PRIORITIES

Civilized nations have rules. Religions have rules. Parents have rules. And yes, shopping women have rules........especially about buying purses.

Here are my rules:

My purses must have shoulder straps. I want a hands-free purse and I can only get a hands-free purse if it has a shoulder strap.

All my purses must have an outside pocket. Over the years, the purpose of the outside pocket has changed, although the need for the pocket remains constant. My cigarettes and lighter used to nest in my outside pocket. When I finally quit smoking, my keys called "dibs" on my outside pocket. Now, I find that a fast-draw to my cellphone takes priority over any other uses for an outside pocket. Indeed, the invention of the cellphone has reinforced my need for the outside pocket.

My purses must also have a closure -- preferably a zipper. When I drop my purse, which I do a lot (I don't know why), I don't want stuff falling out of my purse. It's bad enough that every time I open my purse, I must touch all the objects three times to make sure they are there before I close my purse. Having a zipper saves me from extra counting.

Last, but certainly not least, I want my purse to have compartments. I prefer that my Touch does not touch my wallet. I prefer my wallet doesn't rub up against my business cards. I don't even want to think about my lipstick kissing my Bic Pilot Pens. When it comes to my purses, I want segregation of my pursed belongings.

So, it comes as a shock to me that I recently fell in love with a purse which doesn't meet one single item on my Must Have List. Nonetheless, it was love at first sight. I had almost made it out of Macy's. We were on the escalator, riding up, headed towards the Exit and a purse caught my eye.

I walked over to the purse. I touched the purse. No shoulder strap. No inside compartments. No outside pocket. No zipper. But, man-oh-man, was that purse cute.

So, I bought it.

And I love it.

For the past five days, I have chosen what I wear by what best accentuates my new purse. I am the accessory.

Which brings me to the following conclusion: Cute trumps every other factor.

The cuteness factor determines which animals we will kill and eat.

The cuteness factor determines who we marry.

The cuteness factor determines what products we buy, what celebrities we adore and above all else, which purses we carry.

Cuteness trumps all else. If you are cute enough, you can get away with practically anything.....even the lack of an outer pocket, separate compartments, shoulder strap, or zipper.

See for yourself..........................

c2009 Linda S Amstutz