And so it begins...

With the wedding of my best friend all done as of this weekend, I can finally begin to focus on my upcoming nuptials. This has proven to be quite the process due to a few things: we have a baybay, AND we plan to have our wedding out of the country.
I know. I'm a glutton for the punishment. But it really makes sense actually. I have a fairly small ( almost non existent) family thread, and dear fiancé has a pretty tight yet small core family.
We plan to have the wedding April of next year in Punta Cana Domincan Republic. Contracts need signing NOW, dresses need fitting NOW, and invitations need to go out....yesterday.
Our biggest hurdle is trying to make sure those we invite can even afford to go. Who can have a wedding with no guests?!!! With a years notice, we are hoping that's sufficient time for friends and family to plan accordingly. I'll throw some wedding stuff on here and hopefully you all can help me out along the way.
Off to sign my life away......

Ps: does anyone else think getting your marriage license was super weird? The whole oath thing really threw me off. After we said it, I leaned in and asked, "Did we just accidentally get married"?

3 comments planning, punta Cana, Wedding

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Oh Boba!

Wahoo! Can't wait to take this bad boy for a "spin" and see how it stands up to the Baby Bjorn and Ergo Baby! Boba Carrier was a Top Pick Overall. Super excited to do a review soon!

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This Bag is LOVE

     I got a new diaper bag! Well, actually, it's the "doesn't look like a diaper bag" diaper bag. This bag is everything guys! 
     I spent so much time researching different brands of diaper bag companies and perusing Amazon's reviews on different bags. In the past 11 months I was able to decide what features I really wanted in my next bag. The Louis was just about the perfect size I was looking for, as I am happy to call my self the type of mom who packs "heavy". 
   The problem with Louis was that it had no zippers and no pockets, so everything was constantly moving and hard to find. Also, the straps weren't long enough, so I was never able to hoist it onto my shoulder while holding the baby in the other arm. 
   I needed zippers, pockets, longer straps, and STYLE! I want to say that I am not a fan of Petunia Pickle- whatever the rest is.... The cutesy design just does nothing for me. Nor do I want to punctuate that cuteness by wearing said cuteness...as a backpack. Some may enjoy the pattern and convenience, so to each his own! But me? Gracias pero no.
     I wanted a bag that basically looked like every purse Ive ever carried. I began to zero in on Timi and Leslie, a brand specializing in trendy yet functional diaper bags. I scrutinized Amazon and read all the reviews on the bags I liked the most: The Charlie, and Dawn. Reviews were mixed, to my dismay. I wanted a bag that was clearly a winner, not just a marginal runner up. I decided to purchase The Charlie after a few days of debate. 

 the front

 Timi and Leslie

 the back

   I finally went to Buy Buy Baby and looked at it in person. Wow! This bag is big! But not obnoxious. I imagined any bag I wanted should have some size to it if i want it to fit all my essentials.What's great about the Timi and Leslie line is that each bag comes with an accessory bundle that includes a zipper "mess" pouch, an insulated bottle holder, a changing pad, purse straps, a cross body strap, and a beautiful matching pouchette.  I chose a tan color, and went home to price shop. 
   I'm a coupon junkie guys. I don't make purchases from Buy Buy Baby unless I have a coupon to use. Mainly because though I love me some Buy Buy Baby, I find their prices to be around 20% higher than other competitors. Which leads me to believe this is why they happily accepts competitors coupons and allow the stacking of coupons. They know this will drive in new business, and they will STILL make a profit despite the abundant use of coupons. 
   The retail of this bag is 159.99. I saw some on Ebay for upwards of 190.00. Pass. I toggled with independent retailers, but worried I would have no warranty protection if something happened to my bag early  (a common occurrence with reviewers on amazon. Stay tuned for pictures to see why. I like to call it user-error). And Amazon pricing was just as common, but I didn't want to wait for my beloved to come in the mail when I could easily go pick it up at the store. 
   With that, I headed back to Buy Buy baby and used a 20% off coupon. I saved 32 bucks walked out with my first choice. 
   I will do a detailed review later, but for now I'll post some pics of Charlie upon "unboxing" and while packin it up! 

 all the accessories

 the abyss aka the inside of the bag

 more inside of bag

 do you get it? do you get it?

 1 of 6 elastic pockets. Yes!

 a clear warning. Apparently this was a common warranty issue with consumers. Placing straps in places that weren't reinforced /meant to be used as a strap hook. Therefore the bags were ripping. Cue bad reviews. Not Timi and Leslie's fault I say. 

all packed up!

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It's All in the Details....

     After I posted my "What's in my Diaper Bag?" video, many of you wanted me to break down what I talked  about item by item. Well I'm glad to! Plus I'm coming off of a nice buzz from a bargain basement "jug" o' Pinot Gringio, and I need something to focus on.......

In no particular order:

     Diapers- I am not super picky. I typically will use whichever brand my in-laws pick up for us on their trips to Costco. We go between Huggies and Kirkland.
   
     Wipes- No room for the whole pack, so I place a stack in this cheapy/plasticy,barely stays closed case. Gets the job done. Yet every time I leave the house I secretly think today will be the day that I run out of said wipes.

     Burp rags- Mine's a drooler. And a spitter. She dribbles everywhere. We always have a few in the bag to soak up the messes.

     Hand Sanitizer- If you've ever used the public restrooms with the sketch ball changing station, you'll agree with me that this is a NECESSITY! Every knob, hook, latch, button, gets the wipe down. Then so do my hands. Then my child.

     Changing Pad- Refer to above thoughts....

     Spare outfit- Honestly Stella hasn't needed a outfit change midday in quite some time. I change her frequently so we didn't have leakage. This was more for when she was newborn, and blowouts were the norm.  However, my anxiety and OCD tendencies won't allow me to NOT carry this in my bag. *I suck at change*

     Table Toppers- Great for restauraunts. Sticks onto the table top and becomes a safe, sanitary place mat for baby. Some may be happy with a quick n dirty baby wipe wipe down.

     Diaper Cream- Good stuff. No joke.

     Snacks- The bigger they get, the more you may need. I stay stocked with Puffy Air Organic thingies and Meltable Yogurt Unchokeable bites.

     Bottles and Bottled water- A neccessray evil if you want to feed your hungry child. However if you nurse your baby, you are both lucky and.....lucky. Not needing these items will lighten your load significantly. I was not so fortunate and so I am packing the heat.

    Lastly- Sanitary nipple wipes. Stella loves to throw everything! When she does, and it lands on the ground, I am armed with these bad boys and can wipe off the surface so it can become baby friendly again.

    I'm hoping to find a way to lighten the load I carry everyday. Until that day comes, I am on the prowl for the perfect "No this isn't a diaper bag"...... diaper bag. Thank you all so far for your suggestions! 

What diaper bag are you carrying?

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