droolicious : bags

We're Cuckoo for Kokopax

JeanneSager — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:30:00 GMT

It helps that the Kokopax logo feeds right into my monkey obsession, but the real reason I'm bananas for their new line of totes? They look like something I would have carried around town before the kid came along!

Makers of the hot new tot carriers, Kokopax's line of totes come in canvas designs to match. But they stand on their own as gorgeous carriers for everything besides the baby.

With a slot for a bottle (theirs or yours) just inside, a generously-sized zippered compartment, three more sectioned-off mesh compartments and an extra removable zippered pouch, there's room to spare for everything you need when you're on the go. Or you can leave the baby and their gear at home, and tote this bag for a day out on the town, just you.

The totes are $79.99 apiece, but we've got a special discount for Babble readers. Enter bbbllee at checkout to receive 10 percent off anything from Kokopax.

Check Out More Monkey Business:

Five Finds for On-the-Go With Your Little Monkey

Five Finds for On-The-Go With Your Little Monkey

JeanneSager — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:30:00 GMT

The comparison between kids and monkeys is an obvious one. Both wiggle out of any situation. Both love to climb. And both are just too darn cute. With roadtripping on my mind of late, and starting to top the minds of parents planning vacations everywhere, I've put together a list of my favorites for on-the-go with your little monkey!

Before you can get this show on the road, you have to have everything ship shape and bristol fashion. Or car shape and booster fashion as the case may be. The olli from clek has earned its place as parents' favorite booster seat because it's easy on us all! With a strap that makes it easy for them to carry (especially if you're taking a trip by plane or train), a easy click system into the LATCH on your standard automobile and a design that's easy on their hind end and legs on long car trips, the olli has alley-ooped into our hearts. Throw on a Paul Frank cover (which can be removed for washing!), and I'll be a monkey's uncle if this isn't the best booster seat I've found yet. Get one from CSN Baby for $99.99 with free shipping with little Julius monkeys printed all over or get the Standard Julius (just one big monkey face) for the same price (including free shipping) from Strollers.com.

If your kids are crazy about the little rubbery decals for their Crocs, Martin the Monkey from PakNak is waiting to clamber up onto their bag. For dressing up their bags when they're on the go, PakNak's decals sport a Velcro backing so they can be changed in and out while the "loop" side of the Velcro stays attached to their bags. We're bananas for Martin, but he's got other pals out there too. Get them from PakNak for $3.99, and take advantage of the promotion going for Babble readers - enter PAK20 at checkout to get 20 percent off your order.

And what's a bag decal without a bag to put it on? They weren't monkeying around when they made this one. The Four Peas Blue Monkey Duffel bag does succeeds where many bags for kids fail by offering plenty of space for all their stuff. Whether this is an "overnight at grandma and grandpa's" bag for hauling all their valuable stuffed animals or the suitcase for all their staples for summer trips, the sturdy nylon and denier bag (PVC-free), can handle everything they want to stock inside. Bonus points for the adjustable strap to make this one last out of toddlerhood and on toward teen. Get it from PolkaDot Patch Boutique for $46.

Before you offer up a primate education, I know monkeys and chimpanzees are not the same thing. Monkeys have tails, chimps don't, and so forth. But most folks who are fans of one are fans of the other, and every kid could use a friend in the backseat on a long trip (especially one who doesn't scream "I'm not touching you" with its finger hovering a quarter of an inch from his forearm). Why this admittedly non-monkey buddy? His plush outside is made from 100 percent soybean fibers, his insides from 100 percent Kapok. Part of Aurora's eco-friendly "Aurora Naturally" line, he's super soft and naturally resists bacteria (because we all know how clean kids keep their toys.) Get him from Amazon for $29.99 and qualify for free shipping.

Truly a two-for-one deal, Steven Joseph's toiletry bags are so soft and cuddly kids can fill them with their toothbrush and other must-haves or they can use them as a pillow on the ride to granny's house. Steven Joseph doesn't monkey around when cooking up goodies for kids - the bags are all machine-washable. Get the monkey toiletry bag for $18.95 from Chocolate Cake Club (add $10 if you'd like to get it personalized).

And check out these on-the-go goodies:

Roadtripping With LEGO

Gwyneth Reads Eric Carle!

For the Daredevil Dad (or Mom)

SunnyChanel — Tue, 05 May 2009 19:30:00 GMT

Is dad a daredevil? Does he conquer the challenge of a dirty diaper change with a stealthness not unlike Evel Knieval? If so, the Daredevil Messenger Dad Diaper Bag is so for him. This bike messenger styled bag features a quick-access wipes window, refillable wipes case, two large interior pockets, two bottle pockets, two tall zippered pockets for creams or lotions, and a changing pad. You can pick one of these up here for $79.

The Babble Review - Kata 3N1 Camera Bag

Chris Ford — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Taking photos with my DSLR camera - especially taking photos of my kids - has become one of my passions. But the problem for me and most parents is, how do you deal with carrying a big expensive camera while still dealing with kids and all of the stuff that they require? In fact, I've spoken with many parents who have complained of this same problem. So I've been searching for the perfect camera bag, and although I think ultimately the idea of a "perfect" camera bag may just be an illusion - I might have found a pretty close one - the Kata 3N1 Camera Bag.

My complete review after the jump.

At the bare minimum, my requirements for a great camera bag are it needs to hold my camera, two additional lenses, a flash and have a space for some personal items (cell phone, keys, water bottle etc.). Also, I was really looking for a bag that would work as a sling, so I wouldn't have to constantly be taking the bag off to grab my camera to take a picture. This part is especially important for parents trying to deal with kids and a camera at the same time. The great thing about the Kata 3N1 is that it met all of those bare requirements, plus had a lot of features that, while I wasn't specifically looking for them, have proven to come in very handy.

The Kata 3N1 holds my Canon 50D with a lens on the body, as well as a medium telephoto and 50mm lens in the bag. It also holds my external flash as well as all of the other normal stuff you'd want to carry in a camera bag (memory cards, extra batteries, remote trigger cords etc.). It also has a decently sized compartment at the top for personal items. But the best part about the bag is that it works as a sling as well as a backpack. The bag can be configured to be a right-handed or a left-handed sling, as well as a backpack for when you're hiking or know you won't need the camera at a moment's notice. In fact, I'm pretty sure it's the only left-handed sling camera bag on the market.

When taking pictures with kids, this sling feature is immensely helpful. I took the bag to birthday parties, to the park and other outdoor activities; and whenever they did something cute or spontaneous that I wanted to take a picture of, I could just twist the bag around my body, pull open the top and have the camera ready in a matter of seconds. In fact getting to most of the other stuff in the bag was equally easy - but it will depend on how you set up the bag for yourself.

The other great thing about the bag that I love is that while it holds a lot of stuff, it really isn't that big or bulky. I tested the Kata 3N1-20 which is the medium-sized bag in the line, and it seemed there was a place or a pocket for every piece of gear (memory card pocket, easy access external pouches for filters or batteries etc.). And to me at least, the look of the bag doesn't scream "I've got an expensive camera over here! Check me out!" It really just looks like a small black backpack, which is important not just for modesty's sake, but also safety (cameras in bags that don't necessarily look like camera bags are less of a target for thieves).

Besides all of that, it's got all of the things you'd expect in a camera bag from a company like Kata. There is a waterproof cover for the bag in case it rains, a great handle on the top of the bag and very sturdy construction. Oh, and it also has the signature Kata yellow interior lining - which might not seem like that big of a deal, but anyone who's dug around the bottom of a black camera bag looking for a black camera accessory can understand how cool this feature is.

In fact, I tried very hard to find a problem with the bag, but ultimately I came up short. It's not even that expensive, especially considering how expensive the camera and gear you're putting into it likely is.

The bag won't hold a laptop or every last item of your camera gear (like a tripod) so it might not be great for long vacations or trips. It also won't hold a lot of the kid-stuff that parents sometimes have to lug around so it won't work as a camera/diaper bag combo, but it has become my personal day-to-day camera bag and is my absolute recommendation for parents with a DSLR camera.

You can check out the Kata 3N1 camera bag line at Kata-Bags.com.
Or purchase the Kata 3N1 20 for $99.95 at Amazon.com.

Designer Sandwich Bags

AmandaHill — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:00:00 GMT

When I first saw the name designer sandwich bags, I expected a sandwich with a Louis Vuitton logo. I wasn't quite sure how that would work out on a sandwich bag. Thankfully, I was greeted by these colorful goodies by Mobi. They would be fun for any kid packing their lunch or treats around. The bags are available in all of the prints seen above. Click behind the fold to find out where they can be purchased.

Mobi's Designer Sandwich bags are very thick, and 20 can be purchased for $5 from The Spoon Sisters. My granny used to wash out sandwich bags and reuse them, which I laughed at as a kid, but I can kind of see it now.

OiOi Messenger Dot Diaper Bag

AmandaHill — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The lovely messenger bag seen above is the OiOi Charcoal Dot Messenger Diaper Bag. OiOi is the brainchild of Australian designer Lisa Bennet. Not only is the design stylish and practical, it has plenty of pockets and spaces to put all of your everyday baby needs.

As far as diaper bags go, this one is fantastic. It is available from Art Bebe.

The Babble Review: Mighty Buggy Hooks

Chris Ford — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Bugaboo (the stroller company) used to make something they called "bag hooks" so you could hang shopping bags to your stroller. But then I suppose some idiot must have loaded down the stroller with too much stuff and flipped the stroller, because a while ago they stopped making them. Mighty Buggy Hooks from Think King work just as well (if not a little better) than those original hooks - and you don't have to keep them attached to strollers.

I've had a set of the Buggy Hooks for a while now, and they've been working great on my Bugaboo. They stay on the stroller well and they are really lightweight. They should work on any type of stroller (not just a Bugaboo) and will fit all sizes of shopping bag and purse handles.

So if you're looking for a good way to attach your diaper bag, purse or shopping bag to your stroller, you should definitely check them out.

Mighty Buggy Hook, $14.99 for a two-pack from Think-King.com

Take It Away in a Timbuk2 Hidden Backpack

Heather Kuldell — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:01:00 GMT

BYOB used to mean bring your own beer, but theses days it’s bring your own bag. Yay for the earth, but woe for the person who forgets. And even if you remember, you probably don’t have an extra hand to carry between the diaper bag and kids. (Just hope the cell doesn’t ring, too.)

Plenty of BYOB options exist, but the Timbuk2 Hidden Backpack offers something unique: a foldable, packable backpack. Toss it in your diaper bag and pull it out for extra hauling power. Timbuk2, a longtime bike messenger bag manufacturer, knows about sturdy. The hidden backpack is made of a rip stop, 90% recycled PET (as in plastic) fabric that can be washed in the machine if it gets nasty. When you’re done, it zips into its bottom and looks like a wallet.

Available in kelly, black, khaki and starlet at Timbuk2 for $28.

Hand-Me-Down Bags Encourage Us to Take Their Name Literally

Aaron Burgess — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Sure, it's a gamble as to whether messenger bags will still be in vogue by the time you get ready to hand down yours, but with their classic, rugged-looking design, Hand-Me-Down bags seem to have that covered.

Each Hand-Me-Down (there are also jackets, satchels and backpacks) is guaranteed to last for a minimum of 10 years past the date you take it off the rack, so what's a diaper bag or PC tote to you today could feasibly haul around your infant's textbooks tomorrow.

£185 (around $273 U.S.) at Howies.

First Look: 'Yes We Will' Tote Bag

Nicole Feliciano — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:53:00 GMT

Excited about next week’s inauguration? Here’s a tote that will show your enthusiasm and make getting to preschool a little easier.

With less than a week to go until Obama takes office, many entrepreneurs are taking advantage of the historic moment to target parents (Obama onesies, tees, and the like). For environmentally conscious families, the new "Yes We Will" tote (Regularly $14.99, on sale for $11.99 until Inauguration Day) from Ecobags is perfect for lugging all the kiddie gear to school (back-up outfit, snack, etc.) and making a statement.

It’s practical, the roomy hemp and cotton tote can be machine washed, so when the sippy cup spills inside (and it will) you can quickly get back to being a billboard for change. And if you’re ready to dig a little deeper into the change movement this bag can be your conduit. The tote includes instructions on how to text DoSomething.org (a non-profit dedicated to empowering young people to take action around issues that matter to them) for a list of volunteer opportunities in your local area. Plus, Ecobags will be donating 15% from every bag sold to DoSomething.org.

Star Kid: Woody Allen’s Daughter Gets Carried Away

SunnyChanel — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:30:00 GMT

Woody Allen enjoyed some time family bonding time across the pond in Paris this weekend. Woody held on to his 7-year-old daughter Manzie as they walked along the Champs Elysees. Manzie seems prepared for the winter outing with her bulging Tokidoki Graziosa messenger bag with it’s vivid artwork by artist Simone Legno. This nylon bag has two exterior pockets, a full size back pocket, interior phone and music player pockets and a zipper and mesh pocket. You can pick one up at eBags here for $178.

Photo: via Just Jared

Star Baby: How Does Natascha McElhone Carry It All?

SunnyChanel — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:14:00 GMT

Actress Natascha McElhone from Californication was spotted at LAX splitting town for merry old England. She pushed her 2-month old baby through the crowds (the name and sex of the baby has yet to be released). She keeps her baby necessities in a Petunia Pickle Bottom Forget Me Not Roll Shoulder Bag. This messenger style carryall includes the super cool “PPB signature zip out changing station”, which I can say from experience is extremely handy. It has oodles of pockets, is nice and roomy and best of all, it’s pretty. You can get yours here for $174

Photo Source

Star Mom: Bridget Monahan is A Diaper Dude

SunnyChanel — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:30:00 GMT

Actress Bridget Moynahan (you may remember from Sex in the City) carried her 15-month-old son Jack while out and about in Los Angeles. Bridget didn’t opt for just any frou-frou diaper bag. Nope, she went for the Diaper Dudes Camo Diaper Bag from the company that make masculine styled bags for the dads on the go. This handy durable bag comes with ten compartments, comes with a changing pad and is ergonomically designed for dad, or mom’s comfort. You can get yours here, and guess what, it’s on sale! You can get it here for $54 (reg. $81).

Undiaper Bag: Pinnington

Erin Behan — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:31:00 GMT

You know the line, "This is soooo not a diaper bag." Oh, but it is, you say. It's obviously a diaper bag engineered to look not too much like a diaper bag, but still says diaper-and-wipes holder. I think the Pinnington line may have nailed the super-cool-bag look while also actually being a diaper bag. Obviously targeting the boho chic crowd, Pinnington offers a rather astounding variety of materials to choose from, and all incorporate rich, tactile fabrics and usually some rouching. Thought it's hard to pick a favorite, I'm partial to the above turquoise on brown style with cut-velvet damask ($330). The diaper bags come in two sizes: large (as above) and a smaller accessory bag that's just about the basics. All the bags come with a wipeable changing pad, comfortable carry straps and five interior and two exterior pockets.

Check out all the styles.

Star Baby: Adam Sander’s Daughter Loves…

SunnyChanel — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 18:14:00 GMT

When wondering what a little girl or a little boy adores, you needn’t look farther than what is depicted on their backpack. So, what does Adam Sandler’s daughter Sadie love?

Princesses! But not just one, but apparently all of them. As any parent of a princess lover knows, sometimes it’s hard for them to pick a favorite. This carryall is an equal opportunity princess pack with Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Belle and Ariel all depicted. Although we couldn’t find this exact backpack (do you know how many Disney princess backpacks there are out there, the selection is mind blowing), we did find this Princess pack with all the above mentioned princesses as well as the added bonus of Jasmine. You can get yours here ($21.99).

(photos via Just Jared)

Get Smart with a Wisey Baby Play Mat Bag

Heather Kuldell — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 23:56:00 GMT

Talk about a pack and play! When you’re toting baby around from place to place, sometimes you don’t have the luxury of lugging a play pen along. A solution? The play mat. A better solution? A Wisey Baby Play Mat Bag.

The Wisey Baby Play Mat Bag is a padded play mat with a waterproof outer shell that converts into its own bag. Wherever you are, you can spread the play mat out for some tummy time. When play time’s over, simply toss the toys into the center of the mat, fold in the sides, and voila! You’re packed and ready for toting to the next destination.

Available at The Silly Wagon for $60.95.

Big Deal: Mr. B Bail Out Blow Out Sale

Heather Kuldell — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 18:33:00 GMT

Mr. B specialize in bags: diaper bags, bottle bags, backpacks. Right now, just about everything on the site is on sale, including the above Trooper Tote, now $49. The tote is designed with a family in mind so it has lots of pockets for each person’s needs. The end pockets are made of thermal PEVA-free material to keep bottle warm or sippy cups cool. The center pocket can stash wipes or parental stuff like wallets, sunglasses and the like. The main compartment also expands to accommodate those treasures you may pick up on your outing. Plenty of good stuff is left, but some colors are sold out so prepare to go with a second choice.

ABC Kids Expo 2008: Dabba Walla Lunch Bags And Backpacks

Chris Ford — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:58:00 GMT

In India, the "dabbawalla" (Wikipedia entry) is the guy who collects the hot lunches of office workers from their home, brings them to the office, and then returns the empty boxes back. In America, Dabba Walla is a company that makes really cool neoprene lunch bags and backpacks.

What I liked best about Dabba Walla are the designs. Big and colorful, they're a lot cooler than the typical mass produced cartoon character stuff you'll get at a normal department store. And they had a stop light design, which I totally loved.

Dabba Walla bags, $38 for the luch bag and $48 for the backpack. Available at the end of October 2008. Check them out at DabbaWallaBags.com.

ABC Kids Expo 2008: DadGear Billboard Series Diaper Bag

Chris Ford — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 19:30:00 GMT

I mentioned new diaper bags from DadGear last week, but there was another type they were showing off that I'd never seen before either. The Billboard Series diaper bag is made from a piece of a real billboard, making each one durable and one of a kind.

I never knew, but the material that makes up the billboards that we drive past every day is a kind of vinyl with nylon "cloth". The stuff is extremely durable (as it would have to be to hold up to the elements) which is also great for dad diaper bags.

The way it works is the guys from DadGear get a used billboard, clean it thoroughly, and lay it out on the floor. Then they go around with a template and decide where they should cut the cloth into the shape for a diaper bag. So each diaper bag is unique and one of a kind. The bags have all of the standard diaper bag stuff that DadGear provides (including the "Quick Access WIpes Case") and are all very graphical and look cool. They're definitely my favorite bags in their product line.

The Billboard Series diaper bags are eco-friendly (they're made of recycled material after all) and cost $99.00 at DadGear.com.

Celebrate Shark Week with a Dante Beatrix Shark Backpack

Heather Kuldell — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 14:58:00 GMT

Discovery Channel’s Shark Week kicks off tonight! It wasn’t a big deal to me when I was able to leave my house at night, but these days it’s something to be excited about. While I won’t be watching the shark attacks with kids, the wee Jacques Cousteaus can share in my love of the predators with a Shark Backpack by Dante Beatrix. The nylon bag is smaller size of 9 inches by 11 1/2 by 5 1/2, which is more comfortable for kids to wear, but it won’t necessarily hold folders and binders. It will, however, nicely hold crayons and smaller doodle pads for sketching any species they may see in person ... at a nice, safe aquarium.

Available at Oompa Toys for $35.99.

Big Deal: Haba Trapper Bag

Heather Kuldell — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:06:00 GMT

For all the day trips, weekend visits and general summer excursions, a kid needs a good bag. Haba’s Trapper Bag is on sale for $25.89 at Mauliko, and it’s a solid bag for a lil explorer. This messenger-style bag measures 10 inches tall and 10 inches wide, and in addition to the large pocket, there’s some smaller slots perfect for pens, pencils or other little treasures. On the outside flap, there’s a large net pocket for messier -- or wet gear.

She Sells Sea Shells From Her Sea Shell Sac

Heather Kuldell — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:00:00 GMT

The impending school year keeps sending reminders that summer will be over for us soon: supply letters, welcomes from teachers, schedules. Man, we gotta hit the beach one more time.

Kathe Kruse created some very cute Sea Shell Bags for beachcombers to collect their precious hauls. The bag features a burlap top and a mesh bottom that allows the sand and water to drain out. The whole thing is about 10 inches tall, offering a natural cap to the collecting. Ah, sifting through sea shells ... so much better than working through homework.

Available at Blueberry Forest Toys in blue, pink, green and red for $11.50.

7 Days of Traveling Helps: Mr B Spy Bags

Heather Kuldell — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:35:00 GMT

The longer you parent, the more you realize that very little things can make life easier. My first tip for anyone traveling with kids is simple: Get some clear bags to pack inside your carry-ons or diaper bags. Think of each bag as one activity – the diaper changing stuff, the in-flight entertainment bag, the snacks plus wipes-for-clean-up bag – so you can quickly grab what you need without dropping or fishing around for anything.

Think of Mr B Spy Bags as super-thick, reusable plastic bags. Instead of flimsy plastic, the Spy Bags are made of a thick, durable – but still clear – vinyl and feature a zipper closure and handy snap loop.

Spy Bags come in small, medium and large sizes avaiable in multiple colors of zippered tops. The small is quart size, which means it’s small enough to take your one-ounce toiletries through airport security. The large, one-gallon size is big enough for a change of clothes. That leads me to my second tip: Bring a change of clothes on board for your kid and yourself. No matter how careful your toddler is with that free beverage, one of you will end up wearing it.

Available at Mr B for $9-$14.

7 Days of Diaper Bags: Make Your Own Manly Diaper Bag

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 23 May 2008 15:03:00 GMT

Sure, dads, you could drop $65 on a hip, manly-looking skull-and-crossbones tote like the Diaper Dude number pictured above, but I ask you: When it comes to being a truly manly diaper dude, is there anything that speaks more to your manliness than a low-cost DIY diaper bag you've customized with your own @#$% hands?

Andrew Jones, editor of the gadget-oriented baby-daddy site NonToxicReviews.com, doesn't think so, and in the clip below (original post here), he shows you how to be your own diaper dude using little more than a $20 army-surplus sack, a few iron-on transfers, a bit of elbow grease, and a song from The Karate Kid soundtrack. Okay, that last one's optional.

Accessories included, the manly diaper bag shouldn't set you back more than $30, but the satisfaction of making it will be priceless. If you're a handy type without artistic skills to match, Jones even has a PDF of the appliques he uses (which he recommends printing onto dark-colored T-shirt transfer paper) available for download. To be truly manly about getting the job done, however, you may want to use a flat iron.

7 Days of Diaper Bags: Diaper Dude Guitar Bag

Heather Kuldell — Thu, 22 May 2008 15:14:00 GMT

Dads aren’t the only ones who don’t always want flowers and bunnies and pastels on their diaper bags.

Despite the name, Diaper Dude creates bags for both dudes and divas, but so far, the mom line is mostly metallic (yikes). The messenger-style Guitar Bag, on the other hand, caught my eye. It doesn’t offer as much space as Mary Poppins’ magical carpet bag, but still features an enviable amount of room and oodles of pockets. The bag also comes with a removable on-strap cell phone pocket and a changing pad, and is made of durable faux suede.

Available at Mimmo for $98.