Recently on my international work trip I found myself thinking a lot about how I would bring all my mom stuff (e.g., pumping stuff) with me everywhere and on the plane for a 15 hour flight. I needed something big enough to to fit all my pump stuff, including a large industrial strength milk cooler to keep everything cold, and ideally be able to carry on beside me in addition to a very large backpack I intended to keep in the overhead compartment. It had to be durable and lightweight. Something fashionable would be a bonus, as well as something expandable (in case I needed to bring back more than I brought over), and shrinkable to a reasonable size to double as a daybag if needed.

I just got back from an international travel trip to present at a conference, and had the chance to test out my new North St Weekender Backpack. 

Because I now have to carry so much stuff to work, I am now in search of the perfect work bag. On any given day, I will definitely be carrying: 

1. Breast pump, breast pump parts, and associated paraphernalia including cooler bag for milk, +/- ice packs in said cooler bag, pumping bra, empty milk bags, battery bank to recharge my pump,etc
2. Usual everyday carry stuff, like wallet, phone, keys, pens 
3. Work-related equipment, including at least two boxes of lenses, scrub hat, extra pair of socks, small notebook for recording notes of operating room cases, and small hard drive
4. Water bottle or thermos 
5. Lunch box in its own cooler bag
6. Ziplock style snack bag (I like these silicone ones from Stasher) with some apples inside 
7. Random small electronics, like USB drive, backup phone charger, etc.    I might also be carrying the following: 
8. Surface Book 2 15″ laptop in its own case if extra cushion needed
9. Extra set of clothes, because sometimes on days I’m in clinic and the operating room, I need separate sets of clothes and sometimes separate sets of shoes too. 

That is a LOT of stuff. 

A few years ago, before I became a mama, I got a Senreve Maestra bag in the large size, “sand” colorway from the hubby as a gift. This was before I had to carry breast pump and parts around, and also before I got a 15″ laptop (I used to have a 13″ Surface Pro then, which was much more compact). I used it for awhile but decided just now to let it go. I thought I would review what I liked about it and why it didn’t work out for me. There’s not a lot written out there about it that aren’t sponsored posts so I thought a personal and honest review might be useful.