Vera Bradley lovers... help would be appreciated!

[CampbellScot]

Very helpful, thank you!! So they aren't too similar, it sounds like I might "need" one of each I wonder if I can use the Metropolitan as a carry-on for a laptop, plus camera & camcorder. I can't tell if it's too thin for those (neither is really big, but both are bigger than the small cameras).

I'm sure that you could fit all three of those things in the Metropolitan. It's pretty roomy for it's size...if that makes sense. It's a great bag.

I would say that the Weekender and the Metropolitan are VASTLY different...definitely need them both!

Actually if you go on YouTube and search for Vera Bradley metropolitan you'll find videos of people reviewing them! Very helpful!

 

[wdwgirl03]

We got the summer catalog in the mail today...at first I didn't really care for any of the new colors but now Viva La Vera is growing on me. Too much new stuff!

And I probably shouldn't say this, but I saw on the facebook group the other day that some of the signature stores are having previews of the FALL '11 colors which are really cute too!

http://www.ohmyvera.com/2011/03/vera-bradley-fall-2011-preview-plum.html

The purple one is adorable, even if it's pretty similar to Purple Punch (one of my all-time favorite colors!!!).

 

[CampbellScot]

We got the summer catalog in the mail today...at first I didn't really care for any of the new colors but now Viva La Vera is growing on me. Too much new stuff!

And I probably shouldn't say this, but I saw on the facebook group the other day that some of the signature stores are having previews of the FALL '11 colors which are really cute too!

http://www.ohmyvera.com/2011/03/vera-bradley-fall-2011-preview-plum.html

The purple one is adorable, even if it's pretty similar to Purple Punch (one of my all-time favorite colors!!!).

Viva La Vera definitely grows on you...I wasn't all that thrilled with the new colors either, but Viva La Vera has nice bright colors. I like the new large drawstring duffel-ish bag. Like I NEED another large VB bag. I really love the new travel accessories!! I am going to have to control myself until the prices adjust themselves to a more...justifiable to my husband...level.

I was just at one of the signature stores and I left with a small cosmetic bag in Mocha Rouge, one of the Fall 2011 colors!LOVE IT!!! so addicted!!

 

[housetomouse]

I'm sure that you could fit all three of those things in the Metropolitan. It's pretty roomy for it's size...if that makes sense. It's a great bag.

I would say that the Weekender and the Metropolitan are VASTLY different...definitely need them both!

Actually if you go on YouTube and search for Vera Bradley metropolitan you'll find videos of people reviewing them! Very helpful!

Thanks for the info, and for encouraging my habit ! I don't know why these bags are so addicting, there is something about them. They are kind of obnoxious but cheerful at the same time! They are substantial but light, with great pockets. The company should really hire us to do their PR

 

[housetomouse]

We got the summer catalog in the mail today...at first I didn't really care for any of the new colors but now Viva La Vera is growing on me. Too much new stuff!

And I probably shouldn't say this, but I saw on the facebook group the other day that some of the signature stores are having previews of the FALL '11 colors which are really cute too!

http://www.ohmyvera.com/2011/03/vera-bradley-fall-2011-preview-plum.html

The purple one is adorable, even if it's pretty similar to Purple Punch (one of my all-time favorite colors!!!).

I just need to see pictures of people carrying the bags (both the prints and the styles) and that usually sells me on the new stuff. I agree with whoever it was here who said they don't show enough of that. ALL of the summer prints are starting to grow on me, ack! It's probably best I don't have access to a Signature store!

 

[CampbellScot]

Thanks for the info, and for encouraging my habit ! I don't know why these bags are so addicting, there is something about them. They are kind of obnoxious but cheerful at the same time! They are substantial but light, with great pockets. The company should really hire us to do their PR

Oh my goodness...obnoxious but cheerful is EXACTLY how I described a Vera bag to my DH who called my bag "loud"! I said "I know, it's slightly obnoxious...but cheerful!". My Coach bags speak to my polished, subtle...work self. My Vera bags represent my colorful on vacation self!! We must represent our personalties through accessorizing whenever possible!

I'd take a VB PR job any day!!! How FUN would that be?!

 

[CampbellScot]

I just need to see pictures of people carrying the bags (both the prints and the styles) and that usually sells me on the new stuff. I agree with whoever it was here who said they don't show enough of that. ALL of the summer prints are starting to grow on me, ack! It's probably best I don't have access to a Signature store!

I currently have my eye on a vb cargo sling on eBay. I just wish I could see it ON an actual person...I am trying to decide if it would be a good back up park bag...but it's hard to decide if I can't SEE it! Especially not for what eBay sellers are asking!

 

[housetomouse]

I currently have my eye on a vb cargo sling on eBay. I just wish I could see it ON an actual person...I am trying to decide if it would be a good back up park bag...but it's hard to decide if I can't SEE it! Especially not for what eBay sellers are asking!

It's a great bag. The one thing I don't love about it is its shape, which is a very minor thing not to love about it. The bottom appears to sag down once it's filled or when it's not brand new. But the bag itself has so much utility. You can load it up or not. I kept my phone in one of the outside pockets (my 2 flap pockets have velcro). I'm pretty sure I could fit water bottles in the 2 outside flip pockets (I can check that for you if you like). There are 3 slip pockets on the inside where I put things like lip balm, pressed penny stuff, money, tickets, sunscreen etc (I didn't have a wallet). Then you still have the roomy main compartment for whatever else. You could fit ponchos, a few t-shirts/souvenirs, a wallet, a camera, snacks, camcorder, all of that would probably fit fine. There is also a long zip pocket on the outside that you could put tickets, papers, etc in. The bag is just big enough that if you pack it really full, it can get a little heavy as a cross-body bag, but it's still doable.

 

[Ar1el]

I will admit that I have not read thru all the post so forgive me if this was already discussed but what would you all say was a good diaper type bag without actually getting the Vera diaper bag. I have 3 Vera's and one I could have used so I think but it seems to have vanished. The bag I am using now for my diaper bag(Not Vera) is just not cutting it. TIA

 

[CampbellScot]

It's a great bag. The one thing I don't love about it is its shape, which is a very minor thing not to love about it. The bottom appears to sag down once it's filled or when it's not brand new. But the bag itself has so much utility. You can load it up or not. I kept my phone in one of the outside pockets (my 2 flap pockets have velcro). I'm pretty sure I could fit water bottles in the 2 outside flip pockets (I can check that for you if you like). There are 3 slip pockets on the inside where I put things like lip balm, pressed penny stuff, money, tickets, sunscreen etc (I didn't have a wallet). Then you still have the roomy main compartment for whatever else. You could fit ponchos, a few t-shirts/souvenirs, a wallet, a camera, snacks, camcorder, all of that would probably fit fine. There is also a long zip pocket on the outside that you could put tickets, papers, etc in. The bag is just big enough that if you pack it really full, it can get a little heavy as a cross-body bag, but it's still doable.

That's what I'm worried about...the getting heavy part. With two kiddos and a husband I tend to carry more than I should...but simply cannot help myself! Oh the back and forth of should I or shouldn't I...it's FABULOUS! I'm sure I will hem and haw until our trip!

I will admit that I have not read thru all the post so forgive me if this was already discussed but what would you all say was a good diaper type bag without actually getting the Vera diaper bag. I have 3 Vera's and one I could have used so I think but it seems to have vanished. The bag I am using now for my diaper bag(Not Vera) is just not cutting it. TIA

No worries, this thread was just recently revived...and I personally LOVE to talk the merits of VB bags!

If you don't want the actual diaper bag, I've seen several people use the Pleated Tote as a diaper bag. It's a pretty roomy bag that holds quite a bit! I think I mentioned earlier that a friend of mine has a Pleated Tote and she LOVES it. She doesn't use it as a diaper bag, but she carries her entire life in that bag, including a change of clothes. The Vera tote is also large and very roomy, but the down side of that tote is that it has no zipper closure. Neither does the Pleated tote, but that bag sits closer to your body like a purse. The small duffle would hold quite a bit as well. I use one for a gym bag. Love it!

I will say that the Diaper bag isn't overly huge and it's lined in plastic and it comes with a changing pad and it zips shut. There are several on ebay that aren't horrendously priced!

hope this was helpful!!

 

[CampbellScot]

hmmm....was looking at VB.com and I'm wondering if the On The Go tote isn't a lot like the cargo sling?

Now I have no choice but to go the Vera Bradley store to see if I can get my hands on it...I mean really, what else can I do?

*ahem*


I was good today...I went for a run this morning, vacuumed everything in sight when I got home and gave both pups a bath. I'd say a little retail therapy is in order!!!

how does my list of reasons to shop sound? Do y'all think my hubs will go for it?

too bad. he'll have to. I'm a girl on a mission!!!

 

[housetomouse]

I will admit that I have not read thru all the post so forgive me if this was already discussed but what would you all say was a good diaper type bag without actually getting the Vera diaper bag. I have 3 Vera's and one I could have used so I think but it seems to have vanished. The bag I am using now for my diaper bag(Not Vera) is just not cutting it. TIA

Tell us what you are looking for in a diaper bag, and why you don't like the one you have now, then we can recommend

 

[housetomouse]

hmmm....was looking at VB.com and I'm wondering if the On The Go tote isn't a lot like the cargo sling?

Now I have no choice but to go the Vera Bradley store to see if I can get my hands on it...I mean really, what else can I do?

*ahem*


I was good today...I went for a run this morning, vacuumed everything in sight when I got home and gave both pups a bath. I'd say a little retail therapy is in order!!!

how does my list of reasons to shop sound? Do y'all think my hubs will go for it?

too bad. he'll have to. I'm a girl on a mission!!!

I tried to convince myself I would like the On The Go bag in place of the retired Cargo Sling, but I really, really don't. The two slip pockets on the end are not big enough for a water bottle. The worst thing about the bag is that the strap adjusts to get pretty long, but it's not long enough to wear it as a cross-body bag (which you can with the Cargo Sling). The strap is too short for me, and I'm kind of average sized. The size of it is nice, though. It's definitely smaller than the Cargo Sling, but I kind of like that about it. It's also missing those outside velcro pockets that my Cargo Sling has, which I like for fast access to my phone.

I was at a store today that carries VB and I finally saw "your" Weekender in Boysenberry and it is really fabulous! I've seen the Boysenberry online and it looked nice, but in person, I loved it (wasn't expecting to because I don't usually choose purple). Totally tempting!

Have fun shopping! Your reasons are sound lol.

 

[housetomouse]

I saw the Metropolitan today, too! It is definitely big enough for a laptop plus camera stuff plus more. The only thing I didn't like was that side part where it zips down on both sides, but not across the top (it snaps across the top). It seems like you are supposed to put your cards etc there, but it doesn't seem secure enough. If the bag turned over, you might lose something. So I'm not sure what I'd put in that compartment, but I'm sure I'd think of something It's also very cool the way it's meant to slip over a rolling luggage handle.

 

[Ar1el]

Tell us what you are looking for in a diaper bag, and why you don't like the one you have now, then we can recommend

I have the Jeep back pack diaper bag. It is black and just bla. I guess it really is just not me. I thought the back pack would be good but I am not so sure now. It is pretty bulky. I think I need color in my life..... I want to softer material back. I do want a zipper and some pockets.

 

[Ar1el]

That's what I'm worried about...the getting heavy part. With two kiddos and a husband I tend to carry more than I should...but simply cannot help myself! Oh the back and forth of should I or shouldn't I...it's FABULOUS! I'm sure I will hem and haw until our trip!




No worries, this thread was just recently revived...and I personally LOVE to talk the merits of VB bags!

If you don't want the actual diaper bag, I've seen several people use the Pleated Tote as a diaper bag. It's a pretty roomy bag that holds quite a bit! I think I mentioned earlier that a friend of mine has a Pleated Tote and she LOVES it. She doesn't use it as a diaper bag, but she carries her entire life in that bag, including a change of clothes. The Vera tote is also large and very roomy, but the down side of that tote is that it has no zipper closure. Neither does the Pleated tote, but that bag sits closer to your body like a purse. The small duffle would hold quite a bit as well. I use one for a gym bag. Love it!

I will say that the Diaper bag isn't overly huge and it's lined in plastic and it comes with a changing pad and it zips shut. There are several on ebay that aren't horrendously priced!

hope this was helpful!!

Thanks it was helpful. I am going to go to the Vera site to check them out. Do you normally get your Vera off of Ebay?

 

[EdiePA]

Just an FYI, the pleated tote does zip shut. It's pretty roomy (I use it for my gym bag) and the straps are a great length to keep it close to your body.

It's a little smaller than the VB diaper bag.

Edie

 

[Ar1el]

Just an FYI, the pleated tote does zip shut. It's pretty roomy (I use it for my gym bag) and the straps are a great length to keep it close to your body.

It's a little smaller than the VB diaper bag.

Edie

Thanks for the FYI!

 

[housetomouse]

I have the Jeep back pack diaper bag. It is black and just bla. I guess it really is just not me. I thought the back pack would be good but I am not so sure now. It is pretty bulky. I think I need color in my life..... I want to softer material back. I do want a zipper and some pockets.

Have you looked at the VB Miller bag? It's probably bigger than you need for a diaper bag, but it zips closed, and inside it has 6 nice sized slip-in pockets (plus another slip pocket on the outside). I love those inside pockets.

 

[CampbellScot]

Thanks it was helpful. I am going to go to the Vera site to check them out. Do you normally get your Vera off of Ebay?

I've actually never purchased a VB on ebay and only recently started looking b/c the bag I'm interested in isn't in stores or online anymore. I get easily frustrated w/ ebay b/c the bidding gets crazy and I wonder why people bother b/c the prices get so high and there are 30 some bids. I can't take the drama! I'm a much more straightforward type. There are usually a lot of "buy it now" options but usually at prices that are just silly!!

Just an FYI, the pleated tote does zip shut. It's pretty roomy (I use it for my gym bag) and the straps are a great length to keep it close to your body.

It's a little smaller than the VB diaper bag.

Edie

Y'know,now that I think about it...my friend who loves her pleated tote so dearly has said that she is glad it zips...for some reason I always thought it was an open top. Apparently I am a bad listener...

I tried to convince myself I would like the On The Go bag in place of the retired Cargo Sling, but I really, really don't. The two slip pockets on the end are not big enough for a water bottle. The worst thing about the bag is that the strap adjusts to get pretty long, but it's not long enough to wear it as a cross-body bag (which you can with the Cargo Sling). The strap is too short for me, and I'm kind of average sized. The size of it is nice, though. It's definitely smaller than the Cargo Sling, but I kind of like that about it. It's also missing those outside velcro pockets that my Cargo Sling has, which I like for fast access to my phone.

I was at a store today that carries VB and I finally saw "your" Weekender in Boysenberry and it is really fabulous! I've seen the Boysenberry online and it looked nice, but in person, I loved it (wasn't expecting to because I don't usually choose purple). Totally tempting!

Have fun shopping! Your reasons are sound lol.

Okay SO...back from the VB store!! They were giving out cute little water bottles with the four already released new colors. I was hoping for a boysenberry but a little pony tailed scamp in front of me grabbed the last one. I thought about challenging her to a throwdown...I'm a pony tailed scamp myself...but I'm sorta scrawny...so I settled for a Blue Lagoon water bottle instead. I just can't get enough of this store! They even have a "husband chair" !!! Seriously...husbands can sit whilst their wives say "What about this one? Or that one...OH, or what about...OHMYGOSH THAT IS SO CUTE!!!" So fun. Favorite store EVER!

So I DID get my hands on an On The Go tote. The one I got a hold of had a really long strap and it was no problem cross body. Maybe the straps are longer on the newest version? The pockets on the sides are indeed too small for much of anything....sorta throwaways...and I think I would take the cardboard bottom out if I was going to make it into a park bag. It's not very big. So the cargo sling has pockets big enough for say...a diet coke bottle? That might give the Cargo sling the edge!!

I'm telling you...Boysenberry doesn't look all that thrilling online, but in person it really IS a great color. It's not too obnoxious, it's not too busy...it's just right. I don't tend to gravitate towards purple either...but this one just works!! The weekender really is a great bag. I heart mine! Also, if you are looking for a bag with a protective lap top sleeve...the Laptop Backpack has a full zip compartment for the laptop with two sleeves. I had no choice but to buy that one...seriously...it was massively, ridiculously on sale.

no choice.

at all.


*ahem*