Best Vera Bradley Bags for Traveling

Now that I have three kids, I don't fly as much as I used to. The first year my son was born, we flew all over the country for my husband's then new job. However, now that we live the middle of nowhere and have to drive at least two hours reach a “city,” we drive a lot! Not to mention how much we drive for our annual pilgrimmage to visit Indiana once a year.That trip takes 2-3 days to get there, driving five hours between families, and 2-3 days to get back. Needless to say, we've put some miles on the mini van! I stuff our van with lots of travel necessities packed in my Vera Bradley bags. Here's a list of what I like to travel with:

1. Market Totes $8 – I take at least two with me. I'm so glad they make them bigger now! I can fit a lot of snacks and drinks for the kids in these, and not have to worry about getting them dirty because they are easily wipeable. I have really packed these and they hold up no matter how much weight is inside.

2. Cooler Tote $78 – Two of my kids drink milk and water only. Thankfully they don't care for soda (my oldest one is another story!). However, keeping milk cold isn't an easy task. I usually buy smaller containers of milk along the way and store them in the insulated Cooler Tote until they are ready for more. We also keep medications that need to be refridgerated in the Cooler Tote, until we can get them in a fridge at whatever hotel we are staying at (for a family of five, we stick to suite hotels like Homewood Suites)

3. Drawstring Family Tote $58 – This one is new and I can't wait to try it in a couple of weeks! It's lined with almost like a rubber (not sure what it is), so it seems really durable. People have complained about a smell with it, but I didn't notice it and I've had it for almost a month. The fabric is the Lighten Up, so it's waterproof. It has a drawstring closure, but also has mesh material at the top so you can fit even more in it. The mesh is to help sift out sand if you use this as beach bag, which would have been so helpful when we lived in California!

4. Ditty Bags $28 – I like to take a few with me more for accidents, just in case. You never know when you'll have wet clothes and on our trips there are no bathrooms for miles and miles. The Ditty Bag is lined, so it will keep the fabric and whatever is touching the Ditty Bag dry. I used to use these at the beach when I couldn't throw a swim diaper away. I just throw them in the wash and they do great!

5. Lighten Up Baby Backpack $108 – Although my youngest just turned two, he's still very muc h in diapers. As I mentioned, we travel through remote areas where there are no bathrooms within miles. It's great to zip down and lay him on it to change in the van when pulled over on a dirt road. It's handy to keep all his diaper stuff in one place, and the material is waterproof.

6. Vera $86 – I don't use this bag as much for road trips, but it saw a lot of action when I used to fly with my oldest son. I would fill it with toys, books, snacks, you name it. My trusty Java Blue Vera never ripped and was stuffed under so many airline seats! I don't use it much for road trips because I need bags like in points 1, 2, and 3 to have wipeable bottoms from being on the van floor.

7. Get Carried Away $92 – Like the Vera, I don't use this much for road trips anymore. I did use it a lot for trips to the beach and times I didn't need worry about not having a closure. I'd stuff it with extra clothes, diapers, toys, snacks... I'm pretty sure there's still sand in the bottom of it!

8. Cargo Sling $62 – Such an easy bag to travel with! I can fit all of my toiletries in it, including my hair dryer. It's crossbody, so I took it along lots of flights before I had kids. I like traveling with my toiletries and extra underwear with me, instead of stowing them away. It's a perfect size to keep on you, and flight attendants have yet to tell me to put it in the overhead bins.

9. Luggage – Price Varies – My oldest LOVES his A to Z rolling luggage! It's small, and fits his clothes perfectly. The random letters spell out “Vera Bradley,” but until recently he was convinced they spelled his name. He's played with it a lot, and traveled with it a lot. It's easy to pick up and we've not had a single issue with it. I have larger pieces in older patterns like Java Blue, Mocha Rouge, and Boysenberry, too. Vera Bradley luggage is high quality.

10. Fleece Travel Blanket $38 – I know this isn't a bag, but it's GREAT to travel with! I bought each of my kids one for our road trips. They can easily fold up into a pillow or be used as a blanket. They are just as super soft as the regular throws and wash well. It may not be as folded as nicely as in the pictures, but you can fold them back into a pillow while in the car. They are large enough to cover one person.

Top 5 Vera Bradley Picks for Graduation Gifts

Tis the season to graduate! It feels like yesterday when I was heading off to college... Then I look at my kids and feel a hundred years old! I never received Vera Bradley for graduation gifts, back then Vera wasn't as geared to younger ladies. Now there are so many possibilities for those graduates with style!

Please note on all of these, like the Mother's Day Guide, take extra care to find out the graduate's favorite colors and/or dorm décor. Vera Bradley comes in all colors of the rainbow and then some! She will definitely appreciate that extra touch if you get her something in her favorite colors.

Vera Bradley has also expanded their collegiate line. Although I'm not holding my breath to see if my small Alma Mater gets picked up, many schools are now included. The items included are the Zip ID Case/Lanyard, Front Zip Wristlet, Triple Zip Hipster, Vera tote, Campus Bacpack, and the XL throw (which is more luxurious than the regular line of throws).

1. Vera Bradley Jen Zip ID Case ($18) with Lanyard ($12) and/or Gift Card –  The Jen Zip ID Case is such an all-around gift, perfect for any occasion. Stocking stuffer? Check. Easter basket? Check. Teacher's gift? Check. Same for the graduate! The Jen Zip ID Case seems to be more popular with the younger crowd than the original Zip ID Case ($12). It is a little larger and only $6 more than the Zip ID Case. I included the Lanyard with it because many colleges require students to carry their college ID's with them. The collegiate line as the Zip ID Case and the Lanyard together as a set ($38). Of course, you can always slip in an additional gift card into one of the cases.

2. Vera Bradley All in One Crossbody for iPhone 6+ & Wristlet ($54) – This is such a versatile piece! It can be a wallet, a wristlet, or a small Crossbody bag! It's compact, but organized. The one complaint is that the iPhone doesn't fit well with a bulkier case; however, many college students don't use tanks to protect their iPhones like their mothers' do. Not to mention, Vera Bradley keeps revising this piece to accomadate the ever-changing size of iPhones. Two years from now, you could possibly buy this piece for an iPhone 8, 9, or whatever number they come up with next.

3. Vera Bradley Travel Cosmetic Set ($58) – This is new piece from Vera Bradley, although they've had plenty of versions of this in the past. The reason this one is different, and why I chose it, is because the outside is made of PVC. How handy! She can take this to the showers on her dorm floor, and not worry about spilling stuff on it in her crowded room. Inside the PVC case, it has three cosmetic bags, perfect to organize her cosmetics and hair accessories. I really wish I had this when I was in school!

4. Vera Bradley Campus Tech Backpack ($108)  –  This is a great backpack for campus! It has a place for her laptop, as well as a trolley sleeve if she needs to use rolling luggage for travel (or maybe she just needs to lug around that many books, yikes!) If you can spring for more, you could get her the Keep Charged Campus Tech Backpack for $148. It has a built in cell phone charger. If it was my daughter graduating, I'd buy the Keep Charged so I don't have to worry if her phone goes dead. The collegiate line has the Campus Backpack ($108), but I wouldn't surprised if they switch to the Campus Tech. The Campus Backpack doesn't have a place for a laptop, nor a trolley sleeve.

5. Vera Bradley Throw – ($49)  Vera Bradley throws are very popular and famous for their softness. The colors are eye-popping and fade-resistant.  She will definitely want one! My husband sleeps with at least two of them every night. Vera Bradley has some bedding, but I feel that it's her choice as to what bedding she wants. However, a nice throw to coordinate with her new bedding will be appreciated!

“A Colorful Way of Living” Book Review by Stacy DeRose

Being an avid Vera Bradley fan, I couldn't wait to read Barbara Bradley Baekgaard's new book, “A Colorful Way of Living.” The book exceeded my expectations. I was surprised to learn fun facts, such as her unconventional manner of hiring people based on if she would dine with them and giving the scarf off her neck to a flight attendant who admired the way she tied it. Overall, it's an easy, inspirational read.

Don't cheat yourself and buy the Kindle version. If you love Vera Bradley, you will love the color in this book! It pops! Both interior and exterior patterns are featured, and some with different color schemes. I know hard copies seem to be the way of the past, but there is no way you can capture Barb's true love of color with an electronic copy. The book is definitely worth the space on your bookshelf and not filed away in your e-reader!

Barb's quote, “There's room for everyone,” is my new mantra. I've recently started a YouTube channel and it's quite intimidating to jump into a site where 72 hours of content are already being loaded every minute. Taking from her experience of reaching out to those within her niche, instead of not watching others within my niche to deny them views, I now watch and learn from them. Now I see them as complimentary to me, not as competitors. There's room for everyone. I thank Barb for that.

I admit it, while living in Fort Wayne, I was mildly jealous of Barb. My husband's uncle worked for her first husband and actually carried bolts of fabric in his business for Barb and Pat in the beginning. I knew the nice neighborhood where she met Pat. I knew she had always been from money. She isn't a rags to riches tale, she's a comfortable to riches tale. I thought she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, and she was, comparing her to my and my husband's families. To her credit, she doesn't deny that in her book. Since reading this, I've learned more not to judge a book by its cover, pun intended. She's had her fair share of tragedy. Money doesn't take away life's cruelties. She's went through a divorce, lost friends to breast cancer, and lost the love of her life to a terrible disease. I admit it, I cried when I read this last part. She is a real person with an amazing and refreshing look on life, learning from both success and tragedy.

Reading about her colorful life, you see the master plan. It all fell into place through a spark of an idea in an airport, fueled by chance meetings and lucky misunderstandings. You'll learn as you read this book that she opened herself up to people, and if there was doubt, she carried on anyway. I love her “ready, fire, aim” attitude, and I can relate to that! I jump in with two feet and then figure out the rest.

She speaks on almost every page about her family, whether it's memories while growing up or moments with her grand children. If you're familiar with Vera Bradley, you'll see familiar names that the company has used in their lines. How many other multi-million dollar businesses use the names of the co-founders' children, grandchildren, and friends in their products? What a unique and genuine touch! Doesn't make you want to run out and buy a Vera Bradley bag? Not to mention, work for Barb. I've had a few former coworkers be hired by Vera Bradley, so I know Barb's stories about making employees family are true.

I'm so glad she wrote “A Colorful Way of Living.” Now the previously unknown stories of what shaped a successful business are shared with the public. Learning about the background of the pattern Tavern on the Green and laughing about the magnetic mishap with a prototype are events that aren't necessarily world-changing, but add richness to life. These are stories that I will forever think about. I rarely reread books. This one I will be reading over and over. For inspiration, for confidence, for assurance that if Barb can “ready, aim, fire,” I can too.

Top 5 Picks for Mother's Day Gifts

With Mother's Day around the corner, it's a no-brainer to share with you my top picks for Mother's Day. I'm a mother of three very active children and even though I have these items below in my possession, that doesn't mean I don't need more Vera Bradley! Especially number one and number 5! I hope my husband is reading this....

Please note on all of these, take extra care to look at her wardrobe and/or décor. Know her favorite colors! Vera Bradley comes in all colors of the rainbow and then some! She will definitely appreciate that extra touch if you get her something in her favorite colors.

1. Vera Bradley Zip ID Case with Gift Card (or Car Key) – This also makes for a great teacher's gift! Vera Bradley Zip ID Cases retail for $12, or you can pick up a Disney Vera Bradley one for $15. In the clear ID window, simply insert a gift card to her favorite store, Starbucks, spa... the possibilities are endless! If you want to step it up a notch even further, attach the key to her new car to the handy silver logo key ring and REALLY surprise her!

2. Vera Bradley Hipster – This is a crossbody bag, so it's perfect for busy moms to keep their hands free! There are lots of Vera Bradley crossbody bags, but this one is the classic Vera Bradley bag. They retail for $60, but you can find them in retired colors for less if that's a bit salty for you. They are lightweight and have adjustable straps, which make it a good choice for moms who have neck, shoulder, and/or back pain. They are great for errand-running, shopping, taking to the ballpark, etc. Make her life easier with a Hipster!

3. Vera Bradley Preppy Poly Bags – Really any bag in this line will work. Preppy Poly is lightweight and water proof. I personally use my Preppy Poly Tote as a diaper bag for the gym and church. Kids spill all sort of things, and this material will let Mom worry less about that happening. The material is easy to spot clean and very durable. Preppy Poly comes in lots of colors and select patterns. The purses start from $50 on sale to $158 retail, but you can also often find these cheaper on Vera Bradley's eBay store. I paid around $30 for my generous sized Tote there.

4. Vera Bradley Throw and Book – This one comes with a warning. Throws ARE ADDICTIVE! Vera Bradley throws are very popular and famous for their softness. The colors are eye-popping and fade-resistant. You will want one, two, or three for yourself! My husband sleeps with at least two of them every night. Regular sized throws range from $24-$49 and the extra large throws start at $40 on eBay. Now if she's going to curl up with a comfy throw, you need to get her the new book by the cofounder of Vera Bradley, Barbara Bradley Baekgaard, “A Colorful Way of Living.” Don't cheat her and get the Kindle version, this book pops with color! The best price is on Amazon for $17.24. It's an easy, fun read, and very inspirational.

5. Vera Bradley Weekender – If you really want to wow over your special lady, get her a Weekender to surprise her with a weekend getaway! (That's if you didn't wow her with a new car already, but there's room for both!) The Weekender is a great bag for those quick trips. It has a sturdy base, rolled handles, and a removable strap. In my opinion, it's easy to carry than the Large Duffel. It retails for $98, but, again, you can get it cheaper if the pattern is retired.  As a Mom, I couldn't tell you how utterly happy I would be if I got a weekend getaway! It doesn't have to be expensive, a couple of nights in a hotel away from the kids already sounds like heaven! Sleeping at night, lounging around, eating HOT meals, catching up on ME time... wow. I'm really hoping my husband reads this!