The Busy Giffs

September 10, 2014

The Most Versatile Bag EVER: Cinda B Boxer Tote

Ever stumble across a bag that is just perfect? Like for every day and every occasion perfect.
Spoiler alert: I have.


The Traveling Bowler in French Linen from cinda b Bags is seriously the most perfect all in one bag I've ever used.
It is my every day bag, my diaper bag, and my overnight bag.

And I struggled how to put this post into words without just talking about how amazing it is multiple times so I'm going to do my best...

I love this bag because as a working mom it is absolutely perfect for whatever I need to get done that day.

Day #1: Emma's Photo Shoot with Cosco Car Seats

My wallet, phone, keys, two changes of clothes for her, a hair brush, toothbrush, wet wipes for cleaning up her face, and the bag of candy from the penny candy store down the street after her "fasson model time".

Day #2 : Beach Day with Both Kids

Diapers for little man, change of clothes for little man, change of clothes for the princess, sunscreen, wallet, keys, sunglasses for me and the princess, little man's bucket hat, extra hairties for the princess, a few Go Go Squeez pouches, a few juice boxes, and my Victoria Secret Water bottle.

Day #3 : Outlets Shopping

Wallet, keys, phone, coupon accordion folder, AAA savings flyer, extra change of clothes for little man and the princess, diapers and wipes for little man, sunscreen, hat and sunglasses for the princess, Go Go Squeez pack, single serve bag of pretzels, and  a bag of jewelry I needed cleaned at the store!

This bag rocks some serious space and works amazingly well as a one or two person weekender but is also the perfect size to use as an everyday bag as well. It has quickly replaced my Kate Spade diaper bag!

It is a machine washable bag that is stain and water resistant.
There is an outside slip pocket and an outside double zip pocket, as well 2 slip pockets and one zip pocket in the super roomy exterior.  There is NO losing your cell phone at the bottom of this bag!

The bag has a 7.5 drop handle so you can carry it like a handbag, or you can utilize the adjustable crossbody strap for when your hands are already full!

It truly is the solution this crazy busy mom needs, but it's stylish enough that I don't look like a mom while using it!

It comes in a variety of colors so you can choose the color combination that fits your style best!


You can see even more amazing bags that cinda b has created on the cinda b Facebook Page and the cinda b Twitter and Instagram feeds!

September 9, 2014

Clean Up Stroller Clutter With The Joovy VaryLight


Disclosure: I received a Joovy VaryLight for review purposes but all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

When we moved I realized I had a bit of a problem with strollers. I apparently hoard them. We had SEVEN strollers when we were packing! Seriously?! Who needs Seven strollers when you only have two kids?

Apparently, me. I had 2 jogging strollers, a Snap and Go, a Sit and Stand, 2 umbrella strollers, and the stroller that was part of our travel system all hoarded in different parts of our house.  

I had seven different strollers because I needed them for different things.
Each stroller only served one purpose.  One jogging stroller was a gift, the other had a pocket to hold my phone and water bottle while out, a Snap and Go just for the baby's seat, a Sit and Stand if I had both kids, lightweight umbrella strollers in each car for Emmalee if I would be babywearing the little man, and the stroller designed to go with little man's car seat. Yikes, I'm tired just thinking it...


Thankfully the Joovy VaryLight lets me condense my stroller collection!
The Joovy VaryLight  is a tandem stroller that expands from a single stroller to a double stroller and is perfect for children from birth (with the use of a car seat adapter, sold separately) to 55 lbs!

The Joovy VaryLight can be used in a variety of positions.

As you can see, the car seat adapter can be used in the front or back position which lends to lots of ways to use the Joovy VaryLight.
You can see a few of the ways we have used it here.


It makes a perfect stroller for the little man, if I have both kids, or if I only have the princess.

Opening the Joovy VaryLight is a breeze.



The front seat offers a five point harness, three position recline seat, a swing away tray and and a great over sized canopy with a sunvisor extension that provides extra protection.  The back seat offers a standing platform or a three point harness seat belt and bench for older riders. Both seats offer seat belts so I know both kids are safe regardless of which seat they are in.
I love that the VaryLight can function as a single stroller, or as a double stroller with either a bench sitter or a platform stander and switching between the configurations is super simple. Unhook the latch, a quick and simple pull, and then relatch!


And when we're done using the roller, it can easily fold up with one hand again!


The Joovy VaryLight is exactly that, very light! At less than 34 pounds, it's also lightweight and easy to move between cars if needed.  Even with two kids strapped in, I can push the stroller easily with one hand! The sturdy polyurethane tires help make it for a nice smooth ride. Additionally, the extra large storage basket can hold a full sized diaper bag and my purse with room to spare!



Home Update - 1 year in!

We're a year in the house and we've been making our way through each room.  I feel like every project takes so long and each project...