The Little Things I Keep in My Purse and Glovebox

A look at the small, handy things that keep me feeling put together while chasing five kids around the desert.

Herbal Salve Stick from Four Peaks Soapery

If you looked inside my purse right now, you would probably find a few stray pebbles, a crumpled receipt, and maybe a rogue LEGO piece. It is a bit of a whirlwind in there, much like the rest of my house. But among the clutter, there are always a few specific things I keep tucked away—the kind of things I can’t seem to leave the house without.

I have always preferred things in stick or balm form when I am on the go. There is something about not having to get my hands messy that just makes sense when I am driving the kids to practice or walking through the piñon pines. I make these in my own shop, Four Peaks Soapery, because I wanted things that felt right for my family and fit into the pockets of my life.

For the moments I need a breath

Living in New Mexico, the air can get so dry, and sometimes the day just feels heavy. Between the laundry and the school runs, I find that I need a moment to just stop and breathe. I keep a little something in my bag that helps me reset when the chaos hits a peak.

It is a simple habit, but taking a second to use a nasal inhaler helps me feel more present. I usually keep one in the center console of the car so it is right there when I am stuck in traffic or just need a quick refresh before heading into the house.

• Fits perfectly in a small pocket
• Easy to use without a mirror
• Great for a quick mental reset

• Pressure Buster Vapor Stick – Peppermint & Eucalyptus Aromatherapy Nasal Inhaler – $4.89

Natural Hair Wax Stick for Flyaways & Frizz Control from Four Peaks Soapery

Taming the desert wind

The wind here can be relentless. I love the wide open spaces, but my hair usually has other plans. By the time I get the kids out of the car and into the building, my hair is often standing in every direction, and those little flyaways just won’t stay down.

I used to ignore it, but then I realized I could just make a solution that worked for me. Now I have a stick that I can just swipe across my hairline. It is much easier than messing with gels or sprays when you are standing in a parking lot.

• Quick application on the go
• No sticky residue on the fingers
• Keeps things neat and tidy

• Natural Hair Wax Stick for Flyaways & Frizz Control – $5.89

Pressure Buster Vapor Stick – Peppermint & Eucalyptus Aromatherapy Nasal Inhaler from Four Peaks Soapery

Garden treasures in a tube

My yard is my favorite place to be. I spend so much time foraging and working with the plants—the comfrey and the evergreens—that I wanted a way to carry those botanicals with me. I have spent years learning which plants from our landscape feel best on the skin.

I put these infusions into a stick because I am always moving. Whether I am helping the kids with a scrape or just feeling the dryness of the desert air on my elbows, it is nice to have a blend of piñon and juniper right there in my bag. It feels like carrying a little piece of the Southwest with me.

• Infused with local desert plants
• Mess-free application
• Practical for outdoor adventures

• Herbal Salve Stick – $5.99

Tallow Moisturizing Stick from Four Peaks Soapery

Keeping the dryness at bay

If there is one thing about living here, it is that your skin always feels like it needs more moisture. My hands are the first to tell me when the humidity drops. I have tried a lot of lotions, but they often feel too thin or leave my hands too greasy to drive the car.

I started making a tallow-based moisturizer in a stick format. Tallow is wonderful, and adding rosehip and jojoba makes it feel just right. I keep this one in my glovebox because it is the first thing I reach for after a long drive through the wind.

• Feels nice on dry hands
• Concentrated moisture
• Doesn’t leak in the purse

• Tallow Moisturizing Stick – $8.49

There is something so satisfying about knowing exactly what goes into the things we use. I love that I can make these in my soap shop and then see my own children using them throughout the day. It simplifies things, and it keeps us connected to the plants and the land around us.

I hope you find a few things that make your daily routine a little smoother, too. Even if it is just a small stick in a messy purse, those little rituals of self-care matter.

You can browse all these handmade goods at Four Peaks Soapery here.