Getting Ready for Summer with Vera Bradley Accessories

Hey everyone!  Has it really been more than a month since I last checked in?  Where does the time go!   Well, now that school is winding down and summer is finally here, I will hopefully check back in a little more often. Speaking of summer, I thought I would take a little time today to talk about some of my favorite summer Vera Bradley accessories...

Flip Flops: I have to admit that I have way too many Vera Bradley flip flops, but I love them all!  With most styles costing under $25.00, I consider them an affordable splurge!

Mini Cooler: Ick!  Have you every taken a swig of water from a bottle that has been sitting in a hot car for a couple of hours?  In my opinion, a Vera Bradley mini cooler is a must for these hot summer months.  When I'm leaving to run errands, I grab not only my water bottle, but an ice pack and my mini cooler as well.

Beach Towels: Much to my kids' dismay (both boys), I have a large collection of Vera Bradley beach towels.  They are nice and thick, and are great for not only drying off after a dip in the pool, but for wrapping around and warming up in when the air gets a little chilly.  Now they just need to make some prints my boys will like.  Do you think I will get anywhere with a suggestion for a Batman print? [Read more...]

Vera Bradley Bali Blue, Bali Gold, and Calypso

The new summer 2009 patterns, Vera Bradley Bali Blue, Bali Gold, and Calypso, have been out for about a month or so now.  Hopefully, you have had a chance to see them in person.  If not, here are some pics...

I'm still debating which of the three is my favorite.  While I sit here and ponder, I thought I would put up a quick poll to see what everyone else thinks.  So, here it is...

Which Vera Bradley Summer 2009 Fabric Pattern is Your Favorite?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

It's so hard to pick a favorite, isn't it!

I like the overall look of Calypso. Nautical navy blue and crisp white looks great together, and it's a perfect color combination for not only summer, but really any time of the year.

However, I also really love the Bali Blue and Bali Gold fabric patterns.  Both feature a pretty tropical print of orchids and palm leaves.  The blue features cooler hues of ocean blue, with accents of white, green and brown.  The gold pattern, on the other hand, is in warmer tones of pink and plum on a sunny yellow background.

What’s Your Favorite New Fall 2008 Vera Bradley Pattern?

Hopefully by now, everyone has had a chance to see the new Fall 2008 Vera Bradley Patterns, if not in person, then online.  When I first posted on this subject back in May (my, how the time flies!), it was difficult to determine what pattern was the clear cut favorite among our readers.  Was it the Puccini? Night Owl? Caffe Latte? How about Frankly Scarlet?

Now, it's time to find out once and for all everyone's favorite!  How?  Well, voting is the democratic way, of course.  So, in that regard, it's time for another poll...

What's Your Favorite New Fall Vera Bradley Pattern?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

If you read my previous post, you probably know that I am having problems getting the polls to run in the navigation bar over on the right ever since upgrading.  I am still working on the problem, but until I find the fix, the poll will be buried in the post here. 

To wrap things up, have fun voting for your favorite fall 2008 Vera Bradley pattern!  It's just one way to pass the time until the "real" voting starts in November.  Personally, I think I prefer this over the real elections - at least this is fun!

Think Like a Vera Bradley Products Designer

I have a lot of fun putting together the polls on this site and seeing the responses.  For my next poll, I am looking for some help from you.  This assignment requires you to put your creative thinking cap on.  Why?  Well, it's time to think like a Vera Bradley product designer!

Vera Bradley Products Designer

As I'm sure you already know, the Vera Bradley company makes more than just purses and luggage.  They dabble in a variety of things - home decor, stationary, pet products, even eyeglasses - you name it.  With that in mind, if you were a designer for the company, what would you like to see added to its product line? 

For the next week or so, I will be accepting submissions.  Then, voting time!  I'll set up a poll, and we'll see which product idea is the most popular.  And yes, I admit it - I have watched one too many episodes of Donald Trump's "The Apprentice", so I will also participate and submit the first idea to get the ball rolling.

One more thing, this is just for fun.  However, you can actually submit product ideas to them. So, after you finish brainstorming, if you think you've got a winner, I encourage you to jot down your ideas, and put them in the mail to:

Vera Bradley
Attn: Product Development
2208 Production Road
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46808

As promised, I'm including my own submission.  Here it is...

I think a Vera Bradley baby carrier would be a great! Unfortunately, my youngest son is three now.  As you can imagine, it would be difficult to squeeze his forty pounds of toddler fat into a baby carrier.  However, if they added a baby carrier to their product line - well, that just might be the incentive I need to try for that little girl I always wanted! ;-)
 
Tag, you're it!  Got any ideas?

UPDATE ON 6/18/08:

Ok, I'm going to be wrapping this up in the next day or two.  If you have an idea, don't be shy - let's hear it!  There's been some really great ideas submitted so far - here's a quick recap (for more information about each, check out the comments section). 

Amy suggested a fanny pack...
Melanie suggested scrapbooking paper...
Vicki suggested a toddler bag...
...and I suggested a baby carrier

All great ideas, don't you think!  Starting next week, make sure you return to vote for your favorite in the next poll.

UPDATE ON 6/22/08:

We received one more entry.  Jillian suggested potholders and oven mitts...

All great ideas!  Voting has now started (see the poll on the right side of the page).  So, what are you waiting for - go vote!

UPDATE ON 7/26/08:

Well, I was running the poll over on the right side, but after doing some updates to the site, it's no longer working in the sidebar.  I have added it here, so you can still vote.

By the way, if you do want to vote, make sure you do it soon!  This poll is set to expire in just a couple more days, on July 31... 

Which Summer Pattern Is Your Favorite?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...