PDA

View Full Version : Chelsey Henry Review and Pics



robmab719
11-21-2004, 11:06 AM
Okay, so I couldn’t wait for the co-op. Anyone surprised? :)

My Chelsey Henry bag arrived yesterday. I got the Work to Play Bag in Leafy Green with Bora Bora Berry Trim and Party Girl Lining. My main draw to this bag was that I could potentially use it for work during the week (I occasionally tote manila file folders home with me), as well as diapers on the weekends.

The bag is really good size. The width is comparable to the Mothership, but it’s a bit shorter and much less deep (from front to back). I was a bit concerned about ordering this style because the website lists the depth as 3.5.” That’s roughly the depth of the Skip Hop, which I think is too skinny to be functional. However, this bag has a lot more “stuffability” than the Skip Hop. It seems to expand more. So the 3.5” depth really works out perfectly, and the bag does not seem bulky at all.

The organization is pretty good, too. There is one long zipper pocket that runs the length of the bag on one side. There are two elasticized bottle pockets (not insulated) on each end that are big enough to hold an Avent bottle or sippy cup. There is a smaller pocket that is just about right for a cell phone or maybe even a Blackberry. Then there’s a small zipper pocket (approximately 7” x 6”) that also has a pocket behind it. Plus, there’s a gusseted front pocket (which closes with a magnetic snap disguised as a buckle) that provides quick access to mommy stuff and, coincidentally, is the perfect size to hold a Fleurville wrist bag (that’s what I use for a wallet these days).

There is also a detachable “wet bag” that snaps into the interior. It’s made of nylon and matches the exterior color of the bag. The only drawback to having this snapped in is that it restricts access to the long zipper pocket. Not sure if I will use this or not.

PROS:
Great size
Good organization
Nice construction/quality materials used (the silver hardware is especially nice compared to what I’ve seen used in other bags)
Nylon exterior will be easy to keep clean
Includes an adjustable shoulder strap so bag can be worn either messenger or tote style
Love the easy-access front pocket (looks like it would be hard to get into, but isn’t!)

CONS:
Very concerned about the interior getting dirty; it’s made of a canvas-type fabric with no coating at all to resist moisture or stains (maybe I will try Scotchguarding?)
Wish there was a way to remove the tote straps when the shoulder strap is in use
Not in love with the color of the trim; it’s more purple/lavender than berry (probably would get a different color if I was ordering again)


I also ordered the cosmetic bag, but I’m not wild about it for two reasons. First, it’s much smaller than I anticipated. Second, it’s made of the same canvas fabric that will be hard to keep clean. It might be good for storing ointments and medicines, though.

I’m attaching pics in the next post.

robmab719
11-21-2004, 11:10 AM
Exterior:

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/17401.jpg

Interior, packed:

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/17402.jpg

Front pocket:

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/17403.jpg

Interior, empty:

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/17404.jpg

With cosmetic bag:

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/17405.jpg

Worn messenger style:

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/17406.jpg

Worn tote style:

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/17407.jpg

Please excuse those last two...it's Sunday morning, pre-shower! lol

windyhamilton
11-21-2004, 11:20 AM
Thanks for the review Robyn!! Do you know when the co-op starts??

windyhamilton
11-21-2004, 11:22 AM
WOW!!! It's beautiful!!

Love the interior, but I'm wondering if the busy pattern would make it harder to find things??

lmariana
11-21-2004, 11:45 AM
Hi there! The co-op dates are November 24-29. :)

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/diaperbagdiscounts/join

Mariana
Owner of HappyDayBaby
Mother of Gabriel, 08/14/2003
www.heinzandmariana.com (personal site)

http://lilypie.com/baby2/030814/1/5/0/-5/.png[/img] ([img)

priscilla73
11-21-2004, 11:57 AM
Thanks for the review and pics!. I love the interior print.

firsttimemommy
11-21-2004, 12:06 PM
Excellent review and photos as usual Robyn! Thanks so much for the "lifestyle" shots - that helps so much. They are beautiful bags - thought I didn't want one, but now.......

LOL!

Ronda
Proud Mommy to Jenna Leigh 1/03 and Jake 4/04

"If you live to be 100, I want to live to be 100 minus one day, so I never have to live without you" ~ Winnie the Pooh

josiebruin
11-21-2004, 12:26 PM
I am considering this bag for when I go back to work - glad to hear that you think it will be a good multi-use bag. However, I am interested to know why, if you were worried about the depth, you didn't go with the "At Work" model (since it seems like the major size difference is the depth (6" vs. 3.5")? Has anyone seen pix of the interior of the "At Work"? Thanks for the review and any other info/thoughts you might have!

~Kelly
Zach 8/04

robmab719
11-21-2004, 12:44 PM
To answer some questions:

First, I don't think the busy-ness of the interior print will interfere with finding things. I have a lot of bags with interior prints (one of them is even leopard-print...can't get much busier than that), and I still find it easier to find things in those than in bags lined in solid black.

Second, I didn't go with the At Work model because the size of that bag seemed so much bigger. The dimensions of that bag are actually larger than those of the Mothership. Don't get me wrong. I love my Mothership, but when I'm carrying it, I often feel like I'm toting a piece of luggage. I didn't want another bag that was quite so large. And I would say I made the right decision.

Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions!

windyhamilton
11-21-2004, 01:17 PM
Thanks Mariana! Hopefully I can get my posts up by then!! ;-)

windyhamilton
11-21-2004, 01:20 PM
Thanks Robyn - That's good to hear about the interior, b/c I love the print!

I was checking out their website...How do you know which interior print comes with which bag??

jdm
11-21-2004, 02:29 PM
Thanks for the review Robyn. What a stylish looking bag. One question though, is there only the one outside pocket?

---k

priscilla73
11-21-2004, 03:36 PM
Hi Windy,

The web-site could be a little more 'user friendly'. If you click on the little colored bubble, it will take you to another page listing the colors and the interiors.

Try this link.
http://www.chelseyhenry.com/Color%20Combinations.htm
I believe there are only 2 interiors, the Party Girl (Robyn has) and the Pink Stripe.

indy1710
11-21-2004, 03:42 PM
The bag visually looks great! I love the pattern on the interior. I even have a pulp paper scrapbook album with the same fabric! :)

priscilla73
11-21-2004, 03:56 PM
I know, it's such a fun bag. It's conservative on the outside and yet fun, fun, fun on the inside. (just like how people REALLY are!) We've all got a Party Girl hidden inside us, somewhere in there! LOL ;)

windyhamilton
11-21-2004, 04:13 PM
Wow - total blonde/preggo moment....Thanks for the link Priscilla!!!

robmab719
11-21-2004, 04:21 PM
Yep. Just the one outside pocket. The 6 pockets on the inside kind of make up for that, though.

I believe the At Work Baby Bag/Weekender style has three external pockets, though I can't exactly tell from the pics where they are. :)

boys2enough
11-21-2004, 11:27 PM
ALL HAIL ROBYN!!!!!!!! for taking real-life pictures of the bag being used. :) Thank you thank you so much for doing this. I always wonder how each of these enticing "exotic" (read: can't be easily found in b&m stores) will look on a live person. lol. You are so nice and sweet for doing the detailed review and for posting the pictures. I am sure I am not the only person here who especially appreciate the last 2 pictures. And, don't even worry about your weekend morning casual look. I look so bad that sometimes even my 6 yo would comment on it. LOL.


Cheers, Lin
Mom to 2 wild boys
D 3/98
G 11/02

http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/kao/otn/pnoodles.gif

robmab719
11-22-2004, 10:08 AM
LOL! I'm glad you liked my "lifestyle shots." It dawned on me after I posted them that none of you have actually seen a photo of me before. Please don't think that I have ratty hair and wear sweatpants all the time! :)

josiebruin
11-22-2004, 12:45 PM
It's just nice that you took the time to share the info - there's enough to do in the day without getting "done" for a BBB posting!! ;-)

~Kelly
Zach 8/04

JeannieMN
11-22-2004, 01:12 PM
Thanks Robyn! Very cute bag and great review. Yet another diaper bag I need to look into adding to my collection.... :)

jasmine
11-24-2004, 01:31 PM
Thanks so much for your review and pics. Another bag to obsess over :-). I was just wondering, when the bag is empty, how heavy you felt the bag is compared to others that you may own?

Thanks.

Monica

Buzymommy5
11-28-2004, 02:14 PM
thanx, robyn for those pics! i'm a little late on the loop and wasn't planning on getting one of these, but your pics changed my mind:) (made it just in time for the co-op closing date!)

thanks:)
chris