What’s in my Handbag? – The Winter Edition

There is nothing more therapeutic than an end of season Handbag Detox. It sounds sad but I find that ridding my bag of all the rogue pieces of gum, lone coppers and general tat that seems to accumulate in it ridiculously satisfying – finding all the old train tickets and receipts is a lovely little trip down memory lane too. And as I wind down from summer and prepare to batten down the hatches and hibernate for the winter months I like to get prepared with all the essentials I’ll need for the season. So here is my definitive list of handbag must-haves to help you survive the frosty commutes, Christmas shopping and everything else winter may throw at you.

1. Portable Phone Charger

   As long as I have my Visa and my iPhone I feel like I can take on the world, but for some reason Apple have designed their phones to have the battery life of a mayfly. You know that anxiety you get when you don’t have your phone? Well it has been medically diagnosed as ‘nomophobia’, so don’t worry – its not just you. However seek and ye shall find…a solution! While my phone is now the size and weight of a small brick it does last all day long! There are other options out there too such as  a portable phone charger which stays in your bag and addresses the brick size phone issue. Amazon Basics Portable External Battery Charger – Keep an eye out in our new SS17 lines as we may well have the perfect place for you to keep one of these for those moments – you know the ones.

2. Card Organiser: your handbag’s best friend

   With Oyster Cards, Contactless checkouts and Apple pay cash is a thing of the past, so I have converted from a purse to a card organiser purse. I love this Tilly card organiser in sumptuous croc embossed leather. There is still a place for coins, notes and receipts because not everyone lives in a digital world…yet

3. Lansinoh Nipple Cream

   Alright this is a weird one but I discovered this bad boy when I was breastfeeding and I tried it on my lips; hands down the best lip balm I’ve ever had. With all the winter winds and central heating chapped lips can be a right pain so I carry it in my bag and apply it throughout the day whilst I’m on the go. To my lips. Just my lips!

4. Face Cream

   Changes in temperature and constantly being in heated rooms can really dehydrate your skin, so I keep some face cream in my bag to keep me looking radiant. I love This Works In Transit Camera Close Up Cream because it acts as a protective mask from air pollution as well as a primer so I can skip wearing foundation every now and then.

5. Water Bottle

   I never ever drink my 2 litres a day and so I make a conscious effort by keeping a water bottle in my bag that I can top up on the go. This Brita Fill and Go water bottle filters water so you can drink straight from the tap without it tasting horrendous.

6. Vicks First Defence Nasal Spray

   As soon as the temperature drops it seems as though everyone has a sniffle and I’m just waiting for it to finally reach me. I feel like I can almost pinpoint the sneeze on the train that gets me ill and so I keep this handy nasal spray in my handbag for just in case because I refuse to get ill – I just don’t have the time!

7. Headphones

   I love these Bose Quiet Comfort Headphones, they’re wireless which makes them fuss free and great for the gym or on the tube.

8. Graze Snacks

   Great for when you’re on the go and hunger strikes so you have no excuse to grab a bag of crisps. Receive healthy snacks in the post by signing up here and it will make life so much easier.

9. Makeup Bag

   Although I do my make up before leaving the house I keep a few bits and bobs in my handbag to spruce up throughout the day. AND I am currently designing a brand new make-up bag to go with the rest of the KeriKit range. Watch this space as it will be launched next year…

   • Chanel LÈVRES SCINTILLANTES Lip Gloss – I love the deep plum colours like Tocade for winter
   • Benefit They’re Real! Lengthening Mascara
   • Bare Minerals – Pretty much everything of theirs is great but I use their foundation and mineral veil finishing powder.
   • I also love this Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb Extreme Perfume and the 50ml bottle is perfect for on-the-go.

10. Willow Cashmere Pashmina

    No matter how much you Google the weather before you get dressed you will never nail the number of layers you should wear, its just a cruel joke winter likes to play on us. So I always keep a cosy scarf in my bag just in case and you can never go wrong with cashmere. Get this gorgeous Willow Cashmere Wrap round you and you won’t want to take it off.

Keri x