Sunday, January 10, 2010

Caved and Splurged

After years of making dumb comments* about how I could never ever justify such a purchase... I broke down and did it.

My in-laws gave me some money for Christmas, and so with that money I went ahead and bought a Vera Bradley bag... and a matching wallet. And I hate to admit - I love them both, can see where they can be addictive (if you're into purses/purse accessories, which I am), and still stand behind my previous statements that they are way overpriced. I can honestly say I never would have bought them if I did not receive the money as a gift... but yes, I love them.

After months (okay... years) of watching the Vera Bradley patterns and not liking at least 50% of them, I realized there were a few that I really liked in their latest line-up: Raspberry Fizz, Java Blue, Cupcakes Pink, and Carnaby. While we were at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center yesterday waiting for Steve's dad to get out of surgery, I went into their gift-shop and noticed that the prices on the bag and wallet I liked were not any different than the local Hallmark store. In addition to that, part of the proceeds go back to the hospital funds which means you're supporting a great research & teaching hospital. This meant that I could feel somewhat better about purchasing a Vera Bradley product.

When the jury in my head deliberated and looked around, I decided on the Betsy purse and the zip-around wallet in Java Blue. The wallet is one of the best I've ever owned, and the bag is very roomy without being too bulky. I can easily fit my wallet, coupons, and a book along with all the other junk I carry around on a regular basis.

Here they are in all of their glory:


Like I said - I love them and would definitely get them again, though, I think next time I would look for a good deal on Craigslist, eBay, or a local consignment shop.

*To those who I have made dumb comments about Vera Bradley to in the past, I hear-by officially publicly apologize. You were right. These are great products. It's just the price tag I have a hard time getting past.

6 comments:

Nikki Neurotic said...

It looks like a nice purse, and uit looks like it'll last for awhile. Sometimes it's worth spending the money if you know the item is going to last a few years.

Batmamma said...

Nice bag and wallet :-)

Great how they can have same prices at medical centre as in Hallmark and still give some of proceeds back to a good cause :-)

Unknown said...

Hey! I'm one of your partners in the be my blog follower swap on swap-bot. I've just clicked to follow your blog! (I think... blogger is a bit confusing... XD)
I'm kaytd89 by the way.

O Arrow said...

Hi! I am your partner for swap-bot's blogger swap. Love those bags! Also, the name of your blog is awesome! More soon. :)

Unknown said...

Kristin is still using one bag from like 3 years ago..for what I thought was originally just a gimmicky bag, they are extremely well made...enjoy it!

kat said...

That's a really cute bag and wallet. Now you gotta do a post on the items you lug arround on a daily basis - with photos etc. :)