What's in My Bag?

bag (similar) / headphones / wallet (similar)

I have been obsessed with the Madewell Transport Tote for quite some time, but as a new professional who just moved I cannot currently justify the high price tag that comes along with it. So I went searching around the internet and found this reversible bag in black and cognac (now sold out of that color combination) that would serve as a great tote for traveling. It feels sturdy, but light, and I don't feel like I have to worry about the straps fraying and breaking if I over stuff my bag.

Along with my phone, wallet, and headphones I have a lot of little pouches I carry. I prefer to keep all the things in my purse in little pouches to make it easy to find things as easy to switch the bag from black to brown. I also have a chronic case of "just-in-case," so I end up carrying a lot more than I actually need. Here is a quick glimpse into what I carry in my pouches on the daily:

Pouch One: Toiletries

You never know when you are going to want a quick refresh, so I carry a small vinyl pencil pouch filled with a few essentials to get me through those days where I feel particularly hot, humid, and gross. The vinyl helps ensure there are no spills in my purse and it being clear helps me see what I need a little better.

Pouch Two: Makeup

While I always do my makeup at home, having a little bag makes touching up a breeze. My on-the-go makeup bag has makeup products I don't care for enough to use on a daily basis, makeup I am close to finishing but already bought a replacement for, and makeup I bought that isn't necessarily the right shade-but could work if I needed to. I don't like to waste makeup (either by not using or returning), but sometimes products just aren't great enough for everyday use so they get rotated to the travel bag.

This is great to have if you end up unexpectedly staying at a friends house or if you try to pick up Panera for a work event and end up stuck in a torrential downpour which washes off all your makeup and makes you feel like a drowned, harassed rat (speaking from personal experience).

Pouch Three: Miscellaneous 

The bag I bought actually came with two smaller pouches (one black and one brown). In one pouch I keep random items I couldn't find a space for, like Pamprin, chapstick, Daisy Dream by Marc Jacobs Rollerball, more Altoids, and my phone charger. In the other pouch (not pictured), I keep receipts for my expense reports, business cards, and spare change. I really like that these totes have a strap that can be attached to the straps of the bag to make them easier to find.

Depending on where I am going, I will also throw my Macbook or my iPad in my bag and a quick snack like a granola bar or a bag of Goldfish crackers. I am hoping that this bag will serve as a great carry-on tote on my trip to Cleaveland next week. What are some of your favorite things to keep in your bag?

Friday Roundup 7.28.17

higher education happenings //

• Harvard University is considering a ban of fraternities, sororities, and "finals clubs" to take effect in Fall of 2018.  Under this controversial proposal, students could face disciplinary action for joining these groups, causing concerns regarding whether or not this infringes upon students' rights.
• As we continue through Trump's presidency, there are increasing concerns about cutting the already limited funding in higher education.
• It's almost August, which means many students are gearing up to start their first year of graduate school. Dr. Don Martin writes about some tips for preparing for graduate school.

wishlist //

• Summers are hot here in Georgia, so I've been relying on dresses to make dressing for work bearable. This Blooming Black Midi Dress from Jessakae seems like a great option for when it's too hot for pants.
• When I was in grad school I got a meal plan as part of my graduate assistantship compensation package, so I rarely ever ate at home. Now that I have to pack my lunch every day, I'm looking at ways to make it easier to prep. This Cuckoo Rice Cooker seems like a great way to take out some of the hassle.
• This Topshop Scallop Frill Tee is everything I've wanted from a shirt and more.

hallthatjas updates //

• I've been in Georgia for almost two whole months now!
• It's been great getting everything all set up here at hallthatjas
• My Friday Favorites posts are inspired largely by Fran of Franish's weekly "top three" posts!

Lilly Pulitzer for Target

As a huge fan of both Lilly Pulitzer and Target, I am very excited for the Lilly x Target collection that is coming out April 19th. I have been obsessed with the look book every since it came out, so here are the top five items I want to snag on April 19th.

1. Shift Dress - Upstream $38.00

I have been obsessed with shift dresses lately as the weather has been warming up and I feel like this is such a fun summer print. The patterned stripe down the middle makes the dress a little less overwhelming.

2. Underwire Bikini Top - Fan Dance $24.00 
As a lady with a 36E bust, I am really happy to see some swimwear with underwire and what looks to be very supportive straps. This top is online only and does have a matching set of bottoms (for an additional $24), but it looks like its a winner.

3.  Ceramic Mugs with Gold Caddy $30.00
I have a weird obsession with mugs lately which makes this set perfect for me. I love the gold detailing on the handles of the mug and the caddy for perfect storage.

4. L'Oreal Color Riche Designer Extraordinaire Lipstick #201 Rose Symphony $8.99
I love this rose pink color. It seems like it would go great with a lot of my outfits without being too overwhelming. I definitely like to keep things a bit more natural looking during the summer months. Also, who doesn't love that packaging?

5. Crochet Tank Top - White $32.00
This is a great tank top to wear with some denim or patterned shorts and give off an effortless look. It would also look great with the swim top from above peeking out of it (that white with the patterned bikini top would make me swoon).

You can find the rest of the Lilly x Target look book here!