“What was it about Natasha that always made me feel like a charity case?”

Whoa. Carrie Bradshaw, the most svelte and stylish fictional character around, seemed like she had it all: a cool apartment in New York City, her own column in a newspaper and more Manolo Blahniks than a local Neiman Marcus store. She had everything! So why did Natasha, the infamous Mr. Big’s wife, make her feel like nothing?

In today’s society, it’s hard to be perfect when outlandish images of flawlessness are everywhere. Singers, actresses and even our favorite bloggers conveniently have everything that we don’t. So do our cousins, classmates and the girls in our innermost circles. Instead of embracing our flaws and appreciating the redeeming qualities we have, we compare and contrast ourselves with anyone who’s “better.” (Just ask Rachel Berry.)Sure, we’re smart and beautiful. We land great internships during the summer and bang out 10-page essays after a long night of partying. But seeing someone score a better grade or watching a classmate date the guy you had a crush on easily erases those accomplishments.

Why? Why is it so hard to believe that we’re as talented and fabulous as the next person? And why should we let someone else deter our own progress? There’s nothing wrong with competition because it heightens our self-motivation. But when the comparison eats you up on the inside, it becomes a problem.

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As my friends know, I never leave the house without fully stocking my purse with all of the essentials. The tricky part about that, however, is being prepared without looking like a bag lady.

In other words, you gotta make sure that you have what you need in the most miniature form possible. Here are some of my personal favorites to keep me prepared without ruining my outfit (or sweet dance moves) with a massive purse.

A wristlet: The right bag is step one to making sure you’re fully stocked with what you need for a night out. I prefer to use a wristlet because I can throw it around my wrist and not worry about it slipping off. Plus, they’re small enough to hold onto all night without crampin’ your style. Try to get one with a zipper – I once lost my ID and debit card due to a faulty clasp.

Lip gloss: But not any lip gloss. Be sure that you buy a shade that you can wear with almost any make up style. That way, you can just keep it in your purse without having to remember to switch it out every night. Also, try to get one that will moisurize your lips as well so you don’t have to take up precious purse space with an additional lip balm. I like MAC lip gloss in Spalicious.

Gum or Mints: I prefer to use mints because you don’t have to deal with wrappers or have to spit anything out. My freshman year of high school, I discovered Certs Powerful Mints for prom. The package has 60 powerful yet yummy mints in a package the size of a credit card. Perfectttt. Read More »