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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
thoughts on Vera Bradley?
I need a small travel bag that's not a) my carry-on suitcase or b) a crappy tote bag I got at a conference. I really like this Vera Bradley weekender bag but I'm not crazy about the patterns they have available. Too cutesy or too loud.The only ones I would even consider are the "folkloric" and "sittin' in a tree" (see? CUTESY).
Anyone have her stuff and like it? Or a similar weekend bag?
Re: thoughts on Vera Bradley?
I have the large duffel in a Mediterranean print (I think that color is discontinued) and I LOVE it. It's great for when we take weekend trips. But I think it might be a bit l large...what about their small duffel? I don't think that pattern is too loud, but maybe it's too cutesy for you?
For some reason I think the black strap on that weekender bag makes it look funny. jmo.
ETA: Sorry, I thought I linked to the "slate blooms" pattern, but another comes up in the link...
Have you looked at Le Sport Sac? Some of their patterns are actually really cute. I've had this bag for three years and it seems pretty much indestructible. I use it everyday as my work bag, but also as a carry-on.They're almost always on sale at Macy's.
My biggest gripes with Vera Bradley are a) the price and b) the cultish following.
I don't know if you have you heard of Thirty-One Gifts yet?
I'm on the waiting list to become a sales consultant. If your interested, I can put you in touch with someone to order one.
The City Weekender is nice and comes in less in your face patterns. Here is a link to the catalog.
I love VB. Granted - the fabric they have now is a little loud - I love love loved chocolat, but it's been discontinued for like 5 years.
I don't like the strap on that bag, and the only pattern I really remotely like is Baroque. I have the Vera and love it. It's perfect for a carry-on (although, I don't have a kid)... but I can fit my laptop, camera, sweater, wallet and a bunch of other random purse stuff in there and there's still plenty of room.
They really hold up well. And I love that you can just toss them in the washer and dryer.
ETA: Wrong bag name - it's Vera not Villager. That said - the villager zips close and the vera doesn't.
We make the rockin' world go 'round.
NMS bc of the patterns, as you noted, but my daughter has one (I think it's actually the same one; hers is English Meadow) and it's incredibly roomy and perfect for weekend(ish) trips.
I will say -- hers was a gift from her dad and stepmother, and she had more than a few qualms about using it... she is so very much NOT a VB girl, at all! But now it's her go-to trip bag. So there's that.
"What is a week-end?"
i have the miller bag (the larger one) and i love it. the patterns are definitely a bit loud but the bag is light and fits a ton. i've used it as carry-on for long trips or as my main bag for a weekend. not my style for an every day purse but for traveling, it is my favorite bag.
http://www.verabradley.com/product/Category/Totes/Miller-Bag/154787/defaultColor/Blue+Lagoon/pc/638/c/0/sc/642/p/154787.uts
I really, really like this bag. I have no reason to buy a bag, but want to buy it. Can someone come up with a good reason for me to buy it so I can rationalize it?
I'm another Le Sport Sac fan. I use the on MrsPhil linked as my beach bag, and have this one as a weekend bag (although I bought it on eBay, so I paid a lot less than the prices listed): http://www.lesportsac.com/store/7185_5205.html. No offense to any of the ladies that have Vera Bradley, but something about the fabric/stitching always seems kind of old-ladyish to me.
Baby248 - ETA 1/10/13
Its so funny that you say that, I showed the bag above to a coworker of mine and she said the exact same thing! That helped in talking me down from getting it.
Glad I could help you save money!
Baby248 - ETA 1/10/13
VB is very much NMS. I prefer more modern designs.
What about something like this?
I actually love VB bags - they are very durable and washable and they hold a lot. Plus, I like some of the patterns.
She does have a microfiber line that is solid black or navy - it's Vera Vera. Or you can type microfiber into the search box and they'll come up. They are the same quality - durable, etc. - as the patterned bags, but way more subtle.
This. Or "soccer mom".
That said, I do have one Vera Bradley bag that is the perfect size for schlepping music to and from choir or voice lessons. But I'd never carry it anywhere else, even though I think the pattern is the least girly / old-ladyish that I've seen of all the VB stuff.
lol. It totally is. If you ever post about Vera Bradley on Fashion and Beauty...let's just say you'll get a lot of
's.
But I still like it for travel. I also have a VB wallet, although I've been looking for a new one since forever.
TTC #2: BFP 12/17/11, m/c 1/7/12 and D&C 1/12/12
baby blog/cooking blog
ditto.
I just don't get the appeal of VB. The patterns are way too much for me and I just don't like the quilted, floweriness of them. Also, something just isn't right to me about buying luggage/purses at the Hallmark store ;-)
Did you see that some colors are on sale for $59?
The patterned bags are NMS. However, I had a black microfiber purse of hers and it was awesome. It lasted for a good 3 or 4 years of nearly everyday use (with lots of crap crammed in it...) It held up really well, was very roomy, and was washable. So, I second mssaint's rec.
I love them, granted not all the patterns are my style, I love the style of the bags.
I was introduced to them about 15 years ago when I was in 8th grade.
I love the Chelsea pattern, which I do believe has been retired - but it was a dark green/maroon paisley/floral pattern. I have a lot in that pattern, but I love my Miller bag the most.
Pretty much ditto the sentiments of the 'no' group.
VB (to me anyway) screams either "Moms in Minivans" or "Highschool cheerleaders" depending on the age of the person carrying it. Not saying that's good or bad - just no me. So I would get one.
There are tons of weekender bags out there and I'd probably consider some other options first.