The world of the 21st century is not a simple one. It makes no difference if you live on a sprawling farm or in a shoe box of a apartment, you need stuff to get you by.There are essential things that will make your life easier, pleasanter and more luxurious and they don't necessarily have to cost big bucks.
This list was written for a broad range of women so it doesn't matter if you are 18 and ready to set off on your own or a more mature woman who has a husband and family.
Here is my list of 50 Things Every Woman Should Own.
1. Tool Box - with a hammer, screwdriver set, pliers and wrench. Doesn't matter if you are a girly girl or your husband has a basement full of tools, you need your own tools that you always know where they are so you can do everything from hanging up pictures to fixing the sink without having to depend on someone else.
2. Sewing Kit - with a minimum of three colors of thread and three types of sewing needles, scissors, stitch ripper and tape measure. Even if you don't sew you should learn how to sew on a button and fix a hem, it will save you tons of money and make your clothes last longer.
3. Flash Light - You should have a designated one in your emergency kit (see below) but for finding loose earrings that fell under the 'fridge you want a flash light that is easily accessible.
4. Two pairs of tweezers- one strictly to use on personal care and a longer type to fish things out of weird places.
5. Stationary - to write letters, cards and notes. Not everything can be done by e-mail, sometimes a hand written note is necessary and you need something proper to write on.
6. Perfect Daily Purse - One of the items you should really invest in is your daily purse. You have probably noticed that many women carry around bags that look awful because they probably reasoned that if they were going to use it everyday they shouldn't spend a lot of money on it. Wrong. The items that you use daily should be the ones that are of the best quality so they will look good day after day.
7. A Really Good Bra - Look around. Most women still are wearing the wrong bra. It makes you look older, your clothes cheaper and can cause shoulder pain.
8. Dress Shoes - You might be the type of person who does not need them often but when you need them, you need them. If you are not a shoeaholic then just bite the bullet and go out and buy yourself a pair of good quality, dress shoes.
9. Spare Set of Nylons at all times because you hate that awful feeling of pulling on your last pair of nylons only to see that there is a run in them.
37. Retirement Savings Plan - think you have time to do this latter in life? Latter will be too late. Look into it as young as you can. The sooner you can start squirreling away a few bills the better.
10.Drop Dead Gorgeous Dress - that you can use as a cocktail dress, to parties and fancy restaurants. While most women have a little black dress for these occasions I don't think you should limit yourself to such a drab color. Be stunning, stand out, you won't be over dressed you will be properly dressed.
11. Red Lipstick - Don't think you will every use it? Of course you will. The red lipstick is to wear with that amazing dress you own. There is the right shade for every woman. To see what your shade should be pull down your bottom lip and see what color that is. Your perfect lipstick will be in that same shade.
12. Umbrella- When it is pouring rain there is nothing better then knowing that you have a lovely umbrella to hold over your head and keep you looking your best. Umbrellas are a practical fashion statement as well, a way to flaunt your style and your ability to be organized.
13. Boots - They may be rain boots or snow boots depending on where you live but there will be times that it is best to slip them on so you won't ruin your lovely shoes.
14. Somber Outfit for Funerals and Solemn occasions - I was at a funeral a few years back when one woman entered wearing a red blouse and red walking shorts. I sure that she meant no disrespect for the family of the deceased and within a sea of black clothes by the look on her face you could tell she quickly realized her mistake. A simple solid colored top and dark pants or skirt is easy to pull out of your closet or you can designate a particular outfit to wear to those occasions.
15. Gloves - You need to keep your hands in good condition and nothing can wear at them faster than cold weather. Have a pair of good cloth or leather gloves to protect them.
16. Sunglasses - Not only a fashion statement they will help protect your eyes from both wind (which can cause eye calluses) and the sun.
17. Housecoat and Slippers - I'm not talking what grandma use to wear. Have a luxurious white terry cloth spa house coat or maybe a silk Kimono type. Staying at friends or an unexpected stay in the hospital you will be glad you have these items.
18. Travel Bag - You need something practical and stylish to throw all you stuff into for week-end get aways.
19. Winter Cloak or Fancy Throw - you might not have a gorgeous coat that you can throw over your party dress in the winter. Putting on your ski jacket is just wrong. A winter cloak or throw is timeless and will keep you snug and warm on your way to the party and it will last for years.
20. Cashmere Sweater - there is nothing more luxurious and every woman deserves one.
21. 3X Make Up Mirror - You need to see close up your skin and make up. Having a 3x mirror might show your flaws clears but then you will know to cover them up.
22. Manicure/Pedicure Set - To get the job done right you need the proper tools. You should have manicure and pedicure tools that only you use, these should never be shared and they should be cleaned on a regular basis. These tools can have a lot of bacteria on them from cleaning your nails so keep them clean.
23. Moisturizer - It doesn't have to be fancy it just has to work. Moisturizer your skin daily is the easiest way to keep it soft, smooth and healthy looking.
24. Extra Toothbrush and Dental Floss - tell me your flossing your teeth... Most people don't change out their tooth brushes as often as they are suppose to. After a cold or any other illness and after every three month you should have a new tooth brush as the bristles of the old one are not working as well. Research has shown that good dental care leads to better overall health.
25. Exercise Regiment - I talking about your own exercise plan that keeps you in good shape. Doesn't matter if it is walking daily or hard core weight lifting, it has to fit you and your life style and you have to do it.
26. Datebook - Whether you have an old fashioned paper one or an electronic one you need a proper datebook to schedule you time.
27. Bank Account - You need access to your money and it does not matter if you are sharing this account with your partner or if it is strictly in your own name, you need to have full access to it when ever necessary. Bank accounts are not to be taken lightly so make sure that you know what any charges are going to be and what are the penalties for over drafts. While I say bank account you can also do your business at a co-operative or trust where the fees can be considerably less.
28. Charge Card - Surprised that I would have this on my list? Me who hates debt of any kind? Just because you own a charge card does not mean that you have to senselessly use it. It has to be incorporated into you monthly budget how you are going to use it not just a willy-nilly knee jerk reaction of pulling it out all the time. Charge cards can be very useful in times of emergency so have one and treat it with respect.
29. Driver's Licence - You need your freedom and to be in control. There are still places in the world were women are not allowed to drive. Be in control of your life and where you are going by having a driver's licence.
30. Library Card - Libraries are great places to go for more than just books, In many communities they are the social hub for area artists, writers and performers. They are great places to connect to your community and a great place to get books, movies, magazines and other items that your tax dollars are already paying for.
31. Telephone - in this day and age you are best off with a cell phone. Have a phone in your own name that you have control over.
32. Computer - We live in a digital age and the computer is the way that we connect to the world. As important as a telephone it is how we can stay informed and entertained.
33. E-mail account - it doesn't matter if you are 17 or 70 you need an e-mail account to handle both your personal and business affairs. You actually might get more than one for different aspects of your life.
34. Facebook Page - Even if you have no interest in social media this is and excellent way for people to contact you such as church groups you use to belong to or old high school friends.
35. Passport - You have the ability to see the world....if you have a valid passport. Don't let opportunity pass you by.
36. Health Insurance - Regardless of what your thoughts are about the health insurance debate at present you NEED health insurance. If you are traveling out of the country make sure that you have extra health insurance for where you are going. Every year tourists through out the world have accidents and illness that end up costing them thousands because they were not insured.
37. Retirement Savings Plan - think you have time to do this latter in life? Latter will be too late. Look into it as young as you can. The sooner you can start squirreling away a few bills the better.
38. Charity - have a charity that you call your own, that you donate or volunteer with and know that you are helping.
39. Will - I'm not being morbid here but planning for the people that you love. You always think that if anything were ever to happen to you then the people around you would know what to do but the truth is that they will be in shock and not thinking properly. You need to set out your wishes so people will know what you want. It is as simple as that.
40. Schedule of Regular Health Check Ups - for dentist, doctor, optometrist and gynecologist.
41. Medical File - You should never just count on your doctors office to keep all your health information up to date. Have your own medical file where you note major illness, surgeries and visits to the doctor. Also note the medical histories of your parents and grandparent, siblings and any recurring illness or diseases in your family. You will need to recount your medical history every time you are sent to a specialist or unusual symptoms occur.
42. Emergency Kit - It does not matter where you live in the world there is a possibility of a natural disaster affecting you. Be it a snow storm or an earthquake you have to be prepared. You should have a separate emergency kit for each member of your family to last through 3 days. This is especially important if you have very young children.
43. First Aid Kit - Accidents happen, be prepared.
44. Cookbook - My favorite? The 1977 Joy of Cooking ( I found recent additions remove a lot of the good stuff). While there is a mountain of food sites on-line having a good general cook book will help you over a lot of kitchen problems.
45. Set of Excellent Pots - Thin bottomed cooking pots can scorch and burn your dinner so it is best to invest in thick bottomed sandwiched metal pots. You might have to save up and buy one or two a year but they will last a life time.
46. Good Kitchen Knife, Paring Knife and Scissors - Every try to cut a tomato with a dull knife? Having good quality sharp knives in your kitchen will make cooking much easier. Having a good pair of general use scissors will save your sanity.
47. Oven thermometer - You think that your oven is heating to the temperature that is shown? Probably not. Most oven are not calibrated properly or lose there calibration over time. An oven thermometer will make sure that you can heat it up the to perfect degree that your recipe calls for.
48. Vase - Fresh flowers in the home are a joy and you need a beautiful vase to put them into. Having that vase will also inspire the people in your life to buy you flowers.
49. Camera - Good times pass quickly and you want to remember them so make sure you have a camera to hold onto your memories.
50. Sense of Self Worth - You are a wonderful human being and you need to acknowledged this. It doesn't matter what else you have in life you don't have this. Life is wonderful and even more wonderful because you are in it.
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Copyright Ingrid Talpak 2012
Morestylethancash
Morestylethancash
No surprises here, (for me anyway), but an EXCELLENT reminder. There are several things that you've 'nudged' me about and I love to read your lists, thanks!
Great post! It was fun to go through and see what I don't have - a will and a drop dead gorgeous dress! Funny combination : )
Oh I had a good laugh over that combination!
This is a great list!! I would love if you linked this up to Take it on Tuesday blog hop! http://romanceonadime.com/take-it-on-tuesday/take-it-on-tuesday-blog-hop-wine-glass-charms/
What a great list!! Lots of good reminders and some things I hadn't thought of before! I would LOVE it if you would be willing to link up to our party going on now-Monday. Thanks
http://www.kadie-sevenalive.blogspot.com/2012/01/link-it-up-thursday-4.html
Hey there! This is a great list ... I have most all the things listed and see the need for a few others... like my own tool box! :) Would love for you to come visit - saw you at Rock n Share and this is my first time here, but, I'll be back!
Great list! Thanks for sharing on Tickled pink. I am featuring it this weekend!
YAY! Thanks so much Holly!