I have been searching for the "perfect bag for me" for our upcoming trip. I use to use a Vera Bradley backpack and loved it. Now I was looking for something smaller. I am also a VB junkie and just love the slip in pockets on the inside of the bags. It keeps everything so organized! I just bought this bag:
http://www.verabradley.com/Site/Store/ProductDetail.aspx?colorid=59&sku=127:59&
It is perfect! It fits exactly what I need it to and I won't feel like I'm lugging too much around. This time I am trying to bring less into the parks. I am lucky that I will be bringing a lightweight stroller for DS(4) so I will have a basket underneath for our jackets and anything we buy.
(so perfect, I bought a spare)! This VB bag is about the same size so I know it will be plenty big enough but I think with the cotton it will be cooler than the one from DLP and the bag itself is so light, it'll be better for my back
Since fall, I've used the VB Vera bag for school and even with all my books and weight on one shoulder, my back has felt better than with any of my backpacks
. Can't wait to try it out!
I am always the one holding the bag on trips so I don't have to worry about the colors if DH would hold it or not. One of the reasons why I love VB is they can be washed!! I have washed some of my VB bags and they come out terrific.
So now I'm just waiting for the bag to arrive. I'm getting it in black. That way Alan won't mind carrying it either if I need him to.Thanks Desnik! I think I'll have to check these out in the store to get a sense of size and color. I like the Peacock color you chose too. Did you see that they have Capri Melon sandals and hat? I could see this becoming an obsession. Too bad our trip is before Mother's Day. A VB bag would make a cute Mother's Day gift. Maybe I'll have to get a bag and base my trip wardrobe around that instead. ha
Lots of people on these boards like the Baggallini messanger bags (do a search and you will find post and pics). They go across the body and are smallish.
I dont like across the chest type bags. I just got a Travelon convertible backpack/shoulder bag from QVC. One zip of the strap switches it from backpack to shoulder bag. The pocket that goes against your back has credit card, pen slots and a zippered mesh pocket. On each side in the middle of the bag are vertical zippered pockets to store a camera (a big one), etc. Next there is a magnetic closure pocket with a velcro pouch for a small cell phone. Some worry about the magnet affecting credit cards, etc but people who own it said it wasnt a problem. The front of the bag has another zippered pocket.
The item #F0521 and the link: http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/app.detail There are pictures of it and color samples there too. I havent seen this style anywhere else. I got the black (ordered it Sunday, paid $4 extra for fast shipping and it came Tues-a day earlier than they said). The taupe will probably show dirt faster. Some have suggested spraying Scotchguard on it as well. Baggalllini makes a similar version, but didnt have as many pockets and was smaller. Plus it had a magnetic closure on the main pocket which worried me.
alison
I have a backpack cooler (called Picnic Time Zuma) which was very reasonable ($11.94 off of ebags with the mousesavers discount and google checkout). It is a cooler and bag in one (two separate compartments). Perfect for the parks. Larger than the Overland Donner Bag but we need something to keep our drinks cold.