What's In The Bag?

Once upon a time, I came across a post on the interwebs that suggested using Petunia Pickle Bottom's Powder Room Cases for diaper bag organization. It seemed like a genius idea since I can remember more than one stressful parenting situation made even more stressful by a black hole of a diaper bag. So when I bought my PPB Sashay Satchel, I grabbed a few PRC's and figured I'd see where my OCD would take me.

This is what my set-up looks like for a two year old and a two month old (both in cloth diapers):

PRC #1: Health and Beauty Items (Boogie Wipes, tissues, cough drops, sunscreen, lotion, etc.)

PRC #2: Toddler Entertainment (stickers, coloring book, Play-doh, fake camera and phone, etc.)

PRC #3: Snacks (fruit strips, raisins, Larabars, KIND bars, etc.)

Here's how the whole thing comes together:

In the very bottom of my diaper bag, I put the things that I (God willing) don't need very often. I have two disposable diapers for each kiddo, a sleep n play for Rowan, a change of pants for Niamh.
On top of that bottom layer, I put the three PRC's in vertically so I can easily identify and grab the one I need. This leaves just enough space for a fourth PRC (you could have a diaper PRC if you use disposables), but I use that space for a wet bag and a couple cloth diapers. I know that conventional wisdom says to pack a diaper for every hour that you'll be out, plus a few extras just in case. But let's be real here, if either one of my kids is pooping at that rate, I don't want to be out in public. Plus, I always keep a stocked changing station in my car, so I don't feel the need to pack everything I own in a diaper bag *just in case*.

The Sashay Satchel has a magazine pocket in the front that I use as my "mommy pocket" with wallet, cell phone, etc. The back magazine pocket holds the straps that convert the bag to a backpack along with my nursing cover and a burp cloth. Inside, there are two pockets that hold a changing pad and wipes as well as a zippered pocket that holds some random things that I might want to access easily/quickly like a pack of Wet Ones and some Honest Co. spray hand sanitizer. I'm generally not big on hand sanitizer but no Ebola here, thanks.

That's it, folks. I don't carry much because we usually aren't away from home for more than a few hours since Niamh is still napping everyday. In the future, if we do all-day trips, I will transition to my old Ju Ju Be Be Prepared diaper bag with the same PRC's and just add a small cooler, more diapers, or whatever else we need for the day.

Do you have any diaper bag tips and tricks?? Comment below to share!

Mama Must-Have: Three Random Things I'm Obsessed With

I am literally obsessed with three beauty products at the moment.

This is my favorite lotion of. all. time. Yeah, that's a big statement but I stand by it. This stuff is available at Sephora and it is amazing: smells wonderful, makes my skin super soft, and doesn't feel greasy. I cannot imagine life without this stuff.

I'll admit that I'm kinda lazy when it comes to hair and makeup. I have always neglected my eyebrows when I wear makeup because they're already thick and dark so I just never understood why I would use anything else on them. Enter Benefit's Gimme Brow. This stuff is like a little mini-mascara for your eyebrows and helps them look full, defined, and polished. Even if I'm not wearing a full face of makeup, a little bit of this makes a world of difference. And I've now learned that it is a MUST for a full face of makeup.

Let me get something off my chest: I hate lipstick. I'm like the Goldilocks of lipstick: it's too sticky, it's too creamy, it's too shiny, it's too bright, it's too neutral. You get the picture. I discovered this little drugstore gem a few months ago and loved the subtle purple color (Oh La Lilac) with a nice summer tan. It's a gel pigment so it feels more like a lip balm than a lipstick. I now have six tubes strategically placed in my car, makeup bag, diaper bag, etc.