Lexie Barnes Superstar? BabyMel? Diaper bag help needed.

[mudder17]

I think this is my first post in this forum, but I am in search of a new diaper bag. Actually, it doesn't even have to be brand new, but I am looking for a diaper bag that is a bit larger than my current one. I was using a Lands End backpack diaper bag and I really do like it, but I've finally decided I wanted something just a bit more stylish than a backpack. So when the Fleurville Seconds sale came out, I decided to try out their sling tote. I have the denim one and I love it, but it's just a bit too small for a CD'er. I have been using it mostly happily, but when I need it for more than a couple hours, the number of CD's required end up taking the majority of the room and I have to carry an extra tote to carry snacks, etc. The other disadvantage is that the sling tote does not have a place for my water bottle.

I've now had two people recommend the Lexi Barnes Superstar Messenger bag and it looks like it might actually work, size-wise. But I've never spent over $100 on a diaper bag, so I'm still not completely sold. Is it really worth it? Actually are all diaper bags of that level worth $100? Where is the best place (price) to get the Lexie Barnes right now? The other diaper bag I'm considering is the Baby Mel because they're currently taking preorders in the Co-op board for $98 shipped and it looks like it might be pretty nice. If anyone is familiar with any of these bags, what do you think? Any other possible suggestions?

I guess my requirements are 1) large enough to accommodate CDs, maybe a change of clothes for two kiddos and some snacks and 2) must be able to hold at least one water bottle, ideally two and access to it from the outside would be a plus.

Thanks!

Eileen

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[suzhatch1]

I have both of these & will tell you that the BabyMel is actually only going to be able to carry about 1/2 as much as the Superstar. It has a much smaller capacity because it has a slim profile. It looks much more like a purse than a diaper bag.

The BabyMel has 2 exterior hidden zipper pockets that can hold a bottle or sippy. There are 2 med pockets on the inside for dipes & a wipes case & then 3 smaller pockets for other stuff (I fit a baby bib, utensils, digi camera, & meds in those 3 pockets). The 2 exterior Mommy pockets on both sides of the bag can easily fit a large wallet, or even a folded, thin changing pad. However, once all the pockets are filled up, the main compartment is fairly small & narrow. At first I was concerned that it wouldn't leave much room to fit much, but actually, since there is truly a pocket for everything, you really don't need a ton of space left over in the main compartment except for an extra change of clothes or I toss in a sling. My DD is almost 2 yrs old though, so we don't pack as heavily as I did when she was younger. I don't think this bag would have worked for me if I was going thru the newborn stage w/her or thru the stage where she first started eating solid foods & I was packing all kinds of special foods for her w/extra bibs & tops.

We CD 90% of the time, and unfortunately I wouldn't necessarily say that the BabyMel is that handy for CDing. Because of the slim profile, it just doesn't make it as roomy for CDs as I would like.

On the other hand, the LB Superstar is hands down my favorite LARGE size diaper bag. I absolutely loved the SS when I had it & as a matter of fact, when my DD was 6 mo old & we started CDing, that was the bag I bought when my LB Darling started to feel a bit too small. The SS gave me all kinds of room, and was awesome for carrying several CDs, the wetbag, all her special foods, extra clothes, just everything, it's amazing how much it holds.

As for price, I think it depends....everyone puts a diff value on things. You can spend $100 on something and think it's the best thing in the world & someone else might think you are crazy. LOL! I think a few yrs ago I would have thought it crazy to spend $100 on a diaper bag, but once I realized that a diaper bag actually replaces my purse & I will be carrying a diaper bag for years while DD is little, it became something I felt was justified since honestly I'm not spending that money on purses right now, so I might as well get a bag that I love, is functional & makes my life easier, as well as helps me stay organized w/all of DDs stuff. Plus, it's as fun as all get-out to try all of them out! LOL!

So, depending on your needs, I'd say if you want more room for CDing than go w/the LB Superstar. If you want something more "purse-like" and smaller, go w/the BabyMel.

HTH!
Suz :)

[mudder17]

Thanks, Suz! That really does help a lot! Right now, I would say if I wanted something "purse-like" the Sling Tote would fit the bill. I would guess the Baby Mel is much larger than the Sling Tote, but it definitely sounds like the LB Superstar would fit everything I would want. I was thinking about it and this is what I would want my diaper bag to carry:

CDs of course
27 oz KK (for me)
Fridge to Go baby bag (if possible)
At least one Sippy for DD
Snacks
a change of clothes for toddler and infant
My cellphone/wallet oranizer
plastic wipes container
wetbag
maybe a board book or toy or some other distraction items

Do you think the LB SS could hold all this?

Okay, other thing--anyone know the best place to get the SS right now?

Thanks a lot!

Eileen

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[suzhatch1]

Eileen - Oh yes, definately the LB Superstar could handle all that. It's an amazingly spacious bag.

And as for your reference stating that the Baby Mel must be much larger than the ST, I'd disagree. It's probably close in size, but the BabyMel is more slim.

If you've ever seen an Oi Oi Hobo IRL, than here is a comparison pic of the Baby Mel in between a Charcoal Dot Oi Oi Hobo & a large OCC messenger. You can see the Baby Mel is almost the same size as the Hobo, but it is stiffer (more structured in feel), and from the side, the Baby Mel is more narrow & not as stuffable as the Hobo. If you've ever seen the StorkSak Donna IRL, the BabyMel is similiar in size/shape.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a302/suzhatch1/Diaper%20Bags/Baby%20Mel/OCCBabyMelOiOiHobo.jpg

Here is the BabyMel exterior bottle pocket pic. It fits the Nuby sippy cups fine, but it's a bit of a squeeze to get it in w/1 hand. You kinda need 2 hands to open the zippered area wide enough to get in, plus 2 hands to zip it back up.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a302/suzhatch1/Diaper%20Bags/Baby%20Mel/BabyMel_Nubbyin1oftheExteriorHidden.jpg

Here is the Baby Mel packed up w/disposibles packed along the front wall (bottom of the pic). The only place CDs would really fit would be the main compartment, and you can see from the pic, it's narrow & the main compartment isn't that large once the pockets are filled. I have DD's pink sweater peeking out of the main compartment in the pic. I put a Playtex Ventaire bottle in one of the small pockets in the interior just to show it would fit, but there are actually 2 zippered bottle pockets on the exterior of both sides of the bag:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a302/suzhatch1/Diaper%20Bags/Baby%20Mel/BabyMel_3SmallerPocketsPacked.jpg

On the other hand, here is the LB Superstar with lots of room, I have it packed here w/'sposies in the diaper pocket along the back interior wall. There are 3 small pockets along the front interior wall, plus the bag opens really wide w/tons of room in the main comparmtent. I have snack packs, a bulky MT baby carrier & lots of extra clothes in the main compartment in this pic.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a302/suzhatch1/Diaper%20Bags/FullyPacked.jpg

and the stretchy mesh exterior bottle pockets on the Superstar, which are super accomodating for everything, even up to a large adult water bottle.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a302/suzhatch1/Diaper%20Bags/BottlePocket.jpg

HTH! :)

[mudder17]

Oh my gosh, Suz, that is totally helpful!!!! Thanks so much for the pictures--it really helped me "see" things better. I think I will definitely go with the Superstar now. Now all I have to do is find the best deal out there. :)

Thanks again!

Eileen

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