All summer long, I have been throwing everything into random canvas bags to head to the pool or park. Now that's it's fall, I need to get organized! Check out this brown tote: it's got a top zipper to keep the nosy baby from emptying your bag, a roomy size (19" wide) and clean lines to make me look like I am carrying a grown up bag. At just $44, you won't care if the sippy cup leaks a little.
Shopping Tip: Try code INSTYLE09 for 20% off purchases per RetailMeNot.com.
With a few moments to myself today, I popped into Brooklyn Industries. They are having a 30% off handbag sale through 5/10. I love the bags from here! They make excellent mom bags. This H Bag has three separate pockets (my stuff, snacks/sippy cups, diapers), is constructed of heavy canvas and is printed with a fun retro pattern. Also, Brooklyn Industries offers a lifetime warrenty - perfect for the hard life my bags lead when dragged to the playground, bouncing against my stroller or helpfully carried (aka dragged) by my toddler.
Shopping Tip: Use code HANDBAG30 at check out for 30% off handbags through 5/10 at brooklynindustries.com.
Hayden-Harnett designs amazing handbags, shoes, jewelery and clothes. They are also really fun to follow on Twitter because they seem like nice, normal people. Recently, they designed a line for Target that had some really interesting bags in it. From the reviews, it sounds like all the bags were great looking, but the construction was a little sloppy on some bags. They were also slightly expensive in my eyes for Target ($50+). However, some of the bags recently went on clearance and it's a great time to pick up this cute black clutch. I find it's really handy to have a smaller purse that I can throw under the stroller, in the diaper bag or pack in a suitcase. This one is cute and the reviews are decent. At less than $10, it's a real steal! If you want to splurge on the real deal, check out this clutch wallet on the Hayden-Harnett site. It's on sale for $102 (reg. $170).
One of my readers asked for some shopping advice: what's a good bag to take to the playground that can hold the minimum (wallet, cell & sippy cup) but not get in your way when you are making a train down the slide or playing umpire with the t-ball? I combed through the shopping universe to come up with my favorites:
1. Roots Leather Flat Bags
I LOVE these but they aren't cheap. The styling is beautiful and the colors are vivid. They come in a couple different sizes depending upon your needs. Maybe a good mother's day present?
2. Ellington Leather Goods Hayden Mini
This comes in three colors and at 8" x 9" x 3" is a good size to carry the basics and not get in your way. The price is nice at $56 on sale at ebags.com.
3. Flat Bags
Made from recycled bicycle inner tubes, these are green and cute! The metallic pink is fun and I like the idea of the magnetic closure for one hand easy access.
4. AmeriBag Manhattan
Designed to be worn across your body, it's back friendly and the most wallet friendly at just $43.20.
I am always on the search for a bag that can carry diapers & sippy cups, AND look okay when I leave the house sans children. Check out this hot tote. It measures 18" x 15" x 4.5" but can also be folded to become an over the shoulder bag. Fashionable & handy! I found out about this great bag from The Girlie Girl Army. It's a blog slash weekly email that can help keep you up to date on fashion and general fun stuff including discounts, hot music, and interesting tidbits to keep you in the know.
I try hard to make our household green: I recycle all the boxes that arrive at our door from my online shopping expeditions, I round up all the catalogs that seem to arrive in our mailbox on a daily basis, and I make sure to carefully sort all the beverage containers that pass through our kitchen. One of the easiest things for me though is cutting out plastic bags by carrying a durable shopping bag. These things actually make life easier for me! The bags from Envirosax have great handles that easily fit on my shoulders when I am lugging home groceries plus they are come in really stylish patterns! I got the five pack from ReusableBags.com and keep a couple in the diaper bag, a couple in the stroller and one in my coat pocket. Voila! Plastic bags are no longer taking over our house and I am doing my part to make the world just a little bit greener for future generations.
When I was pregnant with my first child, I registered for a plain black Skip Hop diaper bag that would easily suit both myself and my husband. Hah! Of course, I was pretty much the only one carrying it. A few months into being a parent, I realized that my diaper bag was going to be my purse for the next few years so I upgraded to a more stylish version for my birthday. Now that I am a second time parent, I prefer to use a really big purse. No bunnies or bears. No pacifier pocket. I just cram some wipes, diapers, and a changing pad into something a little more stylish. I have just about worn out my latest bag and am looking around for my next option. I recently discovered Etsy.com. I found some amazing bags there and they were good deals!
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