Tales of the Tank - The 50 Cal aka le Clutch

So if you've been following my Tales of the Tank, you'd know that I am a lady with a love of big purses. Partly out of necessity, for me anyway, and partly because they pretty. I don't normally do small bags as they don't hold nearly enough of the things that I need on a daily basis. But with May introducing the warmer weather and huge events, like my BFF's college graduation and a few concerts of the classical variety, le tank isn't always the best thing to show up with. Safe to say that the tank may be a bit much and so a different weapon must be used in close combat, the clutch purse.

According to my little brother, the military warfare type guy, I had to get the appropriate title for this post and for the clutch. He suggested the 50 Cal. Technically it's a gun that helps the tank in the close combat because who wants to waste a huge tank round on something that could be better taken care of by something smaller and quicker. It can still pack a punch when it needs to without endangering the tank or the crew inside.

Now that you've learned you something new, we can leave the metaphor and come back to the clutch itself. It was not easy for me to use, at first. They are small, don't hold much, small, easy to lose, and did I mention small? Sometimes there's a handle or a wristlet or it's just nekkid (yes nekkid and not naked). But it has it perks when I'm somewhere that doesn't really require my entire arsenal. So narrowing down the necessities from what I use on a daily basis to a specific event is also not easy but I've finally found the basics for any event that requires something smaller with a punch.

1. compact mirror - because there may not be a bathroom
2. lippie - chapstick, lipstick, liquid lip, just make sure it matches what you have on..
3. external battery - I will never not have one, read on here
4. mascara - whether it's full size or trial size is up to you
5. smaller coin purse with cash and/or card plus ID - because duh!
6. Wisps, mints, gum (pick your poison) - ain't nobody got time for pepper in your teeth

Now if your boyfriend is like mine, then occasionally you hold the tickets too. But despite the lack of space, it can really help pull a look together. The clutch goes from luggage to a statement accessory with the ability to pack a punch. Needless to say, I've had a few over time to go with just about every level of fancy. And the best part is that they don't have to cost an arm and a leg.

It's all about the care. My first clutch was from Rue 21 for $10 and I still use and the shape has held for many a year. My fanciest is a great gift from my wonderful friend this last Christmas. She thought of me because 1, It's all sequins and 2, I almost bought it myself. Fun fact, it was the only clutch of that kind at maurices in town so who feels super special? This chick! *points at myself*

What do you put in your clutch for special occasions?


Other Tales of the Tank
Makeup - http://bit.ly/TOTTMakeup
Electronics - http://bit.ly/TOTTTech
The Vessel - http://bit.ly/TOTTTank
Panda - http://bit.ly/TOTTPanda

Weekend Travel - I Got This!

Packing for a weekend does seem hard right? I was heading up to spend the weekend with my BFF, it is tax free weekend and since he lives in a bigger city, it just made sense. Part of getting myself together is a lot of throw it as you go and sometimes it works but more times it does not. It may be normal to feel like you’re forgetting something but it’s a totally different thing when you really are forgetting something and remembering it all when you’re twenty miles out. However, on the plus side I do have some things that never fail to work every time.

Now I will say that I don’t do as much travelling as I would like, but I’m all for having the right tools for the right situation. So when I go to town since my BFF and I are house sitting, he is using what will be his messenger back pack… If I could take a picture of the face I made I would but I can’t so I won’t. I had the same issue with my boyfriend. One of the first few trips we made, he carried his stuff in a plastic bag. This would not due. This is a guy who’s travelled a bit, like a lot more than I have. And the last straw was when he going to have another big guy trip with his crew. So I could Not NOT be a good girlfriend and let that happen. That was one year where I was so proud of my Christmas present.

I’m a huge fan of bags, big and small. There’s always something that can be compartmentalized, especially for a trip. I have 3 that I will always pack no matter what. One for makeup, one for bathroom stuff, and one for a few other things that don’t go with the other two.

My ‘beauty’ bag was probably one of the greatest finds at Forever 21. It’s small but holds a ton and a half. I have my primers, makeup basics, and brushes all in one bag. I have different brush brands so they are different sizes but the Lawd is on my side because they all fit and it zips into the little square shape. The bigger pink one is one that I have my must-haves, hair comb because my hair is so short now that I don’t really need a brush, my deodorant because duh, and a body spray. When my hair was longer, I had a slew of rubber bands and bobby pins, but kinda don’t need it anymore minus the bobby pins, those just tend to disappear.

Now don’t judge the giant zip lock bag, there is a method to the madness. Bathroom stuff is messy. Whether its shampoo and conditioner or the baby powder and baby oil, zip lock bags are the easiest things to use and to replace. If you’re traveling, definitely they will save your life and the rest of your luggage. When I went to Vegas, my friend had his toiletries in one corner of his suitcase and they leaked. On a different occasion, one of my aunts made a trip to the Land of Enchantment from back east, back in the Aqua Net days and her can of hair spray exploded. Just think about it. Would you rather have a mess over everything in your suitcase including the suitcase itself OR would you rather have it in a clear plastic bag that you can just dump in the sink and rinse it off?

I think everyone should have a few sizes as far as bags for travel. One for overnight, one for a weekend, and one for everything else. If you’ve read my Emergencies post then you’ve seen my go-to silver bag. I’d say it’s a solid weekender bag. There’s a ton of space and even though you know that the material is a bit thin, it is sturdy as hell. I’m kind of hard on my bags and yet, this one has made it thru every trip I’ve had with it so far. Moral of the story, if you’re going to spend money, make it count because quality can mean pretty cute and pretty practical.  

On A Scale of 1 - Even, I Can't Even

This past weekend I can't begin to tell you how excited I was. My boyfriend, knowing the nerd I am, decided we should go to a sing-a-long movie viewing of Pitch Perfect. Talk about aca-awesome. Not to mention it's our first trip of the year so it makes up for the few bad days I've already had. That night was nice, we ate, we drank, I sang my heart out and quoted nearly every word as did the rest of the room. Come to think of it I'll probably have a post about it a little later but for now.....

So the next day was just easy. Window shopped and did a little actual shopping, a little more than I should have, but then I ran into these at Forever 21. Stopped me dead in my tracks and now here we are.

My first initial thought was, "Is this some kind of joke?" I hoped and prayed it wasn't just on the plus size end and thankfully it wasn't. But honestly, how appealing are these? When did this become a thing and me apparently not get the memo?? They had a manikin or two dressed up in them where they tried to make it work and I give them kudos for trying but the only time I like wearing pants with an elastic waist band is in bed or at the gym. I know I'm lazy but this just takes it to a new level that is just beyond me.

I remember when I was younger and sometimes the only thing we could find to fit me were pants like this. But in my now, then, small town didn't have any resources let alone internet that wasn't dial up. Plus size clothes weren't where they are now and online shopping was all but the devil trying to get my parents card number and to top it off, dial-up. Nuff said. But the point is that I remember never feeling comfortable in them while everyone else in my class were wearing 'hip huggers'. I was already teased and ignored for being too smart and pants like this didn't help my twelve year old self to fit in.

Maybe it's just me and my bad memories of this but in my mind, fashion has come to far and yet things like this still make me feel like we are trying to be put back in our place. All I have to say about that is go ahead and try.