I just added a new category for the Vera Bradley Mimi Backpacks on the Discount Fabric Handbags store, and it got me thinking about how much I miss the one I used to have.  As a matter of fact, I even have a vivid memory of finding out that the style was retiring (I guess I was a little too attached!)…

My oldest son is now ten, but when he was just a little guy, we would have weekly playdates with his friend Cassidy.  During the summer, Cassidy’s mom and I would meet at the zoo here in Fort Wayne every Friday.   We would load up our Mimi backpacks with water bottles and Teddy Grahams, cover the kids in sunscreen, and go and spend a good couple of hours with the monkeys and zebras.

It was during one of these Friday outings that Cassidy’s mom informed me that our favorite backpack line was joining the ranks of discontinued Vera Bradley products.  It may seem superficial to some, but we were mutually bummed over the news! 

Unfortunately, the bag I took on all those weekly zoo trips eventually wore out and ended up in the Goodwill box.  Cassidy’s mom and I also lost touch, as our kids grew and their maturing interests consumed our schedules.  However, any time I see a Vera Bradley Mimi backpack (and they are still around, believe it or not), I think of those zoo trips - and fondly remember the good times we had with Cassidy and her mom.

Check out the results of our most recent poll regarding cleaning Vera Bradley bags.

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As you can see, the overwhelming majority responded that they clean their purses “all the time” in the washing machine.  For those on the fence for this issue (according to our poll, a quarter of our readers), there are some things you should keep in mind…

First, most of the purses made from the classic cotton fabrics are fine to put in the washing machine on the gentle cycle using cool water.  If the purse has a removeable base, make sure to take it out before tossing the bag in the wash.  Keep in mind, however, that many of the matching accessories are spot clean only.  To be on the safe side, when you first purchase an item, make note of the care instructions. 

Second, make sure that the detergent you are using is ok to use with cotton fabrics.  Some detergents, such as Woolite for Delicates, are not recommended. 

Finally, although cleaning most Vera bags in the washing machine is ok, drying in the dryer is not.  The best method is good old fashioned air drying.  

It is important to note that items from the Vera Bradley microfiber and silk collections should NOT be cleaned in the washing machine, nor is it recommended that they be dry cleaned.  Instead, spot cleaning is the way to go for these limited edition fabrics. 

Thanks to all who voted, and of course, if you have any tips to share regarding caring for Vera Bradley bags and accessories, make sure you share by leaving a comment here.

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!

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… 

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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…

I just came across another website that is giving away a Vera Bradley Raspberry Fizz Messenger Bag.  If you would like a chance to win the Messenger Bag, hurry on over to Purple Pink and Orange.

The deadline to enter is May 31 (sorry for the short notice). It’s very easy to enter.  Simply leave a comment under the post about the Vera Bradley Giveaway, and you will be contacted by e-mail if you win the drawing.  It doesn’t get any easier than that, does it!

If you are reading this and the May 31st deadline to enter has already passed, check out the other giveaways sponsored by Purple Pink and Orange.  Apparently, they have a drawing once a week, and from the look of past giveways, I know that I personally will be entering their weekly drawings!  

Good luck to all!    

And of course, if you do win, return here to post a comment gloating over your victory…

I just finished reading a post on Vera Bradley’s Facebook page regarding the new fall 2008 fabrics.  Ok, so you may be thinking to yourself…

“We just wrapped up Memorial Day weekend, the kickoff to summertime activities.  The last thing I want to hear about is what’s coming out this fall!”

I initially thought that too, but I’m just not good at keeping things to myself.  So what the heck, here’s what you can expect to see from the Vera Bradley company in just a few more months…

Night Owl - This is a blue and black pattern.  I don’t know much more, but I’m guessing by its name that it will be dark tones.

Puccini - This Fall 2008 Vera Bradley fabric is brown and dark orange.   Not exactly my taste in colors, but we’ll have to see…

Caffe Latte - If this one lives up to its name, I’m going to love it!  From what I hear, it has shades of browns, creams and tans. 

Frankly Scarlet - A little spin on Gone with the Wind, me thinks?  I have heard this red pattern described as “gothic”.  Interesting, huh?

At this point, that’s all I know.  If I can get my hands on some pics, you can bet that I will post them here.  I am going to check with my local Vera Bradley retail store - it seems to me that’s where most of the Facebook members received their sneak peek.

UPDATE ON JUNE 19, 2008:

Hopefully by now everyone has seen pics of the new fall styles.  I just returned from my local Vera Bradley retail store, and I have to agree with Amy (see comments below), the fabrics are a lot better in person!  My two favorites are the Puccini and the Night Owl.

I took my camera with me - I wanted to get a few pictures to post here.  However, wouldn’t you know it, my camera batteries were dead!  I considered running over to Walgreens to get some replacements, but my three year old had other plans. (I think he polished off my cup of coffee this morning when I wasn’t looking.  Not really, but that’s what I told the ladies at the VB store.  They tried to force a smile, but by the way they kept glancing at the door, I got the feeling they were anxiously waiting for us to leave!)   Anyway, we had to call it a day and go home for a nap…

I was so excited to see Vera Bradley on the Desperate Housewives season finale!  If you didn’t catch it, Susan (Teri Hatcher’s character) handed Mike a Vera Bradley Mod Floral Pink Travel Cosmetic case when she was packing up to leave the hospital after giving birth to their new baby boy. 

Mod Floral Pink must be a favorite pattern among the ladies of Wisteria Lane — Marcia Cross’s character carried a tote bag in that particular pattern in several episodes this season.  This particular episode was the first time I saw another character with a Vera product.  Oh, Vera Bradley and Desperate Housewives - two guilty pleasures in one! 

The finale was great, but it’s torture waiting for next season.  I was a little worried at the end when they ran the “five years later” segment.  My first thought was that I must have missed some news that they were wrapping up the series - but they threw a couple of kickers in and it looks like there will be more to come…

I am always on the lookout for contests and giveaways featuring free Vera Bradley products.  The most recent contest I found is by Guideposts magazine, with an entry deadline of May 31, 2008.  The theme of the contest is “Giving Back” and it features products with profits that support cancer research and awareness. 

The contest includes a Vera Bradley Pinwheel Pink purse.  Like the now retired Pink Elephants print, Vera Bradley donates 10% of the net proceeds from the sale of Pinwheel Pink to the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer and other breast cancer projects and services.  

In addition to the Pinwheel Pink handbag, the contest giveaway also includes the following items:

• a pink Kitchenaid stand mixer

• “In Great Taste”, a cookbook from Evelyn H. Lauder, the found of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation

• a necklace that supports the Cancer Schmancer organization

• Clinique’s “Color for Cause” all over glow and lipgloss

• a pink silicone cake pan from Kitchenaid

• a pink and white umbrella from gustbuster.com

Good luck!

Drumroll please…

Vera Bradley Raspberry Fizz fabric is the winner of our poll for favorite new Spring 2008 Vera Bradley pattern!  The results are as follows:

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Thanks to everyone who voted!  If you didn’t get a chance to vote this time, I’ll be running other polls.  Make sure you check back in and keep sharing your opinions!

Just wanted to wish all the moms out there a very happy Mother’s Day! 

I’m blessed to be mom to two little guys, although one isn’t so little anymore - he’s almost bigger than me!  My oldest gave me a coupon book to be used for chores (I remember giving one to my mom when I was little, but I don’t remember her using any of the coupons).  My youngest gave me a necklace made out of Fruit Loops.  I thought about wearing it to church this morning, but I’m afraid he might make a snack out of it!  

Have a wonderful day today, and happy mother’s day!