Being a mother of two small children doesn’t mean you can’t own a high fashion bag for everyday use. The key is to find a fun, durable bag with lots of space for all your kids’ items as well as room for your own personal needs. To me, my purse is my life. I refer to it as my “Home in a Bag” because I can’t leave the house without it - my little boys and I are very dependent on what’s inside.

I have mentally divided my bag into categories - Baby Stuff, Toddler Items, My Belongings and “Just Incase” things.

Baby Stuff

Since my youngest son is two months old, I gotta have the basics - a pacifier, a bottle, one small washcloth to wipe that little mouth and a size 2 Huggie. The bag I purchased is metallic bronze. It has two large pockets on each side which hold the infants necessities perfectly without interfering with any of the other things I have to have.

* Here’s a secret - Tired of losing your baby’s pacifier? Doesn’t it always seem near impossible to find one when you’re not at home? I know what that’s like. My solution: buy one of those clip on cell phone holders! They’re fashionable and incredibly practical for binky storage! You can buy a clip on cell phone holder in almost any material, so you’re sure to find one that matches your bag perfectly! Some places even sell rhinestone studded ones of furry leopard print - how cute! Plus, you can fit about two pacifiers in a single case. This is wonderful because there’s nothing worse than dropping one on the floor of the mall and not having a back up!

Toddler Items

My older son is 18 months. He’s very active and always full of energy, occasionally at inconvenient times, like at the doctor’s office. For times like this it’s mandatory to have a tiny board book, a few matchbox cars and a Weeble or two. In addition, a mother of a young child should always carry hand sanitizer and one of those trial packs of baby wipes for messy meals. If you find a purse like mine you can easily place all of these items in the roomy inside pocket, leaving the entire interior of your purse open for other stuff.

My Belongings

For the most part I would have to say I am a girly-girl when it comes to make up. I really own it all. In my purse you can find lipstick, Chap Stick, cover girl foundation, Revlon mascara and eye liner (black of course), an eyebrow pencil, eye shadow and blush. Makeup is great - can’t leave home without it!

I also make sure I have my wallet for money, credit cards, ids and so on.

“Just Incase” Things

The only thing worse than something unexpected happening is not being prepared for the unexpected thing. I have found that there’s certain items that you must store in your bag at all times:

1. Band-Aid - For those minor cuts or scrapes

2. An Ink Pen - For signing checks, writing down phone numbers, etc

3. Cell Phone - An emergency can occur at any time

4. Lastly, you can’t forget the coupons! You never know when you’ll end up at a store and find your items already on sale, what better time to use your coupon for bonus cash off!

Article by Tori from AssociatedContent.com

If you’ve seen the latest photograph of Julia Roberts carrying baby Henry in a baby sling, you know baby carriers are the new trend for young, hip parents. Not only famous mothers, but also celebrity fathers like Liev Schreiber, Brad Pitt, and Gavin Rossdale have been spotted with their baby carriers. The great thing about them is that they are not only fun and fashionable, but also a very practical, useful and comfortable for both baby and parent.

The Kelty Kids Kangaroo baby carrier was rated #1 by Consumer Reports for comfort and performance, with a zip-out hood for protection and privacy for nursing. It also comes with a storage sack that zips off for changes of clothes, diapers, and bottles. If you live in cold climate, this particular baby carrier even comes with a lined handwarmer hand pocket for the parent. It may be worn for babies from three to six weeks and older but not for those smaller than eight pounds. Baby carriers can come in all different prints, from solids for winter to florals for spring. Kelty Kids makes them in a variety of colors, such as purple, blue, orange, and red. They are perfect for taking your baby on afternoon walks in the park, shopping downtown, or when you are traveling with your infant.

Sure, you can carry a plain, black diaper bag or something in a solid pastel pink or blue, but where is the fun in that? You’re all about vibrant patterns and fiery colors when it comes to handbags so don’t sacrifice that style in your baby bag. Here are some fashionable options when it comes to patterned diaper bags:

Vera Bradley

Ju-Ju-Be

Baby Kaed

Sally Spicer

As summer begins to wind down, one of the best ways to get your kid excited about the new school year is to go shopping for new school supplies. There is nothing like new school supplies to start the year afresh. Freshly sharpened pencils, binders, crayons, erasers, new clothes, and new backpacks make the transition easier and much more fun.

New school bags are always a favorite among kids. The older your child gets, the better quality the bag needs to be. If your child is going to be carrying around heavy books, it is a good idea to invest in a backpack that can be rolled. Mothers have often commented that Jansport backpacks last for more than one school year and are designed to carry a lot. The JanSport wheeled Super Break is made with a three-stage molded and padded rubber handle for extra comfort when rolling, and corner-mounted inline skate wheels for a controlled and stable motion. For younger kids who do not need to lug around quite as much, the JanSport Half Pint is one of the coolest bags around. This bag is smaller than the classic Super Break backpack and is therefore perfect for smaller bodies. The pack comes in a multitude of colors and patterns including white with stars, leopard, and zebra print.

These days, everything is increasing in price. Food, gas, back to school supplies…you name it. But there is one thing you can count on. There are affordable yet cute diaper bags still to be had. Check out some of these diaper bag deals available now on eBags.com:

The Baby Sherpa DayLite Quick Change Diaper Bag holds everything you need for changing diapers, but it’s small enough to fit in a purse (or you can use it as a purse). The roomy interior holds extra diapers or your wallet and keys and easily attaches to strollers. The Bisadora Lime Green Geometric Print Baby Bag is a cheery tote bag with tons of organizational features including a center divider zipper pocket, cell phone pocket, pen sleeve, key clip, water resistant changing pad, and an ID or business card window. With the Samsonite Juvenile Products Elegance LA Collection Clam Diaper Bag, no one will realize you are carrying a diaper bag. This bag has style with all the bells and whistles including a changing pad, wet pack, storage bag, detachable cell phone pocket, and two large interior mesh pockets. The versatile Wabags Madison Diaper Bag has a lovely printed Chinese silk on the exterior. The bag includes pockets for credit cards, pens, and a cell phone as well as holders for baby items such as a removable plastic bag for dirty diapers, elastic loops for bottles, exterior pockets for clean diapers.

Just because something looks fantastic doesn’t mean that it can’t be practical. Ju-Ju-Be makes some of the smartest and most fashionable diaper backpacks on the market. They come in colorful fabrics and sleek solids, blending technology with style.

Ju Ju Be has created a line of Teflon® diaper bags that repel stains, and it is also one of the first diaper bag brands to use an antimicrobial treatment to kill germs and mold. These Crumb Drains™ won’t allow any bacteria to grown on any part of the bag, which is great if you have ever had anything spill inside your bag without being aware of it!

The Ju-Ju-Be Be Right Back is the ultimate diaper backpack. It is constructed with padded shoulder straps for comfort and a breathable mesh back. It also has a storage space just for your mp3 player and a compartment for a lunch box. Another great option if you are looking for a diaper tote is the Ju-Ju-Be Be Smart bag, which you would never guess is a diaper bag! This bag is also made of a waterproof Teflon® exterior and includes a removable changing pad with anti-microbial treatment. This bag comes in some wonderful paisley prints, as well as classic color combinations like black and pink.

Are you looking for a diaper bag that you can also use for work? The Samsonite Diaper Bag can double as a diaper bag and briefcase, allowing you to carry only one bag on your way to daycare and the office. The amazing thing about this bag is that it actually zips apart, separating the diaper bag from your business bag!

The diaper bag features a compartment with a zippered front hinged opening, a baby wipe pocket, and other slot and mesh pockets. The main storage compartment comes with bottle pockets and a changing pad. The business section of the bag comes with padded protection for carrying your laptop, along with a security strap. There are multiple pockets for other business essentials, as well as room for files and paperwork. You will not find a more efficient diaper/business bag out there!

If you are looking for a very sleek diaper bag, Samsonite also makes one called the Elegance LA Clam Diaper Bag. The title pretty much says it all. This bag comes in black and taupe, and is designed in a semi-circular shape. Inside is a changing pad, a wet pack, and a storage bag. This bag also comes with two easy-open hinged storage areas, two large interior pockets, and an adjustable shoulder strap and carry handle.

College is so expensive that these days it’s no wonder parents worry how they’ll afford to send their kids - even when their children are very young. Well, why not enter to win a bit of cash you can put away for education? eBags.com has a new Wishin’ For Tuition sweepstakes where you can enter daily to win over $25,000 in prizes.

When you enter, you have a chance to win one of the weekly $1,000 cash prizes or instantly win one of more than 200 great laptop bags from the following brands: Timbuk2, Victorinox, and Nike.

Even if you aren’t quite thinking about college for your kids yet, you can still enter to win. Afterall, who doesn’t need a little extra cash for Back To School supplies and clothes!

The sweepstakes only lasts until September 14, 2008 so enter today and once daily for your chance at some fantastic prizes.

If you are a mom who favors the bohemian, or boho-chic, style made famous by stars such as Sienna Miller, a diaper hobo may be the perfect bag for you. Diaper Hobos are easy to throw over your shoulder and are made of soft, flexible material that will mold to fit everything you need to carry. The OiOi Moroccan Sand Hobo is perfect for the trendy bohemian mom. It is done in a Moroccan tile print in sand and black with orange trim.

It features one primary internal compartment with elastic pockets and an orange nylon lining. The shoulder strap is black and adjustable, and the bag comes with a large padded microfiber change mat, which many moms find extremely useful. This bag also has an insulated bottle compartment, a zip-top wet purse, and metal feet that protect it on the base.

The Debbie Rott Joshua Rocker bag is simple, stylish, and versatile. It comes in brown or tan top quality grade American leather, and also features a liquid proof changing pad, an adjustable strap, and six inside pockets. Although this bag may look soft and feminine, it is actually heavy duty and designed with quality brass hardware and studs, and will withstand the wear and tear it will be exposed to for a few years.

The great thing about kids duffel bags is that they can often serve as overnight bags, carry-on bags for airplanes, gym bags, and even backpacks. If you buy a quality duffel bag, your child will get a ton of use from it.

Wildkin makes a variety of kids duffels, all with resistant exterior polyester and inside nylon lining. The dual handle also comes with a detachable cushioned shoulder strap for comfy carrying. The exterior zip-up section is great for organization, or for an extra pair of shoes if you use it as a gym or soccer bag. This duffel comes in quite a few different themes, including trains, planes, boats, “celestial bodies,” astronauts, princesses, horses, girl rodeo, and insects. Some of these bags even come with a matching sleeping bag, such as the English riding duffel bag and sleeping bag.

If you have a small child and are looking for a backpack that can double as an carry-on bag, the Little Packrats Stegasaurus backpack is absolutely adorable. It has a top carry handle and adjustable backpack straps that make it perfect for a preschooler to tote around snacks, toys, and small books. If you are looking for slightly larger backpack for a kid who is a bit older, Wildkin also makes backpacks in all the same themes as the duffel bags.