31 Thirty-One Bags (and how I use them)

Its official: I have an addiction to Thirty-One Gifts.

To be perfectly honest, at first I just thought they were over-priced shopping bags... but now, over a year later, I am absolutely in love with their products!

Let me begin by saying how much I love the quality of their totes. They are thick, durable and most importantly come in adorable prints! You will probably notice a pattern with my personal collection... I definitely tend to buy a lot of stuff in the same prints!

* I WILL UPDATE AS I GET MORE PICTURES *

1) Deluxe Utility Tote(s) - grocery trips

Print: Taupe Playful Parade

 We have a Costco membership, and as such we end up doing HUGE shopping trips (that and I only do grocery trips once every two weeks usually and get my produce through a local delivery service called Globally Local). These are awesome because at Costco they don't have bags or boxes for you to use. After you purchase your groceries they put them all back in your cart and you wheel them back to your vehicle. With these we simply put the bags in the back of our van and save a ton of time (which I certainly appreciate when grocery shopping with two toddlers and a newborn).

2) Fresh Market Thermal - groceries/crockpot

Print: Citrus Medallion (d/c)

This is one of my most recent purchases. Unfortunately this print is discontinued but I think it is so cute (and girly, unfortunately for my husband). The Fresh Market Thermal perfectly fits my crockpot, which is awesome for potlucks and family gatherings. It is also so great for grocery shopping to keep frozen products or dairy. It is the perfect size to fit a flat of eggs (we shop at Costco) and it also holds quite a few boxes of frozen chicken wings... mmmm!

3) Square utility tote (d/c) - front hall closet

Print: Grey Mod Dot

These were a limited time product and I regret not getting more of them! I use them on the shelf in our front hall closet to hold seasonal items... currently (from left to right) it holds pet stuff, stroller accessories and folded down 31 bags.

4) Oh-Snap Pockets - kids' stuff in front hall closet

Print: Taupe Playful Parade (with embroidery)

This isn't actually a picture of mine, but you get the idea. Each kid gets a pocket for their sunglasses, hat, shoes, lunch bag, books, etc. The girls both know which is theirs and can reach them. It is great for stopping clutter at the front door!

5) Retro Metro Bag - everyday purse

Print: Grey Mod Dot

Not much needs to be said about this bag... it is super cute and I love the canvas material it is made of, which differs from the material a lot of their bags are made of (I believe most of the Retro Metro line are made of this canvas material). It has two large exterior pockets, for keys or a phone. Inside there are two small pockets, great for a pack of gum or business cards. There is a larger zipper pocket inside as well. One of my favourite features is a little clip you can attach a key ring to inside the bag, so it is always super easy to find your keys!

6) All Day Organizing Tote - diaper bag

Print: Grey Parisian Pop (d/c)

Awesome bag. It is slightly roomier than the Zip Top Organizing Utility Tote, which was my first diaper bag from 31. With three kids I appreciate the extra room! It has one medium size exterior pocket (as seen in the picture). Inside it has two pockets, one zipper and one open. It has the metal grommets (like a Deluxe Utility Tote) so you can use the Made In The Shade Pocket, Pocket-a-Tote or Oh-Snap Pocket in it.

7) Hanging Home Organizer - desk/mail organizer

Print: Taupe Playful Parade

I love how neat this keeps my desk! All the mail gets immediately sorted using this. I use it to store coupons before I organize them, plan meals, make a grocery list, hang a calendar and have a chore chart. It is super handy and my girls can't reach it, which is a bonus!

8) Lunch Bags (d/c) - kids' snacks

Print: n/a

These are just TOO CUTE. Each of my kids has one of these for when we go out, so there is never any confusion about someone eating somebody else's snack/lunch. These are great for when we go to the park, the mall, or for a visit to somebody's house. The baby obviously doesn't eat snacks yet but it is great for bottles and soon for baby food as well! The girls both love theirs, and it holds their cheesestrings, sandwiches, yogurt, fruit, and juice boxes no problem! They are much bigger than they appear.

9) Cinch Top Bin - toy catch-all

Print: Tweethearts (seriously, even the name is adorable)

Our toy room is on the second floor, but somehow toys are continuously migrating down to the main floor. So in the TV room I have this bin (which I totally intend to empty at the end of every day) where my girls know to put the toys they find when we clean up before bed. I love that I can hide the mess with the cinch lid and the cute little birdies are just way too hard to resist! There are not many items that come in this print so of course I had to make sure I got something in it before it is discontinued.

10) On a Stroll Bag - stroller bag

Print: Black Chevron

My stroller (City Select, can not recommend this stroller enough!) does NOT come with a parent console/cup holder. So I invested in this nifty little bag. It has two cupholders, a small zipper pocket and a large mesh pocket. I usually use one of the cupholders for my phone and the other for a water bottle. The small pocket is great for keeping an extra soother or two. In the big mesh pocket I keep a diaper pouch (see below), a small umbrella and my rain cover. Its spring here now and that means a lot of rain! I love this product and recommend it to anybody with a City Select or similar stroller. I've also heard it is great for walkers and wheelchairs and shopping cart!

11) Zipper Pouch - diaper clutch

Print: Black Chevron

Yes, it matches my On a Stroll bag. Yes, that was on purpose. I purchased this pocket to fit inside my stroller bag. In it I keep 3-4 diapers per kid (I have two in diapers), a small pack of wipes, bum cream, a change of underwear for my oldest (just in case) and diaper baggies. It is great for when I don't want to bring a diaper bag, and I can take it out of the stroller bag and toss it in my purse. It is so handy!

12) Oh-Snap Bin - stroller cup/snack holder

Print: Black Chevron

Also a stroller product. Because I usually use both cupholders in the On a Stroll bag, I have this for my oldest to keep her drink and/or snack. My middle child has a cupholder on her seat tray so she doesn't need one, but I will probably get another one when she no longer needs to use the stroller. They are great and so versatile!

13) Large Utility Tote (& Top-a-Tote) - random kitchen stuff

Print: Daisy Craze (d/c)

 I have a bunch of little odds and ends in the kitchen that don't seem to fit anywhere else... they use to sit in a box or on the counter or stuffed in the cupboard above the fridge (which I can't reach... too short). Now I have this handy bag to keep them in! This includes any silicone baking accessories, cookie cutters, extra measuring cups/spoons, mixing bowls, extra bottles, etc.

 14) Hang-Up Room Organizer (d/c) - home school centre

Print: Turquoise Cross Pop (d/c)

This is a smaller version of the Hang-Up Home Organizer, but it is very similar. This is where I keep all my daughter's homeschool supplies. It hangs above her work table. In it there are workbooks, her notebook, rules, pencils, a pack of crayons, stickers, etc. It is really handy and again, my younger daughter (who is 2) can't reach it so it stays organized!

15) Oh-Snap Bins - baby closet organizers

Prints: Sea Stripe & Hoo's Happy (d/c)

These are awesome for organizing those tiny shoes, socks, hats, mittens, bibs, etc. We don't have a dresser for our little man so these work great! They are open and its so easy to see what you are looking for. They hang under his clothes on a second closet rod. They also attach to one another so that they all face forward. Such a smart design!

16) Your Way Cubes (& Lids) - closet organizers

Print: Taupe Cross Pop

These have big windows so you can see what is inside (sorry mine are messy, in the middle of changing G's clothes for the next size up, which means chaos in his closet). I have one for all my purses, and there are two for the baby's stuff, one for the next size up in clothes, and one for receiving blankets and extra warm blankets.

17) Euro Straw Tote - beach bag

Print: Turquoise Stripe (d/c)

Always packed to go with swimsuits, towels and sunscreen. Its not just for the beach but also great for the water park, pool, or even just to grab as we run into the backyard sprinkler! This bag is unfortunately discontinued but 31 still carries a similar bag, the Canvas Crew Tote in Turquoise Straw Stripe.

18) Essential Storage Totes - emergency bags

Print: Taupe Gingham (d/c)

 I keep three of these in the car, so in case I don't have my deluxe totes and make an impromptu grocery trip, I am covered. I also use them to gather all the car clutter. Sometimes, when we go to my husband's grandparents' place, they send us home with various baked goods and produce from their garden, and it is awesome to have one of these bags handy in those scenarios! 

19) Keep-It Tote - sewing kit

Print: Grey Wave

This holds my sewing accessories: thread, scissors, pins, measuring tape, needles, zippers, etc. It's is super cute and convenient to have everything in one place. The open top is actually awesome because I can just toss stuff back in when I am done with it.

20) Suite Skirt Purse - "date night" purse

Print: Sea Plaid (d/c)

I don't like to take my bigger Retro Metro purse when out with my hubby, but I still like to have a good sized bag to keep my wallet, phone and keys in. I tend to keep a ton of stuff in my bag even when just out for a couple hours (I like to over-prepare, just in case). This bag fits more than you would think!

21) Zip-Top Organizing Utility Tote - Steeped Tea bag

Print: Sunny Stripe (d/c)

I sell Steeped Tea (loose leaf teas), and this bag holds all my samples, catalogues, order forms and tea-brewing equipment. It also matches my business cards and is in the Steeped Tea colours. Score! It has five solid exterior pockets, and two mesh exterior pockets. It holds its shape well and has held up against a lot of weight in catalogues!

22) Retro Metro Crossbody - for the farmer's market or mall or yard sales

Print: Plum

I love all of the places mentioned above, but often I don't want a big bulky bag. I want something discreet but big enough to hold my wallet phone and keys. Enter the Crossbody! It is really cute and kind of grungy looking, which I love! Again this is that Retro Metro canvas material that I am fond of. I really recommend this bag because it is cute and funky!

23) Made In The Shade - coupons and discount cards

Print: Taupe Cross Pop

This is actually made to hang on a car visor, but I found it to be super convenient for coupons, store cards and gift cards. The card slots hold the club cards for various stores, such as M&M's, Costco, HMV, etc. The large pocket holds all my coupons. The smaller pockets hold discount cards, stamp cards and gift cards. I can leave it in my purse, attach it to my Deluxe Utility Tote or use it in the car on the visor.

24) Small Zipper Pouch - Kobo case

Print: Natural (w/Turquoise)

This perfectly fits my Kobo book reader... who knew? It is great! It has some padding so I feel safe throwing it in my purse (okay, maybe not literally throwing, but you get the point). It is a good price too compared to Kobo brand cases.

25) Retro Metro Rolling Weekender (d/c) - well, I use this as a weekender!

Print: Sea Plaid (d/c)

The weekender is kind of self-explanatory, but it also works as a great overnight bag for me and my three kids for those sleepovers at nana & papa's. When I was pregnant with my youngest, I had this bag packed to be my labour/hospital bag, because of its size and convenience. It carries like a duffle yet rolls like a full-size piece of luggage. I loved the rolling part because at nine months I did NOT want to pick this bag up, so rolling it was much more convenient! The wheels are solid, not flimsy ones that feel like they are going to break off.

26) Large Zipper Pouch - makeup bag

Print: Brown Woodblock Floral

This is great for my makeup (I don't have a ton). It's all together so if I need to do my makeup on the car I am good to go, or if I am going away I just toss it in my suitcase (my Rolling Weekender).

27) 24/7 Case - travel toiletries bag

Print: Black (boring, I know... it was for the hubby)

It fits all of his travel size toiletries, razor, comb, pyjamas and an extract-shirt, so this is all he needs for an overnight bag.

28) Fold N' File - diaper caddy

Print: Taupe Cross Pop

Matches the Your Way Cube in the baby's closet (where I store it). I keep a dozen diapers or so, wipes, extra so others and bibs. Super convenient!

29) Perfect Party Set (Thermal) - picnic bag

Print: Citrus Medallion

30) Around the Clock Thermal - work lunch bag

Print: Black (again, for the hubby)

31) Hang-up Activity Organizers, Pack N' Pull Caddy & Flip-Top Organizing Bin - car organizers

Print: Taupe Gingham (d/c)

If you live in Canada and find yourself in need of some 31, I know a great consultant! Here is her 31 site (and here she is on Facebook).

And alternatively, click here if you are planning a camping trip with your 31 to see some of my camping hacks :)