Vilma Busquet’s Bag Is Small But Mighty, And Holds It All

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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 expats 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.

Vilma Busquets is no stranger to Jingkids, having been profiled in our magazine not once, but twice! But that’s just how much of an outstanding socialite this expat mom is in our community here. If you ask Vilma what she’s up to these days, she’ll tell you that she’s “in Beijing spending her husband’s money”. Well, let’s take a look at what she spends it on!

As the soccer-and-every-other-activity-there-was mom of two active boys (who are now almost 23 and 25), I had to be prepared for any eventuality. I used to carry a backpack equipped with extra clothes, water, snacks, a (well-used) first-aid kit, a small towel, nail clippers, a sewing kit, toys, books, tools, you name it. People would ask me if I carried lead! But often, when someone needed something, I had it, and they would look at me as if was crazy for actually having it, but they would be happy.

Now many years forward, the size of the bag has been reduced but the contents haven't varied much. I don't care much for fancy brands because I'm too tomboyish and practical for that. Also, my shoulders are too slanted, and those cute purses just won't stay put. So, now I use small cross body bags with the long strap across the chest, and with lots of pockets. But I know what's in each pocket. I can stick my hand in there with my eyes closed and find my lip balm quickly.

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Most of the items I carry are “because you never know”. I’m still asked if I carry lead.

Here’s what you'll find in her bag:

– two plastic shopping bags, two metal straws, because I love the Earth
– asthma medicine – a must
– dental floss, comb, lip balm, a pen, charger, earbuds, extra mask, tissues, keys, regular necessities
– a fan, for hot flashes
– subway card, can’t get an electronic one
– a couple of little wallets, bank and hospital cards
– cash, probably I’m the only one in Beijing
– a shoehorn, yes, a shoehorn
– and sometimes an umbrella, for those rainy days

This here is my little “just in case” bag, which contains:

– toothbrush and paste, more dental floss
– tea, sugar, and stir stick
– more lip balm, which I just realized I rarely use
– lipstick, which I would wear more if it weren’t for the darn masks
– hand creams, also rarely used, even if my hands are itching. It’s the thought that counts.
– hand sanitizer
– menthol thingy, mosquito bites, hate them
– band-aids, other people have needed them
– nail clippers, used to be my son’s when they were little
– more tissues, at my age you need them a lot
– sewing kit, safety pins, yep
– scissors, bottle opener, it only makes sense, and…
… all of this, because you never know!

Want to share your Beijing survival tools with us? Shoot us an email at [e-mail], message our official Jingkids WeChat account (ID: beijing-kids), or leave a comment below!

Images: Courtesy of Vilma Busquets

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