Time Saving Tips for Organizing a Growing Handbag Collection!

Clever organization of a handbag collection can save time and limit stress when time to wear. 

Any savvy fashionista has quite a few fabulous handbags that can keep their look amazing and fresh.   However, storing a continually growing collection can take some doing if you intend to organize them.   Here’s how to keep your sanity and make those expensive bags easier to find when it comes time to wear them.

One of the worst mistakes is trying to store a small bag like a clutch into a larger one.  Though you temporarily make more room in your closet, you also risk forgetting where you put that handbag. You tell yourself that you will remember, but over time it can happen like it did to me.

Before You Buy Your Next Handbag, Read This!

My Bulga Studded Leather Satchel

Let’s face it handbags and shoes are both something that a girl can never have too much of.  However, this addiction can run into considerable money, especially if you’re drawn to those outlandishly gorgeous designer handbags. Therefore, I thought I would pass along some helpful tips to keep in mind before you decide to buy your next handbag.

The first thing to inspect is the bag’s closures.  If the manufacturer makes security too complicated a process with how the bag opens, it might take you longer than you care for undoing straps along with another metal closure, perhaps, just before you reach inside.  Ask yourself how much time you want to spend before getting into your bag.   

On the other hand, some manufacturers are too lax about securing a bag with no real closures.  Closures serve a purpose of keeping your valuables safe whether from potential thieves or if your handbag accidentally takes a tumble. 

Examine inside your new handbag

Look at the bag’s construction carefully.  Check for neat, even stitching with no loose strings or glue showing, which can give you a likely clue to how it will hold up to wear or if it is authentic.

It's important to inspect the entire bag.  This is the bottom of my Bulga Studded Leather Satchel.

Test out the handbag for comfort.  How does the weight feel?  If the bag already feels heavy empty, then you can imagine how much heavier it will feel when you load it up with your stuff.  In my opinion, I would rather look for a lighter bag than suffer unnecessarily.

The straps are also critical when thinking of comfort.   A chain strap may look trendy, but they can also get very cold on your shoulder as well as leave welts.  Length and thickness of a strap also deserve thought.  A heavily padded wider strap with beautiful stitching that you envisioned looking so sensational hanging from your shoulder could end up being too bulky or a tight fit under your arms.  

It’s good also to keep size and function in mind.  Remember that the shallower the bag is, the easier it is to search through.  Whereas, the deeper the bag, the longer you will hunt for whatever you’re searching for inside.  If you consider yourself impatient and highly organized, it might be better to opt for a bag with lots of sections and pockets more than one such as a hobo bag.

Another important point to consider is the hardware of the bag.  Ask yourself what you wear more of gold or silver jewelry?  After all, you don’t want to clash every time you go to your jewelry box if you can help it.

How to Switch Out Your Handbag Quickly!

I love changing my handbags to help give my outfit a different spin.  The only thing I hate is rooting through what I normally carry in my bag and transferring it from one to another.  However, I found a simple way to save time and speed up the process.

Try to find a clear pouch that will fit inside most of your handbags.   The size needs to accommodate a few other colored pouches or zippered bags for things you always carry.  For example, your cosmetic bag may be blue, another for your wallet could be red, one for your phone could be yellow, etc.  The whole idea is to have one big pouch ready to go when you need to transfer bags.  

Coordinating the colors of the smaller bags makes it easy to distinguish what is what through that larger, clear bag, especially when sizing down on tiny handbags such as a clutch.

Sewing your own bag system is another option.  You can get as creative as you like, but the same principle applies with smaller bags of different colors that you can quickly recognize.

Twisted Orchid Handbag Review and Giveaway!--Ends April 9, 2012

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Twisted Orchid Black Doc Supreme Handbag

Just like any fantastic piece of jewelry, shoes, or belt, the perfect handbag can add interest and texture to give an outfit a special stylish touch like the beautiful selection from Twisted Orchid.  This Chicago-based company has been getting lots of attention and fashion praise from top national publications such as Woman's Day, Redbook, and People Style Watch for their exciting collection of trend-setting handbags.

And what a fabulous assortment of stylish hobos, clutches, eco totes, shell handbags, taffetta silk purses, really lightweight bags of their Mad Air line, and even unique handbags with a separate and washable compartment to carry an extra pair of shoes in their Hidden Soles variety to choose from.  

Although it was a difficult decision with all those awesome choices, I finally selected the Black Doc Supreme Handbag or myself for this review and giveaway.  This roomy, soft leather like bag with fancy gold details looked way more expensive than the $72 it sells for.  Another nice feature is the zippered closure for safety unlike those unsecured flaps or magnetic closures.  What else I liked very much was the fact this bag had gold feet to keep it cleaner at the bottom.

Inside this brown cloth lined bag, it has another smaller zippered compartment  as well as two open pockets.  You can change from hand held to adding the accompanying shoulder strap, which was another fantastic feature of this particular bag.

I couldn't be more thrilled with my new Twisted Orchid Black Doc Supreme handbag.  While this is one of the highest priced bags, the company has lots of fun and a less expensive selection of handbags as well plus other accessories to glam you with feather extensions, jewelry, scarves and bandanas to help you make that all important fashion statement.

Right now, the company is offering a 20% discount off any Twisted Orchid purchase when you enter the code TWISTED at checkout in addition to FREE SHIPPING within the continental United States!  Their company has a fully operational shopping cart built in on Facebook!

Thanks to Twisted Orchid, one lucky Nuts 4 Stuff reader in the continental United States win their choice of a Twisted Orchid handbag valued up to $75.00  

side view of Twisted Orchid Black Doc Supreme handbag

Both Are Mandatory to Enter:

1. You must follow me on Google Friends Connect before any of your entries will count.  If you already follow, then tell me the name you follow me and INCLUDE your EMAIL in the comment

2. Go to Twisted Orchid and tell me the what handbag you would select if you won in a comment


Extra Entries:

Add @Nuts4Stuff to Your Twitter and tell me so in your comment with your Twitter id--for 2 extra entries (leave two separate comments)

Tweet #Win @TwistedOrchids #Handbag #Giveaway @Nuts4Stuff http://bit.ly/wyKxPf  Ends 4/09 (can be done daily)--1 extra entry per day in another comment

"Like" Twisted Orchid on Facebook--2 extra entries to leave in two separate comments

Leave a comment on Twisted Orchid's Facebook Wall that Nuts 4 Stuff sent you--for 1 extra entry to leave in a comment 

Share Twisted Orchid on your Facebook Wall--5 extra entries to leave in five separate comments (show me the proof) 

Follow Twisted Orchid on Twitter--2 extra entries  to leave in two separate comments

Subcribe for Twisted Mailings--2 extra entries to leave in two separate comments

"Like" Nuts 4 Stuff on Facebook--2 extra entries (leave two separate comments)

Subscribe to the Nuts 4 Stuff blog by email--3 extra entries (must confirm) to leave in three separate comments

Subscribe to Nuts 4 Stuff in a reader--3 extra entries (Orange button in my sidebar) to leave in three separate comments

List this giveaway on any giveaway site just leave a link to this post wherever you share it--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where with proof in each comment)

Blog about this giveaway and and comment with a link to the post--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Grab my Nuts 4 Stuff button and paste it in your sidebar--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where you left it in each comment)

Add Nuts 4 Stuff to your blogroll  (using my URL) with a link back to me (comment where you left it for 2 more extra entries to leave in two separate comments)

Enter another Nuts 4 Stuff giveaway (enter as many as you want, however, only 1 extra entry will count) and tell me which one in a comment--1 extra entry

Leave a separate comment for each entry.  Be sure you include your email address inside your comment so I can contact you if you win.   This giveaway is only open to residents of the continental United States. No PO Boxes just USA-based street addresses. Do follow the rules because I check entries.   Be alert that if you attempt to enter using multiple identities will be grounds for disqualification. 

This giveaway ends April 9, 2012 at 12 PM Eastern Standard Time. The winner will need to respond to my email with name and shipping address within 48-hours or another winner will be picked.  

Vince Camuto Perfume Review and Giveaway! (3 Winners!)--Ends March 9, 2012

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**



Vince Camuto Perfume

Just as chic and sophisticated as his creations, the signature scent from designer, Vince Camuto and Parlux Fragrances, is a perfume of timeless elegance and style for today's woman.  This is a luxurious, polished floral chypre scent crafted by perfumer, Steve DeMarcado that is a compelling and complex blend of femininity.  

The top notes of Vince Camuto start out spicy and sweet with intoxicating notes of rum absolute and osmanthus nectar.  As the fragrance further develops, the Bulgarian rose and night-blooming jasmine add romance and opulent richness.  Yet, there is a touch of the exotic to the glamour.  Notes of leather weave through this perfume as well like a lover's protective embrace to give it strength and comforting warmth.  Once the vanilla absolute, patchouli, amber and skin musk become apparent, the scent mellows into one of soft seduction and romance.

The beautiful glass bottle adored with red ribbon itself is a treasure.  From the stylish cap sporting the logo to the gold of the chain, you feel privileged just touching it. 

At the same time, you will feel incredible once using Vince Camuto--as if you're wearing the latest style to be envied!  This is how elegantly attired the scent makes me feel and know you would love to have that feeling too.  Do look for this new perfume!

*Disclaimer:  This is my own honest opinion.  No money was exchanged.  All I received was free product to facilitate this review.*

Thanks to Vince Camuto, three lucky Nuts 4 Stuff readers in the United States win a 3.4 fl. oz. bottle of Vince Camuto Eau de Parfum Spray ($78)!

Both Are Mandatory to Enter:

1. You must follow me on Google Friends Connect before any of your entries will count.  If you already follow, then tell me the name you follow me by in a comment along with your email!

2. Go to Vince Camuto and tell me what makes this perfume so appealing or something you learned from the site in another comment.

Extra Entries:

Add @Nuts4Stuff to Your Twitter and tell me so in your comment with your Twitter id--1 extra entry

Tweet  Smell Rich!  #Win #VinceCamutoPerfume (3 Winners) @VC_Stylist #Giveaway @Nuts4Stuff http://bit.ly/zkUk7I Ends 3/09 (can be done daily)--1 extra entry per day in another comment

"Like" Vince Camuto  on Facebook--2 extra entries to leave in two separate comments comment

Share Vince Camuto on your Facebook Wall--5 extra entries to leave in five separate comments (show me proof)

Follow Vince Camuto  on Twitter--2 extra entries to leave in two separate comments

Subscribe to the Vince Camuto Email Newletter--2 extra entries to leave in two separate comments

"Like" Nuts 4 Stuff on Facebook--2 extra entries (leave two separate comments)

Subscribe to the Nuts 4 Stuff blog by email--2 extra entries (must confirm) to leave in two separate comments

Subscribe to Nuts 4 Stuff in a reader--2 extra entries (Orange button in my sidebar) to leave in two separate comments

List this giveaway on any giveaway site just leave a link to this post wherever you share it--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where with proof in each comment)

Blog about this giveaway and and comment with a link to the post--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Grab my Nuts 4 Stuff button and paste it in your sidebar--5 extra entries (leave five separate comments and tell me where you left it in each comment)

Add Nuts 4 Stuff to your blogroll  (using my URL) with a link back to me (comment where you left it for 2 more extra entries to leave in two separate comments)

Enter another Nuts 4 Stuff giveaway (enter as many as you want, however, only 1 extra entry will count) and tell me which one in a comment--1 extra entry

Leave a separate comment for each entry.  Be sure you include your email address inside your comment so I can contact you if you win.   This giveaway is only open to residents of the United States.  No PO boxes just USA-based street addresses.  Do follow the rules because I check entries.   Be alert that if you attempt to enter using multiple identities will be grounds for disqualification. 

This giveaway ends March 9, 2012 at 12 PM Eastern Standard Time. The winner will need to respond to my email with name and shipping address within 48-hours or another winner will be picked.  

Save Time and Organize Your Handbag!

An organized handbag can simplify life.

Do you carry around practically everything but the kitchen sink in your handbag?  If you're like me then you probably do, but if you organize with what's necessary you can lighten that heavy load instead of wasting time constantly hunting for items.

Step One:  Declutter

Start decluttering by dumping everything out of your handbag and examine what's really inside.  Look through the papers first and throw away expired coupons, circulars or dated appointment slips that already passed.  Place important receipts in one envelope and the unexpired coupons in another.

Save those envelopes that come with junk mail with a clean side to write your grocery list and stick the coupons you're planning to use that week inside. 

Check the medicine bottles for dates that you're lugging next.  Toss those expired pain killers or antacids.  Any over the counter medication older than thirty days past expiration could change in formulation and hurt you besides no longer working.

If you find makeup that you forgot that you even owned, it's probably a wise idea to get rid of it.  After all, if this particular cosmetic made you feel pretty you would have remembered it.  This was probably one of those you lipsticks that you hated the shade, but kept it just because it was expensive and the thought of pitching it made you cringe.  However, you need to toss it because it's probably so old it's growing enough bacteria to contaminate a mountain of petri dishes, if swabbed. 

Pens and pencils seem to accumulate in everyone's handbag as well.  Test the ones for writing ability and toss out the ones without ink.  Return those pencils without points to your child's pencil box or wherever they're kept until they can get sharpened again. 

Pens without caps are a good idea to leave in the same place unless you like those ink stains in your bag.  Hair spray often helps remove stubborn ink stains from fabrics.  Test out a small spot on the fabric stain in your bag and see if it helps before squirting more.

Step Two:  Establish Inner Organization

I found the easiest system for organizing my handbag is using several cosmetic bags or zipped pouches to house the important things I need.  Cosmetics go in one.  Another pouch has my checkbook and pen.  A third pouch is good for cell phone, keys and wallet.  A fourth pouch is for the an envelope with coupons, one for receipts, etc. as they come.  You get the idea. 

What's great about this system is that when you want to change handbags, you don't have an awful hassle to go through.  All you need to do is to grab those few bags from the old handbag into the new and off you go!