What's In My [Longchamp] Bag?

This is the mess that was my Longchamp

It's been a while since I've done a post like this,

and I've seen multiple questions get asked about Longchamp Bags on Twitter and other social media sites.

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 I am known as the Queen of Longchamp among my friends at Purdue- I love mine and use them almost every day. That being said, I thought it appropriate to write a little bit about what I carry in my bag on a daily basis. From the "giant" to "mom bag", my poor 'Champ bags go through quite a lot, but they never let me down! Through spills and pen stains, traveling and study dates, I love having these big totes to hold everything and look cute! Since I'm currently on October Break (thank Goodness!) my bag is sans- textbooks. Not to worry! I still carry a ridiculous amount of stuff with me on a daily basis... in fact, this post helped me to actually clean out my bag too. 

The best part about Longchamps is their functionality and versatility. They're cute, yet simple and the colors available can make them the statement piece of an outfit or blend in. My first purchase was a neutral, grey-blue color. I love it for when I'm wearing colors or am not in a bight and cheery mood- that's what my red bag is for! I take full advantage of the tote and it's ability to become a full-fledged Mary Poppins bag! 

As I'm sure you have, I have my daily must-haves. I carry my wallet, sunglasses, hand sanitizer and mints, and an assortment of lip colors year round. Headphones, when I remember to throw them in, are perfect and help me calm down in unexpected, stressful situations as well as make me feel really cool as a I walk around to this personal soundtrack to my life. Thanks to iOS 7, I now have to carry around my phone charger, as well. sigh. The things we do to have the latest & greatest. More recently, I've begun to carry a notebook and pens for on-the-go jotting down of ideas, and a book or magazine. Having material with me at all times to read and gather ideas is one way that I've been able to make the blog more of a daily focus. It's become something that I'm always thinking about, rather than just an afterthought, and that's reflected in the amount of prep that I carry with me everywhere. 

More specific to fall, I carry a [giant] lotion, a scarf, and tea. I've been cursed with dry lips and skin- hence the lotion and excessive lip products. I love carrying my Burberry scarf around with me because it goes with pretty much everything and it perfect in a bind. It's large enough to drape over me as a blanket, but can be folded into a traditional scarf. It's also just fun to know that I'm carrying around such a nice product- definitely worth the splurge! Okay so I know you're thinking it, and yes- that is a box of tea. I used to just carry around a few bags but I'd always forget to replace them when I ran out so I started carrying around a box. It may be a security blanket at this point, but I always like to have access to a hot drink. Since hot water isn't all that hard to access, and I almost always have a travel mug with me, I found that carrying my own tea was a huge money saver. I still like to buy drinks sometimes, but it's nice to have this option. 

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I love my Longchamp[s] and their ability to hold everything I could ever need and then some, but the product isn't flawless. The bags only have one, rather small pocket on the inside. Luckily for me, I don't find it that much of a pain to dig around for whatever it is I'm looking for. Some people, though, like my mom, can't stand not having the compartmentalization opportunity. If that's you, you will not enjoy this bag. For an everyday, relatively inexpensive bag that's cute and functional, these bags work wonders. The nylon material is easy to clean and the bags can seemingly hold pounds of stuff without breaking. The fact that they bags can be easily folded and stored [read: no more giant bags of bags in boxes at the top of your closet] is wonderful for changing out colors on the fly or for saving room in you tiny dorm closet (my life). I still credit Carly for introducing me to the great bag, and I am a convert!

Sure, pretty, expensive bags are fun. 

But Longchamp is practical and cute. Perfect for a college girl on a budget 

the Perfect Fall Outfit

I woke up and checked the weather: 53 degrees.

fall has arrived.

And I couldn't be happier. Obviously, I've been anticipating this for a while. 

Saturday at the football game I wore jeans and a nike half zip- that was the first sign. 

Then today I woke up and just knew. There was that feeling of fall in the air and the smell of pumpkin spice latte's coming from every Starbucks cup. I love fall clothes and weather and everything,

  as I'm sure you know by now.

But something crazy happens in the fall. Mondays get... better. Getting ready becomes more fun.  The food becomes yummier. And the coffee.. oh the coffee shines in the fall. I was so excited to pull out my leggings and tunics and riding boots! My wardrobe is rally very simple- jeans/leggings, a button down or sweater, and boots. Accessorize with scarves, jewelry, and hats and you could wear the same outfit two days in a row but look completely different!

In the spirit of this wonderful season, I've given you my go-to outfit:

J. Crew Funnel Neck Sweater / Lilly Pulitzer Travel Pant

Kate Spade Phone Case / J. Crew Necklace (Similar)

Lilac Longchamp Le Pliage / J. Crew Bracelet (Similar)

Marc Jacobs Watch / Tory Burch Riding Boots

I basically live in this outfit. Maybe with a button down layered under the sweater on a cooler day or dark wash jeans to feel a little more put together. I like to switch up my Longchamps depending on the day and my outfits (I have 3 different colors!), as do I enjoy changing my iPhone case. But fall is about cute but warm clothing, and this tends to do it for me!

What is your fall go-to?

Nanny Diaries

Okay so I'm not a nanny.. not during the school year, at least. But I have a few families that I babysit for at least twice a month and I definitely enjoy being a go-to sitter for families. It means a lot to know that they trust their precious children with me and that they find me the type of influence that they want their young ones influenced by. I try to be an involved sitter and not the kind that I grew up with: the ones who sat and watched tv while my sister and I played on our own. And, I like to think that I'm doing a good job; they keep asking me to come back!

I figured I'd help out other sitters or new sitters by letting you in on a few of my Sitter Must Haves and my all of the exciting things I keep in my "Marry Poppins" bag :-)

My favorite bag is my large LongChamp Le Pliage. It fits a multitude of things in it while still looking cute.

Sitter Secret: It can get dirty or spilled on and still holds up!

Inside my bag always hold coloring books, colored pencils (my favorite), some candy, and movies for the kids. Once you get to know the family and kids, you can maybe bring their favorite candy bars on a special occasion or rent a RedBox movie that you know they've been wanting to see. While it does require you to spend some money, these are small investments that keep the kids happy and the parents calling.

I mentioned that I don't like to be the kind of sitter who leaves the kids to play on their own. I have a few tips to make that easier. Within reason, do what the kids want to do. If they want to color, color with them. If they want to go ride bikes, offer to walk with them so they can go farther than they'd normally be allowed. Most importantly, leave the phone in the car! Unless you've really got to call someone, there is absolutely no reason to have your phone on you and all it will do is lower your babysitter rating. Being involved with the kids and getting their approval will almost always end up getting you the parents' approval, too!

Now, my bag isn't only full of stuff for the kids! I always plan for nap times, bed times, or any other down times I might encounter. I'm always prepared with my Kindle, a notebook, notepad, and pens and pencils (and maybe some homework if I'm feeling really motivated!). Unlike playing on your phone, I feel that it's totally okay to read or write during a movie or, of course, a nap. You aren't giving off the image of being unavailable like being on the phone does. Always have some fall backs for those moments when you need to get away from the kids for a moment.

While I work, I find babysitting a fun and stress-relieving way to make money and get a taste of motherhood (which always leaves me wanting to have kids at an older and older age). It's a wonderful experience and it's awesome to get close with other families. I'm constantly thinking about how old I'll feel if I'm invited to their graduation parties or anything like that! I love being able to be a part of these kids' lives. Quite honestly, I'd consider being a nanny full time if the opportunity arose.

What are your tricks to being an awesome Sitter or Nanny?