Penguin Love Tote from Pink Lining

A few weeks ago I found out that I had been chosen by Pink Lining to become one of their ambassadors. Having always loved Pink Lining since having my children, I was thrilled to have been made one of the team. The timing is pretty good too as I have a brand new baby girl and of course it’s all about changing bags again. However, my taste in changing bags as changed over the years and it’s great to see lots of designs now available that do not scream out that they are for carrying baby paraphernalia.

When the new range was launched online last month, I immediately knew that the penguin print was my favourite. It was definitely a standout design for me. It’s usually animals or fruit of some kind that appeals to me. Having had a couple of ‘yummy mummy’ bags with my youngest son, I wanted to try a different style and for me something that doesn’t obviously look like a changing bag. The Penguin Love print is available in several styles but the Notting Hill Tote fitted the bill perfectly for me.

The totes look like regular bags to me and have usability far beyond the days of being crammed full of nappies and wipes. It can be all too easy to get lazy with a changing bag and suddenly you have a toddler who doesn’t really need all the gear that you would have carried when they were very small. In place of that you need to fill it with food, drink and distraction toys. It can be hard enough to feel stylish when you’re a new Mum and perhaps your clothes don’t fit very well. If you’re in between sizes to warrant buying new outfits, (because of course you plan to lose the baby weight) accessories are the key to making you feel that little bit better about yourself in the interim and this bag will most certainly see you through.

Here I am sporting the tote shortly before I gave birth. My dress really had no more give in it and my side profile thankfully is much more in proportion now…well getting there!

This bag looks very chic with slim shoulder straps but it still remains practical as it comes with integrated stroller straps to clip onto the buggy in the place of a long shoulder strap.  I’ve found these straps to be brilliant and a great addition rather than having to drape an extra bulky strap across the buggy. These clips make it simple and it’s still easy to access your bag when it’s attached. The short straps just slot down the inside of the bag, even when the bag is zipped closed. The inside of the bag has all the usual features of a Pink Lining bag such as a changing mat, wet bag, two bottle holders, a mirror, elastic strap for keys, numerous pockets, inside zip compartment and a pen holder.

Here is my baby girl on her very first outing up to our local Costa when she was a few days old. She was getting some much needed sunlight for her jaundice and of course it was the first time taking out the Penguin Tote attached to the buggy.

This bag has been everywhere with me and it’s one that I am proud to sling over my shoulder or across the buggy – I simply love it and can’t wait to see what designs are brought out next.

Nb. I was sent the Penguin Love Notting Hill Tote to review as part of my ambassador role. All views and opinions are entirely my own.