I have never understood the thinking that everyday things don’t need to be nice. If anything, it’s more important to enjoy stuff you use or wear or are surrounded by every day, rather than things meant for special occasions (I’m suspicious of this notion of “special occasion” anyway – every day is a special occasion, there’ll never be another one like it).

That’s why I’m always excited when I find something practical that also manages to be pleasant to look at. I’m in fact quite astonished that in some categories there are still only ugly things available. Have you ever seen a non-ugly toothbrush, for example? I have seen one. One! Wash bags are almost as bad. It seems that all the horrible patterns ever designed and not wanted for anything else end up on wash bags and for some reason, people accept that. I have no explanation for this.

Therefore, I’m very happy with my new Charlotte Tilbury beauty bag. It bears a stunning image of Jerry Hall, shot by Norman Parkinson in the seventies on the shore of the Black Sea. It’s a limited edition (of course it is) collaboration that includes several make-up items and two bags. The entire collection is great, but this was the item I actually needed.

The bath bag is not huge, but still generously sized – see the products for comparison on the picture below. It fits all my bath essentials, but the best thing is it’s nice enough to throw into your beach tote or even use as a summer clutch with a white maxi dress or a relaxed trouser suit, for example. Every day.