Coquette Maman

Knomo London Mini Beauchamp Backpack For Stylish Moms on the Go

I was never a mini backpack kind of gal even back in the mid-90's when I was in college. Nowdays the trend is a welcome blessing for my tired shoulders. I recently purchased the Knomo London Mini Beauchamp 10" Backpack ($159 on Amazon). I really wanted a small backpack that was perfect to hold a little more than just the essentials and was organized. This is the first backpack I actually really love. I'm a snob when it comes to bags but I just love the stylish look and all the cool pockets inside. It's perfect to hold a tablet, book, small water bottle and more. I had never heard of Knomo but they have lots of stylish tech bags with organization inside for both men and women. The quality is great and once you get your backpack you can register your unique bag code on the Knomo website. If you lose your bag, whoever finds it can contact Knomo and the company will send your bag back to you for free.

I've been wearing it around town for errands but I am really looking forward to using it during spring break and summer with Chloe. It's the perfect hands free way to hang out with my girl and just not have to worry about messing up one of my luxury bags. I also think it has done wonders fro my posture!

I love the whole organizing pockets this backpack has. There's 2 slip pockets you can see perfect for a tablet, book, notebook and more. On the opposite inside is actually a small zipper so you can put things there that you want more secure. The two zippers on the outside of the backpack actually open up to be one larger pocket. I use that front pocket for my kleenex and lipstick and hold my keys on the inside small zipper pocket. I love the gray linen which hasn't gotten dirty for me yet and just feels perfect for spring and summer.

I purchased the Knomo mini backpack from a 3rd party seller on Amazon who had such great service! It was free shipping and since they were located in Illinois, I wasn't charged sales tax either. They packed the backpack wonderfully and it was stuffed to keep its shape. They have the bag in five colors including the gray linen color that I picked. This bag is just so light and carefree – it's the perfect mini backpack for any gal on the go.

If you want to go more luxe, just launched is a new Knomo Mini Beaux Small Leather Backpack ($250) in black, tan and light blue. Just an option if you want to take it up a notch!

Purchase the Knomo London Mini Beauchamp Backpack at Amazon.com.

Stylish Backpacks for Mom

I tried to resist it as much as I could but I realized the field trip backpack is a definitely essential for mom. It's the only way you can hold a few lunches, jackets, and water botttles. How can you still look chic without looking like you're ready to go camping? Enter the Marc by Marc Jacobs Pretty Nylon Backpack ($198 at Shopbop) in Black, Quartz Gray, and Dark Magenta. The front zip compartment can hold your keys and essentials while I also love the top tote handle options for times you just want to carry the bag on your arm.

Here are more cool backpacks for mom:

Juicy Couture Trinity Nylon Backpack ($228 at Shopbop)

LeSportsac Voyager Backpack, Heartbeat ($102.99 at Amazon)

LeSportsac Voyager Backpack, Bronze Lightning ($120 at Amazon)

Baggu Canvas Backpack ($34 at Nordstrom)
Also in black, cobalt, and stone

Rebecca Minkoff's Knocked Up Baby Bag

Finding a stylish baby bag is a lot easier these days thanks to Rebecca Minkoff. The designer who just announced she is 3 months pregnant, is always on top of the trends and it's no different for her baby bags. I love the Knocked Up Baby Bag ($575) for it's trendy snake embossed leather – definitely not typical of baby bags. You can rest assured this bag is kiddo proof with water-resistant lining. The bag also comes with a changing pad and I love the handy pockets inside that are labeled pacifier (because you know there isn't a second to lose in finding the paci), snacks, and mommy's stuff.

Share Your Mother's Day Stories with Coach

I'm so excited to be a part of Coach's Mother Day Stories campaign happening now on Facebook. My story "Mom's Bag of Magic" is listed (please like it!) and tells the tale of my mom's Coach bag always filled with anything I ever needed. There are more great Coach Stories from fashion editors and bloggers to read and while you are at it, share your own story too!

Read more of this story on Coquette.

Giveaway: Win a Coach Poppy Swingpack!

Bonjour Coquette Mamans! I have a special giveaway starting today and running for 1 month. Win this beautiful Coach Poppy Pop C Swingpack (retails for $118). I use this cross-body bag all around town but especially for the playground when I'm with Chloe. I'm not a fan of leaving my wallet and phone in the stroller as there are usually lots of people around or curious kids who like to dig their hands into my things. (Case in point, I've had a 2 year old boy grab Chloe's cereal container from the stroller and spill it all over the ground. Ugh!) Plus, after a long time toting around a diaper bag full of crap, it just gets tedious -- am I right? Since the playground is only a skip and a hop away from my apartment, I like to carry my essentials -- wallet, phone, lipstick, and 1 packet of Toddler Mum Mum crackers. That's it. (I always have a clean diaper + wipes in the stroller.) With lots of moms around, I always get compliments!

Here's your chance to stay true to your fashionable self and win a Coach Poppy Pop C Swingpack!

How to Enter:
Leave a comment below telling me why you want to win this adorable Coach bag. Make sure to enter your email address in the form field. (Address won't be published.) All entries must be in by March 22, 2010 at 12:00pm PST.

Extra Optional Entries:
1. Follow @coquette on Twitter. (Please leave your twitter handle in the comment to this post.)
2. Tweet about this contest. You can leave up to 1 tweet per day! Click here to tweet automatically or copy and paste the following:

I just entered to win a @Coach Poppy Swingpack from @coquette! You can enter too: http://bit.ly/b3LE6x

Contest Rules & Details:
This contest runs from February 22, 2010 through March 22, 2010. Last chance to enter is March 22, 2010 at 12:00pm PST. A winner will be contacted the week of March 22nd, and will be asked for full name, along with their mailing address. There will be 2 email attempts within 48 hours to contact the winner. If no response is received by Friday, March 26th, a new winner will be selected. This contest is open to USA and Canada only. The prize of 1 Coach Poppy Pop C Swingpack has been provided by Coach, Inc. and will be shipped by Coquette.

A huge thanks to Coach for providing both the review and giveaway bags for this promotion!

Good luck everyone!

Update 3/22: Thanks to everyone who entered! This giveaway is now closed.

Lexie Barnes Darling Baby Bag

Lexie Barnes makes the best bags for crafting -- hands down. I've been using one of her totes for over a year now to tote around to various craft fairs and workshops. She always has a nack for making the bags have lots of room. She never skimps on the pockets which I love. Why should it be different for a baby bag? Lexie, a designer mom of four boys knows what she's doing! I've found most bags on the market to be heavy and with too much velcro (don't wake a sleeping baby!). My favorite right now of hers is the Lexie Barnes Darling Bag ($129) in leopard. (Also comes in 2 other prints.) Not only can you fit all your babies essentials inside, as well as in the handy outer-pockets, the bag is lightweight! You can also hang it on your stroller with the travel clips, and opening it up won't wake a sleeping baby thanks to the top zipper.

Follow Lexie on Twitter too! I love her tweets.

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Tote Worthy

When you don't feel like toting around a baby bag that says "hi, I'm a baby bag" there are some great tote options out there. I'm always in love with a large tote and this Melie Bianco Studded Tote ($95 at Piperlime) is right on trend with the silver studs. (The price is also pretty good too.) There are lots of outer pockets for you put washcloths, pacifiers, toys, and whatever else you want. I like the polka dot lining inside too. This tote is great because it also comes with an extra strap so you can carry the bag messenger style. Do it for yourself! You know you'll feel so good every time you open up a beautiful tote.

Here are more fashionable totes at Piperlime:

Big Buddha Jimi ($90)

Melie Bianco Zipped Up Tote (On sale for $64.50)

Marc New York Kim Large Hobo ($195)

Sabina 2582 ($250)

Cynthia Vincent Croco Berkeley Tote ($403)