Bag of Things
 

I know there have been a few comments where people have shared what they think are essentials to have in the bag you're allowed to bring to recruitment, but I wanted to see it all in one place, in one thread. So, if you were putting together your survival bag, what would be in it?

don't forget tampons!

Hairbrush (small one perhaps)
lip gloss
breath mints
water bottle

(in addition to everything above)

note book and pen, personal fan, change of shoes if you are wearing heels, hand sanitizer, tissue.

-Shine blotting sheets
-Bobby pins and hair ties
-Hairbrush or comb
-Nail polish for touch ups if needed
-Flip flops
-MINTS, not gum
-Pain killer
-Powder if you wear it
-Lip gloss or chapstick
-Safety pins
-Band-Aids
-Notebook/pen
-Mini deodorant stick

If you buy a medium sized make up bag (or empty one you already have) you can fit a few of each thing inside, to keep your bag organized. (A few safety pins, bobby pins, hair ties, shine blotting sheets, pain killer, mints). Then you don't have to dig through the larger things to find what you're looking for.

What not to bring:
-Cell phone, unless you turn it off and keep it off during parties. I'd leave it in my car, but for PNM's who are walking back to dorms at night, you need a phone for safety, so just keep it OFF until the parties are over.
-Cigarettes...You don't want to smell like smoke. If you're a smoker, get some Nicorette to make it between parties, but do not chew the gum during a party.
-Perfume...It's too tempting to put too much on without realizing it and that can get funky.

Instead of actual perfume, if you still wanted to reapply a scent, you should bring body spray. It'll freshen you up with a scent, but it's not overpowering like perfume is. It's also less likely that one will "overdose," if you will, on body spray.

Meh not sure if I agree with this. Body spray can be just as potent. I had a group of PNMs one year that happened to discover Love Spell by Victoria's Secret. And the whole group quickly ended up reeking. Horribly.

If you want to bring a scent I recommend getting a rollerball version of your perfume. It's harder to put too much on and spread it all over that way. And do NOT reapply between every party. You get used to the scent you're wearing and think others can't smell it, but they can.

If it's hot/humid out and you wear make-up, bring some make-up wipes, too, to control the whole runny mascara thing. Keep them in their own separate baggie. Waterproof mascara works alright but will still get runny if it's humid enough.

Hit up the travel section of Target or Walmart for things like contact solution, deodorant, hairspray (if you use it), etc - don't lug around the whole big bottle.

I've metioned the wrinkle spray before - you can get that in the travel section of Target and Walmart. Also include a stain stick (Tide Pen, Shout Wipes, whatever).

If you don't have blotting sheets, coffee filters work well.

I second the Wrinkle releaser.

Also, hard candy and maybe some pretzels or crackers to prevent low blood sugar, some almonds or nuts for protein.

Before you leave for the day, dust a bit of baby powder on the inside of your shoes (not like Lindsay Lohan did, where it was poofing out every step she took). It will help soak up the sweat and reduce friction/blisters.