The other day, I was asked, “What is your most prized possession?” I sat and thought for a minute and then answered, “my purse.” It has all of my necessities in one place – and it is portable! Wherever it goes, I go. I have gotten comments from people about my purse before. They say, “Isn’t it annoying that it gets so bulky? Or so heavy?” Well yeah, my purse has a little weight to it, but I don’t mind. Sometimes, my purse might have a few extra things inside, sometimes there might be less – it depends on the day. At this moment, if you were to take my purse, a Vera Bradley Hipster Crossbody, and flip it over and dump it out, these are the items that you would find:
BAN.DO 17 Month Classic Agenda – This is the most important item in my bag next to my wallet. It is my schedule for the rest of the day, the week, the month, and the rest of the year. My planner has a color code to it, of course. Each of the different groups I am involved in has a different color assigned to it. That way, I can glance at the pages and get a rough estimate of what I have going on for each group. This planner also has note sections before every month, so I can always write down reminders or ideas for myself. To make it even more ‘me,’ I stuck a few stickers and a monogram decal I purchased on Etsy to it! These planners are so cute and popular that they sell out fast! I buy mine right when BAN.DO releases them for sale. Yes, this planner is a little expensive with a price tag of $20, but if you’re a busy bee like I am, it pays itself off in no time! This agenda is available online at https://www.bando.com.
EOS Smooth Stick Lip Balm in Vanilla Bean – Yes, this an EOS stick. EOS makes lip balm in a form other than the ‘egg’ or ‘pod’ shape you probably see normally. This is a game changer because it packs all of the goodness of an EOS pod balm into a stick form! I purchased this because it is easier to carry in a pocket, than the pod shaped lip balms. I love EOS, because my lips get dry very easily, and this brand works wonders! Also, with winter coming around the corner, chapped lips are more common than ever. I love the scent of this lip balm as well, I can smell and almost taste the Vanilla Bean! This product costs $3.29, and is available at Target, both in store and online at http://www.target.com, or on the EOS website at https://evolutionofsmooth.com.
Bath & Body Works Hand Cream in Shea Cashmere & Silk – This hand lotion is a life saver. My hands get dry very easily, and will get worse now since winter is coming. This lotion has a super soft feel to it, almost like actual silk. Not to mention, it smells AMAZING! Everyone around me will ask me to use some; It gets hard to say no because I love it so much. When purchasing, I buy the travel version. It is smaller than the normal size, and it is much easier to carry around with me. This product is $6 for the travel size, but you can shop their 3 for $12.50 travel sized deal, like I do in stores, or online at http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/.
Vera Bradley Petite Trifold Wallet – This was one of the best ‘Treat Yo Self’ gifts I have bought myself. This wallet is indeed petite (like me!) but has a space to hold my bills, has five card slots, has two extra slots that can be used for cards/coupons/folded bills, and a coin pouch as well. This wallet does not take up a lot of room in my bag, no matter how much I have crammed into it. Also, this print, Katalina Blues, is SO adorable! I love it so much that my purse and my lanyard at home are also the same print! This wallet rings up at $34, but Vera Bradley always has sales on specific prints, so you may find it cheaper based on the print. You can shop in stores at Vera Bradley, Macy’s or online at http://www.verabradley.com.
(P.S. – The Uptown Gifts & Accessories Boutique in Uptown Normal also sells Vera Bradley items, and they will apply a discount to your purchase, if you show them your Illinois State Student ID!)
ISU Printed Lanyard and Keys – This may seem like it is an obvious item, but you might be surprised! I keep my lanyard in my purse or I tie it around a belt loop if I am wearing jeans. This lanyard has the key to my mailbox and my dorm room. It also holds my CVS savings card (since CVS is quite expensive, I recommend signing up for the rewards program if you will be shopping there often!) and my Normal Library card on it. Confession – I don’t have this exact lanyard, but I do have an Illinois State one! It has College of Education themed print, so I can rep my major and carry around my keys! The lanyard pictured below costs $3.98 and is available at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore located in the Bone Student Center, or online at http://ilstu.bncollege.com/.
So, what is in your purse? – Renata