What's in my bag

A look at what actually goes into the La Pendla Commuter Bag on a typical working day.

I've been using the La Pendla Commuter Bag as my main bag for a while now. The padded laptop sleeve, the separate gym compartment, the two cup holders. It's built around the rhythm of a day that includes both work and a workout, which happens to be most of my days.

Here's a breakdown of what's in it and why.

Food

Once a week I prep my lunches. The night before, I check the next day's schedule and decide whether to pack one container or two. They go into the insulated compartment and stay cold from home to the office without needing a fridge.

Drinks

I use both cup holders. One for my travel coffee mug, a Glacial 350ml tumbler in matte pink, and one for water. I add collagen to my coffee, currently the French Vanilla from BeKeto. The dual holders mean I'm not choosing between coffee and water on the commute.

Phones

I carry two: an iPhone 13 for work and a OnePlus 9 for personal use. The outer pockets of the bag keep them accessible without me having to go into the main compartment every time I need one.

Notebook and planner

A pink ring binder planner in A5. I use it for brain dumps, journaling, workout tracking, and work ideas. Writing things down rather than keeping them in my head means I actually remember them and clear the mental clutter. It goes in the main compartment and always has a dedicated spot.

Headphones

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 in lavender. I'm almost always listening to something, usually an audiobook. I'm currently in a romantasy phase. At around 5 grams each, they don't add any noticeable weight.

A small beauty essential

The IDUN Minerals Harriet lipliner, a soft brown-pink. It fits in the small front pocket and doesn't need much thought. The built-in sharpener and smudge tip mean I don't need to carry anything extra for it.

Gym gear

Lightweight gym clothes and a pair of Skechers in the dedicated lower compartment. The separate space means the rest of the bag doesn't pick up any moisture or smell after a session. I can go straight to the gym at lunch or after work without any extra planning.

That's roughly it. The bag holds everything without feeling heavy or disorganised. Most days I don't have to think about it, which is exactly the point.