I have never been a believer in strollers, huge diaper bags and generally packing up the whole house when you prepare to leave for the day with your child. Perhaps this notion is ingrained in me because my husband and I are backpackers rather than campers; the ilk who travel in huge motorhomes with satellite dishes on top and king size beds inside.

When 2 people can go into the woods for 4 days with everything they need to eat, sleep and explore, tucked into a cube on their back, straying beyond your property line should be put into perspective, and satisfactory proportions achieved without looking like a Disney gift shop exploded, hence my purchase of this smart and stylish Kate Spade diaper bag:





Some of you will balk and say you’d never pay $200.00 for a Kate Spade diaper bag, and frankly, neither would I, that's why I searched, and bought one from a consignment shop for $30.00. A quilted Winnie-the-Pooh atrocity costs the same.




Frankly, at my age, I’m well over the teddy bears, balloons and hearts phase. Black is the new pink.


If you prefer something a little more lively, check out petuniapicklebottom.com for this kind of snazzy tote:





Maybe you’re fortunate enough to be a snappy seamstress and can whip up your own creation, which is even better; stylish *and* unique, I applaud you.

However you decide to travel, its best to remember that you don’t really *need* half the stuff you *think* you do, and this being the land of the free, home of the brave, and rampant consumerism, IF you should find yourself in a jam, you can run into a store and buy a travel size of most anything. I have not yet found myself in that position, because you can generally always make do. Chances are, if its so bad that you can’t possibly make do, you should probably go home anyway and start over again tomorrow. Now watch where you’re going with that stroller...