I bought this little record bag on a whim, during Kate Spade’s Thanksgiving sale. It was 75% off, so obviously. What I didn’t realize at the time was that this funky little bag would quickly become one of the most-worn pieces in my closet. Not just for date night (but YES, it comes along on virtually every date night), but during the day, while running around with the kiddos.
Granted, my littles aren’t so little anymore; I don’t *really* need a diaper bag….but I borrowed this trick from a Denver Mama I ran into at the park EONS ago. I had actually snapped her pic for Mom Street Style, but never posted it (who knows why – these things just happen sometimes) and now can’t find the pic. Grrr. BUT. Here’s the thing: she was walking around Cheeseman Park, pushing her baby in a stroller, wearing the cutest little cross-body diaper clutch (kind of like the Skip Hop Diaper Clutch) – and that was it. I had to stop her. I mean….once I hefted my overly large and heavily laden Marc Jacobs over my shoulder and ran – BOOM BA BA BOOM – her down.
She claimed that a small cross-body was just easier for her new-baby lifestyle. Keys? In the little bag. Credit card, id, lipstick, phone and paci? All in the little bag, easily accessed, no digging around. Diapers and wipes and nursing cover and ergo and blankets and hat and whatnot? Ooooooo….there was a bigger bag stuffed into the bottom of her stroller. She pulled it out when needed. And, she claimed, even without the stroller, it was easier for her to carry two bags than go rooting around for her keys (or OH GOD THE PACI) which invariably ends up at the very bottom.
At the time I was like “ain’t never gonna happen” but I thought about her again recently when I found myself using my little record cross-body on the daily.
Personally, I love how a quirky cross-body can give an outfit some much-needed personality, you know? And at this stage, it totally works for my lifestyle (I’ve even done this trick with a cross-body bag and a backpack).
I don’t know if I would’ve been comfortable with this trick as a brand-new mama. I was pretty happy with my seriously overstuffed bag. After baby #2, however, I totally could’ve done it. And I LOVE, like SING FROM THE ROOFTOPS LOVE not having to rummage around for keys. I swear I’ve waisted half my life rummaging around for keys. I’m totally that person, the one sitting down in the parking lot surrounded by the entire contents of her purse while her kids helpfully cheer, “MOM! Did you LOOK in the bag?? They’re ALWAYS in your bag!!”
Sigh. So yeah – I’m sooooo in on this one.
wearing
coat: French Connection c/o (size 0 for reference)
dress: NLST True Tee Dress (size XS for reference)
leggings: Plush fleece-lined faux leather (XS, they run small)
boots: Ugg Australia Elisabetta Boots (now 60% off at 6pm!!)
quirky cross-body: Kate Spade record bag
purse: Kate Spade Henry Duffle (fits our HUGE camera and then some)
I used to worry, as a new mama, that life, as my baby grew and no longer needed me so, would only get worse. It could only get worse! I lived in fear of time, trying to hold on as hard as I possibly could.
I. Was. So. Wrong.
This year? With my boys running and jumping and skiing and sassing and turning into real live people who astound me at every turn? Best. Year. Yet.
Happy Friday!
xo,
S
Shop Quirky Cross-Body Mini Bags
I found a TON of awesome (and often hysterical) cross-body mini bags if you are so inclined. Most are crazy affordable, as well. Check out the just-updated Spring Bag Guide (under ‘The Shops’). They’re listed under “Quirky Cross-Body Mini Bags” (in alphabetical order).
