Out With The Toddler, In With The Handbags

My toddler will be starting preschool next month. More importantly, I will no longer have to lug around diapers and kid food, juice boxes and race cars all day in a (quite awesome, you may recall) HUGE tote bag. Finally, during the day at least, my bag will be all about me again! :)

I have always been a fan of huge bags. Pre-baby, I carried around lots of stuff. Back then, I needed a bag that was big enough to hold a bottle of water, 1 or 2 magazines, a makeup pouch a really big wallet, cell, lotion, gum,  yada yada yada you get the picture.  Now that toddler-freedom is upon me, and I have upped my gadget count, I will need an even bigger bag to accommodate all that stuff listed above, plus a netbook and a couple of cameras. But this one does not have to b water/baby-gunk proof. And on days that I am just making quick runs for lunch with friends or (yayee) to see a matinee, I can actually carry something that is small and pretty and has absolutely nothing to do with being a mom-person.

Here are just a few of the bags I'm coveting at the moment. I am seriously hoping to see one or two of these in my future:

Biguns

These bags by Joes Jeans (white) and Olivia Harris (black) are the stuff my dreams are made of. No, really, in my dreams, thanks to their hefty price tags. But, a girl's gotta dream. I found them on piperlime.com and fully intend to stalk them until the prices go down or until they are sold out.   

  Teeny Weenies

   

Behold the Fossil zip clutch and the fabulously long, fabric Aya Morrison clutch in all their ethnic, perfect-everyday-clutch glory. I read about Aya Morrison on Afrobella's spot recently and her bags have been on my must-have-one list ever since. I love both of these clutches not only because of their beautiful prints, but also because they are just large enough to carry my cell phone, money, Chapstick and lip gloss. And what stay at home mom wouldn't love to go out packed that light?

Comments

[Kathy Syked]

I am the same way. I just recently moved from the diaper bag to a Mickey Mouse backpack! I think we will have that for a while even though he will be starting preschool 3 in the fall also. We can share the journey together! Oh, I love handbags...the bigger the better. Just saw some fab ones at Target yesterday. I have purchased my share of brand name bags in the past (LV being my favorite), but now that I am saving for college fund and right now school fund, I gotta down size..only on price.

[Sheena]

The Sak bag that you got at T.J.Maxx is so cute. I love the print. I found a similar bag that I'm hoping to grab!

My purse has some toddler gear in it, sippy, wipes, diapers - that's it! I'm on my way!

[Homegirl Quel]

Kathy, I love the bags at Target. They actually have some really good quality bags. I love my leather, but the pleather ones at Target do help to keep the cashola where it needs to be...in the bank. And yes, we'll trade stories about our little ones' venture into school and germs and all that. lol

Thanks! I really do love that bag. It was definitely a lucky find. And yes, you're good to only have a few items in tow. I will thoroughly enjoy being baby-stuff-free until the next one comes along. :)