As I am sure  most of you know by now, the Vera Bradley tote was redesigned for fall 2008.  I am going to go out on a limb and guess that the first questions that popped into yours minds are probably the same ones that popped into mine.  Namely, how is the new tote the same, and what has changed? 

To answer these questions, here is a quick rundown of the old versus new:

Size

Nothing has changed as far as size.  Both styles are 11¾” x 13½” x 4″.

Shoulder Strap

Again, no changes.  Both styles feature a 12½” strap drop.

Pockets

Finally, some differences…

The old tote had one interior slip pocket.  The new bag features two more, for a grand total of not one, not two, but three interior pockets!

Closure

Another difference!  The old style’s button closure has been replaced with a more stylish tortoise toggle.

Price Tag

I wish I could say this hasn’t changed.  The new Vera Bradley tote retails for $2.00 more than the old style, coming in at a suggested retail price of $46.00.

As promised, there’s the quick comparison.  Let me know what you think about the changes…

As I am writing this, the 15th Annual Vera Bradley Classic is wrapping up.  The Classic is a three day event combining tennis exhibitions with 18- and 9-hole golf tournaments, all to raise money for breast cancer research.  Last year, the Classic brought in over one million dollars, and with a record number of participants this year (and fantastic weather), it’s likely that the 2008 event will again raise more than one million dollars for breast cancer research.

I recently read that the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer has raised more than seven million dollars for this cause.  The Classic is just one way the company is raising money for breast cancer research.  They also donate a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of certain fabric patterns, as well as 100% of the proceeds from their annual outlet ticket sales. 

The Vera Bradley Foundation also raises funds by selling pink ribbons in their “Turn the Town Pink” event.  Currently, hundreds (if not thousands) of trees in downtown Fort Wayne have large pink ribbons tied around their trunks.  Each ribbon has the name of a person who has battled breast cancer.  It’s really something to see - I plan to take some pictures to share with you, and I hopefully will post them soon…

Yes, you read that right - Vera Bradley, Wendy’s Frosty, and gasoline.  Seemingly unrelated, right?  Well, not this time…

Yesterday, I made a quick stop at our local downtown Wendy’s.  The Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer has collaberated with Wendy’s and Marathon.  For every $1.00 donation to the Foundation, you receive a coupon for a Wendy’s Frosty, as well as another coupon for $0.75 worth of gasoline.  Not a bad deal, eh?

Sure, I know at these prices, $0.75 will buy you, oh, only about two ounces of gas.  But hey, it’s still a bargain!  And the coupon is for a Junior Frosty - not the big one.  But that’s better for the waistline anyway!

I am not sure if this offer is citywide, statewide or nationwide, but it’s a great way to support a good cause, so I thought I would share it with you, just in case it’s also available in your community.  I did check Wendy’s website and the Vera Bradley Foundation’s website to see if either made mention of the deal, but nada.  If it is available where you live, feel free to leave a post and let other visitors of Discount Fabric Handbags know…