Boys Will Be Boys

Posts Tagged ‘mom gear’

How it all started:
Before I was a mom Patrick bought me a Coach purse. It was my first fancy purse and it’s a classic black one that I love. Next was my Coach wallet that somehow a lovely ink pen exploded on and has a nice blue ink stain. Patrick told me he wouldn’t buy me anymore Coach after that but little did he know my next bag craze was on the horizon! I had to put my cute Coach bag away for a diaper bag when I became a mom. To say that I’m a bag addict is probably at this point an understatement but he started it with that first purchase! I have seen much bigger bag stashes from other moms so I guess I am not as crazy as I had originally thought. Patrick would beg to differ I think.

So, I have gone through a few bags in the last 2 1/2 years being a new mom. I find that bags have certain purposes and some are better for things then others.

The evolution of my diaper bag craze:

First bag~ I started off with a Skip Hop Dash:
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It wasn’t too diaperbagish and cutesy which I was trying to avoid. Sorry, no Winnie the Pooh diaper bag for me! I got a black one figuring Patrick would be carrying it too. It was nice and affordable compared to some of the others I drooled over. For Braysen’s first year I carried this bag everywhere and couldn’t say enough good things about it. I still think it’s a great bag, especially for a dad to carry and is very affordable. I liked the way it attaches to the strollers too! They also market their bags at Target under the name Spark for a really good price! I do have a Spark Pronto that I’ll write about eventually.

Next, my Coach Tote:
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I refused to think you should spend nearly $400 for a Coach diaper bag but I managed to get a great deal on a Coach tote instead. It was nice and big so I could carry my “Diapees & Wipees” case in it (will explain later!) plus some snacks, sippy cups and the basics I needed for myself or Braysen without looking like I was carrying a diaper bag. I used it for work at first but it became my everyday bag until sippys were leaking, there was a serious lack of pockets for things and the shoulder strap was just uncomfy as it kept sliding off. When you are trying to carry a toddler the last thing you want to do is be adjusting the bag back up on your arm!

Moving on, Reese Li Lexington Tote:
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This came along when I had been looking for something to replace my Coach tote. I had a gift certificate for Amazon and was looking at my usual non-diaper bag types when I stumbled upon a good deal for a Reese Li. It seemed like a perfect size for me to take to work, had more pockets for Braysen and I could use it later easily. The price was definitely right and the gift card needed some use so wala! The key question always seems to be, “Can I use this later?” and this looked like it would pass the test!

and LAST but definitely not Least – Ju Ju Be:
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I came across these bags at Segals (a baby/kids store in Beaverton, OR that I’ve bought a lot of our kids stuff from) and fell in love with this one print on a bag. I didn’t really know anything about the bags, just was in love with the color. Well, I decided I needed one. When we found out we were having a 2nd kiddo I kept saying I wanted a different bag, something that could work better for an infant + toddler. Well, I found the perfect brand, Ju Ju Be.

I chose a Lush Paisley Between as my first bag from them but I can see the need for some of there others in my future. I went back and forth on getting a different type. I loved the Packabe’s versatility of using it as a backpack, messenger or tote depending on how you use your straps. I like the style of the Spicy and the size. I like the organization of the Be Right Back. I think the Be Prepared looks awesome for those weekend trips. The Minibe looks like a great small backpack to keep around for those in/out type of trips or just to leave in the car and then later for the kiddos just to carry themselves. I really want to get a few Be Quicks (they can be used so many ways – for diapers/wipes, for extra clothes and more!) I like the Be Mine wallet type but I’m itching for a new Coach wallet since the Be Mine in Lush Paisley is hard to find and that’s really the only color I’d want it in so far!

They just released 2 new styles of bags and some new colors. The Be Light style is more of a shoulder tote style which I can see myself getting to use as a work bag. The Wannabe isn’t really something I could put to use at this point because it’s more useful for the beach or carrying a lot more then I do.

Little did I know that the print I liked was a limited edition. Sooo, I’m glad I got my bag in that print before I couldn’t find one. I do like one of the new colors, the Lotus Lullaby and I think I need some things in that. Patrick is truly scared of this whole Ju Ju Be craze. I think they are one of the most original cool bags out there.

There you have it. I’m sure you’ll be seeing me write more as I acquire new bags (although I think they will be Ju Ju Be’s!!!) Plus, I need somewhere to be excited about these type of things. I mean, come on, men don’t get the fascination with bags! (I know some women don’t either) Some women like shoes, I like bags!

Yes, I’m a bag lady!

I will be posting links to all these bag companies on my Kids Product Links page up above here soon!