Primark Mini City Bag (The Weekend Bag)

I have quite a few handbags in my stash and I actually think I will be donating them all away because I never really get to use them all.  I generally reach for about five of my hand bags in a year and they are mostly my Zara ones (reviews here and here), Whistles Clutch (review here) and Longchamp LM Tote (review here)) and I think that’s ridiculous.  However, I realised that I needed a weekend handbag because my Longchamp LM Metal is my everyday bag and it is screaming for some rest. Honestly, it is one of the best bags I own because it has lasted a long while seeing that I use (and load it) every single day. It is still going strong but I think it's crucial I give it some downtime during the weekend which is how this Primark Beauty came into my life. We can all agree that Primark aka Primarni has really changed over the years in terms of quality and prices. While you can still find some cheap stuff there, some things now cost £25 and even £30 which I think is insane. However, I have to say the quality has improved from previous years and I own some pieces that have lasted me for more than three years. I know some people don't like Primark but I love going there because one can get really basic everyday stuff and even a few gems like this bag from there.

I am surrounded by two Primark Stores (one near work and another a little distance from my house) so I tend to pop in every now and then to see what's new or replenish some basic items. I actually like Primark Bags because they look pretty and some of them last a really long time. For the price, you can't expect the same quality as you would get from a designer bag or other high street stores but it is a reasonable quality. Most Primark bags don't have names but this one really reminds me of this Zara Mini City Bag (which also slightly reminds me of the Celine Nano Bag...just only slightly!). I am actually going to christen it the Primark Mini City B....there! a nice name for a nice bag. I love that it is structured and it stands really well on its own. I have a thing for structured bag although I still love my slouchy Longchamp Tote. I think the size of this Primark bag is perfect for the weekend because I only put in my barest essentials. To be fair, I hardly go out during the weekends except I am off for little errands or just window shopping. I just love to lazy around during the weekend. However, the few times I have been out, this bag has been fantastic.

Specifications

Just like the Zara Mini City Bag, it is made from Polyurethane so it really feels and looks like leather but it is not.  I like that it's so compact and portable yet it can fit in a lot of items without looking bulky. It's a gorgeous deep navy blue shade which I adore and it looks great with anything I wear including denim. Its handles are lined with faux croc/snake skin which gives it a nice expensive feel. It has three compartments which contain two zipped sides and an open middle section with a buckle to secure it. The corners can be expanded out like the Celine (hahaha) and it can be buckled back in for a more structured look. I prefer to leave it buckled because I feel it looks cuter that way.  Inside the middle section, there are two other compartments; one is a zipped compartment and the other is a mobile phpne compartment.  It also has a small padlock in the front compartment which adds some character to the bag although I am not sure if I like it or not. 

Cost and Overall Thoughts

The best part is it comes with an adjustable long strap so you can choose to wear it over the shoulders or you can tuck it away and carry it by the handles. I generally prefer to hold it by the handles because it is not heavy at all and I feel I have more control over it that way. Also, it just looks very chic holding bags from their handles, I think.  It comes in other colours like Black, Grey, Blue and Navy Blue. I am tempted to go back for the grey but we will see. It costs only £8 so it's not one to break the bank. I don't expect it to last forever but seeing that I will be using it only during the weekend, I think it will be around for a while. I absolutely adore this bag and if I didn’t have the original Zara City Bag, I would have picked up the bigger city bag which Primark currently have for £10-£12. If you could not get your hands on the Zara City Bag (regular or mini size), I think this Primark version is amazing dupe for a fraction of the price. That's all folks! Have you been to Primark recently? They have some amazing new stock and their Spring Collection looks really amazing!! See you in my next post...xx

What's in my Handbag?

Hi Me Lovelies,
It has indeed been a minute since I updated here an I apologise for my unannounced hiatus.  I recently blogged about my love for my Zara Office City Bag here and quite a few of you asked for a "What's in My Bag?" post and I thought why ever not?So, here is a peep into what's currently in my bag and I hope you enjoy it...


   









The Handbag- Zara City Bag
I think this bag is the second most popular Zara bag after the never-ending fame of the Zara bucket bags which everyone had. My Zara City bag is one year old already and it is still as sturdy as it was when i first got it. I already have a dedicated post to the Zara City Bag so head on over here for a full review.

The Makeup Bag-Lancome Luxury Makeup Bag
I am not going to go into much details with this because i already have a post here for "What's in my makeup bag?". Although, I have upgraded my makeup bag from the former H&M one (which served me really well) to a Lancome one which was a free gift alongside other lovely samples I received on purchase of some Lancome featured here. The contents of my makeup bag have slightly changed with the weather but it's essentially the same items; My powder, lip gloss, lipstick, mini kabuki and the works. My makeup bag holds everything for refreshing my face while at work or if I am going out straight from work.

The Wallet- Primark Gold Embossed Purse
Again, I have already featured this bag here so check it out here if you want more pictures of this little beauty. I really like it and it was only £5-how amazing is that? I love it because it also has many compartments to fit in my cards, some cash(when I have some, hehehehe) and some coins. If I ever leave home without my wallet, it will definitely not be an ideal day and it stays permanently in my bag.

My Phones- iPhone 5 and Samsung( I cannot remember the model-it's a flip though)
To be honest, My iPhone is hardly in my bag because it is always in my hands or in my coat/jacket/blazer pocket. At work, it is always on the table with me which is why it is called a mobile phone and not a bag phone.... My iPhone and I are virtually inseparable. My other phone is a Samsung Flip Phone and I honestly cannot remember the model but I use it to call my family back home in Nigeria with my Lebara SIM card and that's all I do with it which explains why it is always fully charged.

Diary and Notebook
This diary was given to me by the BF and I love it so much. I am still the old diary lady and i love to collect diaries and all sorts of stationery. They make me happy (but not as happy as beauty, skincare and makeup does--nah, nothing comes close enough!) and I love to write in them. My dad used to give me diaries every year and I loved them so much and I actually had a day-to-day diary when I was younger and up till my late teens..I guess blogging has replaced all that. My Notebook is from Guardian Jobs and I recently received this at a work conference. I love how sturdy it is and the navy blue colour contrast well with my diary. I write all kinds of list in here from shopping lists to grocery list to To-do lists...any list you can think of has been written here

Glasses and Spare Contact Lens
Yeah, I wear glasses because my eyesight is very dodgy but it's getting better or rather it's not getting any worse. I really hate wearing glasses and this explains why no one at work has ever since me wear my glasses. I reserve them for night time when I am in cosy-ed up in bed and i need to do any late night reading or browsing on my laptop. I wear daily disposable contact lens everyday and it's so expensive but it is one of the most important things to me; it's just one of those sacrifices one makes. My glasses are my backup if my contact lens are acting up which they have done on a few occasions. I have spare contacts for the same reason but the whole shenanigans of washing my hands and finding a clean place to change them makes me reach for my glasses in such situations.

Water Bottle-Primark  Grey Water Bottle
I cannot remember the last time I ever left the house without my water bottle filled with water. Water is about the only drink I ever drink and I love it just the way it is. I hardly drink Soda or Fizzy drinks except if I go to a fast food joint or restaurant and I am trying to be healthy so I limit these outings. Water is one of the most beautiful and satisfying gifts God has given to the world. Our bodies are made up of 50-60% water which is no surprise as my body really loves water. Besides, water is so expensive here in the UK and I am sure everywhere else and spending 80p-£1 on water has never made me smile. Ever!!.  

The Miscellaneous Purse
This is where I keep all my random items like some Paracetamol, Pens, Hand Sanitizers, my Gym Padlock, Work ID,  Hair bands, Mints/Chewing gum. I hate to have  a messy bag with things all over the place which is why I got this little purse to put in essential things which I may need during the course of the day but they are things that can't be kept in their own compartments within the bag. I also have the Keys to my house somewhere in there and my Oyster Card for travel which I always slip into my jacket for easy access when I am on the go.

Charger and Ear Phones
I just throw this into one of the spare compartments because I hate to forget any of them. My ear phones are extremely important to me when commuting because I can listen to some music or audible books on my iPhone. Whoever invented ear phones deserves a squishy hug and huge kiss (that sounds gross though!) from me. My charger on the other hand ensures I can keep my phone fully charged while I am at work for the travel later when the day is over.

   

That's it folks.. I seriously hope I have not bored you. Sometimes, a person's handbag can give you a glimpse of their personality and I hope I have achieved that, even a teeny weeny bit, with this post. Leave me a comment below if you have done this tag or if we share any handbag items...see you in my next post and have a smashing week ahead.

Tag: What's in my Makeup Bag/Pouch?

Hey Lovelies,

I love how we are progressively inching towards the end of the week right into the weekend. I cannot wait at all. I am not sure if everyone is as nosy as me but i love taking sneaky lil peeks into my friends makeup bags. I don't go into handbags tho; I feel that's stepping outta line. I feel makeup bags kinda gives me an overview of a ladies' personality. If the makeup bag is filled with loads of makeup items, I usually conclude she is a beauty junkie. I just love taking sneaky peeks into them. Hahaha no need justifying my obsession with makeup bags. So, if you are anything like my nosing-into-makeup bag self, read on to find out what is in mine and if you are not, you can still scroll down anyways. No harm whatsoever, I promise. Having said that, the items in my makeup bag tend to change depending on what season we are in, how I feel and what products are my current favourites. Let's get started.

The Makeup Bag

I love this lil makeup bag because it is purple. I love purple as a colour because it feels glam to me but not in a shiny or blingy way. It signifies royalty which I am; just kidding but I am the daughter of the Most High God so that qualifies, doesn't it? Anyways, back to the makeup bag.

I got this little gem from H&M last year and it is just a simple pouch with a zip and some cute ruffle details all around the top perimeter. I had a black and white makeup pouch before this but it kept getting dirty due to my brushes and foundation so I decided to go for something more colorful. 

Also, this makeup pouch has a snake like PVC texture to it which makes it look a lil bit more expensive than it is. I got it for £2 and I think it is an absolute steal given how lovely it looks and how well it has served me.

Foundation/Powder- Bella Pierre Mineral Foundation Powder
I have already raved about this in a separate blog post here so I won't repeat myself. I loved this powder and I still love it because it doubles up as both a foundation and a powder. If I need to touch up, I usually whip out the powder puff if I am in a very public place or I use my Real Technique Brush if I am in a rest room with a nice big mirror. 

To be honest, I have seen major improvements in my makeup since I started using this powder including reduction in my makeup routine steps as I use this both as a concealer, foundation and powder so I have less steps to take. 

Also, I have noticed I have become less shiny during the day with this and my touch ups are becoming less required to my delight. If there is anything I don't want to forget at home when I am out and about, it has to be this powder. LOVE it.

Concealer- MAC Studio Finish Concealer
I know what you are thinking; " I thought you said you use the Bella Pierre Powder as a concealer, foundation and powder?" Hahaha, yes I do. 

I use this mainly for my eye brows and any very stubborn dark spots especially if I am going out from the office to a meeting or for an outing. This is one of my Holy Grail concealers because it works for me. Although, it may clog up my pores if I use too much of it but I still love it so much and I always turn to it for when I want a super flawless finish to my face. 

It is a major staple in my Makeup bag and it is almost finished now. It has been rocked so much so that it looks severely battered but it is all with pure love, I promise.

Eye Pencil- Sleek Brow Pencil in 191 Brown
I find it really hard to find brow pencils that match my eye brows perfectly but Sleek is one of the few brands that do it for me. I buy most of my other eye pencils from Nigeria when I go back on holidays. 

To be honest, it should not really be in my bag but sometimes I accidentally rub my brows and a part of it is wiped off making me look like a little imp with uneven eye brows (I am not sure imps even have eyebrows, I know golliwogs have though). That's why it has found a prestigious place here in my makeup bag to fix up any accidental brow wipes. 

Lip Liner- Vitalis Lip Liner in 345
This is a fairly unknown brand because no one seems to have heard about it. I got this from PAK Cosmetics and it was 3 for a 1 pound and I love it very much and regret not buying a whole stash of it. I only use one in my makeup bag though.

 It is the perfect lip liner for many of my lipsticks because I am very partial to nudes, brownish pinks and neutral lipsticks. I pair this with my MAC Hug Me lipstick and it is perfect. 

Lipstick- Varies but Today is MUA in Shade 11
I think lipstick is one makeup item that can brighten up your face from a stressful day at work or any day at all. It is one of my favourite makeup item because I get to change it ever so often so I never have any staple one in my makeup bag. 

Formerly, I always had a nude and bright one in my purse for work and outings but I soon got bored and just stuck to carrying just the one. I have not been doing a lot of outings as such so I stick to browns, nudes, neutrals and flesh tone.

My current lipstick obsession is the MUA Shade 11 and I am sure you can tell from how worn out it looks and the MUA logo is half gone. It has made an appearance in my makeup bag for many days now running for a few weeks which is rare. It used to be MAC's Hug Me (blog post here about it) which is almost finished now so I have switched for a little while. I pucker up my lips when I am done with lunch and on my way home...

Lip Treatment- Nivea Lip Care in  Soft Rose
I used this a lot when the weather was really bad but it has still remained in my bag because I still occasionally have dry lips. Taking care of the lips is something many people tend to overlook but it is very essential especially if you like wearing lipsticks and worse still, if you like Matte Lipsticks like MAC's Ruby Woo. 

If you have dry/cracked lips and use Ruby Woo, you will not be pleased, be rest assured about that. I usually don't wait for my dry lips to appear, I nip them in the bud with the Nivea Lip Care in Rose which is such a pretty color. 

I use this before my lipstick everyday and it helps to achieve smooth application of my lipstick. This is a staple for sure in my makeup bag. On rare occasions, I wear this alone in place of lipstick and it is still okay but it is very RARE.

Mascara- Model Co.  Fibre Lashxtend
Y'all know I am not a big fan of mascaras because they get in the way of my contacts and could be clumpy but this has made me rethink my decision. 

To begin with, I love that it is Lengthening versus Volume because volumising mascaras are the major culprits for clumping and messing with my contacts. I love how light the formula is and it has minimal, if not, non-existent clumping. It is really lovely and is a new entrant into my makeup bag and I feel it is here to stay. 

Also, it has a small cute mirror at the back that helps when you want to apply it without whipping out your mirror and trying to balance everything. I got this as a freebie in the July Issue of Glamour Magazine. It was an absolute steal because it retails for £16 but you get it free with Glamour Magazine which cost £2 this month. I actually got two of these; one for my makeup bag and a backup. Hahaha

Eye Liner- L'Oreal Super Liner Black Lacquer
Asides my new love for mascara, eye liner used to be the only eye makeup I loved wearing. L'Oreal is my favorite brand. The L'Oreal Black Lacquer is a felt tip eyeliner which is really black and waterproof.

It is perfect for my winged eyeliners or just straight nice lining. I actually have a blog post here on my favourite eye liner...check it out. This is an old time favourite and staple. Although, it is waterproof and it literally does not budge all day, I still keep it close for a touch up especially if I am going out after work to switch up from classic wing to a deep almost gothic winged eye liner.

Makeup Brushes
I try to limit the amount of brushes in my makeup bag because it is really small and these makeup brushes tend to mess up the inner lining of my makeup bag as you can see from one of the pictures here. 

My all time favourite brush is my Real Technique Buffing Brush. This brush is everything; it is excellent. One of the softest and easiest brushes to use and it definitely helps in achieving flawless makeup. I use this for touch ups mainly. 

The next brush is my ELF eye shadow brush which has been converted to a concealer brush ever since I bought my Bella Pierre Mineral Foundation. I use this mainly to dab on some of my mineral foundation to conceal some dark spots because it is soft and actually does the work as well as any concealer brush I know. 



The next brush I believe is from Gosh but I may be wrong, I have had it for so long and I am not sure where I got it from. It is meant to be a small angled brush which it still is. I use it on those occasions when I need to re-jig my eyebrow or to apply my MAC studio finish concealer to many stubborn dark spots. I only go for brushes that can fit into my makeup bag although the Real Technique brush presents some slight issues in that respect but my love for it conquers all issues :-)

Perfume- Flo Atomizer
I think ladies should definitely have a small perfume in their bags to freshen up when you have been to public places like the loo and some transport system like the Tube, Buses, Molues/ Danfos (My Nigerian Homies would know this) and even some cabs. I hate the old smell that comes with transport which is why I carry this little treasure in my makeup bag. I am not in the habit of carrying glass perfume bottles on my bag because it could get damaged which is why I bought this cute little atomizer.



I bought this from Debenhams last year but you can find it anywhere including Amazon and Ebay. It has not left my makeup bag except when I want to refill it. I larrve it. It is known as an Atomizer and it can be refilled easily by unscrewing the bottom and spraying directly into the enclosure. It is useful for mixing all your perfumes to produce a different exotic cocktail of fragrances you love.

That brings me to the end of the sneaky peek into my makeup bag. I hope your nosiness has been partially satisfied like mine has on many ocassions. Let me know what you have in your make up bag in the comment below and products that have been staples in your make up bag. Catch you in my next post....xxxx

Have you entered the Gamila Secret Cleansing Bar Giveaway Contest? It is Open now and International...Check it out here

Have an amazing week ahead...xx

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