What’s in my bag? - Summer 2023

Even though I carry some essentials inside my bag the entire year, a couple of items only gain their spotlight during summertime. Find out what’s in my bag during the summer.

I am a big fan of “What’s in my bag?” Videos on YouTube. Besides the curiosity of discovering what other women carry out with them daily, I also find these quite relaxing. 

Despite having written a blog post about what’s in my bag in the past, I decided that it might be a good idea to make a Summer edition. As some of my everyday essentials slightly change.

I’ve also been using a different bag lately, this summery one from Loewe. It gives me more space to carry bulkier items - like my sunglasses case.

Without further ado, here’s what I carry in my bag throughout the summertime.

Wallet

An essential, I know. Even though I mostly pay with my phone these days, sometimes I need to carry some cash.

When it comes to wallets, I prefer compact ones. This one from Loewe is quite sleek. It has 4 card slots and an individual compartment where I can put money or more cards.

It was a splurge and a self-gift for getting my current job. I prefer to see it as an investment, as it’s a piece that will last forever - given its design and the quality of the materials used. This specific model is part of Selfridge’s Project Earth for Nature selection.

Given its light color, I usually carry it inside a small pouch. To protect it from items that might transfer ink. But, I am aware that, if anything happens… I can always have it cleaned at my local Loewe store.

Secondary Cardholder

I don’t know if this sounds weird, but I have a secondary cardholder. I use it, especially for cards I use more often, which might be problematic for carrying on my main wallet.

It’s the case of my public transportation card, which I use several times a day when I have to go to the office, or my National Health System card, which usually stains my cardholders with blue ink.

I’ve been using this one from Sézane for over a year. I love its design and the fact that it’s so sleek. It’s entirely made of leather and has some wear and tear, giving it a hint of personality. It was also handmade in Portugal, where I am originally from, which is a plus.

I love that I don’t have to remove my transportation card to go through the gates, making the process much more convenient.

Sunscreen

Even though I’ve been applying sunscreen daily for many years, I am even more thoughtful about it during the warmer months.

I live in Madrid, which is sunny all year round but obnoxiously hot during the summer - to the point that my skin will start burning just a couple of minutes after being outside if I haven’t applied sunscreen in that specific area.

So, whenever I need to get out during this season, I apply sunscreen in all my skin-visible areas. But I still take my reliable sunscreen stick to reapply on the go every hour.

Recently, I’ve put some innovative sunscreen formats to the test, and Suntique’s I’m Derma Relief Sunstick turned out to be my favorite to reapply SPF on the go. 

Despite being an absolute summer staple, I’ve been carrying it this year since spring.

Lip Products

I always carry a lip balm in my bag, as my lips tend to go dry - due to the dry climate or AC. But, now and then, I realize I’ve been carrying around three or four lip products without even noticing. Not ideal!

The lip product that lived in my bag most consistently throughout this year is L:A Bruket’s Lip Balm Nº. 017. I’ve already written about it a couple of times, but I can’t stress enough how incredible this lip balm is.

Other than that, I usually bring a lip product that gives some color. Usually, Givenchy’s Le Rose Perfecto. Although earlier this year, I tried Fenty Beauty’s Gloss Bomb (in the shade Fenty Glow), and I’ve been using it quite often.

Perfume Miniature

I don’t know if this happens to you, but I need to reapply my perfume throughout the day, especially if I have a meeting.

So, I am a big fan of travel-sized colognes or samples - always in the same scent as my everyday perfume.

I am pretty picky with the perfumes that I wear. Once I find one I like, I make it my signature scent and use it non-stop.

Last year was Loewe Solo Ella. And this year, clearly influenced by Sophia Richie’s TikTok campaign, I jumped into Jo Malone’s bandwagon.

Don’t get me wrong. I’ve wanted to try this brand’s perfumes for a few years. So, seeing those curated ads was the perfect excuse to finally try it.

I’ve been applying Jo Malone’s Wood Sage & Sea Salt non-stop. Given that the brand suggests pairing it with other scents to create your own, I’ve purchased a box with miniature fragrances at my local Jo Malone store, perfect for figuring out what works for me without investing in a full-size bottle.

Blotting Papers

I have combination skin, so blotting papers are one of my staples all year round. Although, these gain greater importance during the warmer months.

My favorites these days are Fenty Beauty’s Invisimatte Blotting Paper. I love that these come in a small re-fillable package that includes a small yet handy, compact mirror on one of the sides. 

One of the things I love the most is that it allows me to choose the size of the blotting sheet whenever I use it. Which is super helpful, especially when I am blotting my forehead.

Hand Sanitizer

I know most people no longer use hand sanitizer these days… but this habit has stuck with me ever since the pandemic.

I love hand sanitizer formulas that are gentle on the skin, easily absorbed and don’t have a strong scent.

I’ve been using the ones from Merci Handy for a few years. I’ve started purchasing pocket-sized ones, but last year I decided to get a larger bottle that I use to re-fill the small ones.

Despite having used other conscious hand sanitizers in the past (like HAAN), this is the one that I always go back to. I’ve just placed another on their website to get my hand sanitizer needs sorted for another year.

Toothbrush & Toothpaste

Nowadays, I am the kind of person who brushes her teeth after having a cup of coffee. For some reason, I feel the coffee drying on my teeth, which is a bit uncomfortable.

So, I always carry a travel-sized toothbrush and mini toothpaste in my bag. I love these from PHB because they come with sleek toothpaste that fits inside the toothbrush’s structure.

This way, I can brush my teeth while out and about without losing much handbag space.

Keys

Whenever I watch one of those “What’s in my bag” videos, I always question, “Where are this person’s keys?”. OK, to be fair… some celebs have shown theirs, but it’s a minority.

I’ve been carrying mine on a Hermione Granger Mini Funko keychain for a few years. The paint is already scratched in some places. Despite being old, I love this keychain, and I am not thinking about replacing it soon.

Recently, I’ve added a lanyard to it - that would eventually end up in the trash otherwise - to make it easier to find within the chaos that is my handbag (most of the time).

Light Scarf

I don’t know if this happens at one age, but my throat has been very sensitive recently.

To the point that I get easily ill (usually with a nasty cold) whenever I am exposed to cold air or a blasting AC. Which generally leads to two rounds of antibiotics afterward (not funny).

So, last summer, my doctor recommended that I always carry a light scarf with me. The idea is to have something that I can put around my neck whenever I feel uncomfortable because of the temperature, but that (at the same time) isn’t a pain to carry around (like a jacket or cardigan would be).

I love the ones from Maria Kent Studio. But, given how often I wore mine to work this year, I’ve gotten a couple from Mango. 

Sunglasses 

Living in a sunny city requires wearing sunglasses around most of the year. 

Despite having hazel eyes, my eyes get pretty sensitive to light - even when exposed to computer/artificial light.

Wearing sunglasses allows me to give my eyes a break and feel better without applying drops or anything like that.

I usually get my prescription sunnies from Project Lobster. I love their brand values and products, as well as their service (both in-person and online). Plus, these are affordable compared to the eyewear stores I used to go to 10 years ago.

My sunglasses are why I have been using my Loewe Basket bag non-stop since spring. Because there’s no way I can fit its case inside my A.P.C. Small Grace bag.

Kindle

If you’re a regular around here, you already know that I am a bookworm for as long as I can remember. So, my Kindle usually comes with me anywhere I go.

I love that it is compact and always weighs the same, no matter how many pages a book has.

Lately, I’ve been reading a bit of everything. From chick lits to books on copywriting or Formula 1 (a bit all over the place, I know).

AirPods

I love carrying my AirPods or good old headphones whenever I leave the house.

I never know if I’ll need these to (conveniently) listen to a WhatsApp audio or to take a call.

I am also a big fan of podcasts, and sometimes, I need to browse YouTube during my commute.

Organizers

Regarding handbags, I love splitting my items into different compartments. But, unfortunately, that is not possible with this basket bag.

So, I’ve tried to create my compartments with things I already had at home, like this small pouch from Sézane or this dust bag from Jo Malone.

Even though my belongings aren’t as organized as I would like these to be… this is better than nothing.

Portable Fan

OK, this is a new add-on to my summer essentials. I’ve recently purchased a small portable fan on Amazon, mainly to make my commute easy.

Whenever I go to the office (or to the city center), I must change subway lines several times. And, let me tell you something, not all of Madrid’s metro lines are equal - regarding AC.

While some have an ideal temperature (according to the weather that day), others feel like an oven (at 7 a.m.), which makes the whole process even more uncomfortable.

And that’s why I decided to add this item to my life. I know it’s not a super fan, but it doesn’t take much space, and some “freshness” is better than nothing. Also, it’s way more convenient than the traditional Spanish fan - as I don’t need to keep moving my arm to get some fresh air.

What about you? What are the items that you’ll be carrying around with you this summer?