When it comes to purses and bags we have one motto: Always be prepared. That said, who wants to carry a purse loaded down with stuff you’ll never use?! No thank you. That’s why, we’ve teamed up with Starbucks to take a peek inside the bags of three of our creative idols: B+C Creative Director Anjelika Temple, food blogger and photographer Nanette Wong and DIY blogger Kristi Murphy.
Leave it to these ladies to carry the perfect mix of practical and colorful at all times. Now they’re breaking down their must-have items just for us. Spoiler alert! Coffee is always a must!
Read on to unlock your inner Mary Poppins :)
Anjelika Temple // Creative Director at Brit + Co
If you’ve been around for a while then Anj Temple needs no introduction. She’s been the creative heartbeat behind Brit + Co since day one. You’ll most often spot her in the B+C creative studio brainstorming new DIYs and directing photo shoots. She’s always rocking bold, colorful patterns that make the rest of us want to go shopping STAT. Anj’s other staple is her insanely silly sidekick Turkey Temple (he’s the star of our #dogsofbritco hashtag).
If you love all things colorful, Anj’s bag will not disappoint. Note the bright blue pom pom hanging from her bucket bag. Here’s what she says about what’s in her bag, “I’m one of those people you know that has a LOT of stuff secretly stowed away. Nail clippers? Got those. Need tweezers because you got a splinter? Check. Gold sequined headband for a late night dance party? CHECK! I like to keep a mix of practical and party-ready things on me at all times.” Practical and party-ready? Please tell us more!
This photo pretty much says it all. Anj keeps her notebook on her at all times. She’s the ultimate list-maker and you’ll rarely catch her without a pen and paper on hand. She also has an incredible ability to fix literally anything with washi tape. It’s the one DIY supply she can’t live without. Last but not least, you’ll see Anj’s can’t-live-without party items: a gold sequin headband (when do you NOT need one of those?!), red lipstick and a nod to the ‘90s, a scrunchie.
True confession: Anj is actually not a hot coffee drinker. But, that doesn’t mean she doesn’t run on coffee. From maker walkabouts to DIY video shoots, Anj is always on the go. For her, the Starbucks VIA® Instant Iced Coffee packs are the perfect iced beverage for her out-and-about lifestyle.
Nanette Wong // Photographer + Food Blogger
Next up, we asked to take a peek into the bag of photographer, food blogger and B+C contributor, Nanette Wong! Nanette’s bag was everything you’d expect for a photographer and more. “I carry my camera around pretty much wherever I go. Because of that, I like to keep my purse minimal so when I find that perfect picture opportunity, I’m not weighed down by too much baggage.”
Camera aside, Nanette always packs her essentials–wallet, phone and sunnies–and a few other personal obsessions. “I’m strangely addicted to lip balm. It’s a real obsession, people. I can’t live without it!” We’re personally in love with her watermelon makeup bag. Can we have that? Nanette also revealed, “I like to have business cards and of course, a portable charger for my phone wherever I go. Let’s be real– Instagram and Snapchat take an absurd amount of battery.” Um… we know ALL about the struggles of Instagram and battery life. Oof.
And of course, can’t forget about COFFEE! Nanette confessed that she’s not a morning person (who is?!) and can’t make decent conversation until she has coffee. Good thing we met up with Nanette post-coffee! But what’s her go-to? “I’m addicted to Starbucks VIA® Instant Coffee and I love how convenient it is to take with me on the go (especially when I didn’t wake up early enough to brew coffee!). Rich and full bodied with a hint of caramelized sugar, it’s the perfect complement to a buttery pastry in the morning or as an afternoon pick-me-up.”
Kristi Murphy // DIY Blogger
Finally, we called up one of our fave lifestyle experts and DIY bloggers, Kristi Murphy. Kristi loves sharing easy DIY ideas for home makeovers, party planning, wardrobe upgrades… you name it! So, we couldn’t wait to check the contents of her chic tote. “As a blogger, I try to stay on trend. So my bag and its contents have looked a wee bit different since spring arrived. I changed out my black bag for a more neutral tote, and the essentials inside are looking a little “springier” as well.”
Besides the classic suspects like a cell phone and sunnies, Kristi admitted to never leaving the house without a notebook. “My blogging schedule isn’t exactly relaxed, so if I don’t write everything down, I will forget. This notebook is my lifeline, and I love changing up the patterns and designs each season. Plus it pairs perfectly with my gridded pen.”
Kristi’s bag also features some true girl essentials: hair ties,nail polish and lip gloss for all beauty emergencies. That’s some smart thinking! And since behind every strong woman is a strong cup of coffee, Kristi keeps several Starbucks VIA® Instant Latte Caffe Mocha in her tote at all times.“These little bundles of joy get me through the day and are super convenient. The Caffe Mocha is my new favorite flavor, it’s rich and creamy. Plus, I only have to add hot water, making them super convenient to enjoy while I’m in DIY-mode.”
Well, there you have it folks. The secret life hacks for these creative ladies? A well packed bag, a notebook for jotting down inspiration and a little handy dose of coffee.
From colorful prints to a nice summer neutral, we love how each bag matches the individual personalities of each creative!
This post is a collaboration with Starbucks.