Hi JJB experts...I am looking for a little info. I have been in search of the "perfect" diaper bag--and I believe I have found it in this! I was reading a bunch of the messages around the board and I saw that many of you are greatly anticipating 4 new bags being released in August. Well here is my quandary---I LOVE the Be Small design--no flap over the main compartment (very important feature to me) and it is SO cute and has numerous important features. However, I think it is going to be TOO small. I love the Be All--if only it didn't have the flap and just zipped and it is a little bit bigger than I had hoped for, but I could live with the size if it weren't for the flap...that is the only thing holding me back. I guess that is what I love about the Be Small---it LOOKS like a messanger because of the Mommy Pocket, but is easily accessible to all of baby's things. So--does anyone know if one of the 4 mysterious bags to be released will be anything like what I describe?! I think at this point I can wait the 2 months or so I have to go if it does!

Thank you in advance for any info anyone may have!

Anna

Hi Anna, just to let you know there is a description of all 4 of the new bags in the "Questions for Ju Ju Be" forum under "Changes on the Packabe in fall collection"

I don't know if the Be Prepared has a flap or not but it is supposed to be larger than the Be All.

Check out the IRL Gallery for pics of the Be Small. It'll give you an idea as to how much it can hold.I have both bags and the Be Small is perfect for my 2 children if I'm going to be out for a few hours, if I'm going to be out all day, than I take the Be All.

Have you considerd the Be Smart, It's bigger than the Be Small but I don't think as big as th Be All and it doesn't have a flap. A messenger strap can be purchased for this bag if you don't want to carry it tote style.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

I have this exact same dilemna- for all the reasons you mentioned. I ended up with the Packabe. It's not nearly as large as it looks or you would imagine it to be. It is relatively close in size to the Be All, but doesn't have the flap. (I don't like the flap either!) It can also be carried long-ways, not just as a backpack. I think you might be really happy with the Packabe until the new designs come out!

You are right Ajay, the Packabe isn't as big as it looks and the versatility of the strap is pretty neat too!

Hmmmm...I had thought that the Packabe looked WAY too big...I had completely ruled it out, but now you have me second guessing.....hmmm What's a girl to do? Can you tell me how big relatively it is when you use it as a "messanger" bag? It seems like it would be huge!

Does anyone have the be small that can tell me if it meets their needs (my son is 16 months so I don't need everything I used to in my bag!)

Also I am in a dead lock on pattern--I love the perky--but the citrus seems more neutral, the perky seems really loud--and I have a boy, but does that matter?! I mean it IS a bag I am carrying after all! Ladies have any thoughts about that aspect? I saw the citrus in person and really liked it--can anyone comment to the wear of it does it get dirty easily---what about the perky can anyone comment if people in general like the pattern, or if it is just a little much?

Then there is always the blue bouquet---it would match my maclaren stroller that is 2 shades of blue...oh the decisions, lol!

Just another vote for considering the Be Smart. I was originally going to get the Packabe but thought it was a little bigger than what I needed (I also have a 16 month old boy ). I just received it and so far I think it's great! I don't have the messenger strap but I might get it.

As for patterns, I was torn between Blue Bouquet and Lush Paisley and ended up with the LP. Yes, I picked boy (blue) colors, but I think you should get whatever YOU love the most! I sitll want something in BB.

-Harriet

Anna,

I have both the Be Small (old style) and the Packabe. I also have 14 mos twins, but I tend to be a very light packer.

For me, for every day trips to the grocery store, etc, the Be Small is perfect. Because of the awesome organization, I can actually fit quite a lot into it! I think I even submitted a pic to the IRL gallery of my Be Small contents. But, to give you an idea, this is what I normally pack for small trips to town:

2 sippy bottles
2 extra shirts
4 diapers (size 3)
wipes case
diaper cream
wallet (which happens to be my Be Mine )
cell phone
disposable bibs
a few snacks
a few pacifiers

And that's about all I usually take with me. The only problem that I have is the sippy cups....most of the ones I have don't fit. But, if I use smaller ones I can actually fit them in the inside compartments (not the mesh ones). I do really love my Be Small, but I am saving up to get a Be Smart. I find that if I'm going a little longer in town & say, want to pack a few toys or something, the Be Small is just a tad tiny. My Packabe, on the other hand, is just a little too big. Wouldn't give up my Packabe, either, though b/c we camp a lot & take lots of trips to the lake, river, etc, where you really need a lot more stuff. I just find that it's a litltle bulky hanging on my stroller. I took it to the mall the other day & the babies were sleeping, so I had the seats fully reclined & the Packabe hanging on the handle bar......I have very short arms, so I felt like I was walking with my arms straight out & my body leaned over. So, I'm starting to think the Be Smart would be the perfect in-between bag. If the Be Small only had cup holders, it would probably be perfect!


Now, there is a new bag coming out in Aug, I think, called the Be Spicy. We haven't got much of a preview or description yet, but it sounds like it's going to be somewhere between a Be Small & the Be All. I don't know if it has the flap, though. You might check back in around the beginning of July.....I think Joe & Rachelle might give us a few more clues!

Ok---so...

Those were some REALLY good replies! I am so glad you are all here to obsess WITH me! lol...to think I didn't even know a Ju Ju Be existed 2 days ago and now I have all the names down and I have even gone to look at them in person and of course I am NEEDing at least one lol! Wow!

OK so based upon all the stuff you can fit in your BeSmall, I am really thinking that will do the trick for me. I am looking for this for shopping at the mall and going to the grocery store--that is what I usually do with my diaper bag...then maybe I will consider a bigger one later...

Question, if you hook it up to your stroller with the clips, where does the long strap go, does it just hang?

Let me see what I will need to put in my bag is:
3 diapers, small thing of wipes, disp. bibs, a pack of those plastic placemats to put on restaurant tables, a sippy, a small baggy of snacks, and 2 small books/ toys. Then just a few of my things, wallet, phone, keys. So that is still less than what you put in your Be Small, right?!

I know I am having one more baby in the next year or so---so based on what you wrote, I think I should maybe get the be small now, and upgrade to something a little bigger later--perhaps the be spicy?!

I am hesitant on the be smart--it seems small and narrow, and I really don't like diaper bags with handles like that---I like purses but the bag seems so bulky to wear like that. I know there is a strap to buy, but, I am just not in love with the features of the be smart as much, make sense? I just know that I need to LOVE this bag!

So...the be small it is...I think! EEK!

I am a very spunky, fun girl, I wear lots of pink...honestly, is it strange to buy a pink--girly bag--if you have a boy?! That is my only dilemma before I order, what color....hmmmm

Seriously, I have issues, I just cannot make this decision without advice and opinions! We are almost there ladies...I love you all already! HA!

You should see how long it took me to decide on a Coach bag---I obsessed for MUCH longer! I am a dork!

Well, I'm no help because I love the PP and the Citrus...If you wear a lot of pink I would go with the PP. I have girls but I think you should buy a bag that you want to carry and not base it on the gender of your child (unless you are going to make him carry it I have a Perky Be Small and a Citrus Packabe, there are pics of my Be Small in the IRL gallery, I can fit a LOT more than I need for every day in it! I use the wardrobe station to keep it all organized and it works great. When I use the Packabe for all-day trips, I just move the wardrobe station from the Be Small to the Packabe. Size-wise, I think I have my bases covered but I really want another bag just so I can have something in Tiki Toffee, isn't that terrible

lol....too funny

I think you could probably fit what you need in the Be Small. I don't have the stroller clips (yet) & my bag is the older version, but I just hang it by the strap over my stroller/shopping cart. I think if you have the clips, then the strap just hangs.


I wouldn't buy a bag based on the gender of the baby.....but then, I have boy & girl twins so I can go either way! Whether I bought pink or blue, it's only going to suit one of them......so I just buy for me.

I don't know how much of a hurry you are to get your bag, but I think what a lot of the girls do when they're debating on which fabric is to get something smaller, like a Be Quick or a Be Mine and see how they like them.

I totally agree with what everyone has said, the color is up to your own taste, but I absolutly LOVE the perky and for someone who sounds like she loves pink as much as I do I think you will love it. I have pieces in the citrus as well and it is so pretty and definatly summery, but I think that you could probably use it anytime (well maybe that has to do with the fact that I live in So Cal and it is bassically summertime here all year round). I know that either one is going to look great.

I just found this site, too, and have already ordered a bag from the FSOT board!!

I wasn't sure about which bag or color, but I decided late last night on the BeSmall for my first bag - I just can't wait any longer! My daughter is 15 months, so we're in the same boat as far as what to take. I decided that it'll be good for playdates, Mommy group outings, and quick trips...if I want longer, I'll take the bag I have - and save up for a bigger bag (BeSmart or the new Spicy in the Fall).

As far as colors/patterns go, I decided on the Blue Bouquet. I originally really wanted the perky or citrus, but I saw the perky in the store (it was the Packabe, though) and thought it was a bit much for me. The BB, to me, still looked "girly" even though it had quite a bit of blue - maybe because of the flowers or the red/pink color.

Good luck with your decision!!!

Well I must put my 2 cents in again. I have a 17 month old son and I have purchased the the PP Be Small. I don't think you need to pick blue just because you have a boy. Go for whatever color suits you best. A lot of moms use their bags as purses too so that's another thing to consider. You don't have to stop using them even when your kids are out of diapers. I know I won't!!!!!!!!

As to the size of the bag, I'm only packing for one child and I find that I have plenty of room. Naomi packs for twins and I've seen her IRL pictures, she gets quite a bit in there too.

I like Shari's idea of getting the wardrobe station to better organize your bag . ( Shari, I think I'm going to have to get one of those too! )

I think you should consider getting the Be Small Anna, you'll love it and the Perky Perrenial print IRL is amazing!

Did I mention how amazing the PP print is!!!!!!!!!! LOL
I have 3 Ju Ju Be's in PP and I'm going to order a Be Smart in PP next week ( if all goes well! )

If you love pink GO FOR IT GIRL!