They say every woman’s bag is a puzzle. And that she carries the world in it. Well, that’s true. And I do not understand why opening a woman’s handbag is a taboo. No ghost or puppy is going to jump out of it. My colleagues always came to my desk just to grab those goodies and munch on.
I’m not a minimalist who carries only the bare necessities. Oh, all these are extremely important to me. I’m one of those ‘prepared for anything’ type. But isn’t that why my bag has helped my husband and I in all the difficult situations?
What do I carry in my bag? There about 35 things that’s in there. No, I’m not embarrassed to reveal them to you. And no, they aren’t cluttered. It’s properly organized and I can tell you what’s where. And oh yeah, these will prepare you for just about anything.
- A small idol of Lord Vishnu: which I’ve been carrying along since I was 17 years old.
- Wallet : which contains cash, cards, my wedding pic and a pic with my parents and sister.
- Coins : Not that I love the jingle-jangle in my bag. But you never know when some change comes in handy.
- Sunglasses
- Hair bands and hair clutch : I love to put my hair down. Always. But for that single braid on a sunny day.
- Compact : Actually, that’s for the mirror. I hate it when there is something in my eye and can’t check it. Or my teeth after that dinner.
- A small bottle of water
- Kajal : You cannot spot me without my kohl eyes.
- Deo : Of course, I feel good when I smell good.
- Sunscreen
- Face wash : On those hot, humid days!
- A baby bottle of moisturizing lotion : Hate that dry patch on my skin.
- Hand sanitizer: To protect me from the yucky germs!
- Lipstick: I don’t experiment with lipsticks. But this one has been my favorite – Maybelline Fuchsia Pow2! I’m sure my lips love me for it!
- Breath-mints: Why should you let others know that you had tuna for lunch!
- Vicks Vaporub!
- Band-aids: I tend to get shoe-bites. Just like that.
- Paracetamol/Strepsils : For that horrible headache or sore-throat.
- Coffee sachets : for satisfying the coffee lover in me.
- Chewing gums
- Handkerchief/Tissues: Just to wipe off that grease before taking a picture or run for a meeting. Also handy for the sniffs, spilled drink or to simply wipe my hands.
- To-Do Notepad
- Pen
- Journal : To jot down those ideas that pop up out of nowhere.
- Chocolates or Cookies: Stress-buster! Or just to munch on.
- Cellphone charger and Portable charger
- Earphones : I am a music-lover and I love to listen to music during those long rides in flight/train/cab.
- Umbrella : Sun or rain, you’re my best friend.
- ID’s : Not the Passport always. But the PAN card and Driving license, yes!
- Pen drive
- Kindle : Paperbacks have been replaced by Kindle in my bag. Easy to carry!
- Safety pins : Just in-case I pop a button or seam!
- Knife : Makes me brave!
- Keys
- Cellphone : Last, but not the least!
Apart from these, there would be a sanitary napkin (for emergencies!), some old movie tickets or receipts (I don’t know why!) and business cards.
What about you? What’s in your bag?
Linking to #FridayReflections at Corinne of Everyday Gyaan and Sanch of Living My Imperfect Life
Eli says
Oh, thats a funny read – and fun to have a peek into your handbag. Mine does not have that much… but many of the same things actually.-) what a woman needs, I guess… 🙂
Shalzzz says
Glad that you loved it, Eli. Thanks for dropping by 🙂
anindya0909 says
I think opening a ladies bag was considered a taboo earlier but no longer. still this list impressive and am sure is helpful in many occasions
Shalzzz says
Thanks and Yes! 🙂
Vidya Sury says
I love your bag! You’re a girl after my own heart, Shalu! Except the No.16, I’d carry everything else, and a bit more 😉 What a fun post this is! Happy Sunday to you! ♥
Shalzzz says
Yay. Glad to know that I’ve company 🙂
Shilpa Gupte says
Oh, wow! Shalini, you are my kinda girl! Hahaha! I, too, love to carry all such stuff…except cookies, chocolates and charger, I carry most of the stuff..whenever I am going out, which is rare. I carry money, cellphone, house keys, handkerchief and tissues, pen, a tiny notepad, some good book, sanitary pad/tampon, face wash, lip balm, moisturiser, tiny water bottle and umbrella. And, only after I have filled my bag with all these do I feel confident! And, yet, despite stuffing all these things in my bag, mid way through the journey, a thought pops in my head and gnaws me no end – “Hey, have I forgotten something? OH, I hope not!” ;P
Loved your post, babe! <3
Shalzzz says
Haha! Seriously. I feel safe and content when I’ve all these in my bag 😛
Shilpa Garg says
I have a big bag and carry a lot of things as you do. I did a similar post some years ago… http://shilpaagarg.com/2011/10/my-big-fat-bag.html
Shalzzz says
Gee :d I loved taking a peep into your bag. Thank you, Shilpa 🙂
RamyaRao says
My mom and you would be friends instantly. She carries the exact same things, except the lipstick and kindle. I carry a wallet, sanitizer, change, a pen and notepad and a few plastic bags. That’s it 😀
Shalzzz says
Gee 😀
Reminds me, I should carry plastic bags as well! Hmmmmph!
kalaravi16 says
You ma’ gal! I carry an awful lot of must-haves in my bag too! And the bane of my existence? I love changing bags! So imagine the chaos when I need to shift from bag to bag. But being very steady on this aspect of having bags according to clothes or occasion, I diligently do it everytime! Vanity no apologies 😉
Shalzzz says
Wow! That would be tedious. But yes. No apologies 😉
Maliny Mohan says
Oh, that is an exhaustive list, Shalini. But in hindsight, all the items that you mentioned seem worthwhile. I need to include tissue to my list from that and yeah, mint too. Loved reading your list 🙂
Shalzzz says
Thank you, Maliny 🙂 I love it when I have everything that I need.
Kadambari Singh says
We are so on same lines and I always thought was I the only one who can’t manage things in a small bag.
Shalzzz says
Yay! Glad to know that I’ve company.
Cafenined Words says
Omg How do you manage this much things ??
And I love the idea of sanitizer
I am gonna add it to to my bag now
Shalzzz says
🙂 Gee, I seriously don’t know!
Nisha Sanjeev says
omy! Shalini. You carry a travel bag. Hats off to you! I carry, maybe 10 of these daily. On occasions when I carry more, it’s usually on long trips, and half the time I hang it on the husband’s shoulders 🙂
Shalzzz says
Why didn’t I think of it! I should hand over my bag to my husband as well 😛 Thanks for the idea!
deepagandhi says
I carry most of the things you mentioned here except bandaids, kindle and a knife. We ladies have a habit of carrying random things in our bags but you are right..they really come handy and are helpful for our husbands at times.
Shalzzz says
I know, right! Thanks for dropping by, Deepa! 🙂
Rohan Kachalia (@rohank01) says
Wow! 35 things you carry in that purse! And all useful.
Shalzzz says
Gee. Yes. 🙂
upasna1987 says
Its a great checklist for the ahem ahem…Ladies. Thanks Yaar.
Shalzzz says
Hee… Don’t you carry most of these in yours, Upasna?
Corinne Rodrigues says
And here I thought I was the one always over prepared. I remember my colleague would always tease me and ask if I had a spare burger in my bag! 😉
Shalzzz says
Hahaha! I’m glad I’ve company!
Bikramjit says
Really you carry all that..
I don’t carry one… so nothing in mine..
Shalzzz says
Yup. I carry them all! 😛
Mayuri Nidigallu says
What a fun post! And I loved peeking into your handbag! I am known for carrying ‘everything but the kitchen sink’ in my bag:)))
I think i’m going to be doing this post too!:)
Shalzzz says
Yay! You should,Mayuri. I would love to take a peek inside your bag 😛
Modern Gypsy says
Wow! I’d never be able to tell you what’s in my bag, because it’s a mess of papers and receipts, along with my trusty crystals, wallet, hand sanitizer and pepper spray. And I’m sure there will be some more exciting discoveries in there 😉
Shalzzz says
Some hidden cash too, maybe? 🙂
Alana Mautone (@RamblinGarden) says
I could never carry cookies in my bag – they wouldn’t last out the day. As for my bag, I’m not telling.
Shalzzz says
Haha! I get that. I will have to refill every other day too 🙂
hari pr says
hahahha…knife too!!!
Shalzzz says
Yup! Emergencies!
shalzmojo says
Oh man – how heavy is your handbag???? 😉
Honestly though, mine has tonnes of such stuff too as even I am like always prepared for that “you never know” moment….
Does make me wonder how men get by with just a wallet in their back pocket??? 😉
Shalzzz says
Haha! Seriously! 🙂 Thanks for dropping by, Shalzy 🙂
Me Otherwise says
Wow Shalini that sure is an exhaustive list. Nevertheless it’s really interesting he number of things we women carry. I sure do carry my Kindle sunglasses , a lip balm, water and comb almost always. But then again it depends on where I am heading to and the stuff just keeps changing.
Shalzzz says
Hee, yes 😀 I will leave some stuff if I go to the airport or so.
sanchthewriter says
35 things??? Woah! And seriously, you carry a knife? Isn’t that an offence?
Mithila Menezes @fabulus1710 says
I guess I’m more of the minimalist type? Just the basic necessities, no sunglasses (I already have something sitting on the bridge of my nose, thank you very much), no lipstick (I rarely wear makeup).
I love the idea of keeping choco biscuits in the bag, though. *runs off to buy a carton full of biscuits for every day of the new year* 😛
Menaka Bharathi says
Interesting, I am sure my handbag would contain more than 35 for sure, including some many years old tickets! Good read
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Jaibala Rao says
Oh Shalini, I thought I was among the only ones who liked to carry their entire world with them always. 😀 My handbag probably has as many or more things, and is very heavy.
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