Help me pick a Dash color! And other questions from a diaper bag newbie

[inmypjs]

Hi, I've decided to buy a new diaper bag and of course immediately came to this forum to research. I must admit that I am totally sucked in!!! I have been reading and reading current and past threads and there are so many options... Now I am convinced I need to buy more than one!

For my first purchase, I've decided to get a Skip Hop Dash but I am soooo torn about what color. I am really drawn to the denim and the uptown stripe. What do you all think? I love the red lining on the denim, but stripes are very me! Anyone have buyers remorse after either color, or find themselves pleasantly surprised? I mostly take a diaper bag like this to casual family gatherings, longer errands, doctor/picture appointments and church (Saturday evening casual, so either should be fine). I want something cute and fun, which I think both are.

I am still shopping around for a second bag. I'm thinking the Ju ju be Be Smart in Brown Robin - love the colors and the size. I didn't find a lot of pics of this here - anyone have any of the inside? I saw the pic on the ju ju be web site but it's kind of hard to envision what it would be like fully packed. I also love the Lexi Barnes Darling but I don't really care for any of the prints right now - same with the Fleurville totes.

Oh, I have 2 kiddos - 6 weeks and 2 and I'm a pretty light packer. Any thoughts, ideas, etc would be welcome!

[nfowife]

The Dash is a great bag. Personally, I prefer the uptown stripes of the 2, mainly because I wear jeans a lot and so I think a denim bag might be too much denim, kwim? I have a duo double (as my big trip bag, for travel and the zoo, etc.) in the flora print and it is adorable. I get lots of compliments on it!

Do you prefer tote bags or messenger bags? I ask because I just got a new timi and leslie tagalong tote and I love it. It is a striped one too! Here are some pics:
http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h15/nfowife/Tagalong%20Tote/
I'm a light packer with a 3 week old and a 22 month old and this fits all my stuff for everyday use (meaning, going out for a few hours at a time, not all-day outings with both kids).

[inmypjs]

I was also thinking that the uptown stripe would look good with denim clothes, and probably draw a lot of compliments. I actually like both messenger and tote style bags and wouldn't mind one of each! Love that Timi and Leslie tote you have! Thank you so much for the pictures. I will have to look into that too, I have not considered that brand very much.

[bubbaray]

DENIM!!!!!!! I have 2 (the other is pink camo) and I love the Denim -- it is a softer fabric than the other canvas ones.

HTH

Melissa

DD#1: 04/2004

DD#2: 01/2007

[mamatomax]

Have you thought about getting an OiOi Hobo? It is my favorite of all of the diaper bags that I've owned. I own a Dash, and my Hobo fits more and feels a lot lighter than my Dash when I have them packed with the same items. The wide strap keeps it comfy. I also love that the Hobo is a pretty big bag that doesn't feel or look big. I get tons of compliments on it, too :)
I could easily use it for 2 kids, although I would probably use a different changing pad (OiOi one takes up some space, but I have it to spare w/ one little one). LOVE it!

Jillie
One Lucky Mama

http://lilypie.com/pic/060628/Ic1s.jpg http://b2.lilypie.com/uCAGm4.png
http://www.geocities.com/kellysb/images/medals/awardbar2-gold.jpg weaned at 14 1/2 months old

[inmypjs]

I had not thought about a Oi Oi hobo, thanks for the suggestion! I did some searching online and didn't go crazy for any of the colors/fabrics I saw - any idea of a site that shows their complete collection? I couldn't seem to find the company home page.

To Melissa who loves her denim dash - I did not think about the fabric being softer. Have you washed it at all and if so how? I would think the denim would show less dirt than the stripe.

If I do get the denim I would love to find a cute stripe on another bag. I do like the stripe Timi and Leslie that was mentioned. I am still really torn! I did just join the babybags group on yahoo, and it seems quite a few people are ISO a denim dash.

[inmypjs]

Is the Skip Hop duo double really just meant for double strollers - or would it be a good bigger bag in general? If so maybe I might consider it and the Dash in both the fabrics I like. Of course I might be going overboard... It must be side effects from using the free Enfamil and Similac bags for too long...

[nfowife]

I thonk the SHDD is a good large tote bag. But it is large! In the files section on the babybags board there is a comparison of the DD and the dash in uptown stripe to compare the sizes. It is too big for me as an everyday bag, that said I am a fairly light packer.

[mamatomax]

http://www.oioi.com.au/

Jillie
One Lucky Mama

http://lilypie.com/pic/060628/Ic1s.jpg http://b2.lilypie.com/uCAGm4.png
http://www.geocities.com/kellysb/images/medals/awardbar2-gold.jpg weaned at 14 1/2 months old