Mia Tui: Lottie (Review)

While I may be a fan of another brand of bags for use when I am being a mummy, I do however like a different style of bag for when I'm being 'me'.

Just because I like Dairy Milk, doesn't mean I don't also like Galaxy.

Get my drift?

Therefore when Mia Tui sent me one of their newer designs, the Lottie, I was very happy to test the bag out and see if it was as good as the other bags I have from their range. And I have a fair few Mia Tui bags; four Graces, two Amelies, one Sofia and one Ava at the last count.

I did say I like bags.

The Lottie is the first bag by Mia Tui that isn't designed for multi-use; this isn't one aimed at use as a gym bag, or an overnight bag, or a change bag. The Lottie is meant to be a small cross-body or shoulder bag, big enough to fit the essentials in, and great for grabbing as you're running out the door to the shops etc.

photo(8)

I've got a fairly hefty purse (my mother would be proud, my single friends look on in disbelief) which fits in nicely, alongside my phone (or an iPod) into the slim internal pocket, and there is space for two pens as well as the usual key fob. There isn't a bottle holder but a small bottle does fit inside. On the outside of the wipe-clean bag is a zipped pocket ideal for ladies 'bits and pieces', and the main internal section has a zip keeping the contents away from prying eyes and safe and secure.

I very much like the strong 'steel' colour of the Lottie that I was sent, I'm generally not a girly woman and Mia Tui colours are chosen to reflect women of the 21st century. The Lottie range comes in black, brown, steel blue, teal, sand, red and aubergine; definitely something for every woman.

And the best bit is that they only cost £15.00.

What are you waiting for?

I was sent this product for the purpose of this post, my opinion is honest and unbiased.

Pink Lining: Bramley Tote (Review)

Bags.

I'm a bit partial to them really. In truth I've got more than I need, and my mum roles her eyes when I take delivery of another. However bags, as with jewellery and shoes, are never about whether you need them or not. Bags make me happy, probably because they don't complain if I eat an extra chocolate bar or not, and therefore I ignore my mum's rolled eyes and enjoy their wonders.

I was recently sent one of the new season of Pink Lining bags for review.

I was lucky enough to review a Queensdale Tote last year and adore it; the delicate all-over design, and the detailed embroidery of beach huts and bunting on the pockets were a winning combination for me over the Summer months. I've also recently spent several months tracking down a rare Black Cabs Queensdale Tote, and it's fair to say I love the design of the Queensdale.

However, Pink Lining have discontinued this design in order to keep their range fresh and therefore I was asked if I'd like to review a Bramley Tote instead. I'm not a big one for change, but this bag is fantastic! I chose a Bramley Tote: Cream Bows on Pink. While the Bramley Tote doesn't have the front feature pockets like the Queensdale did, it does have the missing factor in so many bags: zips!

No-one wants to show off a messy bag with children's half-eaten chew bars, wet wipes, and ladies personal products, nor do they want to advertise the exact location of their purse, keys or phone. A zip is a must and the Bramley Tote has these in abundance with one main section and two large side pockets.

Pink Lining change bag

The main section has: a thermo-insulated bottle pouch (as with other Pink Lining bags although this one is detachable); a changing mat; a zipped plastic wet bag; two large, side pockets which are ideal for wet wipes and nappies, or in our case a colouring book and pencils; two smaller slim pockets ideal for a phone or iPod; key fob; pen loop; and a detachable mirror. Once all these pockets are loaded up, there's still plenty of space for a tablet PC, purse, make-up bag, children's snacks etc. And the best bit is that the long zip hides away all this chaos into a classic, attractive bag. On the outside of the bag are two zipped pockets; one large enough for ladies personal products, and the other large enough for a complete change of clothes for a child, or a tablet PC.

The straps are wide and thick-woven fabric so they are comfortable to wear; they are also detachable which makes it easier to hang from the handles of a pushchair, with metal clasps and reinforced metal holes on the bag. The bag, as with all Pink Lining bags, is made from 100% cotton canvas laminated with EVA coating which makes it wipe clean with a damp cloth and detergent.

I took this bag with us when we went to London recently for the Britmums blogging conference and on 'me' days I could fit the various bits I needed into the bag with no problem (purse, iPad, make-up bag, drinks, notebook, etc.), and this was easily added to on the 'mummy' day with snacks, The Boy's cardigan and his entertainment.

Do I love this bag? Yes.

Would I pay £75.00 for it? Honestly I'd think two or three times before entering my card details, but actually yes I would.

You get what you pay for, and we went through two of those free Pampers/Boots change bags before I realised that the reason they kept breaking was because they were rubbish quality. Pink Lining bags are well made, very well made, with well thought out designs which cater to a modern woman's needs as a mum and person in her own right. And they last well; I'm forever slinging this bag around and dumping it on the ground whether it's sand, tarmac, mud, paving or grass. The four metal studs on the bottom of the bag prevent the fabric from becoming scuffed easily.

The best bit about this though is that Pink Lining currently have the Cream Bows on Pink Bramley Tote in their sale with 30% off: £75.00 down to £52.50. Now that, I would definitely pay for this bag.

I was sent this bag for the purpose of this review, my opinion is honest and unbiased.

Mia Tui: Ava (Competition)

It is no secret that I am a huge fan of Mia Tui bags, in fact I own… <counts> five of them. Eeek! I have an Amelie and four Graces, my most prized one is the beautiful leather one although my red canvas Grace offers up stiff competition.

The fantastically versatile bags were originally designed as travel bags, but they were quickly discovered to be excellent change bags as there are so many different compartments inside to hold all the paraphenalia required with babies! As The Boy has grown, I have downsized from the Tardis-like Amelie to the more sedate Grace, which Mary Poppins would be very impressed with. I skipped the in between stage of the Ava for no reason other than I was trying to be brutal with the amount of stuff I was carrying around. However it is an excellent meeting point between the two, and an incredibly useful design with a plethora of pockets still and plenty of inside space.

Now one lucky reader of TheBoyandMe can be in with a chance of winning a stunning black Ava worth £49.99

[Read more…]

Competition: Pink Lining Rucksack

As The Boy is now toilet trained, I've carefully put away my mahoosive changing bag and brought out something that I haven't used in two years; a handbag! Not needing to carry around oodles of spare nappies, or bibs, or bodies, etc. has seriously reduced the size and amount of things I do need to have with me. And now that The Boy is more independent, when we do go out, he can and likes to carry his own bag with a few toys in it to play with.

Luckily we were recently sent a gorgeous rucksack from Pink Lining to review. Pink Lining are probably better known for their absolutely gorgeous selection of change-bags; trendy and stylish, cute but modern. However, they also have a selection of children's bags and it is one of these that we were sent.

Isn't it cute? The main fabric of the bag is called 'red busses' and is really self-explanatory as it's covered in a red bus print. It also appears to be waxed or finished with a waterproof coating, which is great as wet books are a bit rubbish for drawing in. On the front is a really adorable denim pocket with a dinosaur and the word 'Grrr!' embroidered on it. At £15, this is a really good quality, long-lasting rucksack for your little ones. The straps are thick so as not to cut in, and adjustable so that they don't slip off little shoulders.

Competition:

In order to be in with a chance of winning a rucksack for your little one, you will need to do the following:

I want to win a Pink Lining rucksack with @TheBoyandMe https://www.theboyandme.co.uk/?p=6323

Please leave one comment only below to tell me that you've done all three.

Please tweet the specific message mentioned, using the retweet button at the top of the post is not a valid entry!

T&C

Competition closes on Tuesday 6th December 2011 at 8pm. I will pick one winner and notify them that evening. I will need a response by Thursday 8th December 2011 at 8pm to pass onto the PR who will despatch the prize, a prompt reply is necessary in order to ensure delivery in time for Christmas. UK entrants only.

We were sent a rucksack for the purpose of this review. My opinion is honest and unbiased.

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED

Congratulations to MummyMummyMum who was chosen by random.org as the winner.

With Grace and Beauty…

A few months ago I was lucky enough to discover the wonderous world of MiaTui Bags. Not a change-bag, not a hand-bag, not a beach-bag, not an overnight-bag, but in fact all of these things and so, so much more. The charming Charlotte who is the mastermind behind the company sent me an Amelie to review and I was smitten. Nothing else has adorned my shoulder (aside from clothes, clearly) for the past few months. If you want to know why, have a read of this review.

Therefore, when she whispered to me that she was designing two more bags to extend the range, I whispered back to her that I wanted to see a sneaky photo. I clearly didn't whisper loudly enough because she quite rightly ignored me until they were ready to be launched. That day has descended upon us and I am excited. When I heard mention on twitter the other day that it was coming, I whipped over to the MiaTui site and ooh-ed and aah-ed over the beauty that is Ava and the gorgeousness that is Grace. Declaring to Charlotte that I needed a Grace in my life and that I couldn't wait for D-Day, she asked which was my favourite colour.

The next day, I had a surprise delivery. It genuinely was a surprise (I know people say that all the time but this was! She already had my address from before); I wasn't expecting her to have sent me one at all.

Isn't it gorgeous? Now this has rapidly become my favourite 'me' bag. The bag that I don't need to take oodles out for. The one that won't need to contain a change of clothes, 4 nappies, 2 SIGG bottles, a jigsaw set, a bag of snacks, a first aid kit, suncream, my purse, the iPod, the FlipCam, a digital camera, my section with ladies doo-dahs in it, keys, a colouring pad, crayons, cutlery set, socks, wipes, bibs, a cardigan (for him not me) and a waterproof coat. Yes that's right. That's what I have in my Amelie bag.

This one has so much less in it. While I still keep wipes and pants (and one pull-up) in it, I won't need everything else if it is just a 'pop-to-the-shop' jaunt. Better still, because there is a zip-up clutch bag in the Grace, I can put the pants and wipes in there and remove them when The Boy is not around!

I like several things about the Grace (well I like everything, but several things make it stand out):

  • the fact that the tan colourway is canvas (as is the red)
  • the adjustable length strap, not just which hole the buckle goes through, but that it actually can be an across the body messenger-bag or an under-arm handbag

I am seriously in love with my Grace bag: the colour of the canvas is very me, with a vibrant splash of my favourite colour blue inside; the different pockets; it sits beautifully underneath my fat arms; it's washable; and it's just beautiful!

The tan canvas bag is available for a really reasonable price of £34.99, whilst the red canvas bag is £29.99 (shhh, don't tell hubby but I'm thinking of investing in one!). There are also black, purple and brown leather-effect bags at £39.99.

However, I have got a 10% discount code so you can save yourself a fair amount on these bags. Enough for a Caramel Coffee Frappucino (as The Boy would say!)


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