Lately, I’ve found myself thinking a lot about what it means to be a woman. I mean, like, a real grown up lady. I don’t mean woman in the support-top pantyhose, minivan, white wine spritzer sense of the word. I’m talking about being a female who is in possession of all the knowledge, skills and paraphernalia that she needs to make her way in the world.
Here’s what I want in my proverbial toolkit:
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The perfect little black dress
Cliche? Yes. Still useful? Also yes. Perfect for weddings, cocktail parties, graduations, walking on the beach after any of the above with the cutie you just met. (That link goes to a $20 dress that has 1,500 4.5 star ratings!)
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Shoes that cost more than a hundred bucks
Preferably, they will work with the perfect little black dress, your favorite jeans and that vintage pencil skirt. (This is my expensive footwear of choice.)
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A passport
For globetrotting and impromptu tequila runs. Or maple syrup runs. If you don’t have one, here’s how to apply! -
A toolkit
Because you can only hammer nails with the soles of your shoes for so long before it’s embarrassing.
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An electric drill
For bookshelf hanging, hanging lamps, drilling a hole into your neighbor’s apartment for better snooping. Wait. What?
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A vibrator
Samantha Jones would be disappointed in any modern girl without one. -
A gorgeous piece of jewelry you bought for yourself
It doesn’t have to be expensive, it just needs to thrill you.
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A set of professional photos in which you look amazing
Leslie Plesser does all my photos and I love them. -
A hardcover set of your favorite books
I’m working on an Anne of Green Gables collectionand all the Kurt Vonnegut books.
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Engraved flask
Or something pretty and personalized that will hold you favorite beverage. Mine will read Ms. Von and be filled with Suntory whiskey. What about you? -
A fantastic matching bra and underwear set
You can wear it under your U of M sweats and feel smug and secretly sexy.
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A really good set of luggage
I’m counting my REI backpack. But LV rolly suitcases work, too. -
A bank account with enough money for a cushion
In this economy, it just makes sense, eh? (P.S. how to save up for big ticket items)
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Skincare products you love
Because you can’t hide your affinity for sunbathing sans sunscreen. -
A good planner
For lists. Duh.
But surely there must be lots of other things that a grown-up girl should have in her arsenal. What do you think? What things should every woman own?
P.S. 7 travel tools I won’t shut up about
Red lipstick! Or any another fabulous shade.
Bicycle and dog – to be fit without gym and to be happy without men 😉
I like the vibrator idea the best, hhaha! I agree with WNZ – bicycles are a necessity! And maybe cats…
#13, yes! I once read an article where the woman called her emergency fund "F you money". It was independent from the savings she had with her partner and her mom had taught her to keep one. When she was in a crisis (job or brerakup), she had this cushion with which she could still be independent… of job and man! Yay! (She happened to lose her job and moved to NYC to live on her F you money for a few months. NYC had always been her dream.)
I LOVE this, and I'm sending it to all my gf's. A room of one's own, Virginia Woolf said, is a necessity, as well as a checking account of one's own : >
Oh my gosh, I was scared to open the "vibrator" link to Amazon, haha!! You're so funny, Sarah!
Thanks for giving me an excuse to buy a new set of luscious underwear and shoes that cost more than a hundred dollars!
Getting a passport has been on my to-do list all year. Time to put on my big girl pants and check that one off. Early to Bed (feminist Chicago-based sex shop) is AWESOME for vibrators and toys. Lots of reviews and how-tos for newbies.
Little black dress is something I most definitely agree with! So easy to dress up or dress down. Something I currently fail at! I guess I have a good reason to go shopping 😉
Oh Sarah Von, I adore you. Heaps & heaps.
#8: We don't look cuter as we get older? Are you kidding me?
There's nothing more sexy than an older, confident woman who has learned to feel comfortable in her skin. That's something young women usually have yet to master.
A mature (not necessarily *older*) woman will know how to feel good, comfortable, and real–no matter her situation and age. Insecurity is a real turn-off.
We really need to stop the myth that only men get more attractive with age. This is a key point that we feminists should embrace.
Yes to all of this! Although I would say #8 is not really age related – I think it's important to have photos of yourself that make you feel great throughout your life!
Oh and I would definitely add the perfect shade of red lipstick to this list!
Black dress and shoes!
Definitely adult toys. I've got one of the lelo vibrators at Madam Claude. Its really nice toy and perfect for me and with my partner.
As a long time reader, I was disappointed to see your comment on #8. What a sad thing to say to women. I love the rest of the list, just sorry to see that bit. If anything, some women tend to not to be in photographs because they feel self conscious and to that I say, get in the photos, ladies! Embrace how you look today (and everyday) because you’re uniquely you and so beautiful. <3
Great point, Cate! I wrote this yearrrrrs ago. Clearly it needs some updating.
Other than an endless supply of really good wine and chocolate, a Diva cup! (how practical of me)
Ooooh! You’re totally right! I don’t have one (yet) but all my friends raaaave about them!
I’d switch the LBD for a little RED dress actually, because true red flatters absolutely everyone (teal is another safe bet). Most people look quite drained in black! #colourgeek
The really practical things on this list are good (books, money, tool kit, passport, skin care products, and planner/calendar), but I personally can do without the dress, shoes, flask, etc. I’m a downer, I know. 😉
Then you don’t have to buy those 😉