Having a child becomes a great excuse to get new stuff. Of course you need the baby stuff: the car seat, the crib, the Baby Bjorn, the cute outfits, the glider, etc. But you also need stuff for you. Beyond the maternity clothes and larger size shoes, you will also need a diaper bag.

Yes, you need one even if you swore you never would have one. Yes it does need to carry diapers but it also has to be big enough to hold all your emergency items. At the moment, my diaper bag has two separate outfits for my daughter (and yet none for me); at least two pacifiers (and yet she only has one mouth); a sippy cup; sunscreen in a stick; a box of wipes; a book for her; a toy for her; someone elses toy that we took by accident at playgroup; a comb AND a brush, but no bowl full of mush; nail clippers; a changing pad; and infant Tylenol.

Perhaps it wouldnt be bad for diaper bags to have wheels like carryon luggage but until then, they should be functional and fashionable. Like the ones from Sally Spicer. They are not only functional but theyre made of wonderful European fabrics with great designs. Theyve been a big hit with celebrities because they dont look like typical diaper bags. Some are backpacks, some are tote bags, some are more of the messenger bag types.

Theyre all adorable and they are made by a San Francisco company. How much more fashionable can you get?

Sally Spicer
www.sallyspicer.com

Melinna Gershik - When she is not chasing her two year old daughter or trying to keep up with the burgeoning intellect of her eight year old son, Melinna Gershik works as an event planner for an international consulting company. Melinna and her husband met at summer camp (awwwww!) and live in the East Bay with their children and their ten year old canine, Annie.