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| Handbag: MZ Wallace, $365, Stephanie Horne |
I read somewhere that someone buys a handbag on eBay every 30 seconds. Guess that proves the handbag is indeed a woman’s most-trusted, can’t live without, statement-making accessory. It’s also the most personal.
Staring into a woman’s handbag can be akin to staring into a dark abyss. Stick your hand in and you never quite know what you’ll pull out. Yes, our handbags hold our essentials, but they can also be telling of our personalities.
I met up with boutique owner Stephanie Horne (324 N. Water Street & 18000 W. Blumond Rd., Brookfield) who was toting an enviable black MZ Wallace handbag with gold and red leather detailing. She let me pour out the contents of her handbag, and, in the process, she shed a little light on the essentials every stylish Milwaukee businesswoman needs. Here’s what I found:
Peter Thomas Roth Oil-free Sunblock SPF 30
Skik and sun savvy, Horne says, “It’s the only thing that works with my skin and I wear it year-round. Plus, I’m a freak about aging.” It obviously works – I happened to snap these photos on the day of her 40th birthday. If she wasn’t so forthright about her age, I would have guessed her at least 10 years younger.
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| Bag contents. |
Blackberry & Sanyo cell phones
One’s a PDA, the other’s a standard flip open cell phone, and they both function separately for Stephanie. “Blackberry’s are hard to talk on, and everyone keeps telling me to get a new cell phone, but I like the one I have,” she says.
Kashi Go Lean!Chewy Granola Bar
All I can say is yum. Perfect when you need a fiber fix or mid-afternoon snack on the go.
Burberry Umbrella
My guess is she’s probably swapped that out for some hat and mittens by this week, but in Wisconsin – you never know.
Propel Water Beverage Mix in Grape
“I’m not a water drinker, but my doctor tells me I need to be getting at least four bottles per day,” Stephanie says. “This makes it a little easier.”
PRADA Black Leather Wallet
A simple way to stash cash in style.
Coach Black Leather Make-up Case
This gal doesn’t need to go digging for her lip gloss. Keep your smaller items tucked away in a versatile case instead of rolling around the bottom of your bag.
Stride Sugar-free Gum in Winterblue
So fresh and so clean.
Bic Pen and Notebook
Yes, it’s still fashionable to take notes the standard way – with a pen and paper.
If Stephanie’s handbag has taught us anything, it’s this:
- Compartmentalize when possible. Small, personal items should have their own place in your handbag. Makeup cases and built-in compartments will work wonders to keep you organized.
- Size matters. Use a bag that’s appropriate for the occasion. You wouldn’t take a clutch to the office, just like you wouldn’t take a weekender tote out for cocktails. (Well, at least I hope you wouldn’t.)
- Just because it fits, doesn’t mean you should carry it in your bag. I’ve seen a few things I would advise against packing in your handbag. These include your dog, Tupperware from last week’s lunch, used tissue paper and a change of clothes.
