Kipling's 'I AM' Bag Analysis Project featuring me!

It doesn't take an expert to work out that the contents of my handbag mean I carry too much stuff but when I was asked to take part in European bag and luggage brand Kipling's new 'I AM' campaign, where they would analyse the contents of my handbag from a photo, I thought it might be fun to see what all this stuff says about me and what's going on in my life right now (other than I need to edit).

So I tipped out my bag and, pictured above, boys and girls, is what I carry around with me - on a good day, at least. I'm still looking at this pic going "what? no tissues?? where are the pens?" etc. (I'm very much a 'just in case' kinda gal). I had to choose a word to describe what I was doing while I carried/lugged all this stuff about and finish the sentence 'I am...'.  After a lot more deliberation, discussion and thought than was probably necessary, I settled on 'I am pootling'. Cos that's what I do. I pootle. Simple as that.

When I have the professional's findings based on this photograph of one of my favourite handbags and the random toteable possessions contained within, I'll post them but for now, come get involved too! See the gallery of other bags pictured for the I AM project on Kipling's My Bag = I Am..? Pinterest board (mine's there to Like or Repin if you fancy), or submit your own via their Facebook page by clicking here.

PS. For anyone who's interested, the contents of my favourite (huge) old Marc by Marc Jacobs Aidan shoulder bag, are:- 

2 x notebooks from Artbox, Marc by Marc Jacobs turnlock coin purse, Gloomy Bear drawstring used as a mini make up bag and filled with a MAC eyeshadow quad compact, Benefit Bad Gal eyeliner, lippies from Chanel and Topshop Make Up, Nanoblur, Pixi Beauty concealer compact, Philosophy mineral powder foundation and MAC Wonder Woman lipstick (both now sadly discontinued), Marc Jacobs Lola solid perfume ring and it's little leather bag, Laura Mercier Coconut and Almond hand cream,  Coca-Cola flavoured Lip Smackers lip balm, Duane Reade aloe vera hand sanitiser, Philosophy Pure Grace roll on perfume, mock croc Marc Jacobs Oyster card holder, Fuji FinePix F600 EXR digital camera in a case from Artbox, giant Lip Smacker lip balm in Candyfloss, Extra chewing gum in Apple Pie flavour (nommmm), travel size leopard print compact Tangle Teezer hairbrush, Nintendo DS (I love a bit of Professor Layton), Power Monkey travel iPhone charger, Ugly Doll key chain, glasses and case from Warby Parker, Carmex Healing Lotion moisturiser, scraggy half used packet of Panadol, Scope breath spray, Caitlin Moran's 'How To Be A Woman' and my old iPad in its little Marc by Marc Jacobs Dreamy sleeping bag case.   Ow, my neck.  

Classic Book Covers for Kindles - Red5's Old School Cool for eReaders

I'm on a real techy tip at the moment having recently experienced total IT failures on all fronts. With a glut of new Apple kit to deck out, it's made me look into the formerly nerdy world of tech accessories. It seems every major designer is now all over techno accessory fashion, as well as a host of specialist brands - more on this in my Huffington Post Weekend Shopping piece on Saturday - clamouring to dress up and disguise often dreary looking hardware.

Whilst I don't have a Kindle or any other eReader type thing but if I did, I'd be dressing it up in these wonderful book jacket covers from Red5.  The beautifully illustrated Alice in Wonderland sleeve above is almost reason enough to get one alone.  And they're only £14.95 each - winner.  Available from www.RED5.co.uk

Frankenstein, War of the Worlds, Dracula and Wuthering Heights eReader classic book jacket style covers from www.RED5.co.uk 

GROUND CONTROL TO MAJOR TOM - BOWIE'S 'SPACE ODDITY' MADE INTO A BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN'S BOOK

I saw this earlier on ComicsAlliance and thought it was such a lovely idea. Andrew Kolb has produced the most beautifully illustrated children's book based on David Bowie's legendary 1969 hit about a fictional astronaut.  What a perfect baby gift for the newborns of muso parents. I've included a few of the images but you can see more and read all about it here.

WHAT DO I DO NOW? READ LOUISE WENER'S ADVENTURES IN BRITPOP

Sleeper have become the 90's music scene equivalent of 1980's puffy marshmallow reversible Slush Puppy jumpers - you loved em but it's not until someone mentions them that you remember they were a big part of what was going on at the time. 

Despite a back catalogue loaded with catchy tunes, the grandstanding of a Wireless reunion, like Blur or Pulp (yay!) is not for them.  They've moved on (or possibly haven't been asked). 

Lippy doe-eyed frontwoman Louise Wener is now an established author and I have to admit to being a little disappointed to hear that her new book, Just for One Day: Adventures in Britpop, is actually a re-titled re-release of her fantastic, awkwardly sassy autobiography, Different for Girls: A Girl's True-Life Adventures in Pop. Even more baffling is why Amazon are selling the two books together as a bundle... Whatever, hopefully it will help to bring this hilarious little book to a much bigger audience.  Wener's wry and searingly, endearingly honest tales from her school days to the height of Britpop fame are a great read although if you're from anywhere near Ilford when Our Price was still the premier Saturday hang out, it will strike such a chord I recommend you don't read it on public transport.  Yes reader, I snorted.

A few Sleeper greats courtesy of YouTube:-
What Do I Do Now?
Inbetweener
Vegas
Alice in Vain
Sale of the Century

CAITLIN MORAN 'HOW TO BE A WOMAN'

I LOVE CAITLIN MORAN.  Really, I do.  And not just because she shares my overwhelming passion for leopard print.

If you don't already, then buy The Times (or subscribe for you modern types who prefer your papers online) not just for Caitlin's fabulously honest, intelligent and irreverant columns but MOST IMPORTANTLY because from tomorrow (Saturday 11th June) they will be serialising her new book, How To Be A Woman.

Pre-order a copy here, now and follow her on Twitter @caitlinmoran.

There really should be more women like Caitlin about. Or at least more chances out there in media land for the one we have. Someone give this woman a show - she NEEDS to be on our TVs.  She might be the same age as me (I think) but I'm still hoping I'll be Caitlin Moran when I grow up.

Pic courtesy of Amazon.co.uk