Everyday Bag(gage?): What I Carry With Me

Current Handbag: Seville Tote and Shell by Lo and Sons

Ever since I can remember, I've been called some version of a Bag Lady and it's a pretty appropriate moniker. To be fair, I used to travel from Noida to college in North Campus, and then to work in Gurgaon. College had no clean water and toilets that didn't work. Work had long days (I'm talking 9 pm). So... it made sense I had so many bags. Of course, the weight took a toll on my back and shoulders and every once in a while, my back would seize up. Also, I start out organized but I am not the best at staying organized and so my handbag would become a black hole of sorts. If I needed one thing, six would have to come out first. As I turned thirty, I started to care more -- about the weight of things on me, about the look of things on me, and the ease of finding things. And lo and behold, there was Lo and Sons (see what I did there ha). A colleague introduced me to the brand and did a demo with her bag, where she was able to pull out both an orange and a pair of pumps and I was hooked. It's definitely a cult phenomenon, and if you are used to buying bags from TJ Maxx or Target, on the pricier side. I think it's worth the investment -- I was lucky that I got my first bag (The O.G.) at a Crossroads consignment shelf. Earlier this year I was ready to upgrade to a sleeker exterior, and I bought The Seville on a sale. I could go on and on about how structured and intuitive the inside pockets of Lo and Sons' bags are -- they are made for people who travel for work (so.. most of us). 

I'm also very curious about what other women carry in their handbags and purses, and confounded by those who are able to travel only with a crossbody (it's a mixture of admiration and envy, and not judgement). I'm a sucker for all the articles about what's in your bag types of articles and videos. I've been wanting to unpack mine for a minute -- both actually and in words as well. Today happened to be a holiday, and I had both the wish and energy to do this aka the Venn diagram space where life outside work happens. If you are still here for the ride, here we go :)

Phase I: Dumping It All Out

Alright so what you are seeing here is what happens when I randomly clutch things from the bag and dump them on the floor. The inside of the bag was not this chaotic (I think). Still it's a lot and I try to keep my stuff in categories but that clearly was not what happened here.

My next step was to bring the categories back to life. 

Going from up top, first is my wallet. Then are all things electronic - portable charger, earbuds (which don't fit my Pixel 3 but are for work), and Anker bluetooth wireless earphones. These were a great price and work pretty well. Also the fleece headband, which is a recent addition and is not optional in Chicago winters. Next is a Contigo water bottle -- you can see it on the bottom right corner -- which is absolutely great and was a gift. But.. it is heavy and adds to the weight.

Next up are glasses because the day I take them out will be the day my lenses will spontaneously fall out of my eyes. Then sunglasses - never expensive ones because I will scratch them. There's also a pair of stockings because I randomly get cold and I DETEST being cold. 

Then we have the medicines. I keep them all because there's no benefit in having a cabinet of meds at home but none when you need them at the place where you spend most of your day.

This is the funnest part. I counted 11 hair ties, but when I need one, it is a fight. Five lipsticks, one brand -- Maybelline Vivid Liquid Matter. I adore the colors and staying power, but I do not need to carry all five with me and will be downsizing. There's a lip balm and a handcream and a mini manicure set, and a roller perfume for the occasional pick-me-up.

This is my ID and transit card holder. For many years I only wore the lanyards around my neck and in the last month I got sick of it. It's visually very odd if you wear a necklace and I think I just got bored of it. Finding just the right length and thickness isn't easy either. I have actually paid money to have my lanyards resized. So now I attach this to a loop on my paints or somewhere on a dress. With winters coming, there is always a jacket pocket to attach this to as well.

Some other random items. A small moleskine that I did not need but scored at TJ Maxx (on an aside, Nordstrom Rack also sells discounted Moleskines! Who knew?!). Two separate pairs of earrings that will go back to their original house now. A pen and a Microsoft Surface pen. A deeply tattered checkbook that is hanging on for life until my new one gets delivered.

If you are curious, this is what the inside of the bag looks like:

My experience with Lo and Sons has been pretty great. I also have their Hanover backpack, which, while nothing stunning visually, is very functional. It has wide straps which are good for my back. Now to wait for the sale when the price of their new tote/backpack gets adjusted to my taste :).