5 Vera Bradley 2010 Spring Styles Handbags Are All New

If you have not seen the new styles for the Vera Bradley 2010 Spring collection then you have to check them out below.  Along with the four new patterns (Sitting in a Tree, Loves Me, Totally Turq, and Poppy Fields) Vera Bradley has even better styles which I think will be more popular than the new 2010 Spring patterns themselves.  The new styles are chic, stylish, cute, and one of a kind.

Here are 5 new styles for the Vera Bradley Spring 2010 collection:

1.  Alice

If you like the old school look of the early forties and fifties purses you will absolutely adore the new Alice handbag which has a classic and chic retro look.  The slender look of the top of the bag opens up at the bottom and provides plenty of room for both your belongings and sense of style.   The kiss-lock opening makes sure nothing falls out and adds to the classic feel of the bag, while  a load of hidden pockets make it easy to organize and find everything you need to carry around. The Alice bag is 13.5 inches wide and 11.25 inches high.   In any of the new patterns but especially in some of the older patterns this bag looks great.   I think it looks great in Calypso and Hope Garden.

2.  Angle Tote

The Angle Tote is a different take on the other Vera Bradley totes and is named for it's subtle or not so subtle angles on the sides that give it more of a handbag look.  And that was the intent of the designers, to make sort of a hybrid purse for tote and handbag lovers.  The Angle Tote is a roomy style that will provide you with plenty of room to spare unless you are trying to use it as a diaper bag.   No matter how much weight you have in this bag the rolled handles will make it much more comfortable for you to carry on your shoulder or in your hands.  Being a little more than 11 inches square, it's the perfect little getaway bag that you can use along with your other luggage.  Check out some of the VB Angle Totes on sale on ebay right now in the auctions below and get a bargain. if you don't see the pattern you like, click on one of the Angle Tote pics to see more selection.

3.  Emma

The Vera Bradley Emma is already betting a lot of buzz.  It looks sort of like a knapsack or maybe one of those little backpacks kids love nowadays, but it has all kinds of practical uses, and once again, Vera has shown us yet another bag that can make life a little bit easier.  On the Vera Bradley site they say it is great as a gift bag, but that's really only true if you are the one receiving the gift in this case.  With one small tug on either end of the draw-strings the Emma will close shut and you can tie a little knot for safe keeping.  It might be tough to make it a regular handbag that you use every day because it would be a pain to untie that knot every time you wanted to use it, but for a younger audience this bag may be just the ticket and has a load full of other uses as well.  At only 9.5 inches high and 7.5 inches wide it won't take up much space either.  Check out some Emma bags on ebay right now in the auctions below.  If you don't see a style you like, click an image to see more selection.

4.  Frannie

The Vera Bradley Frannie is a small purse that is more like a clutch and is a perfect little handbag for those who love to carry as little as possible and don't want to get bogged down with a humongous monstrosity of a bag.  It can also be a nice little item for the younger Vera Bradley fanatics who are just getting their collections started.   The Frannie is 9.5 inches by 5.25 inches and has a 50 inch strap so you can let it hang by your hip instead of carrying it under your arm if you so choose.  it probably won't win any awards but it's a delightful little thing that I'm sure many will want to add to their growing collections.  Check out some Frannie bags on sale with ebay right now in the auctions below.  If you don't see a pattern you like just click the image to see more selection.

5.  Get Carried Away Tote

It is possible that Vera Bradley got carried away with this new style for the Spring of 2010.  It seems like all of the large totes are some of the most popular bags the company makes so they decided to come out with an even better one.  If you liked the Super Tote or Weekender you will love this bag.   The sizes are 18.25 inches high by 15.5 inches high and their is a break away zipper enclosure so you can use it like a duffel or however you want.  It's great to use a another piece of luggage and their are pockets everywhere.  In fact, some of the pockets are even lined with plastic.  The shoulder straps are as comfortable as it gets, and of course, you can really pack in all kinds of stuff for your trips or use it as a "Momma Purse" like so many Vera Bradley fans do.  Check out some Vera Bradley Get Carried Away Totes on Ebay right now in the auctions below.

The Classic Vera Bradley Bowler Bag

For many women the Vera Bradley Bowler Bag has been a timeless classic since the very first one came out.  For it's size it has a ton of cargo space for all of your stuff and the end to end zipper enclosure makes sure its easy to open and find what you are looking for right away.  Nothing is worse than fumbling through your purse when you are in a hurry.  In side  the Vera Bradley bowler you will find three slip in pockets for knick knacks and personal items and also a large zipper pocket to keep stuff from jostling around in transit.  On the outside the Bowler has 2 magnetic closure pockets which I absolutely love.  The bag is 13 inches wide by 10.5 inches tall and the strap makes it easy to hold under your arm and carry around.  This bad is always going to be in style with it's unique shape.  You don't have to be a big fan of bowling to love the Bowler.

I have been seeing a lot of buzz about Bowlers lately so thought I would write a post to highlight some of the Bowler bags on sale right now at the listings below.  These are live ebay auctions and the deals are constantly changing so when you see one you like you should grab it before someone else gets it.  Not everyone likes buying things on ebay because you are dealing with other people just like you and a few bad apples have spoiled it for some.  But for me, the risk is worth it because I have saved SO much money over the years by shopping on ebay.   Besides, if you pay with a credit card, you don't even need a paypal account to pay with paypal and you will have added security.  I don't recommend paying with checks and money orders.  So check out some Vera Bradley Bowler bags on sale right now for prices well below full retail.

10 Vera Bradley Christmas Gift Ideas

Well maybe you have most of your Christmas shopping already done, but if you are like most of us who wait til the last minute, we need a little bit of help with gift ideas.  And with Vera Bradley coming out with new products all the time it can be hard to keep tract of all the great gifts you can get with them.  Here I thought I would list 10 inexpensive ideas for buying some Vera Bradley Christmas gifts for that lover of Vera Bradley patterns.  You will also see a link for each gift idea showing you where to get those items for low discounted prices.  Some of these are ebay links but there are other websites as well.  We are compensated for this revenue and it helps keep the website up and running.

1.  Vera Bradley Agenda:

The Vera Bradley agenda is a great Christmas gift idea because everyone will need a planner for the start of the new year, so why not do it in style.  You can get these agenda calendars and planners in all kinds of Vera patterns.   They are very durable and of course as cute as a button.  There are tabs for helping you to stay organized and 164 pages.  You will find list makers, stickers, and even pockets and bookmarks in this agenda.  The size is 7 inches by 8.5 inches and is a 1 inch ring binder.

2.  Vera Bradley Christmas Stockings:

In case you have not yet seen the Vera Bradley Christmas stockings, you need to check them out right way.  I just love these things and think it was the perfect move for this holiday season.  Not only are the patterns just sublime for these stockings, but they just seem to fit that Christmas holiday cheer so perfectly.  They are roomy and durable and come in only 2 Vera Bradley patterns.   I don't think you can find a retired pattern from a couple years ago in the stocking unless it's homemade.  In fact, most of the ones I have seen are in Symphony in Hue and Blue Rhapsody.  But these are the 2 patterns that fit this season so well anyway.

3.  Vera Bradley Ornaments:

Just like the Christmas stockings, Vera Bradley ornaments are full of holiday cheer and come in Blue Rhapsody and Symphony in Hue.  The colors are just so vibrant on these ornaments and they can help make any tree look festive and inviting.  Any Vera Bradley fan would be delighted to get a VB Christmas tree ornament for a gift this Christmas.  If you are lucky you can even find some of the older patterns for ornaments like Pinwheel Pink, Raspberry Fizz and Mediterranean White and Blue.  In fact, go ahead and check out the selection of ornaments on sale at the link below.

4. Vera Bradley Wallets:

A Vera Bradley wallet can be the perfect gift for any woman, because you really can't have too many, especially when they are made by Vera.  The great thing  about these wallets is that they come in so many different shapes and sizes to fit all kinds of situations.  There is the classic zip around wallet, taxi wallet, clutch wallet, sleek wallet, pocket wallet and more.  Just find a pattern you know someone will love and it will be an instant hit.  It's nice when you can get a wallet in the same pattern as a purse that you already own as well, so keep this in mind.

5.  Vera Bradley Mini Coolers:

I just love these little things.  I did not think the idea would take off at first, but a Vera Bradley cooler is definitely on my list.  These coolers come in all of your favorite patterns and are perfect for taking your lunch to work or even for packing some snacks for a long trip.  The lining is insulated really well and can keep things cool or hot for a good while.  And there are even pockets all over the cooler too, just to keep in style with all the other Vera products.  A cooler could be a hot gift for your list this year.

6.  Vera Bradley Laptop Cases:

Whether you are a student or just a person who has to have the laptop at all times, the Vera Bradley laptop case is just the perfect gift.  College students especially love this case because they have to have their computers with them all the time and who wouldn't want to transport the laptop in style.  These come in all kinds of patterns so look through the selection and find the perfect one for your next gift.

7.  Vera Bradley Lanyard:

The Vera Bradley lanyard is a great gift for anyone who is always losing their keys.  You can carry your ID card and keys at the same time with this lanyard and it comes in all kinds of Vera Bradley patterns.  Also, the clip makes it fast and easy to remove and add keys in an instant.  You can wear this around your neck, around your wrist or just put it in your purse for easy access when you need to get to your keys quickly.  These are great little accessories that anyone can appreciate.

8.  Vera Bradley Photo Album:

Who doesn't love a nice photo album for sharing memories with friends and loved ones.  Vera has a huge assortment of all kinds of photo albums in many patterns.  The deluxe photo album is particularly nice and can hold up to 200 4x6 prints.  These are rugged photo albums and there is even room for captions for each photo you have, so this will save time explaining every single picture.  I love the album in Bali Gold, Java Blue and Carnaby.  But check them out yourself and find a pattern you love for a gift someone else will love even more (because they get to keep it=).

9.  Vera Bradley Handbags:

Hey, why not get that someone a Vera Bradley handbag that they will love for years to come.  Even for that Vera fan who seems to have it all, there have to be at least SOME patterns or styles they do not have yet.   If you notice they already have a certain pattern, try getting a matching handbag in the same pattern or even an accessory for it.  Chances are she does not have every single pattern and style made by Vera Bradley.  You can even find some retired patterns and styles on here.

To make your search easier try looking for a Vera Bradley handbag by clicking on search by pattern or you can search by style!

10.  Check out Some Vera Bradley on Clearance!

Who doesn't love a bargain?!  Why not check out some Vera Bradley that is on clearance right now.  You can check out the official Vera Bradley website or even check some of the bargain houses for Vera Bradley purses and accessories.  I have found such a place that has some incredible deals going on right now for Vera Bradley wallets and purses.  The selection of patterns is a little sparse, but you can find some really sweet deals.

Check out some products on clearance here!

The Vera Bradley Holiday Tote

Just in time for Christmas is the Vera Bradley Holiday Tote. This is a limited edition bag, though, so don't expect to see very many available after the holidays have past. My biggest complaint with the bag is really in the name. Why not just call it the Vera Bradley "Christmas Tote"? I think some have already begun calling it by that name, but holiday tote is the official name for it. Over all, it's a lovely little bag that is purely symmetric. Measure at 14" by 14" it also has a removable handle that you don't really need because of the cute little cut out made in the top of the bag.

So how do you get this holiday tote? Well as a promotion Vera Bradley is giving it away if you spend at least $100 on their products on one of their retail stores. And spending $100 is not hard to do if you buy at least 2 VB items so this should be an easy one for any VB fan out there. But if you don't want to spend the $50 bucks on the bag you can always check out the ebay auctions below to find a great deal on this limited edition tote. We are compensated with any sales coming from these auctions below and it helps us keep this site going, so knock yourself out. The only pattern you can find this bag in is the Blue Rhapsody pattern, so hopefully this is one that you like or this will not be the bag for you until they offer it in different colors. Who knows.. maybe next year...

See the Vera Bradley 2010 Summer Patterns Here

Have you seen the new summer patterns Vera Bradley has cooking up for 2010? Well here is a sneak peak and you can even buy some of these patterns early because some of them are listed in the ebay auctions seen below. Your friends will wonder how you got these bags so early, but it can be your little secret.

So the four new Vera Bradley 2010 summer patterns are "Make Me Blush", "Night and Day", "Call Me Coral, and, "Simply Violet". Already these new patterns for the upcoming future and getting a lot of exciting buzz and Vera Bradley fans like them much more than the Vera Bradley 2010 Spring collection. In fact, I wish they would just skip to these summer patterns instead. Not only are the four new patterns fresh and pretty, but they also LOOK like Vera Bradley and not some knock offs.  The Make Me Blush is a lovely floral pattern with pastel colors and reminds me a little of Hope Garden but it is less busy and more elegant.  The pretty red flower blossoms with a hint of light green give the white background a nice contrast too.  The Vera Bradley Night and Day is a simple monochromatic pattern but even in  black and white the flower blossoms have a lot of pop.  I can tell already that Call Me Coral is going to be a big hit as it has a perfect shade of pink that is not as racey as some others but blends perfectly with the paisley design.  And the Simply Violet is perhaps too simple for my tastes, but it's a color we have not seen too much of from Vera Bradley so it's a nice addition to the collection as well.

So a few of these purses are available on Ebay right now so get these Vera Bradley 2010 summer patterns on sale while you still can, or you will have to wait for them to come out into the stores in the next 2-3 months.

Vera Bradley Curling Iron Covers Retired and New

Vera Bradley curling iron covers go way back and the company has been making them for years. Some of you may not know about them, but they are absolutely perfect for keeping the bathroom neat and tidy and it's just so very practical to have a safe place to keep that curling iron when it's not in use. How many of us have burned our arms because we forgot about that hot curling iron? Let's face it. It has happened to us all. Well perhaps it's time to invest in one of these nifty covers by Vera Bradley with either a retired pattern like Cambridge, or perhaps something a little newer like Frankly Scarlet or Bali Blue. Like I said, these curling iron covers go way back so you can even find an old retired pattern that you love and add it to your collection. I even saw some Botanica patterns for sale in these covers and I know there are a few left in the selection below. These are live ebay auctions and you can get some really sweet deals in the listings below. Even if you don't already have an ebay account, you can click one of the links below and get signed up in just a few minutes. It's free and will save you a ton of money down the road, especially if you buy a lot of Vera Bradley like many women do these days.

Vera Bradley Christmas Ornaments in Your Favorite Patterns

You might think you already have too many Christmas tree decorations, but once you check out these great Vera Bradley Christmas ornaments you may change your mind and think you need just a few more.  It was a great idea for Vera Bradley to start making some Christmas decorations for the season and they have done very well so far with wonderful Christmas stockings as well.  On the site they are called holiday ornaments but I think they should still call them Christmas ornaments.  After all, you don't put these things on the Turkey at Thanksgiving so why call it a "holiday" ornament when it's really only for one holiday to begin with!  There are all kinds of great patterns that come in the ornaments including White and Blue mediterranean, Symphony in Hue, Blue Rhapsody, Rhaspberry Fizz and Pinwheel Pink.  Once in a while in the listings below you will find some more patterns too so come back as often as you would like.  Below are ebay listings of Vera Bradley Christmas ornaments that are on sale right now, so if you see one you like you should bid on it right away because these things don't last long at all.  Check out some great Vera Christmas decorations below before it's too late.

Vera Bradley Bow Cosmetic Bags: Retired but Beloved

I am sure I'm not the only one who just loves the Vera Bradley bow  cosmetic bags and who is also sad to see them go.  You can still get a few from retail stores if they are secretly stashing any in the back for a rainy day, but Vera Bradley has stopped making these bags for good, or at least until we can convince them to start making them again.  They are just so functional, and that kind of functionality is hard to find in a cosmetic bag these days.  There are pockets on the inside that are just perfect for organizing all of your makeup and lip gloss, and these pockets are mesh so you can see where you put everything.  If you are the kind of person that has to have everything in it's proper place than you will appreciate the practicality of a bow cosmetic bag.  Why the bow cosmetic bags?  Well they just look so much nicer.   They are elegant little bags that you can use for more than just makeup.  They also come in three different sizes so you can find the one that fits your lifestyle pretty easily.  The small bow cosmetic is 9.5"x3.25"x3" and great for carrying brushes and pencils as well.  The medium size is 9.5" x5.75"x3.75" and has a little more of a boxy shape, and the large bow cosmetic is 11"x7.75"x 4".  You can even use them to carry baby wipes like I know some women to do.

But don't be discouraged.  These bags may be discontinued, but you can still get a Vera Bradley bow cosmetic bag on asle right now in the auctions below on ebay.  These are live auctions and you can get amazing deals if you catch one at the right time.  Since these bags are so popular and they are just going to become more and more rare you might want to act quickly and grab one up that you like if you see it.  It probably won't be there tomorrow.  You can also check out the Vera Bradley official website for some cosmetic bags on sale as well, but only in select colors.

Vera Bradley Made in China or United States?

Ever wondered why SOME Vera Bradley purses will say "Made in USA" and others will say "Made in China"?  Well a few years ago you did not have to worry where that Vera Bradley bag was made.  Fort Wayne Indiana was cranking out the purses and all of them were made in the good ole USA.  But a couple years ago we started noticing some bags said "made in China" and questions were raised.

The excuse Vera Bradley gave us was that the demand for these fabric handbags was so much that they had to outsource some of the work to keep up with the demand.  China was willing to do the work and help Vera stay on top of her orders and keep her customers happy with plenty of supply.  But were they really happy?

While some have been outraged that a portion of the purses are being made over seas, some are happy just to have  a Vera Bradley bag and don't care where it is made, as long as the quality is still good.  But therein lies the problem for some.  I have heard reports of the China made bags having poor quality, while others have said they are made with the SAME quality, and still others believe that both USA and China made bags are being made cheaper than in the past, and simply do not last as long.

What portion of these bags are being made overseas?  While at one point it seemed close to 60% or more, the company explains this is only a temporary fix.  They have built another factory in New Haven and have hired a few hundred workers to try and fix this supply and demand issue.  This new plant is supposed to help keep these beloved bags made in the United States, while providing some more jobs for Indiana as well.

What I want to know is this.  Have any of you had any problems with China made bags?  Do you even care if some of them are made overseas.  I know for myself, if I had to choose between a Purple Punch Libby made in the US and one made in China, I would definitely go for the one made in the US.  But at the same time, I am not too concerned where it is made as long as it holds up and is well made.  These are cotton purses after all, and will tend to wear out the more we use them, no matter how well they are made.

In any store you can request Vera Bradley handbags and wallets that are made in the United States.  Sometimes the store owners will keep them in the back.  That kind of makes you wonder.  Why are they so sneaky about this?  Many Vera Bradley fans have been upset about the fact that the company has not been very forthright with information.  They seem to WANT to keep us in the dark.  Even the thread they started in facebook on the issue was left unresolved for over a year now.  Tired of not getting answers?  Leave your comments below and lets get something started here.

Vera Bradley Mesa Red on Sale Here: Retired Pattern Flashback

This week's pattern flashback is Vera Bradley's infamous Mesa Red.  Even though it is a retired pattern, it is simply a classic and a wonderful design that should be a part of anyone's Vera collection.  This pattern had a two year career with VB, and that's not half bad considering some patterns are retired in a year.  Mesa Red hit the scene in July of 2006 and was retired in July of 2008.   This was actually my friend's very first pattern that came in the form of a hipster and it's still beloved today.  I have seen quite a few Mesa Red's going around recently so perhaps women have been souring Ebay or yard sales looking for this pattern, but perhaps Vera Bradley should start stitching this pattern together again.  I have always thought that the company could do nothing but benefit from bringing back a retro pattern to the delight of their fans.  It's sort of like what Nike did with Air Jordan shoes.  Whenever they did a retro model the shoes would sell out in minutes and everyone was happy (well, except for the prices of those Jordan shoes).

So what do you think of this week's retired pattern flashback?  Is it one of your favs or do you have another discontinued pattern you want to see more of in your collection?

Check out some of the Mesa Red pattern purses and accessories available on Ebay right now in the listings below.  Even if you don't have an Ebay account it takes 5 minutes to sign up.  Just click one of the auctions below and find what you are looking for.  Also, Ebay has a new buyer protection policy that will help to calm your nerves about buying on Ebay, so all you have to focus on is finding what you have been looking for.

Next Page »