Inside ToteSavvy

Now that my daughter is a toddler, she loves carrying things around on her arms or shoulders. If there’s a stray grocery bag, shopping bag, or any sort of thing with a handle, she’s on it. Lauren mentioned to me how she wanted her kids to carry their own stuff for their summer trips (genius idea, by the way).  Since our kids are of similar ages, I wanted to give it a go myself, especially since we have some traveling coming up this summer. I cannot even explain how delighted my daughter was when she saw that she was able to try out not one, but two backpacks. My Little Pack Company makes the cutest mini backpacks for toddlers.  A lot of backpacks tend to be really large, making them too big for our little ones. I love the smaller size, and the padded straps made it so comfortable for my daughter to wear. It’s very neutral so it will go with everything! It’s perfect for an everyday outing with your kiddo. They just launched some really adorable patterns in their shop!     This backpack is perfect for carrying our bottle bag along with some other toys or books. I was actually able to fit a Munchkin 360 Miracle Cup in there along with a small section of my GoStak (yes, it's made for gym supplements - but clearly I use them in other ways!) that I use.   I tried to show that in this picture, but someone was too excited to stay away.     She was even wearing it while eating her breakfast. Can you see a little peek of her  ezpz Happy Bowl in this picture?   {Food in both hands, as usual. We love our Guidecraft Kitchen Helper, btw.}   {Lauren's twins sporting perfectly sized little packs. Swoon!} The second backpack we tried was from Land of Nod. It’s bigger in size and very colorful! I love how it had large zipper pulls for little hands.  This backpack would be perfect for a plane ride or a long day out. Although the backpack is bigger in size, it was not too big for my tall 21 month old. This particular backpack happens to fit our ToteSavvy Mini really well! We packed it full of goodies for our day. We packed a drink, some snacks, a book, some toys, a doll, sunglasses, a hat, and her diapers and wipes.    {I hate how this picture isn't centered, but #thestruggleisreal when you're at the park and trying distract your toddler from what you're doing!}   {How adorable is the unicorn?}   {Lauren's son at the airport!} My daughter is obsessed with keys and has to carry them on our walk to the mailbox. She has her own set of generic keys which I attached to the key clip. To say that she was thrilled was an understatement! She actually started saying the word “backpack” and went around the house collecting items to put in it.  Can we say adorable? I can’t believe my baby girl is ready for her own little backpack. Where does the time go? Does your toddler use a backpack? Have you ever paired it with a ToteSavvy Mini?

  We have all experienced (or heard stories about) toddlers picking up their plates and dumping their food out. For me, personally, it is one of those things that is just super friggin’ annoying - it’s messy, I spent time preparing food (how stupid of me), and I’m likely trying to do something else while my daughter is eating. It’s one of those things where, if I’m already irritated about something and then this happens, I just about lose my mind. Wait. I mean, I would never get short with my daughter or get flustered when she bugs the shit out of me. Luckily, there is a solution. ezpz to the rescue!     We have actually been using ezpz ever since my daughter started eating solids (so, just short of a year and a half). I was so excited to finally buy one because I had heard rave reviews! My first purchase was their Mini Happy Mat which is smaller and meant for high chairs and travel.  There are many things I love about ezpz. Where do I begin? Their mats are made from silicone, so they don’t absorb color or smells, and they’re easy to clean (totally dishwasher safe). Their silicone sticks to your counter or table, making it really difficult for your child to do the dreaded “I’m going to look you in the eye and dump my entire dinner on the floor” act that we all despise.   {Using the mat for the early days of Baby Led Weaning. It fit perfectly on her high chair!}   I have a confession to make, though.  Even though I used to be a teacher and taught reading comprehension all year, every year, my own reading comprehension is not that great. Until a few weeks ago I had no idea that the ezpz bag is meant to be saved and used when out in restaurants, enabling you to bring back your messy plate without messing up your purse. How genius is that? I was so excited to use my mat that I didn't read the packaging. No lie, I kept the bag from my Mini Mat thinking that it was a really nice bag and that I could repurpose it. I’m eye rolling myself so hard right now.      Did I mention that it fits perfectly into ToteSavvy’s side pocket? Because it does. Perfection.     Anyway. I feel very lucky in that my daughter loves food. Any kind of food. If it’s edible, she wants it. So, when I tell you that our mats have taken a beating and have been exposed to all sorts of flavors, colors, and sauces, I mean it!  Now that I know the Mini Mat can be used for eating out, I had to put it to the test. Will the bag work well? Will it survive washings? We went out to Mexican food (I wanted to go straight for the jugular and try out some messy food). My daughter had beans, guacamole, salsa, and carne asada marinade smeared on her mat. And rice. Oh, the rice. Toddlers eating rice is like Christmas tree needles: you’re never gonna get it all and you’ll continue to find it months later. Am I right, or am I right?   {Messy Mini Mat and restaurant necessities}   I put my dirty mat in the bag, took it home, and washed it. I  liked how the bag closed really easily. It was secure and no-fuss. When I washed it, it felt the same afterward. Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised! From now on, I’ll definitely be taking my Mini Mat when we go out to eat. Now, off to find its bag....  

Diaper bags are SO last year (said in my best Cher Horowitz voice). The fact that hundreds of variations exist, yet nobody can find one they love as much as their pre-baby handbags, is confusing and troubling. As a first-time mom, I personally took on this problem desperate to find an answer. The answer wasn't yet another diaper bag style (no matter how "fashionable" it claimed to be). The answer was to transform the functionality of every handbag I already owned and loved. The answer was ToteSavvy.  ToteSavvy was conceived as a tote organizer designed for parents but quickly became much more than that. ToteSavvy represents the freedom of choice during a time in your life when so much is chosen for you. Parents live by their child's schedule, dress accordingly for inevitable spills, and even give up their preferred car.  With ToteSavvy, parents don't have to swap their beloved tote or backpack for a short-lived diaper bag. It may seem like a small win, but when every ounce of your personal style has been reduced to a clean t-shirt, confidently carrying your favorite tote on your shoulder is a huge victory.  With options to fit inside almost any backpack, tote or handbag, ToteSavvy literally completes the tough task of turning any bag into a diaper bag. Let me show you exactly what I mean through two "non-diaper bag" options.    //  THE ULTIMATE  //  ToteSavvy original paired with an oversize tote     ToteSavvy (original size) is the uber organizer– equipped to carry every baby essential one could possibly need. This insert effortlessly organizes my tote on a daily basis and even kept me calm and collected (well, the inside of my handbag anyway) during a 5-hour flight with 3 kids under 3.  ToteSavvy pairs best with an oversize tote with a large capacity. The perfect fit allows you to neatly organize every baby essential inside ToteSavvy– keeping each within arm's reach and easily accessible.  True to form, ToteSavvy includes a variety of unique features which make your life easier: The key clasp keeps your keys from falling to the bottom of your bag (AKA "the black hole"). A compact changing mat is included for quick and easy diaper changes.  The insulated pocket keeps liquids at the correct temperature.  A flat pocket, found on the outside of ToteSavvy, keeps paperwork flat and free of goldfish cracker crumbs.  The cell phone pocket, located near the top of ToteSavvy, keeps your phone within reach and quickly accessible.  The remaining 8 pockets (varying in size) organize just about every other essential needed for baby.   While it sounds cliché, ToteSavvy legitimately is the best of both worlds. You gain the organization you seek from a diaper bag while continuing to use your favorite handbag.              //  LESS IS MORE  // ToteSavvy Mini inside a small tote or backpack     While carrying "everything but the kitchen sink" is perfect for some parents, others prefer to leave the bulky items at home and pack lightly. ToteSavvy Mini is the best option for efficiency and compact utility. Identifiable by its name, ToteSavvy Mini is a smaller version of the popular ToteSavvy insert. The mini version boasts 6 total pockets, a changing mat, an insulated pocket, and a key clasp. It's small enough to fit nicely inside medium size totes and satchels, while also a great fit for a backpack. Experienced parents everywhere will affirm going hands-free with a speedy toddler is the only way to go. Backpacks will become your new best friend!  ToteSavvy Mini has quickly become the go-to for parents with toddlers, preschoolers, or simply those who don't like to carry quite as much around with them. The mini insert holds just enough to keep your little one, clean, dry and well fed– without too much excess. It's pockets are the same as those found in the original size ToteSavvy–offering expert function on a smaller scale.          With ToteSavvy or ToteSavvy Mini in tow, parents can reclaim their style freedom. Almost any handbag or backpack can be transformed into a diaper bag using ToteSavvy, which means your options are truly endless. Who would have thought a simple insert with strategically placed pockets would redefine what it means to carry a diaper bag? This is precisely what ToteSavvy has done.     

  Traveling around the holidays is NOT a zen experience. From delayed flights to overcrowded airports, holiday travel tends to put a damper on the beginning and end of your vacation. Because it's not a reasonable solution to forego traveling all together, we're offering some tips to help keep you cool, calm and collected.    Pack Smart Know your destination and activities planned for your trip. If you're traveling to a tropical location you can get by on a few dresses, shorts, swimwear and sun accessories. Try not to overpack. You'll want to take the least amount of suitcases possible.  If your destination calls for packing extra layers, be smart about your outfits. Utilize the same components for numerous ensembles. My general rule of thumb is to pack 3-4 tops per bottom. You can create 7-10 outfits out of only a few key pieces. To mix it up, pack smaller accessories (like jewelry and scarves) to distinguish each look.  Don't Overpack Activities for Toddler or Baby  Though it may sound appealing to pack the entire playroom for your flight, opt for smaller (and compact) toys that have a variety of features. For babies I love packing a teether that's also a fun shape (like Sophie the Giraffe) and a colorful book that makes crunching noises. Toddlers do well with books (think light and thin paperbacks) and a small magnetic play set. This is great for travel because the magnets keep the pieces from flying all over. We love Tegu because they're suitable for ages 1+. Organization Is Key to Keeping Yourself Together Your handbag will become your arsenal of tools for the trip so make sure it's impeccably organized with ToteSavvy. You'll want every item within reach and easily accessible. If you're traveling with a baby or small child, it's a good idea to pack their essentials in your handbag. This way you can be confident nothing will be left behind or lost.    

  I was elated when my daughter first expressed interest in potty training. "This is the end of diapers!" I thought to myself. I had already been reading about potty training and had a great strategy at home. It wasn't until the potty training coincided with our daily routine that I realized, we won't always be home and within 15 steps of a toilet! How would I handle our potty training strategy outside of our house? And more importantly, what would I need to bring with me to ensure I didn't end up with a pee soaked (or worse!) toddler at Target??  After a little trial and error, I put together the perfect diaper bag packing list for being out-and-about with my toddler while potty training. Some of you may be asking, "can't you potty train in one weekend?". The answer is simple. All children are different. Some may kick the diaper habit in 48 hours, while others take a lot longer. Some may even show interest, yet resist actually moving away from diapers for months. If this sounds like your little one, be prepared with potty training essentials at all times :) The Perfected Potty Training Packing List: Pull ups or training underwear (x2) - Instead of packing diapers, you will now be packing training underwear or pull ups. I suggest packing a few pairs in your diaper bag to ensure you always have a spare pair on hand.  Wet wipes - While toilet paper is available in all restrooms, you'll want wet wipes just in case the accident is a dreaded poop.  Full change of clothing - Pack a full outfit instead of just the bottoms. If your little one does have an accident, they may feel more comfortable completely changing rather than only one piece of clothing.  Hand sanitizer - This is a must for me! Hand sanitizer can be easier to use in some restrooms. You never know how equipped a restroom will be until it's too late.  Reward snack - While slightly controversial, I find my toddler is motivated by a small reward. If she makes it through our outing without having an accident, I'm happy to offer one of her favorite snacks as a treat.  Sippy cup with water - I always have a sippy cup with water in my diaper bag. Hydration is very important and I can't expect my daughter to use the potty if she doesn't have to go! Now for the organization part. I, of course, organize everything inside my ToteSavvy. It's a great handbag organizer because it holds everything I need, while keeping each item easily accessible. Being made from a water repellant nylon fabric, the entire insert is essentially a "wet bag". It even boasts a large exterior pocket marketed as a "dirty pocket" for soiled clothing or diapers. This comes in VERY handy when you're looking for a place to stash those pee-soaked clothes! Check out ToteSavvy here, and see how I organize it below.