Inside My Bag: Michael Kors Travel Edition

Hello my lovelies! As anyone who follows me on Instagram or Twitter may have noticed, I’ve spent the past month back in Australia (via Bangkok) seeing all my favourite Australian people for the first time in two years (which explains my absence on here; I’m sorry!) and living out of a suitcase in the process.

After hundreds of flights and countless visits to far-flung locations in my lifetime, I’ve got the act of packing down to an art form (although my boyfriend – who points out that my shoes alone weigh as much as his entire luggage every time we travel – would beg to differ).

So when Michael Kors asked me to be a part of their new Instagram campaign (#WhatsInYourKors), it felt only appropriate to share the secrets of my travel bag (the contents of which are still scattered around my living room). Because I want something I can carry on the plane with me (and actually lift into the overhead compartments), but which is still chick enough to land a seat upgrade (if you’re lucky), an oversized handbag is perfect, and this Michael Kors Hamilton tote is about as luxe as travel can get.

I fret at the thought of being without any creature comforts for the duration of a long-haul flight, so my bag is packed with: a paper, book and magazine (a long-haul flight is good for one thing: finally having time to catch up on my reading!), two passports (in a glittery Jimmy Choo cover), tickets and a Luxe travel guide for my destination, a notebook for offline inspiration and scribbling, my iphone (in a Lulu Guinness case) and ipod, Miu Miu sunglasses (for disembarking in style), Jimmy Choo metallic pink purse and Anya Hindmarch golden coinpurse, business cards, spare jewels, Jo Malone perfume, Chanel nailpolish and lipstick, Clarins concealer pen, Aesop face mist and hand cleanser, snacks and a few random souvenirs collected from my travels.
(Not pictured, but also essential: a Louis Vuitton leopard cashmere scarf for snuggling on chilly planes, lip balm, baby wipes, body lotion and a packet of beauty samples for in-flight hydrating and pampering (because cabin air is horrid), water, sleep mask, ear plugs and socks.)

Win a Michael Kors bag!

To be a part of the #WhatsInYourKors campaign yourself, just snap a picture of your handbag and its contents, share on Instagram and tag @MichaelKors. The team at @StylistMagazine will be hosting a gallery of all their favourites on their site, and the best picture will win a gorgeous Michael Kors Selma handbag.

Michael has also selected his favourite spring essentials for the season, and they could be yours; just sign up here for a chance to win (because after all, a girl can never have enough bags). Good luck!

I’d love to know what you all take with you when you travel? Do you have any savvy tips to make packing and flying a more glamorous affair?

Love, Miss B xx

Disclaimer: this is a sponsored post in partnership with Michael Kors

Inside my Bag: Illustrated Edition

It seems to be a universal truth amongst women that we love having a peek inside other women’s wardrobes, beauty cabinets and handbags.* It is nothing short of nosiness, but I love getting to see what other women use, how they organise things, and exactly what it is they tote around with them each day. Perhaps it’s just me, but I always think you can tell a lot about a woman from her handbag (and the state of its contents).

So in the spirit of our sartorial nosiness, here are a few things you’ll currently find tucked inside my handbag, as illustrated by the super talented and lovely Kristina Hultkrantz (you may recognise her work from the pages of Matchbook Magazine) who so kindly sent me this drawing (isn’t it just darling?); my beloved blush Mulberry Lily bag and bow heels, my signature long pearls and Chanel brooches (there is always an assortment of spare jewellery in my bag, just in case…), a golden Anya Hindmarch lucky sixpence coin purse, Anna Sui mirror, Chanel lipstick (there are always at least 4 lipsticks in there at any time, because a girl never knows when a red lip may suddenly be required) and nailpolish, my business cards and a collection of miscellaneous lucky charms, tokens and little things I collect throughout the day (magpie tendencies).

Not pictured, but always present; Chloe sunglasses, Miu Miu bow purse, Moleskine notebook and a pen for jotting down ideas as they strike, gum and orange blossom pastilles, Clarins concealer pen for touchups, ipod, hairclips and a Marc Jacobs Daisy perfume rollerball.

I’d love to know what you carry around inside your bag each day?

Love, Miss B xx

* Please tell me it’s not just me?

Leopard Print and High Heels at The Bookshop

Here in England, the weather has been positively balmy considering we’re in the depths of winter. Although a snowstorm is forecast for tomorrow (I have my fingers crossed for a snow day!), it’s been so mild I could just about get away without tights (a winter miracle in this country) for those days when I’m cycling around town.

Although my default mode come winter is to hibernate indoors as luxuriously as I can, I do occasionally peel myself away for various dates with friends, walks or trips to the cosiest cafes and bookshops I can find. This little gem called The Haunted Bookshop (it is really this tiny) is one of my favourite Cambridge spots and is just made for wintery afternoons spend rummaging through dusty shelves for a vintage literary treasure.

Of course, it is entirely unnecessary to dress up for lazy weekend pursuits, but in my book that’s what makes it even more special. I always get a slightly smug satisfaction out of shopping for groceries, doing my laundry, having weekend brunch (or other such ordinary activities) in lipstick and high heels and jewels when everyone else is in their casual weekend uniform (not that there is anything wrong with that!).

And if you ask me, trips to tiny booshops should always me made in 60s-style dresses and leopard print heels.

Wearing: Vivetta dress (from Audrey Grace Boutique), Lulu Guinness book clutch, Kurt Geiger leopard ponyskin heels (from last season, but similar style here), Michael Kors watch, Jersey Pearl bracelet, Topshop leopard print coat (not seen, but similar style here).

Do you like to dress up for your favourite lazy weekend activities?

Love, Miss B xx

Thank you Sarah for helping with these photos!