lets discuss diaper bags

I have a diaper bag I LOOove but it truly was a one-time purchase. here's a link to an ebay auction for a little tiny purse in the same pattern... http://cgi.ebay.com/Isabella-Fiore-N...QQcmdZViewItem

When I finished grad school I got a couple of congratulatory checks from family members and I decided to blow it all on one fabulous bag because it was something I would never buy for myself. The things I like about it are these:

The best, best, is that it looks like a great leather trimmed purse, rather than a diaper bag.

The fabric has white, pink, black, brown, blue, green, and fuscia in various shades on it so it goes with everything except Red.

It comes with a diaper changing pad that matches the lining (hot pink) with a removable/washable cover.

The handles are really strong woven leather. Ive carried it almost a year (almost daily) and it shows hardly any signs of wear.

It has little brass feet on the bottom so the fabric looks clean and like its never sat on a dirty floor.

It has TONs of pockets. The end pockets each hold a waterbottle plus and there are tiny pockets with zippers for smaller toys or change. It has saddle bag style pockets on the front with magnetic closures that are really easy to access. Inside, there is large zipper pocket and half a dozen small open pockets for tubes, balms, phone, etc.

Inside hold a TON. I can put 8-10 fitted dipes in it, plus wipes, wet bag, wipe solution, toys, and all my own stuff too.

It's nice enough that I can carry it to work or church and it looks totally appropriate...and it still goes well with denim.

If you find a great purse you like, you can always make it diaper bag do-able by getting an Oioi changing pad insert...they're great. I have one to turn my big leather totes for work into instant diaper bags. They open up to a T-shape. Imagine the mat is the long way (top to bottom) and off each side at the midpoint is a pocket. One is zippered and seethrough for wipes, etc and the other can hold a dipe or two or an empty wet bag....reall makes changing purses easy. http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-OiOi-MARINE-...QQcmdZViewItem

We have a Lands' End do it all diaper bag. We love it! It is messenger style with a wide fish mouth, you can stuff the crap out of it, they also have a small day tripper pack that matches. For the work it does the price is great, and LE has a phenominal return policy. We've been using it 6 months and it looks like new.

I am surprised to find myself owning a Petunia Pickle Bottom backpack diaper bag. I would never in a million years have bought it myself, but someone gave it to me as a gift. It's gorgeous looking -- WAY too nice for my lifestyle -- but it feels nice to have something that pretty to carry every day.

I like the built-in changing table in the front -- you unzip it and it has a nice soft pad that unrolls and is still long enough for my 8 month old, plus it has two little pockets right above where the babe's head would go, perfect size for about 5 diapers and one of those thin boxes of wipes.

On the outside, there are two "bottle" pockets -- I use one for my older DD's sippy cup and the other for some baby food, a bib, and a spoon.

Inside the big part of the bag is a wet bag that attaches with velcro, a couple of little pockets, and then the rest of it is basically a bag abyss, which is the only thing I don't like. I have to dig for everything. On the plus size, it is BIG -- I have extra diapers, clothes for both kids, a couple of toys, and my own purse.

The biggest downside is this bag is DRY CLEAN ONLY. I'm not kidding. I am afraid to put it down on the floor of the Baker's Square, you know? I haven't gotten it dirty yet, but I can't imagine how I'll get it clean if I do.

So, there's the review of a fancy-shmancy diaper bag. I think the thing runs $150 -- which by NO MEANS would I consider worth it -- but if you run across one for cheaper, it has its advantages. FWIW, for quick trips, I stick a diaper and a baggie with some wipes in the pocket of my sling!

Target has some awesome ones right now, cute and roomy. I got mine there and it's a messenger style red one with two front pockets, a cell phone one on the side, and a bottle pocket that I use for random toys and stuff. I love it...the only thing is that it's a bit awkward when I'm using a Mei Tei.

although I did check out blue moon gallery and am drooling....dh keeps saying...ANOTHER bag??

I just ordered this one http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/sto...Search&feat=sr

Lots of cloth diapering mamas use it and it apparently holds a ton without being super bulky. And the great thing about it is the price. It can be worn messenger style and the strap is long enough to be able to lay across stroller handles. Nice thing about it is it doesn't have wasted space with a bunch of insulated bottle pockets inside like lots of other bags do. I don't use bottles and only carry water in a bottle for kids so I don't have the use for space taking insulated pockets. And if you do need an inulated pouch, you can always buy it separately.

Oh, and if you don't need a change pad, you can save yourself US$6 on the bag by ordering the "Large" version of this bag http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/sto...Search&feat=sr It's the same bag without the change pad, available in a couple more colours, and the only real difference is the inside lining is a different colour than the diaper bag version (bright coloured on the diaper bag version, grey I believe on the Touring bag version).

Now, if you want a backpack this obviously won't be for you. I tried a Land's End diaper backpack with my first (which I am now selling) and ended up rarely using it because I am a tiny person with narrow shoulders and packs just don't get comfortable on me (although kids packs usually fit they generally don't have the type of straps and features I want).