What’s in my Handbag 2019

I generally only use one handbag at the minute and that is my Michael Kors bag. I’ve no idea what the line is or even which year it came out. I found it for $20 in a secondhand thrift store in Brooklyn. And I checked – it’s a real Michael Kors bag.

And this is why I love thrifting! You never know what you will find.

What I can tell you about the bag is that it is a bucket bag, with two mobile phone pockets on either side of the inside and two zippers as well. On the front is a pocket where I store my Oyster card for easy access, and it has a magnetic popper to keep it sealed.

It’s a perfect size. I can get my laptop in it, all of the books I need for work plus all of my everyday. It’s honestly the best money I think I’ve ever spent. Totally worth the £250 holiday to New York.

So, what’s in my handbag?

The Essentials

The essentials for me are the items I do not leave the house without, ever. And that is:

• My keys
• My purse
• My first aid kit
• Oyster card
• Earphones
• Phone

Purse and Mini First Aid Kit

My purse is from Yoshi and I’ve had it for about three years now. It’s getting a little ratty, but it still closes and everything fits. When it breaks I’ll get a new one.

When I say a ‘mini’ first aid kit, I realise that it’s actually not that mini. I always carry plasters, blister plasters, tissues, cold and flu medicine, Olbas oil nasal stick, and standard paracetamol. I’m well prepared, and also the first person people tend to ask for any of the above. At school, I was called ‘the drug dealer’ – brilliant for my reputation – and now I’m just called ‘the mother’.

I also always carry an emergency sanitary pad around with me, even though I’m a dedicated period pant wearer. You never know when you’ll need one, or when that lady in the bathroom approaches you and asks for one. We’ve all been there.

Travel Essentials

Oyster card. I live in London if I want to travel anywhere further than 1.5 miles I need my Oyster card on me. My Oyster cardholder is also from Yoshi – there will be a running theme.

Earphones are something I go through ridiculously quickly. I can’t tell you how many pairs I’ve had this year, and I honestly don’t know why. I’m sampling different styles at the minute, i.e. some are wireless and others not.

The pair I’m currently using is GlowPods which are a total rip-off of Air Pods but considerably cheaper and have better colours. Mine are yellow and so far they’re all right. The only issue I have is getting them to connect which can be a pain when you’re out in public and just want to listen to your audiobook but your earphones turn off mid-sentence.

And, following these items are the obvious phone and key set. Pretty self-explanatory.

Work and Day Out Items

When I’m going to go to work, or if I’m out for the day, these are the type of items I’ll also add in.

• My laptop
• Lipstick
• Notebook
• Pencil case
• Work ID

When I’m at work I tend to wear red lipstick from time to time, and obviously, I want to reapply it throughout the day. My favourite red lipstick is Ruby Woo by MAC. I also love the Blake Red from L’Oreal too.

Writing Materials

I’m a freelance journalist and writer, and sometimes I like to take my laptop to work or out on the weekends. It’s a MAC so it’s extremely light and thin so it fits in perfectly, in my bag, and doesn’t make my shoulders ache. Which I appreciate after lumping around a ridiculously heavy laptop at University.

Another writing essential is a notebook and my pencil case – and yes, I mean a pencil case. I have had the same pencil case since I was 8 years old and it’s still going strong. I don’t have a particular notebook these days, just whatever has a few empty pages for me to write in is all I need.

Then I have my Work ID, which I need to get into my office.

And that’s pretty much it. It’s not a very exciting handbag, but it’s all I need.

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