Wednesday, June 12, 2019

What's In My Bag

I recently got asked about what was in my bag and so I thought it would be fun to share!  I've done these kinds of posts before but it's been a while so here we go!

This black market tote  is the bag that I've been carrying pretty much daily.  It is large and lovely and simple - and the leather is GORGEOUS!!!  I've talked about  Urban Southern before and absolutely ADORE their company. Regina and Meg were raised Amish and valuing the rich heritage of their backgrounds they wanted to create timeless leather bags and that's exactly what they've done.  They're all handcrafted, incredible quality and get better with time.  




I tend to like bags that don't necessarily have a lot of pockets and organizational "stuff" on the inside - and instead prefer to have my own little pouches and things because it makes switching bags easier.  I feel like there's an embarrassing amount of stuff in my bag - but I've never claimed to be a light packer :)



This is the wallet that I've had for a couple of years and I love it so much.  It has plenty of room for receipts, cash, gift cards, etc. and the leather is beautiful.


The two "embroidered" pouches are from Nena and Co.  One holds lip glosses and stuff (there was some makeup in there from Griffin's recital last weekend)...



And the other holds a couple of extra chargers...


I had  this game in my bag as well :)  It's a new favorite and I always try to keep a game with me.


The big pouch is a part of packing cube set...


... and it holds a bunch of "necessary" things like...


... some snacks, antibacterial wipes, pens,  best hand cream evermy kindle, a travel size dry shampoo, small sunscreen, tiny bottle of  my favorite perfume, little notebook,  hair clip that goes with everything, nail clippers and ibuprofen.  Sheeesh.  That's a lot. hahaha


I like to keep it all in this pouch because then if I'm switching bags (which I like to do) I can just toss the whole pouch into the new bag and I know I'm not missing anything.  I don't always take my embroidered pouches with me - but this denim star one pretty much always goes.

Okay - so now I'm going to share about a few other bags that I LOVE and get questions about often.  While I can totally appreciate a timeless designer bag that you carry for years and years 365 days a year, I like bags that are a little more unique and that I can switch up as my mood (or outfit!) dictates.

This circle tote is a statement piece FOR SURE!  It's from Urban Southern as well and I've found myself carrying it more and more often lately.  It's large and GORGEOUS and unique.  Everything I love in a bag.


This brown market tote was my first bag from Urban Southern and it has just gotten better and better with age.  The leather looked just like the circle tote when I first got it and it has aged absolutely beautifully.


I don't necessarily "baby" my bags (I do take care of them but I use them!) and it has held up amazingly well.


I also have the heritage saddle bag from Urban Southern and it's my favorite when we're traveling or when I'm going places with the kids and just need somewhere to throw my keys, phone, some trail mix, etc. 


Again - the leather quality is OUTSTANDING and it's just getting better with time.


FULL DISCLOSURE - I've been a brand ambassador with Urban Southern for 3 years and have received my bags from them as part of that relationship.  After using the bags for years I would 100% purchase them and recommend them without hesitation.  Regina and Meg are LOVELY and KIND and I can't say enough great things about them and the business that they've built.  LOVE YOU, Urban Southern!!!

Another really unique bag that I have is this military tote from  Hawks and Doves.  Hawks and Doves is another women-run business and a love for vintage textiles led the owner to creating bags out of depression era feed sacks, Civil War era overshot fabric and WWII era Army canvases.  Every bag is unique and as a granddaughter of two WWII veterans I was immediately drawn to this bag made from a WWII era linen duffel bag. 


Those initials more than likely belonged to the soldier who carried the bag.  How COOL is that?!?!


The bags are all handmade and the leather is unbelievably rich and beautiful.


The lining is a blue ticking stripe and there's a waxed canvas pocket as well.  It's so special and I adore this bag so much! 



 Next up is  Nena and Co.  I've been a Nena fan since before Griffin was born and have carried my Nena bags for YEARS.  They're obviously unique and I love that the company "celebrates the artistry of cultures around the world with ethical business practices and creates sustainable income opportunities for their artisans"

My first purchase from them was this original Day Bag.  Despite being a handwoven textile it has held up amazingly well - especially considering that I used it as a diaper bag and have lugged this bag EVERYWHERE!




When I was done toting around diapers and bottles and all of that I celebrated and bought a Lucia crossbody.  This bag is absolutely GORGEOUS and the colors are so rich and vibrant.



And since I've mentioned that I'm a sucker for great leather...


Dave got me this denim daybag for my birthday (maybe our anniversary.... I can't remember now!) several years ago and I LOVED that it was a blank canvas.  You can purchase patches for it and mine has had various phrases pinned to it over the years.  Probably about a year ago I started pinning my enamel pins (which up until this point had just been hanging out in a random dish in my bathroom vanity) to it and I LOVE how fun this bag is.  


It has backpack straps on it as well (which you can remove) which makes it a great option when I'm taking the kids to the museum or another place where I'm going to need to carry a little bit more (like water bottles) and have my hands free.


The pins are a variety of things...


... from movies, TV shows, trips, etc.


This is a bag that definitely has a personality and I love it.


All of the tassels I have on my bags are part of a Nena and Co initiative that provided jobs to artisans in Guatemala.  They release new ones every so often and they're fantastic quality.

 Okay... on to my newest love... the Bogg Bag!


Several blog readers recommended these bags to me and so I ordered one to check out for myself and it was love at first sight!  It's a giant tote bag pretty much made out of crocs.  You can wipe it, wash it and hose it off.  It doesn't tip, it floats and it was the bag I never knew I needed :)


I've used it to lug soccer gear and snacks to the field, transport bday party supplies, carry my plants home from my classroom, it braved the dusty 8th grade trip to West Texas, and I've used it as a shopping bag at Trader Joes.

This is what the inside looked like yesterday at the pool...


It comes with a large and small zipper pouch that attach to the holes in the bag and I use those to keep certain things dry (like my kindle, phone, etc.).


THANK YOU to those of y'all who recommended it to me!!! It was worth every penny!!!

And since I'm on a roll and we're talking bags I thought I'd share about  the Scout Bag that I keep locked and loaded in the trunk of my car...


Here's what's inside.... towels, lysol wipes, armor all car wipes, neck pillows, TJs reusable grocery bags, sea bands, toothpaste and a tooth brush, paper bags (for puke bags), a poncho, flashlight, Nature Valley granola bars, paper towels, a box of feminine hygiene products, a large trash bag and scissors.


Do I sound like a doomsdayer or what :)  When you have a kid who gets carsick it's better to be prepared than caught off guard!

Okay - that was a LOT!!!  If you've written a "what's in my bag" post or shared about your bags I'd love it if you'd leave a link int he comments.  If not - let me know if you're a one purse or multiple purse kind of girl.  Do you keep yours for years and years or switch it up seasonally.  

HAPPY Wednesday, friends!!!

PS - this post contained affiliate links.... thank you so much for reading and supporting my blog!


27 comments :

  1. I love Scout bags!! I also love posts like this one. I'm so nosy! ;)

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  2. I took notes as I read this post. ;)

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    Replies
    1. Says the woman who doesn't carry a purse :) hahaha I try to channel my inner Erika when I'm going out - and then end up bringing ALL THE THINGS anyway

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  3. I saw your "plant lady" pin...you need a "bag lady" pin....but in THE BEST WAY. :)

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  4. I absolutely love your bags. These posts are my favorites.
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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  5. LOVE this post so so much. Hope you like your new paint colors in your house. I ABSOLUTELY love and adore your blog. I've been a faithful reader for YEARS AND YEARS. :) Share any books you are loving. :)

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    1. Thank you SO MUCH, KELLY!!! Such a kind comment! I"ll share books ASAP!

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  6. I love all my Urban Southern bags that I purchased from your recommendation! The market tote is my FAVORITE!

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    1. Isn't it PERFECTION!?!? So so so glad that you're enjoying them!

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  7. Your Pacey Witter pin is the greatest thing I have seen!

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  8. This post made me so happy! I love bags and especially unique bags with character!

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  9. Which case do you have for your Kindle? I love the color of yours.

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    1. Here you go! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CO52KFG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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  10. I LOVE these types of posts. You're the reason I bought and love my Urban Southern Mini Market Tote. It's so good.

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  11. I just went to the Hawks & Doves website and all the military bags are sold out. Do you know if they are still in business? And what brand is the denim daybag Dave got you. Thanks

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    1. I believe they are - I think that her stock of military bags just depends on the textiles she has available. I bet if you sent her a message she'd be able to answer your question. The denim bag is Nena and Co :)

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  12. You always have THE best bags!!! LOVE these posts!

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  13. I bought a Bogg bag per your recommendation and I'm loving it!

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  14. So I bought the market bag a couple of weeks ago! They’re located about 30 minutes from my hometown, and I was there for work. I found a retailer who carries them in my hometown and I was able to see it in real life. I felt like it might be too big, but it’s not. I mean, it’s a big bag. It’s deep. I was past my elbow reaching in for my wallet, but it serves a purpose when I need to carry more than normal purse things. Like a travel pillow. Or 2 changes of clothes for a super tall 9 year old. I have a couple (5) of bags from another company that you might like.
    https://www.livefashionable.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2Jz7yYDo4gIVQeDICh2OfQ4bEAAYASAAEgIllfD_BwE

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  15. I love a good bag. Your market bag in the brown leather is just gorgeous! I have done a few what's in my bag posts - they are always so interesting. Below is my link!

    http://alittlebitofemily.blogspot.com/2019/01/a-look-inside-my-bag.html

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  16. These bags are beautiful! You should check out Better Life Bags, a company out of Detroit. They create custom, handmade leather & fabric bags that you get to customize down to the hardware! They also employ women who otherwise would have trouble finding jobs. It's a great mission with beautiful bags!

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  17. Where’s the best place to find such great lapel pins?

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