Handbag Essential: The Just-In-Case Case

January 11, 2013

It appears inherent in the nature of the female species to want to be prepared with any and all items they or anyone around them might need at any given time– the modern day method being to tote (or lug, as the case may be) said items in a stylish satchel (see: Mary Poppins, Michelle Pfeiffer’s character in One Fine Day, et al.).

There is a line where this tendency towards precautionary stockpiling becomes nothing short of bag-lady-ness, and no lady should willingly be a bag lady. I do, however, endorse a healthy stash of preparedness products to be stored in one’s handbag.

The Just-In-Case Case. That one right there belongs to yours truly. Here’s the skinny:

1. Purell. Because when you have a hand-washing compulsion, a pseudo-sink-and-soap for on the go becomes necessary. Especially after pumping gas. And especially after anything.

2. Floss. Because you know how sometimes you bite into the apple at a weird angle and you end up with that invisible chunk between your two left incisors that feels so mammoth you fear imminent teeth-separation? And it drives you absolutely nuts until you can get it out? I’m just kidding, I don’t know what the heck incisors are, I’m no dentist!

3. Oil Sheets. Because shiny is good on coins but not on faces.

4. Gum/Mint. Because bad breath.

5. Band-aid. So that when you slit your hand open on a razor blade you didn’t see whilst organizing a tool bench you can cover your wound, instead of bleeding all over everything.

6. Tampon. See: above, sort of.

7. Chapstick. Because chapped lips can kill!

8. Perfume Atomizer. Because sometimes you just want a refresh.

9. Advil. Because it’s so hard to help people Live Simply while your brain is pounding away in pain.

10. Hand cream. Because when you have a hand washing compulsion, your hands tend to be dry and require constant rehydration.

11. Lipgloss(es). Because come on.

Now, you tell me; what’s in your just-in-case case?

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10 Comments

  1. Catherine on January 11, 2013 at 5:22 am

    Love this post! Perfect useful organizational tips with a dash of humor! xx

  2. MeaganS on January 11, 2013 at 5:39 am

    After my son was born, I’ve added an eye shadow stick to my bag because sometimes I just don’t have the time to put any makeup on until I get to work.

  3. Sarah Jensen on January 11, 2013 at 9:42 am

    You had me (dare I type this…) LOLing all over #5 & 6. Thanks for the Friday morning giggle 🙂

  4. Amye Mae on January 11, 2013 at 1:10 pm

    Also essentials that have been called upon in times of need from my “mary poppins” bag: tide-to-go stick, eye drops, mini nail files and double-sided fashion tape

  5. Amy @ Five Kinds of Happy on January 11, 2013 at 7:04 pm

    hahahah this made me laugh so much. Little miss witty! Good tips too. I tend to stash gum and face powder all through my bag pockets and then encounter flavourless damp gum and crumbly peach stuff at inopportune moments… 🙂

  6. Crystal on January 11, 2013 at 9:40 pm

    Great tips!!

  7. Kim on January 12, 2013 at 5:46 am

    I add a hair tie and bobby pins, and a safety pin to my bag, along with pretty much everything you mentioned.
    I bought my daughter a pre-made one of these for Christmas, and it cost $15!

  8. Kiona on January 13, 2013 at 12:02 pm

    Love this post!!! I am always reinventing my handbag essentials. This is important for a purse enthusiast like myself. In addition to what you have I also carry: travel toothbrush/paste, blush brush, small hair pick (I have an afro), nail file and clipper, tweezers, mirror compact, lipstick, and face wash. =) Is this too much!?

  9. Rachel {Little Bits of Lovely} on January 14, 2013 at 2:18 am

    Ha, I’m so guilty of carrying around way to much stuff I don’t actually need in my bag. I love this list of essentials! xx

  10. […] have two of these reusable zip bags: one filled with my just-in-case handbag items, and one which I use for travel cosmetics, which I routinely stuff to the point of being […]

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10 Comments

  1. Catherine on January 11, 2013 at 5:22 am

    Love this post! Perfect useful organizational tips with a dash of humor! xx

  2. MeaganS on January 11, 2013 at 5:39 am

    After my son was born, I’ve added an eye shadow stick to my bag because sometimes I just don’t have the time to put any makeup on until I get to work.

  3. Sarah Jensen on January 11, 2013 at 9:42 am

    You had me (dare I type this…) LOLing all over #5 & 6. Thanks for the Friday morning giggle 🙂

  4. Amye Mae on January 11, 2013 at 1:10 pm

    Also essentials that have been called upon in times of need from my “mary poppins” bag: tide-to-go stick, eye drops, mini nail files and double-sided fashion tape

  5. Amy @ Five Kinds of Happy on January 11, 2013 at 7:04 pm

    hahahah this made me laugh so much. Little miss witty! Good tips too. I tend to stash gum and face powder all through my bag pockets and then encounter flavourless damp gum and crumbly peach stuff at inopportune moments… 🙂

  6. Crystal on January 11, 2013 at 9:40 pm

    Great tips!!

  7. Kim on January 12, 2013 at 5:46 am

    I add a hair tie and bobby pins, and a safety pin to my bag, along with pretty much everything you mentioned.
    I bought my daughter a pre-made one of these for Christmas, and it cost $15!

  8. Kiona on January 13, 2013 at 12:02 pm

    Love this post!!! I am always reinventing my handbag essentials. This is important for a purse enthusiast like myself. In addition to what you have I also carry: travel toothbrush/paste, blush brush, small hair pick (I have an afro), nail file and clipper, tweezers, mirror compact, lipstick, and face wash. =) Is this too much!?

  9. Rachel {Little Bits of Lovely} on January 14, 2013 at 2:18 am

    Ha, I’m so guilty of carrying around way to much stuff I don’t actually need in my bag. I love this list of essentials! xx

  10. […] have two of these reusable zip bags: one filled with my just-in-case handbag items, and one which I use for travel cosmetics, which I routinely stuff to the point of being […]

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