Inside ToteSavvy

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.