Mum's (/Mary Poppins) bag...

[fizzly]

So I am still using the change bag that I bought when I had DC1. It was quite 'cool' at the time, but actually not very 'me'. Both kids now very nearly out of nappies and we're not far off losing the buggy, which is of course essential if you want somewhere to hang a mammoth bag. Please can someone suggest what I need next? I still need to carry all manner of crap lots of stuff. Colouring books, water bottles, spare pairs of clothes on occasions, spare pants all the time, snacks, my wallet, maybe just maybe my kindle. We will probably still have a buggy for a while, but we do occasionally go out without and that will become more frequent.

So what do I buy now. I want something a lot more grown up than my Pink Lining bag. That doesn't look out of place in the pub/a restaurant, whether or not I have the DCs with me. I don't want to spend a fortune, but for the right thing maybe £100, but preferably much less. What do people do when they have to lug a big bag around without a buggy - does everyone get a rucksack, or is it possible to have something that's nice to look at while also carrying everything??

Any ideas?

Longchamp les pillages. Practical and chic

You probably want a tote or a shopper bag. There are loads around, try asos as a starting point.

Allthingsprettyreturns looks amazing but way out of my price ranging.

Found the Tui miatui.com/ range and they look quite good...

Mia Tui

Pliage nylon totes are under £100.

oh. I am obviously looking at the wrong thing - what I saw was £400+

ok have found them - yes reasonable price. But what is the inside like, does it have pockets?

DH and I have just been discussing. Basically, essential criteria is ability to carry a full sized A4 colouring book. Preferably two. And a change of clothes. Plus all the other usual stuff... (esp including water bottles). Mia Tui winning. Need other suggestions!

Nothing inside apart from a tiny pocket. I like that though. They weigh almost nothing. I usually have a small handbag for my own bits, which i shove in on top of all the other stuff.

Ah I see. Thanks. Think I might prefer something more 'robust'. Do quite like the look of the Longchamps thing.

I have lots of baby bags, mostly leather bags designed to be used as handbag too with inner lining that can be poppered out (though I prefer tgd helpful organisation hate things just rolling around in my bags)

How about a messenger/cross body bag? I have one by Babybeau in chocolate brown leather called Kobe? Something like that?

For the price the Mia Tui look really good. Tempted myself!

I love my longchamp la pliage, I use it for the ways you described in your OP and I think it's fits the bill perfectly.

I use some zippered toiletry bags inside to seperate certain bits out (e.g nappies and wipes and another one for snacks) so that you can put your hands on them quickly. I'm currently using some from primark that were £1.50 each.

I felt a bit daft carrying around a peppa pig rucksack when we went to nice places and now I feel quite chic and organised, I'm even thinking of getting another colour as I am quite a matchy matchy person and one colour doesn't go with everything!!!

This is also something I m after for exact same purposes OP - pillage looks great but I need a cross body strap so that I can wear it across me whilst keeping hold of two kids when necessary - do they have a shoulder strap?

Some of the Mia Tui range go cross the body.

of pockets here [[http://www.joules.com/Women/Handbags-Purses/Richmond/Womens-Leather-Bag/Tan?id=Q_RICHMOND|TAN]]

Oops try that again
www.joules.com/Women/Handbags-Purses/Richmond/Womens-Leather-Bag/Tan?id=Q_RICHMOND|TAN

the bird and spot satchel or the laura if you prefer leather

nica

tote