Ever since I made the switch from diaper bag to handbag, I’ve had to learn all over again what to put in my fancy new red purse that I lug everywhere I go.
Because I’m so nice, I’ve decided to share what I’ve learned with you.
You’re welcome.
1.) Kleenex. Kids are full of snot. Need I say more?
2.) Ponytail holders (hair-ties, rubber bands, whatever you call them). With 2 girls who are into activities such as wakeboarding, martial arts, gymnastics, and park playing rubber bands are always needed to pull their crazy hair out of their faces.
3.) Quarters. Those damn vending machines at the grocery store and little carousel rides at the mall will get the kids to beg like nothing you have ever seen before. Occasionally you have to give in.
4.) Eyeglasses cloth. Somehow those sticky little kid fingers will always find a way onto your very cool new sunglasses and drive you batty. Keep a cloth in your purse so you won’t have to pull up your dress or shirt in public to clean them (not that I’ve ever done this before).
5.) A Reusable Shopping Bag. With countless trips to the library, Target, the candy store, etc. it’s good for you and the environment to keep a shopping bag in your purse. I found one that folds up with a snap thing to keep it in a little ball, works perfect.
6.) Bandaids. Kids and falling down go together like tequila and limes. Or peanut butter and jelly if you aren’t a tequila fan like I am. Bandaids always seem to make those little scrapes feel so much better, even if there is no blood.
7.) Hand Sanitizer. See # 1 and add that kids require countless trips to public restrooms.
8.) Gum. I’m not really sure why this made the list other than gum is good to have for you, for the kids, for the husband, for anyone else with stinky breath.
9.) Notebook (and a writing utensil). Yep, there are rare times that you will find your iPhone is not glued to your hand and you need real paper and a pen to write down something down.
10.) Mini bottles of your favorite alcoholic poison. For you, not the kids. For emergencies. Like when you can’t find creamer for your coffee and you aren’t the one driving.
Alright, I suppose you could skip #10 if you really wanted to but what fun would that be?
So, tell me…what’s the one thing you must always have in your purse? And what’s your favorite color purse? I’m thinking it might be time to get a new one (a girl can never have too many bags, right?)
Linking up with Stasha for Monday Listicles because it’s been awhile since I’ve made a list.
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Our purses have many of the same things in them!! I had to laugh out loud to #10
Runnermom-jen recently posted..Real
I thought #10 would be a laugh out loud addition.
Lip gloss of some kind is a must-have for me!
Also, I want a new bag for fall. Let’s shop
angela recently posted..Chipped Nails and Fairy Tales
I have lip gloss in my purse but I have to keep it hidden because a certain small child I’m related to loves it way too much.
I’ll shop with you any day.
Hello! My iPhone of course!
I want a new purse. But I know Donut will steal it for herself.
Rach (DonutsMama) recently posted..How the Internet Has Ruined Me
I didn’t include my iPhone on the list because it’s always in my hand.
Twitter: Jill_theSWM
says:
Love the list! I keep forgetting the recycling bag though. And #10? A must.
Jill recently posted..Monday Listicles: Wedding
The recycling bag is perfect for so many different things.
Twitter: SensbileMoms
says:
Love the red purse. I’m rocking a teal one right now. Always like purple, too. It surprisingly goes with most any other color. Think about it.
Ellen
Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms recently posted..10 Steps To Prevent Your Wedding From Being Pintershit
Purple would be a pretty color for a purse.
Twitter: beeswithhoney
says:
Great list. I need to add a few items to my purse. Thanks for the tips! Love the purse, by the way
))
Bruna recently posted..household chores
Thank you! I’ve been happy with the purse so far.
I want a mustard yellow bag!
I now need to carry around snacks, a water bottle, diapers, wet wipes, a pacifier, a blanket, something for the baby to chew on and the iPad. And I’m stuffing all this into my very large bag. I dumped the diaper bag.
Alison recently posted..I Don’t Sleep
I’m so happy I no longer have to carry around all of that stuff.
Twitter: DesertChica
says:
I am in an in between stage where I can go just bigger purse on short adventures or swap back to a diaper bag for bigger ones, so I am constantly moving stuff around in bags and FORGETTING stuff as a result!!
Karen – Desert Chica Ramblings recently posted..No Honeymoon Pictures
I would be a mess always trying to switch stuff back and forth. I’m sure I would always forget my wallet.
Twitter: Twinisms
says:
A first aid kit!! I’m usually the one with the injury!
Twitter: NorthWestMommy
says:
I thought jessica covered that under #10??
I do keep a first aid kit in my car.
Twitter: NorthWestMommy
says:
What about chocolate?? Guess it would melt right? Love that purse. Specially in green.
My mom keeps chocolate in her purse but I’m outside too much for that.
Twitter: babspinfrance
says:
Other than the hair twisties, I’m right there with you!
Barbara recently posted..A day in the life…sans mots
That would be the difference between moms of girls and moms of boys.
Twitter: Therobotmommy
says:
5, 7, 8, and DEFINITELY 10!!
Kristi recently posted..Getting Married? Here’s What You Need…
10 is important.
A fun listicle submission!
Wayne recently posted..Monday Quiz About Me
Thank you!
Lol, little bottles of alcohol….bet those come in handy
Stacie @ Snaps and Bits recently posted..10 Things About My Wedding
They sure do.
Twitter: AccidentalDesig
says:
A Sharpie. I also have a little zippered case, that contains many of your essentials plus a fingernail clipper, handlotion, lipstick/balm, and a safety pin or two.
My daughters always raided mine until I gave them their own.
Maggie S. recently posted..What’s That Noise?
My youngest would go to town if I had a Sharpie in my purse.
I think I should add fingernail clippers to my purse. They are always needed when I’m out of the house.
Twitter: TheDanaK
says:
LMAO I’ve been carrying most of those things in my (ridiculously small) purses since long before I had kids. I happen to be fairly snotty. 4, 9, & 10 are the only ones I don’t have. 10 would be great sometimes, but I’m usually driving.
Dana K recently posted..Mitchondrial Disease Awareness Week 2012
You snotty? No way.
Twitter: bocafrau
says:
Okay! Other than number ten I have all of these in my purse at all times!!! They are lifesavers for sure.
Susi recently posted..Picture Perfect Weekly #20 {My Weekend}
Lifesavers, for sure.
Twitter: applesndroses
says:
Multicolored bandages! They will stop my kid from screaming of invisible injuries.
Mirjam recently posted..Sunday gatherings
Whatever works.
Twitter: TeresaThinks
says:
#3 and #6 being added to my bag today! Thank you!
Anytime my friend.
Twitter: LittleMsP
says:
Sanitizer(s) ~ Good for cleaning dirty hands if no bathroom or avoiding bathroom at movie theatre cause your OCD wannabe child got the sour candy and now cannot stand that her hands are dirty and must be washed IMMEDIATELY. Repeat this process til she is done with the candy or you have accidentally dropped it and offer her your twizzlers. Also good for cleaning nasty McDs (or similar places) tables.
A pen(s) & a notebook ~ Usually confiscated by the youngest child who may or may not return it when she has colored/written on every single page.
Hair Brush, ponytail holders (mine and theirs) and sometimes if I am lucky, a butterfly clip or two maybe with a few barrette friends. Never know what kind of hair situation you may be needing to fix.
Wallet ~ I like to be able to pay for things. ;P
Make Up Bag(s) ~ With my make up and lip balm for me/kids and one with meds and female necessities
Strong Breath Mints/Gum ~ For coffee breath or worse. Also good for occupying kids for a few moments.
Paulette recently posted..Rough Seas, Boat Still Afloat
There have been many times I have forgot my wallet when leaving the house.
But I never forget my iPhone.
Bandaids, tissues, and hand sanitizer are always on my person. Also lip gloss!
Nicole recently posted..Lucky Number Seven
I always keep tissues in the car. Surprising how often I need them.
I’m definitely with you on the band-aids. It’s amazing how much better they make a kid feel. Like magic!
And, no, you can never have too many bags!!
If only I could get my husband to understand that a girl can never have too many bags.
Twitter: corp2domestic
says:
A ponytail holder is a must, and baby wipes! Oh and I’ve always got to have a bottle of water for me or the boy
Natalie recently posted..The Definition of Motherhood
I keep a case of bottled water in my car. It comes in handy when I’m running the kids all over town.
Twitter: madwomandiary
says:
I’m a member of the smallest purse possible clan: Keys, phone, ID and credit card. The children have really cramped my style with their need for snacks, wipes and binkies.
That said, I LOVE red purses, I own several black purses but probably my favorite bag is a boot leather brown, not too light, not too dark.
Damn kids and all their needs.
Twitter: KimberlyAMuro
says:
Why are there no Apple products or chap stick on this list? It’s like I don’t even know you anymore…
Kimberly recently posted..What I’ve Been Up To…
Because chapstick is always in my pocket and my iPhone is always in my hand. Sheesh.
I agree on them all. I always have a small pocket knife & nail clippers. You would be so surprised how often I need those 2 things.
Gina recently posted..Project 366 Rewind ~ Week 37 ~ Spice It Up
I have a pocket knife in my purse used most often for cutting straws for kid drinks.
Love the list! I had to nod in agreement all the way through. Not since baby #2 (currently on #4) have I carried a diaper bag. I realized I could just carry a bigger purse and get away with everything I needed to throw in. Might I add one essential item I never leave the house without? My good DSLR camera! I know, I’m supposed to carry it in a nicer camera bag–but I actually put mine right in my purse
Sarah @sundayspill recently posted..the sunday spill–about glory
I’m not brave enough to carry my DSLR in my purse. When I need my camera, I take my whole camera bag.
Ha ha ha #10 is my favorite! But you forgot hot wheels, of course you have girls though. So I swap out hot wheels for hair ties LOL!
Audrey recently posted..Monday Listicles – 10 Things about My Wedding
Sounds like a good swap since you have boys.
Twitter: gfunkified
says:
1-9 plus Carmex, for sure! Although, #10 would be great in an emergency.
Greta recently posted..Great Expectations: Writing, Wishing
You never know when you might encounter such an emergency. It’s always good to be prepared.
I like to keep mints in my purse but it never fails my kids sniff them out and eat them all & then just blame each other. It figures.
marie recently posted..Shirley Temple Hair
I’ve started buying the kids their own gum and mints so they won’t eat mine. It works about 46% of the time.
Twitter: archaeolemur
says:
I am all about the black purses, but am currently coveting a purple one. Love your list! I always try to have a hair elastic and a pen in my purse. Although, at the moment, I am carrying around a teeny tiny thing that used to clip to my diaper bag, and is barely big enough to hold my cards, money and cell phone.
Brandee recently posted..10 things that make a great wedding
You are the second person to mention a purple purse. It sounds like a great color for a bag.
Bobbie Pins because my bangs are jerks sometimes.
And chapstick.
And ativan.
What?
Kimberly recently posted..While You Were Gone
Stupid jerk bangs.
I currently have a reddish Lucky purse and have my eye on the Lucky Brand Abbey Road in Bourbon…want badly. And I always carry blot powder.
Christine@theaums recently posted..3 Ways Potty Talk Has Helped My Parenting
The Abbey Road bag in Bourbon is adorable.
Very good list! I also have to have lip stuff… gloss, chap stick, lipstick, something. And my bottle of Mio liquid so that I can flavor my water anytime, anywhere.
Tonya recently posted..Ripped Away, Ripped Apart
I always have lip stuff with me but I usually keep it in my pocket because of a certain toddler I live with that likes to apply more than liberal amounts whenever she can.
Twitter: byrnealaina
says:
Can’t live without my chapstick! Cute purse!
ColdBlooded recently posted..Fairy Tails.
Neither can I!
Twitter: elainea
says:
I have to have something to put on my lips like at least chapstick or gloss of some sort. And I totally agree with you on the glasses cloth!
I want a turquoise purse… bad.
Elaine recently posted..Kinda Like Siblings
Dirty glasses are so annoying.
Twitter: singlelife2wife
says:
Not a mom yet, but I usually carry all of these things AND I always get so angry at my purse for having so much junk in it!
One thing that I ALWAYS have in my purse if a black sharpie marker.. Seems old, but I cant even count how many times I have have come to the rescue with that damn sharpie!
elizabeth recently posted..Thankful Thursday
There are many times I could use a Sharpie while I’m out and about.
Twitter: take2mommy
says:
Love the red bag. My go-to bag is like…um…pewter? Not gold or silver and not bling-y at all. And it seems I’m required to keep Lego men and Pokemon cards in it.
Jen {at} take2mommy recently posted..Spiffing up my boy’s bedroom with decorative wall decals
You would definitely be a boy mom.
I love #10! It’s awesome. I can’t wait to ditch the diaper bag. One day, right?
Natalie @MamaTrack recently posted..Essence of Now (September 21, 2012)
One day, yes!