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:
- 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
Sundays with Emily 
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