bags on a mission – Darkk Horse Travel

Of Many, One: National Women’s Equality Day

Published on August 26, 2018September 22, 2018 by Emilee1 Comment

Wake up at 7am. Feed the cat. Make some tea and breakfast. Pick out some clothes. Try not to wake him up. Brush my teeth. Lint roll all of my black clothes. White cat. Pack my backpack. Make sure I have my badge. Forget my phone. Put lavender in the diffuser. Run to the bus. Make the bus. Realize I forgot my phone.

This is what this morning looked like. It wasn’t glamourous or even noteworthy and in a lot of cases it would be considered a fail. But I’m learning the steps to a new dance. In the last two months I’ve become a cat mom, moved myself into my first apartment, and started a new (dream) job. It’s been crazy. Usually one of those things would be enough to upset a daily routine, but I’ve been juggling them all while having to realize that I’m only one person.

Sometimes I make it to yoga, sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I forget to change the kitty because I’m trying to remember to get groceries. Unfortunately one of the big things that’s been pushed to the back burner is my writing, which you’ve probably noticed from the complete lack of posts going up on this blog. It’s been a crazy couple of months and I just haven’t had the time or energy to type in between moving couches, giving flea treatments, and trying to spend time with people who are close to me.

But this is our life as modern-day women, isn’t it? We jump from one crazy thing to another, balancing each while smiling in a pair of taupe chunk-heeled pumps. In celebration of National Women’s Equality Day I decided to take a few minutes today to do something that take my life as a modern day business women and gives it spice: my community.

I feel so incredibly honored to have a supportive gent who has moved far more furniture than anyone should and my friends who have given me advice about how to take care of my cat, given me advice on how to ask for a decent salary (it’s really hard ladies, but you’re worth it!), and pushed me to keep creating even though I have a case of the crazies. Community is what it takes to thrive. And another community that’s been an inspiration in the midst of the chaos has been the one at R. Riveter.

Image may contain: 1 person, smiling — Me with the Corbin backpack from R. Riveter. Use code RREMILEEM for 15% off your order 🙂

Let me tell you, these women are absolute powerhouses and embody the idea that although we’re from different backgrounds and different geographical locations we are stronger together. We can make a difference by taking our skills and our strengths and building, instead of breaking. I’m so honored to have been a part of a community of women so committed to change. One of the most beautifully impactful ways being Marketplace which is a collection that donates proceeds directly to an award for other military spouse owned businesses.

We can make a difference. We just have to remember that when things get tough, it’s the village that raises us up to our potential.

Women’s History Month Highlight: R. Riveter Handbags

Published on March 21, 2018May 2, 2018 by EmileeLeave a comment

Let’s talk about some beautiful little bags. Most of you are probably aware that I’m a brand ambassador for R. Riveter bags, but one of the coolest things about this ambassador program is that this brand is the real deal. Since this month is National Women’s History Month I’ve decided to go a little more in-depth to tell you guys about the brand I’m so in love with. Don’t worry, this won’t feel like homework.

I personally own two bags from R.Riveter, The Otto and The Hobby. Now, other than these names just sounding cool they’re actually the names of two pretty incredible women who R. Riveter wanted to honor with their production.

Elinor Otto was one of the original Rosie the Riveters, and was actually the last surviving of the women who built America during WWII. In 1942 Otto joined a California aircraft manufacturer in order to take care of her young son. She made 65 cents per hour.”I’m a working person, I guess. I like to work. I like to be around people that work. I like to get up, get out of the house, get something accomplished during the day.”

Oveta Culp Hobby was the first secretary of the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, first director of the Women’s Army Corps, and a chairperson of the board of the Houston Post. In other words…she kept busy. Something I love about Oveta is that she’s a go-getter. She didn’t have a formal education, but still became a journalist when she was 26 years old. During WWII she was the first woman to ever be awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for her efforts during the war. She went on to be an editor and politician and publisher. As a fellow writer, I admire Oveta as a pretty outstanding example of what one woman can do when she sets her mind to it.

Both of these women are such amazing examples of tenacity, but I also want to acknowledge the women who are hard at work making the gorgeous R.Riveter bags. One of the awesome things about these bags is that each piece is stamped by the woman who created and/or assembled it. Here’s who made my Hobby:

RR079: Amanda R. (Who you can find out more about by clicking HERE)

RR024: Jocelyn (Who you can find out more about by clicking HERE)

RR053: Danie H. (Who you can find out more about by clicking HERE)

These are just three of the strong, beautiful, independent women who assembled my bag, and I love that I’m able to find each of them on the R. Riveter site. That’s pretty incredible. I’m so happy to be part of the R. Riveter community, and to be working to provide stable income for military spouses throughout the U.S. Like the site says, it really isn’t about the bags at all. It’s about empowering women, and the people behind each and every bag that is sold.

If you would like to purchase a bag from R. Riveter, you can use the code RREMILEEM for 15% off your purchase. Because I love you.

The Perfect Travel Bag | The Otto From R. Riveter

Published on December 6, 2017April 13, 2018 by EmileeLeave a comment

On Saturday I got back from a two week backpacking trip through Western Europe and Northern Africa and throughout that time I developed a love connection with my newest bag, The Otto, from R. Riveter. Now, I am an ambassador for R. Riveter, but they did not sponsor this post, nor did they pay me to say beautiful things about them. This is, plain and simple, my honest opinion on a bag I think that every travel blogger should own.

Over the past five years of traveling I’ve definitely developed a routine for what works best for me. I have my favorite adaptor, my favorite travel document carrier, and my favorite pack. But I’ve never been able to pin down my favorite travel bag (you know, the one that goes UNDER the seat when you fly). And believe me, I’ve tried to find something that works. If you know me, you know I go through clothes and accessories like my life depends on it, so this is probably the sixth or seventh bag I’ve tried. Luckily, I’ve finally found something I can count on. Here’s why:

The leather handles are one of my favorite feature with this bag because not only does it come with hand straps, but it also comes with a cross-body strap. This is pretty essential because when I already have a 30 lb pack on my back, the last thing I want is to be carrying a cross-body bag with more stuff in it, and when I’m riding the metro during rush hour (without my pack) the last thing I want is to have to hold on to handles.

When I travel I generally pack very minimal, in regards to clothing. I go for muted colors and a few accessories that can get me through photos without looking like I’ve been cut and pasted into each place. It’s really important to me, therefore, to have a bag that shows quality and simplicity at the same time. The Otto is the perfect balance of chic and also something people notice.

Size really does matter when it comes to having the perfect travel bag, and The Otto wins this category in spades. The elongated rectangular shape is perfect for putting books, tablets, and other necessities in and I found this so helpful during day trips where I had to have everything I would need for 11 hours in one bag.

Natural History Museum | London, England

When you’re buying a bag you want it to fit into every part of your lifestyle, and that includes being able to transform as a beautiful day bag for work, to a travel accessory fit for Indiana Jones.

The real question, of course, is how much can you ACTUALLY fit in this thing? Well, for science, I decided to try it out. As you can see, there’s quite a lot that can go in, including (but not limited to) my tablet, a novel, my passport, a water bottle, chapstick, my travel organizer, currency from four different countries, napkins, snacks and postcards. Whew! But honestly, one of the best features of this bag is that it comes with a sturdy zipper to seal all of this madness away. Especially when it comes to stowing it under airplane seats (which I did seven times during this trip), it’s invaluable to know your valuables aren’t going to be sliding back to row 33 during take-off.

The pockets are another beautiful, and functional, things about this bag. And let me tell you how much I love beauty and functionality. There are two pockets on the outside of the bag that hug the shape so if you put little items like bus tickets in them they’re not going to blow away. In addition there are two slot pockets on the inside (where I kept my keys, chapstick and other little bits and pieces) and a zipper pocket that stretches almost the length of the back of the bag. This zip pocket I actually used as a wallet for change while I was traveling because I never travel with an actual wallet (story for another time).

Stylish, dependable and made by military spouses, there really isn’t a way to lose on this bag. I’m so happy to have mine for this and for all of my future expeditions. It really is the perfect travel companion. Until next time!