to top

What’s in My Bag? The 5th Co. Essential

What's in My Bag? The 5th Co. Essential

I have been known to be a notorious overpacker, and when it has come to my everyday bag it’s been no different. My parents used to teasingly ask, “What do you have in that suitcase?” (referring to my purse/bag), and to that I would respond, “My life, duh.”

I like being prepared. I mean, you just never know when you might need those pair of socks in your purse to double as gloves because it’s the dead of winter and you forgot your real gloves at home. You were running late, didn’t have time to let your car heat up properly, and therefore your steering wheel was freezing cold. Sooo…socks turned gloves, problem solved.

Oh, and the 5 lbs of receipts? Yes, I need those, because I may need to take something back one day, some day, probably never, but still…you never know.

Thankfully, since moving abroad I’ve toned down my excessive habits a bit and have taken on a more minimalistic approach. That doesn’t mean I don’t fight the urge to still pack everything but the kitchen sink in my bag, but when I think about having to lug all that stuff around, I think better of it. Now, I just carry what I deem as essential. So, what’s in my bag? Here goes (don’t worry, I’ll spare you all the feminine hygiene products and such ๐Ÿ˜‰ )…

What's in My Bag? The 5th Co. Essential

 

First, let’s start with the bag itself. I’ve been going through a bag crisis lately. For the last couple months I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect bag to no avail. All my other bags have been either too small, too big, not versatile enough (i.e. too casual or too dressy), uncomfortable, and the list goes on. So, when the 5th Co. reached out to me about another collaboration for their Essential Bag I was thrilled! This brand is amazing. I love my 5th watch, so I know they make high-end, quality products. Check out the first 5th Co. post here.

I received my bag shortly after returning from my trip to the Balkans, and I do believe I have found a winner! Where all my other bags have failed, this one has succeeded. It’s the perfect size; big enough to fit my Macbook Pro and DSLR at the same time, but it’s not overly big and bulky. It’s versatile and I can dress it up or down. It’s durable and, as expected, high quality. I love the interior pockets that make it easy to get to items without having to dig, and the zipper pocket on the back where I can easily get to things like cash or my phone.

What's in My Bag? The 5th Co. Essential

What's in My Bag? The 5th Co. Essential

What's in My Bag? The 5th Co. Essential

What's in My Bag? The 5th Co. Essential

What's in My Bag? The 5th Co. Essential

 

So, what’s inside?

What's in My Bag? The 5th Co. Essential

 

Handkerchiefย 

If there is a bag or a purse strapped to my shoulders then you’d better believe I have a handkerchief in there. Not because I’m some genteel lady, carrying on a Southern Belle tradition, but ย because it’s my grandfather’s and he’s my inspiration, my motivator, my supporter, my superman, basically my world.ย  I’ve never known him to not have a hanky on him, so when I was a blubbering fool on the day of my high school graduation,ย it was no different. He gave it to me to blow my snot wipe my tears, and 14 years, 20 countries later, no matter how near or far I am, it’s the one thing I always carry on me to keep him near.

Notebook

With a million and one ideas ruminating in my mind all day I have to have somewhere to purge these thoughts. Flip through these pages and there’s no telling what you will stumble upon. Rants, ramblings, listicles, notes and more notes, lesson plans, travel plans, things that look completely illegible, but are undoubtedlyย brilliant ideas.

Passport

I mean, because you just never know when you might need to hop on the next flight and get the heck out of dodge. Just sayin’.

What's in My Bag? The 5th Co. Essential

Instax Instant Camera

Sometimes Iย hate lugging around my DSLR. It’s just so heavy and clunky. So, in an effort to still capture little moments I’ve started carrying around my Instax instant camera instead. It’s also something about going back to the basics. It’s film. It’s instant. There is no post production, or filters, or taking 13 photos of your macaroons and latte trying to get that “perfect” shot because film isn’t exactly cheap, and in the words of a wise woman, “Ain’t nobody….”.

Love/Life pouch

I purchased this hand-made pouch (it says LOVEย on one side, and LIFEย on the other) during my stay in Cambodia in support of Daughters of Cambodia, an organization that helps young women escape the sex trafficking industry by providing them jobs and health supportive services. How I use this pouchย depends on the day. Sometimes it’s used as a personal hygiene pouch, sometimes it’s used as a cord/electronic carrier. Today, it’s being used as my change purse.

Lip Balm

Of course, no woman’s bag is complete without a lip balm of some sort. My go to at the moment is Yes To’s Coconut Naturally Smooth Lip Balm. It’s amazing for the winter cold and wind.


What's in My Bag? The 5th Co. Essential

 

What's in My Bag? The 5th Co. Essential

Book

The Alchemist is my current read, or rather re-read, hence all the colorful sticky tabs. Random fact about me…I prefer used books over new books anyday.ย Something about a well-worn book that screams well-loved to me. I love seeing highlighted and underlined text, and dog-earred pages left by owners past. However, I never mark in books myself. At any rate, I have quite a commuteย by train each day, so it’s optimal reading time for me.

What's in My Bag? The 5th Co. Essential

Random Currency

There is always spare change at the bottom of my bag, and it is seemingly NEVER the change/currency I need. I’ve been in Spain for 5 months and I still run across Korean won and U.S. change every now and then. Speaking of Korean won, I always carry aroundย a 1000 Korean won bill. Why? Because when I purchased my glasses in Korea the amazing Ophthalmologist gave it to me and told me to carry it with me for good luck. Never to turn down good juju, I’ve carried it with me ever since.

Snack

No one likes hangry Colby. I don’t even like hangry Colby. So to spare everyone and myself, some sort of a snack is a must.

Pen

So, the thing about this pen… I received it when I opened my first business bank account almost 5 years ago. Yep. Same pen, 5 years strong. Of course I use other pens, but I typically always have this one on me as well.

Business Cards

You never know when an opportunity may arise. Always be prepared.

What's in My Bag? The 5th Co. Essential

Index Card

Ok, if you can’t already tell, I’m a sentimental person. In fact, I’m a self-proclaimed, sentimental, organized hoarder.

There. I said it.

So, what’s this index card about? Well, on June 6, 2012 at 12:13 a.m. in Madrid, Spain (fancy that…I’m back in Madrid) I declared, “I will be a millionaire by age 30”, and it is yet another thing, I’ve carried with me since.

There’s power in writing. Putting it out into the Universe. Declaring it, and so it shall be done. Don’t believe me? Well, last year, 2 months into my 30th year, I became a millionaire. Yep. Sure did.

However, I probably should have specified USD (U.S. Dollars) when I made my declaration.ย You see, I moved to South Korea. $900 USD is more or less 1,000,000 Korean Won. In Korea, I was a multi-millionaire. My declaration came to fruition, though not exactly how I imagined. When I came to the realization all I could do was laugh. Well played Universe. Well played.

I’m not sure why I still carry it around, but I do.

What's in My Bag? The 5th Co. Essential

So there you have it…my new favorite bag and all its invaluable contents. Now, I want to know what’s in your bag? What essentials or sentimental items can’t you leave home without? Leave me a comment below.

  • Lauren idoko

    Love this! And that bag is so cute!

    January 31, 2017 at 3:02 am Reply
  • leonard mccrary

    Touche’ to the universe!! LOL

    February 1, 2017 at 1:24 am Reply
  • Danik

    Bag looks great. Might buy one for my partner ๐Ÿ™‚ Love the photos. ๐Ÿ™‚

    February 4, 2017 at 11:28 pm Reply
  • Kaylene Chadwell

    Wow, that bag is SO cute! I love using backpacks while traveling, it’s easy to store what you need when wandering around a city. And I always have to have a book on me!

    February 5, 2017 at 12:50 pm Reply
  • Livi Bee

    Story of my life!! My purse or any other bag I’m carrying has my entire life in it. Let’s not even talk about all of the receipts I’m holding hostage. One day I’ll get it together. In spite of the clutter, I do have these same items in my bag minus the camera. That’s actually a pretty cool camera. I’m going to have to look into that. I like the idea of the index card. I may have to steal it :). And it seems like the only way I’ll reach millionaire status would be to move to another country because the way my student loans are set up… Lol. One day I’ll get it together.

    February 5, 2017 at 7:15 pm Reply
  • Conor Dwyer

    Haha, I always have bunch of mystery coins in my bag whenever I travel. Can never identify where they’re from or when I got them. Just leave at the bottom of the bag forever!
    PS Congrats on becoming a millionaire ?

    February 5, 2017 at 10:08 pm Reply
  • Corinne

    It looks like a good bag to hold all the necessaries as you walk through a city. I like not looking like a tourist when I can.

    February 6, 2017 at 6:34 am Reply
  • Samantha

    I just adore that bag!! It’s sleek, stylish and super practical. I love that it fits so much. And I just love that you carry around a Korean bill with you. I’m gonna miss it here when I leave… in 3 weeks!!

    February 6, 2017 at 11:08 am Reply
  • Lara Dunning

    That’s great your bag fits your laptop, your camera, and all your other necessities. It can be hard to find a bag that fits your essential items for traveling or day exploring.

    February 7, 2017 at 3:02 am Reply
  • melody pittman

    Nice bag. It looks good on you. I love the instamatic camera. I’ve been thinking about getting gone myself.

    February 7, 2017 at 3:56 am Reply

Leave a Comment