What's In My Bag: #ItsInTheBag Christmas Campaign Edition!

A what's in my bag post with a bit of a difference!

You might recall I mentioned a very inspiring and moving talk by Rochelle at the blogger's brunch a few months ago. Rochelle runs Share the Dignity, a charity that aims to provide women across Australia with access to sanitary products.

It's In The Bag is their Christmas campaign. Given my fondness for handbags, I had to share this with you.

Just grab one of your gently used bags you no longer need, or buy a new one, and fill it up to give to a woman or girl at need over Christmas. It's an impactful way you can help women who are homeless, at risk, or experiencing domestic violence. You fill it with new essentials like pads or tampons, other hygiene products, and little (non-food) treats to let a someone in need know they are being thought of at Christmas.

I shared the bag I chose to donate in the video below, along with what I filled it with and why!



The Gabi bag was an obvious choice! As I discussed in the video, it's my kind of bag with multiple ways you can wear it. I love bags you can wear multiple ways! Someone will be thrilled to get this at Christmas. (Checkout the video to see what it looks like worn).

Each of the handbags available for purchase on the site is named after one of the women who have been helped by the campaign. The Gabi bag is named because of a lovely lady who donated to the campaign in 2017. Gabi herself was homeless the year before and had benefited from the campaign, and she wanted to give back the next year.

Gabi's story is so inspiring and shows you that you don't need a large budget, just a large heart to get involved with the campaign.

Ways You Can Help:

• Why not shop the share the dignity website to find some Christmas gifts? The majority of the bags and clutches are PU faux leather and vegan friendly, and all proceeds help fund the charity programs.
• Share the campaign with your friends/family.
• Start putting a bag together of your own to donate. See my tips below.

What Should You Include In Your Handbag Donation?

As well as the items you saw in the video, these are some helpful suggestions for things you could include.

Follow Share the Dignity on facebook for more ideas!

Tips:

• Start buying now so that you can take advantage of sales and specials on products to make the most of your budget. 
• Try Kmart or eBay for cheap but cheerful accessories, look out for specials on hygiene products at Priceline and don't forget you can pick up some extras with your weekly shop at Coles or Woolworths, both have a good selection of products and often sales.
• You will be able to drop off your donation between 16th November and 2nd December 2018, so you have plenty of time to get shopping.

Have you donated to #ItsInTheBag before? What did or would you put in your bag?

Note: I was not paid for this post. As always: all thoughts, opinions and images are my own.


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Purple Jeans, Stripe Tanks and Grey Cardis With Mini MAB Tote Bag

I love repeating outfits I've enjoyed before and just tweaking the formula slightly to make a new outfit. It's nice being able to group them together when I post too so you can get some different ideas of ways to wear things. There wasn't a lot of changing things up with these outfits though! I wore almost completely identical outfits. Striped tanks, grey cardigans, blue accessories and purple jeans with a little Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB Tote.

It seems a little strange for me to be posting these layered up outfits in October and the middle of spring, but on the early spring days I shared these the mornings were chilly enough for me to want layers. Even if the layers didn't stay on long!

What I wore:

Jacket: Paper Scissors grey wrap cardigan
Necklace: silk beaded baby-friendly necklace
Tank: Atmos & Here Oregon stripe tank
Jeans: Jeanswest blackberry super skinny jeans
Shoes: black slim Havaianas thongs
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote in plum

Why I wore it:

Wore this to head to our ABA mothers group catch up. Usually I just delete pics like this, but I thought it was a perfect representation of the day (and also because I spent much longer than usual battling the wind to try get an okay photo that morning before I gave up!). Coopers windblown face is just too funny not to share too 😂

While it was forecast to be a warm day, it was a cold morning, especially with the wind, and our catch up is in a church hall. Big and spacious, but also a little chilly! This light cardigan was the perfect layer over the striped tank and easy to take off when we ventured back outside in the afternoon. Now that scarves are not needed for warmth and are more of an optional accessory, it's good to wear my necklace collection again! This is a baby friendly one, perfect for sitting around chatting with mums and babies as I don't have to worry if a curious baby grabs it!


Last worn: grey cardigan, black striped tank, purple skinny jeans, Havaianas, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote.

Other ways to wear: grey cardigan and skinny jeans, black striped tank and maxi skirt postpartum, purple skinny jeans and printed shirt, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote and maxi skirt.

Perfect for pregnancy: purple skinny jeans in first trimester, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote in third trimester.

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What's In My Bag: Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAB Tote

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What I wore:

Jacket: Jeanswest Alice longline Australian wool cardigan
Scarf: Louis Vuitton monogram shawl in bleu
Tank: Jeanswest 'Josie' striped back strap tank
Jeans: Jeanswest blackberry super skinny jeans
Shoes: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star low in white
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote in plum

Why I wore it:

Almost the exact same outfit as the first one, just slightly warmer layers. With it being windy and a little chilly in the morning, I thought the cosy cardigan and big blanket scarf would be helpful when sitting outside with the boys at playgroup. I ended up taking the scarf off quite early in the day though. A wool scarf and a wool cardigan are just too much for a Brisbane spring!

It was actually our last session of playgroup. I was a little sad as we have been going there for over 3 and a half years. (First time we went here!) It's been shut down as the organisation that own the building feel it and the other services are no longer needed. They have found another space and organisation to run it which some of the mums will try going to, but for various reasons we can't attend in the new location.

It was sweet of the boys to give me lots of cuddles through the morning, and so sad saying goodbye. More for me than them, it's been such a constant, welcoming space for years for us, from one baby to 2 and I have so many happy memories. The big party we had was a nice way to say goodbye.


Last worn: wool cardigan, Louis Vuitton shawl, striped tank, purple skinny jeans (above), Converse, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote (above).

Other ways to wear: wool cardigan and maxi dress, Louis Vuitton shawl with black and white, striped tank and pencil skirt, purple skinny jeans and ombre knit, Converse and denim shorts, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote and maxi dress.

Perfect for pregnancy: striped tank in second trimester, purple skinny jeans in first trimester, Converse in second trimester, Rebecca Minkoff mini MAB tote in second trimester.

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Purple Jeans Under $50:

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How You Can Wear It:

Colourful jeans are simple to wear when you pair them with neutral cardigans, and a striped tank is a great basic to add to any outfit! Light layers like scarves and cardigans are perfect for spring as you can wear them as needed. If you do want to add another colour into your outfit, I love blue and purple together.


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Textured Jackets, Grey Pencil Skirts and Rebecca Minkoff MAB Tote

When the weather warmed up a little it was good to leave my trench coats behind and wear some lighter jackets better suited to spring. As both of these jackets are textured I kept the rest of my outfit simple, with neutral shoes, a big navy tote and plain tops with grey pencil skirts.

What I wore:

Jacket: Jeanswest Cassandra jacquard jacket
Scarf: Fashion Scarf Girl Family tree scarf in blue and navy (c/o)
Top: Jeanswest chana long sleeve stud top in night sky navy
Skirt: Atmos&Here grey marle jersey pencil skirt
Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs silver tuxedo flats
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote in moon navy

Why I wore it:

I knew that this light blue family tree print scarf would work really nicely with the navy blue blouse. I wasn't too happy with how it looked with the busy jacquard jacket though. I knew I'd appreciate the scarf in the cold office air con, so decided at the last minute to accessorise my bag a bit by knotting the scarf on it. I think the blue scarf worked just as nicely with the navy tote as it did with the navy blouse when I wore it to keep warm in the office.

With the metallic thread running through the jacket, the silver ballet flats were an obvious choice, I do like a bit of matchy matchy, with even the top and bag matching too.

This pencil skirt is a comfortable grey jersey I sometimes worry is a little too casual, but for a mostly quiet day with little face to face meetings it was perfect. And it doesn't look out of place when others in the office are wearing jeans!


Last worn: jacquard blazer, family tree scarf, navy studded blouse, grey jersey pencil skirt, silver ballet flats, Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote.

Other ways to wear: jacquard blazer and jeans, family tree scarf and stripes, navy studded blouse worn two ways, grey jersey pencil skirt and Converse, silver ballet flats and purple pants, Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote and sheath dress.

Perfect for pregnancy: jacquard blazer in third trimester, grey jersey pencil skirt in third trimester, silver ballet flats in third trimester, Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote in first trimester.

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More Ways To Accessorise A Bag:

Just like in the outfit above, you can change the look of your bags a little by accessorising them. I share tying a scarf on them and 5 other ways you can accessorise your handbags in this video:

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What I wore:

Jacket: Jeanswest Dixie collarless jacket
Scarf: Fashion Scarf Girl parrot print scarf (c/o)
Top: Jeanswest 'Tilda' black shirt
Skirt: Asos tailored tab front pencil skirt in grey
Shoes: Walnut Melbourne 'Ava' black lizard ballet flats (also available in silver)
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote in moon navy

Why I wore it:

Since I loved the plain top, textured jacket and grey pencil skirt combo, I tried it again the next time I was in the office. This time around, with the black boucle jacket and plain black top, I felt the outfit needed a bit of colour. I decided to wear this colourful parrot print scarf. Despite the busy texture of the jacket, I think the printed scarf worked well as the top of my outfit was all black, unlike the first outfit.

I really enjoyed wearing this - and the more formal fabric of the pencil skirt made me feel suitably attired for a couple of big meetings I had during the day. I was glad when the day was over though, it was such a busy afternoon, I even had to cancel lunch with hubby to get more work done.


Last worn: boucle jacket, parrot print scarf, black blouse, grey pencil skirt, black ballet flats, Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote (above).

Other ways to wear: boucle jacket and a-line skirt, parrot print scarf and blue knit, black blouse and leopard print jeans, grey pencil skirt in winter, black ballet flats and jeans, Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote and fit and flare dress.

Perfect for pregnancy: boucle jacket in second trimester, black blouse in second trimester, grey pencil skirt in first trimester, black ballet flats in third trimester, Rebecca Minkoff medium MAB tote in third trimester.

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Textured Jackets Under $50

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How You Can Wear It:

Textured jackets are a nice alternative to a plain jacket and add some extra interest to your outfit. To keep things simple, you can wear them with plain, block colour pieces and let the jacket shine and be the statement part of your outfit. They work nicely in the office, fitting in with any dress code.


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