I hate winter with such an unbelievable passion. I hate how cold it gets; I hate when the nice, neat snow turns to slush and then turns to ice and you feel like with just one wrong step your life will flash before your eyes; I hate walking to class when the snow is coming down and there are snowflakes stinging your face. But one thing I do like about winter is buying cute accessories and things to accommodate for the weather.
In college (and in life), a smart looking handbag is a must because you might attend some professional events, some interviews, and some sophisticated gatherings. With winter coming, you should also make sure that you stuff your handbag with all the necessities just in case you need something in a hurry. Here are some things I’ll be putting in my handbag this winter:
1. Touchscreen gloves
These are LIFE-SAVING. Well, they’re finger-saving because you won’t have to worry about your fingers freezing while you’re outside trying to send a quick text to mom. Touchscreen gloves are perfect for when you want to use your phone comfortably in 10-degree weather. In my opinion, they’re better than having just regular gloves because you can’t use your phone with regular gloves on — if anything, you might have to take them off, use your phone, then put them back on, and that’s pretty inconvenient for your cold hands! Target has a nice selection of touch-sensitive gloves; that’s where I got my pair!
2. Lip balm
I can’t even remember how many times I’ve shared my love for lip balm with you. If you’ve been following my blog for a while now, you probably know that I’m lip balm-crazed. I have a collection of lip balms and I’m not ashamed of it. If your lips tend to get extra dry during the winter, then lip balm is a must. Super dry lips can lead to painful cracking, so make sure you keep your favorite balm in your bag. Right now, I’m obsessing over this all natural lip balm from BeeByGBeauty’s Etsy shop. It’s made from beeswax and the peppermint and vanilla ones are perfect for winter! Head on over to my Instagram to check them out and don’t forget to follow Glynnis Cowley on Instagram!
3. Tissues
Runny noses are so good at catching you off guard. I seriously have no idea how they do it. All the more reason to come prepared with a packet of tissues. There’s not really an excuse to not keep them on you because the packets are so small, and some companies even make slim, wallet-style tissue packets so they fit conveniently anywhere. Buy packets in bulk so you can just replace the one in your bag when you run out.
4. Cough drops
Ever notice that you never have a cough drop when you desperately need one? Same. They’re especially great to have when you feel yourself starting to get a sore throat. Remember, it’s so easy to get sick during the cold weather. You don’t need to stuff an entire bag of cough drops in your bag, but having just a handful on you at all times can really be helpful.
Related: 12 Ways To Avoid Getting Sick In College
5. Sunglasses
The sun can be out even if there’s snow on the ground! I never go anywhere without sunglasses in my pocket, in my bag, on my head, etc. I even carry sunglasses with me on rainy days just in case a few rays of light decide to make an entrance. If you’re a sunglasses super fan like me, you’ll probably be carrying them around anyway!
6. Insulated travel mug
Like I said before, winter is the time when so many people come down with colds. It’s super annoying when you have a sore throat or stuffy nose and just need some hot tea to soothe your throat or clear your sinuses and then you can’t find it anywhere on campus or in your area. Just as annoying is if you’re out in the city and the prices of hot drinks don’t suit your budget. To avoid this, make your hot beverage before you leave your room or home and carry it with you. I got a really cute insulated travel mug in my swag bag at Her Conference this summer, so I’ll definitely be using it in the coming weeks!
Related: 19 Things I Learned From My First NYC Conference
7. Earmuffs
Sometimes it isn’t quite cold enough to feel like you need a hat, but sometimes the weather surprises you (just like those runny noses). My mom always made me wear a hat regardless when I was younger because she said that it’s bad for the really cold air to get inside your ears. This is where earmuffs come in. Some of them are small enough to keep in your bag, so you can whip them out and put them on when you need them. If you aren’t a fan of earmuffs, knit headbands are a great alternative. I crochet and have made so many, and given so many to friends as gifts over the years. They’re so cute and stylish and will keep your ears warm!
What are your winter handbag essentials?
Also check out: 10 College Beauty Essentials
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