A WannaBe, but not a poseur

***WINNER PICKED 8/21 WITH RANDOM.ORG***


***CONGRATULATIONS, arbrashears (non-blogger)!!!***

her comment...
My favorite feature is definitely the Crumb Drains...too cool! I love all of the colors, but would probably get the most use and love from the brown/champagne. Thanks for introducing me to these fabulous bags -- and for the chance to win.



Diaper bags are a mere necessity for most women, but there are mommies out there who wear them like couture accessories. Some diaper bag brands inspire a fervor that is almost reverent and Ju-Ju-Be is one of the most collectible on the market.

I'd heard about Ju-Ju-Be but never seen the bags in person. I thought the moms who bought a new bag each time the line introduced a new style or print must be totally insane. How different can a diaper bag really be from brand to brand? Umm, pretty drastically different, as it turns out.



Ju-Ju-Be was founded by a mom and dad team, business partners who each have their own families with six kids between them. Obviously, they've done a lot of personal R&D as well as professional! It shows in the thoughtful features and advanced technology that are a Ju-Ju-Be hallmark: tons of pockets for all your stuff, removable changing pads with memory foam, Teflon-coated fabric for easy wipe-down cleaning AND it's machine-washable (air-dry), waterproof lining with AgION anti-microbial properties, Thinsulate insulated bottle pockets, smart magnets in lieu of noisy Velcro that could wake baby, durable metal hardware and mommy pocket with key leash and zippered compartments… For once, I can't think of anything that's missing. Oh, wait, did I mention how cute their prints are?!



I received Ju-Ju-Be's newest (and greatest… size-wise, at least!) bag, the WannaBe in the new Perky Perennials print, pictured above. This is one of the few Ju-Ju-Be bags that does not include a changing pad, so I guess it is not technically a diaper bag although it's roomy enough for me to stow an entire case of Jasper's diapers inside if I so desired. First off, it's huge without being heavy. It has removable backpack straps and integrated stretchy straps for a towel or rolled-up beach mat, an insulated snack pocket, a magazine pocket, and one for your iPod with a soft lining. Two interior pockets are capacious enough for a liter bottle each. My very favorite WannaBe feature is the ingenious mesh Sand Trap bottom: you unzip the bottom and shake and all the sand falls out. Brilliant.



The WannaBe is available in three great prints and is the ULTIMATE beach bag. I say this as someone who grew up in Hawaii and has seen quite a few over the years. It would also be an ideal bag for traveling with a baby, since you can stuff so much into it without feeling or looking like a pack mule.



The other new Ju-Ju-Be bag introduced this summer is the BeLight, which is essentially the polar opposite of the WannaBe. It is an ultra-light (just over 6 ounces!) diaper bag that is completely reversible and comes with a lightly padded changing pad (not memory foam like the usual Ju-Ju-Be pads). You decide whether to wear it short or long because the shoulder straps tie so they are infinitely adjustable. I imagine you could also tether it to whatever you want– stroller, bike, shopping cart. As small as the BeLight is, it also boasts a zippered pocket on one side and a divided patch pocket on the other side. And it comes in seven fun styles, for a total of fourteen great colors… you just know there's a mom out there who bought it to match all her outfits!



I am totally sold on the greatness of Ju-Ju-Be bags. I am lusting after the PackaBe and BeQuick in the new Lotus Lullaby print. I think they would be fantastic for everyday use. For me. I also love that Ju-Ju-Be has a line of Add-Ons, a la carte pouches to hold bottles or sippys or food jars or messed clothes or pacifiers plus a cute brag books, so you can organize your bags whatever way you see fit.

Ju-Ju-Be gives away a bag of the winner's choice (any bag Ju-Ju-Be makes in any color they want!) every single week in its Pink Room forum. The forum has over 28,000 members (that's a lot of Ju-Ju-Be owners!) and all you have to do to win is answer the "Real Mom Giveaway" question of the week.

To enter and win your own BeLight bag, please comment on this post with your favorite BeLight feature and which print you'd choose.


Entries will be accepted through August 20th and I'll pick the winner using Random.org. US readers are eligible. Only one entry/comment per person, please.


Make sure you leave an email address in your comment or that you have one accessible on your blog so you can be contacted if you win! Or, you may choose to check for your nickname at Prizey.Fetch, a site that compiles winners in one convenient place:

***Click Giveaways on my sidebar to see what else you could win!***