The black leather handbag that takes me everywhere

When I was last looking for a good and serviceable handbag, I had several important criteria and the bag that you see here fits the bill perfectly. My first consideration was - I admit - looks. I needed something that would look good when I'm in business meetings but would also work for more casual use.

As soon I saw this, I loved the design and it fitted the appearance requirements exactly,particularly because it has a detachable shoulder strap; that makes it great for travelling.

But I also needed a bag that would hold a whole lot of stuff - I have no idea how women manage with those tiny clutches today.

You see, to me the well-equipped purse should hold everything for just about every eventuality. If you know that you have everything with you, then you'll never have that panicky 'what have I forgotten' moment.

So something with plenty of room was required but nothing to big and cumbersome to carry around. (In other words, the handbag version of Dr Who's Tardis). I like to know that I've got everything to hand. I think that's because life can be so unexpected sometimes.

This comes in two sizes and, believe it or not, I have the smaller one of the two but I promise you that I can go away for a weekend with just this bag. (Yes, I have a secret packing method that I'll be writing about soon and linking here).

And whether you're going on a business trip, a beach getaway for a few days or a city break, once this bag is properly packed, it's all I need.

I love the black because it goes with absolutely everything but it's also available in a natural brown, a deep red and a luxuriously rich burgundy.

WHAT'S IN MY BAG

• Make up bag containing lipstick, powder, mascara, eye shadow palette and perfume.
• Bracelets and a coordinating necklace in the colors I wear most, just in case I suddenly need to be more 'dressy'.
• Passport (you never know!), emery board, sewing kit, hair scrunchy, mini-moisturizer, deodorant. (That black round thing is a folding hairbrush with mirror. Very useful).
• The dongle thingy that make my phone into a credit card machine. If someone wants to give me a deposit for work, I want to be prepared!
• Multi-purpose cloth - sometimes a face flannel but the one pictured is actually on of those Swiffer sheets. You never know when you'll have to wipe up a mess or clean something.
• Wallet with ID cards, money, small pen.
• Sunglasses. Not shown are my keys and my absolutely essential must-take-everywhere item - the phone (I was taking the photograph with it).

I use this bag as my everyday handbag - going to the grocery store, attending meetings, it's in use every day. So you can tell that it's not large or heavy.

But I can also go away for a long weekend - or even longer - using just this one bag.

How? See the link below.

Click right here.