What's in your necessary?

[cimorene]

Do you have a necessary? That's not actually a word in English; it's the Swedish (necessär) for a cosmetic bag. Mine's flat, about the size of a small paperback book, and zips on one side, like a pencil case.

But it's not a pencil case, and it's also not a cosmetic bag.

"Necessary" would actually be a much better word for it (albeit somewhat worse because it already means -- meant? -- bathroom), because it's the pouch I take everywhere: I move it from bag to bag when I switch bags, along with my phone and my wallet; and if my bag is big, I often leave it hanging somewhere and just take the necessary with me.

In my necessary are:

• A pillbox containing Xanax, ibuprofen, and Pepto-Bismol tablets


• A microfiber cloth for wiping my phone screen


• A comb


• A retractable ball-point pen


• A compact mirror


• A pair of sewing scissors and a tapestry needle inside a hard plastic case that an SD card came in


• A 3mm crochet hook


• A sanitary pad


• A tube of chapstick


• A large safety pin


• 5€ in coins, which is 2 local bus fares

I've often thought I should get one that's just slightly bigger, because I had to remove the pencil sharpener I used to carry for reasons of space; and while I can cram my phone and passport inside in a pinch and use it like a clutch, there's not room for a mini-pack of tissues, which really ought to go in there; and it's difficult, though not impossible, to get a pair of earbuds in. The thing is, any replacement shouldn't be TOO much bigger and it should be opaque but waterproof, and I haven't happened to notice a good candidate yet, while this trusty friend has been serving me well for 10 years.

Comments

[laurajv]

I've got something like that. Two somethings, really. They're not waterproof, and they are sold as purse/bag organizers. I have a small one, which contains wallet, phone, chapstick, emergency cash, lipstick, pack of tissues, Advil, Lactaid, two pens, and a couple other things, and a large one, which contains diaper bag stuff. I put both of those into any tote bag or messenger bag and have an instant diaper bag; I put the small one into any purse and can be assured my purse now contains all the, well, necessaries.

[cimorene]

I have also considered replacing my wallet with a smaller one to fit it inside... although getting a bigger pouch would really probably make more sense.

[pensnest]

That sounds like a larger and more comprehensive version of what my dad used to call a 'housewife', which was essentially a portable sewing kit with needles, thread, buttons, little scissors, pins etc. A 'necessary' is a much better name!

[cimorene]

I've actually had a cardigan lose a button in public twice and was able to put it back because of the necessary... although it wouldn't have worked if I'd lost the button.

[phosfate]

Every time I try to make one, I forget it on an important occasion. So I just wing it.

[bossymarmalade]

Yes! I have a purse-to-go insert that holds a package of tissues, my assorted pills (ibuprofin, lactose, midol, migraines, muscle relaxants), a small mirror, a coffee cup sleeve, hair accessories, a small notepad, a couple of ballpoint pens, chapstick, two of those coffee cup stoppers, and in the middle a zip-up cosmetic pouch with mascara, lip colour, allergy and indigestion pills, travel toothbrush and paste, tweezers, a tiny screwdriver, face cream, and a nail clipper. The wallet and phone and sanitary pad go into whatever purse compartments there are, but they can go inside the organizer in a pinch, heh!

[cimorene]

Oh, you've reminded me I used to have tweezers and nail clippers in mine too, but they got appropriated and I haven't remembered to replace them!

If I were aware of an even smaller size of travel moisturizer I'd include it, but the smallest ones I've been able to buy are still big enough to be awkward so I end up trying to transfer it separately and forgetting it about once a month.

Have you had much use for the tiny screwdriver? I ask because Monday my teacher asked me if I happened to have a crochet hook "because you always seem to have everything yarny" and I did, and she was able to fix a run in her sweater with it - which was only the second time the emergency crochet hook has actually been called on.

[devon]

http://greyhat.livejournal.com/569001.html shows what is in my purse every day. Most of the "necessaries" are in a zipper pocket so they don't get jumbled up with the stuff that I actually use all the time, like wallet and lip balm and ballpoint pen. When I change purses for the season, I move the entire lot over to the other purse. I do have a few purses with limited pockets, though, so a mini-bag would come in handy. I just ordered this from Sephora to see if I like it:
http://www.sephora.com/minimergency-kit-for-her-red-chinese-P381202?skuId=1475680
The reviews say it fits in a woman's hand easily. One woman said that when she emptied it out, it held 5 lipsticks perfectly. Sounds interesting.

[cimorene]

Huh, that does look like almost the perfect size!

I have to carry a lot more stuff for my Finnish classes than I would if I was working, and rather than carry two bags, I like to fit everything in one bigger one. I am really looking forward to the day when I can carry a bag that's smaller than a briefcase again. But anyway, I end up switching bags a lot whenever I have to go somewhere other than school.

Your list is inspiring, though. I should put some bandaids in my pouch again, and maybe a mini usb drive if I do find a bigger one soon.

[lilliandarling]

I have one of those too! I never really knew what to call it. But it has my compact mirror, tampons, a pen, chewing gum, oil-removing facial wipes, etc. and I keep it in my backpack. It's one of those little zippered pouches that you get at Bath & Body Works with teeny bottles of lotion, shampoo, and body wash in it.

You could make one yourself, if you can't find a better one. Dunno how hard it is to sew waterproof material though...

[cimorene]

Not sure. Probably not too hard, but would I need to put tape on the seams or something to prevent leaking? It seems like a lot of work... I ought to be able to find one. I have one from The Body Shop that's almost the right size but it's transparent...