If you thought you couldn’t live without your purse before kids, once you start toting stuff for you plus one, you’ll gain a whole new appreciation for that perfect multi-tasking bag. Since nobody wants to wear a diaper bag that looks like a diaper bag, we’ve collected the cream of the diaper bag crop with a special eye out for those bags that met all our functionality requirements while still capturing the personality of a modern mama.

	For the Retro Mama. The Eve Diaper Bag from Offhand Designs is made from vintage upholstery so each print is limited edition and truly one-of-a-kind. Just dripping with style, but you won’t have to sacrifice an ounce of functionality — it will hold everything and has a totally practical, wipeable/waterproof lining so this brilliant bag can stay with you even after you’ve dumped the diapers. $170 at craftsburykids.com.
	For the Sexy Mama. The Saddle Diaper Bag is the delicious fruit of a collaboration between favorite kid’s designer Paulina Quintana and the handbag maven E.D.E. Studio. Made from leather with cool rivet accents; we love the wall-to-wall pockets in the canvas liner, which snaps out for easy cleaning. Although it comes with a designer price tag, you’ll feel like the hottest mama on the block even though you’re toting such less-then-glamorous contents as diapers, wipes and Cheerios. $460 at lalaling.com.
	For the Earthy Mama. The Brown Borrello Bag from Addore has a rustic, handcrafted appeal enhanced by the most supple Italian leather. So invitingly soft, we think we’d carry this bag around just for the feel, but it has plenty of room to hold all the mom essentials. A definite splurge but worth every penny. $539 at fashionavenue.com.
	For the Savvy Mama. The Boxy Backpacks used to be our favorite from this designer, but now we’ve fallen for the new Touring Tote from Petunia Pickle Bottom. Fashioned from a luxe silk brocade, this bag has a deceptively sleek design that tucks snuggly under your arm like your favorite little handbag. But unlike the handbag, this tote is roomier then it looks with pockets aplenty. Available in four brocades for $145 with free shipping at poshtots.com.
	For the Fashionista Mama. The Embellish Toddler Tote from Posh Handbags transitions fabulously from mommy time to work time to a night on the town. The spacious interior — with a zippered pocket, cell phone holder, and cup/bottle pocket — keeps everything right at your fingertips. $89 at poshbytori.com.
	For the Classic Mama. The Tiffany Tote from JP Lizzy can truly carry a motherload and will look so perfectly pretty while doing it. It comes with lots of little extras — a coordinating wristlet, cosmetic bag and changing pad. Available with blue or pink accents for $94 at jplizzy.com.
	For the Sporty Mama. The Cambridge Baby Bag from Reese Li is made from a durable nylon canvas to keep up with a busy mom on the go. Built-in pockets surround the bag’s interior to keep you organized, and the bag’s adaptable straps accommodate every mother’s preference and make it easy to clip on the stroller. $130 at reeseli.com.

– Bettijo B. Hirschi

The scene: a woman on a Sunday afternoon. Her head feels hollow, her mouth is dry, and her eyes are only open with the support of tiny sticks. Her stomach is churning, her skin is hot, and her body only obeys her brain’s commands after a confused “Huh? What?”

Sounds like your average collegiate hangover, right? Ah, but the woman is no foolish co-ed binge-drinker — she is, in fact, the mother of an 18-month old child who no longer sleeps through the night. Accustomed to collapsing into bed after the boy’s 8:00 bedtime and sleeping the blissful sleep of sleeping sleepers, she has been blindsided by his new night wakings that are filled with tears, cajoling, and begging. And that’s just from her. read more

Although turkey takes the spotlight on Thanksgiving Day, its pumpkin and cranberry that you’ll be craving all through the season after you indulge with these delicious fall-inspired beauty products:

	Bella Lucce Pumpkin Glow Body Scrub. This scrub will definitely get you in a Thanksgiving mood. Real pumpkin, pure cane sugar and sunflower oil smooth over those rough patches so your skin will thank you. $24 at bellalucce.com.
	The Body Shop Cranbery Body Butter. This lush moisturizer uses cranberry seed oil, cocoa butter and shea butter to smooth and moisturize skin — perfect to combat the drying winter chill. $17 at thebodyshop.com.
	Zia Pumpkin Exfoliating Mask. For a spa-worthy facial at home, try this all-natural mask, loaded with nourishing pumpkin puree, pineapple juice and white willow bark to clear away dead skin cells and eliminate oil build-up in pores. Use 2-3 times a week for radiant skin. $24 at drugstore.com.
	Frosted Cranberry Candle. No matter what you’re doing, invite in a holiday mood with this sweetly scented cranberry candle. Naturally we’d prefer to use it while indulging in a bubble bath, but it is also a sure way to brighten up chores. $17 at bathandbodyworks.com.
	Philosophy Pumpkin Pie 3-in-1 Gel. This rich shampoo, body wash and bubble bath has an incredible freshly baked pumpkin pie fragrance that will put you in a festive mood. $16 at sephora.com.

– Bettijo B. Hirschi