10 Signs You Know You're a BL

With a busy week at work and home I've been pretty behind on the blogging. But, last night as I couldn't fall asleep I started thinking about one of my favorite topics- BLisms. Anna and I coined the term BL a few years ago, short for Bag Lady, to describe our lifestyles. What, exactly, is a BL? I decided to pull the top ten signs of a good BL. Who knows? You might be one too.

10. Everything involves an insane amount of planning.
The planning doesn't have to do with a type A personality, but all relates back to what needs to be brought along. Take this past Sunday, for example. Emma's lovely opera recital, all the way out at George Mason, required alot of planning. First, BLs carpool. Gotta save gas. Second, driving somewhere further than 30 minutes away, given the great amount of gas usage, must be made into a multi unit event to make the trip more worthwhile. Third, once the series of events is determined, it's time to back the bags. Makeup, snacks, books if there is an awkward amount of time, school/ work documents carried simply for the purpose of reminding you they exist. Does any of this ever get used? Normally no. But best to be prepared.
  
9. You have a strange interest in Mary Kate Olsen's life. 

MK, the world's richest and most famous BL. 

Mary Kate is a billionare fashion designer BL. And every kid in the 90s loves Full House. Enough said.


8. You don't own tissues or napkins. 
In the BL quest to travel and buy clothes, there are certain costs that must be pared down. A typical household has multiple paper products: napkins, paper towels, toilet paper, and tissues. A BL buys paper towels and TP at Sam's Club, and uses them for all purposes. A paper towel folded in half is a napkin. Toilet paper can be softer than tissues. And given that a box of tissues that aren't horrific costs $3 (that's a latte, people, or a shirt at the thrift store) that money can be much better spent. BUT you must buy fancy toilet paper. Your ass deserves it.

7. You never wear only one layer of clothing. 

Photo from the Sartorialist. 

BLs are on the go, hence the multiple bags. Depending on where you might be during the day, different levels of clothing might be needed. A tank top and leggings base, with a tunic, sweater, scarf, jeans, boots, ballet flats in bag, and jewelry will take you through whatever the day may bring.

6. You have grazing type eating habits. 
Even when home, BLs are accustomed to eating portable foods that can be thrown in a lunch bag. Lots of crackers, fruits, baby carrots, cheese, cereal, fruit leathers, and candy make up the diet of a BL. And sushi. When you eat out, it's gotta be sushi.

5. In the aforementioned measure, you are able to make a meal out of the free samples at Whole Foods when you go to buy whatever organic fruit's on sale. 
The food samples at Whole Foods are a treasure. Show up at 5pm, pick up your home food essentials, and dinner is on them. If you're lucky, there just might be dessert.

4. You like to travel, but travel cheap. 
The world is a wide and wonderful place for a BL, but travel is expensive. Ways to bring down the cost? Bring cost saving measures such as #8 and #5 into your life, and put the savings into a travel fund. Get airline gifts cards as birthday and holiday gifts. Join Southwest rapid rewards- if you travel at work, 8 flights gets you one free! Make a friend in every place you care to visit- free lodging! Just bring a yummy homemade hostess gift.


3. You believe all strange leftovers can be made into a stir-fry or soup. 
Whether they're your own leftovers, or those snagged from a potluck or family dinner, they only have about a 5 day shelf life, and it pains a BL to throw away food. The magic solution? Stir fry or soup. These methods are especially great for veggies at the end of their life. Have the kind of leftovers that can't be reworked? Invite over your friends, make some tea, and call it a buffet.

2. If you drive a car, it must be of a dependable brand, and have some very apparent aesthetic issues. Unless you're lucky and drive a Prius. 
My personal BL life began when I didn't have consistent use of a car, and would be gone for 12 hours at a time or longer with work and school. Now, with a car, I still carry as many bags but get to leave them in the back seat. Is it a coincidence that most of my friends drive (and me) drive Fords? No. Coincidence that these Fords have some visual issues (black hood on a silver car, huge dent running the length of the car, etc)? No. I mean, I could pay $1000 to have the dent in my car fixed, or I could go to New York for New Year's and go snowboarding in Colorado, and put money towards my student loans. Which sounds better?


1. You carry a lot of bags. And none of these bags ever match.
The obvious number one sign of a BL? The large quantity of bags. If you need an oversized purse, shoulder bag, lunch bag, reusable shopping tote, and large coat pockets just to leave the house, then you are most likely one of us. The sad thing? I can't find a great picture of a BL at her bag carrying finest!! If you have one of yourself, send it to me!

Nicole showing off the multiple bag look. Thanks Margot!!