The backpack straps are padded and thick.

We love the grab handle.

The shoulder strap is super padded too.

Want to see inside? Click here.

Features also include:
4 pockets on the inside
Picture pocket and one long zipper pocket
A mommy pocket
Metal feet on the bottom to make it sturdy
Removable messenger straps, removable backpack straps

Meet a serious contender in the running for my do-all bag – Amy Michelle’s Cosmo bag

This bag has just about everything I need to be a mom, errand-runner, playdate scheduler, writer and occasional night-on-the-towner. Here’s how I’ve been using the multifunctional features of the Cosmo bag.

Mom

- 5 internal compartments are holding diapers, wipes, snacks

- large zippered pocket holding removable changing pad

- pacifier and keys attached with clips

- external buckle pocket just for me (wallet, phone, lip gloss)

- Velcro stroller attachments hook easily onto any of my strollers

Work

- 5 internal pockets are holding cell phone, business cards, pens, computer cord

- large zippered pocket is holding files, manuscripts, contracts and notes

- large main compartment holds my laptop

- external buckle pocket filled with wallet or cosmetic case

Travel (I don’t travel much, but if I did, here’s how I’d pack it)

- 5 internal compartments filled with snacks, cosmetic case, cell phone, reusable water bottle

- large main compartment has magazines, novel, sweater

- external buckle pocket holds wallet, ticket and itinerary

- Velcro stroller attachments to hook the Cosmo onto my luggage with ease

I love that the Cosmo is big enough (16″L x 5″W x 12.5″H) but super lightweight (1 lbs 9oz). The color is listed as pearlized chocolate but depending on the lighting, the bag can take on a gorgeous eggplant hue too. The contrasting bright red, antimicrobial lining makes it easy to find what you’re looking for and helps keep things clean when grubby hands are reaching in to find sippy cups and snacks. I usually fall back on a small clutch when I get a night out with my husband, but if I needed more room to bring a sweater (or a bottle of wine), the bag is stylish enough to work for evening.

The Cosmo is available for $99.95 at www.amymichelle.com.

Check back tomorrow for a giveaway from Amy Michelle!

One thing that is a new mom must-have is Kalencom’s Quick Change Kit ($30). I love that it’s compact, super easy to clean (just wipe off) and comes with a clear plastic wipes case. It’s AZO free and Phthalates free. The length of the changing pad is long enough that my almost 3 year old daughter fits on it, as well as my infant, It’s thin enough, even when stuffed with an incredible amount of diapers, to go in your diaper bag (I usually take it with me, rather than the included changing pad in my diaper bag). Or you could throw it in your stroller basket and if it had a loop, I would hang it off my stroller handle (hint, hint). This is one product that should always be with you! Instead of lugging your diaper bag to the restroom to change your child, just pick up your baby and your Quick Change Kit!

Thank you to Kalencom for providing product samples.

I have a sinking suspicion that staying organized is difficult when you are a mom. There is just to much to think about and prepare for. But while organizing all your babies things, a mom should not also have to give up her style. That’s where the Pishposh Carryall comes in! Pishposh provides organizational purse inserts, so that you can use your purse as your diaper bag! Neat!

Co Creators Jenny Hong and Kopal Goonetileke created the caryall out of necessity to add organization when scrambling to gather their kids to get out the door. They felt like they were always forgetting something because there wasn’t a place for it. At the same time, they still wanted to use their designer handbags rather than a bulky diaper bag. So instead of throwing everything into a ziplock, they came up with a solution that would compartmentalize all their needs…the PishPosh Carryall ($44.99).

Along with the carryall I tried the Diaper clutch with pad ($24.99). This is designed for those quick outings when all you need are some diapers and wipes. The clutch holds a changing pad, diapers and wipes case. The carryall may be a little big to fin in some purses, but the clutch definitely will. I also think the clutch could be used along with your diaper bag to hold some of your “mom” essentials.

With a baby on the way I am trying to start to get organized as early as possible. Better safe than sorry right? Whether you use these bags in your current purse, on it’s own or as a emergency bag that goes in your car, I think they definitely offer you an organizational solution.

The bags come in great patterns, whose names represent the founders inspiration…San Fransisco. The pattern shown above is the one that I tried and is called Noe Blooms. You can get the PishPosh Swanky Set: which includes the Carryall and the clutch for $64.99. All definitely very fashionable and functional options!

For the purposes of this review I was provided with the Carryall as well as the clutch. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

All Kalencom and Hadaki products are now free of Phthalates, AZO, DEHP, DBP, BOP and other harmful chemicals.

Consumers can support Kalencom’s efforts during June by visiting www.hadakishop.com to purchase Hadaki products and by purchasing Kalencom at any store or etailer such as www.rosenberryrooms.com and www.luvmybag.com.  For more information on Audubon Nature Institute, visit www.auduboninstitute.org.

The breathable mesh on the back and shoulder straps make it easy to handle in the heat. While its compact, I can stash a lot in it and it’s perfect for trips (when you end up wearing it). Taking sippy cups/bottles is a breeze – I can put a cup in each of the two pockets on each side of the backpack and fit two more inside. This is the diaper bag I take everywhere for my 2 year old right now. While it seems full, I like that I’m easily able to stash more things inside for my older child too – it really holds a lot!

There’s a side zipper which allows easy access to main compartment while wearing. It also features contrasting lining to make it easier to find your child’s stuff. Dimensions (inches): 11″ wide x 16″ high x 5″ deep.  
Reviewer received sample for testing purposes.

Petunia Pickle Bottom

I got a chance to see one up close and the final result is truly spectacular – you are bound to fall in love with it whether you’ve been a fan of Petunia for years and can spot all your past favorites or are new to the brand in search of a gorgeous and functional diaper bag. Yes, functional. This isn’t just a pretty piece of arm candy (though it will indeed turn heads).  This Boxy Backpack includes Petunia’s built-in changing station with detachable changing pad and large pockets to hold diapers and wipes, pockets galore inside and out, a pacifier pod, dirty diaper pouch, key clip and a coordinated wipes case.

The Heirloom is also part of the Glazed collection, Petunia’s newest fabric collection that consists of a non-shiny, PVC-free coated canvas that resists water, spills and spit-up with ease. If you’ve never seen one of their Glazed bags in person, don’t be put off by the coated fabric.  First, it’s matte unlike much of the competition that uses some kind of uber-shiny coating that makes your bag look like your grandma’s plastic-covered couch. Second, the Glazed collection means that you can sport to-die-for designer prints without worrying about sippy cup spills and stray ketchup squirts. Gorgeous fabric for you, kid-proof for the little one.

Heirloom truly is the perfect anniversary bag, celebrating 10 years of delicious prints and delectable designs from the company, and will be available throughout 2010 (hello birthday present!).  You can buy your own limited edition Heirloom Boxy Backpack online at Petunia or at your local baby boutique.  Even better? Become a Petunia fan on Facebook and get chances to win your very own Heirloom bag. Contest ends soon!

I recently received a sample BeAll Diaper Bag to test out. Features include: light linings (so you can find your stuff really easily), AgION antimicrobial linings, memory foam changing pad, magnets (instead of noisy velcro) in pockets, bottle pockets, and a separate diaper changing station. Measurements are 14″ width x 11″ height  x 5 1/2 depth. It’s even machine washable – just air dry. While this bag doesn’t look large, I was able to pack a lot into it. It can also double as a laptop/office bag (if you don’t mind sporting a cool print!).

If you’ve ever visited Ju Ju Be’s Pink Room, moms can get a say on a new bag designs and features, talk/trade in the forums and enter giveways from Ju Ju Be- they give away a bag a week to a real mom! Click here to find out the 411.

Exclusive for MWS Readers: Let’s Go Strolling is offering a free surprise gift with purchase. Use code MWSjjbgift — which you can use for all Ju Ju Be purchases. Expires December 31, 2009.

You can fit a couple of diapers and a pack of wipes on the two outer pockets and stash a magazine (along with the ultra-thin, full-sized changing pad) in the wide pocket on the other side. Inside the BeLight, there’s a large zippered pocket, along with a decent sized space to store your wallet, some snacks and a spare outfit for your child. The BeLight also features : AgION Antimicrobial linings and crumb drains, and plus an adjustable strap – click here to take a look inside!Need some options on how to tie the strap — click here to see some options. The straps came tied in a messenger style length, but it can be tied shorter (in two ways) to be a shoulder bag or super short. The dimensions are 11″ width x 12 1/2″ height x 1 1/2″ depth.
It’s also reversible, machine washable, and the bright linings make it really easy to find your (or your child’s) stuff!
The BeLight was great when I needed to travel light recently. I had to drop off my older child at camp, but the elevator in my building was broken. I was carrying the BeLight (as a purse) and another diaper bag, my son’s camp backpack and had my younger child in the Trends For Kids Buggster S Stroller. There was no way I was going to be able to get everything down four flights of stairs — so I had to reassess.

I quickly stashed my larger diaper bag in the apartment.  I stuck some snacks, a change of clothes, 2 diapers and a soft pack of wipes in the BeLight, stuck the Kalencom Potette Plus (genius product) in my newly potty- trained  son’s backpack, folded up the 15 lb, ultra compact Buggster S — and then carried the baby and the stroller down the four flights.  The Ju Ju Be BeLight made it so much easier to travel light, even if I was huffing and puffing when I got to the ground floor.

Click here to check out Ju Ju Be’s new fall ’09 additions!

Exclusive for MWS Readers: Let’s Go Strolling is offering a free surprise gift with purchase. Use code MWSjjbgift — which you can use for all Ju Ju Be purchases. Expires December 31, 2009.

I knew something was up when three friends recommended Namaste bags to me in the course of one week. Two were knitters, but the third was just a bag freak like me. And one who was more likely to be found shopping for a new Vuitton than a diaper bag of any sort. But Namaste bags, she insisted, were just gorgeous. Lightweight, terrific selection of colors and super well organized. I had to get the scoop. So I investigated two models from their Cali Collection:  the Laguna and the Malibu. The Laguna is the teal bag in the slide show and the Malibu is the gray one!

First impression of these bags was a good one. They are made from animal friendly, PVC free faux leather. It’s extremely durable and soft to the touch, plus (yay!) wipes clean in a flash. I was immediately impressed by the details galore. The findings are all extremely high quality and make me think of high end handbags. People are constantly stopping me when I carry these bags, often doing a double take to admire them. They look expensive, and wear well. This is of course due to the high quality materials and attention to small details – for example, the bags have metal feet. Small touches that make a huge difference. Check out my photos of how all my stuff fits into these bags! I really put them both to the test recently while travelling. I had to have my baby stuff, my mom stuff and my crafting stuff on me at all times as we took a ferry and hotel hopped on our own Southern Cali adventure.

I also love the accessory organizers from Namaste. They make the bags even more functional.The “Oh Snap” Mesh pouches are perfect for storing both crafting needs and baby diapers and wipes. All the things you need to be able to see and find in a flash.  The Catalina pouch actually came with me to Catalina Island recently and was the perfect size to store my makeup essentials.

Break out of your bag rut, get your crafty groove back on and check out Namaste Bags. It’s a perfect pick for trendsetting moms.