My married-with-children friends have a checklist before they leave their suburban homes: diapers, toys, bottle, baby. When I went out for cocktails with the girls the other night, I took mental notes of my own checklist: cash, keys, lip gloss, cell phone. And as I sipped my delicious mango martini with my fabulously single girlfriends, I got to thinking: What else is on our checklist? What provisions do we need to successfully and joyfully navigate our single gal lives?

Here are the essentials, as I see them:

1. The 3rd date outfit.
The first date’s a formality. The second establishes mutual attraction. And date #3 is all about turning up the heat. So whether it’s those saucy black boots you splurged on at Bloomies, or that curve-hugging skirt or even that sexy spaghetti-strap top that shows just the right amount of cleavage, a single girl’s gotta have something that makes her feel like a million bucks for that rare-but-fabulous third date.

2. Girlfriends.
We make each other laugh, soothe each other’s tears and stick together through even the toughest breakups, make-ups and in-between times.

3. Self-confidence.
Single gals of the world should always follow this simple but effective mantra: Always look like you know what you’re doing and that you’re having fun doing it!

4. A passport.
After a particularly painful breakup, I decided to take my dream Mediterranean vacation. Somewhere between hiking a 12-mile gorge with a cute air force officer, exploring ancient ruins and sunbathing topless, I realized: My ex would have hated this trip. Which made me appreciate my experiences all the more. And whenever I look at my passport, I smile at the fond memories of my adventure and wonder where I’ll travel to next.