Haute Clothed Buns

I’m so excited that my friend, and Thirty One Consultant, Missy Taylor has been so kind and generous–she has donated the Thirty One Organizing Utility Tote pictured above to Haute Clothed Buns for a Review and Giveaway!

If you missed the review, you can find it here.

Details of the Giveaway are below.  Good luck and have fun

~THANKS MISSY!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

A few months ago, my trusty Columbia (TM) diaper bag was laid to rest after almost 5 years of faithful service–which included multiple international flights, adventures all over Europe and rigorous daily use.  With Jocie nearing 2, and acting like she might potty train soon, I really didn’t want to invest any money in a new diaper bag.  So, I have primarily been using my Planetwise medium sized wet/dry bag (which I LOVE!) and when we have a day long outing, I have been throwing (literally) everything I needed into any large bag I can find laying around the house–included re-usable grocery bags!

Needless to say, when my friend Missy, a consultant for Thirty One, asked if I would like to try out two different Thirty One bags and see how I liked them as diaper bags, I nearly jumped through my computer screen to try and hug her!  Not only did she send me two to try out, she sent a third to give-away!!  Thanks Missy!

Check out this awesome Organizing Utility Tote bag (details can be found on pg. 37 of the Thirty One catalog) we’ll be giving away at the end of the month!

!  ***I received these bags for review, but I am not receiving any compensation or further products if you choose to purchase through the links provided.  Everything stated is my honest opinion***

Before I jump into reviewing these two bags, I’d like to mention that each parent’s needs and preferences are unique and my review of these bags reflects my personal needs and preferences.  In general, I prefer bags that zipper or snap shut, have lots of internal pockets and have a cross-body strap.  Because we live in Europe currently, we do a lot of sightseeing and it is necessary for me to have a bag that closes, making it a little more secure (you know, just in case a pitpocket tries to snatch my beloved cloth diapers!) and less likely to be accidentally dumped out in the stroller basket.  I like a cross-body strap so I can hang the bag across the stroller straps and carry it across my body messenger style.  Whether or not you share my preferences, I hope you will find these reviews and the pictures helpful in your decision making process

Organizing Utility Tote
Price: $25
Size:  Approximately 10.25″H x 15.5″W x 6.5″D; 12″ Handle dr.op
Features:  *Durable laminated nylon * Webbed handles secured with Grommets * 7 exterior pockets (2 mesh).
Care:  Wipe with a damp cloth using mild soap only and air dry.
Prints:  10 prints available.
Customization options:  Custom monogramming/embroidery available at an additional charge.

Missy was super sweet and even let me pick which print I wanted!  So, I chose the “Awesome Blossom” print, despite my usual aversion to yellow–and can I just say that even though I normally detest yellow, I LOVE THIS PRINT!!  It is so gorgeous in person!!  Check it out:

So now for the photo tour   Just to give you an idea of what it will accomodate, inside the bag I packed:
8 cloth diapers
1 package of disposable wipes
Planet Wise Medium Wet/Dry bag
Diaper ointment
A change of clothes for baby
2 embellished prefold burp cloths
A banana
A sippy cup
A 24 oz Camelback waterbottle
My wallet
My keys
Even with all that, I failed to fill all the outside pockets!
OUTSIDE

INSIDE

The inside is roomy, but there are no interior pockets.

 The Organizing Utility Tote excells in “grab and go” convenience.  The open top makes it fabulous for tossing in the items I need as I dash out the door.  Over the last few months, this bag was my favortie one to grab for running errands.  I love the two elasticized mesh pockets on either end–they work great for holding keys or a waterbottle/sippy cup/etc.!  It is sufficiently roomy enough, although I do find myself wishing that some of the 7 outer pockets were inside.

Now that we don’t use a changing table anymore, I especially liked using it as a portable changing station.  The tote kept our diaper changing supplies organized so well, that I just kept it stocked with wipes, Cloth Diaper safe “ointments” cloth diapers and covers and grabbed it whenever Jocie needed a change. This has been especially nice since most of our diaper changes tend to take place on the plush bath mat in our main bathroom (Jocie’s GI issues usually mean nasty, gooky diaper changes).  Before I received the Organizing Utility Tote from Missy, I just kept a pile of fresh diapers and cloth wipes in a wicker basket on the floor and the ointments on the shelf.  It’s been really nice to have everything I needed in one spot and just be able to grab it on my way in to change Jocie’s diapers! 

This way, it’s usually ready to go when I need to run an errand–all I need to do is add a few clean diapers and wipes and I can dash out the door with my girls  

Overall, I do like the Organizing Utility Tote despite the fact that it doesn’t zip/snap shut, have any interior pockets or a cross-body strap.  However,  I prefer it more as a mobile diaper changing station and diaper bag for running errands.  If I had to pick just one diaper bag, it wouldn’t work for my needs/situation.  For  instance, when I fly internationally this summer, it will be absolutely imperative that the diaper bag I use zipper shut.  I’ll be flying by myself with the two kids and I just can’t risk having it dump out during a security check or on the airplane, and there isn’t really a secure place to put my wallet or passports.

If you are looking for a good all-around town bag and don’t have to worry about pitpockets, the Organizing Utility Tote is a great option–especially considering it’s versatility and usefulness after your days of diaper bag toting are over

Casual Cargo Purse
The second bag Missy sent me to try out is the Casual Cargo Purse (found on page 42 of the Thirty One catalog).  I have to admit–I definitely prefer this purse to the Utility Tote–I love that it’s lined, has a zippered closure and interior pockets!  Don’t get me wrong, I still like the Utility Tote, but this Casual Cargo Purse is much nicer!

Price:  $62 (don’t forget that with the April Special, if you spend $31, you can get a purse for 1/2 off!!)
Features :  *Material varies by print–canvas or heavy canvas *Zippered closure *Two exterior flat pockets with magnetic snap closures *Interior zipper pocket, flat pocket and two elastic pockets.
Prints:  Available in three prints
Customization:  Monogramming/embroidery available at an additional charge.
Care:  Wipe with a damp cloth using mild soap only and air dry.
Just to give you an idea of what it will accomodate, inside the bag I packed:
8 cloth diapers
1 package of disposable wipes
Planet Wise Medium Wet/Dry bag
Diaper ointment
A change of clothes for baby
2 embellished prefold burp cloths
A banana
A sippy cup
My wallet
My keys

The print Missy sent for the Casual Cargo Purse is called “Lotsa Dots”–and it’s totally awesome in person!
OUTSIDE:

INSIDE
I should have taken another picture of the other side of the interior–there is a large zipper pocket that you can’t see in this shot!  Sorry

As I mentioned above, while the Organizing Utility Tote is nice, I definitely prefer the Casual Cargo Purse.  I like to have LOTS of interior to keep me sane and organized, and the Cargo purse definitely satifies that need for me.  There are enough inner pocket compartments for my wallet, wipes, ointments, snappi’s, burp clothes and any other small items that might otherwise get lost/buried in the bottom of the main compartment.  The interior is big enough for us to everything we need for a daytrip, but it’s not so obtrusively large that it’s overkill for running errands.  The two exterior pockets are just the right size for keys and a cell phone.

As you may have guessed, I love that the Casual Cargo Purse zips shut!  I can wear it on my shoulder and not worry about sticky fingers trying to “lift” my wallet or I can shove it in the stroller basket and not risk everything dumping out. 

I especially love that it’s stylish and when I don’t need to use it as a diaper bag, it looks great as a purse !  I do wish that it had a cross-body strap, but that’s more of a secondary preference, largely due to the fact that I have poor posture and tend to slump my shoulders so shoulder bags tend to slide off   Perhaps carrying this bag will force me to improve my posture !

Something to keep in mind is that the care instructions suggest spot cleaning.  For most this shouldn’t be an issue, but I tend to be a bit on the clumsy side.  Despite my best efforts, I end up spilling things in or on my bags and a simple spot clean just doesn’t cut it.  Now, before you jump ship, this is the case for many “designer” bags like Petunia Picklebottom and Bumble Bags (we won’t even talk about the new Bumble Bags diaper bag my husband spilled an entire mocha on!). 

I have definitely enjoyed using the Casual Cargo Purse as my diaper bag and enthusiastically recommend it !

Be sure to check out the Thirty One catalog for all the cool products available, and if you have any questions, you can find Missy on her Thirty One Facebook Page!  And don’t forget that we are doing a giveaway soon for this Organizing Utility Tote, so stay tuned

I’ve invited Kathryn Bailey to do a guest review of Bum Genius’ Flip Hybrid Cloth diaper system.  Kathryn has been using the Flip system exclusively for over 6 months, so I felt that Kathryn would have a more accurate perspective on the entire range of Flip products and that  her evaluation of Flip would be more holistic than mine, since I only use them occasionally.

FLIP Diapers Review:  Our Single System Diaper of Choice
by Kathryn Bailey

The other day I was discussing cloth diapers with my fellow CD Mamas and found myself growing wistful as I listened to them talking about AIOs, Pockets, Wools, Flats and every other type of diaper I don’t have. For half a minute I started to imagine myself the owner of a colorful and varied diaper stash, choosing from option after option as I changed my son…

But then I came back to reality. Because, for my family, a single system makes sense. We don’t have all the latest trendy diapers on the market. We have one diaper in our drawers: FLIP Diapers. They’re absolutely the best answer for us. And it’s because they’re pretty much all we use that Anna asked me to blog about them.

When first I suggested cloth diapers to my husband a year ago he turned greener than a fresh spring lawn. He couldn’t imagine that I, his loving wife, would force upon him an archaic system of toilet dunking, pin sticking, and the ever tedious wrapping of flat squares around round, wiggling bottoms. Luckily for him, I had no intention of doing that. I knew just enough about cloth diapers to know that today’s diapers are nothing like the diapers my sweet mother endured.

Since my husband is a stay-at-home dad, I knew I’d have to work hard to convince him that cloth diapering was the best answer for our family. Especially since he’d be the one using them most AND washing all the laundry!)

As we started our research on the overwhelming world of cloth diaper options, we were fortunate enough to meet a woman who runs a cloth diapering support group. She invited us to her home to look at different types of diapers, to get a hands-on feel for them, and to see them on live models (AKA – her cute kiddos). It was wonderful! I let hubby take the reins and was fascinated to see how he reacted to each of the options.

Remember goldilocks and her porridge? Too hot, too cold, just right? It was like that for my husband. He thought flats and contours and snappies would be too much work. He thought the AIOs would take too long to dry. He HATED the thought of reaching into a dirty pocket diaper to pull an insert out. He didn’t want the headache of a Velcro diaper train or a toddler who understood how to undo Velcro. He didn’t want to buy sized diapers just to turn around and buy new sizes. It was beginning to look hopeless. Until the sweet cloth diapering mama brought out her Flips with snaps.

My husband fell in love almost right away. He loved how the Stay Dry inserts still felt dry even when wet. He love how easy it was to “FLIP” them into the cover, and how after they were used he could “FLIP” them over a wet bag and never have to touch a dirty insert. (That was a key seller for sure!) He loved how the colors stayed bright after years of use (we couldn’t believe how old they were when she told us – they still looked new!). He loved the snap system that allowed a perfect fit for little ones and for her potty-training son at the same time. He loved how affordable they were. He even loved how easy it was to stuff the oh-so-ample covers with additional inserts for nighttime and heavy wetters.

As for me? I just loved that my husband loved cloth diapers!

After an afternoon of playing with diapers, he turned to me and said, “Baby, if this is the diaper we can have, I’ll do it.” We committed to a single system and committed to making cloth diapering work. My mother threw me an incredible cloth diaper baby shower where we got enough FLIP diapers and inserts to last us through potty-training. We’ve loved them every step of our journey and wouldn’t trade them for all the AIOs, Pockets, Wools, and Flats in the world!

So when I hear mothers talking about the different diapers they’re trying out, or when I read articles about how it’s more sensible to buy a variety of diaper types before investing in just one kind, I know to remind myself that I am blessed beyond measure to have a husband who cloth diapers. A husband who washes cloth diapers. A husband who is actually excited about cloth diapers! If having that means keeping my promise to him that we’d keep things simple, and stick to a single system, than it is so worth it to me.

OVERVIEW
Brand:  Bum Genius Flip
Material:  Cover is PUL, Stay Dry insert is polyesther microfiber terry and the Organic insert is 100% organic cotton.
Size:  One size fits babies approximately 7-35lbs
Closure:  Both snaps and aplix (velcro) are available.
 Price:  $13.95 for the cover, $3.95 stay-dry insert, $7.95 organic cotton insert.  VALUE PACK PRICING available.

COVER

INSERTS

Above:  The stay dry insert is a long microfiber insert topped with soft, smooth stay-dry fleece.  The Organic insert is a light yellow colored organic cotton insert that is a rectangle that you fold in thirds (as shown above) to obtain the proper size.

Below:  The stay dry insert is microfiber terry on the underside and has lines that are stitched down enabling easy folding for size adjustments.  Each size is labled–simply fold over to obtain a small or medium size, or leave fully extended for the large size.  The soft fleece side should always be against baby’s skin as the microfiber terry side can cause irritation.

The organic insert is very much like a prefold made with organic cotton jersey.  It has lines stitched across it so you can fold it to fit the size you need.

So for those of you reading this to learn more about FLIP diapers, here are some thoughts I can add after six months of use:

- We live in Germany with the hardest water I’ve ever seen. While most moms are stripping diapers once a month, we’re into six months of use and I’m only just now thinking of stripping them. – The covers dry amazingly fast. You won’t need to put them in the dyer. I can shake them dry on my way up to the nursery and they’re ready just that fast. – These diapers can really, really, hold a lot. Even for heavy wetter who can sleep 12 hours in a stretch! Until recently, we haven’t had problems with leaks or blow-outs. It’s definitely time to strip, but after 6 great months with constant hard water use, I can hardly complain.

- While a lot of CD mamas complain about bulky diapers, FLIP has been great fit for us. My son has never not been able to fit his clothes because of a diaper. For the most part, he’s always been his age in size. At 3 months he was wearing 3 month clothes; at 6 months he’s wearing 6 month clothes. – The one size fits all system is a dream come true. My son started wearing his Flips around 5 weeks old. They are not for newborns, but that’s okay because they aren’t advertised for newborns. They fit great on him at 5 weeks, but they also fit great on my cousin who’s going on two years old. The snap down system is really incredible in the flexibility it gives you. – We have eight colors (white, cream, light green, light blue, dark green, dark blue, orange, and yellow) and I love how bright and clean they stay wash after wash. I also love how truly gender neutral they are, and how confident I feel that I will use them again for a second child, regardless of gender – which is a hard thing to say about many of the patterned covers these days.

- We have tried both Stay Dry and Organic Inserts by FLIP. The Stay Drys are by far our favorite because our son’s little bum truly does stay dry and rash free! The organics are much bulkier and get stiffer in the wash. I know CD mamas who swear by them, but for us, the Stay Dry inserts are always our go-to first.

- These are some of the most economical, yet quality diapers as far as price: A $13 cover + $11 for three inserts = $8 a diaper. And that’s BEFORE you get them on sale. Use six inserts in a cover (the max recommended) and you’re now down to less than six bucks a diaper. Again, that’s the price you’d pay if you weren’t buying them on sale. I wouldn’t go much cheaper because you start to lose quality. But any more expensive and I really think you start buying for looks. And really, at less than six dollars a diaper you can’t lose.

- I have friends who are potty training who still use their FLIPs because they go up in size so well and are so very absorbent.

Thanks Kathryn!!   Kathryn brought her adorable little man Eric over to do a Flip photo shoot, but I was so distracted by his adorable little face that most of the “action shots” ended up focusing on his gorgeous eyes instead of his fluffy bum   Still, you can see how well they fit him and how trim they are on him.

If you’d like to check out FLIP diapers for your little one, please click on one of the links below. Not only are these some of the best cloth retailers, linking through this blog helps support the incredible free diaper education service provided by Haute Clothed Buns
~Kathryn Bailey