As nifty as it is for me to be out of the diaper-bag phase, I still need a handbag that can multitask as well—or better—than I do. Though I don’t require room for multiple changes of clothes, bottles, pacifiers, Cheerio-filled snack cups and board books, I do require space for a couple fruit snack packets, one Hot Wheels, a few Smarties (less messy than suckers) and my Envirosax reusable tote.

And then I want to be able to use that same bag to hold my HP Vivienne Tam netbook, old-school notebook, pen, extra business cards and other necessary gear when I head to a networking event or conference.

Oh, and then I want that same handbag to transition to a chic, fabulous accessory for a night on the town. Not a small order but not impossible, especially for Ellington Handbags, and more especially for Ellington’s Bella Hobo handbag.

First, a little bit about Ellington (I think I might need to work for this company):

When we’re not at work, we’re musicians, writers, and artists; sailors, cyclists, and marathon runners; moms and dads and aunties and uncles; cooks and gardeners and avid knitters. We think life is an adventure, and a good handbag should carry whatever you need, wherever your adventures take you. We create each bag to be your perfect companion; the one you want by your side every day, whether you’re picking out veggies at the local farmer’s market or boarding a plane to Budapest. Just enough pockets, but not too many. A strap that fits on your shoulder as if it was made just for you. Luxurious leathers and fabrics that feel good, look good, and wear well. But what about style? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. We know that looking good feels good, so we focus on classic-chic designs that you’ll feel good carrying not only for a season, but for years and years.

You can’t tell from this picture but this handbag smells fabulous. You can ask my husband’s friend who walked through the door just after I opened to box because I had him take a whiff of that fab Italian leather. An architect with an eye for good design (and not afraid to comment on a woman’s handbag), he too thought it a chic and stylish accessory. Seriously. I’m not just saying that.

I couldn’t wait to test this bag’s ability to handle all this blogger needs when attending an event. I loved that it had not only super sturdy handles with awesome hardware but an optional shoulder strap, which comes in handy when holding a child on one hip and the hand of another. I filled it with the necessary items and still had room to spare if I’d wanted to throw in another couple hundred business cards. (Okay, I’m not THAT popular but a girl can dream, can’t she?)

Sort of clockwise from top left: small leather notebook; reusable tote; sunglasses case; wallet; netbook; business cards; business card holder #1 (this one holds customer appreciation cards and gift cards); power cord for netbook; keys.

What you don’t see: cell phone and expo tickets (outside pocket); business card holder #2 (other outside pocket); two lip glosses (inside pockets); pack of gum.

And yet even chock full of expo goodies, this handbag doesn’t look like it’s “working.” And it would look just as fantastic if it were hiding diapers and wipes (and that extra change of clothes). No matter what’s inside, you’ll look like you’re ready for a day of shopping and lunch out with girlfriends—or better yet, a day wandering around the streets of Rome or Milan. Perhaps that’s the next test run I should take with my Ellington Bella Hobo handbag...

Every Ellington handbag is beautiful, classic, chic, unique…and yummy. And so are the prices. Most of their handbags retail for under $200, which is a steal considering the craftsmanship, design and that supple Italian leather. Don’t want to spend that much on a handbag for yourself? Mother’s Day is around the corner; let your husband finally get his Mother’s Day gift-giving right!—Emily

* Promotion! Ellington Handbags is offering Daily Dish readers FREE SHIPPING with code BCAFE! Simply enter the code at checkout to receive your discount. (Or have your husband enter the code at checkout so you can have the happiest of Mother’s Days.)

The Korbie all-in-one Baby Bag combines a diaper bag, bassinet and changing table for the ultimate on-the-go bag. The diaper bag features include stain-resistant nylon, adjustable shoulder strap, saddlebag design so it can straddle the back of the chair (sans bassinet), insulated bottle pockets, zippered front pocket, two large sections (hence the saddlebag) with two interior mesh pockets and a zippered interior pocket.

The bassinet features a UV-coated nylon with adjustable and removable canopy, hinges that securely lock the bassinet when open, carrying straps to carry your babies short distances, removable and machine-washable terrycloth pad and a 3-point harness. You can use the bassinet as a changeing table or remove the changing pad and use it on its own.

So here’s my take on the Korbie without actually having an infant within its weight requirements (I have very “healthy” babies). The overall concept is fabulous. I love the idea of having a portable bassinet when you have a very little one in tow. It’s great for short or long trips—any type of travel where it would be handy to have something other than one of those large portable cribs (as long as your little one can’t roll over or sit up). I was able to remove the bassinet easily, though that is some serious Velcro, and I even set it up without reading the directions. It popped right open and the harness gave me no trouble.

The canopy, though extremely lightweight, seemed pretty sturdy and when completely open covered pretty much the entire bassinet—I like being able to shield my little one from head to toe! You do want to make sure you here the bassinet lock in its open position, and I would even test it by lifting it up by the handles before placing your baby inside. I do wish the main rib of the canopy, which you can remove by pulling it from the release button, had some sort of “stop” on it so the rib didn’t slide around in the fabric. I lost the rib for a second after removing the canopy and had to cinch the fabric so I could pull it out again.  But overall, I thought the bassinet design was a pretty ingenious one and seemed sturdy enough to handle even the “healthiest” infant.

As for the diaper bag, I wasn’t sold on it as far as using it solely for a diaper bag. I’ve reviewed a lot of bags and so I look for certain things. One of the most important is a comfortable shoulder strap, and the Korbie’s strap is way too narrow and lacks any padding whatsoever. I can imagine a sore shoulder if you’re toting it around with the bassinet and packed full of baby gear. The saddlebag idea is a unique and handy one, but I’m not sure it’s worth the work of trying to rip open the Velcro flap at the bottom—that sucker takes some serious effort! The two sections are very generously sized but only have two mesh pockets for organizing your gear. The Korbie needs a few more interior mesh and/or divided pockets, especially since the bag is so deep.

And that was my other not-so-favorite thing. Of course the Korbie has to be rather long so it has room to carry the bassinet, but its length makes for a really deep bag. I’m just not sure how easy it would be to find things in such a “generous” pocket. And the large front flap doesn’t really have a place to go when lifted to access the pockets—it kind of gets in the way. It took me a minute just to figure out how to maneuver it so it wasn’t blocking my line of sight!

But even though I didn’t love the Korbie as a diaper bag, I still love it as a great all-in-one travel bag. It is extremely well made, durable and the fabric will hold up to a lot of wear and tear—a great thing for travel gear. The idea of a portable bassinet and baby gear at hand is an ingenious one. You should stick with your current favorite diaper bag for everyday use, but if you’re on the go a lot, whether it’s to the local park or the Disney park, the Korbie all-in-one Baby Bag will make it easy to take the nursery with you. And when traveling is easier, everyone is happy!—Emily

* Promotion! Korbie is offering Daily Dish readers $50 off the retail price! Visit Korbie.com and use the code “bcafe” (without the quotes) at checkout. Offer expires December 31, 2008.

I don’t do yoga as often as I should, and when I do it, it’s in the “comfort” of my basement toy room. If I had my choice I’d be “om-ing” it up at the gum, and if I had my choice of yoga bag it would be the Re-Run Yoga Bag from Fleurville. It may not have all the bells and whistles of other yoga bags (do yoga bags have bells and whistles?) but it does fit my yoga mat, strap and reusable watter bottle (of course!) nicely. I love the Ogo print with its crisp blues and greens and I love knowing I’m keeping 3 plastic bottles out of landfill. It has an adjustable strap, zippered compartment for car keys, gym membership and hand towel (a necessity if you’re into the Bikram thing), and is PVC free. I do wish it had a little more room so I could fit my yoga block but I’m hoping someday I won’t need the extra help with my headstands! Fleurville’s Re-Run Yoga Bag gets a thumbs up—or strong upward facing dog—from me!

The Re-Run Zafu Meditation Pillow was a big hit with everyone, though I can’t say we ever actually used it for meditating. I don’t even think it’s possible to meditate with four kids in the house! My 3-year-old’s “is this for me?” won me over and he claimed it as his own. He used it as his special seat to watch his favorite TV shows and movies. My girls had to wait to use it until he was in bed…at least until the newness wore off, which took a good month or so. I’ve used it as a seat for my toddler as I put on his shoes, as a seat for myself when there are none to be found on the couch, and as the perfect spot next to the toddler bed for reading bedtime stories. It has yet to be used to meditate but it has gotten plenty of good use, that’s for sure! Apparently it was even a great resting spot for Fleurville employees at one of their tradeshows. Now that’s using your resources wisely!

Like the yoga bag, the meditation pillow keeps 3 plastic bottles out of landfill. It is filled with certified organic buckwheat filling with a fill volume that is adjustable for customized comfort. No worrying about buckwheat spills; the Zafu has a Velcro guard. It is also PVC free.

I also received the ModPod, but I don’t see it listed on Fleurville’s site. Either it’s brand-spankin’ new or it’s been discontinued. I was able to find it for sale elsewhere, and this is a fabulous changing kit. It’s a step above a diapers and wipes clutch and a couple steps before diaper bag. Though it is generously sized I still make room for it in my diaper bag because it has a nicely padded changing pad and PVC-free lamination. The adjustable shoulder strap is great for when I pop it out of the bag to take to the changing room at church. When open, my favorite feature is the slightly padded head rest and the three storage pockets. I have about 3 diapers, a wipes case and an extra onesie, and even when folded it is still fairly compact. I have it, my wallet, small cosmetic bag, change of clothes for my toddler, and a multitude of snacks in my diaper bag with room to spare. Plus I love the ModPod’s sleek design. It’s my favorite changing kit so far, though it would be awesome if it was made from Re-Run fabric as well.

Whether you’re standing tree poser, meditation guru or frazzled mom trying to keep diaper changing gear in one place, Fleurville’s looking out for you—and the environment. Sometimes Re-Runs are just as great as the original, if not better. Go for style, go for function, go for environmentally friendly. Go Fleurville.—Emily

P.S. Check out their new Getaway Weekend bag—LOVE IT and the Botanical Azure print!

*** Giveaway! We are giving away one of Fleurville’s fabulous Re-Run Messenger Bags in red—a hard-to-find color! Visit Fleurville.com and leave a comment telling us your favorite product besides the ones mentioned in this review. Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: December 12, 2008 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Rebecca S., the winner of the Fleurville giveaway! Thank you to everyone who took the time to read the review and add a comment. Keep reading the Daily Dish for your chance to participate in more giveaways!

This gorgeous diaper bag is brimming with sleek styling for the fashionista mom, yet it has real practicality inside and out. It’s got me seriously considering another baby of my own (I’m not kidding). The exterior is a quilted nylon for easy wipe ups, and boasts real leather trim that adds to the wow factor of this well made bag. Inside the diaper bag are 4 interior pockets for diapers, wipes, toys, snacks and even a change of clothing. They have included a key/toy/pacifier clip, waterproof (but pretty) lining, 2 interior bottle pockets, an easy wipe changing pad, and a lovely ribbon tie closure.

The Lola bag from PoutBaby is available in chocolate brown with a coral interior and butter toffee leather trim, or black with periwinkle interior and black leather trim. Also in the PoutBaby lineup are the Charlie Pack design and the Carrie Tote. Bags are priced in the $130-$190 range and are both sturdy and beautiful.

PoutBaby is the brainchild of mother-daughter team Jennifer and Tiziana who had dreamed of starting a business together. The idea of a stylish and simple diaper bag is what spurred them on, together with a pregnancy and need for a great bag. Started in 2008, the PoutBaby line is already making a splash with celebrity moms like Halle Berry and Cate Blanchett who own the Carrie tote. Additionally, the Carrie tote was selected by Jewels and Pinstripes for their next Celebrity Baby Bag gifting.

PoutBaby gives you reason to smile. – Daria

I’ve been able to check out the Gold Biplane Cevan Metro diaper bag. Though the Cityscape is probably my favorite design the Gold Biplane is just as sleek and stylish. I love the wide opening, which means quick and easy access to snacks and wet wipes, and the reinforced bottom is a big plus. Unlike most diaper bags this one is fully insulated and even has slightly larger insulated compartments for those wide-neck bottles and sippy cups. Cevan Metro bags have pockets galore and an extra wide, padded shoulder strap (yay!). Another feature you probably won’t see in other bags is an adjustable velcro divider for extra organization. When you have two under the age of three you’ll take all the extra organizational help you can get! And can your husband borrow your current diaper bag and still look cool? Probably not, but if you own a Cevan Metro bag he can play Mom more often. Now that’s true functionality!

We also received Grady the Giraffe from Allen Ave.’s Color Zoo collection. Besides being super cute the giraffe’s soft texture and bright colors brought a smile to our faces immediately. I swear my eight-year-old has played with it just as often as my toddler. These large animals, which come in limited-edition patterns, have embroidered eyes and noses and a 100% cotton cover so I felt pretty safe when my littlest one started chewing on its nose! My other favorite animals—besides my kids—are Hadley the Hippo and Ellis the Elephant. I’d probably add them to our collection if it didn’t already feel like a full zoo here at home!

If you’d like to get in on the form, function and fashion group hug then visit Allen Ave.’s online store. The only problem you’ll have is choosing which bag and which animal most appeals to your modern sense of design…because they all will!—Emily

The Street Baby line, which includes the Broadway, Madison Avenue and Rodeo Drive designs, are all about fitting as much functionality as you can into a very compact design. Parked next to my fabulously red Gladiola bag is Amy Michelle’s Broadway tote in navy graffiti. (I also love the Rodeo Drive in chocolate modern.) This diaper bag not only includes stroller attachments but easily converts from shoulder bag to backpack (without instructions it did take me minute to figure out how to convert it). Believe it or not this bag includes a washable changing pad, quick-release pacifier holder, a surprising number of pockets and compartments and even a few features just for mom: section for Mom’s necessities; pocket for day planner, cell phone, and other essentials; an easy to find key ring.

Though the Gladiola is still my favorite I’m just as impressed with Amy Michelle’s Street Baby line as I have been with the rest of the collection. The designs are practical yet stylish, the craftsmanship is of the highest quality, and my favorite thing, they don’t look like diaper bags. Whether you prefer Rodeo Drive or Madison Avenue or find Broadway’s more your style, you’ll be street chic with any one of Amy Michelle’s Street Baby totes!—Emily

Before I get to the extensive list of features I have to mention the five cool designs in the Urban Cool collection. You’ve got Camouflage and Desert (definitely masculine; my favorite for Dad is the Desert) and 3 tattoo-inspired prints: Hearts of Love, Skulls and Flames, and Samurai Dragon (my fave). I love Skooch’s take on the tattoo-inspired prints:

So you spotted a cool looking tattoo on the girl next to you on the train or on the guy in the park… But oh, the pain and will you love it in a few weeks let alone a few years… Let’s just say you can’t start all over… Not to worry! With these new…diaper bags from Skooch, there’s no pain, no commitment and they look darn cool!”

The features on this bag are just as cool as the designs. You’ve got a water-repellent nylon face and lining, polished quality nickel hardware, adjustable shoulder strap with the most awesome, almost hidden rubber feature to keep the strap from slipping (hallelujah!), 2 front patch pockets, an easily accessible cell phone pocket (big seller for me), 2 side bottle pockets, and a large yet somehow compact back pocket to hold an oversized changing pad (nice!). The inside, which opens in a snap with a double-sided zipper pull, boasts an 11” inside zipper compartment, 2 very roomy patch pockets, and 2 extra spacious pockets for whatever remaining necessities you have that for some reason don’t fit into the other 10 pockets! (One feature I wish it did have are those little metal feet on the bottom. Oh well!)

My favorite feature, which I noticed before anything else when I checked out the Samurai Dragon bag, is how easily these Urban Cool bags convert to stroller bags. The straps are actually sewn on and hidden away in the large back pocket. Simply pull them out, slip them around the stroller handle, and attach to the other side of the bag. I absolutely love that I don’t have to go digging for a separate set of stroller straps, often hidden in the very last pocket I check, and then attach the straps to the stroller before I can attach the bag to the straps! I think Skooch’s design is pure genius!

The only hesitation I have in recommending Skooch’s new Urban Cool diaper bag as a great Father’s Day gift is the possibility of its creating tension among family members. The design is so fun and funky you may find your teenager wanting it as his new book bag or you claiming it for the gym. If you all aren’t willing to share, all I can say is good luck! (Skooch diaper bags can be purchased online at Rosenberry Rooms.)—Emily