I mentioned in my transitioning to fall and non-beauty favourites posts that I have been obsessed with this bag from H&M. The colour is perfect for transitioning into fall, but still good for later months too. I love the versatility of this bag because it’s a neutral shade, it has a detachable strap, which makes it easier to carry on longer trips or when I put a few too many things in it and it gets heavy. It’s slightly on the big side of things, but because it has a structured base and three compartments (two on the side which have zippers), I’m less likely to lose things in the vastness. Since this bag is brand new to me, and I’ve been using it basically every day, I thought I would share what is inside.
I currently don’t have the extra funds lying around for the bag I really want, so I wanted something affordable, but one that didn’t look cheap. The first time I used it, a friend thought it was a Michael Kors bag, so I think this one is definitely a winner. Like I said, it can fit a lot and I am usually going to pack it with everything I need. When I took these photos, I was babysitting my sister’s kids, so it had a little more than I would normally, but it’s still a good representation.
These are my current essentials, which I keep in the main compartment. My wallet from Ruche (similar here), my sunglasses (and pouch) from Aldo last season (similar here). I’m cheap when it comes to my sunglasses because I always lose them. I also like to carry a book with me, something I’ve been doing at least the last ten years (thank you, Rory Gilmore). I’m currently reading Go Set a Watchman. I’m not very far in, so I don’t have an opinion yet, but you will definitely be seeing a review when I do finish it. I also like to have a notebook (similar here) for random thoughts, taking notes, or for blog ideas, and of course I must have some pens too. These colourful pens from Poppin are my favourite because they write beautifully, but they are also really inexpensive (I basically have a drawer full of them in our office). I also had my iPad mini with me that day, which I will take if I know I’ll have some extra down time (or I want to watch Netflix with the Chromecast and I’ve forgotten the passcode for my brother-in-law’s iPad). I got the adorable Orla Kiely case from Target over a year ago, and haven’t been able to find a similar one since, except for these on eBay. For some extra warmth, and to add cover my items in the main compartment (since it doesn’t have a snap or zipper), I like to carry a scarf with me, like this one which I got from Indigo last fall (similar here).
For smaller items, or things that I don’t want to get lost amidst the bigger things, I like to keep them in either zippered side. I try to keep everything in small bags so I can get to them easily too, instead of spending ten minutes trying to find my lip balm. I like to keep a rollerball of my favourite perfumes, and since I’ve been switching between Nirvana Black from Elizabeth and James and Prada Candy, I’ve been keeping them both in that cute polka dot pouch. I also love having an assortment of lip products to choose from on the go. I always have my favourite lip balm, my favourite lip gloss, and the lipsticks I’ve been wearing a lot. Right now, my favourites have been the Revlon ColorBurst Balm Stain in Cherish, Maybelline Vivids in Hot Plum, and Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter in Strawberry Shortcake (no surprise there). I also had a few extras this time, adding the YSL Volupté Tint-in-Oil (in I Rose You) and the Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Balm Treatment in Tulip. A few weeks ago, I had a cut on my foot that made walking kind of painful, so I’ve been keeping thick band aids and Polysporin in my bag in case it happens again, and because I didn’t have them the last time I needed them. Lastly, I like to keep my favourite hand lotion and some hand sanitizer gel to keep my hands soft and germ-free (or as germ-free as possible).
I also had my makeup bag with me that day, since I didn’t have time to do my makeup before I left the house and we were going out for our monthly girls night after I was done babysitting. I decided to put that into a separate post, since this is already getting a little long, so watch out for that on Sunday (I never post on Sundays, but it’s the only time I can fit it in this month).
Do you prefer to move the items you need day to day in and out of your purse, or do you like to keep it all together in one larger handbag?
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