Don't hate: I am a die-hard fan of the Obnoxiously Large Purse. I have many very roomy purses of the hobo-bag variety, tote-bag wannabes, even one gold number that's bigger than most air-travel carry-ons. I like to have room in my bag for my wallet, my planner, a small makeup bag (full of mostly Chapstick, hair ties and hand moisturizer, BUT ONE MUST BE PREPARED), my camera, my iPhone, my iPhone headphones, 5 billion receipts, gum, a brush, my watch, a notepad, pens and of course one must leave room for Husband's wallet and cell phone in a pinch. I do not travel light. One must be prepared! So if you accidentally get whacked by someone's gigantic bag whilst pushing down the aisles at Target or Costco in the coming weeks, oops! Sorry! That was probably me! Well, formerly, that was me.
[Enter baby. Enter diaper bag.]
As you know, having a small baby takes the amount of stuff you need to have on hand while outside the home up about one billion notches. Suddenly you need four baby outfits, ten diapers, ointment, a full bag of wipes, bottles, sippy cups, snacks, a fresh shirt for yourself just in case, A LOT with you at all times. In my case? Carrying a twenty pound diaper bag on one arm and a twenty pound purse on the other PLUS a nearly-twenty pound infant (she was ten pounds, seven ounces at birth) was just impossible. And so I had to scale back to necessities: wallet, phone, Chapstick, and baby's immunization card. I have a fantastic Skip Hop diaper bag with many "personal" zippered pockets for Mama, but for whatever reason, I couldn't stay organized enough to always remember my wallet AND phone AND shopping list. A few times through the Target line with a full cart and a baby and no wallet will spank you HARD people. I needed to get organized!
[Enter Dooce.]
I read Dooce. I know, I know WHO DOESN'T?! I love her love of Etsy, and I think it's fantastic how she supports small business. Way to pay it forward, Heather! Anyway, her post on using a clutch bag in her diaper bag made the light bulb go on. Zootaloo! I dug out a barely-used evening clutch from the bottom of my huge purse pile and started using it in my diaper bag. Gone were the days of forgetting ANYTHING (knock on wood)! I loved the idea so much that a few weeks ago I totally copied her and ordered a (more casual and functional) wristlet clutch very similar to hers from the Foster Kade Designs Etsy store.
[Enter zen-like state of organization and FASHION]
I'm in love. And my old-standby wallet is too! It is so nice to be able to grab this little number to take into a store with my keys and baby if I don't want/need to drag the entire diaper bag. Every thing about it is perfect for me! The size, the fun print and color, the wrist strap, the zippered top, the inside pockets ... LOVE IT.
How do YOU organize your on-the-go baby stuff?
I LOVE this idea! And the clutches you linked to are so cute. I am buying one right now.
Posted by: Anna | December 17, 2009 at 03:21 PM
Oooh, awesome idea! I'm a big bag girl myself and I've been wondering what to do about the diaper bag thing once my Bean is born in April. The clutch idea is FANTASTIC, and I can actually make them myself. Win!
Posted by: HollyLynne | December 17, 2009 at 04:00 PM
I was a huge tote girl pre-bebe myself. This is what I'm currently doing...I got something sorta like this: http://www.cambriacove.com/ipouch-wallet-by-knomo-fuchsia/p1148/index.pro?method=search but about $40 cheaper :) and I just alternate it between the diaper bag and my purse depending on if I'm sans kid. Seems to be working out great. I do love your clutch and am fawning after it though...so I may need to think about changing it up a bit.
Posted by: Amanda | December 18, 2009 at 10:39 AM
perhaps will be tagging this on my husband's computer as a BIG HINT for the upcoming holiday. :)
Posted by: larmar | December 18, 2009 at 04:37 PM
Ooh -- I think I need one of these!
Posted by: Mom-o-riffic.blogspot.com | December 19, 2009 at 12:28 AM
I do the opposite--I carry my huge purse and have a diaper clutch (diaper, wipes, burp cloth) for emergencies if I'm just running into the store. That is so cute, though, that I can hardly stand it. I might need to branch out...
Posted by: J. | December 19, 2009 at 01:02 PM
I love it! I will totally order one when I finally get to have baby #2!
Posted by: Danielle-Lee | December 21, 2009 at 02:42 PM