My days rarely look the same. One morning starts with a client appointment, the afternoon runs on emails and phone calls, and by evening I'm meeting friends for dinner or heading to an event I said yes to weeks ago. Running a business means living a little bit of everything, all at once.
Through all of it, one thing stays constant: the bag on my shoulder. It has to be organized enough for work, polished enough for the evening and ready for whatever surprise the day throws at me. Mine happens to be one of my most treasured pieces, a vintage Chanel Double Flap from the 1990s.
So I'm opening the clasp and showing you exactly what's inside: the essentials that keep my business running, my life on track and my days a little more fun.
The Bag: Vintage Chanel Classic Double Flap
Before we get to what's inside, let's talk about the bag itself. My Chanel Classic Double Flap dates back to the 1990s, and it has the kind of details collectors dream about: soft quilted leather that has only gotten more beautiful with time, and 24k gold-plated hardware with a rich, warm glow that newer bags simply don't have.
The double flap design is the secret to how much it holds. The inner flap keeps my everyday essentials organized, the back slip pocket is perfect for anything I need to grab quickly, and the chain strap lets me carry it on my shoulder through a busy workday or doubled up for dinner.
It's proof that true luxury doesn't fade. It gets better. Thirty years on, it's still the bag I reach for first.
For Business
Chanel card holder. A full wallet has no place in a Double Flap, and honestly, I don't miss it. My Chanel card holder carries exactly what I need: cards, ID and a few business cards for the connections I make along the way. It's slim, elegant and makes every tap at checkout feel a little more chic.
A small planner and a good pen. Call me old-fashioned, but my best ideas still happen on paper. My little planner holds meeting notes, client details, to-do lists and the occasional sketch of a new idea. Writing things down helps me think clearly, and crossing them off is one of life's small joys.
Wired headphones. Yes, wired. They never need charging, never disconnect mid-call, and never get lost in the bottom of my bag. Between client calls, podcasts on the go and a little music to focus, they're one of the hardest-working things I carry.
For Beauty
La Bonne Brosse hairbrush in ivory. If there's one thing I'll rave about to anyone who'll listen, it's this brush. La Bonne Brosse is a French brand founded by two friends, Flore des Robert and Pauline Laurent, who set out to perfect one thing: the hairbrush. Theirs are made in France with natural boar bristles, which are rich in keratin, much like our own hair. The bristles carry your hair's natural oils from root to tip, so hair looks shinier and healthier, and they help tame static and flyaways. Models that pair the boar bristles with nylon pins also give a scalp massage that feels like a mini spa moment in the middle of a hectic day. The travel size fits perfectly in my bag, and in soft ivory, it's as pretty as it is practical. One quick brush and I'm meeting-ready.
Chanel Rouge Coco Hydra Gloss in 447 Bourgeoisie. This is one of my all-time favorites from Chanel beauty. Bourgeoisie is the perfect nude: warm-toned, flattering and finished with just a hint of sparkle. It looks polished in a boardroom and glamorous at dinner, and it feels comfortable all day. A swipe of gloss is my two-second reset between appointments.
Compact mirror. For quick lipstick checks, a glance before walking into a meeting, or making sure there's nothing in my teeth after lunch. Small, elegant and absolutely essential.
Oval Chanel sunglasses. Living in Texas, sunglasses aren't optional. My oval Chanel sunnies have a little vintage flair that pairs perfectly with the Double Flap, and they make even a quick coffee run feel glamorous.
Mini perfume. A travel-size bottle of Tom Ford Lost Cherry means I can refresh before dinner or after a long day without carrying a full bottle. Rich, sweet cherry with a warm almond finish, it's playful, a little indulgent and unforgettable. A spritz of my signature scent is the final touch that makes me feel put together.
For Just in Case, and Just for Fun
Tide To Go pen. Coffee before a client meeting. Red wine at dinner. Salad dressing at the worst possible moment. My Tide pen has saved more outfits (and more days) than I can count. It's the least glamorous thing in my bag and possibly the most heroic.
Mints. Because you never know who you'll meet. Between back-to-back appointments, lunch meetings and spontaneous evenings out, a mint is the easiest confidence boost there is.
Louis Vuitton leather keychain. Every bag needs a little personality, and this is mine. My Louis Vuitton leather key holder keeps my keys easy to find at the bottom of my bag, and it adds a playful touch of color every time I pull it out. It's proof that even the most practical things can be a little fun.
Closing
So there you have it: everything it takes to run a business, live a full life and still have a little fun along the way, all tucked inside one vintage Chanel Double Flap.
The right bag doesn't just carry your things. It carries you through every meeting, every errand and every evening out. And when it's a piece with history, made beautifully and loved for decades, it carries a story too.
Finding your own forever bag? Explore our collection of authenticated Chanel, Louis Vuitton and more, in the shop or at our Dallas showroom.