What's In My Bag? (The Real Mom Edition) - Functional Planning with Kristan Kremer

I recently did a purse clean-out, and let me tell you, it was… an adventure. So many receipts!! But the real question is, what actually makes the cut to go back in?

The links on this page may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking, I will receive a small percentage (it costs you nothing). Visit my favorites page for coupon codes!

Let’s peek inside my current go-to bag: my Erin Condren Olive Sling Bag with the Asterisk strap. I love this bag because it’s lightweight and hands-free, which is a total lifesaver when you’re juggling kids and everything else. You can also customize how the strap functions for the perfect fit, and it has so many compartments for staying organized! My huge Samsung Note 20 Ultra 5G phone fits perfectly in the back pouch, keeping it super accessible and safe right next to my body.

Front & Center: Quick Access Essentials

In the front pocket, which has a handy magnetic snap closure, I keep the things I need to grab fast:

My eyeglasses: Essential for driving at night or enjoying a movie!
My little Louis Vuitton pouch: This holds my everyday lip essentials: my favorite Chanel Rouge Coco Flash in 97 Ferveur and my reliable Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me. A little pop of color can make a big difference!
My keys: When I’m out and about, my keys live right here for easy access. No more digging!

The Main Event: Inside the Zippered Compartment

This is where the magic happens! 😜

My Wallet: This is an oldie but goodie from Louis Vuitton. Yes, it’s huge and heavy, but my husband got it for me many years ago. It was such an investment, I want to get as much use out of it as possible. For summer, though, I’m definitely switching to a smaller wristlet card holder style. I anticipate moving between lots of different tote bags for pool days and other activities, and a lighter option will be much better!
My Purse Planner! This is an Erin Condren B6 Monthly Planner and Notebook system that I put together myself. I absolutely love that it’s compact but packed full of function – it will help me remember tasks and manage time effectively without feeling overwhelmed. You can even watch my mini Erin Condren planner setup video on my channel right here:

I also keep a foldable hair brush with a hair tie attached at the very bottom. You never know when you’ll need to tame a wild mane!

The Inner Sanctuary: Mini Zip Pocket Must-Haves

Inside the main compartment, there’s a mini zip pocket, and this is prime real estate for:

SNACKS! Because a hungry mom is not a happy mom. My favorite gluten-free, dairy-free snacks for on the go are applesauce pouches, beef jerky sticks, roasted peanuts, and ChocZero sugar-free keto chocolate. These are my secret weapon against meltdowns (mostly mine!).
My teeny pill case: This holds the essentials like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and my husband’s dairy pills. Always good to be prepared!

The Verdict? A Simple System That Works for Me

My purse isn’t designed for aesthetics, and it’s certainly not perfect, but it’s functional and sustainable. It’s filled with the things I need to get through the day, keep myself and my family happy (or at least not hangry!), and feel somewhat prepared for the unexpected. I have learned that packing my bag full of everything just in case has never really benefitted me. This simple system helps me feel a little more calm and in control amidst the beautiful chaos of mom life. And that’s all any of us can ask for, right?