The Things They Carried: What's In My Bag!

Who cares, right? You would think so, but people friggin' love these types of things. I know I watch YouTube videos of people showing me what's in their purse. It's a weird, voyeuristic view into the mundane things we chose to carry with us at all times that are eerily similar, but oh-so different! I had a sexy beach photo shoot with the contents of my bag today which was only destroyed three times by the wind. Here's the end result!

The Bag

Vegan Slouchy Tote- Free People

The Contents (L-R)

 iPhone with case from Society6

A Book (currently The Code by Shaun Thompson)

Cameron Hawaii Aloha mini clutch

People Towel reusable napkin

Fossil wallet

Rio change purse I got from Macy's last year

Yu-Be skin cream

Clinique Chubby stick

Shea Butter stick

Sun Bum Pink Guava spf30 lip balm

Burts Bees Pink Grapefruit Lip Balm

Bigelow "I Love Lemon" tea bags

Keys

Samudra + Brooklyn Hawaii "Pupukea" clutch

If you couldn't tell, my bag seems to be made up on lots of little bags inside of one bag in a vain attempt at organization. I love my bag, though. It holds everything and would be great for school/work. It's big enough to hold a laptop or a change of clothes and it even reverses to a beautiful royal blue color once summer rolls around! I like using the Samudra clutch when I don't feel like carrying a big bag and want something a little more festive!

Well, those are the secrets of my purse. I hope that interesting in any way. If not, I have certainly wasted my time and yours. Anywho, it's nice out so I'm out of here! Adios!

Dia De Los Muertos

Dia De Los Muertos by elbonner featuring a racer back tank

I used to think this holiday was totally weird. A bunch of people decorate their dead relatives and friends graves, hang out there all night in a creepy grave yard whilst eating and getting hammered. Why would anyone want to do that? I guess I never really understood it until my first run-ins with death,and not like almost drowning, but losing a loved one or being close to someone who has. I also used to think keeping someones ashes in your house was weird and almost morbid, but there is comfort in knowing that person is technically there with you all the time. Death is such a strange and mysterious thing that we attached so much animostiy towards; we don't really want to hear, see or feel anything about it and try to get over and past it as quickly as possible. 

I think holidays like the Day of The Dead are important. These people you loved are gone, they're never coming back, but that doesn't mean you can't still honor or celebrate them. And what better way to do it than with a big party including food and alcohol! I miss my Nana and my cats, and even thought I'm not from Mexico, I'm celebrating all the loving years they gave me with some delicious chicken enchiladas, margaritas, and Mexican hot chocolate. Call it a coping mechanism, but I think it's better to look at death as a celebration of what someone's done and not a disappointment in what they can no longer do. I encourage you all to do the same; remember the dead and have fun doing it! 

PS- Sugar skulls (calaveras) are awesome too. 

Mexi Melt

Mexi Melt by elbonner featuring fringe handbags

Knit sweater / Free People denim jacket / Big Buddha boots / TOMS shoes / Free People fringe handbag / Miss Selfridge gold jewelry

I really, really like all of this Mexican blanket/aztec print stuff that has slowly been trickling out for the past few weeks. There's a plethora of southwest inspired bags on Free People that are perfect, but a bit on the pricey side. If you've got cash to spare then go for it, but this trend is growing so don't be surprised to find similar things popping up in Target. I love the denim jacket and the ring. Toms has come out with a bunch of tribal print shoes that are great for long fall walks. And seriously, how cute are those ankle boots form Big Buddha? COME ON! They've all got a sort of California/Baja cool that I may never fully achieve in this lifetime, but with pieces like these I can look in the mirror, shoot myself the double guns, and feel more awesome than Uncle Jesse.