kindle Fire because that houses my music and my reading material and if I can check my email etc, if I have to. The bag is leather but it's light. I have many other tote bags and I switch them out every 3 or 4 weeks but the organization doesn't change much. I would never...ever buy a bag that did not have some pockets.

Re: Work (tote) bag organization

Irish1210 — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 17:25:18 GMT

@seaswirl

I love this one! Thanks for the info. I'm going to check it out : )

Re: Work (tote) bag organization

lolakimono — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 19:06:27 GMT

@seaswirl

Check out

http://www.qvc.com/Pursfection-Portable-Purse-Organizer-w-12-Pockets-%26-Zipper-Close.product.V34316.html

There are similar items on Amazon as well.

Re: Work (tote) bag organization

151949 — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 13:14:24 GMT

I've never had to carry work related paperwork etc so I've never needed a tote bag, for which I'm grateful.Just my purse and my lunch box.

However, I too find the pursefection type organizers to be very helpful. They have these on Amazon in many different sizes.

Re: Work (tote) bag organization

FrostyBabe1 — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 15:39:52 GMT

I carried a briefcase rather than a tote. Lots of compartments and space, including a padded space for my laptop. It had a strap on the back that I could loop over the handle of my rollerboard bag as well as a shoulder strap. I tucked my wallet, a small cosmetic bag and a couple of packets of tissues in and I was ready to go.

Re: Work (tote) bag organization

willdob3 — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 15:46:20 GMT

@seaswirl

I use a purse organizer I got from Groupon in my "black hole" work tote. I could not use a plain tote without an organizer. They make a big difference.

I've also got a work tote that is have a zippered divider in the center and quite a few pockets for different things. It is easy to organize & it stays neater than my black hole tote. But both get used quite a bit.

Re: Work (tote) bag organization

stevieb — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 16:02:07 GMT

@seaswirl Check out the bags at Levenger, which focuses on work bags. I particularly like the Bloomsbury Bookbag (heavy canvas) or St. Tropez tote (leather)... lots of pockets for organization, nice colors.

Re: Work (tote) bag organization

jaxs mom — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 20:07:22 GMT

@FrostyBabe1 wrote:
I carried a briefcase rather than a tote. Lots of compartments and space, including a padded space for my laptop. It had a strap on the back that I could loop over the handle of my rollerboard bag as well as a shoulder strap. I tucked my wallet, a small cosmetic bag and a couple of packets of tissues in and I was ready to go.

Yes, I carried a briefcase too, not a tote.

Re: Work (tote) bag organization

qvcfreak — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 20:17:23 GMT

I carry a fabric tote, very light and I have a light binder inside to put paperwork in and I also have a zippered pencil pouch that I keep pens, highlighters, markers, aspirin, band-aids. I figured if I got something with more organization I would carry or put more in it. This way it's simple, light and always have what I need. The tote has a pocket in front where I keep my lipstick, keys and phone.

Re: Work (tote) bag organization

blackhole99 — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 22:41:40 GMT

I have a summer tote with a smaller bag in it and a fall and winter tote with a smaller bag in it. Sunglasses, makeup bag and incidentals in the tote, credit cards, ID, cash and phone go in the smaller bag which I carry into the store.

Re: Work (tote) bag organization

SisterGoldenHair — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 23:16:31 GMT

@seaswirl wrote:
For those of you who carry a daily work/tote bag, how do you organize it? Mine seems to be a black hole. Any tips?

@seaswirlI don't work but when we travel I carry a large tote and a crossbody inside.

Re: Work (tote) bag organization

Desert Lily — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 03:34:13 GMT

@Irish1210 A messenger bag (not the purse type) might be a better answer than a tote. They are sectioned & padded for an ipad or laptop, and are compartmentalized for other items. They also have a shoulder strap. I bought a leather Fossil one for my child and it has worked out well.

Re: Work (tote) bag organization

ROMARY — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 19:38:30 GMT

Slightly off topic: As far as beach bags or large casual totes (not work related): Many years ago, I saw a tip regarding organization. Place one of those long lightweight plastic dishwasher trays that hold utensils such as forks, spoons, etc. into the bottom of a large tote/beach bag, etc. It keeps necessities such as water bottles, cosmetics, lotions, and whatever else in place so that they don't end up in one big mess at the bottom of the tote. It really works (for me, anyway). Check out thrift shops or Amazon for those replacement long utensil dishwasher trays. Just a thought, of course.

Re: Work (tote) bag organization

viva923 — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 21:08:05 GMT

the tote sounds like my purse. I put items in the purse and within a couple minutes everything is lost. I swear my purse eats these items