WHATS IN MY BAG
Omg, do you remember the viral reign of “what’s in my bag” videos on YouTube? A quintessential 2010’s obsession. I was fascinated—completely enthralled by this trend that any girl could partake in. Each video adding its own texture to the kaleidoscopic tapestry of the new internet era! The contents of a woman’s bag is, in my humble opinion, akin to a glimpse into her soul! A curated miniature universe that reveals so much about its owner, in very few words.
A woman’s bag carries more than just her essentials—it holds fragments of her daily life, the products that support her rituals and the quiet tools that help her navigate the day. It’s a portrait painted in lipstick bullets, crumpled receipts and those elusive stray pills that seem to nestle themselves into the farthest corner of the inside zippy pocket.
A handbag isn’t just a bag—it’s a survival kit, The things we carry say so much about us: the products that get us through the day, the little luxuries we reach for without thinking, the random-but-essential bits and bobs that make us us.
So without further a do, here is a legitimately spontaneous what’s in my bag!!
Let’s spill…
Keys!
Yes, I am absolutely that girl— the one who collects so many key rings on her house keys they end up looking like some kind of overgrown, technicolour, tumorous charm bracelet!
Each one has a significant, and special meaning to me. Most were gifted by friends, loved ones, or the good people at Narcotics Anonymous!
Some highlights? The purple leather penis, a truly emblematic gift. My lucky eye charm from Thessaloniki—given to me by my gorgeous Asheville bestie I met on the Cat Marnell retreat. —Watching over me, always. Adorable Sanrio character charms from Tokyo, courtesy of my amazing and absurdly talented tattoo artist. And how could I forget, my greying, plush Miffy bunny, purchased in Amsterdam just weeks before the Covid lockdown!
And that’s just a few of them! —My actual keys are buried somewhere under this amalgamation of personality and fun. No matter how impractical—or downright ridiculous—it is to carry around a jangling ball of charms, I will never stop.
Headphones!
It’s 2025, so much like the rest of my generation I cannot leave the house without my AirPods! I don’t remember what model they are, and honestly I couldn’t care less! They all do the same thing. —I’m pretty pleased with them! Apple ‘till I die, ya know? Sure, there are probably “better” headphones out there, but when it comes to tech, I stick with Apple for that sleek Californian design and reasonably reliable quality.
My AirPods are encased inside a cute, lavender purple “Sporty and Rich” silicone case. Does it actually protect them? Who knows! But I’m pretty sure it provides a little extra bounce every time I drop them! Plus, Sporty and Rich are the most ridiculous, satirical athleisure brand out there. I couldn’t bring myself to buy one of their stupid, overpriced sweatshirts, but picked this case up when it was on sale, since it’s a bit of fun.
Lips!
Step aside, Dior Lip Oil—there’s a new smooth operator in town. Clarins Comfort Lip Oil is a game changer. It’s luxuriously thick and glossy without being a sticky mess, deeply nourishing, deliciously scented and delivers way better colour payoff than Dior’s version. Plus, it lasts longer, keeping my lips hydrated all day with minimal top-ups needed.
As someone who’s lips are sensitive to temperature change and prone to drying out in both the winter and summer months, I really favour lip oils. Dry, flaking lips are such a turn off!
From my experience, most lipsticks tend to make the dryness worse— there’s nothing more cringe than lipstick cracking and feathering, which further exaggerates the dryness instead of hiding it. So I usually avoid lipsticks altogether. Hybrid balm sticks sometimes work, but even those don’t quite smooth out my lip texture the way I desire.
That’s why I loveee Clarins comfort lip oil. Which glosses away undesirable texture with one stroke of the doe foot, while also tackling dryness with replenishing ingredients and a threesome of plant oils: Organic Sweetbriar Rose oil, rich in Omega-6 & Omega-3 fatty acids, Cold-pressed Organic Jojoba Oil and Hazelut Oil. To “nourish, hydrate and soften”.
I wear shade 03 Cherry. For an oil, it has incredible pigment! It’s sheer enough that it’s not a dominating, unwearable red. Instead, it adds a youthful flush of rouge that is noticeable, even from afar, without overpowering the rest of your makeup.
Better still, it is notably cheaper than Dior, so really, it’s a no brainier which one to purchase!
Klonopin!
Pretty self descriptive, klonopin: my favorite benzo. Bragging rights aside, I am incredibly lucky to have a prescription.
I favour klonopin because it typically doesn’t make me super drowsy or forgetful —esp compared to Valium, which (in my experience) feels more like melatonin than a benzo!
They say klonopin is the most euphoric benzo and I can understand why. It’s uplifting anxiety relief, rather than downright sedating. Which is ideal for daytime functioning.
Over the four years I’ve been prescribed them, I’ve been careful to monitor myself. Not having to increase my dose or frequency—four years without escalation!— I’m living proof that long-term benzo use doesn’t always lead to abuse or addiction. It’s about having a comprehensive care plan, education, and trust between patient and prescriber.
Obvi, benzos shouldn’t be handed out like candy to those who don’t need them. But for people like me, these medications are a lifeline. They deserve less stigma, fewer barriers, and recognition for the profound positive impact they can have. My life has been transformed for the better, and that’s thanks to these little miracle pills.
Cash!
Typically, my monogrammed Louis Vuitton wallet rides shotgun in my bag. Today, however, it had to step aside to make room for my sunglasses case, leaving me with a haphazard handful of debit cards and a rouge £20 note— the likes of which are practically useless these days. London it appears , has declared itself staunchly anti-cash: almost every café, shop, and boutique sports a “card payments only” sign. Spending actual money feels almost illicit!
I chose to bank with Lloyds for two reasons. While most people probably weigh practical, grown-up considerations when picking a bank, I went off nostalgia and aesthetics. —The driving forces in my life.
My childhood nanny banked with Lloyds, I remember her weekly trips with us in tow to deposit her cheques. I became friendly with that horsey logo, plastered on everything in sight. Which brings me to reason number two: the horse itself. Why settle for a boring bank card when you can have one adorned with a horse decal? Admittedly, their new design is a far cry from the original, borrowing from the soulless Alegria-style trend of flat, simplified imagery. But still—a horse is infinitely better than no horse at all.
Hand lotion!
As a prolific OCD hand washer, my hand skin is always awfully rough, cracked, dry and sore! Meaning I have become a hand lotion connoisseur! I always enjoy L’aoccitane hand lotion for its high shea butter content and gorgeous fragrances. However the cream itself is prone to leaving a greasy film on your hands. So is best to use either in moderation or before going into a cinema film screening or art gallery, when you won’t be using your hands too much! Otherwise your phone screen will end up one giant smear, ew!
I absolutely adore the ORTIGIA hand cream. It is beautifully scented, thick and glossy, without being inconveniently greasy. It absorbs perfectly, leaving skin softened, not sticky and delicately scented. One of my top tier hand creams, undoubtedly.
Lighter!
Lighters are endlessly useful! Typically accompanied by a box of Marlboro golds, or silver-blues, when I’m feeling particularly European. I tend not to smoke like an addict anymore. Instead treating cigarettes as a decadent little treat reserved for the end of a special dinner, or a whimsical prop for al fresco socialising. This cheeky lighter is especially special ;)
Perfume!
I’ve already mused about Tom Ford’s Café Rose numerous times on this blog. So I’ll keep this short and sweet! …This handbag-sized miniature is as distinguished as its full-sized counterpart, with the added convenience and charm of portability. Best of all, it’s fitted with a satisfyingly generous atomiser rather than a stingy rollerball— perfume must be worn in an enveloping mist.
Travel card case
Because yes, I am one of those rare few who still use an Oyster card to get around London, rather than just tapping a contactless debit. Mine is set to automatically top up so it never drops below £30, meaning I never have to faff about with manual top-ups—travel becomes completely thoughtless and effortless. Just how I like it. I favour having a dedicated travel card instead of relying on my bank card for absolutely everything. Naturally, my Oyster lives in a chic black leather Coach card holder —which I scored for free after spending over a certain threshold in-store!
Antihistamines!
I’m not usually a hayfever victim, however, I do have a dust allergy— and every so often, something sneaky will set me off, causing the classic sore throat, sniffly nose… This is why I always keep some antihistamines on me, just in case! Non-drowsy, Loratadine is my fave.
Hair brush!
I am a big fan of the hornily christened: Wet Brush. A detangling wizard, that won’t ever uncomfortably ensnare, tug on or break your precious hairs! This is the magenta purple, bag-sized mini! Particularly useful for us ladies with fringes, which need to be kept in check throughout the day! You can tell this brush is well loved, and durable! To survive multiple years knocking around in my handbag! —Bonus, I also recommend buying yourself a regular size Wet Brush too! they come in a myriad of cute colours and designs.
Sunglasses!
Big, designer sunglasses are simply a summer must have. Growing up in the 00’s, fuck off designer shades were THE IT GIRL accessory and nighttime paparazzi flash shot staple. Their aesthetic; nostalgic, chic and a little chaotic is one I am devoted to. I pick up the seasons latest style, in duty free, while on at least four benzos —before catching a flight to somewhere equatorial, beachy and balmy. This summer I chose these gorgeous Celine shades, sleek black, with a retro frame. Classics never go out of style. I particularly appreciate the gorgeous leather wristlet case that accompanies them!
Mirror!
Pocket-size mirrors are a hot girls handbag-must-have! I particularly love this one, bought from the Wallace collection, a fabulous free gallery, a couple blocks behind Selfridges department store. The painting depicted could possibly be a Jean-Honoré Fragonard, though I am terribly sorry to admit, I don’t remember with crystal-clear-clarity. Please correct me if you know!
Dexy’s
Because a girl can’t have prescription downers without some prescription uppers to balance the scales! Dex is my cherished, doctor-sanctioned amphetamine— a godsend for my ADHD brain when it decides to stage a coup. Like my beloved Klonopin, I do my best to keep it classy, saving the magic for when it’s truly required. My fave is the Amfexa brand—not just for its kick, but because the pills are shaped like tiny four-leaf clovers. Functional and adorable. Plus, they break into perfect little quarters, very quaint.
Stickers!
If you found my blog via one of my handy hand-designed promotional stickers, thank you for scanning!! I always keep a handful in my bag, to plaster around the cities I visit. With the hope to garner interest and attract new readers to my blog!
A fan!
I carry a fan all year round—they’re surprisingly invaluable for tackling everything from sweaty panic attacks to those rare but relentless summer heatwaves. There is nothing worse than stale, hot, unmoving air —so clammy and thick you could practically carve it with a knife— especially on the London Underground. In those moments of flushed frustration, a fan is an absolute godsend. This one was originally a wedding table favour. Impressively surviving since 2022—as you can faintly tell from the worn engraving.
Sanitiser!
Last but not least, hand sanitiser! This should come as no surprise to anybody, as I am a completely neurotic germophobe! I usually have at least one form of hand sanitiser in my handbag. I do prefer those “Wet ones” branded, mini-hand-wipes. However a bottle of gel will also suffice! This one was just a panic purchase I made recently while out and about, in need of a freshen up for my finger tips! Has that generic green fragrance.