Hey Fort Wayne readers, I have some great news!  Vera Bradley is opening another production facility, this one in New Haven.  The company has hashed out plans to lease the Nishikawa building on Adams Center Road, and will add 490 new jobs over the next two years.

I drive past the Nishikawa building all the time, and think to myself, what a waste!  Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the building is less than fifteen years old.  Funny thing…my husband actually got a job there when Nishikawa first opened.  He only stayed about two weeks, because a much better job offer came along, and thankfully, he took it (especially considering Nishikawa’s short stint).  But now, Vera Bradley is moving in!  I’m sure you will agree - our economy can use all the help it can get, especially with the migration of good manufacturing jobs out of the city, out of the state, and out of the country!

This is not only good news for Fort Wayne/New Haven - it’s good news for anyone who loves the quality of Vera Bradley products, and the fact that the majority of their products are made here in the U.S.A.  Personally, I wish that ALL their products were made here in the United States, but unfortunately, they are not.  To me, a sure sign of quality is that little tag that says “Made In America”. 

Well, I am glad to hear there will be more Vera Bradley handbags, luggage and other accessories produced here…

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…

I purchased the Vera Bradley Hipster at this year’s outlet sale, and just within the past week or so, started using it.  Although my usual bag is a Villager (or one of the other similarly sized purses), I really loved the styling of the Hipster and thought I could handle downsizing.  Unfortunately, I ran into a few issues…

I still love the styling, and I have received a ton of compliments, even though I just started using it.  I think I counted four or five compliments just at the family Fourth of July party I attended this weekend!  After commenting on the bag, however, I have had a few people ask me what I think about it.  And as much as I hate to say anything bad about my favorite line of handbags, I did have a few complaints regarding this particular one.

My biggest complaint is that the bag is simply too narrow.  It is deep, which I like, but since it is so narrow, it’s very difficult to get at anything that is at the bottom.  I am training myself to put my car keys in the outside pocket, because when I throw them inside the purse, it’s a struggle to get them back out.

Another thing I don’t like are the interior pockets.  It has two slip interior pockets on one side of the bag, and for some reason, I find I’m always catching my wallet or checkbook on the pockets.  Personally, I think they stick out too far into the interior of the bag, and that’s causing the problem.  It happens so frequently, I just know I am going to end up tearing one of the pockets.  Aaargh!  I also wish that it had an interior zipper pocket.  Good thing it has one on the outside of the bag!

Besides the overall look of the Vera Bradley Hipster, there are a couple of things that I do like (not everything’s negative!).  I like the two exterior pockets.  As I already mentioned, there’s a good-sized one with a zipper, but just above that one, there’s another slip pocket that goes the entire width of the bag, which I think is handy. 

I also like the strap.  It’s adjustable, and I find that I like having the ability to change its length.  Sometimes I leave it long and sling the bag across my body.  Other times I shorten it up and carry it like a traditional handbag.  It all just depends on my mood.

As of fall 2008, the Hipster has been restyled.  I am guessing that a lot of the issues that I experienced with the older model have been addressed.  The new style has three interior slip pockets.  The company also describes it as having a “roomier interior”.  The new style still has an adjustable strap, although the exterior pockets have been restyled.  There’s now only one on the front of the bag, and it snaps shut.  The zippered exterior pocket has been relocated to the back of the bag.

So, that’s my review.  Even though I had issues, I’m sure I will carry it around for several more months.  At some point, I will probably pick up the restyled version too. 

As always, if you have anything to say, feel free to leave a comment…

I sometimes forget that what may be “breaking news” here is of very little importance outside of my little bubble in the world.  For those of you who do not know already, I live close to Fort Wayne, the same city that the Vera Bradley company calls “home”. 

The big news here in Fort Wayne is regarding a lawsuit that was filed this week against the Vera Bradley company.  The lawsuit was filed by the company’s former supplier, claiming breach of contract.  You can see the full article and get more details here.

Basically, the company was sued by its former supplier, Robert Hinty and his three companies, because it moved its production operations in-house earlier this year.  Hinty was not only a supplier, but a former employee of the company, who took out a $3 million loan to grow his business as a supplier for Vera Bradley. 

Do I think this lawsuit is going to be a problem?  No, I think it’s just a minor hiccup, and I’m guessing that the ladies running the show there knew it was coming.  

Having worked in the legal field for several years, I always think its funny to watch Boston Legal (type) shows, where someone gets sued one day, and the very next day they show them in Court duking it out.  In real life, it never happens that way.  It takes months, usually years, before the case goes to Court.  Nine out of ten times the case settles before it ever makes it to that point.

I think that will be the outcome here.  Vera Bradley will file an answer to the complaint.  The parties will exchange discovery requests.  It may even make it as far as mediation.  But in the end, I think the parties will come to some private settlement.  Hinty will be able to pay back his loan, and may even get some start-up capital for his next venture, and both parties will move forward.

Of course, I could always be wrong!  It’s just my personal thoughts on the matter.  However, I will keep an eye on how the situation progresses and keep you updated. 

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 always finish the weekend by kicking back and watching Desperate Housewives, but this season there has been a new guest star that has appeared in almost every episode.  If you know me, and you read this blog, you will know I’m talking about Bree’s “sidekick”, Vera Bradley! 

I noticed Vera Bradley on the show when Bree (Marcia Cross’s character) moved into Susan’s house after her house was damaged by the tornado.  Since that initial appearance, Bree has been sporting a Vera bag in just about every scene that shows her out and about. 

I think this Sunday, when I cuddle up to watch my favorite ladies of Wisteria Lane, I’m going to start a new drinking game.  Every time I see Vera Bradley in a scene, it’s bottoms up!  Who’s with me?  Think we’ll have a hangover on Monday - Mondays are rough as it is, so what the heck!

My husband says that he doesn’t like me watching the show - that he thinks it’s a bad influence…

I guess he’s probably right!