Marianne: Gap Printed Split-Neck Dress (and My Dream Bag!)

After pretty much ignoring them for a couple of years, I am finding myself in love with the early fall dresses from the Gap. In my search for flattering, nursing-friendly dresses for my temporarily heavier body, I fell hard for the Printed Split-Neck Dress. And y'all, it's a good one. Though the sleeves are really long (not 3/4 as in the product shot), and it is a bit big on top, I like it enough that I'm going to have it tailored to fit a bit better. The print is great and the fabric feels weighty and expensive. My only complaint is that it wrinkles like crazy, but nevertheless, I want it in the raindrop pattern. I also have my eye on this modern camo print (yes?, no?), and this perfectly slouchy camp dress would be fun layered over legging jeans with booties, don't you think?

Isn't the blue-grey color great with my most favorite Chie Mihara wedges? I didn't get to wear them all summer and I am not ready for sandal season to be over. These wedges are long sold out but these amazing coral wedges are similar and half off! I want them. 

But enough about what I'm wearing, because my bag. MY BAG. I have been coveting an Alexander Wang Rocco Duffle for over two years, but at nearly $1000, hello. Not happening. I kept buying lesser bags to try and satisfy my craving, like the Clare Vivier messenger, but I couldn't stop coveting the Rocco. And so I bided my time, saved my pennies, sold a couple of bags (including that CV messenger), and when I found on on eBay that met my budget, I pounced. AND I LOVE IT SO MUCH THE END.

 

Also, this guy wanted to say hi. I'm not going to turn this into a baby blog, but you can always follow me on Instagram if you want more Hugo cuteness. 

 

Reader Question Part 2: Diaper Bags That Look Like Real Bags

Last week I showed you just a few regular bags that I thought would make great diaper bags, but it made me think, can I do the reverse? Can I find some cute diaper bags that you could carry once the kid was out of diapers? I love a good challenge.

For starters, our reader Carolyn ended up buying the Storksak Olivia Diaper Bag. She wasn't going to buy a traditional diaper bag, but loved this one in person. I like the solid color and luxe looking fabric (heavily patterned bags scream diapers to be), and the handles. This creamy champagne color would look great year round, and I think I'd use this as a work bag post baby. I also REALLY love the Storksak "Kate" Bag.

Storksak Olivia Diaper Bag (Champagne)

Continuing my search, I found this Marc Jacobs Pretty Nylon Eliz-A-Baby Diaper Bag. This is the diaper version of another Marc Jacobs bag, so I like it. It's really casual, but would make a good tote for the pool or playground, and it comes in loads of great colors and patterns (I love this one!).

MARC by Marc Jacobs Pretty Nylon Eliz-A-Baby Diaper Bag, Bauhaus Blue

I'm not usually a fan of faux leather, but it kind of makes sense for a bag that is going to potentially hold dirty diapers and leaking bottles. The sleek look of this Tim & Leslie "Charlie" Diaper Bag looks grown up and hides the potentially stinky contents in high style.

Timi & Leslie 'Charlie' Diaper Bag Black One Size

I think my favorite option is this Danzo Baby Retro Diaper Bag. I love the classic dome shape, absolutely nothing about this screams diaper bag to me. I kind of want it!

Danzo Baby 'Retro' Diaper Bag Slate/ Black Trim One Size

I have to say, even though I turned my nose up at diaper bags, there are a lot of really cute options out there that I would carry happily. What do you think? Would you carry one of these as a handbag, or am I kidding myself?

Reader question: Non-Diaper Diaper Bags

Reader Carolyn writes:

I was wondering if you could suggest some stylish yet affordable (less than $250?) tote / hobo bags that could double as a diaper bag? I'm about to have my first baby and I prefer not to have to go all babiesrus and buy an "official" diaper bag. 

Ah, diaper bags. A topic I feel strongly about, especially right now. I am kind of against actual diaper bags, and much prefer my own set up, which is as follows:

Large waxed canvas tote (I am IN LOVE with this one for under $80), with a leather pouch inside for my stuff (mine is very similar to this one for under $40), and a Baggu backpack tucked in with the baby stuff. I love the Baggu bags because they add zero weight and I can pull it out and carry it on its own if I need to.

So, that said, here are three of my favorite affordable totes (in addition to the canvas one I linked to above) that I think would work well as diaper bags.

Longchamp Le Pliage Large Nylon Shoulder Tote Bag, Dark Gray

You can't beat a classic Longchamp Le Pliage, it's easy to clean nylon, and it zips closed.

Charles Jourdan Baily Perforated Block Tote Bag, Black

This Charles Jourdan bag is sleek and sophisticated, and the perforations make the leather more lightweight. I also like that it has a long strap so you can wear it cross-body. Plus it's on major sale for under $140!

Liebeskind Palermo Canvas Tote Bag, Beige

If your style is a bit more rugged or casual, I adore this Leibskind Palermo Canvas Tote. I'd carry this, diapers or not.

I'll be back next week with some more diaper bag/baby style talk, but what do you guys think about these?

Marianne: Baby Style, Pony Edition

Let's face it, my kid is better dressed than I am, most of the time. Her clothes are a lot more fun and I never have to worry about things not being flattering or fitting well.

For a recent "Princesses and Ponies" party, I went with a fluffy, full skirt in a wild print and contrasted with striped legwarmers. She's the princess of funky town, mixing patterns in a way that would make anthropologie jealous.

Me? I was dressed for the (rainy, soggy) elements. But this day was not about me.

On Lulu--

top: Tea Collection

skirt: Right Bank Babies

legwarmers: Babylegs

shoes: StrideRite

On Marianne--

tank: Banana Republic

cardigan: Old Navy

skirt: Banana Republic

over-knee socks: Naot

wellingtons: Hunter