and i have to say, i'm not loving it. And you all know how much i want to love it...so maybe i need some help. It seems a bit heavy, and that's with nothing in it. Also, i'm not loving the strap! I think i would like it better if it DIDN"T have the extra padding thingy on the shoulder part...it just seems to stick out and make it not sit on my shoulder nicely. It seems more like a piece of luggage to me. I like the black with the striped star..but maybe because it's mostly black it's not as "cute" as i was hoping....i'm sad...i really, really want to love it.
Kitty

Oh no - that is so sad! It's always disappointing if you find something is not what you're imagined.

Mmmm, the padded strap. Well I'm not too keen on the padded strap on the beSmall because I don't think it needs it (being a lighter and smaller bag), but I kind of like it on the BeAll, it does give that extra cushioning if your bag gets heavy or if you're packing a lot.

Are you just not feeling the JJB love Kitty? Maybe this just isn't your style of bag but I really do urge you to try it out with all your stuff in it and give it a go. The organization in the BeAll is great and I think that sometimes it's hard to tell when its not all packed up. or if you haven't used it.

As for the weight of the bag. Mine doesn't seem at all heavy, but I guess it depends on what you are used to and how you pack it - but when it's not packed, I find it to be light but substantial - I think that the materials that are used have to have some weight behind them because they are such good quality, but I'd rather have great quality materials and slightly more weight.

I really hope you do come to love your BeAll Kitty - maybe you've just got the wrong color for you and should consider swapping for a different design.

What do you think of the lining of the bag? Are you taking to the blue color - it looks so pretty in the pictures!

I'm REALLY trying to feel the love I think it's just this strap that is really bothering me. I like the blue on the inside and on the back and on the reverse of the strap, love the blue stripe on the star...and black never bothers me, i have everything in black. It looks like it will be great to organize...i don't even mind the size being a tad bit smaller than what i was originally looking for. It really is the darn strap that i hate. If the padding were gone, i think i would like it so much more. Like i said, it reminds me of a luggage strap, just isn't overly fashionable looking imo.
But, i will try it packed up...maybe the weight of some stuff in it will make the strap "flatten out" a little bit instead of being so stiff.
Kitty

One more question...does the be small and the packabe have the same width of strap? I can't imagine that thick strap with the padding on a bag any smaller (just trying to decide if i can exchange for a different style?
Since i was original looking for a larger bag..maybe the packabe would be better for me, if it didn't have that same style strap.
Or if the be small has a smaller strap, maybe i would like that better.
Sorry! I want to be in the club

Hello!

I dont have the BeSmall (yet ), but I do have 2 packabe's (one has to be under the tree, the Sporty Stripes), but I have beeen using my Brown/robin one for a couple of weeks, and I am in love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you are looking for a larger bag, the Packabe, in my opinion is the best choice, if you are a backpack gal,and remember, it can be worn on the shoulder as well, and across your chest. It is so versatile!!!!

I prefer the backpack style one reason is I am a heavy packer, and the backpack is a little easier on my shoulder.
It does have a padded strap at the top, and I love it! I am certain I wouldnt like it as well without it!! in fact, I would add one of my own if it didnt, but it does, so it is great!!!!!!

I would think about how much you pack, and think about the Packabe. You might want a smaller bag for lighter days.

How many are you packing for??

HTH,
Brenda

Ahhh - dont worry Kitty, I know its frustrating, but we just want you to be happy!!

Did you know that the original bags didn't have the padding on them. My brown/robin be small is a redesigned one, so it does have it, but my perky is an original JJB so it doesn't have the padding. If the strap still bothers you and you'd like one without the padding you could try out the orignial besmall from kiwi kid - they still have some left in sassy stripes, lush paisley and black/bubblegum I believe.

I did look to see if they still carried any of the original BeAll's without the padded strap, but they dont anymore, although i'm wondering whether Joe or Kristin might have any 'hanging around' in their warehouse - might be worth asking.

The packabe also has the padded strap addition, but you might like the look of it on this bag, since it has a sportier look to it. But I think that kiwi kid still has one or two original packabe's too so you might want to check that out.

Hope some of this helps Kitty!!

I'm packing for two. Originally i wanted a bag that would fit more than my Skip Hop (gasp, i know, not cute!) So maybe i wouldn't mind the wide padded strap as much on a larger bag....how do the straps exactly work on the packabe...are there two wide straps on the back?
I was also just looking at the straps on the be smart...i haven't seen much chat on here about that style. I can see that it has different straps. I mean, i am always looking for different styles of bags for different occasions so i'm sure i can find one that works for my collection.
Where is everyone while i'm in the midst of this crisis

Thanks Emma and Brenda...i must have been posting at the same time you were replying.
I'm going to check out the Kiwi kids site. I got mine through Expressive Toys, so i'm not even sure what their exchange policy is. I emailed Jen and told her my thoughts so i'll see what she says. I have bought other baby items from her in the past and she has been great.
Am i really the only one who doesn't like this strap???
Kitty

We're right here Kitty!!!!!!

The BeSmart is a great bag, but if the BeAll isn't big enough for you, I'm not sure that the BeSmart will be. Having said that - it is bigger then you think and a great size a tote bag.

With the BeSmart you have to think about whether you like shorter handles that allow you to wear the bag under your arm. If you're a 'chic' and groovy chic - then this might be the bag for you. It does have some wonderful features too, like the magnetic removable pouch for extras!

The packabe has one padded bit - right at the top of the bag, and not on the actual back pack straps. It makes the bag more comfortable when you are wearing it like a messenger over your shoulder. In backpack mode, the padded strap bit, becomes the top of the bag, almost like a handle - I have a good picture of it on my sons back if you'd like to see.

I love the straps on my bags. It is so comfy on my shoulds, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I would suggest the be smart. It may be a little bit smaller than the be all, but it has two thin straps and no padding. It's a tote bag though so it sits up high and not on the waist. I don't know how you feel about that. It doesn't bother me at all. And the tote style looks more like an adult bag than a baby bag. I love my be smart. I have the sienna swirl. Is there anywhere close by that you can check out the bags irl??

Ha! I "think" i'm hip and groovy..ha ha. I think that is part of my problem, the bag looks a little more utilitarian to me than a cutsie type bag...and i "think" the strap is what is making me think that.
I would like to see the picture you have of it on a back if you don't mind sending it to me...my email address is melissa_lucier@yahoo.com...okay, so my cat's name is kittyarthur
I keep staring at my bag...maybe i should play around and pack some things in it like you suggested...i keep moving it to different places and looking at in from different angles.
Kitty

Not sure if there's any where close to me that has them. Haven't seen them in any stores yet. I'm in Boston....seems like most of you are on the West Coast...maybe i'm just not as hip as you guys..ha ha.
How long are the straps on the Be Smart?
My second choice fabric was the Blue Bouquet...i'm also wondering whether i would like the whole thing better in a print...that would cuten (is that a word???) it up maybe?
Thanks for understanding my pain ladies!!!!

I think the print makes a huge difference. When I first started buying ju-ju's, I only liked the prints. My first one was a perky. I saw it in a magazine as was completely in love. It was so adorable. I don't think I cared much for the functionality of it at first. But owning my first one made me realize how great it was to be organized. I had a hoohobbers back pack that was cute, but had no organization or pockets. Once I fell in love with the bag it made it easier to love the solids too. I don't know if any of that made sense.

And I was the other way around, although my 'very first' bag was in lush paisley and it was beautiful!!! Then I moved onto the solids - and now i'm going through a 'print' phase. The prints do look very 'funky' and fresh which is great.

I have sent you the pics of the packabe so you should have them by now.

I can see how the print makes a difference...so you totally make sense. I love the star in the stripe...maybe it's the big, thick BLACK strap that is bugging me??? Like i said, kind of luggage looking. Maybe if it were cute and flowery/striped then it would all just kind of blend more to me.
But before i exchange for just a different pattern ( i'll miss the star though, my son keeps pointing at it saying "stah") i just want to make sure which style is best for me.
I DO love being organized though and i can see how great that is going to be!
Kitty