In the Bag: Treasures in Transit
A quiet peek inside the pieces I carry daily — an assemblage of small antiques, sentimental keepsakes, and well-worn essentials. Each item a little story, collected, not bought.
I do my best to choose antique, vintage, or second-hand wherever possible — a philosophy that naturally extends to the pieces I carry with me. My bag holds more than just the practical; it holds things with history, texture, weight. I believe that weaving antiques into the everyday romanticises the rhythm of modern life — elevating the small rituals and making the in-between moments feel considered.
What I carry is never just for now — I look for pieces that are made to last. Not designed for the trend cycle, but outside of it entirely: things with quiet permanence, thoughtful design, and a sense of soul. Below, a breakdown of what currently lives inside my bag.
The bag - I bought this beautiful Cartier Guirlande bag from Vestiare Collective. I love the garland etched gold pattern. I love that the pattern is subtle and clean. It is also a colour that goes well with my wardrobe and compliments most outfits. This bag can be worn as a top handle bag or as a cross-body. I added a gorgeous beaded green tassel to the bag which I bought from an adorable little store in Porto. I think it adds a little something extra.
The wallet - Cartier which was a gift from my husband many years ago. It is the perfect colour and the perfect size. I love that the wallet matches the bag.
The mirror - A green Wedgwood compact, weighty and lovely in the hand. I own others, including a Chanel compact mirror, but this is the one I reach for — it has presence. Unlike most modern compact mirrors (which often feel insubstantial), this one is ceramic Jasperware, detailed, and quietly indulgent.
The Pill/ Vitamin Box - A petite BV Meander porcelain box I found in Amsterdam, after an endless search for something both beautiful and useful. Most options were either plastic or aggressively clinical — this one felt storied, tactile, and just eccentric enough to be charming. Delicate yet durable, with a sense of history and just the right hint of eccentricity. It now carries my daily vitamins, tucked neatly inside something far lovelier than plastic.
The fragrance - Loewe Aura White Magnolia. This fragrance combines notes of cotton candy, white magnolia and vanilla. I am a big fan of Loewe and this frangrance smells beautiful. It is a gorgeous summery scent. I like Loewe frangrances, as they are considered cleaner than other perfumes. I am a perfume collector and I love my fragrances, however, I am trying to buy cleaner ones that contain less dangerous ingredients. This perfume smells devine, lasts for hours and it contains cleaner ingredients.
The Diary - Papier D’Amour diary. The colour of this diary is beautiful. One of my favourite shades of green. I find diaries are difficult to get right. I need a week to a page, with enough room to write down everything. It must be A5 and I prefer a bookmark, elegant font and leather bound. Surprisingly it is difficult to find a diary that meets all of these criteria.
The Sunglasses - very old Prada. I bought these around eight years ago, and they are still going strong! Similar to my diary, I find it difficult to find a pair of sunglasses that meet my criteria - must be a delicate cat eye shape, and not too large on the face, they must be tortoise shell and the trimmings must be gold. Once I find a pair that I love, I will wear them until they break. I style these with softly tailored outfits or a simple silk shirt and jeans. The tortoiseshell warms up neutral tones and gold jewellery ties in the hardware. A delicate cat eye adds polish without being too retro — it's a timeless silhouette.
Beauty Supplies - some of my everyday products that I use religiously - lip balm from Officine Universelle Buly. Concealer from Gucci. Blush stick from Victoria Beckham Beauty.
