A New Bag

Zara Bargain

Now that the kids are older I do find that I don't need to carry around a huge sack all the time. I saw this little bargain in Zara just before Christmas and although it wasn't the Michael Kors Selma I would really like, I fell for it! At £25 it wasn't going to break the bank either. It has a few pockets inside and is large enough to carry my daily essentials. It's not leather, but maybe I'll treat myself to my dream bag after I've worked out this contract for 6 months! I am not going to worry about it getting ruined in a busy classroom either.

Do you have a dream bag you have set your sights on in 2014?

What's in My Handbag

 I have been cutting back on the junk I carry around in my bag.

 There! 

 I said it out loud.

I still have days when everything, but the kitchen sink comes with me, but as the children get older I need less. My bag is not full of wet wipes, snacks and emergency toys any more.

When I am teaching I have a large carry all bag for files, books and whatever resources I need for the day. My drinks and lunch bag go in there too.

So I have built up a little collection of smaller bags - how did that happen?

I have my purple zatchels satchel, which I love, but I get frustrated with the undoing of the buckles. Lazy ? Maybe.

Purple zatchels satchel

I have my gap bargain, green cross body bag. This is a lovely small bag - perfect for shopping days when you need your hands free!

Green Gap bag

Then there is my latest love. An impulse buy. A coral/red colour in leather from Next. At only £25 it would have been rude not to.

Coral Next leather bucket bag

The Contents

What's in my bag?

I still cannot cope without my notepads and diary. I am a writer. I do put my calendar into my ipad, but I have to write everything down too. I make lists and jot down notes as they occur to me. It is not quite the same dictating them into a phone. However I do use the Evernote app for lists and I find that helpful.

Every few days I have to decant everything and get rid of the stuff that has crept back in that I do not need. 

I still carry my ipad around when I am at the kids clubs - it means I can work as well as watch them play their sports!

The hand cream is the lovely freebie off a magazine this month from Neal's Yard. I love it and will probably repurchase when it is all gone.

I love this little make up bag. It only cost £5 and is just large enough for a small mascara, a concealer and a lipstick. Sometimes I can squash a few plasters and painkillers in there too if needed. 

The hand gel is a must when working in school - need I say more.

My purse is a Marc O Polo bargain - lovely and roomy. I can fit all my cards, stamps, receipts and coupons in here.

What would be your essentials to carry in a small bag?

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What's in my handbag?

OK so making myself a little vulnerable here so be kind to me! I have to admit to those who don't know it yet I have a serious weakness for handbags.  If I had to choose between all of my fashion loves I think this one would be pretty much near , if not at, the top!

Having said that I don't have hoards of bags festering in the back of my closet - once they have lost favour with me I am very fickle and do sell them on e.bay to fund my next little purchase. At any one time I only have about three or four bags , plus a few clutch bags and possibly some fabric shoppers loitering about....umm so a fair few really. What is normal then? I don't know.....

Anyway , my current , in favour, totally in love with and I will keep for ever bag ( until I change it for another from the same store) is my Kate Spade bag from the Covent Garden Store. Did you know there are now three stores in London and they do an on line service!? ( Just thought I'd drop that right in there) Check out the American website for options and ring the London store for stock ( numbers on the Ameican site) - £7 for delivery.

Now I warn you I am a carry everything you ever need kind of girl! After I took this photo I thought 'why wasn't this or that in the photo' until I realised that I hadn't needed it on that particular day. I change the contents of my bag a lot depending on where I am going - that's how obsessed I am!

So - on THIS particular day ( that happened to be a day of clubs for the boys) I had in my bag:

and of course my phone ( Not an iphone - I am a Samsung Galaxy S2 convert - love it!!!!!)

Kitchen sink come to mind? I used to carry a change bag with all the baby/child crap  stuff as well - imagine that! 

So a break down for the really nosey of you ( like me) :

Laura Ashley Make up bag :


1. Match Perfection by Rimmel
2. Lip and Cheek Stain by Body Shop
3. Chubby Stick by Revlon
4. Benefit Mascara
5. Hand Held Mirror
6. Ren Hand Cream sample
7. Rose Otto Lip Salve 
8. Jolie Nail File
9. Tweezers
10. Estee Lauder mini perfume sensuous

1. Paperchase Bag with painkillers, plasters and monthly girly essentials in!
2. Antibacterial wipes.
3. Antibacterial Hand Gel.
4. Tangle Teezer. ( Review on these coming!)

1. Ipad - I take this with me whenever I go to clubs so I can catch up on e.mail/work whilst the kids play tennis /swim etc.
2. Karen Millen Purse - this has my credit and debit cards in, my supermarket cards and anything I need instant access to ! My cash and notes.

1. Graffiti Card Holder - for all mine and the kids  membership cards ( there are so many it makes my purse too bulky to have them in there) 3 for tennis, 2 for leisure, driving license,4 library cards , 4 for theme park membership - you get my drift!! I am not organised enough to only pick the ones up I need on the day!

2. Cath Kidston Card Holder - business cards

3. Card Kidston - pencil case - holds a couple of pens and stops them leaking over my lovely bag!

4. Notepad.

1. Cath Kidston Umbrella - in case it rains
2. Prada sunglasses - in case it is sunny
3. Book - in case I read it ( not always with me!)
4.Extra bag - in case I when I shop
5.Cath Kidston tape measure ( for measuring furniture in old junk yards!)

So there you have it ! I know I could chuck out half of what I lug about with me, but then I know that would be what I end up needing. School runs often see me just with my purse and phone and thats it as we live only 5 mins from the school gate . I'm in that stage of life after school hours when I spend hours ferrying my kids around to clubs and friends houses and waiting whilst they play tennis, football, cricket, swim etc so my ipad, phone, book or something to occupy me/catch up with work during that time is essential. If I have my little girl with me then I have pencils , paper, scissors etc to occupy her as well! The joy! I actually think this is a lovely age and would love to freeze my kids just as they are for a little longer - they grow up far too fast! Sigh!

So - anyone else fill their bag with as much rubbish as me ?

What do you carry with you every day?