Vera Bradley Outlet Sale 2014!

It’s that time of year again: the days are longer, the sun is shining and flowers are blooming. While all of those things are great, my favorite part of spring is the Vera Bradley Outlet Sale!

See the ballet flats? Don’t do what I did. Wear tennis shoes!

The sale begins this Wednesday in Fort Wayne, Indiana and goes through Sunday. Because of work obligations, I can’t make it to the sale until Saturday—but I’m super excited to be going! I’m once again going with my best friend, Elizabeth, but this trip will be a little different because we don’t have to purchase gifts for my bridal shower. Instead, we can focus on shopping for us!

For all of you ladies who are going to the sale this week, I have a few tips to share!

1. Bring snacks: If you’re like me, it never hurts to carry snacks in your purse. And since I plan on shopping for many hours, taking some snacks for extra energy is a must!
2. Be prepared: Two years ago, it poured the morning of the sale. (You know what they say about April showers!) My suggestion is to take your Vera Bradley umbrella just in case you have to wait outside before getting into the Coliseum.
3. Wear comfy shoes: This may be the best piece of advice I have to share. I made the mistake of wearing ballet flats and my feet hated me not only during the sale, but for days after. I would definitely suggest tennis shoes for this event.
4. Have a plan and stick to it: Before heading into the sale, think of the items that you absolutely want to purchase. Then, look at the brochure and figure out which tables your “must have” items are located at. Once you have those items secured, then you can browse the rest of the sale for extra goodies without the fear that you might not get the items you really wanted!
5. Take pictures: As a PR gal, I love social media. And for all of us with smart phones, why not share your #VBOS14 experience with everyone? So don’t forget to tag Facebook posts, tweets and Instagram pictures with #VBOS14. I will be checking the hashtag feed often to see all of the amazing purchases and memories being made! (And if you want to get really social- tag me, @prettyNpaisley in your tweets so I can see your pictures!)

Check back soon for my full re-cap of the sale and all of my purchases! Happy shopping!!!

 

Latest Purchase: Saddle Hipster in Lola

After a very snowy commute to a work meeting this morning, I managed to gracefully spill half of my coffee into my purse. Now, some of you may say that I could have simply washed my bag, but it was starting to rip from overuse anyway. Luckily, I was a few blocks away from my go-to Vera store, the Gracylane in Hudson.

Since I’m over dark winter colors, I went looking for something bright and cheery. So while I was looking at the sale items, I stumbled upon the Saddle Hipster in Lola and it was love at first sight. And if you’ve read my other blog posts, you already know that crossbody bags are my favorite–and this little gem doesn’t disappoint!

Granted I’ve only had this bag for a few hours, I know that it’s going to be a keeper. The front pushlock closure opens to a large front pocket, perfect for items that you need access to immediately. The inside of the bag is surprisingly roomy and the back zip pocket will be a perfect place to store my iPhone.

This is my first Vera piece in Lola, and I have to be honest with you when I say that I wasn’t a huge fan of it before. After today, my feelings toward this pattern have changed. The green, blue and pink are bright and I love how they pop on the brown background. This is definitely a pattern that looks better in person.

I also bought my mom a birthday gift–but more on that later! So, I want to know- have you bought any new Vera items lately? If so, what are your favorites?!

P.S. It’s almost time for the OUTLET SALE!!!! Who’s excited?!

New Vera Patterns & Styles Just In Time for the Holidays!

It has been way too long since my last post–this summer and fall were super busy, but now that things are starting to slow down, (just in time for the holidays!) I am back to blogging about my favorite things: Vera! 

After a work meeting today, I stopped at the GracyLane in Kent, Ohio. I couldn’t resist when I saw the two new patterns in the window. Venetian Paisley and Canterberry Magenta are the latest patterns to join the Vera family and I have to say that I love them both! While I didn’t make any purchases today, you better believe that I have my eye on several new items from the latest collection.

1. Zip Zip Wristlet: I have been in the market for a new Vera wallet, but I haven’t been able to commit because there’s so many options to choose from. When I saw this little wallet/wristlet, I knew it was going to be the winner! The price is $36, which is a good deal for as much as I know I’ll use it! I currently carry my Pushlock Wristlet– but I’m ready to switch to a new style in a winter pattern!

2. Cell Phone Crossbody: I’m all about crossbody bags- and this little guy is super cute! This small wonder will carry my new iPhone 5 with no issues and it also has a couple of slots for credit cards. Perfect for shopping trips during the holiday season!

3. Laptop Carry All: Now, I’m not sure if my laptop will actually fit in this bag, but I would like to give it a try! I’m always looking for a great work bag that will hold all of the technology I carry with me. I’m loving this bag in Canterberry Magenta!

Don’t forget if you spent $125 from now until Nov. 11 you will receive a free tote bag!

So, I’d like to know- which new pattern is your favorite? What will you be adding to your Christmas list this year?!

 

 

A Very Vera Birthday

Since my last post, I’ve turned a year older! I’m now the big 2-4. I wanted to use this post to thank several people who made my birthday so memorable!

The Saturday after my birthday, my best friend Elizabeth, (who was also born on June 6) came to stay with me so we could celebrate! I made sure we visited my go-to Vera Bradley store, the Gracylane at First and Main, so she could see my “happy place.” We walked in and the store manager, Carolyn, presented us with two huge bags filled with tissue paper. We opened our presents and we each received a personalized colorblock tote! My tote is in tutti frutti (Carolyn knows it’s my favorite!) and Elizabeth’s was Sun Valley. The store’s Vera Bradley rep also gave me an adorable purse which I absolutely love!

At this point, as you can imagine, I was on cloud nine! I was so touched by the generosity of Carolyn (pictured with me on the left), the owner of the store, Tom, and the Vera rep. All three will never know how grateful I am to them for doing something so nice for my birthday. I’ll definitely never forget it!

My mom also bought me several new Vera items for my birthday, but I’ll save that for my next post. You won’t want to miss it!

An Open Letter to Vera Bradley

I stumbled across your job opening for VP of Marketing and Communications today and I know that this is my dream job.  I know you want a person with 8-10 years of experience, and I totally understand that, but I also know that my enthusiasm would trump even the most seasoned professional for this position.

Since I was a young girl, I have been collecting everything and anything Vera Bradley. I am one of your biggest brand cheerleaders, and nothing will change that. I believe in your message to women stating “be colorful” and I believe that every woman should find a brand that they can relate to.

Since I was 14, I have related to your brand. I have purchased purses and accessories on a regular basis because they make me happy. Some might think this is ridiculous, but shouldn’t everyone find something that makes them happy and stick with it? I am a very passionate person and with my Vera purses, I wear my passion everyday.

I found a quote that is more than fitting for this post:“ It’s a beautiful thing when a career and a passion come together.” Even though I know I am not qualified in my experience level, I know that I would live by these words each day if I worked for your company. I would be the best VP of Marketing and Communications you ever had, I guarantee it.

So until the day that I have the required years of experience in my field of PR and communications to apply for my dream job, I will continue to be your biggest fan. I will continue to write blog posts to promote your brand and essentially be your biggest cheerleader. I will continue to buy purses, luggage and accessories and allow my friends and family to borrow them anytime they want.

I  promise this isn’t the last time you’ll hear from me!

Sincerely,

Allison

Surviving the Vera Bradley Outlet Sale

Waiting outside in the rain!

I can’t believe it’s been a year since I visited the happiest place on earth…(and I’m not talking about Disney World), but the Vera Bradley Outlet Sale! Now, it’s a week away and I’m sad to say that I cannot attend this year due to a prior commitment. But for those of you lucky gals who get to shop the sale, I have a few pointers to share that I picked up from going last year.

Tips for surviving the sale: 

1. Pack an umbrella: It’s April. Do I need to bring up the saying “April showers bring May flowers”? Last year it poured down rain while we waited in the line outside. And if you get to the sale early (which I highly suggest you do) your warm and dry feet will thank me. And clearly, make sure it’s a Vera umbrella!

2. Bring snacks and H20: PB&J sandwiches, chips and granola bars are a must! Yes, there are snacks and drinks available to buy, but that’s money you could be spending on that extra purse you want! 😉 Also, a pack of cards or a small game is a good idea if you’re with others to help pass the time while waiting in line.

3. If you have a Vera backpack- bring it: Last year, I took my favorite hipster. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great bag, but not for the sale. When you’re running around the sale, carrying a large pink plastic bag full off goodies, having your purse bounce off your hip is more than annoying. Not to mention the strap dug into my shoulders because of everything I packed in it–OUCH!

4. Make a plan & stick to it: It’s really easy to get distracted when you first step into the Coliseum. Hence why I suggest having a plan of attack and sticking to it. Prior to entering the sale, you will wait in another line inside the venue. Make sure you get a map of the sale and look at the color coded sections and the list of items at each table. If you know ahead of time what you need and go there first, you can then take your time and browse the rest of the tables at your leisure. Plus, if it’s a hot selling item, you’ll want to make sure you can get one before they run out.

The “I’ll smile because I’m buying all this Vera, but my feet are killing me” face!

5. Wear comfy shoes and clothes: Ladies, if you take one thing away from this post, it would be to NOT wear cute ballet flats to the sale. I thought I would wear a casual Saturday outfit last year, and let me tell you, that was the worst foot pain I’ve ever experienced in my life. So ladies, wear your yoga pants, put on a hoodie (so you don’t have to carry around a coat) and put on your comfiest pair of tennis shoes. I also suggest taking a camera to document your experience! And if you have a smart phone, make sure you tweet from the sale and post your photos on Instagram.

And last, but not least say “thank you” to the women and men working the floor and stocking the tables. They work hard to keep everything in order to make your experience great, and a small thank you will go a long way!

My goodies from last year! The savings were amazing.

Last year, the daily purchase limit was $3,500. So, get to shopping!! Don’t forget to have FUN and let me know what you buy!

Spring has Arrived at Vera Bradley

Even though it’s unseasonably warm today, winter is still in full swing in Northeast Ohio. But, as of January 9, it’s officially spring at Vera Bradley. On Wednesday, Vera debuted four new patterns: Go Wild, Jazzy Blooms, Plum Crazy and Midnight Blues.

Of course I stopped at my go-to Vera store on Wednesday and spotted a new purse style that I had to have. But before I made my purchase, Carolyn Carr, manager of the Gracylane at First and Main, (or, my Vera lady as I call her) told me of an amazing promotion from Vera Bradley.

The Bag Exchange promotion, going on now through Sunday at participating retailers, encourages women to bring in a gently-worn handbag and receive 20% off of their Vera handbag or tote purchase. Caroline explained that the handbags collected will be given to the Battered Women’s Shelter in Akron, Ohio.

So, today I took a Vera tote from my collection and traded it in for the new convertible crossbody in plum crazy. Not only do I love this bag, but I love the fact that my donated bag will make another woman happy. Here’s a breakdown of all of my purchases:

Convertible Crossbody: I love crossbody bags, and this one does not disappoint. It can be worn three ways. 1. Crossbody, 2. Handheld 3. Over the shoulder. The handles can either be folded down for a smaller bag, or they can stand up to transform into a larger tote. The magnetic closure is the icing on the cake!

Flower Headband: This headband was too cute to pass up. It was hard to choose, but I finally decided on the Jazzy Blooms.

Braided Headband: Ok, yes.. I love headbands. This one is going to be a cute addition to my workout gear to hold back those pesky bangs and fly-away hairs.

Mirror Cosmetic: I couldn’t leave the store without buying something in the Go Wild pattern. This little bag is going to work perfectly for carrying my day-to-day makeup, no matter what purse I’m carrying. It’s not too big, but big enough for the essentials. The mirror on the side is also a nice feature for applying lip gloss on-the-go.

So, there you have it. Now that you know what purchases I made from the spring 2013 line, I want to know what you’ve bought! Or, if you haven’t made a purchase yet, which pattern is your favorite? (And all of them is an acceptable answer!)

P.S. Don’t forget to stop by a participating retailer before Sunday to participate in the bag exchange!

A Very Vera New Year

The holidays are over and it’s finally 2013! The past year was my best ever- I married my best friend and made a ton of wonderful memories with my family and friends.

As usual, I bought multiple Vera gifts for friends and family for Christmas. But for today’s post, I thought I would do a re-cap of my favorite Vera items I received!

Two-Way Tote: Dogwood is my favorite winter pattern and this purse is bound to be a staple in my collection from now on. The best feature is the convenience of carrying it two ways. Use the top handles to carry the bag on your arm- or, use the shoulder strap to turn this bag into a large cross-body! (It holds way more than the hipster.)

Grand Tote: OK, you caught me- this was a gift that I got for myself. When I was shopping for Christmas gifts, my Vera total was over a certain amount and I received this $65 tote FOR FREE! I was so excited and was able to try it out when traveling across Ohio for the holidays.

Sweet Nothings: I love this trinket dish! It looks great sitting on my dresser and keeps all of my jewelry in a safe place. This dish is on sale now for just $10!

Knit Headwarmer: This was such a great surprise that I found in my stocking. With the cold Ohio weather, this headband is sure to keep my ears warm all winter long. (And obviously look super cute–much better than a plain one!)

Ornament: Each Christmas, my mom buys me a new Vera ornament. This year, she bought me the ornament in Provencal, and it’s certainly beautiful! I’m now one ornament closer to my dream tree: One decorated with nothing but Vera!

Stay tuned for my next post where I talk about the new spring patterns that Vera will debut on January 9! Until then, I hope you all have a great, Vera-filled 2013!

A Very Vera Vacation

Greetings from Hilton Head Island!

After a year and a half of planning, I can officially say that my wedding is over and everything was perfect for our “big day!” That being said, I’m back from our honeymoon to Hilton Head, and I’m excited to have my spare time back to do the things I love-blogging, reading, scrapbooking etc.

I thought I would take the opportunity to talk about the Vera items I took with me on our honeymoon. Keep in mind, I was only gone for a week, yet if you saw our car, you would have thought I was leaving for three!

Here is a list of the bags/ accessories I took with me:

22” Roll Along Duffle: The bulk of my clothing fit in this duffle. The rolling luggage is a bit pricey, but totally worth it!

22” Rolling Carry On: This carry on was the perfect size for the many pairs of shoes I took with me. It fit 6 pairs, with some room to spare. (What can I say, I love shoes!)

Get Carried Away Tote: This tote is my go-to for any trip I take- even if it’s a weekend getaway. I fit all of my make-up, hair products and a few last-minute shirts I decided to pack in this bag. The best part about this tote is the two pockets lined with plastic, so you never have to worry about any liquids spilling onto your clothes.

Large Cosmetic Bag: Ok, so, my make-up never leaves this bag. Clearly it made the journey to South Carolina with me.

e-reader Sleeve: Perfect for keeping my Nook safe from the sand and sun!

Umbrella: I bought a new Vera umbrella the day before my wedding, thinking that it might rain. Luckily, it was a beautiful day that was rain-free! I decided to take the umbrella with me to Hilton Head, but again, no rain! (Not that I’m complaining.)

Mini Hipster: I am a HUGE fan of the new mini hipster. The pockets that this little bag has are impressive. The hipster is perfect for vacations, or any day-trip when all you need is an I.D., credit card and phone.

Beach Towel: How could I not take my Vera towel with me to the beach? I can proudly say I was the only person on the beach with one, and I would also say, everyone with plain colored towels were jealous!

The sweet pleat bag: one of my favorites!

Sweet Pleat Zip Top Handbag: My husband bought this for me from QVC (for only $34.. what a steal!) and I am so glad I took it with me. During the honeymoon, we took a day-trip to another island, and I was able to fit everything I needed in it.

I’m sure there are several items of Vera that I’ve forgotten, but I think that’s enough for now! I want to know: What purses/accessories go on vacations with you? What’s your favorite piece of Vera luggage?

My Very Vera Bridal Shower

It’s been way too long since my last post- so this is the perfect time  to recap my Vera Bradley inspired bridal shower that took place in my hometown this past weekend.

On Saturday, I walked into the church hall to see it filled with Vera Bradley everywhere! The table decorations consisted of Vera Bradley cloth napkins, which matched the Folkloric food and cake plates. (All of which I purchased at the VB Outlet Sale.)  Pink and white daisies in matching colors of Fiestaware vases were on top of the napkins. However, the biggest hit of the shower was the cake, which not only looked amazing, but tasted great! It was so adorable that I didn’t want to cut into it.

Isn’t this cake amazing?

Comforter set in Indigo Pop.

Another surprise at my shower was the Vera comforter set and blanket my mom bought me for our spare bedroom. I can’t even tell you how long I’ve waited for Vera to come out with bedding. The comforter and blanket is from the new dorm room collection. After the wedding craziness, I plan on painting the room to match! (And you can count on a blog post for that!)

I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect bridal shower. My maid-of-honor and bridesmaids know me too well- and I can’t thank them enough for a day I will never forget!

Have you ever had a Vera inspired party?