Anyway, instead of spilling the entire contents of my bag onto the floor and discussing it all with you, I decided to narrow it down to my top 11 (because 10 just wasn't enough) handbag essentials. So without further ado, cast your gaze upon the list of things I rarely leave behind. Disclaimer: the word 'essential' is perhaps being used *rather (*very, very) loosely.
1. Lucas Papaw Ointment: This is not just a handbag essential. It's a life essential. I have three: one with my makeup stash, one in my handbag, and one that never leaves my side. I'm not even joking; I have it under my pillow at night in case, heaven forbid, I wake up with chapped lips! Then when I get up it follows me into whichever room I go. I have a terribly nasty habit of picking my lips (I know, I know!) and it's the only thing that soothes them and keeps them looking decent. It's also amazing for insect bites and dry skin. But be warned; once you try it, you will be burdened with insatiable cravings for it's soft, sweet, healing caress against your lips. Oh my, that got a bit odd, but basically it's really good.
2. Forever New 'Lovely Little Things' Cosmetic Case: It's contents differs depending on what I put on my face that morning, but on a day to day basis it probably contains Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in Ivory, Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Sand Storm, a Zoeva 142 Concealer Buffer Brush and a Real Techniques Multi Task Brush. There's no need to cart around the kitchen sink (or the entire bathroom beauty stash)! I think it's the perfect size and I love the beaded detailing on the front. So purrty!
3. Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in 027 Juicy Papaya: This has barely spent a minute away from my lips this summer! It's super creamy, and provides my pout with a sheer coral glow, as well as nourishment and hydration. I think it's great for minimal makeup days when you just want a little bit of colour and shine without too much opacity.
4. Forever New Blush Pink iPhone 5 wallet (even though I have an iPhone 4): I love these things so much; I don't know how I survived so long with just a normal case! They come in handy when you'd rather leave your big purse filled with 200 loyalty cards, masses of loose change, and receipts that never get thrown away, at home. It has enough room for a couple of essential cards (I carry my ID, a debit card and my student card), a bit of cash, and a sad looking iPhone 4. It has a useful wrist strap and I even attached my house key to it, which means if you can't seem to find it, you can just call your phone and... wallah! If you don't have a wallet for your phone you need to seriously question where your life is going. Do it.
5. Tissues and bandaids: Boring, yes. Important, yes. At uni I would walk for miles (or perhaps just a few metres, but the point is I walked) to get to the library and then I'd sit down and my nose would start running and I'd have to choose between being that annoying sniffer in a completely silent building full of grumpy, sleep deprived students revved up on caffeine, or walking back miles (again, perhaps that's a slight exaggeration) to the campus pharmacy to buy tissues. So, a pocket pack is now a handbag staple. I also carry around a few bandaids, just in case.
6. Forever New Compact Mirror: Totally vain but better than using your phone camera! And the one I have is super-dooper pretty. When I'm out people always ask to borrow it to touch up their lippy. I may have put a little crack in it though, so the next 7 years of my life are obviously doomed. And yes, almost everything I own is from Forever New. Oops.
7. Prada PR10RS Sunglasses in Black/Grey: This was one of my most extravagant purchases ever, but most certainly worth it because I feel like a Kardashian when I have them on which obviously justifies the hole in my bank account. Everyone needs a pair of sunnies in summer and you may as well fork out the big bucks if you love them and they love your cheekbones! Well, at least that's what I tell myself as I stare at the moths in my wallet. *Help*
8. Sweet Treats Petit Parfum in Cotton Candy: It comes in a pretty slimline bottle and is good for situations when you might need to address how you smell... It's cotton candy in a bottle, need I say more?
9. Typo 2015 Luxury Diary A5: A little black book covered in sparkles beats iCal every time. It's not too big to carry around but there's still enough space to make notes and stay organised.
10. Microshield Antimicrobial Hand Gel: Because things are gross, and this helps my hands to be less gross.
11. Jeff Banks Glasses: this one isn't that exciting...not that hand sanitiser was exactly raving either. They help me see, obviously. Here's a semi-fun (probably not that fun) anecdote about my glasses: they're actually mens and once after watching a movie at the cinema, somehow, despite wearing them throughout the entire film, I lost them, so I waited for a while at the counter in case someone turned them in. Sure enough, a 70 year old man turned up with mine in his hands and the same ones on his face. He said he was confused because at first he thought they were his but then he realised he already had them on. I'm so glad to know I have the same taste in eyewear as an elderly man... They're nice, I swear!
Of course I couldn't write this post without discussing the beautiful sack of leather I throw all these things into. It's a wonderful toffee coloured tote bag from Tilkah that I bought in Melbourne. Unfortunately I don't remember the exact name and it's out of stock on the website but I pretty much want to eat their entire range. Om nom nom nom. They're just so beautiful! I usually shy away from spending more than $60 on a handbag but when it comes to Tilkah bags I'd sell my soul to own one. The leather is so soft and luxurious and the entire bag is made to excellent standards. It's a lovely size and shape, and despite being soft leather, it's not completely floppy and impossible to find anything in. The inside has a zip pocket and two little pouches so my things stay nice and organised, and the zipper along the front with the tassle is not only functional but an interesting design feature too! I've owned a few bags from Tilkah and whenever I go to Melbourne I make a point of going there (even if it's completely out of the way from our hotel, raining, and makes us late for high tea... sorry mum). I can't speak highly enough of them!Well, I hope you enjoyed having a peek into my handbag, and didn't mind the abundance of completely pointless anecdotes too much! Let me know what your handbag must-haves are, and meet me back here on Thursday for a bronzed and glowy beauty look as well as dirty 'scarecrow chiq' hair. Wait, what?
xx Shakira
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