So, I now have four. Well, sort of. I have 4 bags that have been bought or given to me recently for use with baby Arden. One is a cute and very girly messenger style bag that my friend Amber gave me, it will be good for nice events. The second one is more of small an “overnight” style quilted fabric bag from my friend Amanda, it’s going to be really useful for those many trips to the grands’ houses (and it has super cute owls on it). The third one is what I call a “dump bag” just a big square tote that a sweet lady at church got me. It’s also quilted fabric in pink and brown and has Arden’s monogram on it (You may have seen it on fb in an ad for Emily Ann’s) It’s actually packed with Arden’s hospital stuff and sitting by her bedroom door! And the last is one I bought myself. It is fun and cute, but most of all seems really, really practical! It’s wipe-able, has lots of storage and pockets and comes with 2 sets of straps and stroller straps! AND I got it at half price- which makes it even better!! I’m hoping I’m not disappointed at the quality, but from what I hear Timi and Leslie is a good brand? We’ll see!
The monogrammed “dump bag”
The practical
So help me out. What bag did all you other mom’s just love or hate.
I will need to add to my collection before long! I really don’t want to spend a fortune. . .but it’s a lot to ask of a bag to be stylish and functional! And this time is way easier, as I’m not afraid for it to be really girly!
With Stratton at first we had a couple or maybe 3 diaper bags. . . one for church (a really nice monogrammed canvas type from Restoration Hardware but wasn’t good with the stroller) and one for everyday (a wipe-able army green manly looking Eddie Bauer bag that was perfect with the stroller and extremely functional, it just wasn’t that cute [it was manly]) and personally, I think they need a different one for daycare, too many hands are in and out of that one and it gets grungy and plus you really don’t want to keep anything too nice in it in case someone accidently picks up your bag and never brings it back. . .it could happen! So he had one for that. I can’t remember what it was like, but probably simple and cheap and it’s probably been thrown away or garage-saled! We also had one that my friend Amy made me! It was so pretty and I could hardly bring myself to use it. But I did and I broke the strap. I think I retired it after that! We mainly took it to church or short events.
Then when Stratton was at about 5 months when we started needing more toys and books for church so I ended up with a large Vera Bradley tote that seem ginormous at the time, but it worked perfectly. I loved that I could throw it in the wash (probably not supposed to do that but I did) and it would be looking and smelling like new in no time! However it also didn’t work with the stroller very well. I still use it today to tote my stuff around! It does show a little wear now though.
Then when we went to D.C. I ordered a skip hop backpack to take with us, I was excited about it, but it never came in. . .and never came in. . and finally a few days before our trip I found a really lightweight simple shoulder strap bag at TJ Maxx. It worked, but by the end of our trip it was already torn. It went to the garage sale this year. I think the backpack would have been good, but I canceled the order. I did get the matching “saddle bag” and really like it. It Velcro's to your stroller and is nice for your small stuff. It’s red and black and matches the stroller. It’s perfect for outings like the zoo!
On a side note:: We also got him a medium sized (carry-on approved size) red and brown monogrammed duffle bag before we went to D.C. and that bag has been awesome! As much as we travel and as much time as he spends with this grandparents its so nice! And the perfect size. If you are looking for a good and different gift for a baby or toddler I would suggest PBK Fairfax collection. So, far it’s really taken the beating and banging! We had intended on buying him the whole set, but guess what?? Yep, they discontinued the color we picked. Go figure.
So, let me total that up. With Stratton we had a total of 7 diaper bags. No wonder I couldn’t afford a new purse for so long!
Around the time he turned 2 we quit carrying the “diaper bag” in leui of a more boyish bag so he could pack it and carry it himself (not that he does). Stratton now carries a Northface backpack with his books and toys and snacks for church and also a fabric train backpack that he takes to school everyday. He’s such a big boy.
