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by Clarissa Zhu

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

October 25, 2020

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. 

The shoulder bag I’m using at the moment is AliExpress and I know some people may have strong opinions on this company but the stuff is cheap and surprisingly good quality.

I found the bag that I have and I can’t recommend it enough. It also comes in a range of other colours as well. I am obsessing over the yellow and I really need that.

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.

click the following links for 90s vintage aesthetic shoulder bags

1 (click here) for the black shoulder bag (pictured on left) as well as snakeskin, brown choc, mustard choc

2 (click here) for the PU leather shoulder bags. I am absolutely obsessed with the lilac and mint green. I think these are such a statement.

3 (click here) Holy shit! I am obsessed with cow print and I think this would look so good for a girl day out.

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

Once you get wireless headphones, you honestly never go back. I normally use my Sony headphones (absolutely recommend – perfect for the gym). I do also love my AirPods though. I know I am missing one which I’m not surprised. I’m very clumsy so it was only a matter of time.

However, I can’t afford to spend $100 for a replacement pair for now. I still find these AirPods really useful when listening to music lightly and wearing them when I have meetings and calls for work.

Since I’m missing one AirPod, it feels exactly like you were only listening through one ear which isn’t the most pleasant but oh well.

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?

Currently Listening (since I talked about the Arctic Monkeys lmao)

>> Arctic Monkeys – Balaclava (live)

>> Arctic Monkeys – Do Me a Favour (live) – ‘perhaps fuck off might be too kind’ is my favourite line ever

>> Arctic Monkeys – 505 (live) – definitely a top 10 all-time fave AM song

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Beauty, Blog, Fashion, Lifestyle

About clarissa

Clarissa is a 23 year old Sydneysider (sɪdnisʌɪdə) who graduated in finance, economics and marketing but is passionate about blogging and self expression.

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Comments

  1. Amy says

    October 30, 2020 at 10:25 pm

    I must admit – I’ve always got too much stuff for a shoulder bag! I have a full on backpack with different compartments! For me it’s almost always hand sanitiser that’s the number one feature of my handbag – especially given current events! I also have stomach issues too related to my anxiety, so there’s always mints of some kind in my bag too!

    Reply
    • clarissa says

      October 30, 2020 at 11:46 pm

      Yes- always carry hand sanitiser and a face mask! I definitely think your meds and other pills are so important and I can’t forget or I won’t function. I forgot to pack my ibuprofen and I had a nasty headache coming on at work and I was so mad at myself haha.

      Reply
  2. Mica says

    November 1, 2020 at 3:28 am

    I remember having a tons of bags like this back in the 90s, haha! I don’t think any of them have survived till now but maybe I should ask my mum – you are right they are so trendy right now! 🙂

    I like how few things you carry – I have two little boys so I have to carry a lot more, even when I downsize!

    Hope you are having a lovely weekend 🙂 We got through the storms safely yesterday which was a blessing!

    Reply
    • clarissa says

      November 1, 2020 at 10:09 am

      I do love how 90s fashion is becoming popular now. I try to be minimalistic with what I carry but I can totally empathise. It makes me feel so grateful for my mum and how much she was willing to carry when we went on trips as a family.

      I am starting to hate Sydney weather now haha. I feel like it’s getting stormy way too often now but I’ve enjoyed a quiet stay in this weekend 🙂 Glad you had a good weekend too!

      Reply

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About Me

Hi! I'm Clarissa

I am a 23 year old Australian-based online content creator who is trying her best to adult (sort of). Some topics I write include beauty, travel, and life. For enquiries, please contact me at clarissazhu97@gmail.com - Happy reading!

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