Double Duty Diaper Bags

Okay, so you’ve got the jeans that work, the bra that lifts, and the top that accentuates your lovely décolletage. Don’t ruin that

See this and more Cole Haan handbags, as seen on Hannah's Total Mom Moment on CBS 6 in Richmond VA at ColeHaan.com.

awesome look with a diaper bag that looks like, well, a diaper bag. If your bag looks a little more Mother Goose than Fashionista, then it’s time for an update. When choosing a diaper bag, here are some great tips to keep in mind:

• Get a handbag. Forget that bunny rabbit bag that you received at the baby shower. Ger yourself a bag that can take you from an afternoon with the play group to an evening out with your husband. There are some awesome handbags out there. Find one that is roomy enough to hold everything, but still stylish enough to sling over your shoulder.

• Invest in quality. Remember that this bag is going to be carried around for quite a while. It’s okay to spend a little bit more for a lining that isn’t going to tear or straps that aren’t going to rip off. This is one area where quality definitely pays off.

• Look for a wipeable liner. There are going to be some inevitable spills in your bag. Make sure you invest in one that has a liner made of an easy-to-clean material, such as vinyl.

• You need plenty of pockets. Pockets are perfect for juice cups, sunblock, your cell phone, and all of the other things that a mom needs for survival. Also, putting them in pockets makes them easily accessible for you. We all know that when baby needs juice, baby needs juice now!

• Get a color that forgives. Unless you just want to make life more difficult than it already is, invest in a neutral color so that you don’t freak out when your child spills apple juice on it or knocks it off the bench at the park. Another advantage is that a neutral color coordinates with more of your outfits.

• Be a bag lady. This is a great trick of mine. I carry four bags within my own bag. I have a small clutch that holds diapers and wipes. I have another small bag that holds my makeup. I have my wallet. And then I have another small bag that holds any other items I want to carry around, such as a little notebook, mints, and pens. This is a perfect way to keep things organized. It also helps when I want to change bags to match my outfit. All I have to do is pull out those four bags and put them in another bag. It couldn’t be easier!