Menagerie of Tufts

This post was inspired by the many "make-up bag contents" posts on Youtube and various blogs around the web.

The Collection

I have both a travel set and a home set of brushes. I actually do use both. If I have a special occasion coming up and I need my face done really well, I'll use the home set, but I usually just grab my travel set and do my make-up on the way to whatever event.

The look is only as good as the tools and technique, but the tools don't have to break the bank. Yes, (once you see the picture) I do have a ridiculous amount of brushes. What can I say? I'm a collector.

Travel

Retractable make-up brushes

I love cute Japanese drawstring bags so I adopted one for the purpose of my travel make-up/brush set. It actually keeps them pretty well and is just the right size.The best feature of this set is the palette, actually but that will be discussed in another post. For now, I will talk about the brushes. I have a couple different types.

Japanese pouch and brush
w/ mirror

First, I purchased a bunch of different retractable brushes. These ones don't have brands on them, but they are more common than when I first bought them. I do particularly remember purchasing some Sonia Kashuk and Ecotools. They have good quality brushes with soft bristles that, for the most part, don't shed and won't cost you an arm and leg (or one of your children). One feature in particular attracted me to this type of brush. I liked the idea of having lids on them, especially if they were going to get thrown in a bag in my purse. Essentially, they come with their own protection.

Short travel make-up brushes

The other type of brushes are simply ones with short handles. I personally like the brand Japonesque. They are not necessarily inexpensive, however, purchasing them at your nearest Ulta during Bogo 1/2 is slightly more financially lucrative than doing it at their normal full price. I also have some other random short brushes like the Covergirl, Revlon, and Sonia Kashuk.

Really blurry picture of travel mirror, lash
curlers, separator, and (my beloved)
 Anna Sui pencil sharpener

big travel brushes, contents
of the zipper pouch in brush
roll

In the last, terribly blurry picture (that I don't fee like replacing), I am showing my eyelash separator, upper and lower curlers, Anna Sui pencil sharpener (from Japan), and Hello Kitty mirror. At one point I bought a Lancome brush because it had the short handle, but I don't really carry it because various brands released the retractables. I also own a Japonesque kabuki which has a nicely solid handle

Home

 full brush roll

So, that is just for traveling... I have a completely different and much more complete set for use at home. At the right, I have pictured the contents of the zipper pouch in my brush roll, which by the way is from Ulta.
I have quite a menagerie of brushes, hence the title. They include a variety so that I would have a complete set for different applications. I have everything from Sephora to Ultimate Posh (an off brand from Sears). My brushes include powder, blush, foundation, concealer, shadow, eyeliner, lip, brow, and mascara protector. They range in price, too, but generally run on the cheap side.

Powder, blush and fan

These brushes include Sonia Kashuk and Ecotools. I like the quality and feel of them, and while they are not expensive, they are not cheaply made.

Foundation and concealer

This set also includes the names above as well as Essence of Beauty, e.l.f. cosmetics, and Ultimate Posh (left to right). The Essence of beauty is the largest foundation brush that I could find. I wanted something that would cover a lot of surface area at one time.

Shadow brushes

I chose 3 different sizes of shadow in addition to a crease brush and 2 sponge applicators. This picture (bottom to top) includes Sephora Professional, Ultimate Posh, e.l.f., Sonia Kashuk, and one I don't remember.

Mascara shield, lash separator/brow,
brow powder, eyeliners lip

This last picture includes my mascara shield, lash separator (with metal pins), brow brush from Bare Esentuals, eye liners from Sonia Kashuk and Maybelline, and lip brush by Bloom.

Finally

Yes, I have a lot of brushes, but I do use them. I like sets of things, though. So, I will collect what I think is a complete set.

What's in Your Diaper Bag Now?

My Diaper Bag Contents, Now...

Gotta love the grainy cell phone pictures, right?! I thought I might post an update to a post I made early on, when I really started blogging seriously.
So, my little monkey has grown up now and is almost 13 months old.  He's walking, talking, pointing, questioning, and attempting to self- feed (keyword: attempting). Thus with an older child, diapering needs differ; hence, contents change. Some of the items should look familiar, though.

First Column:

Sunscreen: I pack Burt's Bees stick and Neutrogena baby. My little monkey is dark since I forget to put it on him most of the time. Of note, the Burt's Bees gave him a little rash, so I stick with Neutrogena.
Saline Spray: This goes with the blue bulb (to the left) to remove anything blocking his airways. Yes, I removed a foxtail with it.
Wipe spray: As mentioned in several earlier posts, I use cloth diapers and wipes exclusively. So, I moisten the wipes with my own concoction of baby wash and essential oil.
Wet bag: Yes, this one is different from the one pictured in the other post because sometimes I forget to pack it or it needs, desperately, to be laundered. This is my back-up.
Changing pad: This is for all the seemingly family friendly establishments that don't have a changing table installed in their restrooms so that my little monkey does not have to put his bare bum on the public restroom floor.
Cloth Wipes: My trusty dollar store case of cheap flannel cut into squares is indispensable!

Second Column:

Blue Bag: This always contains some clean clothes. Blue=clean, Yellow=dirty.
Blanket: Some sort of blanket is always included. The most useful and versatile is the swaddling blanket from Aden & Anais. Now, I use them to cover his stroller when we're out during nap time.
Diapers: Again, this is a diaper bag. I include 2 kinds: my one-sized all-in-ones (orange and blue), and my pre-folds with covers (white). Number of diapers depends on how long and where we are going.

Third Column:

Nursing Cover: No longer necessary for its intended purpose, but it does cover the stroller well for napping without the bulk of blankets.
Bib: Arguably, self-feeders are the messiest beings on the planet. Enough said.
Tote bag: This is one of my favorite bags because it is easy to access, sturdy, and reminds me of one of my favorite places. It's not too fussy either, with only one zipper pocket.

MIA (Not Pictured):

Lunch bag: I ALWAYS bring food for my monkey. Again, how much depends on when and where we are going. It just makes for a happier kid and mommy.
Shoes (or socks): Now that my monkey is walking, being in the stroller or cart won't always cut it. Besides, sometimes I want him to walk, explore, etc. so that when we get home there is absolutely no fuss over nap. It's good exercise for him, too.
Car Toys: I keep a set of toy keys, a couple small balls, and a stuffed animal (baby version of sock monkey) for him in the car. On the contrary, like today, he prefers something of mine (like my Hello Kitty wallet) to chew on.

What about you? 

If you are a mom of a child in diapers, how has your diaper bag evolved? I started out with a fancy one, and I even bought a more manly looking one for my husband. Admittedly, they are a bit fussy now that Monkey Z is getting older and I am more seasoned at traveling with said child.
Do you find that you are traveling lighter? Take a minute to tell us how your bag has evolved, as this does seem to be a popular post. Thank you in advance for your insight.

What's in Your Diaperbag

You may have seen the Youtube videos of women discussing the contents of their makeup bags or purses... Well, this is the mommy equivalent.

What's in my Diaperbag?

1st row:

• Wetbag- Because I chose reusable, I need a way to bring them back home without making a huge mess. I throw in a little deodeoizer so it all doesn't stink to high heaven.
• Toy(s- Really it's an assortment of noisemakers and things Monkey Z can chew on safely.
• Extra shirt (for me)- Yes, because the one time I decided to downsize, he pooped on everything I was wearing!
• Swaddle blanket- It makes a great light blanket in case it's not that hot, but it can also be folded over to be thicker. Also, it works as a cover for the infant seat.
• Nursing cover- I bring this everywhere because I am nursing him. I don't really pump, so I don't have to worry too much about bottles and stuff. It makes for less stuff to carry.
•  change of clothes/ jacket- Inevitably he will wet or soil something, so he needs a change of clothes. Most likely, he will drool such that his shirt has not a dry thread on the front.

2nd row:

• Diapers- Duh, it's a diaperbag! But for me, It's cloth exclusively. I use a combination of Flip w/ pre-folds, Econobum, and Bum Genius by Cotton Babies and Grovia. I really do find it to be easy. I just throw everything in the laundry when I get home.
• Hand Sanitizer- With a baby, you need clean hands!
• Suction bulb- It looks like something you use for basting but it's actually for suctioning out bogies and other fluid so that baby doesn't choke. If you're a mom, you know.
• Saline- This is to help with the suctioning, especially if baby is sick.
• Diaper cream- I use a generic version of Bordeaux's Butt Paste that I get for $1 at Big Lots. Sure beats the $5 more I'd be paying at any other store!
• Lanolin- Decanted, of course! This is for me because I still nurse, though I haven't really used it.
• Dirty clothes bag- Much like the wet bag, it keeps his wet/dirty clothes from contaminating everything else.

3rd row:

• Wipes- Again, I use exclusively cloth for this category. I made my own out of inexpensive cotton flannel and thread. That's it! I use my own solution for wetting them, and I know exactly what's in it. Zany Zebra has many to choose from.
• Stain Spray- I was using this diligently to pre-treat the wipes, but then I got to thinking... They're wipes, specifically for wiping poop; I gave up. I still treat his clothes with it.
• Leisure sheet- It's just a plastic sheet much like a blanket to put on the ground so I can let Monkey Z  loose.
• Camera (often in my purse instead)- I never know when there will be a Kodak moment, and the shutter lag on my phone is ridiculous.

The Diaperbag

Straps: Long- Shoulder, Short- Backpack, Printed-Stroller

Bumble Bag with built in changing pad

I chose my bag for some of its features. It has a changing pad that zips into a flap on the front. It also has 3 sets of straps for added functionality. There is a brand that has a similar style, but you have to pay $20 per strap set in addition to the $150+ dollars you pay for the bag. The only thing is... I love the name: Jujubee. Meep! I bought the Bumble before I knew about the other one.

A note about diapers
Some of you may be a little intimidated by the idea of cloth diapers. Really, it's easy! The one pictured above is my favorite print of Bum Genius- The Albert (as in Einstein). It's an all in one. When it's wet, I take it off, throw it in my diaper pail, and wash it in the machine. When it's dirty, I spray it with my handy dandy diaper sprayer (really a bidet attachment on the toilet), squeeze it out, then throw it in the diaper pail to wait for laundry day. If you'd like to know more, I encourage you to check out the Cotton Babies link above. Just by buying a couple to use at home, you can save a ton of money because, sadly, buying disposable diapers is literally throwing your money away.


Share with us
 So, I know some of my readers are mommies. What do you carry with you? I am interested to know how the contents of your bag differs from mine. Maybe you carry something I didn't think of. Please take a minute to leave a comment and share for the future mommies who come across this page. I know I would have loved to get ideas before Monkey Z came along.

Check out my update here for how my diaper bag contents have changed.