The “Just in Case” Bag: Everything You Need for Everyday Emergencies
Everyday emergencies always happen at the worst times. Your air conditioning system breaks during the hottest time of the year. You have a splitting headache the one time you’re stuck in traffic with no exit in sight. Your time of the month will inevitably appear out of nowhere on the one day you wear a white dress. It’s just how it goes.
Instead of worrying about these little troubles, I choose to prepare myself. We save money for unexpected repairs like our broken AC system. I pack extra clothes in my car for spills and stains, and I always carry a little bag with everything I need to survive everyday mini emergencies. I call it my “just in case” bag, and it’s stocked with everyday necessities to help me get through life’s little surprises. Keep reading to see what I keep in my emergency purse kit and learn why I recently switched to a natural version of a feminine necessity.
What to Include in Your Purse Emergency Kit
I’ve been transferring my “just in case” bag from purse to purse for the past twelve years, and I’ve slowly narrowed down which items I find to most useful. I always include a variety of hygiene, beauty, and medical items, but the exact contents can vary from season to season. Today I’m sharing the items I always have in my just in case bag, but I’d be happy to share seasonal updates if that would be helpful!
Beauty Items
Extra Contacts: I wear daily disposable contact lenses, so I always carry a few spare pairs with me just in case I get something in my eye, experience irritation from allergies, or need to switch from my glasses to contacts.
Hair Elastics: In my opinion, a girl can never have too many hair elastics with her. I can’t be the only person who is constantly losing hair ties, so I always keep a few extras in my bag. These come in handy for hair emergencies, but they can also be helpful to solve wardrobe problems like loose straps or drooping necklines.
Concealer: I have extremely dark undereye circles due to my genetics, so a full-coverage concealer is a must-have for me. In addition to helping me fake the appearance of a good night’s sleep, I can use it to reduce redness, cover blemishes, tone down lipstick that’s too bright, or as a netural eyeshadow.
Beauty Sponge: Almost every makeup issue can be solved with a beauty sponge. I carry a mini version with me, and I simply run it under tap water and bounce it on my skin to remove smudges, reduce oil, and solve blending issues. Of course, I can also use it if I need to blend in the concealer that I take with me!
Lip Balm: Lip balm is SO handy. In addition to soothing chapped lips, a good lip balm can be used to tame flyaway hairs, moisturize dry cuticles, and protect dry patches on your skin.
Lipstick: For some reason, I always forget to put lipstick on. I like to carry an extra tube with me just in case I need to pull myself together in a hurry. Blendable lipstick can also be used as creme blush if you need to add color to your complexion.
Hygiene Items
Tampons: Without a doubt, tampons are THE MOST important part of my just in case bag. My period always finds a way to appear at the least convenient time, so I always like to be prepared. I’ve been pregnant and/or exclusively breastfeeding my baby for a combination of nearly two years, so I’ve honestly had no idea when my period would reappear. I always packed tampons with me, so I’d be prepared when my cycle decided to start back up again. Just as I suspected, my period returned at the WORST possible time: on a cruise ship, in the middle of the ocean, when I was wearing a white dress. Thankfully, I had a few tampons in my bag to save the day, but I stocked up as soon as we got back to land!
When I returned from vacation and went to stock up on feminine supplies, I decided to make a switch to natural feminine care products. Ever since I got pregnant last year, I’ve been thinking long and hard about what I’m putting into and on my body. I need to keep myself healthy for my family, and if I’d second guess using a product on my daughter, I shouldn’t be using it on myself. That’s why I decided to try Seventh Generation Organic Cotton Tampons. They’re made of 100% organic cotton and offer leak-free protection with 0% fragrances, deodorants, or chlorine processing. Plus, they have a comfort plastic applicator made of 95% plant-based materials. After using them for my last cycle, I can safely say they work like a charm and make me feel like I’m making a good decision for myself and the environment. If you’re interested to try them out too, head to your nearest Publix location to get $1.00 off ONE (1) Seventh Generation Feminine Care Product (Valid 7/14-7/27).
Dental Floss, Picks, Mini Toothbrush: I don’t think I need to explain this one. Dental hygiene is big priority for everyone I know, so it makes sense to keep a few small necessities in your bag to keep your mouth feeling fresh.
Cotton Swabs: Cotton swabs are a lifesaver. They can be used for so many things, but I find myself using them to fix makeup smudges and/or to apply makeup most often.
Nail Clippers: I always have a pair of nail clippers with me. In addition to coming in handy for ripped nails, I use them as makeshift scissors almost every day.
Baby Wipes: Even before I had a baby of my own, baby wipes were an everyday necessity for me. I usually pack a travel-sized pack of baby wipes to clean spills, wipe my hands when I don’t have access to a bathroom, or to remove oil/makeup on my face.
Hand Sanitizer: There are some nasty germs out there. Sanitize your hands, friends!
Deodorant: I live in Florida, and it can get extremely hot here. That’s why I like to keep a tube of deodorant with me at all times. Gotta stay fresh!
Sunscreen Stick: Another Florida essential is sunscreen. As someone with pale skin and too many friends/family members with skin cancer, I wear sunscreen on a daily basis. This petite stick of sunscreen comes in handy when I need to be out in the sun, and I love that it’s easy to apply, won’t spill, and can also be used on my daughter.
Nail Polish Remover Pad: Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like I always have chipped nail polish when I’m on my way to an important meeting. I like to use pre-moistened nail polish remover pads in my purse emergency kit, so that I can remove nail polish chips in a hurry.
Medical Items
First Aid Kit: I recommend picking up a travel-sized first aid kit to keep with you in your purse or car. Mine includes bandages of various sizes, gauze, burn cream, antibiotic ointment, alcohol cleansing wipes, and more. I love that it’s so compact but filled with all sorts of useful items.
Mini Bottle of Important Medicine: I like to fill a small bottle with a few types of the medicine my family uses the most. I usually include a mix of medicines to treat inflammation/pain, migraines, allergies, and heart burn.
All of these items combine to form a handbag emergency kit that’s come in handy more times than I can even count. While the items you may personally need may vary, I’m fairly certain that most of the ladies reading this will need to include feminine supplies in their just in case bag. I love that the new Seventh Generation Organic Cotton Tampons are certified-organic, hypoallergenic, have zero fragrances, and are suitable for the most sensitive skin. I also love that the applicator is BPA-free and made of 95% plant-based materials. It’s nice to use products that work well and are made well. They also come in a super absorbency variety, and in addition to organic cotton tampons, Seventh Generation also makes Free & Clean Pantiliners without chlorine, fragrances, or deodorants. I can safely say I’ve found two new staple products to keep in my kit!
When you need to stock up on feminine care products, I highly recommend checking out Seventh Generation at your nearest Publix location. Be sure to click here to get $1.00 off ONE (1) Seventh Generation Feminine Care Product (Valid 7/14-7/27).
Now that you know the products I like to include in my “just in case” purse emergency kit, I’d love to know if you do something similar. If so, what do you keep in YOUR kit? Would you be interested in seeing what I keep in my mommy just in case kit in my diaper bag? If so, let me know, and I will get a post scheduled for you!
