The Third Time Around Event: Maranda Lee Designs Hot Mama Handbags Review & Accessories Giveaway!

June 17, 2011 By The Inquisitive Mom 57 Comments

Closed!

I love your bag! Where did you get it?” Ever since I started using my Maranda Lee Designs Large Emma bag and coordinating clutch, I’ve been greeted with this compliment. Maranda Lee is the home of the original Hot Mama Handbags, intended to allow moms to have custom bags that reflect their style and taste, while still offering much-needed functionality. As a mom who is attracted to bags that are less like a diaper bag and more like a stylish accessory I’d carry post-baby, Hot Mama Handbags definitely suit my tastes. I like to clothe my baby in Winnie the Pooh and buy diapers with cute animals printed on them, but I’d rather carry a bag that reflected my own style.

When purchasing a custom Maranda Lee Designs bag, customers are able to select the style, size, fabrics, and closures to fit their needs. Simply choosing from Maranda’s gorgeous fabric selections, including the Ty Pennington Collection, is a treat all by itself! Since I use cloth diapers and they are space hogs, Maranda suggested I go with the largest size Emma bag. I ultimately selected the Kleo with the button, black fabric at the top and strap, and the ruby damask inside.

My Bag

In addition to creating one-of-a-kind bags, Maranda Lee Designs also offers a wide selection of accessories, from clutches, to coin purses, to key chains, to skirts. I also saw today on her Maranda Lee Facebook Page that she’s working on a nursing cover pattern! I couldn’t resist purchasing a coordinating clutch to go with my diaper bag, so I reversed the fabrics and bought a large clutch to hold my wallet. I receive compliments carrying this on my own and like that it keeps my valuables in a safe, easily accessible place. I only wish that it fit a bit better in my bag while it’s stuffed full of baby essentials.

A look inside.
When I received my bag and clutch in the mail, the quality work immediately impressed me. I also loved that it did not look like your mama’s diaper bag. It’s definitely a multi-purpose bag that could be used long after you no longer need to tote diapers, wipes, and pacifiers around. Overall, I’ve enjoyed using this bag and find it’s convenient for short trips where I only need a few diapers and some baby essentials. With kids in cloth, I need a bit more space to include everything I’d ideally like to carry, but this wouldn’t be an issue for all moms. Here’s a breakdown of what I love and what I’d tweak about my lovely bag:

What I love:

* Fabrics Choices – If you’ve read my blog in the past, you know I’m crazy about shops with a wide selection of fabrics, with bold prints, and a rainbow of color choices. Maranda Lee definitely offers this.
* Stylish
* Multiple Pockets in varying sizes.
* Strap Design – I love that the strap is long and adjustable, so you can carry it over the shoulder or across your chest.
* Option to add a zipper closure for $10.
* Coordinating accessories. It truly adds a special touch to be able to order custom accessories, like my clutch, to go with the bag.
* Quality Craftmanship.

Features I would tweak:
* Zipper Closure instead of Magnetic Closure – I would suggest selecting a zipper over the magnetic closure to keep things in more securely and to better keep little hands from emptying the bag.
* Waterproof Fabric inside – We aren’t to this stage with Kai yet, but I worry about crumbs and spills and not being able to wash down the inside.
* Narrow Design/Size – While the bag is roomy, the bag narrows toward the top to create its style, but this also limits space a bit. I wouldn’t want to sacrifice this style, so I might like an extra-large option.

Overall, I love my Maranda Lee Designs Hot Mama Handbag! Thanks so much to Maranda for generously providing the bag for review. Would you like to purchase your own Hot Mama Handbag? Head on over to The Maranda Lee Designs Etsy Shop and use the code “inquisitive10″ for 10% off your order!

You can also win a wallet, coin purse, and key chain set of your choice! To enter, visit www.marandaleedesigns.com and tell me the fabric you’d choose if you won!

Coin purse

Wallet

After completing the first mandatory entry, you can complete any of the following for additional entries. 1 entry = 1 comment. Please leave your email if it isn’t available in your public profile. As a courtesy, only follow as an entry if you intend to do so at the conclusion of the giveaway please.
* Visit www.mirandaleedesigns.com and tell me an item you’d like to purchase.
* Follow The Inquisitive Mom blog publicly.
* Heart the Maranda Lee Designs Etsy Shop.
* Make a purchase from Maranda Lee Designs. Send me a copy of your receipt to verify. 6 Entries.
* Put The Third Time Around Event button on your blog. 2 Entries.
* Follow The Inquisitive Mom and Maranda Lee Designs on Facebook. 1 Entry each.
* Follow @InquisitiveMom on twitter.
* Tweet about this giveaway up to 2x per day. Be sure to leave a link to this post and mention @InquisitiveMom and Maranda Lee Designs.1 Entry per tweet. You can use this tweet if you’d like: #win a custom wallet, coin purse, & keychain from Maranda Lee Designs & @InquisitiveMom! Plus, read a review of her hot mama handbag!
* Blog about this giveaway. Be sure to leave a link to this post and mention The Inquisitive Mom and Maranda Lee Designs. 3 Entries.

Good Luck! The Maranda Lee Designs Giveaway will be open from Friday, June 17, 2011 until Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at 11: 59 pm. Giveaway open to US residents 18 years of age and older. Winner will be chosen by random.org, notified via email, and given 48 hours to respond. If no response is received, a new winner will be selected.

I received product to review for this post. All opinions are my own.