Foxglove here – let’s have a chat about handbags.

So you’re in a situation where all hell has broken loose and people are either turning on each other or, well, trying to eat your delicious brain right out of your skull:

What’s in your handbag/shoulder bag/back pack and pockets?

Let me tell you… what you’re carrying could make all the difference in an apocalyptic situation. I don’t wanna be overly dramatic here but you don’t want to be the one with nothing but lip balm and a wallet full of useless plastic. (The plastic isn’t entirely useless but more about that shortly.)

Let’s start with what’s in my shoulder bag…

A wallet and ID – you wanna put cash in that wallet – just in case you ever need it again.

Phone – keep it charged.

Nail file, a nice sturdy metal one. Emory boards are great for buffing your nails but at this point we want useful survival gear.

Notebook and two pens. – for making notes, for leaving notes in a dead drop for other survivors. (Gather your friends and family, decide where the dead drops will be and which home is the safest and easiest to defend – think ahead.)

Tissues.

Keys. - not only will they let you back into your home (which could well become your fortress) but they make a mighty fine close quarters weapon.

Lip balm with a spf of 15 or higher.

Postcards/business cards - very handy if you want someone to know you were there without leaving an actual note. Or, thinking about the bored apocalyptic person – they might need a good book, wouldn’t hurt that it’s yours they track down.

A small plastic bag first aid kit containing: latex gloves, wound dressings, iodine solution, saline, scissors, a roll of micropore, sterile gauze swabs, strapping tape, sticking plasters, pain killers, girl things*.

Another small bag with personal emergency medication: migraine meds etc

Comb or hair brush. -Just because there’s an apocalypse there is no need to let standards drop too far.

Bottle of calming blend oil. – Trust me.

Mirror. What’s really good are those hinged double mirrors – one magnifies one normal. You can use the mirror to see around corners, check under things, blind someone, start a fire, check your makeup…

Pocket knife. – Swiss army type or a multi-tool would be the most use.

A lighter. - fire is your friend. Cooking a few zombies might be your only escape option – use fire wisely and always leave yourself a safe exit.

Torch. – Preferably a small LED wind up or friction charged one.

Sun glasses.

Snacks – A couple of muesli bars or a little bag of scroggin. – you will need the energy!

Think about what you carry every day… and how useful it could be in an emergency.

Awesome right?

You never knew you were so prepared, did ya?

Now that chick over there – the one with her wallet in her hand, sunglasses on her head, and phone in her pocket… she’s going to do it hard. Keep the hell away from her. She’s what I like to call zombie fodder. Not smart enough to live but you can use her to buy some time.

*Tip one: If you are going to carry a bag make sure it goes over your head and one shoulder or is a backpack. You’re going to need your hands free.

*Tip two: ALWAYS carry tampons and pads not only for the obvious but they make great emergency dressings.

*Tip three: the useless store cards and credit cards – get the nail file and sharpen the top and one long edge of a few of the cards. They make handy knives in a pinch.

Foxglove out.