Fab Find: Anya Hindmarch Canvas Tote

As you may already know from my previous posts, I am a huge Anya Hindmarch fan! I recently visited the store on the UES in search of one of her marvelous Canvas Totes. They are roomy canvas totes with buttery leather straps perfect for the farm market, the beach, or general trips about town. I have fancied them for a while but spent the last year and a half so wrapped up in diaper bags I couldn't embrace their full appeal. But this summer things are different. Toting Pooka around no longer means having an overflowing diaper bag filled with a blanket, a change of clothes, multiple diapers, a nursing cover, pacifiers, toys...you get the idea. These days we travel a lot lighter: a Joya Baby Diaper Clutch, a Monkey Foot Designs Wet Bag filled with the summer essentials (sunscreen, hat, baby legs, wipes), snacks, and mama's wallet and phone. For errands we pair down to just the wallet, phone, and wipes. So now the Canvas Tote makes perfect sense for a morning Starbucks trip and a quick jaunt to the swings, but it's still roomy enough for a whole day adventure or a trip to the sprinklers at AMNH. And to put the icing on the cake, Anya Hindmarch now does a tote with moms in mind with the adorable navy blue and turquoise Toys Tote. If you're looking for something more grown up check out the Boat Bag Tote, Beach Bag Tote, Picnic Tote, Gym Tote or others. These totes are a great price at $98 so ditch the diapy as we head into summer!

April showers bring decked out babies: Big City Moms Spring 2010 Biggest Baby Shower

The Big City Moms always put on a wonderful event, and their Spring 2010 Biggest Baby Shower was no excception. This time the venue moved from American Girls Place to the spacious Park East ballroom. Products filled the two ballrooms from dozens of vendors. On display were new products from some of our favorite vendors including Orbit Baby, Momma Couture, Zoli Baby, Maclaren, Skip Hop, Bugaboo, Boon Inc., and Oeuf to name a few. Also on hand were fab newcomers like Simplisse Breast Feeding Products, Stride, Hop Pop, Tomee Tipee, and the amazing Taga Bike and Luxury Stroller. Expectant moms had the opportunity to test out multiple brands of strollers, check out furniture, diaper bags, and the latest in all things baby.

Guest speakers included Dr. Alan Greene (see this post to learn more about Dr. Greene) and the wonderful Carley Roney from The Knot empire. Roney spoke about her favorite essential gear for new moms. These included some of our personal faves like the Orbit Baby stroller , which she highlighted as the "Sunday Brunch" stroller thanks to Orbit's patented technology that allows you to pull the stroller up to the table and spin the seat so baby faces you! She also talked about Momma Couture's clever Stinky Bum diaper clutch (another of our favorites and a previous "Fab Find"). Roney pointed out that no matter which stroller you chose, having only one stroller will never fulfill all your strolling needs. She suggested getting a lightweight umbrella stroller for traveling onthe subway on in the airport. Her picks were any of the strollers in the Maclaren line or the Uppa Baby G-Lite. Roney praised the ubiquitous Baby Bjorn carriers for babywearing, and spoke about The Bump's new iPhone app called Baby 411 (see my other favorites in this post).

Finally, Roney, a serious career mom, gave some fantastic advice on being a new mom:

1) Get OUT of the house and take lots of walks!
2) Make sure to network with other moms and build a support system
3) NURSE in PUBLIC (my personal fave!)

Roney explains that breasts are very portable and make it easy to feed on the go and to find places in your neighborhood where you can comfortably nurse such as baby boutiques and department store lounges (Saks has a great one on the fourth floor). Don't hesitate to meet with a lactation consultant if you are having any nursing problems. Other key advice Roney imparted on the expectant moms was to relax, trust your instincts, and give yourself plenty of time to learn this whole motherhood thing! She is truly and inspiring women!

As always, the gift bags far exceeded expectations. The overflowing (and heavy) bags had far too many items to list them all, but some standouts included the new Uppa Baby Car Seat Bubble (universal to fit dozens of car seats), a Bugaboo Stroller Blanket, gorgeous mittens from Oeuf, Robeez shoes, a Company Store Kids crib sheet, a Naturepedic Organic Piddle Pad, a set of Boon Benders utensils, bottles from MAM Baby, Prince Lionhart, Born Free, and Tomee Tipee, and multiple coupons for everything from strollers to nursery furniture. And that's just scraping the surface of the booty moms received in their gift bags. Add to that the individual gifts the moms won in the Baby Bingo Raffle and it almost tops the shower your friends and family throw for you!

Luxe Life: Rebecca Minkoff's Zipper Baby Bag

Some of you may be familiar with Rebecca Minkoff's ubiquitous Morning After Bag (MAB). It's her best selling style and is designed to go to work, then play, and then get you back to work the next morning even if you never made it home. For most of us those days are over and our bag needs have shifted dramatically, although we are probably still suffering from the same lack of sleep. The next logical step in the Rebecca Minkoff line is a diaper bag version of the the MAB aptly named the Knocked Up. With the similar stylings to the MAB, the Knocked Up comes with a wipeable canvas coated lining, stroller straps, a changing pad, and plenty of pockets. I picked one up in Salmon last fall at a sample sale and it never fails to elicit envy amongst moms an non-moms alike. It is released each season in a different palate of colors. They seem to be sold out for this season, but you can still find them at various online boutiques, and they will likely be offered again in the fall. Also new for this season is the Zipper Baby Bag, which is definitely the punk-rock little sister of the grown-up Knocked Up. Like the Knocked Up, the Zipper Baby Bag is not obviously a diaper bag. With its bright red leopard coated canvas, turquoise leather trim, and zig-zagging zippers its flirty and fun for summer. Packed with the same features as the Knocked Up you will not be wanting in function or organization, but I can guarantee that you'll have the most interesting diaper bag in your play group! And while you're visiting the Rebecca Minkoff website you might want to grab a bag for date night or afternoon sangria's with the girls on those days when you have a sitter. Check out the cross body stylings of the Beloved Mini in Moss or the Mini Rikki in Turquoise for the spring season. Heck, considering they are meant to be worn cross body you could wear them while pushing the stroller and leave your diaper bag hanging from the handles. Need something with a bit more space? Then grab a Neon Nikki with it's vibrant neon pink trim. Its frisky, fun, and easy to wear! So wether you are worried about being organized for the kids or looking chic when you head out on the town Rebecca's got you covered!

Luxe Life: Kate Spade Bon Mot X-Ray Coal Baby Bag

Kate Spade holds a special place in my heart. I got my first bag in college and it opened my eyes to the world of designer handbags. Her bags were just making a splash back then, and I felt so swank when I carried my brown nylon tote around town. In fact, I still own that bag and it makes a guest appearance now and again. The Bon Mot X-Ray Baby Bag in Coal embodies Kate's signature style with it's whimsical illustrations of the likely contents of your diaper bag. I love the strong navy and orange colors, and it will look great next to your towel by the pool in St. Barth's or on the sand in Nantucket this summer. The bag has plenty of pockets for storing all your baby gear and although it is canvas on the outside it has a waterproof interior to deal with the inevitable spills that come along with mommyhood! Pair it with this marvelous Mysie Top by Calypso (in KNCKERS) and you will look fresh and ready to take on anything your baby throws at you (with Pooka it's usually peas!).

Luxe Life: Tory Burch Nylon Baby Bag

I'm always on the lookout for the latest and greatest diaper bags. I often wonder why every major designer doesn't have one in their line. Mommies are big business these days! Tory Burch has recognized this need for discerning mama's to carry fab looking diaper bags. Her Nylon Baby Bag is currently available in black with patent leather accents and signature gold hardware. It is sure to keep people guessing, "is it or isn't it." And by that I mean a diaper bag, of course! With tote handles and a removable shoulder strap there are plenty of carrying options, and pockets galore inside and out. Apparently it has been available for some time, so it's anyone's guess why I am only now stumbling upon it (and don't already own one!). They are available through Tory Burch's online store and I imagine they sell out fast, so if this is the bag you've been searching for don't wait to purchase it. You wouldn't want to be the only mama in the Hamptons without one this summer!

Fab Find: Momma Couture Diaper Bags

Being a mom is a pretty busy job, especially when you have more than one wee one under your roof. There's play dates, music classes, doctor's appointments, grocery shopping...you get the idea. Now imagine you are doing all of this with two kids and then decide to launch a brand new company. That is exactly what Rashmi Budhram of Momma Couture did! She's a Brooklyn mom of two who couldn't find a diaper bag that fit all her needs as an urban mom and still looked chic and un-diaper bagish. Rashmi has definitely accomplished those goals with her Momma Couture line of diaper bags. One of my favorite features is that all of her bags are insulated, and I don't mean just a bottle pocket, the entire lining of the bag is insulated. You might think this would make the bags bulky, but they are surprising thin and light. So go ahead and toss your bottle, sippy cup or snacks right into the main compartment of any of these bags and don't worry about them getting too warm! But that's not the only great thing about these bags. They are streamlined and purposeful, and not to mention they are really great looking. For quick dashes out and about, to throw in a non-diaper bag, or to hang from your stroller choose the Stash & Go which holds a sippy cup or bottle, a diaper and wipes. Or check out my favorite, the hilarious Stinky Bum bag (I mean you might as well call a spade a spade) that holds a diaper, wipes, a changing mat and all your essentials for running out (lip balm, cell phone, credit cards).

For longer jaunts try my favorite, the City Bag. It holds everything you need for a day at a compact 12" x 4" x 9.5" and is described as messenger style, but you won't find a front flap here. The City Bag is all business and has an adjustable strap so you can wear it cross body and be hands free or hang it from your stroller. This one is on my list for when Pooka is in the front carrier and one of our larger bags is too difficult to carry. Rounding out the collection are the spacious (and aptly named) Playdate and Satchel bags that are perfect for long days or even the weekend. And if you have older ones, check out the Momma's Helper that can be used to hold diaper gear on one side and drinks and snacks on the other side.The range currently comes in a lovely linen in Navy or Khaki, and will be available in a wipeable nylon in mid-March.

Life With Pooka readers can get a %15 discount at checkout by typing in coupon code: pooka15

Luxe Life: Anya Hindmarch Oakley Diaper Bag

Picking your diaper bag can be as difficult as picking a pair of jeans. Is your style utilitarian or whimsical? Would you rather your diaper bag scream mommy or hide your status? Should your bag be inexpensive or luxurious? So many questions, and so many bags! Updated for Fall 2009, Anya Hindmarch's Oakley Bag is a good choice if you want a subtle and chic diaper bag. Made of black nylon with patent leather trim it's perfect for winter's inclement weather and for wiping off drool or spit up. It comes with a nifty changing mat, a removable "nappy" bag, and smartly labeled pockets with terms like "bibs," "bobs," "books," and "bottles." So while the bag doesn't broadcast "mommy," at closer look it shows that you're proud to tote your little ones goods. New for fall are an interior key ring, cell phone pocket and cute striped shoulder strap that can also be used to hang the bag from your stroller. These are huge improvements on the previous canvas version from last spring, but with a new price tag of $695 you are paying for those upgrades!