What's in My New Years Eve Bag? My Favorite Evening Clutches Plus What to Bring for a Night Out

Vintage gold leather evening clutch. Zoe Gold Cuff by Sophie Blake, NYC

So you've got plans for a night on the town on New Year's Eve? Great! The thing is that evening clutch won't hold very much so how do you fit everything you'll need in such a small space? Here's what you'll want to have and how to pack it:

Skinny Minimergency Kit has 22 emergency, beauty, fashion and personal care items packed into a very small, slim space. This is one of the smallest travel kits in the series but very complete. You can add your own little extras like a pouch of aspirin, vitamins, adhesive bandages, etc. or make your own kit and include some or all of the items below.

Cell phone

Leather Mini Wallet with ID, some plastic as well as some cash.

Kent Travel Comb small but mighty! De-tangles extremely well as it is a one piece, polished styling comb. Small and thin, it fits in almost any flat bag or clutch.

Rozge Natural Lip Glosses with Light & Mirror are made from wildcrafted herbs that soothe and protect.  22 beautiful shades, each has a bright light in the cap and a mirror on the side making it perfect for reapplying on the fly...in the dark. Takes the place of having to bring a cosmetic mirror and you'll really appreciate the little light. Another similar cosmetic is from LIT NYC. The Mistletoe Kisses set below contains a lip gloss and nail polish both with a light in the applicator. Available at CVS.

LED LIT 5 Free Nail Polish & Lip Gloss Set available at CVS.

Sequined evening bag. Crystal Cocktail Watch by fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi

LESEBI Bracelets: Equus Horseshoe Chain Mail and the Mirage with Pearls and Gems.

Another way to take more with you is to stow little essentials in your coat pockets. This could be facial tissues, a lipstick, anything small you might need. Along with your coat, you may want to also keep a large wool or woven scarf with you. A scarf or shawl has a thousand uses and can keep you warm when the evening turns cold and windy.

Betsey Johnson Sequined Evening Bag

Interior of a hardcased clutch/wallet.

A hardcased  iPhone case and clutch can hold your essential credit cards, ID and some cash for the evening.

Makeup Cases to Go: Disney Cinderella Princess Collection
Another tip is to keep a full makeup kit in the car. Take only the bare essentials in your evening clutch but other items in these beautiful Disney Cinderella Makeup Bags from Soho Beauty. You'll feel like Cinderella at midnight when you run to your carriage for a touch up! Available online at SohoBeauty.com and Walgreen's. 

Disney Cinderella Collection Makeup Bags. Tartan & Twine Train Case

Taking the A-Train: Tartan & Twine Double Zip Train Case
If you are traveling for New Year's Eve and expect to stay overnight, you can organize everything in this soft Tartan & Twine Train Case. Cracked Gold finish has a double zipper separating two compartments. Has a separate, covered brush holder and zippered mesh pouch in the lid. The bottom section is very roomy with enough space for overnight toiletries and lingerie. Available at Ulta.com

Tartan & Twine Train Case available at Ulta Beauty.

So just because you have to pack a small bag doesn't mean roughing it. Here you can enjoy your New Year's Eve party but have the right stuff with you for the night.

Editor's Edition: What's in My Work Commute Handbag?

Essentials I pack for my day commute into NYC.

NYC, NY Ever wonder what us editors pack when we have to cover an event in the city? Well, we've got to be very strategic about space but there are a few things that fill many uses that I take along every time. I will usually take a larger carry all to hold everything and my camera bag is separate but everything fits right in.

My Carry All: Give Love Cycle's Guilden Bag
This carry all is the perfect size to hold everything I need for my commute and a comfortable day away from home. What's really cool is it is made to fit the CityBike's front basket so once I get off the train, I can hop on a CB at one of Kiosks on 7th Ave. Even if I'm not planning to ride the NYC Bike Path, I like having the option to do so and this Guilden Carry All is perfect no matter what. 

The Guilden Carry All by Give Love Cycle

Pack Your Bag!
I'm notorious for taking WAY too much stuff but I've learned over time to pack "modules" of items. I've learned this from backpacking and camping but it works for commuting too. Items that do similar things can be packed in smaller inner bags so it's easier to access on the road. A few examples would be my Minimergency Pouch by Pinch Provisions which has lip balm, breath freshener, clear nail polish, an emery board, tampon, pain reliever, bandage, a sewing kit, etc. all packed in a tiny pouch. Genius!

Minimergency Kit by Pinch Provisions

My Commuter Bag Contents:
Left to Right-
Minimergency Kit, L'Occitane Almond Hand Cream, Physician's Formula Lighted/Mirrored pH Powered Lip Gloss, All Good Coconut Sunstick SPF 30, GM Collin Eye Contour Corrector, Round Makeup Mirror in Green Leather Case, Neocell Beauty Bursts, Visine Eye Drops, Energems, Benefit Watt's Up? Highlighter, Probar Fuel Energy Bar and Whish Deodorant Swipes.

Tea to Go: Eco Vessel's tricked out thermal bottle is amazing.

Eco Vessel for Hot or Cold Drinks
I also keep a container of hot tea or ice cold water with me on my trip. I'm loving the Eco Vessel Boulder right now due to it's sleek design, cool spring colors and leak-proof triple walled technology. Packing this way leaves room for my bicycle helmet and the Eco Vessel. Just the right size and easy to hold, this water bottle goes with me each time I leave the house. This and my Probar means I'll always have food and water available.  See more bottle styles and types at EcoVessel.com:

Featuring our TriMax® triple insulation technology, the BOULDER has been tested to keep water cold for up to 36 hours and hot up to 8 hours. Perfect for water, tea, coffee, soup or just about any drink. Its tight screw on top will keep your drink securely inside, where it belongs. It has a wide mouth to easily accommodate ice cubes and a comfortable, convenient drinking spout. We've also included a removable tea strainer/ice dam. The Boulder is a sturdy, high quality, stylish vacuum insulated steel water bottle for the office, tennis courts, golf course, on the trails... anyplace, anytime. 

• Cold and hot drinks
• Premium #304 stainless steel
• Free of BPA, phthalates, liners
• TriMax® triple insulation for superb performance
• Removable tea strainer/ice dam
• Sturdy carrying handle
• Recyclable
• 17 oz (500 ml)
• 10.75" high; 3.00 diameter; 1 lb

  
Carry All and Water Bottle c/o Give Love Cycle and Eco Vessel respectively.

Your Desk Survival Kit

Keep these survival essentials in your desk and car to be ready for anything!

This is the time of year where people are getting stuck in snowstorms and delayed in traffic. What you need is a Desk Survival Kit that has more than a manicure set. Here are my travel ready office essentials that I take en route to the office and beyond:


1.) First Aid Kits-Smart Travel & Minimergency
I keep a small Ultralight-Watertight .3 Adventure Medical Kit in my cosmetic bag but you should get a larger Smart Travel Kit for the office. It has a full assortment of bandages, first-aid creams and meds. I add my own aspirin and feminine supplies so I'm always prepared.

Smart Travel First Aid Kit for the Office and Trips

Minimergency by Pinch Provisions
The "Her-mergency" mini kit in this NEW red and gold candy striper pattern is so complete! It packs 17 essential womanly must-haves in a very tiny case: Hairspray, emery board, tampon, lip balm, clear elastics, stain remover, nail polish remover pad, deodorant towelette, earing backs, safety pin, adhesive bandage, pain reliever, double sided tape, breath freshener, mending kit, dental floss and clear nail polish. Measures 3.5" x 2.25" x 2.25.
See more designs and colors at PinchProvisions.com

Packing my Minimergency Kit

2.) Good iCoffee
If you have the luxury of access to your own personal office coffee machine, you should definitely check out the NEW iCoffee Machine by Remington. At home, you can program it the night before to start your brew in the morning as a pleasant alarm clock.

 iCoffee makes THE BEST brewed coffee at home or at the office.

The iCoffee Machine makes the best coffee with no bitter taste due to a unique stir and steam process. No need for paper filters either as it has a golden mesh one built right in.
iCoffee's SteamBrew™ technology is unlike the usual drip brewers and you can use any type of coffee you like.

The iCoffee Machine makes Bistro Cafe quality coffee!

3.) Insulated Drink Container Pour yourself a thermos-full to take in the car and enjoy at the office. My Insulated Klean Kanteen keeps liquids piping hot for more than 6 hours. If you are stuck in traffic or break down, a hot cup of coffee or cocoa can go a long way for warming from the inside out.

My Insulated Klean Kanteen with Cafe Top

4.) Food Thermos & Eating Utensils
Heaven forbid you get stuck in your car or at the office (with the power out). I am very particular about my diet so I often pack my own healthy hot meals to take with me in the car. I got this amazing Stanley 20 oz Insulated Food Container from CampSaver, who is also my favorite outfitter. Fill this bad boy with hot soup, stew or whatever you like. There's a metal "spork" inside the lid so you can eat right out of the container. I also like the Baladero Cutlery Set also from CampSaver, that has: spoon, fork, cork screw, knife, can opener and screwdriver all in one!

Hot Won Ton in a Stanley Food Container and compact Baladeo cutlery via CampSaver.com

5.) Non-Perishable Foods
Nuts: High in protein, vitamins and minerals, I especially like SunRidge Farms resealable packets of Tamari Almonds, Pistachios and Organic Fancy Walnuts.

Delicious nuts. Don't forget the hand sanitizer!

Complex Carbs: My latest passion are the Corn and Rice Cakes from Element.  Keep a bag in your desk for a quick energy boost and to quiet a growling stomach at about 3pm. My favorite flavors are the Orange Yogurt and Milk Chocolate covered varieties. Yum!

Dark Chocolate Mini Corn Cakes from Element of Italy 

Dried Fruit: I like dried cranberries or Craisins, prunes, apples, etc. All are delicious and offer much needed nutrients and fiber while keeping very well at your desk.

Avenue of the Americas NYC, New York office.

 

Coffee Brewer c/o iCoffee.com (Remington)
Food Container & Cutlery c/o CampSaver.com