Car Essentials

It was finally warm enough for me to spend the day outside cleaning Growlie, my car. I unloaded everything in it, wiped it all down, vacuumed everywhere, shook out the rugs, and even found knew compartments I didn't know existed. (seriously, my car has secret compartments everywhere!) I'd like to think I'm pretty prepared too with what I keep in my car, so I thought I would show you guys what I consider my car essentials.

From top left...

Real physical maps of local roads: You never know when your GPS will randomly crash or your cell will die. It's good to have some real maps just in case.

Pen and a notebook: You never know when you'll need to take down a shopping list, directions, or even just a great idea before you forget it!

An envelope of important documents: Keep your insurance card and other things organized rather than just crushed in you glove compartment.

Sanitary wipes: Who knows?

A crazy swiss army knife: It has a nail file, cork screw, knife, and a million other things. Just good to have around.

Tissues: Well duh you should have tissues!

Glasses case of tampons: It makes your boy passenger less squeamish if you just ask him for a glasses case ;]

Utensils: Because spontaneous picnics are totally a thing!

Sun reflector: Lightweight, cheap, and always a good thing to have.

Ibuprofen: Spontaneous cramps and headaches are the bane of everyone's existence. 

Pens and pencils: Always handy.

Umbrellas: Because it only starts raining once you've arrived at your destination :]

A plastic garbage bin: Seriously the best idea ever. You don't want wrappers and trash all over the place, so just get a flat plastic rubbermaid container and throw a plastic bag in it. I suggest a flat container rather than standing or they'll fall over when you make turns, and mine has locking handles which is great because they keep anything smelly from actually stinking up your car.

Plastic bags: For the garbage, as well as a useful thing to have if you suddenly need to carry things.

Bag of hard candies: Sometimes you just need a little sugar to get you through to dinner.
Sunglasses: Well this one's obvious but it's fun to have a variety in there, just so you have options for different outfits. :]
Lighters: I don't smoke, but if I ever had to start a fire or something I'd be glad I had them.
Altoids: You never know when you'll need fresh breath.
Hand sanitizer: Again, not a big fan of sanitizers, but it could be useful if you had to wash your hands but didn't have access to a sink.
Toothpicks: Okay this one is more for my boyfriend, but still, you never know when you'll have a stupid kernel stuck that just won't come loose no matter how much you fiddle at it with your tongue.
Change: Because the Illinois Tollway system is a bitch. Also, vending machines!
Bobby pins: Always have some nearby.
Emergency gas card: Just in case you're running low and don't have any money.
Secret cash stash: Definitely my most exciting item here, I hollowed out a tube of chapstick and keep some cash inside. Because seriously, who wants to steal my shitty chapstick?
A rug: The rug that all these things are sitting on is also in my car, my trunk to be exact. I have three of them in there, which are just old floormats, but very handy. They keep the plastic in my trunk from getting scratched, and they're good for sitting on outside, or wrapping up delicate things, as well as keeping food or liquid spills from getting all over your car. Handy dandy.

Anyways, hope that was helpful, some things I forgot to mention were an empty gas can just in case you need to walk to get gas. Also some rope in case you want to tie something down to your roof, as well as reusable grocery bags. I still need to buy myself a blanket for the car too, but after that, I'll be good to go!

Do you have any car essentials? Let me know in the comments!