Enjablog

Just about a month ago, I bought a bag from Timbuk2. I had been referred to their site and products by a couple people, but didn’t find anything that was just right, even though they have plenty of options to build your own bag.

I am coming to terms with the fact that I’m too busy to design and implement a bag that’s durable enough for my needs… So, I went back to check out the site again and found that they have a mini messenger bag option (Eula, x-small — being discontinued). I don’t know if they had it before and I didn’t notice, or if it was a new thing. In any case, I went for it and I am so pleased with it!

I took a picture of all the stuff I try to carry around with me, but never seemed to have enough space for in my bag… until now:
- hands-free set for phone, including headphones to listen to music
- keys
- flashlight
- current bus book (Anathem by Neal Stephenson)
- plastic bag, just in case
- badges for work
- wallet
- business cards
- umbrella
- pen, pencil, sharpie
- pile of quarters Ian handed me yesterday
- phone
- bandaids, just in case
- eraser
- thumb drive
- going out chapstick (sparkly)
- regular chapstick (not sparkly)
- fish oil pills/meds
- hair tie
- ziplock baggie… just in case
- mirror
- pirate buff
- Dash bus schedule, which I probably use ~once/month. But when I do, this comes in handy. Hm. Now that I’m thinking about it, I should probably just take a picture of the pages I need and store them on my phone. That’d be much smarter…
- composition book that I use to run my life when google’s busy… or when I just feel like writing stuff on paper instead of typing
- small microfiber towel (for wiping off wet seats on the bus/metro)
- earrings
- necklace
- calculator

I don’t know why I am compelled to carry all these things with me, but I do. And now I can. The bag is incredibly light, so even with all this stuff, it comes out just a smidge heavier than the large book I’ve been carrying around lately.

My umbrella pouch easily clips to the strap on the bag, so I can leave it out when it’s wet. My phone is always with me, so I can trust my alarm on there to remind me when to take my meds… which are conveniently in an adjacent pocket in my bag. My life is so incredibly organized these days!

I highly recommend this bag if you’re looking for something casual and small-ish, but still find yourself needing the flexibility to carry around a notepad or manilla folder every now and then. Or if you enjoy having a book with you at all times.

Only downside: velcro is super loud. It’s very functional because I overstuff the bag and I never have a problem keeping the bag shut. It’s just loud when I’m trying to sneak in and get something out of my bag on the bus or in a meeting.

Dimensions: 12″ x 8.5″ x 3.5″
My pattern: Argyle Socks Spice