The Ultimate London Bag Esssentials

I found myself on the tube so many times last week and hated every minute of it. It was hot, sweaty, loud, smelly, jerky and totally unpleasant. Couldn't believe I PAID to use it. Each time I wished I had with me, something that would help it to be more pleasant.
Of course, it's not only the tube that sucks. Our Four-Seasons-in-One-Day weather keeps us permanently on sore toes. You wake up, it's a bit gloomy. You put on your jeans, jumper, grab your jacket, stuff a scarf into your bag and pop your umbrella loop over your wrist. You leg-it to the tube. Stuffed nose-to-armpit with someone (who clearly hasn't brushed their teeth) breathing down your neck as you attempt to untangle your earphones. You rush off like cattle through the tunnels on your way up to an exit when, suddenly, you're thrust into weather resembling Venice Beach circa 1969.

It's remarkably infuriating and a remarkably common and shit way to start the day.

Unfortunately it doesn't end there does it? You quickly buy a bottle of water that you know shouldn't have cost you £2, and plan to do a quick run to H&M in your lunch break, for a light and breezy dress-like item. Ooh! And you just saw a girl walk past with a really cute coral shade of lippy ... might as well grab that at the same time. Since it's going to be Summer for the afternoon...

...but it's London isn't it. So coming back from your lunch-break with new Summery items on and sweat-riddled stiff jeans and top stuffed carelessly into a carrier bag, everything seems at peace at last. It's five-to-five in the afternoon and someone goes 'It's looking a bit dark for Five isn't it?' and everyone's head spins round to witness a heavy dark and looming cloud. It's going to absolutely chuck it down. That you can be sure of.

That's London for you and here's my list of the ULTIMATE LONDON BAG ESSENTIALS where you may find something to help you through the frustration we all feel. 'Cos without all the crap - everything's pretty shweet!


YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY FANS!

The hand fan. What a magnificent invention. Much better than it's unneccesarily geeky 'Gadget Shop' counterpart. No batteries, folds into a sleek flat shape. Perfect for the bag. Grab them online at http://www.fantastica-uk.co.uk/. I really like the Sandalwood one which is sweet smelling and very compact. They do simple paper ones which come in a rainbow of colours and prices start at £2.45. Get two!

MINI SPRAY DEODORANT

Go to Boots or Superdrug and you'll find these essential little cans available in most brands. I love the Nivea ones. The reason I like a spray one for the bag is because you can spray your whole body with it and it totally helps with that sticky sweaty feel down your back!

FEMFRESH WIPES

I particularly like these in the individual sachets. Some ladies feel like this basically screams 'My (insert your favourite word for lady parts) is dutty!!!!' Which is a shame because they are such safe and brilliant items. After a sweaty day/morning/night, whatever, these really freshen you up without irritation and that's the point of them. I use them after Pilates because my studio doesn't have a shower facility and they really do bridge the gap between the workout and the shower.

'CLEAN' - PERFUMES

These are a collection of clean-smelling fragrances inspired by fresh laundry and the hand-milled innocent-smelling soaps you imagine a young pouty French teenager to smell like ... in a book perhaps by Françoise Sagan. My favourite is the 'Provence eau de parfum' spray. It's just divine and so .. well .. clean smelling! There's a wide range so check out which is right for you. Find the collection at http://www.hqhair.com/ .

TRANSLUCENT POWDER

A light dusting/patting of this magical powder just kills the over-shine dead in it's tracks. I'm all for a glowy face, but no-one wants to look like a buttered baking dish. Honestly, Urban Decay's 'De-Slick' is a no-colour powder that takes you back to natural and fresh looking. It's brilliant on all skin tones and comes with a mirror inside. You can get it on http://www.asos.com/ and it's £14.75 very well spent. Just don't lose it!

THE MULTI-USE HAND SALVE

Cath Kidston does this really brilliant salve that smells like clean laundry. It's for hardworking hands and comes in a great tin for around £6. I use it on hands, feet, legs if I'm desperate and I also run it through my hair to tame frizz and make it smell fresh. It's a gorgeous product that's made from natural ingredients (if you're bothered about that stuff at all). A fantastic 'Dirty Stop-Out' item!

THE UNIVERSAL DAY-TO-NIGHT EYESHADOW COMPACT

The Bobbi Brown Limited Edition Nude Eye Palette has everything you need, to go from innocent to drama. Silky and long-lasting nestled into a customisable 3-Pan Palette, the colours are classy and essential. £42 from http://www.bobbibrown.co.uk/

THE NO-BRAINER QUICK FULL-COVERAGE CONCEALER

Again, Bobbi Brown, I'm afraid. She just knows about creating a completely brilliant product. She seldom succumbs to faddy buzz ingredients and purely concentrates on what one really needs to work. The Touch-Up Stick is a slim concealer contained in a nice weighty applicator. Feels expensive and the contents are creamy, smooth, blendable and buildable. You'll adore using it and there's a shade for everyone. £17 from http://www.bobbibrown.co.uk/

THE POCKET RAIN MAC

Now, I'm not talking about the cellophane-wrap style ones that make you sweat like you c'yan sweat no mo or... no. I'm re-enlisting the kind that were on your school camp packing list. A light, airy rain mac that squashes into it's own pouch. They are particularly good to have in your bag on muggy days when you really can't be arsed with a jacket. The best thing about them is that they have hoods which overall, protect your hair far better than umbrella's do. Cath Kidston does a really charming one with London's landmark's decorating it, in a really nice old fashioned print. http://www.cathkidston.co.uk/ They're £25, check it out.

THE PORTABLE iPHONE RECHARGER

This gadget really is the Dog's Bollox! It provides enough back-up power for up to 5 hours of calls or 20 hours of music play. You recharge it on you computer and then keep it in your bag for when you really need it. Get it at http://www.iwoot.com/ for £19.99.

A CONCISE PERSONAL LIBRARY

The SONY Reader Pocket Edition is a really dreamy piece of kit. Its super light aluminium design, weighing in at just 220g, makes it an excellent travel item. It holds 350 ebooks and has a paper- like 5" E Ink® Vizplex™ screen for real reading even in sunlight (now why can't they make phones with that technology...). It comes in a magenta pink or silver aluminium and it costs £179.00.

CUTLER AND GROSS SUNGLASSES

Cutler and Gross sunglasses are classics. They don't flash into vogue one season and then become hideously clichéd the next. They're not emblazoned with logo's and faff and you can choose whatever coloured or graduated lense you want inside your preferred frame. There are so many to choose from and for something really special, nip into their vintage store. http://www.cutlerandgross.com/

AN ECO WATER BOTTLE

It's so easy, but such a waste of money to buy little 500ml's of bottle water when you're travelling around town. They range from pence to £3 or £4 in some areas and really everyone knows that London's home and office tap water is great for drinking. Swiss brand SIGG are the one to look out for. Their bottles are made from a single piece of impact extruded aluminium. They are lightweight and virtually unbreakable. They have this fantastic hygienically coated inside (BPA free) which helps to aleviate contamination of contents. How fabulous! The insides of these bottles are resistant to fruit acids and isotonic drinks and they are taste-neutral so fill it with whatever you like and no interferance. Much better than re-filling that cloudy plastic Evian bottle over and over again, right? Get one and look like you mean business with your water drinking! Orla Kiely and BRITA have teamed up to launch the nauseatingly titled 'Wottle. The World's first designer re-usable water bottle', blah, blah, blah... It's £7.99 and made from recycled plastic ... much less sexy if you ask me...

PAIN RELIEF

What's your poison? Mine is American brand Midol, which I get friends to bring me when they come to town. I like them because they contain caffeine, which gives me a boost of energy as I exit the headache. I can't recommend anything to you here, because to each their own. Whether you're all-natural or chemically satisfied, the choice is yours. Keep them in a cute pill box in your bag so they don't get crushed. Look for antique ones at car-boot sales. Very old-fashioned but eternally chic!


...and last but not least, a few little essentials with major impact...

Gum or strong mints.
Floss. Dental, not candy!
A travel toothbrush.
A fresh pair of pants zipped up in a small purse.

Now all that's left to do is to find the perfect bag.