What's In My Bag
I still don't understand how guys only leave the house with a wallet and a phone and call it a day. I feel like I need a survival kit just to leave the house. Today I'll be sharing a quick look through what's in my bag. When I'm on campus all day, I keep everything I need in my backpack, but for days I'm going to chapter meetings, running errands, or anywhere for that matter that isn't a quick run to the store, this is what I keep in my bag.
The bag I'm currently using is a Barrington Gifts St. Anne Tote. I love this bag and the Barrington company as a whole. They make great products, many of them personalized, for a great price. They're made to last too. I've had this one for three years now and it still looks brand new. This is more of a tote bag than a purse, but look at all the stuff I'm carrying! If I'm not using my St. Anne Tote, I'm using my large Longchamp in Red. The only difference is that the Longchamp has a zipper. I'll more so use that for traveling where the risk of other people getting into it is greater.
Daisy Rollerball - Long days mean there's a potential for sweat. I don't need that in my life. I keep a small Daisy by Marc Jacobs rollerball in my purse for long days when I'm out and about or for days when I'm going here, there, and everywhere with not much time to freshen up. This is a light scent with beautiful notes of floral.
Kate Spade Wallet - I stand by my Kate Spade wallet four years after buying it. It's one of those items that's worth spending every penny on. Although the lighter pink shows dirt in areas, the leather is easy to clean and I just take a Clorox wipe to it to make it look good as new. They're indestructible and have plenty of room for your cash, cards and change. When I'm in a rush, I'll just grab by wallet and go.
Advil - I'm at the point where I can't leave the house without Advil. I have Advil in my bedside table, in my backpack, and my in purse. It's a combination of long days, stress, and migraines that run in the family.
Planner - Just like Advil, I can't leave the house without my planner. I'm using a Prep Avenue Planner this semester as a simple alternative to a rather time-consuming Erin Condren Life Planner. My planner tracks my classes, meetings, homework, and papers. Literally everything I need to do is planned out, so of course I need it to keep me on schedule. (Sadly the Prep Avenue Planners are all sold out! Follow @prepavenue on Instagram for restocks)
Portable Charger - I used to carry around an extra charging cable, but half the time there was nowhere to plug it in, so I switched to a portable charger. These are great as long as you're good about plugging them in when you get home. It's a perfect thing to bring with you to the beach and concerts too.
S'Well Bottle - My New Year's resolution was to carry around a reusable water bottle instead of grabbing a plastic bottle from the case each morning before I head off. So far, I've been really good about it and am pretty proud of myself. Now I always carry a S'Well with me not only because it keeps ice solid for hours, but it also helps the planet. Why not do what you can?
Pencil Case - A pet peeve of mine is when people show up to class and ask for a pencil. I hate that because you NEVER get that pencil back. I've made it a habit to carry around extra pens and pencils in my purse for those moments when you might need to ask somebody for one. Even if I only have one pen and one pencil in my case, I'm still prepared.
Wireless Headphones - I don't have AirPods, but in the meantime I carry around my wireless Beats. Beats have a great battery life and they automatically connect to my phone. The main reason I carry them around is because when I'm on the bus they block out the noise around me.
Book - This is another new addition to my bag. I used to never do this but after waiting for a shift at work to start or going on lunch breaks, I realized that sometimes I just wanted to relax and started carrying a book around with me. This is usually a light read, something that has shorter chapters and I can get through quickly. It's just something to pass the time when I’m in a waiting room or in between meetings.
Revlon Matte Balm - I shared about these in my best of beauty 2018 post, but I love the Revlon Matte Balm lipsticks. They're not as bright and vibrant as a regular lipstick but add great hint of blendable color to your lips. I keep one on me in case I need to quickly throw myself together or need to freshen up.
Small Notebook - In addition to my agenda, I like to keep a notebook on me. Keeping notes on my phone has never worked for me. It's too disorganized so I keep a small notebook on hand in my bag. I used this little notebook almost every day at my internship this past summer for brainstorming new ideas and creating to do lists. I keep track of expenses here, jot down ideas and even use it to make my grocery lists.
Spare Hairties - What girl doesn't have spare hair ties??
Baseball Cap - For casual days, windy days, or third-hair days I keep a baseball cap handy. For years my white Vineyard Vines baseball cap has been my go to. It's been with me through four years of tennis practices and now three years of college. It's seen better days, but every now and then I just run it through the wash and it's good as new.
