Recently in Baby Category

Here's a funny story that comes together in a roundabout way. One of my good friends and former KAIT television colleague, Mark Kelley, went to work for Nielsen Media Research after leaving the news business. He worked closely with Pampers, doing research for their products. When Colt was born, he graciously sent me a huge box of diapers, all different sizes! (I'm still amazed that the guy who used to help my pick my NASCAR fantasy team could explain the difference between Swaddlers and Cruisers.) After checking out my new goods, I learned of the Pampers Gifts to Grow program where you enter codes and can "buy" various baby items.

Well I thought, why not collect the codes? It's a product I'm going to use, I might as well get something out of it. (Plus, Brett is a big Coca-Cola Rewards points collector, so I've seen how easy it is) After a few weeks of punching in the numbers, I started browsing the reward items and stumbled across the LillyBit Uptown Diaper Clutch...which sounded vaguely familiar.

It didn't take long before I remembered where I had heard that name before, it was on Facebook. My Missouri State University, Alpha Delta Pi sorority sister and former roommate, Lyssa Dority Surface had created the company! Can you see us in this pic??

Lyssa says she came up with the idea after feeling frustrated changing her daughter (future legacy!) in public restrooms. Not wanting to put her bag down on a gross countertop or yucky floor, she worked to find an answer to the oversized, heavy diaper bag. So what did she do? She made this:

Check out the LillyBit Uptown Diaper Clutch!

I have been saving and saving my Pampers points for one and actually came across a random giveaway on the LillyBit Facebook page. I won the Chevron print!!! I don't think I have ever been so excited to win something in my life!

It came in the mail the other day and I can not wait to use it. It makes being an organized mom easy. Sure, I'll still carry my 'big' diaper bag when we make longer trips or outings, but this thing is perfect to grab and go for a quick trip. As a "new" mom, I feel like I have to carry everything but the kitchen sink, but the real surprise about babies is how little they actually need.

There's plenty of room for the essentials, but I can also carry around stuff for me too! Which makes it a heck of a lot easier to keep up with everything and it's all in one spot.

I won't lie though...my favorite part is that Lyssa is on the tag!

The bags run $35 each and come in a lot of awesome, "non-mommy" fabrics. Just because you're a mother doesn't mean your fashion sense has to go out the window! Plus, I'll never understand companies that sell products to adults that look like they're for kids. Cartoon characters are just not my thing. Oh, and you can sport this bad boy in three ways: shoulder bag, hand bag, wristlet or clutch. Can you say versatile?!

The LillyBit Uptown Diaper Clutch is available on their company website, uptowndiaperclutch.lillybit.com, through the Pampers Gifts to Grow program and more recently, at Buy Buy Baby. The Albany store isn't carrying them yet, but hopefully will be soon.

The sale is only held twice a year, in the spring and fall, and is a perfect opportunity for new parents to score some awesome baby bargains. New moms & dads can pre-register online to attend on the opening day of the sale and had my parent's flight made it to Albany on time, I would have been there when the doors opened. When I did finally make it on Thursday, there was still plenty to browse!

Held at the Frear Park Arena in Troy, it was probably the most organized & detailed operation I have ever seen. I was SUPER impressed with how efficient the whole sale was! All the items up for grabs were neatly packaged, hanging on hangers, clean, neat and orderly making it easy to browse.

We found lots of name brand clothing all the way to children's size 14, including Halloween costumes. The organizers are pretty picky about what they accept, so you won't find any happy meal toys, junior's clothing, any recalled items or infant car seats. Most things we came across were in great condition!

Pricing was pretty consistent, but we did come across a few items that were all over the place. Honestly, I was leery of purchasing any toys for Colt because I wasn't sure that I could get them clean enough and he's really at that stage where everything goes in his mouth. Nonetheless, there were some great bargains. I picked up some new-in-package bath toys for just $2, a pair of new baby boots for $1 and some drawer safety latches for $1. Bargains, right?!?

Maybe next year we'll be looking to unload some of our baby gear and if that's the case, we're looking at a 70% profit. I'm thinking that sounds like a win/win! Because at this sale, it looks like there's something for everyone!