Book Review - Vera Bradley Coloring Books (Round 2)

Disclosure: I received copies of these books for review. I only accept copies of books for review that look like something I would normally buy or check out at library.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Remember a couple of months ago I received two Vera Bradley coloring books to review?  Well since I'm a huge Vera Bradley fan and I loved the books, I was sent two more for review.  What I love about Vera Bradley doing coloring books is that they have tons of patterns to choose from and are able to group together into different books.  And they used not just the external patterns you see when the bags are being carried but the patterns used on the inside of the bags!  Here are the two books I received this time, "Seize the Day" and "Enjoy the Journey".

The inside of "Seize the Day" - this is my favorite of all the coloring books I've seen not only because it's got one of my favorite patterns on the cover (I have a tote in this pattern), but the patterns inside are more graphic than the other books.  Love!

Inside "Enjoy the Journey".

Again, I am super impressed by these books, the details and layouts are really nice. In addition to the four I've reviewed there are more books, see here.  I would totally recommend them if you are a Vera Bradley fan or if you know someone who is, they would be a great gift idea!

Book Review - Vera Bradley Coloring Books

Disclosure: I received copies of these books for review. I only accept copies of books for review that look like something I would normally buy or check out at library.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was super excited to be approached to review these books!  Not only am I a huge Vera Bradley fan, but honestly this is a logical fit for the brand.  They have a goldmine of patterns to choose from which are like familiar friends and you can either color them like they made them or color them your own way.  I received two books, "Paisley Patterns" and "Floral Patterns".  Aren't they pretty?

Now these aren't just coloring books, each has a great full color section in the beginning about color, supplies you might need, techniques you might want to use and a very handy gallery of patterns in their original colorways (for reference).  It's really well done and helpful.  It makes the book a little more special in my opinion.

 As you can see the pages are detailed and some include inspiring quotes.  In the very back are pretty gift cards and tags you can color then pop out to use.  A nice extra!

Overall, I was super impressed by these books, the details and layouts are really nice. These aren't the only ones they have, see more here.  I would totally recommend them if you are a Vera Bradley fan or if you know someone who is, they would be a great gift idea!  

What I Bought - February 2014

Time again to round up what I bought this past month.  I'd say this is a pretty typical month, so let's see what damage was done.

1. Everlane The Short Sleeve sweatshirt - $28

2. Everlane The Women's V tee - $15

3. Vera Bradley Weekender (in retired pattern English Rose) - $65 via Poshmark

4. Nars Schiap nail polish - $19

5. Amlactin body lotion - $22.99

6. Banana Republic purse - $15 thrifted

7. J.Crew short sleeve cardigan - $9 thrifted

8. MeUndies women's brief - $20

The rest of the stuff pictured with the briefs are goodies MeUndies sent for review (to come).

Total = $193.99
- $24 thrift store credit (from selling to them)
- $20 MeUndies gift card via FitFabFun Winter Box
- $37 Poshmark credit
Total spent out of pocket = $112.99

Go forth and shop responsibly!

I'm linking up with Budgeting Bloggers over at Franish!

What I Bought - December 2013

Well, I ended this year on a bang with the spending.  I hit a lot of after Christmas sales and got some great deals.  I mixed a few needs with a couple of wants.  So here we go:

1. Vera Bradley East West tote  - $20.25 (sale plus 25% off promo)
2. J.Crew Factory tiny dot tee - $16.73 (including tax and shipping)
3. Vera Bradley laptop backpack - $40.88 (sale plus 25% off promo)
4. Emilio Pucci sunglasses - $45 (at Off Fifth on sale)
5. Vera Bradley market tote - $10
6. J.Crew Tartine metallic mini-satchel - $193.10 (including tax) no longer available pebbled leather version here
7. Adidas Dragon sneakers - $56.15 (including tax)
8. Havaianas flip flops - $12.99 (at Nordstrom Rack)
9. Anthropologie gold monogram mug - $8 (on sale) no longer available online but non-metallic version here
10. Vera Bradley lanyard - $12
11. Marc by Marc Jacobs iPad case - $18 (via Poshmark) similar here and here

Total = $433.10
- $18 Poshmark credit
Total spent out of pocket = $415.10

Wow!  I spent a lot and most of this was purchased after Christmas with all the sales.  I needed new sunglasses, another pair of sneakers, a laptop backpack for work (I've been using my husband's old ugly one) and a new lanyard (I swear by these for my keys, especially since I became a mom).  The purse was purely a "want", I've had my eye on it for a while and when it went on sale then with an extra 40% off plus free shipping, I couldn't resist.  The iPad case was purchased for my daughter, she has an iPad mini with a bulky shockproof case that fits perfectly in my neoprene version of this and found this nylon one at a great price and I could use the credit I had there from sales from my closet - so it was a no brainer.  By the way, I have to say I LOVE these Marc by Marc Jacobs cases, they have a soft furry lining that keeps the tablets super protected when on the go.  Also the Vera Bradley tote, well that was a "want" too, I know Vera gets a bad rap as sort of a preppy, mumsy brand, but I swear once you have a piece it's hard to not love something that's super lightweight, has tons of pockets, is washable and fun.  I have a few bags I've literally worn holes in because I end up using them so much.

Go forth and shop responsibly!

I'm linking up with Budgeting Bloggers over at Franish!

Hey, just for fun let's see how much I've spent in 2013 (well, since I started participating in Budgeting Bloggers in February).

Total Spent Out of Pocket for 2013 (Feb - Dec) = $1,252.68 (which averages $113.88 a month)

February = $40

March = $20

April = $26.48

May = $124.95

June = $56.97

July = $50.16

August = $65.49

September = $126.30

October = $11

November = $316.23

December = $415.10

Love This! - the new Vera Bradley Starry Night and Giveaway Winner!

Vera Bradley has a new canvas collection perfect for days at the beach.  I love the print (called Starry Night), it's graphic in a very organic way.  Here are my picks from the collection:

Rope Handle Tote - $88

Beach Towel - $30

Flip Flops - $24

Images via Vera Bradley

I also have a winner for my first giveaway (Liberty of London for Target note cards) is - Convertible Girl!  I'll be contacting you shortly!  Congratulations!  Thanks to everyone for entering and reading, I appreciate it so much!

True Random Number Generator

Result:

4

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(Why the little button picture wouldn't copy I have no clue - I could only get the text - but trust me these are the results and I need some tech training - LOL!)

I'll be needing one of these for Spring

I know, enough with the Vera Bradley, but indulge me one more "need".  The new Spring patterns are out and I'm loving "Sittin' in a Tree". 

I'm so wanting the large backpack in this pattern. 

Now, before you all yell at me for sometimes carrying a backpack, certain situations are so much easier with the hands free option that one of these provides.  Especially when running after a crazed toddler (which also makes the machine washablilty of these appealing too)! 

Images via Vera Bradley

I want this! - Vera Bradley pleated tote in "Imperial Toile"

Okay, I'm totally owning that I like Vera Bradley.  It took some time to grow on me (and for me to get around the stereotype of the woman that carries these bags - or once did, because they have gotten way hipper).  I have become even more devoted now that I am a Mom and can appreciate the ability to throw these suckers in the washing machine.  Trust me, my Louis Vuitton has been in safely in the dustbag for the past 18 months.  Baby puke + LV = many tears.  I am completely in love with the new Imperial Toile pattern and the Pleated Tote is just what I would like under the tree this year.  And throw in the Tech Case too for good measure.

Pleated Tote - $78

Tech Case - $22

Images via Vera Bradley

A mini trend in the making?

One of my favorite blogs is A Townhouselady's Life. Townhouselady finds the most amazing things, her blog is chock full of great stuff (and she's a super cool person to boot)! Recently she did a post about jewelry designer Wendy Yue and her AMAZING creations. Well one of the rings (above) made me think about one of Vera Bradley's upcoming Winter 2009 patterns, "Imperial Toile" (below).

Not only the in the theme but the colors too. I would love to have that ring, but will have to settle for a bag or two from Vera. Be sure to check out more of Wendy Yue's creations in this post from A Townhouselady's Life!

Images via A Townhouselady's Life and Vera Bradley respectively