The other day, I filmed a What’s Inside My Bag 2020 Purse Tour video on my YouTube channel.
It was such a blast to film, especially because I’m now the lucky owner of a Pixie Mood purse! I own the Zoe Crossbody bag in the color cognac, to be specific.
For the longest time, I never put the effort into accessorizing with purses because like… What’s the point? Isn’t that why my pants or hoodies have pockets?
I mean… Touché.
There’s certainly some truth to that. Pockets can serve as mini purses if you don’t think about it too hard.
But the older I become, the more drawn to purses I’ve found myself being. And when I inherited this lovely Pixie Mood bag, I couldn’t help myself! I am now a purse-over-pockets type of gal.
If you’re not careful, your purse can slowly but surely become a portable junk drawer. That’s why it’s important to be intentional about what you put inside your purse! I like to keep it as minimal as possible by only carrying the things I need most.
So… What exactly are those ten things? I’m happy you asked!
Without further ado, here are the ten items you should carry with you in your purse!
Hand Sanitizer
In today’s day and age, hand sanitizer is an absolute must-have no matter where you’re going! If you’re stepping outside of your home, make sure you have a miniature hand sanitizer with you in your purse.
My favorite hand sanitizers at the moment are sold at Bath and Body Works. I make it a point to order mine online in an effort to minimize my in-person shopping trips. The best scent, in my humble opinion, is called Champagne Toast!
Bath and Body Works doesn’t always have the same scents in stock, but if you check the website regularly, you’ll notice that they are pretty good about restocking often!
Lotion
I advocate for lotion as much as I do hand sanitizer! The reason for this comes down to the fact that hand sanitizer can dry your hands out in no time if you’re not careful.
The alcohol component can be painful for people who already deal with dry skin. So, from experience, I strongly advise that you tuck a small little tube of lotion in your purse alongside your and sanitizer!
If you’re sensitive to scented lotion, make sure you check the description before you purchase a travel-size lotion. My hands don’t react negatively to scented lotions, so I always carry my Mahogany Teakwood hand lotion from…
That’s right! None other than Bath and Body Works.
Sunscreen
I’m quite pale… Like, Casper the Ghost’s complexion quite literally pales in comparison to mine. So, to protect my porcelain-looking skin, I make it a point to always always always have a travel-size container of sunscreen with me.
Not only is the travel-size container the most convenient for any purse, but it also saves the day! I don’t always remember to put sunscreen on as I’m getting ready for an outing, so having sunscreen in my purse as a back-up always comes in handy.
Chapstick
Chapped lips have got to be one of the most unfortunate dilemmas to deal with when you’re trying to enjoy your day. Whenever my lips are chapped, I find it harder to stay in-the-moment as I’m so hyperfocused on how painful my lips feel.
But… There’s a solution for that! And that solution is keeping lip-healing chapstick in your purse. From the Glossier Rose Balm Dotcom, to Raw Sugar’s Lemon Sugar Lip Balm, I tend to keep an array of chapstick options in my purse!
Chapstick makes for an alternative option when you’re feeling dehydrated as well, in my most humble opinion. Sometimes, I’ll be running errands and I’ll realize that I’m in desperate need of some water…but I don’t always have access to the one thing that’ll quench my thirst.
So, in moments like these, I reach for chapstick to moisten my lips. It fools my thirst-focused brain into thinking I’m not as water-deficient as I am, which helps take the focus away from my thirstiness until I can get my hands on something to drink!
Tic Tacs
Whether you’re away from home when your hunger levels start to rise, or you accidentally left the house without brushing your teeth in the morning, Tic Tacs serve a lot of purposes. And sometimes, they’re less of a necessity and more of a luxury.
But hey, who doesn’t love minty fresh breath? Plus, they give you something to snack on if you end up waiting in a long line at the store or sitting in traffic on your way back home!
Sunglasses
I used to not make wearing sunglasses a priority. I don’t know why, but for the longest time, I just decided to suffer and squint painfully at the sun instead of simply placing a pair of sunglasses on my face.
Ever since I bought my first pair of sunglasses a few years ago, I never ever leave the house without a pair of sunnies tucked into my purse. Before I step outside, I make sure to rest my sunglasses against my nose bridge and it makes a world of difference! Imagine that.
Sunglasses, like sunscreen, are one of those things that I will absolutely forget to grab on my way out the door. So, I make sure they are always in my purse to minimize the chances of ever having to squint all day again!
A Handkerchief
I’ll admit… I haven’t been hip with the handkerchief idea until recently. Before a few weeks ago, I would simply tuck a small pack of Kleenex-brand tissue into my purse. But my mom introduced me to the idea of a handkerchief and now it’s all I swear by!
I haven’t fully sneezed into my hankie so I can’t speak to how that goes, but using a handkerchief to dab your nose when it gets runny is quite lovely! I carry one of Jenni Earle’s bandanas in my purse. Mine is printed with the be free slogan but there are so many bandanas to choose from!
Though most people wear bandanas as a fashion statement, I find them ideal when treated like handkerchiefs or face masks! The options are endless, and whatever you decide to do with your hankie is yours for the choosing.
Your Wallet
You know those dad jokes where someone films their father doing the three-point check? It’s that nearly innate three-step movement where dads check their pockets for their keys, glasses, and wallet before stepping foot outside.
That’s kinda how I used to feel, truth be told! Except instead of three steps, it was more like… Seventeen, give or take a few. I’d scramble to find everything I needed, my wallet being one of those items.
Now, instead of being flustered and having no clue where I’ve placed everything I need, I simply keep it all in my purse… My wallet included.
Ever since tucking my wallet into my purse and only taking it out when I’m making a purchase, I’ve no longer forget to grab my wallet from atop the kitchen counter or the entryway table. It’s like magic.
Bobby Pins
If you’re like me, then you tend to wear your hair in an up-do! And no matter how carefully I move around throughout the day, baby hairs fall from my pony tails left and right.
So, instead of getting into situations where I’m annoyed by how many baby hairs have fallen out of my hairdo, I’ve started keeping bobby pins in my purse at all times! That way, whenever I’m out and about, I have the ability to make my hair situation better instead of constantly blowing hairs away from my face.
A Scrunchie
On the topic of hairstyles, another must-have in my purse is a scrunchie! I cannot even tell you how many scrunchies I own, yet I still manage to wear them all at least once per month.
You can certainly swap the scrunchie for an elastic pony tail holder. Do whatever feels comfortable for you! My main reason behind opting for a scrunchie over elastic bands is that scrunchies are gentler on my hair.
The number of hairs those elastic hair ties have ripped from my head… Let me just say it’s astonishingly high. Hence the scrunchies.
So… What do you keep in your purse?!
Let’s Chat About Essentials
I’m hoping some of these items have sparked inspiration for you and helped you fill your purse with more of the things you need. If you’re looking for more ideas about everyday essentials, feel free to message me on Instagram!
I’m always down to chat with you about anything under the sun.
I hope to hear from you soon ♡