Let’s play What’s in my Purse: Nikki Edition.

You know those posts that bloggers do sometimes when they’re giving you a peak into their handbags? I find those posts really interesting, UNLESS they’ve been paid to showcase a product. Yes, I often throw a pack of travel tissues in there, but they’re the off-brand ones from Target not from Kleenex. But I digress.

I should probably confess that I don’t even like purses that much. I’d rather carry a few necessities in a wallet that fits in my pocket like guys do, but 1) I don’t always have pockets because sexist clothes makers don’t always include them in women’s clothes and 2) my necessities don’t always fit neatly in a little wallet. So, alas, I carry a purse. That’s probably why I just end up with a lot of crap in there.

The Bag

Anne Klein (via Belk)

I picked this one out for my birthday about a year ago. I liked it because it was a nice neutral color, it has a divider pocket, and it was a really great size for my stuff. I’ve already mentioned that I don’t really like purses but I get very picky about what I’ll carry. This has been one of my favorite bags so far.

The Contents

It really wasn’t as bad as I thought. Here’s what was in there:

Checkbook: I can’t be the only person who carries a checkbook any more, right?

Feminine hygiene products: Obviously.

Tissues: To blow my nose.

Hand sanitizer(s): Germs are everywhere so it’s important to keep some hand sanitizer on you at all times. Especially after dropping off and picking up the kid from daycare. I love those kids, but damn are they germy! I don’t know why I have two of them, though.

Sugar packet: In case I need it for my coffee?

Napkins: They come in handy for messes.

Extra medicine stored in a yellow kinder egg: I have to take medicine every day and I really shouldn’t miss a dose, so I keep extra meds in my purse just in case I’m running late in the morning and forget to take them before leaving the house.

Chewing gun: Sometimes I need to freshen my breath, other times it serves as a great grounding technique. I use grounding techniques for when I have a panicked moment. These grounding skills help keep me in the present and are helpful in managing overwhelming feelings or intense anxiety. Chewing gum allows my mind to focus on the taste and chewing sensation instead of the chaos that it wants to create.

Tide To Go stain stick: I can be a messy person. My husband can be even messier. And we have a kid. This thing gets used at least once per day.

Tylenol: For headaches and other pains.

Small travel fan: For when I get hot. But in all honesty, my fan is my go-to grounding technique for my panicked moments. Using this fan lets my mind focus on the air hitting my face instead of the racing thoughts in my brain. It’s the most effective technique I’ve found alongside chewing gum.

Pens: In case I need to write something down.

A bag full of extra pens and random lipstick: Okay, so here’s the thing. I’m a pen and napkin hoarder. I have no idea why but I feel like these are two things that I must have on me at all time. I guess it makes sense to have napkins in case I make a mess (and they come in handy for the kid’s messes) but the pens? I guess it’s just really important for me to write things down the second I have a thought. AND when it comes to paying for a meal and the server only has 2 pens for a group of 6 people.

Notebook: For when I have ideas or need to jot down notes.

Chap stick and lipsticks: To keep my lips kissable.

Nail file: I hate it when I break a nail and can’t smooth it out. It will drive me nuts all day, so I keep a nail file for just in case.

Headphones: I think this one is pretty obvious, too.

Purse hook: So I can hang my purse from the table or other surface so I don’t have to sit it on a public floor.

Wallet: Obviously.

Not pictured: a bunch of old receipts, the necklace & bracelet I wore to work and decided to remove at some point in the day, some more napkins, and a piece of mail I grabbed on the way in from my car.

I’ve heard that a look inside someone’s bag is a look into their life. I’m a nosy person by nature and I want to know how other people live their lives (this is basically why I even read blogs) so if you’re going to show me the nitty gritty of what’s in your bag/life, then dammit, I’m gonna look! But I suppose it’s only fair that if you show me yours then I show you mine. It was time to clean out my purse so I saw a good opportunity to give you a peak of my life. And now that I think about it, it’s true: my life feels as random yet vaguely put together as all of the stuff I just pulled out of my bag.

photo source

In last week’s Giving Thanks post, I talked about how grateful I am for all of the caregivers I have in my ‘village’ who help care for Sebastian. This week I was going to expound that view to talk about the reasons I’m thankful for my community as a whole. But to be completely honest, time got the better of me so I’ve decided to save that topic for another time. Today, I’m taking a break to focus on family and food, for which I am extremely grateful.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I hope you’re all enjoying good food and quality time with family.

We have the most amazing photographers, hands down. We first hired Thad and Sarah Lawrence of 2 & 3 Photography for our engagement and wedding photos way back in 2011 and we’ve been using them ever since. They’ve yet to disappoint, and this year was no different. It’s our first year as a family of three so we wanted to make sure we captured us as a little family with Sebastian and Mia. They certainly delivered once again. Just look at how cute we all are! I’m so exited to share a few of these gems with you. Enjoy!

My outfit
Sweater: Loft | Skirt & Necklace: J. Crew Outlet | Boots: Banana Republic  | Watch : Target

You’ve no doubt heard the saying, “it takes a village to raise a child.” I heard it often and believed it, but I never fully appreciated it until I had my own kid. Sure, I was part of others’ villages as I babysat for friends and encouraged my young nephew to say ‘excuse me’ after he burped, but I didn’t realize how helpful your village is when caring for your kid, yourself, and your family. When my son was born, I was lucky to have my mother stay with us for a few weeks to help take care of us. She’s pretty amazing, and the fierce love she has for her family can’t be beat. Then I had to go back to work, which meant I had to rely on someone else to take care of my sweet baby boy. I think this is one of the feelings that is hardest to resolve as a working mother. I often felt like I was abandoning Sebastian, and watching him grow up in photos, and leaving him for someone else to raise. I still haven’t quite reconciled these feelings completely but I’m working on it, especially as I let go and know that I really don’t have to do it alone.

Fun at daycare.

With all of that said, the point of this post is that I’m so thankful for the caregivers in Sebastian’s life. From his father to his grandparents and aunts and uncles, our friends, and his daycare teachers, I’ve learned that it truly does take a village.

So many toys to play with, so little time!

In the beginning we were lucky to have found a great daycare for Sebastian. His teachers were considerate, attentive, and seemed to really care about his well being. When we switched to the new daycare, I expected more of the same and was a little disappointed when the teachers didn’t go “above and beyond.” In the grand scheme of things, however, they’re doing a great job. Sebastian is never hungry, he hasn’t had any injuries, and he always has a smile on his face when I pick him up in the evenings.  Oh, and one morning when I walked in the door to drop him off, the 3- to 4-year-old kids saw us and starting yelling, “Good morning, Sebastian!” It was adorably sweet and made me feel better about leaving him there because I knew he was surrounded by folks who cared about him.

Finger painting at daycare

So, I’m really grateful that there will always be someone there if I need them to take care of Sebastian. And not just take care OF him but really care FOR him. It speaks volumes to the people I have chosen to be in my community. But more on that next week 😉

It’s my favorite shirt again. When I said I was wearing it all the time, I wasn’t joking. And I paired it with my favorite (and only) midi skirt because it’s such a cute combination. The length of the skirt, the style of the boots, and the stripes all scream “fall” to me so I’ve worn it pretty much everywhere since the season began. It’s one of those outfits that I have to talk myself OUT of wearing because I just wore it last week (or, more accurately, yesterday) but then I usually give in because it’s so darn stylish. In fact, I’m wearing it again to work today!

Plus, you gotta love a fun, playful skirt!

Life lately has been pretty busy. We went to my brother-in-law’s wedding in Georgia the first weekend in November and even though all that driving was exhausting, we had a great time. It was my father-in-law’s first time meeting Sebastian so he was ecstatic that we were able to come, and I loved seeing him interact with his grandson. The wedding was beautiful, and it was very nice spending time with family we don’t see very often. Oh, and we got this beautiful family selfie:

the Crews-Castillo family

Now I’m just looking forward to the holidays — seriously, how is NEXT week Thanksgiving? November is flying by — and counting down to my last day of work. In the meantime, I’m making all kinds of plans and goals for my time off, like working on my writing portfolio, taking some Photoshop and Lightroom classes, learning more about photography and blogging, exercising more, etc. I know I’m happiest when I’m creating content for my blog, so having more time to devote to it and learning more stuff to improve it will mean better content and a much happier Nikki. I really can’t wait, y’all!

Anyway, I hope everyone is looking forward to the holidays and living their best life. Thanks for hanging in there with me!

Blouse: a new day from Target | Skirt & Belt: Modcloth | Shoes:  | Sunnies & Watch: Target