Petite Peachy: KALENCOM ADDS NEW SHAPES & GRAPHICS TO ECO-FRIENDLY DIAPER BAG LINE; Moms Love Using Kalencom Bag When Baby Outgrows It. Whom You Know Recommends It.

Kalencom, manufacturer of fashion forward diaper bags, is introducing new shapes and designs to their extensive line of eco-friendly diaper bags. Among the new styles unveiled this year are the Ozz, Traveler and Tania diaper bags.

The new line of Kalencom diaper bags offers consumers a wide range of styles and colors, with more attention to detailing. “We’ve added metal and fabric touches, mixing and matching textures within the same diaper bag to give Kalencom a more designer look while maintaining our affordable pricing,” states Monica Kalozdi, co-owner, Kalencom. Each Kalencom diaper bag comes with the signature accessory bag, changing pad and insulated bottle bag, all of which are removable, making the diaper bag a great tote or handbag for mom after baby no longer needs a diaper bag. “We hear from moms all the time how much they love using their Kalencom diaper bag for themselves when baby outgrows it,” offers Kalozdi.

Well the Petite Peachy panel needed to try this out it sounded so fabulous.  Here is what panelists had to say:

Kalencom's variety of diaper bags is enough to tempt any mom with a new baby. Stretching beyond the typical styles in basic colors and block patterns, these diaper bags offer both unique 'handbag' styles and trendy patterns. Typical diaper bags limit a parent's expression of style and frequently do not provide features to help with its ease of use. Kalencom's diaper bags break away from conventional design. Available in a variety of colors, patterns and styles, they provide an opportunity for a parent to accessorize with style.

On the inside they are equally as impressive. The diaper bags open to reveal interior pockets and a matching bottle holder and changing mat, essentials for any parent. The changing mat is a reasonable size without being too bulky. The bottle holder is insulated with ThinsulateTM to keep milk cold for several hours. These easily accessible interior pockets prevents frantic searching of items while trying to soothe a baby and enables one to find items with one hand. In addition to the interior pockets, several styles offer exterior pockets for storing frequently used items. The combination of adjustable shoulder straps and hand straps further promotes its flexibility of use. The shoulder strap can be adjusted and there are additional clips provided to attach the bag to the handlebars of a stroller. The hands straps make it easy to pick up when it's resting on the floor; a feature which anyone caring for a small baby will appreciate. The PVC used for these diaper bags does not contain any Phthalates (DEHP, DBP or BOP). Anyone caring for a young baby or a toddler would be impressed with Kalencom's functional design. It's ease of use and variety of style further accentuate it's attractiveness. These reasonably priced diaper bags are available through Kalencom's website. The website provides pictures and descriptions of the diaper bags, the only challenge is deciding on which one to purchase. If you can't pick one style, why not pick two! You will not be disappointed.

Kalencom Ozz Diaper Bag - Kalencom of New Orleans has somehow managed to design a diaper bag that is functional, stylish, and durable. The company’s line of bags has a little something for everyone, with many styles from which to choose. I myself chose an Ozz bag in quilted black fabric, but there are a seemingly endless array backpacks, totes, and messenger bags on their website. Now the truth is, I already have a black quilted bag by another designer, but old habits die hard and I just couldn’t bring myself to order one of the more flashy metallic ones or any of the many bags that look more like trendy pocketbooks than diaper bags.

My only hope when the Kalencom bag arrived was that this bag had more to offer than the one I have in the closet. So far, I’m delighted with it! Like my other bag, this one is black quilted microfiber and has a contrasting lining, but really the similarities end there. The first thing I noticed and loved was that this bag has a brightly colored lining that makes finding things that somehow slip to the bottom of the bag a whole lot easier to find. I will never again spend an inordinate amount of time searching for an elusive pacifier!

The bag also sets itself apart because of its included accessories. There’s an insulated bottle holder, a changing pad, and a removable zippered pouch. When I had my first child, I was always asking for large glasses of hot water so that I could warm a bottle whenever we were out. Having the option of warming a bottle before heading out to the park or the mall offers much more freedom! The changing pad is great because while many public restrooms do supply those paper towel-ish sheets at their changing stations, most do not. A portable pad is an absolute must in those situations. And the coordinating zippered pouch? LOVE IT. It might not come in as handy for infants as it does for older babies and toddlers, but again, it’s a nice option. Right now, I have a two-year old, and I just don’t want to cart a full diaper bag every time we head into a restaurant or store, but I do like to bring a diaper, some wipes, her Epi-pen and maybe a pacifier. The pouch included with this diaper bag is just perfect for quick excursions to the supermarket and the like.  

So, how does the Kalencom Ozz diaper bag stack up? Well, I know I’ll definitely be packing away or giving away my “other” black quilted bag. I really thought I loved it until I my Kalencom bag arrived. Now, I realize all that was missing and can’t wait to head out with my new bag on my shoulder!

Before you have a baby, you have no idea how important your baby/diaper bag is. It is something that you carry with you 24/7. So not only must it be chic, but it must be practical. The Kalencom New Orleans brand of diaper bags offer a funky style with all the practicality. From messenger style bags to totes to travelers, they offer something for every taste. I recommend the washable fabrics like the polyurethane which will handle all the leaks and spills that are inevitable. That way the smell will not penetrate the material; how could baby formula smell so terrible? It also makes cleaning up a breeze. What I love most about this bag is the layout and accessibility. A magnetic flap to keep the bag closed. Two easy to get into outside pockets for bottles, or a cell phone. Three great interior bottle pockets as well. Two elastic straps finish off the interior too. In addition, they give you coordinating bottle cooler made with Thinsulate insulation. A matching changing pad to use on a table, a car seat or wherever you find yourself needing to make a fast change. And lastly a make-up style bag that can hold lotions, wipes and more. You can even hook a plastic bag reel to the inside for easy disposing of your little ones stinkers. I also love that the Kalencom Diaper bags are AZO free. They do not use Phthalates/DEHP, DBP or BOP. With so many styles and patterns, Kalencom bags are a great choice for every mother to be. The cool designs even allow Daddy to carry without feeling funny. The practicality combined with style is a winner!

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Kalencom is one of the oldest diaper bag companies in the U.S. Based in New Orleans, the company is known for brightly colored fabrics and graphics and diaper bags that live on long after baby grows up, and we recommend them. All Kalencom products are manufactured without AZO and Phthalates.


CLIMBING MOUNTAINS IN NEW ORLEANS;
HOW MT. EVEREST AND KATRINA
POSITIONED KALENCOM FOR GROWTH IN 2009

 

Because at Whom You Know we are interested in business too, we want you to know and understand the company behind the great product. In June, 2005, Monica Kalozdi, owner of Kalencom corporation, a diaper bag manufacturer based in New Orleans, accomplished a feat only a few even contemplate: she became one of a very small group to scale Mt. Everest from the north side, and she did this only a handful of years after taking up the sport of climbing. Her training consisted of multiple runs up and down the stairs of New Orleans’ tallest building with an increasingly heavier backpack to build her strength and endurance. Little did she know how useful her training and Everest climb would be just a few months later when Katrina hit her beloved city. Those same lessons are being applied today as Kalencom positions itself for growth despite a worsening economy.

How Katrina Strengthened Kalencom
On August 28, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit, devastating much of New Orleans. The Kalozdi family, residents of the Big Easy for over 30 years, thought they were among the fortunate. This was not the case: a few hours after the hurricane hit, the wind shifted and the levees broke, resulting in slow rising water in their home. When the water filled the entire first floor, the family used mountain climbing ropes to position themselves on the roof for rescue by a passing boat. They gave their only life preserver to the family dog. What they didn’t realize was that Katrina also blew off the roof of their 60,000 square foot warehouse, home to Kalencom, one of the nation’s oldest diaper bag companies. Since access to certain parts of the city was restricted, the damage to the business was not discovered for several days during which time the rain ruined hundreds of thousands of dollars of diaper bags. Twenty-four tractor trailer trucks removed damaged good from Kalencom’s headquarters.

Despite a forced move to Florida for nine months, Kalencom thrived following Katrina. “We could have easily started a new business elsewhere, but our hearts were in New Orleans and Kalencom,” comments Monica Kalozdi. “After losing our home and then our business, I remembered the life-threatening conditions on Everest and told everyone around me that we would get through this the way we climb mountains: we take on the challenge one step at a time.” That message has been shared with thousands of teens as well as Monica is a volunteer spokesperson for Teen Life Counts, a suicide prevention agency, for which she raises money while climbing.
 

Growth in the U.S. and Abroad  

Fast forward to now, when many businesses are experiencing a down market almost as devastating as Katrina. Once again, Kalencom is going against the tide and expanding into new markets and categories in order to maintain the incredible growth the company has experienced since 2005.

In addition to constantly updating and refreshing the line with new diaper bag design and fabrication, Kalencon has initiated business around the world with tremendous success in such markets as Spain, Greece, France and Japan. The company is also working with established artists to create special lines that reflect the artist’s personal style. At the same time, they have greatly expanded their layette line which now includes 100% organic cotton separates that are perfect for both the juvenile and gift markets. This January, a new hip line of pods and carriers under the Hadaki name was introduced, thus putting the company in touch with teens through young professionals.
 

To fill the growing demand for Kalencom products, a new 62,000 square foot factory is in the works in Tyler Town, Mississippi. “We are thrilled to be able to support our growth in Tyler Town where we will be creating many jobs and opportunities for the local population, something we have been doing for over 30 years in New Orleans,” concludes Kalozdi.
To view the entire Kalencom line, visit www.kalencom.com.