Happy One Year Anniversary!

A year ago I got the crazy idea to start a blog about Vera Bradley stuff. I thought that it would be fun to share stories and photos with my family and friends, I never would have thought that my blog would be such a hit or have so many fans. I am really glad so many people enjoy reading it. I really enjoy when I get emails from readers sharing how much they love Vera Bradley as well.

I never would have guessed that a year later I was still able to think of things to write about!

Here a few links to some of my favorite posts:

My first blog:
http://www.ohmyvera.com/2010/02/it-wasnt-love-at-first-sight.html

I LOVE Pink Pansy:
http://www.ohmyvera.com/2010/03/pink-pansy-best-ebay-find-ever.html

It is always fun to find stuff on craigslist:
http://www.ohmyvera.com/2010/06/chanticleer.html

Receiving a Surprise and Delight gift from Vera Bradley:
http://www.ohmyvera.com/2010/06/surprise-and-delight.html

Washing Vera Bradley Purses and Totes

Hanging out to dry.

I had bought a couple of bags off of Craigslist and Ebay and they didnt smell bad, they just smelled different so I wanted to wash them. After consulting with some of my Vera friends it was decided that the best way to wash them was with some distilled vinegar. So I took the baseboards out of my Pink Pansy and Katherine Villagers along with the baseboard from my Emily Tote. I threw them all in the washing machine along with a coin purse and added my regular detergent (Tide). I have a front loading washing machine, so after I added the detergent, I filled the dispenser with vinegar so that the two would mix. Then I just washed the bags on delicate. Vinegar is supposed to keep the colors from running and it totally did the trick. The bags came out looking bright. They were pretty wet, so I put them in the dryer for about 15 minutes without a dryer sheet. Then I hung them outside for the rest of the day. They turned out great! I am so glad I decided to wash them. I had been a little concerned about how they would turn out, but I now have no worries about throwing a bag in the wash!

Just like new!

Ebates! $$$

I know that I have talked about ebates before, but I just cant stress enough that this is a free website that will pay you when you shop online. I use it for any online shopping that I do since they have so many stores. I used it a couple of weeks ago for Turbo Tax and was able to get money back for doing my taxes! I have also used it for ebay, Vera Bradley, Landsend, Groupon & Shutterfly. You will get $5 for signing up. Some of you have signed up, but havent used it yet. It is really easy...just go to ebates and select the store you want to shop at from their long list of stores. When you go through ebates it will make a tracking ticket, so that you will get credit for your purchase. I just got a check last week for $50.52! I could get a Vera Bradley bag with all that cash! But for now it is safely tucked away in my savings account.

Use this referral link and I will get $5 after you make your first qualified purchase. Once you sign up, it will give you your own link and you can refer your friends and then you will get another $5. http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=%2FErAdI4aSB0GiH8xM3j2Zg%3D%3D

Happy Shopping!

I'm back from my scrapbooking retreat!

Hi Everyone, I am back from my 3 day weekend. I actually took last Friday off from work so that I could head up to Big Bear (the local mountains/ski resorts) for a weekend of scrapbooking! We stay at Apples Bed and Breakfast. It is an amazing location because they have conference rooms that they rent out to crafters. Plus they have the most amazing food. I LOVE their breakfasts, snacks and desserts! I can't believe that I haven't bought their cookbook yet, I really should!

I get teased at work for scrapbooking, like it is a hobby that only little old ladies take part in, but believe me scrapbooking is for everyone. Everyone down here in San Diego knew that it was snowing up there this weekend, so they ask if I went skiing or did any snow activities...nope, no time to play in the snow! I had a lot of scrapbooking to do and it kept me busy all weekend. I really enjoy it and it is great to see all of my photos in albums that I know will last a long time.


I took a lot of Vera with me on the trip. My Pink Pansy Large Duffel made the trip with me and I had it all loaded up. I also had my Riviera Blue Vera tote and my new Folkloric Get Carried Away tote with me. Those were loaded up with scrapbooking stuff. I don't know how I toted all of this stuff around before I had my Vera Bradley bags.


I hope that you all had a nice Presidents Day!

Vera Imposter

Marie Osmond bags at Tuesday Morning. Eww
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Vera Sighting - Modern Family

The glare might make it hard to see, but the coat rack has an Olivia in Blue Rhapsody and something in Purple Punch.
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Vera Bradley Dockside Canvas Collection and Card Keeper Promotion

Get ready for the next Vera Bradley promotion - the Card Keeper!

Check out the postcards below.

Here is the text in case it is hard to read:

This carefree collection features sun-and-fun worthy canvas with off-white piping and colorful floral accents. Created to coordinate perfectly with the new Spring 2011 Signature Collection colors, all three styles are available in Clementine, Indigo, Periwinkle and Sand.

The Dockside Canvas Collection arrives at Vera Bradley Stores on March 3.


The Card Keeper – Yours for just $16 from March 3-14 (no additional purchase necessary).


The fine print: While in stock quantities last. Limit one offer per customer or household. Visit verabradley.com/terms or see a store associate for complete details.


Thanks to one of my Vera friends for sharing the postcard since I didnt receive one!

Vera Bradley On a Clear Day

Today is the day that On a Clear Day is released! This resort collection is great because it is clear so you can see what is inside and it is not cotton (not really sure what it is exactly, vinyl? laminated? who knows...) so it would be great for the beach or pool. I dont go to either of those places often, because my pale skin much prefers to be under an umbrella. Click here to check it out. Or check out this video that Vera Bradley posted on Inside Stitch:

And today I am still carrying a pink bag...using my Very Berry Paisley Crossroads Tote. Tomorrow I might switch back to my Cupcakes Pink Pleated Tote because I am headed out of town on a scrapbook trip and will probably need a tote.

Make Me Blush

Today it is raining in San Diego and it is supposed to be raining on and off for the next week. I decided to use my Make Me Blush Charleston Tote because it makes me think of spring. I really like the Charleston Tote, they should bring it back!
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Vera Imposter

Spotted at Walmart
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Pink Week

In an effort to use some of my bags sitting in my closet I was inspired by Valentine's Day to make this "pink week." I am going to swap out my purse everyday for a new pink one. Today I decided to go with my Loves Me Alice bag! I love Alice, and not just because it was my grandmother name, but because of its great style. Now I just have to decide what I am going to carry tomorrow!

Also...today my ebay auctions end, so check them out! Click here!

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Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!!! I hope that you all have a lovely Valentine's Day! This year I mailed out Valentine's to all of my friends who don't live in San Diego. It is a lot of fun to send out cards. I even mailed one to my sister in Ukraine...I hope she got it!

I decided to switch up bags today and carry my Cupcakes Pink Pleated Tote. I had been carrying my Twirly Birds Navy Pleated Tote for the last month. I just love the size of it. I decided to also put my Cupcakes Pink flower pin on my bag for some extra pizazz. But then I got an email from Vera Bradley saying that all Love Me is 50% off! Got me thinking maybe I should carry my Alice in Loves Me today. Guess it will be a last minute decision before I run out the door.

I also decided to make chocolate and strawberry cupcakes for my friends at work! I found them on the blog Tidy Mom. Click here for the recipe. I highly recommend these cupcakes! I tried one last night and they were soooo good. I decided that I had to have one for breakfast just to make sure that whip cream/strawberry centers weren't melty, but they were still creamy. I can't wait to share them at work!

Raising $$ for the 3 Day walk on Ebay

One more post today...why not? :) Just wanted to let you all know that I am selling those Vera Bradley bags on ebay to raise money for the 3 Day walk. So check it out! http://shop.ebay.com/galison01/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25 You can also find out more about the 3 Day walk here:www.the3day.org/goto/alison

Vera Bradley is Making Waves!

It is your lucky day...two posts today since I didnt have time yesterday. And today is the release of the Making Waves collection! It first I wasnt so sure about if I liked the way the patchwork looked this time, but I really love it in Blue Lagoon...it almost literally looks like a wave! Perfect for the spring and summer. I kind of want to pick up a clutch! Check out this video Vera Bradley put together to debut their new collection.

Do you have Vera hiding in your desk?

Last week I got a call from Karen one of my friends at work. She told me I wouldn't believe what she just realized she had at her desk...Vera Bradley stationary! Karen is one of my friends that likes to tease me about my Vera, so it was pretty funny that she had some herself. I ran upstairs...almost literally...to take a picture. Sure enough, she had Bermuda Pink stationary that she picked up at Marshall's a while back when they were carrying VB. She had it for a while too, she only had one card left. So...do you have any Vera hiding in your desk?

Amber, Melissa and Kendra's shopping loot, plus a new Vera fan!

Amber and her friends Melissa and Kendra went to the Vera Bradley store last week to pick a few things. I am loving what they bought! The All Wrapped Up in Blue Lagoon is mine :) Amber picked it up for me since none of the stores near me were offering it. Amber bought a Metropolitan! She has been wanting one and finally got it! That bag is on my wish list! Melissa picked up a Weekender! Her favorite color is green so the Lemon Parfait was a great choice.

Kendra picked up her first Vera Bradley bags! Baroque has been the 1st Vera bags for a bunch of our friends, I think that it was a really great decision for Vera Bradley to release that color. I bet they dont retire it for a long time.

Welcome to the club Kendra! Get ready, because you wont be able to stop at just two!

Vera Bradley Purses and Laptop Bag for Sale

Here are more pictures of the bags that were donated to me to raise money for the Susan G. Komen 3 Day for a Cure. I am hoping to sell them for $45 each plus shipping. Email me at ohmyvera@gmail.com if you are interested.

Turquoise Microfiber Laptop Bag: Just like new, bright fun color for toting around your laptop. Front has one zipper pocket, back has 2 zipper pockets plus two slip in pockets. Inside has a full length zipper along the back and 3 slip in pockets on the other side. There is also a larger slip in pocket on the side. Rolled handles.

White Silk Purse with flowers and butterflies:

One strap with silver and green hardware. Zipper closure. Inside is lined with polka dots and has one zipper pocket and two slip in pockets. About 13x8x1 with 8inch drop strap. Flower embellishment on front with green wooden beads in center.

Tropical Silk Purse:

Styled kind of like the Tie Tote.

About 12x9x5 with about 10 inch drop strap. Two straps. Lined with Pink, one zipper pocket and two slip ins. Has 4 feet on the bottom, there is just a little wear on them. Otherwise the bag looks just like new! Ties on the side so you could open the bag up more if you wanted. Magnetic closure.

Vera Bradley Bags for Sale

My mom's friend has donated some bags for me to sell to raise money for the Susan G. Komen 3 Day Walk. I don't have prices yet, but if you are interested send me an email at ohmyvera@gmail.com. I will post more pictures tomorrow or Monday. I will probably list them on ebay in a couple days.

Two are silk purses and the turquoise one is a microfiber laptop bag.

For more information about the 3 day walk you can go to www.the3day.org/goto/alison.
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Vera Bradley All Wrapped Up and $5 Shipping from vb.com

There are two things to let you know about today. The first is that verabradley.com is offering $5 ground shipping now through Sunday, February 6th.

The second is that you can purchase the All Wrapped Up jewelry case now through February 14th for just $18! My friend was able to pick mine up for me last night :) I decided to go with Blue Lagoon. I still havent seen that color in person, but it is really starting to grow on me.

Photo from verabradley.com

Vera Bradley - Time for a Spring Break

Check out this cute catalog that Vera Bradley put together for the Spring. You will get a look at the On a Clear Day and Making Waves collections.

Flip for Spring February 17-21. For a limited time, pick up a pair of our New Printed Flip Flops for just $12 with the purchase of a Vera Bradley Beach Towel in one of our four Spring colors!