Bag Lady

The days that run the smoothest at our house are the days when the dishwasher is actually not only full, loaded and has soap in it, but actually gets turned on; there are enough clean clothes that match each other that peanut and I don't look like hobos or clown school rejects; and I'm armed with enough activities to keep us busy and happy.

The key to those three things: organization.

On a day to day basis, the hub of organization is ye old diaper bag. In my workaday world, the bag was key, too. As a commuter, I had to have a bag large enough for the occasional pair of extra shoes, the occasional lunch, the paper, a book and whatever work I took home. I had to have a bag that allowed easy access to the bus pass and Metro card. I had to have a bag with a central pocket for the Purell.

As a mom, I need a bag that holds a diaper, the wipes, a coloring book, consolidates the crayons, keeps the sippy cup upright and the snacks from spilling, and, of course, has a central pocket for the Purell. Ah, continuity.

The diaper bag I'm married to right now is one I bought with a gift card when I was pregnant. It was the bag I wanted to have that would make me feel more like me and less like a mom. I think it cost around $150 and since I've graduated from having to carry leaky bottles, burp cloths and an extra set of clothes, it's become my go-to bag:

It's the old workhorse of my mom day. It's not as sassy as the bag I bought before my toddler-less anniversary. It's not as liberating as my evening clutch on date night. It's not even as sturdy as my professional life Coach bag (which, I'm hoping I can pull back into daily rotation soon - at least for shorter errands which require fewer entertainments to be carried along). But it's pretty enough and shiny enough to make me feel a little more put together in the grocery store...even when I'm there in my sweat pants following a work out. Like this morning.

So...Amy Jo over at the Cheese Party tagged me in this fun bag-o-war game! Here are the rules:

1) Post a picture of whatever bag you are carrying as of late. No, you cannot go up to your closet and pull out that cute little purse you used back before you had kids. I want to know what you carried today.
2) I want to know how much it cost :) And this is not to judge. This is for entertainment purposes only. So spill it. And if there is a story to go along with how you obtained it, I'd love to hear it.
3) Tag some chicks. And link back to her post so people know why the heck you're showing everyone your diaper bag/non-diaper bag.

In that vein, I tag:

CDB over at Fingers and Paws. She's a real life friend who recently started a great blog. She's a fabulous writer with great insight and an adorable little one! Please check her out!

Self-Made Mom - Girl, I know you have some sassy bags! Maybe you can share the new red leather messenger you fessed up to?! Or offer some frugal new options? Spring time is a-coming...

Finally, Ilina at Dirt and Noise. Anybody who does a weekly post featuring a cocktail has to have a few cool bags in her closet.

Since I never know who to tag in these things, if I didn't single you out and you want to play along - feel free!

Happy Friday.