Cyber Monday Shopping

So really when it comes down to it, I am not much of a spender. I buy things I need, but I dont go on crazy shopping sprees. Maybe that is why I dont get excited about Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Although, this year I did participate in Cyber Monday. I had a coupon for Vera Bradley so I made good use of it.

I was going to take advantage of the Vera sale, but I forgot my coupon at home. I had 3 of them in my shopping cart to give as gifts, but one by one they sold out. By the time I got home from work, they were all sold out! Oh well, I was able to find other things that I liked just as much or more than the Vera's. Plus I was able to get the Raspberry Fizz Clutch Wallet that I wanted! Yay! I cant wait to give it a try.

The only other thing that I purchased was Thank You cards from Shutterfly with pictures from the 3 Day walk. They were on sale, plus free shipping. And I know you are probably saying, shut up already about ebates, but I was able to use ebates for both purchases...bonus!

I hope you were all able to find what you were looking for while shopping this past week!

Cyber Monday and Vera Bradley Holiday Coupon

Happy Cyber Monday to everyone! Today you can get Vera's in retiring colors for $35 and they extended the Large Duffel deal...you can pick those up today for $45. Also you get free shipping on all orders over $75...this kind of bums me out. I really wish that they were having free shipping with any order. After all it is Cyber Monday!

If you are shopping online today you really should check out ebates! You can get cash back for all of your online purchases, you just have to go through their website. You get double credit today! So instead of getting the normal 3% on verabradley.com you will get 6% back today. It doesn't sound like much, but it adds up! Plus they will give you $5 for signing up! Click here to check it out! They also provide coupons that will help you save. Another good coupon website that I use a lot is retailmenot.com. Both are worth checking out today.

So the reason that I was really hoping for free shipping was that I got my Holiday Coupon last week! It is for $20 off any purchase in the store or online. I am going to by a clutch wallet, because I have wanted one for a while and I have never purchased one. I put it in my shopping cart this weekend but then figured there would be free shipping today, so I waited. I even had a couple of small gifts, but it added up to $80 and with my coupon it took me below the minimum for the free shipping. Oh well, guess we just aren't that lucky today. You can check out pictures of the pretty card they sent me below. I believe you got one if you shop at a Vera Bradley store.

Happy Shopping!

Vera Sighting - TV

Wow, I missed this the first time I watched Glee from two weeks ago! This has to be a Poppy Fields bag, my guess is a Miller.

I hope everyone is having a great Thanksgiving!
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Vera Bradley and Tri Delta - Two of my favorite things

My Big Sister from Tri Delta just sent me my birthday present! Vera Bradley Tri Delta letters! And they are even in Tri Delta colors! I love it! Thanks Amber!
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Susan G. Komen 3 Day Walk Wrap Up

I know I havent been a good blogger for the last week. Last week I was sick and even had to stay home from work and then I participated in the Breast Cancer 3 Day walk. My feet are still sore! Today I will probably keep it short and just share a few pictures from the walk, but first I want to thank everyone who donated! Thank you so much because it wouldnt have been possible without you! I really appreciate everyone who participated in my Love Me Tote raffle and those who made donations when it looked like I was going to be a little short. Also thank you to Vera Bradley for donating the tote for the raffle. I ended up raising $2,575! All of the San Diego walkers raised over $10 million! What an accomplishment!

Day 1 - Team Bippity Boppity Boobs dressed up like super heros and ready to go!

It rained on Day 2! Here is a pictures of me and Brenda, our cute outfits were hidden all day under our ponchos!

Me and my mom at the closing ceremony! We have our Vera Bradley Cupcakes Pink Lanyards on, they were perfect for the walk!

Vera Sighting at Closing Ceremonies! New Hope Vera!

You can find out more about why I particiate in this event at www.the3day.org/goto/alison and you can find out more about the Vera Bradley Foundation at www.verabradley.org.

I will blog tomorrow

I am still recovering from the 3 Day walk. I promise to blog tomorrow!

Susan G Komen 3 Day for a Cure

Today is day 1 of the walk!! Save the Tatas!!! Go team Bippity Boppity Boobs!!!

My mom and I are sporting our Cupcakes Pink Lanyards!

www.the3day.org/goto/alison for more info!
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Trip to the Vera Bradley store in Roseville

Last Thursday I was in Sacramento so my friend Amber and I went to the Vera Bradley store. I had my birthday coupon so I used it to buy a Very Berry Paisley ornament and some mints. I also picked up 2 ornaments for my Mom.

We had Amber's niece and nephew with us, so one of the sales ladies gave us a candy cane type of candy, which was a little sticky, so we took the kiddos outside to eat it. They also gave us the Baroque Ornament cookies from the party the night before.

I also got a coin purse as a gift with purchase. I thought I was going to get the gift cube too since I spend over $65 but she told me to pick one. I should have gone with the note cube, but for some reason I was drawn to the coin purse, but really I already have enough coin purses. Oh well.

We had a great time just like we always do. The women were so friendly. I forgot to mention they got out a basket of stuff for the kids to do. The kids weren't that interested, but still that was really nice of them.
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Vera Bradley Sighting - TV

Vera Bradley Hope Garden Beach Towel on Modern Family. Very funny episode tonight! Thanks for the heads up Rachel!
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Vera Bradley Holiday Tote

From the postcard:
One day only: November 26
Vera Bradley Holiday Tote

Enjoy holiday shopping at Vera Bradley stores on Friday, November 26th and this Holiday Tote in new Baroque (a $48 value) is yours with a Vera Bradley purchase of $100 or more.
(While quantities last. See a store associate for complete details)

What a cute tote! I love how the handle attaches to the bag with the silver hardware. I hope that this one has pockets inside, because last years didn't and everything would get jumbled up in my bag. That is pretty much the reason I sold it.

I have been pretty good with my purchases lately and haven't been buying too much, so I don't know if I would even be able to spend that much. But I don't really have to worry about it since I don't live near a Vera Bradley store and I will be in San Diego for Thanksgiving. Someone who buys one will have to let me know if it has pockets inside.
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Vera Sighting

From Karen: I am in Charlotte at the mall. They must have a store here...

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

Vera Sighting

Night Owl that Amber spotted as we walked to the Oregon v Cal football game.
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Vera Sighting - TV

Vera on Desperate Housewives
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Vera Bradley on RueLaLa this Friday!

Vera Bradley is going to be on RueLaLa Friday! RueLaLa is a shopping website that hosts 2 day boutique sales. We wont know which Vera Bradley items or the price until the boutique "opens" The prices are pretty good, but last time they didnt have the best selection, hopefully it is better this time! If you want an invite you can sign up through this link:

http://www.ruelala.com/invite/aglabe I do get $10 if you sign up, but only if you buy something. Sign up and then you can share your link with your friends so you can start earning credits too!

Friday is the first day of the Susan G. Komen 3 Day for a Cure, so I will probably miss out on shopping. :(

Pink Pansy and Katherine Villagers!

I just got back last night from my trip to Northern California. First I have to say thank you to Amber for letting me crash at your place and driving me all over the place! And when I say all over, I mean it. We went to San Francisco, Berkeley, Stockton, 3 stores that sell Vera Bradley, etc. Haha. It was a really great trip with two major highlights. One is that Sophia had her baby and I got to go visit them! Awwww...she is such a sweetie! And the other is that I was able to get the bags that I wanted from craigslist! We had a bit of a communication breakdown, but in the end it all worked out and I couldnt be happier! I was able to get two of the retired style Villagers, one in Katherine (with a matching coin purse) and in Pink Pansy! Today is by birthday, so they are like a birthday present for myself :) I am super excited about them!

Oh Happy Day

So as you can see it worked out! I was able to get the Villagers! I am so excited. They are in awesome condition. I will take a better picture sometime this week.
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Craigslist FAIL

So I was super excited to to go Stockton to visit my friend Sophia who was pregnant...was...because she had her baby today!!! Congrats to Danny and Sophia who welcomed baby Teiko into the world today! I hope that I get to meet her on Sunday before I leave town.

The other reason that I was excited to go to Stockton was because I found my dream bag on craigslist. I found a Pink Pansy Villager! I love Pink Pansy and I love the old style Villager (cant stand the new one). But in addition to that, they were also selling a Katherine Villager with a Coin Purse. They wanted $75 for the whole set, but said if I bought it all that I could have it for $55. I guess the whole time I had a feeling it would fall through, but I was really hoping that it would happen. They told me to call on Thursday morning to figure out a time to pick up the bags, so gave them a call and the phone was disconnected! I got the message from the phone company that I had reached a number that had been disconnected or was no longer in service...major bummer. Plus I was having problems with email on my blackberry, so was Amber...neither of us had email service. So I called my mom and had her log into my email at home and she emailed them to see if they could call me since my email wasnt working and I couldnt call them. I never got a phone call or an email. I wonder if they sold them to someone else for more money or something. I really, really want them still. I might be back in Stockton on Sunday, so it would be great to hear from them so that I could buy them. Oh well. It was too good to be true.

Purse Swap

So I participated in the Pay it forward purse swap on one of the Vera Bradley discussion boards. I was able to snag someones Night & Day Handbag and someone snagged the Paprika Bucket Tote that I offered. I really wanted to try out a handbag, but didn't want to buy one, so when I saw it offered I jumped at the chance to try it. Plus I had bags to offer since I am trying to sell some on ebay. I am really glad that I did it! I can't wait to use it.

My blogging the rest of the week will be sporadic because I am heading out of town tonight. I am going to try to swing by a signature store to use my birthday coupon and to buy ornaments for my Mom. I also should be making a really fun purchase from Craigslist tomorrow, so stay tuned for that. If it works out I will be doing a happy dance for sure!!
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DeCluttering, part 3

Mailing my Pinwheel Pink Cell Phone Case and Blue Rhapsody Holiday Tote to their new owners today. They finally sold on ebay! You can list 100 items for free through Christmas which worked out well because these two didn't sell the first time, so I could relist them for free again. I also sold a grocery bag that wasn't Vera Bradley. I only have two bags left! The Little Terry Tote which doesn't look like anyone else has had any luck selling and my GUC Pink Pansy Tote. I will keep trying to sell those, hopefully they are gone by Christmas, we shall see.
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Do you have a Petite Paddy hiding in your closet??

Oh my goodness! How did I never notice this before?? I own a Paddy bag! I thought that I had Little Betsy bags, but nope, one is a Petite Paddy. I had seen Paddy’s listed on ebay before, but never paid attention to them, until this weekend. My Pink Pansy bag is a Petite Paddy! They are so close to the Betsy’s! I always thought that it was weird that my Pink Pansy bag seemed wider at the top than my Katherine bag. Well not only is it wider at the top, it is a little taller and the straps wrap all the way down and under the bag, also the straps are a little thicker. It seems so obvious now! I bought them both on ebay at different times and they were listed at Little Betsy purses. I never really compared them before. Well now I know! I really can’t believe it! Sorry for all the exclamation points, haha.

Pink Pansy Petite Paddy. It looks lopsided, but it isnt. The top is wider than a Betsy, the zipper is plastic, the straps are thicker and they wrap around the bottom of the purse and it is a little taller.

Little Betsy is a rectangle, has thinner straps and the straps stop at the bottom.
Here is a picture so that you can see that the pink one is bigger. Crazy! I seriously have had these bags the longest, so I cant believe I am just now figuring this out.

Vera Sighting - TV

Vera Sighting on DC Cupcakes. Mod Floral Pink Backpack
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Vera Bradley and the World Series

My friend Amber was lucky enough to the able to ditch, err, take the day off of work to go to San Francisco to go to the Giants World Series Champ Parade! The parade was major! My friends living in the city went, at least 3 of my coworkers flew up there for the day to go to it and another friend works in the Bank of America building like 25 stories up and she said it was so loud that they could hear it up there. Amber took a couple pictures and since they were using ther Vera Bradley bags I thought that I would share them with you all.

BART was just a little packed.

CAL Band, check out that crowd!

The players were on trolleys!

Go Giants! I mean, Go Padres! Next year is going to be our year!

Melissa with her Imperial Toile Hipster and Amber with her Paprika Bucket Tote.

Vera Bradley Holiday Collection

I am so bummed that I left my Vera Bradley Holiday Catalog at work yesterday! I was going to take pictures of it and post it, but I guess it doesnt really matter since they are online today. I love the knit hat and scarf! I will be picking up an ornament because I have bought one since they started making them 2 years ago. I have Raspberry Fizz and Pinwheel Pink from the first year and Symphony in Hue from last year. I think that I might get Very Berry Paisley. Click here to check it all out! Don't forget to check out ebates if you are going to be shopping online! Ebates has almost every store, like snapfish, ebay, avon, VERA BRADLEY, so check it out! My next check is for $25 and I barely shop online!

Vera Bradley Giveaway at Mammamoiselle

Head on over to Mammoamoiselle.blogspot.com for a chance to enter to win a Vera Bradley Very Berry Paisley Wristlet!

Mini Note Cube and Holiday Collection

Starting tomorrow you can you can get a free Mini Note Cube with any purchase of $65 or more at a participating retailer. This offer is good from November 4 to November 15 - My Birthday :)

They are in 5 new colors. Worth checking out if you have any purchases planned.

Also starting tomorrow the new Holiday collection will be available. It includes scarfs, knit caps, watches and ornaments. I cant wait to see it all. I hear about the pricing and it seems a little high for what I would be willing to spend, but we shall see. Some of it is really cute. I can't wait to see it online tomorrow.

Photo from verabradley.com

Shopping for my Halloween Costume

So I didn't give my self much time to make my Halloween costume. As soon as I decided to be a Vera Bradley purse, I called my Mom to see if she had time to do it. When she said she could I ran to Joann's on my lunch break to see what kind of material they had because I was going to be busy that night and the next night I had to take the material to my parent's house which is about 45 minutes away. My mom made the dress in about a day and I love the way it turned out. Here are some pictures that I took while I was at Joann's trying to decide what material I was going to use. I had less options than I thought that I would have.

I thought that maybe this one could have been Cupcakes Pink, but I really don't like that minty green and sorbet orange. Yuck.
Then I found the quilted fabric! There were only maybe 15 to pick from. This one could have been my version of Night & Day.

Then I found this one! It reminded me of Katherine and I knew I wasnt going to get a better match than this!

I had to find a pattern for my dress. I picked up an easy one since I didnt give my mom much time. While I was looking through the patterns I came across these. Dont they look like the Vera Bradley Hipster and Bowler?

Halloween Pictures - I was a Vera Bradley Purse!

Halloween this year was a lot of fun! I couldn't decide what to go as, so my friend Karen said, "You should go as a Vera Bradley bag!" Duh...why hadn't I thought of that?? So I headed to Joann's and found material that looks pretty close to Katherine. I was so excited. I found a simple pattern because I had only give my mom one weeks notice. She made me a super cute dress! It even had straps/handles! I LOVE my Halloween costume! It was a big hit at the parties that I went to this weekend.

Me and my Little Betsy in Katherine!

Side shot so you could see the purse straps.

Nick strangling, I mean carrying, the purse.

I wasn't the only one at the party with a Vera Bradley bag! Check out this Medallion On the Go. She is candy corn!

Here is one group picture from Friday night.

I hope that you all had an amazing Halloween.

Today is my Dad's birthday, so I want to give him a shout out today. Happy Birthday Dad!!