The Bag on Diaper Bags

So now that we know what a stroller addict I am, it's time to confess my other necessity gone overboard since having my daughter - the Diaper Bag.

It started out innocently enough - I thought I should have a big one, and a small one. And since I worked at forementioned baby store, I was well versed in the world of diaper bags. Enough so to know that I didn't want the same asian print satin Petunia Pickle Bottom bag that EVERY hip mom had. I was already proud owner of the most coveted stroller on the market - I couldn't just sell out for the most popular bag. So I settled on the hip yet less available Fleurville Sling Tote bag. I debated on the color, but in the end decided to be nice and get something that was neutral enough for my husband to carry, and I didn't really like the shiny, laminated surface of most of the bags. So I settled on the denim grommet bag.

Perfect for the fall baby, great for either sex, and matched my fall jean jacket. :) Can't go wrong. It was a GREAT back. Versatile, being able to be worn as a tote bag, hooked on to the stroller, or with the tote straps tucked in, a messenger style sling bag. Lots of roomy inside pockets, an easy fold out changing mat, and a wipe case. It was a great size. Middle of the road. Maybe not big enough for a heavy day of travel with a newborn, but perfect for everyday. Fits into the under-storage basket of pretty much all strollers or hooks to the handlebars for easy access.

Then about a month after Lillian was born, I was at Nordstrom and their Juicy Couture Quick Change mini bag was on SALE for under $50. I decided to splurge on it, figuring it would be useful while traveling, and as she got older and needed less. And while it has useful stuff like the micro thin yet tough and large change pad, all clear inner pockets and compartments, I didn't end up using it much as I soon realized that my most vital toddler staples are SNACKS and DRINKS which just don't fit.

Then a few weeks after that, the fabulous Kalencom faux leather tote came in at the baby store and I just couldn't resist. It was about twice the size of my Fleurville bag, but soft and squishy and easy to stuff into the storage basket, and big enough for a FULL day out with toys, some books, a few changes of clothes... you get the picture. It also didn't look much like a diaper bag - a huge plus for me. Oh, and washable, dryable.... also learn this is a huge plus when your kid's bottle leaks all over the inside of the diaper bag and you notice 2 days later. Yuck. Most bags are NOT equipped for washing. This bag got WELL used in my house!

But, who can keep a bag for more than a few months, right? I made it almost a year with this one, and then when Lillian started potty training, I decided I was ready for something smaller again. Something that could hold a few emergency outfits, drink and snacks and wallet. I liked the unique look and solid construction of the Kalencom bag well enough, I went back for a second.

The silver midi tote bag is fabulous. It doesn't look like a diaper bag, is soft and pliable, goes with your fashionable wardrobe and adds a bit of flair. Comes with a drink insulator bag, change pad, and several internal and external pockets. Plus for potty training moms, the fabulous "oops" bag in matching fabric.

Now I was THRILLED with this bag. Reasonably priced, made by a company out of New Orleans, and nobody else had it. Then a couple of months later, I came across THE bag that said..... ME.

The $350 Petunia Pickle Bottom CAKE collection Cosmopolitan Carryall bag in Chocolate Cherry Cake. A mouthful? Perhaps. A wallet-ful? Oh, YES. My husband is HATING me by this time, let me tell you. But sometimes there's just things a girl HAS to have when she's willing to forego so many others for herself. I treated myself. And I get compliments everywhere I go. Plush velour tapestry, tweeds.... MMmmm! It was bigger than I was hoping, but I see fashionistas running around with bags twice this size all the time. And while it has the hidden zip-out changing mat (that my now potty trained kid hasn't once used) matching wipe case, internal bottle pockets, I'm constantly getting stopped by women of all ages asking where I got my purse. I love the look on their faces when I say "Well, I got this diaper bag....."

And while I can honestly admit that it does NOT have ALL of the conveniences I have loved in past bags, this is the LAST one I plan on buying. And maybe using well past kid toting time.