Hello Friends,

I’m back! It’s been a month – I was sick for a full month straight, tons of travel (both personal and business), TaiTai had to go to emergency room and stay overnight (he’s better now!), and of course the never-ending nonsense that is work. I still haven’t even done my taxes lol.

Anyways, to kick things up again I’d love to do a packing series on the blog so today I’ll start with what’s in my bag! I know this is one of everybody’s favorite YouTube video to watch, and while I wait for myself to one day become brave enough to film one with more detail….for now I think a blog post version will hopefully still be fun!

What I carry with me in my bag is actually pretty constant! There’s a few change-outs here and there depending on the situation, but otherwise these are the essential things I (almost) always have with me!

• THE BAG | Starting with the bag itself, naturally I have various smaller bags that I wear for various occasions, but typically I carry either of the following:
  • Portland Leather Tote | I have their original tote style in a beautiful wine color, but here is a similar bag from them!
  • Muji Backpack | I use a plain black backpack from Muji which they no longer carry, but here is the backpack they’re currently selling which has a trolley pass-through now!
    
    
• THE ID | Let’s start with the most important stuff because it’s not fun forgetting your ID at home when you need it!
  • Driver’s License | Always
  • Student ID | Comes in handy sometimes
  • Passport | If travelling internationally
  • Global Entry Card | Technically you don’t need to carry it with you, but I bring it anyway if travelling internationally
  • International Driver’s License | If driving internationally
  • VISA’s | Any VISAs or other paperwork as required per destination country
  • Passes | i.e. Park Pass
    
    
• THE WALLET | Equally as important
  • Card Wallet | Mine is from Kate Spade (similar link)
  • Insurance | Health insurance, car insurance, etc.
  • Credit Cards | To pay for MP’s shopping addiction
  • Gift Cards | Always have a few on me with the intention to use them when I can / remember
  • Loyalty Cards | Costco (esp helpful and fun when travelling!), library, etc.
  • Physical Cash | If I go abroad, I will bring more cash than usual
  • Dollar Bills | Besides large bills, I make a point to bring smaller bills when travelling for easy tipping i.e. bell boys, valet
  • Coins | Quarters, nowadays most parking meters take card but just in case
  • Coin Wallet | If travelling internationally, I will bring another wallet to hold the foreign cash and coins
  • Foreign Currency | If going abroad, I will bring a little bit of foreign cash I get from the bank in advance but otherwise I will pull the rest out at an ATM when I get there
    
    
• THE KEYS | Don’t forget these~
  • House Keys | Duh
  • Car Keys | Of course
  • Garage Openers | This too
    
    
• THE TECH | Always
  • Laptop(s) | Potentially 3: (1) Personal laptop, (2) Firm’s laptop, and (3) Client’s laptop
  • Laptop Charger(s) | One for each if not cross-compatible
  • Mouse | I am disabled without my mouse
  • Extra Battery | For the mouse
  • Phone(s) | (1) Personal phone and (2) Work phone
  • Phone Charging Cord and Cube | Charging cord + cube for fastest charging, but also the cord is helpful i.e. if renting a car to plug in phone for music+directions
  • Double Wireless Phone Charger | For the hotel when travelling. It’s easier + everyone can use (not only for phones, but also i.e. airpods). I have the Catch 2 by Courant in white linen (I got MP the black leather one)
  • Wireless Portable Charger | I have the Carry by Courant in white leather
  • Camera(s) | (1) Photo camera and (2) Video camera
  • Camera Charger(s) | Obviously
  • Extra Camera Batteries | Always buy an extra or two
  • Extra Memory Cards | I always get these
  • Headphones | My holy grail
  • Dongles | Whichever you may need, i.e. to connect headphones to phone
  • Converter / Adapter | For when travelling abroad to places with different voltage
  • AirTag | Keep in the bag itself in case it gets lost or misplaced
  • Cleansing Wipes | + Q-tips to clean electronics
  • Personal Locator Beacon / GPS | Only if going somewhere very remote
    
    
• THE HEALTH | Health is wealth!
  • Liquid IV | I swear by these – I don’t go anywhere without them
  • Emergen-C | To boost my immune (or placebo)
  • Tylenol | I pop these like vitamins constantly because of work
  • Wipes | Necessary
  • Hand Sanitizer | Always keep a mini
  • Masks | Pack of masks because I hate getting sick
  • Gloves | In case of anything nasty
  • Sunscreen Wipes | Easily apply a little sunscreen when needed
  • Repellant Wipes | I hate bugs (I got mine from Muji in Japan but here is something similar)
  • Band-Aid | 1 or 2
  • Itch Cream | In case of bug bites
  • Pain Patch | I get bad aches
  • Theraflu | In case someone starts not feeling well
  • Medicine | + any other medicine you may need, i.e. prescriptions, dramamine
    
    
• THE COSMETICS | I carry with me just a couple of beauty items
  • Lip Products | The only makeup I carry with me are lip products, usually a Dior Lip Glow and a gloss of sorts
  • Mini Perfume | When needed
  • Makeup Remover Wipe | Sometimes I like taking off my makeup ASAP
  • Hair Ties & Bobby Pins | Naturally
    
    
• THE MISC. | Other
  • Thermos | Stay hydrated!
  • Sunglasses | Please put in sunglass case!
  • Umbrella | If anticipating rain
  • Foldable Grocery Bag | I have a tote bag that folds up really tiny
  • Extra Tote Bag | I usually stuff my bag with another tote bag
  • Pads & Tampons | For that time of the month
  • Mini Pen | You never know when you need one
  • Book | Sometimes I like to carry one with me
  • Snack | Usually trail mix
  • Scarf | I use it to stuff my tote but also if cold
  • Pepper Spray | Note: Cannot be brought through TSA
  • Extra Earrings | If I want to change out
    

Listing it all out makes it seem like a lot but it all really does fit in my bag! However I will admit that if I were to swing my bag it would knock a fella OUT – my bag is heavy AF! Lol.

Let me know what are your essentials that are in always your bag!! I’d love to know 🙂

Xo,
Em