The sale ends on 20th August so you have to be quick! A handbag sale is a perfect way to start a post about a handbag.
I've been using my Marc by Marc Jacobs Eliz-A-Baby bag every day for over 14 months now, so felt it was due a review post. I thought I'd do what I used to do in the early days of my blog and share some more videos from my youtube channel.
When we started shopping for baby things, we checked out baby bags in every baby store, but hubby and I weren't too impressed with the options. They looked too small, too girly or both. We had always joked that I'd get a designer baby bag, so after a few weeks of unsuccessful baby bag hunting in person, I went to Shopbop! They have a great selection of baby bags.
I read every review and did further research on ones that looked promising. A big part of that research was looking for youtube handbag videos, which is often my first stop before buying any bag. I like to know it can hold everything I need before I buy.
Of course I settled on the Marc by Marc Jacobs Eliz-A-Baby bag, which is available in grey or black at Shopbop. I let hubby pick the colour, and then as soon as I had a coupon code, I bought it.
As I like to know what fits inside a handbag, I did a 'what's inside my bag for a newborn' video after using it for a few months to help others considering the purchase.
Now that baby T is a toddler, what I carry around every day has changed. I also bought some cute travel pouches that I use to organise the bag a little bit more, so everything has place and it is easier to find. I recently did an updated video showing what is inside the baby bag right now.
If you are looking to organise your own baby bag, or even your regular handbag, Shopbop also has some very cute pouches you can use. If you prefer decorating the outside of your bag, they have that covered as well!
Overall, I love the Marc By Marc Jacobs Eliza-A-Baby bag I bought last year. I'd highly recommend it. After constant use, you'd expect a few irritations to develop. In saying that, the only problem I have with this bag is that it holds so much, it's easy to over stuff it and make it too heavy to carry when you're holding a toddler too. Of course it's a positive as well as it means I can throw my things in there on days I don't want to carry my own bag!
Pros and Cons of the Eliz-A-Baby bag:
Positives:
- It's HUGE and holds a lot (I chose the 'pretty' version of the bag over the 'preppy' version because it had the softer sides and looked easier to keep adding things to)
- There are different ways to wear it (handles and a cross-body strap) so it's easy to wear while holding a toddler
- It's easy to clean
- The handles haven't stretched out with use
- The bag is so light, being made of nylon
- The material has held up really well with no scuffs or scratches
Negatives:
- It's easy to just keep adding things to the bag and make it too heavy to carry effortlessly.
- If you don't buy it on sale, it can be a lot more expensive than other bags on the market.
This post was created in partnership with Shopbop. Occasionally, Away From The Blue blog may receive vendor or brand sponsorships for mentioning their products or services. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own.
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20% off bags?! So tempting haha!! heading to check it out now!
ReplyDeletewww.amemoryofus.com
Such a good sale! So many awesome bags in it too! :)
DeleteIf you have liked it for that long and it has held up, I say it was a good purchase! Diaper bags definitely get wear.
ReplyDeleteAmy Ann
Straight A Style
Very true! it's held up to all the wear wonderfully! :)
DeleteI'm telling you if I could do it all over again I'd buy a designer bag right off the bat. Probably Marc Jacobs or Kate Spade. Nothing too crazy, but nice enough that it would last. We are now on our 5th diaper bag. YES, FIFTH! With a one and a half year old baby, and each bag averaging about $50-$60 a bag, that's the cost of a designer bag. The quality of anything now a days is just crap. I've just about had it with this diaper bag we have and I believe we purchased it around April? Love this review and it will be sooo helpful next time around!
ReplyDeleteEeep so sorry you've had such bad luck with diaper bags! I think we did the right thing investing in an expensive one (it was definitely a lot easier to stomach on sale too of course!) as it's held up, and I can see it continuing to do so for a long time. You can always go the ebay route too - when bags hold up this long there is a big second hand market for them as often they are still going strong after the need for them has passed!
DeleteVery cool! The designer baby bag is not something you hear about very often haha. Great post!
ReplyDeletexo Kiki
http://colormekiki.com/
Looks like great benefits over time, aside from it being pricey, seems like a great style to have. <3 /Madison
ReplyDeleteThe Travel Deluxe
Hi Mica,
ReplyDeleteThis post has just reminded me that I really need to buy a baby bag. I'm due in just a few weeks but still can't decide whether I need a baby bag or not cos I was thinking of just using one of my bags with a bigger size. Will be looking forward on finding a bag that I would like. And probably will be checking for shopbop's site to see what they've got.
xoxo
Jhem | JhemSays.com
Try putting some things in your bag and seeing how it works out, a test run before baby arrives! I like to change my handbag around a lot so I knew a dedicated bag for baby was the best approach.
DeleteThis is so helpful! I've been on the hunt for baby bags!!
ReplyDeletexoxo Danielle
For the Love of Leopard
So glad it was helpful for you! :)
DeleteI have no idea how you carry so much stuff with you PLUS A BABY! Mums are magical.
ReplyDeleteCorinne x
www.skinnedcartree.com
Suddenly you need to carry a lot less for yourself, so it balances out, haha!
DeleteOf course you would have a fabulous baby bag! I love shopbop, excited to check out the sale.
ReplyDeleteBrooke
Oh that seems like such a wonderful bag!!
ReplyDeletexx Chelsea
www.organizedmessblog.com
That is so smart to look up reviews on bags before purchasing Mica! I didn't know about that. Will definitely do that for now on.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.averysweetblog.com/
I really like doing it, it's a good way to get an idea of how a big is to use and what it will hold! Glad there was a helpful tip in there for you :)
DeleteThe bag looks great... Nice review...xoxo
ReplyDeleteGlowyshoe blog
Oh that diaper bag looks so stylish
ReplyDeleteI love it
So pretty
The Bandwagon Chic | Instagram | Bloglovin | Snapchat: bandwagonchic
Sounds like it's worth every penny! x
ReplyDeletehttp://ditsysprinkles.blogspot.co.uk
This is such a cute bag, I kinda want it for myself since I don't have kids yet. Great review!
ReplyDeletegirl meets world
They have a regular (non-baby) version! :) http://bit.ly/1JE8RRx
DeleteLove a good handbag sale! :)
ReplyDelete-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
I also have a bag for Marc by marc jacobs and I'm pretty addicted to you. so cool.
ReplyDeletexxx
mari
www.ilovegreeninspiration.com
I wish I had a designer baby bag when I needed one. Instead, I opted for the cute bags & well, they don’t last as long haha This one looks like it’s great for that though.
ReplyDeleteTFM BLOG
haha yes, while this one cost more upfront it's great that I don't have to worry about replacing it every now and then! :)
DeleteI absolute love this! Even though I'm not expecting, I've been searching for the perfect diaper bag for when the time comes!
ReplyDeleteConnie | Sponsored by Coffee | Etsy
It is a fun search, lots of different options! :)
DeleteThank you all for your comments, glad you found the review useful! :)
ReplyDeleteI've only just made the switch from our original Skip Hop nappy bag (which I liked) to a backpack but I chose poorly, it's too big and cumbersome and won't fit in the pram basket underneath so, gosh, looks like I'll just have to find something else ;) This looks the goods for a newborn though!
ReplyDelete