Hello SOTGC community,
Do you have a handle on your purse? You know, the contents are neatly nestled in their place and quickly accessible with the feel of your fingers. Not the giant single pocket carpet bag that requires a storage shelf close by and flashlight to find what’s needed on a moment’s notice. Okay, I promise not to judge if you may not be the queen of organized handbags because we are women on a mission and masters of our daily schedule, but, oh, how fond I am of a useful tool. My purses are not known to be grand because the truth is I would prefer not carry one at all (I covet the hands free life) so it must be colorful and edgy with plenty of smaller pockets inside and the contents that rival a Girl Scout’s knapsack.
Want to take on the Girl Scouts motto of “Be Prepared” with me? Here is my list of the top 15 things that should be found in a prepared woman’s purse at all times, in addition to the standard ID and keys.
The PAK Store Personal Accessories Kit keeping you beautiful, clean, and in control with 30 anytime essentials in a pack the size of a woman’s hand. You’ve gotta check out this team and get a pack for yourself and your best girlfriends! (To our fans in the UK and around the world, The PAK ships globally.)
Feminine Items: Just one or two compact size in case of emergencies for yourself or a fellow lady in distress.
Travel Antiperspirant and Deodorant Wipes: These little inventions are seriously FABULOUS! These are included in The PAK and you may find them at La Fresh – based out of Chino, Calif. These are perfect for those days when we rush out the door and forget to use our daily deodorant or to just freshen up on hot, humid days. They offer powerful wetness and odor protection without spills or leaks.
Hand Lotion: Your favorite hydrating cream with a gentle scent or unscented in a miniature size to keep your hands soft and youthful between multiple daily hand washings. You can always squeeze a little from your full-size tube at home into a re-usable Human Gear GoToob for your purse.
Hand Sanitizer: (Included in the PAK) I prefer a mini spray tube to keep with me for easy use and no mess in my bag. Hand sanitizers are not effective if your hands are visibly dirty. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, but sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs. Always use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
Nail File: (Included in the PAK) A rough edge can cause snags in just about any fabric or on skin. Keep your nails nicely groomed for confident handshakes and business demonstrations.
Linen Oil Blotters: (Fits in the PAK) Powder-free tissues instantly absorb excess oil without disturbing makeup leaving a soft, matte finish. Of course my favorite are the Mary Kay Beauty Blotters and you get 75 for just $6!
Lipstick, Lip Gloss, or Tinted Lip Balm (or all 3!): (The PAK has a lip color loop if you don’t want to carry a separate lip and mirror mini case.) A bright lip and a wide smile brighten up your whole look. Don’t let your lips go drab during the day. Even my most determined makeup minimalist loves a good tinted lip balm! I’ve got a few for you that you will adore for just $10.
Tooth Brush and Paste: (Included in the PAK) This travel size duo helps you keep your teeth for life. Brushing after each meal not only keeps you from embarrassing conversations with spinach stuck in your teeth or the scent of lingering lunch ingredients of delicious garlic and onions but helps ensure you don’t wreck your teeth with age. Oral health science has proven the ideal is to brush your teeth three times a day: after breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But if you do it too soon, you can scrub away tooth enamel that becomes softer in the acidic environment created in your mouth when you eat. “Make sure you wait 30 to 60 minutes after each meal, which gives the acidity time to neutralize and the teeth time to remineralize,” says Debra Gray King, DDS, FAACD, of the Atlanta Center for Cosmetic Dentistry.
Cash and Spare Change: You’ll always have what you need to feed older parking meters, give tips, and pay for small meals.
Mouth Spray or Breath Fresheners of some sort: (Included in The PAK) Gum isn’t always the ideal option, especially when traveling abroad or entering a business meeting. Sprays and mints are little more versatile and absolutely more polished.
Mini Perfume/Essential Oil: This can be in the form of a purse atomizer, roll-on or solid. It’s kind to smell fresh. I am aware that body odor and “smelling pretty” is more of an obsession in the US than other areas of our great world, but I think giving off a clean, fresh, light scent boosts our confidence and encourages others to move into our space.
Mirror: No need to be obsessed with our own reflections but I find it a helpful habit to check my appearance a couple times each day or before meetings in order to touch up my lips, take down the shine, and return stray hairs to their rightful place.
Hair Elastic or Clips for shorter hair: This is especially useful if it’s a particularly windy day or an unexpected storm moves overhead. It’s also great to take your look from day to night by sweeping it up or back before going to an evening event.
Business Cards with QR Code: When traveling, many people’s phones end up powerless at inconvenient times so an actual paper card is less likely to get misplaced than a scrap of paper with scribbled information keeping you from losing an important new connection. Having a QR code allows you to quickly get on someone’s expert contact list and help the environment a wee bit by keeping paper passing to a minimum when possible.
Tell me what your must-have purse item is in the comments below. I’m always learning from this awesome community!
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All Set and Ready To Go,
Cobi
