If you are still toting around diapers and a wipes case sans cute-yet-functional changing tote then it’s time to change things up a bit. The single-pocket-style diapers and wipes case is fine but what do you do when you need a changing mat to cover those changing stations in the store bathroom? And toting around your entire diaper bag when all you really need is enough items for a quick on-the-go change gets really old…really quickly. The perfect solution? The new tactic changing purse from JJ Cole.

As soon as I received JJ Cole’s tactic changing purse in the super cute pink daisy pattern, I immediately removed my Fleurville ModPod from my diaper bag, stocked up the tactic changing purse with a couple diapers, wipes case, onesie and diaper cream and slipped it easily into its proper place. Don’t get me wrong, I love Fleurville’s ModPod but it did take up quite a bit of space in my diaper bag and it was hard to get to the wipes if I needed one for a runny-nose emergency. JJ Cole’s version was more compact and I had much easier access to those oft needed wipes. I included a photo to prove my point! (Yes, I pack a lot of snacks for both the kids and me!)

The tactic changing purse holds diapers, a wipes case and comes with a changing pad that has a slightly padded area for the head. It even includes a wallet organizer for necessities like credit cards, cell phone and even a lip gloss or two. The tactic’s handle is adjustable (I keep it as short as possible since it sits in my diaper bag) and can be attached to a stroller or even carried like a wristlet. It is made from easy-to-clean laminated canvas, another fabulous feature, and comes in four different fun patterns. Oh, and I forgot to mention it has a magnetic closure—a simple feature yet one I love. I can’t find a single thing not to like about the tactic changing purse. Even the price is a good one at just under $30.

Though the same ol’ thing isn’t always a bad thing, switching tactics can make for a refreshing—and space saving—change. I’m a firm believer in that statement now that I own JJ Cole’s tactic changing purse!—Emily

Think of me4kidz’s new Diaper Bag Buddy like you would a AAA membership. You may never need towing service or flat tire repair but it give you peace of mind knowing if you did need it, you’d have it. The same goes for the Diaper Bag Buddy from me4kidz.

Similar in concept to the Medibuddy I reviewed March of last year, the Diaper Bag Buddy is full of products that will come in handy in case of emergency, and I’m not talking medical this time around. Unlike the Medibuddy, the Diaper Bag Buddy is not filled with antibiotic ointment and antiseptic wipes, though it does have a few bandages just in case. This little on-the-go kit includes everything you need for your little one’s emergencies, from wipes and diaper rash cream to shampoo & body wash—and everything is natural and organic. Here is what this amazingly small (like the Medibuddy) kit includes: diaper rash cream, aloe vera gel pack, face & body moisturizer, bandages, one-time-use thermometer, shampoo & body wash and wipes. Yes, all that in a reusable and 100% recycled case that fits perfectly in even the most packed-to-the-brim diaper bag!

I have my Diaper Bag Buddy sitting within easy reach in my diaper bag but have yet to use it—which is a good thing in this case. Though I can’t say how well the aloe vera gel or thermometer worked (thank heavens!) I can say I still find it hard to believe so many baby-emergency items are packed in so tiny a case. And though it takes up about as much room as a baby bottle it is worth it. Just think how much space those items would take if I were to pack the not-so-travel-size products individually! I love knowing that if I do run out of baby wipes or run into a painfully red baby bum, the Diaper Bag Buddy is within easy reach. It’s like having AAA service for your baby!—Emily

*** Giveaway! me4kidz is giving away one Diaper Bag Buddy! Please leave a comment with a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: January 27, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Katie M., the winner of the Diaper Bag Buddy 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!

...and hello to SoYoung Mother. It’s been far too long since my last diaper bag review and you know how much I love diaper bags (almost as much as I love jeans and a great pair of heels). I can’t think of a better way to break the diaper-bag dry spell than by reviewing a bag known for fighting something called “discom-babe-ulation.”

What is “discom-babe-ulation?” You may not know it by its official name but if you have little ones, you’ve experienced it. It’s “the state of panic that you experience when your baby starts to scream in a public place and the black hole of your diaper bag has swallowed the one thing you need to calm him down.” If you’re like me, you know this state very well.

To fight the state of discom-babe-ulation you need to be well armed. The SoYoung Mother diaper bag comes equipped with a wipeable, water-resistant microsuede exterior and one of its best weapons, a shallow bottom eliminating the frustrating search for the ever-elusive pacifier or Goldfish snack pack. The gingham interior, which is totally cute, has both mesh and see-through pockets, the latter able to be wiped down in case of bottle leaks or stuck-on fruit snacks. With pockets for everything from diapers and wipes to formula packets and a change of clothes, you can stay calm and organized when the world around you is falling apart.

I received the SoYoung Mother diaper bag in the yummy chocolate brown with baby blue trim. And yes, I noticed all of the above fabulous features. I also noticed the cell phone pocket was within easy reach (a total must-have for me) and it came with important accessories like adjustable stroller straps and a machine washable and dryable (yay!) changing mat. I do wish the mat would have been slightly padded but it did roll up compactly and fit nicely inside the bag.

Though I loved the idea of the matching collapsible cooler bag with insulated lining, I didn’t love the cinch top. It took a little work to loosen and tighten; I think I’d prefer a zipper closure instead. And the SoYoung Mother diaper bag doesn’t hold quite as much as my favorite Amy Michelle bag, that’s probably a good thing and something for which my bag would thank me! One totally unique feature of this bag is its large outside flap, which you can use to carry a baby blanket, baby sling or carrier, or even a yoga mat for that post-natal yoga you’ve been meaning to try.

Besides that easy-reach cellphone pocket, what I love most about the SoYoung Mother diaper bag is that it doesn’t look like a diaper bag. (Kind of reminds me of those days when the only snacks I carried around were a pack of gum and a protein bar.) And get this, it fits most laptops so it’s the perfect bag for all you mompreneurs out there! The SoYoung Mother diaper bag is available in two delicious colors, chocolate brown with baby blue trim (oh, how I love my job!) and cherry red with chocolate trim.—Emily

* Promotion! SoYoung Mother is offering Daily Dish readers $25 off their purchase and an extra cooler bag! Simply use code “DAD” (without the quotes) at checkout. You can say “so long” to this offer after January 31, 2009 so don’t wait too long!

We first reviewed Fleurville back in January for our “let’s go green” week. We featured their Re-Run Messenger bag and MicroPod. I love Fleurville’s Re-Run fabric, which is made from recycled plastic bottles and keeps thousands of bottles out of landfill—nothing like going green when on the go! So I was super excited to receive Fleurville’s Re-Run Yoga Bag and Re-Run Zafu Meditation Pillow for a review on the Daily Dish.

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!

Here on the Daily Dish we’re big fans of form, function and fashion coming together in one big group hug, and Allen Avenue’s Cevan Metro diaper bags and Color Zoo animals do just that. Founded by award-winning product developer Natalie Covrig, Allen Ave.’s unique product line is a result of collaborations with artists whose backgrounds include illustration, fine art, industrial design, graphic design and photography. Catering to the contemporary parent, the company’s limited-edition gear and toys are modern, fresh and definitely functional.

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

...and the result is a totally cool, totally edgy bag even Dad will think is hip enough to tote around town. Skooch’s Mix It Up and Groovy collections received positive reviews on the Daily Dish before and their new Urban Cool collection will make it three for three. Not only does the new line have a slew of great features (I’ll get to those in a moment) but this one is also award winning as a distinguished “Celebrated Winner of the iParenting Media Awards” for the 2008 Excellent Products Call. An award-winning, edgy, “urban cool” diaper bag? Sounds like the perfect Father’s Day gift to me!

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