Hi everyone, today’s post is an exciting one. One of my MOST annoying organizational problems has been solved! And I can’t wait to tell you all about it. A couple of weeks ago I shared on Instagram that I would be trading in my beloved mini-van for a new vehicle but was having trouble finding something with equal storage. More specifically I asked “where am I going to put my purse?”. I didn’t get any responses other than “yes that’s a great question, let us know when you figure it out!”. That’s when I realized that this is a huge problem for women and I needed to take up the challenge. I had to find a solution to this badly designed car problem. And so my hunt for the perfect car organizer began.
(keep reading until the end as you don’t want to miss a fun giveaway!)
First though maybe I should address why I’m parting with my mini-van in the first place. I have driven a mini-van for over 20 years and this last mini-van I’ve driven for 11 years. I absolutely loved my van but it was time to move on as I don’t have little kids anymore. Two of my kids have grown and flown and my youngest is 14. Letting go was so hard though as not only was I saying goodbye to my van but to that season of my life too. I may have cried a few tears the day we traded it in for this (new to me) SUV.
- Affiliate links are included in this post. This means I make a small commission should you purchase product using these links. This is at no extra cost to you.
The problem with most vehicles it seems these days (we looked at so many!) is that they come with a large console in the middle of the front seats. So your options for purse storage are these:
- put it on the passenger seat (I have passengers most of the time)
- throw it on the passenger seat floor (annoying for passengers)
- put in on the floor behind me (annoying for me!)
- keep it in the trunk (also annoying for me!)
- perch it on the console (also annoying because the console doubles as our armrest)
I’d really just prefer not to put my lovely purses on a dirty floor. Especially here in Canada where we can get a lot of snow and rain (where I live anyway). No thank you! I want to keep my purse clean and easily accessible.
When I realized that finding a vehicle to accommodate my storage loving needs (seriously, vehicle manufacturers really need to smarten up!) wasn’t going to happen, I knew I was going to have to rely on an alternative solution. And I was able to find EXACTLY what I was looking for thanks to a very clever inventor lady named Catherine Seifert. Well actually, to be honest, Catherine had reached out to me via email way back in 2014 when she first designed her product. But at that time I didn’t realize how much, six years into the future, this product was going to change my life so I never got back to her.
Sometimes I’m not so bright. But once I remembered the product, I immediately ordered one off Amazon. It was everything I hoped it would be.
Friends, let me introduce you to the Car Caché.
The Car Caché is a car handbag organizer that fits between the two front seats. But the beauty of this design (unlike similar designs you may have seen) is that the bottom attaches to the console creating a lovely hammock for you handbag. Yep a hammock for your handbag. It’s brilliant! Look at the amazing packaging it comes in too.
View from behind the front seats.
Here’s how it ties underneath the console.
And yes maybe I’m late to the game here but no one I know has one and everyone just puts up with this problem. No more ladies, no more!! And guess what? I would have paid a lot to solve this most annoying problem and I was thrilled to find out that I didn’t have to.* For $20.00 you no longer have to mumble under your breath every time your purse falls over on the front seat and everything falls out onto the floor. No more! Good grief, if only all my problems could be solved this easily, ha!
*Please note that as a Canadian I did pay more for the Car Caché, see my note below for details on Canadian ordering.
You’ll notice there is also a pocket on the Car Caché. This pocket is for extras, you don’t put your purse inside there. Your purse leans against the pocket. The hammock size is fully adjustable depending on the size of your bag. As you can see I have the straps coming forward over the front of the seat to hold my bag more upright since my bag isn’t that big. For larger purses you’d want to let out the straps and slide them over the back of the seat to create a deeper hammock that leans back farther. I like this flexibility. Here’s a picture I took with my bigger purse in it. See how it leans back a little farther?
The Car Caché rests BEHIND the console and doesn’t impede the console at all which is a big plus for me. I would hate to have to move anything off the console to access my stuff inside. I’m so very thankful for this invention!!
I thought since we’re here you might like to see how I organize some of the other areas of my SUV.
Here’s the inside of my console.
The white tin is actually a tea tin that I stole from my house. I literally walked around until I found the exact size I needed for this space. A container like this keeps the space from becoming a bottomless pit. It’s where I store my most important necessities, you know like hairspray and deodorant, ha! And you have no idea how tickled I was that a box of tissues fit in this space. Whew!
I also keep a pouch of all sorts of random essentials like bandaids, Advil, a tape measure and a sewing kit. It tucks in nicely beside the white tin.
Here’s how I organize the door storage on both sides. Wipes always at the ready and pouches for the win!
As you can see from my glove compartment, pouches really do make a huge difference to the organization of a vehicle.
Stored under the passenger seat I keep a travel bag of extra wipes, hand sanitizer and latex gloves. I would really hate to ever run out!
Here’s the trunk storage.
Finally don’t forget the garbage bags! This one is in the front on the passenger side attached with a command hook. I’ve been doing it this way for years with no problems.
This one is in the back seat because the kids need a garbage bag too! These ones are my favorite that fit around the headrest and can be purchased on Amazon in a set of two for under $10. The bottom unfolds for easy emptying.
Okay so that was probably more than you ever wanted to know, ha! Sorry about that. Let’s get into what you’ve all been waiting for, the giveaway, woohoo!
Car organizer Giveaway (closed):
Catherine has so kindly agreed to let me giveaway a Car Caché to one of my readers (you’ll get to choose between the black or tan color). To enter to win this fantastic car organizer all you have to do is fill in the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway open to everyone. As always only the first entry task is mandatory and all the rest after that are pure bonus for you (no comment necessary but of course they are always welcome!). Giveaway ends, Friday, August 14th at 4:00 pm MT. Good luck! Please keep in mind that sometimes the Rafflecopter form takes a minute to load. If you don’t see it right away, please be patient. Thanks!
And if you’d like to go ahead and purchase your own Car Caché, you can do that right HERE. This is the Amazon US site but for my Canadian friends you can use this link too because you will save $$. This is how I ordered mine as it was cheaper than ordering on Amazon.ca even with the import fees (which they tell you up front) and exchange. While we will pay more for the Car Caché than our American friends I still feel it’s definitely worth it. Hope that helps!
What do you think about the Car Caché? Would it be helpful to you? If you have any questions about it, be sure to let me know!
For more information on the pouches I use to organize my car please visit this post.
Veronika says
What a fantastic idea! I will definitely buy one( the Rafflecopter never did open up). But I just want to double check that there’s no Canadian site to purchase one? Our exchange is terrible and there’s an 11$ import fee.
Laura Wittmann says
Hi Veronika, I actually ordered mine from the Amazon US site as it was cheaper than ordering from Amazon.ca even with the exchange and import fees. Shipping was quick too!
Doreen says
Hello! This is perfect for me since I’m a “gig” worker and spend most of my life/day in my car! ? I’m ordering mine now but I’m also entering the giveaway? Thank you for your car organizing ideas!
The best to you & your family!
Laura Wittmann says
Thanks Doreen, so glad I could help!
Rhonda L Gillette says
It’s a great idea. My current car has a holder between the seats, but I”m looking at new vehicles now, and most don’t have that space. My mom needs one badly, so if I won, I think I would give the first one to her, and then once I got my new car, I’d just buy one. Thanks for sharing.
Laura Wittmann says
You’re welcome, it really is a fantastic product!
Deborah Dority says
Thank you for the review! I have this exact one on my Amazon wish-list ????
Jean says
Appears to be a good idea. Need somewhere to put my purse & necessary “stuff”
Jean Couch says
What a great product!!!! I can think of several ways to use this!
Thank you for the opportunity to win one.
Annie says
I’m just happy to see that you still have the garbage bags (I do too) memories!
Laura Wittmann says
Yes, you recognized that! But I’m running out, what will I do?? They are my favorite ones! I think I need “I’m an Organizing Junkie” ones, that would be sweet 🙂
Shawnda says
I’ve actually been using this exact product for the last 5 years! I love it! Unfortunately, a load of lumber shoved between the seats and supported by the car cache. I can say that it took quite a load before the strap finally failed. Since it broke, I have missed it dreadfully. I’m going to make it a priority to sew the strap back on this weekend so I can go back to traveling with my purse safely contained.
Laura Wittmann says
That’s awesome Shawnda, thanks for sharing that!
Carol says
Thanks for the car tour and product share! I am a few years ahead of you in life (older children) and moved from mini van to suv also. My jumper cables fit in my spare tire well, along with an emergency candle and blanket. Love that. Your collection of pouches are so pretty! Will have to shop my house for a pouch for my car napkin collection…
Laura Wittmann says
I actually never checked the spare tire well. I will have to do that and see what storage I have there to utilize. Yes whenever we get drive-thru we always get a ton of napkins so it’s nice to have a place to put them. You never know when you’ll need one! 🙂
Cheryl Cain says
My console is the storage compartment for napkins, straws, and plastic utensils (I always keep extra sporks). I really need to invest in some cute little bags to organize my things, my car (SUV) really isn’t messy, but it could look better! Thank you for sharing this product.
Laura Wittmann says
Yes pouches are the best!! I’m going to do another dedicated post on this since there has been so much interest 🙂
Cherie says
Wonderful purse seat, great ideas for storage of other items. A pouch review would be great!!!
Laura Wittmann says
I am so surprised how many questions I’m getting about the pouches, even my sister texted me to ask me about them lol. Will definitely put it on the list to do!
Carly Romer says
I don’t drive…but I did flag your post for the idea for a possible gift for my mom! Thanks! And yes, I’d adore a post about your pouches…purse too? Please!
Laura Wittmann says
That’s awesome Carly! And yes the people have spoken, a pouch post it is! lol
Sheri Nelson says
Hello From Nevada! I, like you just purchased a new car! I traded in my old Prius for a Rav4! I was also surprised that I had more storage space in my Prius than I do in the Rav4! I purged the stuff that I never used from the Prius and what was left went to the new car. The things that I couldn’t find room for I used my old garbage bag and put my window cleaning wipes, dash wipes, snow sweeper, and my window shade. But like you I have to put my purse on the passenger seat or the floor, which in all actuality is not a very safe place to keep your purse, consider if your filling up with gas any creep can just reach in and steal your bag when your back is turned! This purse Cache is a fabulous idea and it’s also safer! I will be ordering one for my SUV!!!!!
Laura Wittmann says
Yay so glad I could help!
Tiffany says
Looks like a fabulous product. I do have one question. Since the purse just rests in the hammock, does it come flying forward when you stop the car/brake?
Laura Wittmann says
Good question…it doesn’t really since it is tucked down a bit behind the console so it does stay put which is nice. I guess it might if you braked hard enough though.
ema says
That’s what I was wondering, too. I always buckle my purse on the passenger seat so it won’t fly forward in case of an emergency-stop, the hammock looks very nice and convenient, but I would attach some kind of ribbon across it to secure my purse. Otherwise: genius idea, I would LOVE to have a place for my purse for those occasions I have passengers with me (quite often, then the purse is on the floor behind me where our youngest child sits, his legs are long enough to step on it, brrrr!)!
Catherine Seifert says
Hi Tiffany, Catherine Seifert here – the inventor of the Car Caché. If you look at the almost 3,000 reviews on Amazon (store and feedback reviews) you will notice no one talks about their purse flying out when slamming on the breaks. If it does, the odds are very good the straps have not been lengthened appropriately for the size of the purse to form a large enough hammock behind the console. My purses are HUGE so my straps are lengthen to their maximum length. I hope that helps!
Rachel says
Such a great idea. I love your bag too – can you share where it’s from?
Laura Wittmann says
Hi Rachel! The floral bag is a Lily Pulitzer bag that I purchased from Value Village and the brown leather one is from Winners here in Canada 🙂
Susan Barone says
Oh my goodness — where has this been all my life? lol I usually buy small tote-like purses and they always seem to be open when I hit the brakes. The contents spews everywhere. This will do the trick. Thanks for this post.
Laura Wittmann says
Right!? That’s the worst when that happens! So glad there is a solution 🙂
Tammy says
Omg!! Thank you for this!! About two weeks ago I traded in my mini van and got a car! I had been driving a mini van for over 20 years and now my kids are 16 and 20 so it was no longer necessary. My biggest complaint has been where do I put my purse!! I even said this to my family. I will be purchasing one of these right away.
Thank you!!
Laura Wittmann says
It’s such a dilemma! So glad I found this awesome solution and can share the love with others 🙂
Alison C says
Great giveaway. Thanks for the chance to win! I would love to win one of these things. I am always wondering where my purse should go when I have a passenger.
Lisa Leonard says
I hardly ever win anything. To win would be awesome. Plus this looks like something I would actually use and that’s the best part. Thank you so much
Romy says
Really neat thank you or sharing love to win be wonderful
and you have such organized car, I praise you !!
Helen says
Would love to try this. We have a two-seater Crossfire and space is limited. This would be a great solution to the problem of where to put my purse. Thanks for the opportunity to possibly receive one!
Angela Barrett says
I’m not on twitter. Can I still enter the contest?
Laura Wittmann says
Yes only the first option is mandatory and that’s answering the small poll in the Rafflecopter box.
Elizabeth E says
Yes! What a great concept. I put it on the passenger seat, so when I have a passenger, I usually put it in the backseat (which I hate!).
Laura Wittmann says
Yes it’s so annoying!
Catherine Seifert says
Thank you, Laura, for this amazing review of my patented product! And your photos are perfect for showing how to use it… 3 easy (very important) steps and no tools required! Holds all sizes of purses. Loved your write-up!
Laura Wittmann says
Thank you for solving such an annoying problem!
Sandra says
Oh my! I never knew ANYONE before that had that many pouches! ?Now I can confess that, I too, have a pouch addiction!? I use them for everything. I have not (yet!) put them in my car. That, however, is fixing to change.?I love the little buggers and head to the purse area first thing when I thrift shop. I have a drawer in my dresser where I store them. Truly enjoyed this article.
Laura Wittmann says
That’s awesome Sandra!! Pouches are the best! 🙂
Mary Riva says
Help! Please design one of these for a split console – I used your car cache for many years in my older car but unfortunately my new car does not have the console lid to put the strap around. I have spent hours researching different brands but have not found a solution.
There must be a way! I am trying to use a hook attached to the head rest so my passenger is not inconvenienced by my handbag, but your car cache was so PERFECT!
P.S. In the past I gifted my family in Canada with your CC’s!
Laura Wittmann says
Hi Mary!
Thanks for your great note! Other women with your issue contacted me stating they were determined to use my Car Cache… They both came up with the same excellent solution! And they live in different states – didn’t know one another. They bought 3M Command Hooks ( the kind to hold heavy pictures on the wall) and stuck them on the inside, back or the console and tied the strings around them. They said it works great even for their heavy handbags. See attached photo one sent to me…
I hope this helps… I’m thrilled you love my invention!!!
Catherine