05.11.09
Organizing My Bags
(Sounds almost dirty, doesn’t it? Organizing my bags.)
As an organizational freak who loves simplicity, my life is basically bags, pouches, boxes and baskets. If it will store something or organize something, I have to own it. Hubby thinks I have an addiction problem when it comes to baskets, plastic bins and canvas bags. Organizing my purse/handbag to ensure my life stays as easy as possible has been a big challenge lately. But I think I’ve finally arrived at a solution. Here are my two secondary bags and their various contents:
BIG BAG (Skip Hop Diaper Tote): This attractive diaper tote contains all of Baby’s needs, including multiple changes of clothes, thin blanket, diapers, wipes, creams, lotions, toys, binkies, snacks, sippy cups, hat, washcloths, tissues, etc.
SMALL BAG (Aurielle-Carryland Shoulder Bag): This small shoulder bag contains just the bare necessities for Baby, including two dipes, a small pack of travel wipes, and a couple of disposable changing pads.
My primary bag is a WRISTLET that contains mommy’s essentials, including wallet, grocery store cards, epi-pen, and pouch containing Swiss Army Knife, mini flashlight, lip balm, and other small personal items. This is a must have when leaving the house.
I’ve decided that this type of arrangement best suits my needs. If I’m running out on quickie errand–like a short trip to the local supermarket–I just toss my wristlet into my small bag and I have all the essentials for me and Baby.
On the other hand, if I’m out for a full day–such as playgroup, lunch and shopping–then I put the wristlet into my big bag and head out the door with everything I might possibly need to keep Baby happy and comfortable for hours.
So now there’s no need for me to switch around a bunch of stuff whenever I’m changing bags, and there’s no need for me to always be grabbing diapers from the nursery and packing them into a purse. With this system, I have two bags from which to choose: a quick errand bag and an all-day bag. The only thing I have to switch around is my personal purse (the small wristlet). Everything else is already packed and ready to go, and that’s how I like it. Easy. Simple.
05.09.09
Did I finally find the *perfect* bag?
Maybe. Maybe.
It feels perfect.
Lots of mommies are fans of Skip Hop diaper bags. They’re reasonably priced for the quality (I own their Saddlebag), but they only have one or two styles that look more like a purse and less like a diaper bag.
And if I spend too much $$ on another bag, Hubby will probably cut up my credit card.
Then I found the Spark by Skip Hop Scoop Tote Diaper Bag. It cost $35, which is a very reasonable price for a bag. Some of the best features: attractive, lightweight, metal feet, lots of pockets, and stroller straps for hanging on stroller handle. One con is that the quality isn’t the best… it’s not the same nice quality as a regular Skip Hop bag. I suspect that, with daily use, this bag will need replaced in 6 months or so. But by that point I’ll probably want a different bag anyway!
This is a big bag, in my opinion, bigger than I usually carry… but unfortunately it’s the size I need right now (especially since I am starting to tote around snacks and sippy cups). Below is my video review of the bag, and it includes all the stuff I currently have packed in this bag.
04.24.09
Babyride Infant Car Seat Recall
Babyride Car Seats Model #374199 are being recalled. More info here.
04.15.09
Skip Hop Saddle Bag Review
Remember the new saddle bag I bought to add storage to my umbrella stroller? Well, here’s my review of it:
Skip Hop Saddle Diaper Bag Review
A review of the Skip Hop Saddle Bag, including quality and performance.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1615127/skip_hop_saddle_diaper_bag_review.html
04.14.09
My Umbrella Stroller Setup
So I wrote quite a few posts about the stroller and accessories I ordered to make errands and travel more convenient. Well, here’s my new setup:
As you can see, it’s a bit bigger than the typical cheap-o umbrella stroller, but it does have a lot of nice features (the mesh storage basket is hidden from view in this picture), including a detachable and adjustable canopy.
This picture shows a nice view of my Skip Hop Saddlebag, which holds enough for a diaper change or two, a couple of small toys, some odds/ends, plus a sippy cup. It allows me to use this stroller without lugging around a big diaper bag, which I totally appreciate.
The cupholder accessory on the stroller handles doesn’t work as well as I’d like, but it’s ok for now.
Overall, I think my setup gives me and Baby all my basic needs in a compact and convenient package.
04.07.09
Pacifiers and Play Yard Recall
Two recalls today: Healthtex Pacifiers and Simpicity Play Yards
04.02.09
High Chair Recall
Two different Evenflo high chairs were recalled today: the Majestic and the Envision models. To learn more, read this MSNBC.com article.
Toy Box Recall
Lakeshore Learning Materials has voluntarily recalled their What’s Inside? Soft Toy Boxes, due to reports of the stuffed butterfly’s head detaching. (Insert your own dismemberment joke here.) The butterfly heads pose a choking hazard. You can contact the company to get a replacement butterfly.
Learn more about this recall–including how to contact the company–at: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09176.html
03.30.09
More stroller stuff
(You didn’t think I would stop at a stroller and a diaper bag, did you?)
I confess. I bought one more accessory for a stroller I don’t even have yet! It’s called the Sunshine Kids Stroller Accessory Buggy Buddy. Quite a mouthful for something that looks like this:
Basically, the new fab orange lightweight stroller that I’ve ordered does not have any type of cupholders. Although the super cool stroller saddle bag I’ve ordered does have one drink holder on the side, it would be kind of inconvenient for me to reach (since it’ll be pretty close to the ground). And I believe in convenience.
Thus, the purchase of this Buggy Buddy, which is supposed to hang from the stroller handles like so:
If it works, I’ll be one happy camper.
03.28.09
Saddlebags Can Be A Good Thing…
After buying this fab orange lightweight Chicco stroller, I realized that I was going to need some accessories. According to reviews, the storage space beneath the stroller is pretty small. I could already see myself getting frustrated if I had to deal with a stroller, a diaper bag and my purse.
A little online searching led me to the Skip Hop Saddle Bag.
I opted for this color–called Uptown Stripe–because I thought it would look super cute with the orange stroller. Also, it was on sale for cheap on eBay. The downside: It’s not very masculine if Hubby wants to carry it around.
Although I have not yet received my Skip Hop bag (oh shipping time, how I curse you!), reviews suggest that this bag is fairly small (although one Amazon reviewer manages to stuff plenty in it.) The great thing about this bag (I hope) is that it attaches to the side of the stroller. I think this is a safer option than hanging a bag from the handles of a stroller, which can cause tipping.
I’m really hoping that this bag holds enough for a basic day out running errands… which means a couple of diapers, a travel pack of wipes, an outfit change, a binky, and a couple of small toys. If it can handle that, most times I’ll be able to leave my bigger diaper bag in the car or at home… and I LOVE to travel light!
