what to buy?

hmonkey

i need a day pack. do i buy a nice, purse-like one or do i just get a jansport?

this would be for vacations with lots of walking, such as disneyworld or going to museums all day.

on one hand, i like nice things. on the other hand, i like practical things.

VarunaTT

I'm digging the new trend of daypacks that look like a messenger bag.  They look nicer, but offer up the convenience of a backpack:

http://www.timbuk2.com/leader-backpack/451.html?dwvar_451_size=7&dwvar_451_color=1269

VarunaTT

This one is even convertible:

http://www.timbuk2.com/alamo-convertible-backpack-tote/623.html?dwvar_623_color=5040&dwvar_623_size=7#/dwvar_623-3-1657_size=7&dwvar_623-3-1657_color=5675

mrsconn23

My friend has a a Kavu that I've been lusting after.

http://www.kavu.com/Product/944/Rope_Sling.aspx 

*Barbie*

depending on where you go, an actual backpack may not be welcome. (that was the policy in almost every museum/palace that we visited in Scandinavia.)

This is the bag I bought for our last trip, and it was fantastic. It's meant to be a camera bag, but in addition to my camera, 2 lenses, and associated gear, I also carried meds, a kindle, my phone, cards/cash, a bottle of water, and anything else I'd normally have in my purse. If you don't have the camera/gear, you can take out the padded insert and fit even more stuff.

I'm also partial to the cross-body style - I think it's safer than a backpack. 

http://store.kellymoorebag.com/collections/classic-1/products/songbird

6fsn

I'd go for practical and basic messenger.  One, because that's me. Two, so I could pawn it off on my husband.  I'm not going to be the only one carting all that crap around.