A little bit of Vera's what I need...

A funny thing happened on the way to the grocery store yesterday, I had a hankering for some Vera. Actually, it was just one item in particular...a lanyard for my work ID and keys. Seemed simple enough...the biggest decision I had to make was which pattern to get it in. I picked Pirouette in case you were wondering. But then I saw them...the new microfiber bags...thump, thump...thump, thump. The 100th Anniversary Journal...thump, thump...thump, thump...I am in love again. And about to splurge a bit on some Vera.

The journal is adorable and covered in many past Vera Bradley Patterns...it is a visual history to all the Vera's we have loved before. You remember your very first pattern...and the exact purse style. I resisted for years because I have always had a purse and bag "problem". I will never forget when my fellow Vera Girls came back from a sale and told me that I needed to go. The rest...well...I don't need to go on...but I will. I bought a limited edition plaid bag that was a cute octogon shape. Then...some Chelesa Green...and then Emily...and then...well...you really don't want me to go there.

So today my new black microfiber Crossover Hipster made it's debut at work and it is super cute!! I love the shape and it looks quite smart with my fabulous red patent work tote. I of course got a wallet to match...very functional. Lots of pockets and plenty of nooks & crannies to store all kinds of things. I fully recognize that I have a problem...but sometimes you just need a new purse. It sparks something inside...gives you an extra kick and boosts your spirits. Vera always delivers...never a moment of buyer's remorse. Never ever...

Thursday 13 - Guest Blogger

Thirteen Things....

today marks the 29th anniversary of when my sister and i first met in person. while i can't say i remember any of it (i wasn't 24 hours old yet!) i've heard many times of how our Grandpa held her up so she could look in the hospital nursery window at me. but i'm sure if i knew what i was going on i would have greated her with a resounding wazzzupppp!!! so, anyway, in honor of our 29 fabulous years as being sisters and best friends, Joy has graciously let me do a guest Thursday Thirteen in honor of this fabulous event.

so, on to the list. i can't thing of one cohesive theme for this, so the best i can do is write a random list of thirteen things about whatever.

1. running errands, especially going to target. there is so much fun to be had, from raiding the dollar bins and getting hot dogs to buying organizational items and cute sticky notes. there is like, no better way to spend some quality time.

2. going to shows. my favorite thing is the moment when you first get inside the place (after going through the gate thing where you get our ticket scanned) and hit the restroom, even if you don't need to, because that is the only time you know there's still paper towels.

3. taking morning walks when on vacation. she totally puts up with me stopping every two minutes to snap pictures of ducks and clouds, and when i get cranky and tired.

4. reading books together or in succession. it's so fun getting each other's perspective or guess on what's going to happen. i especially love it when she's reading a book after i have, because she always figures out what's going to happen.

5. i love when she stops by my office. it's always a nice surprise, even if i knew she was coming over. i love that we get to work down the hall from each other.

6. vera! it's so much better when you can share. and it's great, because we like fairly different pallates so between to two of us, a coordinating bag can be found to go with any kind of outfit.

7. i can't wait until we retire so we can travel and do whatever we want. we have so many wonderful plans!

8. throwing parties. she is so fabulous at planning menus and getting decorations and things. even if we're just having dinner out on the deck, it is so much fun making a fun evening for the family.

9. christmas shopping. we always go the last weekend before christmas and get all of our shopping done. its a great tradition.

10. getting oil changes. we get some einstein bagels and coffee and wonder around the grocery store. there's always something to do!

11. winnie the pooh. when the going gets tough and things are really bad, there is great comfort to be found in reading it aloud to each other.

12. movies and books about siblings. there's pretty much always one sibling each of us can identify with. and of course, it's so hard to take when one sibling is a total meanie and horrible. we're lucky that we find it so horrible and unlikely that a sibling could behave that way toward another.

13. no matter what is happening, we are always there for each other. there is nobody more important!

snaps for sisterhood!

If you would like to check out other Thursday 13's...have at it by clicking here!!!

Thursday 13 - Favorite Summer Moments (So Far...)

I thought it might be fun to dedicate this weeks Thursday 13 to my 13 favorite summer moments so far. I'm chronicling them in hopes of spurring lots more before autumn comes to whisk them away.

1. Getting Grandma in the pool for some Saturday Fun in the Sun.

2. Seeing Coldplay at Nissian Pavillion

3. Being lost in DC with my Sister

4. Getting two rounds of applause at my big meeting week before last

5. Hanging Tree Flaire in my Wedding Tree (an owl)

6. Wearing my cute new aqua sun dress with my Vera Bradley Flip Flops and Clutch

7. Cooking chicken at Jen's Bachelorette Party...who would have thunk I could do it??

8. Declaring WTF moments at work with my budget buddies

9. Spending time at the Spa with my Mommy

10. Getting the lawn cut...which allows so much more time for fun. I hope I never take this luxury for granted!!!

11. Watching our Chipmunk, Tiny, from the kitchen window. He is seriously the cutest little thing ever.

12. Watching Poly do her thing

13. Having fun in Baltimore with a waiter who flirted with us for three days straight and a super cute bell hop who could solve any problem.


I hope that you have had some favorite moments this summer too!! Here's to hoping there are lots more to come!!

If you would like to check out other Thursday 13's...have at it by clicking here!!!

Patience is a Virtue...

My sister and I took an afternoon trip to Tiara to scope out Vera Bradley...which is really a harmless pastime. For the past year (although it seems like forever), I have been watching a Baekgaard Red Patent Satchel. It was beautiful and sat in its own little nook with a light shining down upon it. Oh yes...I would look at it and wander over and pick it up and put it back down again. It was a ritual. It was so beautiful. It was so going to be mine someday. Someday...

I didn't say anything to my sister, but when we walked into Tiara my heart sank. My bag was gone. I decided to just suck it up and come to terms with the fact that it was not meant to be mine. I meandered through the store and couldn't really find anything that I was looking for. For whatever reason, nothing was satisfying my urge to purchase a purse. I wandered over to the Brighton section and some of the purses were cute...but again...it was not what I wanted. I pushed away the thoughts of the fabulous red patent shine. And then I saw a table of Baekgaard but tried to keep my wishes in check. I did not get my hopes up.

And then I see it. Shining in the light. My precious!! The salesgirl sees me lift it from it's spot on the table and declares her love for it too. It is 40% off and I am so tempted to buy it. I mean...I have been working some long hours and toting my work back and forth in my petal pink miller bag. A sleek Red Patent Satchel would really take the sting off. Plus...it is quite eye catching...and will really perk up my work image. I need to shake things up. This bag will totally do it!! And then...I put the bag down feeling silly.

My sister walks over, sees the bag, sees that it is on the sale, and declares that I must buy it. It is kismet!!!