I meant to do a What’s in My Bag post for a long time not, but I never felt like you guys would be interested in seeing what kind of junk I carry around with me everywhere. But after I got a few positive comments on some of my bag contents, I figured “Why not?” Presenting to you, my first ever #WIMB, Winter edition.
The bag itself that I use a lot is from B. Makowsky. It’s a pre-historic model that is not even sold on discount websites anymore. I like that it has the handles for carrying in your hands, and the long strap for wearing it as a crossbody, not to mention the delicate soft-to-touch leather and well-made inner lining. Although it held up really well for me [I guess because I’m used to taking care of leather products], girls at Purseblog are warning people not to buy from the company.
For midday refreshments I turn to evian Facial Spray by spraying it directly on my face and lightly patting it in to make my makeup look like it was freshly applied. Central heating does a number on my complexion, so it also helps rehydrate the skin, especially the cheeks and outer corners of the eyes, that tend to be the driest to the point where they even start stinging a bit. I’ve been a Vichy user for many years and recently switched to evian, as I find their water composition more soothing. Fun fact: evian sprays are powered by nitrogen, which doesn’t negatively impact the ozone layer, making it an eco-friendly choice.
Some people say that they could just spend a couple bucks, and fill a spray bottle with bottled mineral water, but keep in mind that to get the benefits of those unique minerals, you will have to use real mineral water, and good ones are expensive. At this time it’s impossible to re-create the unique mineral structure of natural mineral water in the lab, there’s even a law in Europe that doesn’t allow lab produced water call itself “mineral”, instead it has to be labeled as “mineralized”. [Woah, I’ve never used the word “mineral” so many times in one paragraph!]
My other bag must-haves are a tube of hand sanitizer, and a big tube of hand cream. I like to change things up, so I rotate different brands and products, depending on my mood and season.
There’s always a wallet, a calendar for 2015 [hubs jokes that I’m a luddite because I refuse to use Google calendar], and a pack of DenTek toothpicks.
Another really handy thing you will find in my purse is this pair of Dr. Scholl’s ballet slippers that are thinner and lighter than an iPhone, so I carry them with me all the time, in case I need to wear them at someone’s house since not everyone has carpeted floors, and it’s Winter after all.
Next up: SNACKS! Chocolate is not the healthiest thing on Earth, but I tuck a bar in all of my purses in case hunger suddenly strikes. Sometimes I’m a good girl and buy granola bars or protein bars, but at this time it’s just chocolate, and a pack of mints.
And finally, the Grand Mess! [pun intended! ’cause, get it, it’s a pile, sort of like a mountain?] My cosmetic bag can fit a lot more stuff than this, but I only carry things I actually use for touchups: Clarins sunscreen sample, Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick mini in “Naked”, Jane Iredale Lip Drink mini, fresh SUGAR Tinted Lip Balm mini in “Tulip”, Lancome Gloss in Love in “Rose Oscar”, L’Occitane Shea Hand Cream minis and Caudalie Hand & Nail Cream, TATCHA Aburatorigami Blotting Papers, Charlotte Tilbury KISSING Lipstick in “Bitch Perfect”, Atelier Cologne “Vanille Insensee”, and Neutrogena Healthy Skin Brightening Eye Perfector. And of course, a nail file, painkillers, band-aids, and feminine products, because we’re girls, and stuff happens.
UPDATE: After several of you requested that I show the bag itself, I posted a picture of it on Instagram for comparison.
I’m gonna have my woman card revoked when I saw I don’t really have a bag. I’ve got a purse, but I get tired of carrying it and generally just grab my wallet and carry it around!
You crack me up Destany! I know many women who don’t like carrying bags around, so you’re totally not alone. I’m on the other end of the extreme – I feel naked without a purse, so feel free to revoke my sane human being card instead, haha π
Wow, you got me beat, big time! Can’t believe you carry that size of Evian spray with you as well as ballet flats. But now I’m going to start carrying my tiny Avene mineral water spray. And my friends William & Fintan insist that everyone take off their shoes so ballet flats will be joining everything in my bag. Now I just need a bigger purse!
It fits right at the bottom of my purse! I kind of Tetris-stack it all, and considering the soft material of the bag itself, it looks nice and full, but not bulging. Can’t live without my treasures and always have to carry them with me π Can you tell I’m an overpacker even in daily life, haha?
I used to just carry a wallet, but I can’t go back! I need my hand sanitizer and lotion, and handful of lippies… Love those flats! I want a pair!
I know right? So many precious things to carry. What if you suddenly want to change your lipstick color midday? Haha, oh the woes of the beauty obsessed π
I adore those ballet slippers and want them! That’s such a clever idea!
Thanks Renu! You can pick them up at Walmart under 8 bucks, and they come in several size ranges. These little things are lifesavers!
Wait.. you didn’t show us your bag! I wanted to see how big it was to hold all that stuff.
Just posted a photo per your special request, Melody π Enjoy!
You’re so organized! Mine is such a black hole right now lol
Girl, trust me, I periodically shake the stuff out of my bags because otherwise they turn into black holes, too. I had to take out some junk before taking pictures for this post.
Wow! That cute little bag can carry so much!
Thanks Miranda! The bag is bigger than it looks, because it’s quite wide on the sides. It does carry a lot π
That red bag got my attention
It stands out indeed π This cosmetic bag travels from purse to purse, but I initially bought it to match a huge red tote.
LOVE your cute little flats!
Thanks Angela! If you want a pair for yourself, they’re under 8 bucks at Walmart in the same aisle as insoles.
many that is a ton of stuff!! I’ve got at least 6 lipsticks in mine!
Girl, you rock! How could you narrow it down to 6?? It took me ages to clear out lippies I don’t use from my red cosmetic bag. I think I had about 10 there, and all of them I felt I absolutely needed to have in my purse at all times, haha.
First, I like your prehistoric bag π I don’t own B Makowsky so it’s nice to know you liked it. I see it being featured on Hautelook every once in a while. Second, smart idea to stash ballet flats. Third, your “mess” is eye candy to me!!!
Thanks Kath! It’s super soft and “goes with everything” everyday kind of bag, nothing fancy, but I like it a lot π I haven’t seen B Makowsky on Hautelook, but spotted a few at TJ Maxx and Marshall’s, where I got mine from. I never saw this same model though, but if you spot it, take a closer look – it’s pretty good quality for the price. And the flats: if you want them, they’re only $7-something at Walmart in the insole aisle.
I love seeing what people carry in their purses!
Me too! I’m oddly fascinated by seeing what kind of must-haves fellow bloggers carry around π
I love your bags and wallets!!! SO CUTE!
Aw thank you Eugenia! I bought my wallet when Macy’s had a BOGO sale on Fossil small leather goods a couple years ago and stocked up on belts, wallets, and tiny coinpurses to use for gifts. They all held up well!
I cleaned out my bag last weekend. Found about 12 nail polishes, 6 lipsticks I forgot I bought and some random legos my son hid in there haha
Oddly enough we have the same flossies! lol
I love the Tatcha hand cream!
I never knew that about mineral water! You made a good case; you convinced me. π I can easily see a company for feminine products using the tagline, “because we’re girls, and stuff happens” haha!