so i've got this new larger handbag..

[EdgarAleNPie]

what the devil to put in it?

i have been making do with keys, wallet and phone for ages...making up separate bag of less glamorous kit where necessary (nappies, wipes, babygro..)

the last time i had a bag this size it used to regularly contain an A4 pad, bottle opener and indeed, wine bottle...(you never know when that might come in handy!)

these things aren't necessary anymore.

so ladies, what useful kit does the lady of today keep in her handbag?

I have phone, wallet, 2 diary's, house keys, car keys, paracetamol, tissues, hair bands and a large wash bag (nappies, wipes, disposable changing mat, snack, drink).

I keep a small make up bag in mine which doubles up as make up bag and pencil case (!!) contains mascara, lip balm, concealer, nice pens (ink flow ones not crappy biros), hair bobbles and tampons.

I also keep a pashmina folded up (so handy), one of those mini tubs of body butter, and a good novel.

I thought you were going to say you couldn't find anything in it (me!).

I've just changed to a bigger handbag because I wanted to be able to carry a small bottle of water and a packet of biscuits when out with the DS (5 and 3), and a few more tissues.

All my stuff is rattling around in there and all jumbled up - do I need some kind of handbag organiser????

wow, i have a biggish bag but think i need a bigger bag, i seem to accumulate rubbish.

i have small make up bag, hand cream, small hairbrush, tissues.

nappy or two, wipes, travel change mat, bibs, muslin, ds's drinking cup, snacks including raisins (half of which have fallen and are stuck to the bottom of the bag)
red baby book (its easier to keep it on me as i have lost it twice and forgetten to take it to HV a few times!)

purse/wallet (stuffed full of old receipts)
phone
keys
bottle of water

bits of post and bills i need to deal with.

um...and i'm sure theres loads more, probably a ton of coffee shop napkins and stirers!...

Mine is v.large and contains
keys, phone, diary, pen, purse, some kind of paperback to read. Hand wipes. Bottle of water. Packet of paracetamol. Plasters. cough sweets. a lipstick (somewhere), emergency tena lady , handcream. a kind of fold up hairbrush, and a comb. Lypsyl. Tissues. Some sellotape (can't remember what for)

Fortunately it seems to have the attributes of the Tardis, so I can cram it all in!

You will find as you become accustomed to being a large handbag person, your list of essential items will expand to fill it

I always take

keys and car keys
driving license
small diary
wallet
plasters and arnica (have two small bumpy boys)
mints or sweets (to distract said boys)}
travel sickness pills for boys
sickness bags for boys
baby wipes (to wipe up after boys have been sick)
tissues
forms from school that I have filled in or need to fill in or should have filled in...
spare pants for youngest boy in case he has an accident
sweets or choc for self
torch (live in country with NO street lights!)
gloves (cold)

I need a HUGE bag!!!

In my bag (which is quite voluminous), I always have:

-large wallet (to hold all my receipts and ridiculous number of store loyalty cards!)
-small wallet with just coins and Oyster card
-Keys
-Large agenda (yes, I am still paper based!) with a separate note pad)
-pouch containing: small size hand lotion (hands always so dry), spot remover for clothing, parecetamol for DS1 and DS2, small tube of sunscreen, small tube of lip cream, extra cartridges for fountain pen (shows how much of a luddite I am!), gift vouchers, lip gloss, plasters, pocket size kleenex, small packet of hand wipes, iPod Touch and earphones
-larger pouch containing wipes, nappies, bottom cream, and extra bodysuit
-gloves
-sunglasses in case
-snacks in ziplock bag
-bottle of water

I purchased one of those handbag organizers and still am fumbing. I think my case is hopeless though.
-post

hum i think from the above list...

i think a good book is always handy, and have been feeling the lack.

contact lenses ( i always wear glasses just out of not bothering to put them in in the morning, so if they wre in my bag, they'd get used more.)

folic acid supplements (so that i can't forget)

maternity notes (have forgotten them so many times....though possibly i should wait until i have told work before they go in my work bag.)

diary/address book - very useful. can finally input all friends names and addresses instead of emailing them to ask every time i have something to send them. this will help spontaneous postcard sending, as recommended by the little book of happiness.

i find the combo if Ipod touch and fountain pen endearing sofaqueen

oh and gloves. My tiny hands are frozen...

think a scarf is a great idea too, for those days at work where the heating isn't quite warm enough.

accessories (as i generaly leave the house unadorned, but have time at my desk to finish my look, not that anyone's looking, but that's no the point..)

hair brush (ever so essential, my hair requires constant reminders of Who Is Boss)

sewing kit - as i think at least twice last year the button came off my work trousers and i had to finish the day like that.

spare socks for DS. he always loses them.