I confess: my purse weighs like 30 pounds. I can't explain it, because the only really crucial things in there are my wallet, keys and Blackberry; yet somehow, stuff seems to multiply, and before I know it I'm practically up to my neck in lip gloss tubes, receipts, various containers of Advil and allergy medicine, packs of gum, dried out pens and stray earrings.
So, in light of my heavy handbag predicament,
I decided I need to narrow my purse inventory down to 5 basic essentials that should stay. The rest (nail polish remover?) need to go back to my house, stat.
1. Hand Sanitizer - I'm constantly out somewhere when I start to crave hand sanitizer; usually it's vintage shopping or bike riding or excessive subway riding. There's nothing worse than that icky feeling of having dirty or sticky hands and nothing to do about it. Stock up on those teeny Purell bottles and you'll always have a weapon against germs and grime.
2. Tampon or Panty Liner - Do I really need to explain to you how much it sucks to be caught out somewhere with no feminine products when you need them most? I'm sure you've all been there. Nowadays you can get Tampax Compak tampons and pantyliners that fold up no bigger than a matchbook (seriously, I have some from Always right now), so stash one in your purse's zippered pockets and wear shorts without fear.
3. Sunglasses - Driving on a sunny day with no shades is pretty difficult. Plus, they help you look cool.
4. Tissues - these always come in handy for me, in the weirdest ways. Is the public restroom stall out of toilet paper? Got a bleeding paper cut? Spill something in your car or on your dress? You are ALWAYS going to need tissues.
5. Ponytail band - The other week, I went to the gym and totally forgot a ponytail band. Seriously, trying to run with your hair down is one of the worst things ever. Don't be like me.
Ok, Lovelies, those are my purse essentials. We'll see if I can lighten my load a bit. What do you always have in your bag?
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Comments (85)
chapstick.
I have all those items except for sunglasses since I wear glasses. I have a mirror, blotting sheets, chapstick and always a water bottle.
@pure_dasani@xanga - yes! chapstick. i agree with the rest of the list, too.
sounds like a good idea, but the only one i actually carry is the tampons
and thats not even always, just when i need them
I'm the same way as well. At one point, I started to buy smaller purses so that I wouldn't be able to stuff all this junk that I didn't need in there but of course I did it anyway and my small purse began to look bulky. I've been good lately and have been cleaning out my purse every other day. I definitely agree with your list and would add just two other things - chapstick and hand cream.
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I have all of those in my purse except for the sunglasses. I also have to have gum and hairspray in there too!
i have all these and gum and chapstick :)
My I.D., bus card (can't afford to drive a car), water, and my cellphone.
haha lacking almost everything on that list. Correction, I do lack everything on that list.
Agreed with the entire list.
In addition, I have a small notebook, pen and a small bottle of pain reliever, just in case I get a headache or one of my friends do. =)
-chap stick
-blackberry
-hairbands
-change (for drink machines)
-wallet
-gum
-sunglasses
that's just the necessities. but like you i always end up with like 20 pounds of shit.
Be careful with hand sanitizers. Excess use of them kills essential
bacteria on your hands that aide in fighting off germs. You should just
try to wash them with gentle soap if you can.
I have all of those things, except for pony tail bands, because my hair is very short. In my purse I always have my wallet (with a transaction register, let's stay on top of our funds, ladies!), a book to read when I get delayed somewhere- which happens a lot- and chapstick. I am all about a light purse!
I carry my wallet, phone keys...and travel packets of various pain killers for my migraines, and chapstick. =)
I don't see the point in a hand sanitizer - it's just overkill.
I have - wallet, keys, transport pass, iPod. That's it. I don't see the need for anything else.
i agree with chapstick... and i like the tide to go pens. i don't have a lot of spills, but it's nice just in case :)
all of the above plus:
brush
water
chap stick (Kiehls lip balm)
lighter
mirror
gum
and
LOTION!!! I'm darker so dry skin on me looks like I was punching a pillow filled with powder. Now since its summer I have to remember to replace my regular moisturizer with one that has a bit of sunblock in it.
I agree with chapstick (I have 4 tubes right now in my purse!) but I also need a pen in my purse at all times. It comes in handy more than you'd think!
I bring pen and paper everywhere. I learned it from my leadership teacher. You never know when you have to write down something important.
tampon... no way, mooncup !
Sun glasses I don't have that in my purse. Tissues, pony tail bands and handcream for me.
Just had a pen, paper and a book.
my bag is already 20 lbs.. but i still dont hv all the stuff i need according to ur post.. hahahha.
My wallet, a notebook and pen, some body spray, my wallet with ID (but keep photocopies of your id and credit cards locked up at home just in case), a small amount of cash hidden in a pocket for emergencies like a bad date or an unsafe neighborhood or the "late night, dont want to walk home from work"
Lame.
I don't carry a purse. The essentials for me:
1. Cell phone
2. Chapstick
3. ID holder (holds driver's licence, bank card, student ID, a bandaid, and a $20 bill - and nothing else!)
4. Keys (I have these on a clip that also holds 2-3 hairbands.)
1-3 fit in ONE tiny pants pocket. 4 either fits in another pocket or clips onto my belt loops.
I leave the sunglasses in the car. I rarely have the need for feminine products when I'm out, but I stash a few in my car and in my bookbag, just in case.
your purse definitely sounds like my purse. i keep my life in there. although i like to stick with wallet, ipod, headphones, tanning lotion, gum, headband, toothbrush, chapstick, deodorant, a few spare kleenex, sunglasses, definitely ibuprofen and allergy pills, and occasionally makeup.
scar said it best; be prepared.