What’s In My Bag | My Everyday Handbag Essentials & Shoulder Bag Favourites

Reading Time: 6 minutes

I feel like a ‘What’s in My Bag’ is a very 2014 blog post or Youtube video idea. Regardless, I do love reading these types of posts and I hope you enjoy! If you’re a curious cat, keep reading to find what I put in my everyday bag.

*This post is not sponsored but contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

My Bag

Shoulder Bag

The shoulder bag is definitely a trend at the moment as well as a lot of the 90s/00s Y2K aesthetic. I absolutely adore this trend and the shoulder bag. It’s such a statement piece and is a staple in my wardrobe. 

I would highly suggest checking out Depop or op shops if you’re interested in shoulder bags or Y2K trendy pieces. I do feel that vintage tends to be overpriced. I’ve been to boutiques in Surry Hills and Newtown (definitely the trendier and hipster suburbs in Sydney) and I am always shocked at how expensive everything is. 

Click here for the link to my bag. As you can see below, the bags look gorgeous and as you can see from the black shoulder bag (middle), it looks exactly like the bag I have so I think it’s really true to the image.

My Handbag Essentials

keys

Keys are definitely an essential to any handbag. The worst thing is coming late at night at forgetting your keys and essentially waking up the whole house.

I have my keys on a keychain I got from an Arctic Monkeys gig- hence tranquility base hotel + casino. The album is definitely worth listening to – especially if you like indie rock. Star Treatment and Four Out of Five are my favourites of the album.

I think this album is underrated and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Arctic Monkeys were without a doubt my favourite band growing up, when I was in high school, and there really isn’t a bad song from them.

I know their sound has changed a lot from their roots (Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not is such a perfect teen angst garage indie rock album and Favourite Worst Nightmare is up there in my faves and of course AM) but I think they’ve grown so much stylistically and artistically. Arctic Monkeys only age like fine wine.

I’ve also gone on a huge tangent. If there’s anything you take away from this post is that I love the Arctic Monkeys.

>> listen to Arctic Monkeys – Star Treatment

>> listen to Arctic Monkeys – Four Out of Five

airpods

lip balm & lipstick

I get chapped lips all the time so having a lip balm in my bag that I can whip out at any time for a touch up is perfect. The one I have is the Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm and I am obsessed. It has a delicious vanilla smell and is really hydrating.

I also have a lipstick in my bag just in case I ever needed it – especially if I have a dinner date. I love using my mini makeup products because it makes it really easy to travel with. The lipstick I have is the Nars Audacious Lipstick in Barbara. It’s a really pigmented warm-toned beige nude-pink with a satin finish.

blotting paper (for my oily gals)

As gross as it sounds, I sweat a lot. It’s really embarrassing. I could just be having a lunchtime work stroll shopping and my face will be sweaty – from walking. Blotting paper is perfect for absorbing excess oil on the go without ruining my makeup and my day.

The Revolution Skincare Mattifying Blotting Papers is in this really cute pink compact packaging which makes it perfect for touch ups on the go. I purchased mine from Beauty Bay which you can get (here). I’ve recently made a huge order from Beauty Bay and they do sales every now and again so it’s a good place to consider buying.

perfume

If you’re looking for affordable perfumes, I would highly recommend Zara. The Zara perfume Ebony Wood is my favourite at the moment. It has really minimalist packaging that is reminiscent of Jo Malone (Zara had a collaboration with Jo Malone which explains this but even then, Zara have fantastic home-brand perfumes).

Ebony Wood is described as ‘the scent reveals notes of pink peppercorn, clove and ebony wood’. It’s a very rich and sweet perfume but it has a slightly musky smell. This makes it perfect for unisex and appropriate for everyday and work.

hair ties

I feel naked without a hair tie to be honest. It’s always good for me to have one just in case I go to the gym. The amount of times I’ve had to ask for a rubber band because I forgot one…

Especially with the warm weather and summer just around the corner, it’s always nice to know you have a spare hair tie just in case you want to tie your hair up or you know seal a bag of chips when you’re not finished with them.

pills & important stuff

I feel like talking about medication can be a touchy subject but fuck it I take the pill and other medication. I recently have been trying to get my health on track after signs of PCOS (read here for more about PCOS symptoms and my experiences with an ultrasound). It’s also quite important to take the pill daily (if you do miss a day- it is NOT the end of the world) so I like taking it first thing in the morning so I don’t forget. I also take Metformin three times a day ideally with food and that’s meant to help with my PCOS symptoms.

I also usually carry a pen – you know just in case. I also usually carry tissues and a phone charger. If I don’t forget, I usually carry a shopper bag inside. In Australia, supermarkets will charge you for bags so this is just super handy. I also usually carry at least one sanitary pad – you know in case I get my period. Although, I’ve heard fantastic things about menstrual cups so that’s something I hopefully want to transition to and be more environmentally sustainable to the environment.

What do you keep in your bag? Do you have any random things in your bag?