Beijing’s an urban jungle, and in any jungle, we need tools to survive and thrive. As urban jungle dwellers, we’ve managed to blend practicality with style, resulting in the modern bag. Here, form meets function, and what looks stylish and fashionable on the outside contains all our essential survival tools on the inside. Inspired by this, we ask expat parents each week, “What’s in your bag?” and get insights into which essentials they keep on hand when out and about in the capital city.
Tina Tendai Makuku is a wife, mom, jewelry designer, author, educator, entrepreneur, and founder of Chariots Handmaydz. She enjoys motivating people to discover their creativity through jewelry-making workshops. Beijing is a diverse city and after meeting people here who wanted to know more about African culture, she was inspired to start a fashion line of African-themed jewelry.
“My all-weather bag is this Batik African bag. I love it because it’s designed by artisans from my country. It is made out of strong material and its handles are easy and comfortable to carry. It has a beautiful handmade painting and writing. I love carrying so much stuff in my bag from my laptop to notepads to an extra pair of earrings, and this bag provides the space for all of it, while staying light! I can take it everywhere – to work, shopping and my workshops.”
In this unique batik bag, I carry small bags and my wallet. Each bag contains a different set of items. These are my little organizer bags. I got them here in Beijing and I love their colors and patterns. I carry around my wallet that a friend gave me for my birthday. She got it on one of her trips, and again, I love its unique patterns and colors!
I love wearing jewelry so I carry around a wooden pair of Chariots earrings. They are great for any occasion. If ever I forget to put on earrings those are my go-to earrings.
I love writing down notes. I enjoy the old-school way of doing things when it comes to writing. When I put pen to paper my thoughts just flow. I carry around this small book. It also contains some guideline dates of a 52-week journal that I’m working on. I also write down my thoughts and ideas of new jewelry creations and a to-do list.
I carry a few essential items around just to help me freshen up. These items include my very own body spray creation, which I’m currently working on! I’m trying out different combination scents and this one happens to be my favorite. It’s a blend of frankincense, lavender, and lemon.
My husband always gives me a packet of Halls that I keep in my bag all the time. And I carry around extra masks. One time, a stranger forgot his mask and only realized it when the bus conductor was reminding him to put on his mask. I happily gave him one.
“When I carry my bag, I feel safe because I know I have everything I need to have a comfortable day.”
Want to share your Beijing survival tools with us? Shoot us an email at editor@beijing-kids.com, message our Official Jingkids WeChat account (ID: beijing-kids), or leave a comment below!
KEEP READING: What’s In Your Bag? With Minimalist, Coach, and Go-Getter Jeff Layman
Images: Courtesy of Tina Tendai Makuku
