Falling For A Backpack

I still remember the day my mum finally let me trade my giant and practical school backpack for a much cooler Jane Norman over the shoulder tote bag. In that moment, I never once expected I'd be seen sporting a backpack again, definitely not by my own volition and absolutely not one I adored.

Right now though, I can't get enough of this backpack. I've been looking for a perfect backpack for a while now and I think this is it. It's not too big and not too small,  it's structured but roomy, and it has a lot of pockets. It's made of a bicast leather, so it looks good quality, but it's less expensive, a little more durable and easy to wipe clean!

 I love that I can fit so much in this bag without it being bulky or too heavy to carry. It's perfect for carting around my camera and lenses, or a big umbrella and my life planner. I love the design too, simple but classic.

 Despite being stuffed with goodies, there's still plenty of room, and it doesn't feel like it's bursting at the seams. 

It's got the essentials, my Whistles Coin Purse containing my most important cards and a little change, my Oyster Card Wallet, my iPhone and it's charger so it doesn't die on my. I keep a notepad to hand at all times, this one is perfect for slipping in the front pocket along with a pen. I've got the latest issue of Suitcase for a little tube reading, my mini vlogging camera, and a pouch containing my headphones and iPod. 

I keep my camera in there (but I was using it for these photos so it's not pictured!) along with my spare lenses.

Two pairs of glasses, my reading glasses in their adorable Happy Jackson case, and my sunglasses just incase the sun decides to make an appearance. I love these ones from Quay, they're so cute.

 And of course, a few beauty bits! My Bath and Bodyworks Cozy Vanilla Cream Pocket Bac, which smells like winter, and my Caudalie Hand Cream for when the winter cold hits. I've got my Avene Cold Cream Lip Balm to stave off dry lips, and my H&M Beauty Tinted Lip Balm for colour and hydration. And lastly, a mini bottle of Chloe perfume, so I can smell good wherever I am!

 

I think I'm a backpack convert!

Currently Loving

 It's been a really long time since I did a little favourite thing round up, so I figured I'd best do it now! I've also got a post up today on my beauty favourites, over on my beauty blog, which you can read here. 

Graze Herby Bread Basket: I know I talked about this in yesterday's post but I'm just obsessed. Garlicky, herby, carby goodness, I'm amazed at how long this bag has lasted.

Women's Health: I know this is last month's issue but I only just got around to reading it! I've gotten more into reading Women's Health recently, and actually enjoy having a flick through (especially when lying in the sun snacking!). 

Happy Jackson Travel Wallet: With trip planning in progress, this gorgeous travel wallet finally has a reason to live. I love that it's so big, there's plenty of room for our passports, travel information and tickets, and it's so cute. I don't think I'll struggle to find this in my bag at the airport either! 

Nakd Cola Infused Raisins: More snacks I know, I know, I'm obsessed. These sound totally disgusting but they're actually really delicious, and do a good job of suppressing sweet cravings. A good handbag hunger buster.

The Secret Garden Colouring Book: I finally found my pens so I've been able to use this again! It's seriously therapeutic to sit back with this in the evenings, and the designs are so gorgeous. 

Sony ZX310 Headphones: I mostly use my in-ear Beats, but I wanted to pick up some inexpensive over ear headphones so I can switch between the two styles when I'm wearing them a long time. These were all of about £15 and they're surprisingly good, I'm really impressed with the quality, and they're comfy too. 

SuAtelier London Stickers: I found these in Fenwicks and had to pick them up because THEY HAVE NANDOS SAUCE STICKERS. I mean honestly, who doesn't need those. 

Little Loves

It's been a while since I've shown you some of the things I've been loving, so I figured it was time to rectify that! 

First things first, I can't get enough of fresh flowers recently! I'm obsessed with these beautiful purple carnations, the colour is just stunning!

I've been spending so much time working from home, that I've been finding different desk-side essentials. I've fallen in love with this lamp that I picked up in Ikea a while back, it helps give a bit more 'daylight style' light to the room. Our living room doesn't get much light, we've only got windows on one wall which happens to face another building, so it never gets particularly bright in there. This helps me feel like it's not the middle of winter, and stops me straining my eyes constantly! I've also fallen back in love with my giant Starbucks tumbler, which I keep on my desk filled with water and fruit. It helps me remember to drink water (and it means I don't have to get up and fill up my glass as often because it's huge!). 

Whilst I love my desk, working 14 hours plus a day means I get pretty sick of it, so I like to have alternatives available. I'm not so productive if I take my laptop to bed, so I've been working on making the sofa a bit cosier, so I can snuggle up and work there! I picked up this blanket in Tesco for a mere £10 and it's the softest thing I've ever had the pleasure of touching. It's so incredibly cosy, I've taken to draping it around my shoulders and wondering about all day wearing it! 

I've also taken to working on my iPad a bit more. I have an iPad mini, and I bought it to use at uni and for travel. Whilst it's great for that, I tend to neglect it when I'm home, but recently I've been using it to work when I'm in bed or on the sofa. It makes a nice change from my laptop or desktop, especially when my eyes start to get tired from all the screen time, it's a little softer. It it's starting to get a little slow now though, it might be time for an upgrade!

I mentioned in the last Sunday post that The Boy and I had a bit of a splurge last week. I picked up a new pair of sunglasses. I get so much wear out of my glasses, even when it's cloudy if I'm driving. I had a gorgeous pair of Michael Kors sunglasses that were stolen from my handbag last year, so when I spotted these, I couldn't say no. They're not my normal style but they actually really suit me, and I like that the arms are thinner than my other glasses, they're better for driving!

And lastly, let's talk about Aero Bubbles shall we? I'm not a big chocolate lover, I'm the sorta gal who can have two squares of a chocolate bar and then wrap it up for another day. Weird I know. But I'm totally obsessed with Aero Bubbles,  I can demolish an entire pack of an evening and I absolutely will not share. This is my third pack, don't tell my mum!