Small-ish diaper bag recs please

[Momto1]

I need major diaper bag help. I'm looking for something small that I can take with me for short trips: shopping, to the park, out to dinner etc. I have a black skip hop dash, which I like ok, but not enough to use regularly. My current practice is to throw a bunch of things in a reusable shopping bag before I run out the door. (bad, I know!) I lug out the dash if we're going to the zoo or some other all-day affair.

I'm looking for a bag that's not too huge. I'm small framed and all I'll need to take with me is: 2-3 diapers, wipes, sippy cup, snack trap, sunscreen, my wallet, phone, keys, sunglasses. I'd like it to have some pockets, and ideally, I'd like something that I can use as my regular bag after DD's out of diapers (but that's not a dealbreaker).

I love the look of the Fleurville re-run hana, but I think there aren't enough compartments for me. And after reading some old posts here, I'm not sure I want to deal with Fleurville CS.

I love the functionality of the jujube Between, but it looks really diaper-bagish to me and I'm worried that I'll shell out the big bucks and end up not actually using it. If it will help me stay organized and if I can re-sell it in a few years, I might consider it more.

Is there anything else out there that might fit the bill? You'd think having a 1-year old I would have this figured out by now....

Any suggestions for a small, mommy-friendly, cute, affordable diaper bag?

[SnuggleBuggles]

Have you just looked at purses? I gave up on diaper bags and just use my regular purse or some cute tote bags at Target.

Beth

[swissair81]

I went to a regular department store when I only had one in diapers & bought a nice summer purse with plenty of room. Unfortunately not enough room for double the fun, but you can't have everything.

[HonoluluMom]

I have a Boujie Baby diaper bag which I love! I don't think they make the model I have anymore. It's a Basilia, but smaller than the ones shown on the website. It looks like a purse and has enough pockets for my needs. I got it at a very good price on a deal of a day website. These sites usually sell various brands of diaper bags on a fairly regular basis.

http://www.boujiebaby.com

The other brand that I checked out when I was shopping for diaper bags is StorkSak. I looked at them IRL and they are very fashionable and seem well-made. If I didn't get the Boujie Baby, I would have gotten a StorkSak. You may be able to find one on ebay.

http://www.storksak.com/home.php?home=home

For something more affordable, how about the Petunia Picklebottoms from Target. They don't look like diaper bags to me. However, they seem to be getting mixed reviews.

[army_mom]

we have the ju ju be between. It is really not very big but holds all we need. I normally keep it packed with 3 diapers, a small package of wipes, a bib, simple change of clothes, hand sanitizer, diaper rash creme, placemat, snacks, and add a sippee cup before we leave and there is still some room. There is a separate pocket in the front for keys, wallet, and cell phone. We have the black one so DH doesn't feel too girly carrying it around. We have about 5 diaper bags and this one is really the only one we use since we can fit everything in it.

[swissair81]

I have a Boujie Baby diaper bag which I love! I don't think they make the model I have anymore. It's a Basilia, but smaller than the ones shown on the website. It looks like a purse and has enough pockets for my needs. I got it at a very good price on a deal of a day website. These sites usually sell various brands of diaper bags on a fairly regular basis.

http://www.boujiebaby.com

I liked the look of the larger Basilia until I saw the price. Wow!

[HonoluluMom]

I liked the look of the larger Basilia until I saw the price. Wow!

I got a great deal on a Boujie Basilia bag on a deal of the day website. It really is worth it to check those sites often!

[swissair81]

Yeah, I've gotten some great deals on those websites.

[cono0507]

I'm a huge fan of the Overland Equipment Donner bag. I've been using them daily for the past 3+ years. It translates well into using after the diaper stage since it isn't technically a diaper bag.
http://www.overlandequipment.com/product/594066

Now that my kids are 3 and 5, I often carry the Placer bag if we are just out for a few hours and i don't need much stuff at all:
http://www.overlandequipment.com/product/593007

But if we are out for the day and i want to carry their water bottles and more stuff, I still use the Donner bags. Love them!

[Momto1]

thanks for all the suggestions! I'll be checking them all out tonight!

[aajamu]

I liked my Overland Donner when I had one - but I had one of the older style Donners (back when they were made in the US, and had funky print linings). The newer ones are a different fabric; I am not a fan of the new fabric or the new linings. However, the bag is still very well organized and very light, and usually you can find it on sale for under $50. I just wish it was prettier to look at. If you like sportier looking bags, it could work well for you.

A friend uses and swears by her Haiku To-Go bag. It has side bottle pockets and pretty good organization as well. You can usually find a good deal on ebay and clearance ones are under $40 on the Haiku website (I believe they are $37 now). It is heavier than the Donner, but IMO it is prettier - cute prints and patterns.

I currrently own (AND LOVE) my Fleurville Hana. I would not classify it as a small bag, though. It has 4 pockets inside, 1 zipper pocket inside, 2 exterior open pockets, 1 exterior zip pocket (fits Playtex sippy). I find it is perfectly organized for my needs. I have a 5 year old and 2 year old, and usually need to carry 2 small Kleen Kanteens, a few diapers and wipes, changing pad, snacks, sun hats, and a medicine kit. It also fits my wallet, keys, sunscreen, and my own hat. I have the orange linen one, which I prefer to the other nylon Re-run fabric: it is MUCH softer and seems higher quality. The Ogo print is cute but prone to stains.

I also owned a Touring Tote and loved it but I like the Hana more since I can stuff it with spare clothes - can't do that with a Touring Tote.

[Wondermom]

I LOVE these suggestions, and will check them out as well.

Thought I'd also throw in a few ideas that intrigue me, but I've not tried.

Pish Posh diaper bag insert to turn any bag into a diaper bag:
http://pishposhmommy.com/

Or a purse organizer type insert. Or this very inexpensive (but a bit cheap) looking insert http://www.ecrater.com/p/8150153/baby-diaper-bag-organizer

[MamaKath]

I LOVE these suggestions, and will check them out as well.

Thought I'd also throw in a few ideas that intrigue me, but I've not tried.

Pish Posh diaper bag insert to turn any bag into a diaper bag:
http://pishposhmommy.com/

Or a purse organizer type insert. Or this very inexpensive (but a bit cheap) looking insert http://www.ecrater.com/p/8150153/baby-diaper-bag-organizer
Just remember those are not small! The second one you linked sounds like it is over 10 inches long, so the bag you use it in would need to be 12-14 inches at a minimum. The PishPosh is very nice, but also not small. It works great in a simple tote bag though. So think of the SkipHop you are sizing down from is it really the size or is it the organization? If you need something for inside a bag, the cosmetic sections at most big box places have organizers that work really well. Kind of like an Escape Pod would.
Escape Pod- http://shopping.yahoo.com/34409672-fleurville-escape-pod-diaper-bag-in-gold-flower/ Or get something to just carry your dipes/wipes and throw in another bag like a pronto- http://www.skiphop.com/product/202000.html

How about using a purse instead of a diaper bag?

What about a Vera Bradley Betsy? They have lots of pockets and can fit a few diapers and a wipes case as well. http://www.verabradley.com/product/Betsy/154763/defaultColor/Daisy%20Daisy.uts I think it might work really well for your needs. The Bowler is a bit larger, would work great also. http://www.verabradley.com/product/Bowler/154761/defaultColor/Symphony%20in%20Hue/p/154761.uts

Or a Butler Bag (you can search these and purse organizers in the lounge, there have been a bunch of discussions about them)? http://www.butlerbag.com/
http://www.butlerbag.com/line.html

LeSportSac is pretty readily available at stores like Macy's, they have some nice nylon purses that are decently organized.
www.lesportsac.com

If you like a backpack, the JJB MiniBe is great, big zip section, snack section, mom pocket, side pockets. It is definitely made for someone who carries light! http://www.shopjujube.com/Product.aspx?l=00010001000000000000&p=JJB01234 They also have the BeLight which is a less organized bag, but still some nice features. http://www.shopjujube.com/Product.aspx?l=00010009000000000000&p=JJB01271

[mousemom]

Over the summer, I've been using a Merona Hobo bag from Target as my bag for short trips around town. Fits two diapers, travel wipes pack, water bottle for me, keys, wallet, phone, granola bar, etc. Link to the bag below, although I have a different pattern (more in store). I think I may even get another one in a different pattern since they're so cheap.

http://www.target.com/Merona-Hobo-Black-White/dp/B002U1L0AQ/ref=br_1_5?ie=UTF8&id=Merona%20Hobo%20Black%20White&node=2255570011&searchSize=30&searchView=grid5&searchPage=1&sr=1-5&qid=1280503274&rh=&searchBinNameList=target_com_category-bin%2Cstyle_name%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Cprice%2Ctarget_com_brand-bin&searchRank=pmrank&frombrowse=1

[Momto1]

<--- OP here

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their input, and hopefully these suggestions will help others too!

I ended up going with the JJB Between, which I received a few days ago and I loooove. I realized that even when I am packing light, I end up bringing more than I included in my original list (like crayons/paper/placemat for dinners out, or a sweater). I also got a Be Mine wallet-y thing, which I can take out and put in my work bag on weekdays.

(Of course, now I'm sucked in to the JJB craze and might be buying more peices in the near future...:oops:)

[swissair81]

ooh, what print? love JJBs.

[Momto1]

ooh, what print? love JJBs.

Lotus Lullaby - it's beautiful!

I was drooling over the new Shadow Waltz, but changed my mind at the last minute because I was worried the pink would clash with my red stroller.