Vera Bradley bags

[bubbaray]

Anyone have any experience with Vera Bradley bags? I'm yearning for a (gasp!) bag in a print, but I don't like brocades, so the OCC/Kecci/PPB are out. I don't like coated bags, so that rules out Chester/Posh/Fleurville/T&L.

Strangely, I'm liking some of the VB fabrics. This is WAAAAY out of the box for me, as I'm a "black and only black" kinda girl. My red canvas Skip Hop and pink Metro Mini were living on the edge for me, LOL!

I'm not looking at the VB baby bag (its HUGE), but I was thinking of the Villager tote or the Carry All. I also can't decide between the Bermuda Pink or the Nantucket Red fabric.

Villager in Bermuda Pink: http://www.verabradley.com/ProductDetail.aspx?qs1=11544

Carry All in Bermuda Pink: http://www.verabradley.com/ProductDetail.aspx?qs1=18644

Villager in Nantucket Red: http://www.verabradley.com/ProductDetail.aspx?qs1=11549

Carry All in Nantucket Red: http://www.verabradley.com/ProductDetail.aspx?qs1=18649

Any thoughts?

Melissa
Mom to Maya http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/binky.gif & Dog Mom to Bubba http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/dog.gif

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[Kimberly H]

Melissa,

I'm torn between the same two colors for this year's VB bag! I have yet to see them in person so that will usually decide me right away.

I have the Villager in Animal Kingdom (discontinued) that I use at church for Mia because it's dressier than my everyday use Ameribag tote. It easily holds...

*2 size 5 Cruiser diapers
*Pampers wipes case
*Playtex straw cup
*Mia's beloved blankie (full-size velour crib blanket)
*Take 'n Toss large cup of Cheerios
*a couple of good sized board books
*travel MagnaDoodle
*my small wallet
*cell phone
*lip gloss,nail file etc.
*small stuffed bear

Good grief, it looks like I'm packing for a long trip but we keep her in the sanctuary for the whole service so I have to be prepared.

I *love* the six interior and 2 exterior pockets - I know they've redesigned the exterior pockets now. In my bag the velcro'ed one holds a couple of hair doodads for Mia and then the slip pocket is for my keys.

The only minus is that it's tall and narrow so you might have to pack things in two layers. Depending on the day, this might bug me. Usually it's just her sweater or blankie as the top layer so it's not too bad.

Good luck!

[masetane]

I really like how Vera Bradley bags look. I did have a French Blue Baby bag back in 2000 but I ended up selling it. I never liked how floppy it was (pockets to hold things and overall) and the straps on my other Vera Bradley bags eventually wear away to the foam. So, reluctantly (becuase it was sooo pretty) I sold it despite not using it for long. I then went with a Villager for a diaper bag because it felt less bulky. I MUCH preferred this for a diaper bag and I still have it and use it in the summer. It's handles are fading and wearing fast though!!
Caroline
http://fool.exler.ru/sm/ma.gif
Isabelle 10/1/00
Nicholas 2/27/03

[mom2lukas]

hey melissa,

since i am in search of a new diaper bag (something smaller to use than my skip hop for short trips), i have been asking some of my mommy friends what they have been using. a friend told me she uses her vera bradley tote as a diaper bag, so i went to the VB website to peruse.

i too am a "black only" type of gal, and VB is so NOT my style, but i saw the carry all at the local hallmark and fell in love! needless to say, while i'm still trying to decide which one cool chick to order (which will take 3 months to get now, so i'm told!), i decided to order the carry all (in nantucket navy) from brownson5th.com. i ordered the mini (so cute!) as well to get free shipping, and it saves me tax. i hopefully will get it this week, and when i do, i'll post some pics.

as for prints, i think the nantucket red will be "classic", and the bermuda pink will be "fun". so it depends what look you are going for.

also, since the VBs are all cotton, they are machine washable. gotta love that!

joey :)

[annasmom]

I LOVE the new Bermuda Pink fabric (but I am a sucker for pink!) I have a VB Tote (chocolate) that I use as "my" bag. I would not use it as a diaper bag because there is absolutely no organization at all, just a big hole. I also have a VB Betsy (Sherbet) that I used last Summer as my quick errand diaper bag, and I loved it! I could fit two diapers, wipes, a bottle, formula container, wallet, keys, small VB coin purse (no changing pad). It has six inside pockets, and it is not very deep so everything else is very accessible. I love the look of the Carry All, and I know some people on this board use it as a diaper bag. It was a bit too big for my purposes at the time. But if you are looking for a medium to large diaper bag it may be perfect. I am unsure of the internal organization. I am thinking about getting a Carry All in the Bermuda Pink for this Summer. HTH!

ETA: By coincidence I passed by a store this afternoon that carries VB bags and I checked out the Carry All in Bermuda Pink. It is very cool, not as big as I remembered. It has internal pockets (don't recall how many), some external pockets and a clip for your keys.

[dules]

I have a pink pansy bag, think it's the carry all, that I got on SWAP for my sitter to use and I've taken it from her, lol!

For today's trip to lunch and the mall, I just packed it with:

2 size 4 diapers
hard wipes case
small pack wet ones
disposable changing pad
small infant tylenol (molars coming in!)
2 Take and Toss sippies (7 oz size)
2 teether toys
Snack trap
Pack of crackers
Yo Baby, 2 spoons and bib

Wallet, cell phone, keys in the outer pockets

The inside is a bit crowded but I could fit in a light change of clothes (leggings and long sleeve T in 12-18 or 18-24).

I washed this bag once, cold water, separately, with lots of water and very little detergent on the hand wash cycle, air dried on a rack next to my water heater, and it came out looking just as nice as when I got it.

Hope this little "review" helps. I'm no expert - up till I found this board a few weeks ago I only had a Skip Hop (I'm one of the few who doesn't like the Skip Hop, but I thought I didn't have much choice, lol!) and a LE backpack that I have only used maybe 2-3 times.

Let us know what you decide!

Best,
Mary

[AAHHmom]

I have previously had both the villager and the carry all. I would still have the carryall if we did not have a very expensive preemie baby. The carryall was my favorite diaper bag of all time. It was a good size, it could be worn messenger style but no messenger flap. Plenty of pockets to stay organized.

Hopefully once our medical bill load gets lightened I will get another.

[bubbaray]

I'll be purchasing this bag pretty much sight-unseen as I can't find a local retailer with the full VB line. I've seen the bags, but it was back in December and I'm having trouble remembering sizes. I do know that I didn't like the Tote as it didn't have enough interior pockets. I really loved the inside of the Toggle Tote, but I need longer straps to wear over my shoulder.

For those of you who have the Carry All, can you compare the size for me to the LE Updated LT? Or a Skip Hop or T2 Small messenger?
For those of you who have the Villager, is it about the size of a medium LE open top canvas tote?

I am starting to think the Villager might be too deep and unorganized. I'm a pretty light packer and for most purposes, the size of the LE LT works well for me. The Skip Hop is plenty big enough for me too.

But, the Carry All looks a LOT like the LL Bean diaper bag, which I am also coveting (for different purposes). So, now I'm wondering if the Betsey would be better. But, I'm still not too sure on having 2 tote-style straps. All my existing bags that I like are single-strap messenger style bags.

I *think* I've made a decision on color though -- I think the Nantucket red would work now and in to summer. I think the Bermuda Pink, while I love it, would be more summery (and I already have a T2 Metro Mini in pink for a true summer bag).

At least I'm obsessing over diaper bags again and not strollers. Its a lot less expensive, LOL! :)

Thanks for your help -- its very much appreciated.


Melissa
Mom to Maya http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/binky.gif & Dog Mom to Bubba http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/dog.gif

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[nd93]

If you really like the LE LT, you may want to check out the VB Day Out bag. It's not out anymore, you have to look at ebay, but it's a really cute option. Long strap, so can be worn messenger style, I've read the pockets in front can hold bottles, inside is lined with vinyl. I'm thinking of getting one. There are some cute patterns out there now, pink pansy is a brighter pink than the BP you are looking at.

I am like you, a black bag kinda gal, but I have a VB for my sewing bag. My mom has a VB for her summer bag and she really likes it. If you order from Browns on 5th you can get a free monogram!

Good luck! Let us know what you get!

[EagerlyAwaitingBaby]

I'm normally not a VB person either, but I have a VB Baby Bag in Seaport Navy. I really like it. I thought it was big when I got it, but I have a newborn and with all the stuff she needs, I find I'm using it more than my Skip Hope and my Kecci.

I love that pink though! If that had been out when I got mine, I totally would have gone for it!

[whittyanne]

I first used the VB Baby Bag in Seaport Navy when my DS was born. It was OKAY but it definitely wore down with time. Now I switch my diaper bags so often (see what this board has done to me!) that it's not really an issue. I definitely think the VB would suit your needs fine.

Love both prints but I especially love the Nantucket Red!

[bubbaray]

I'm currently checking out the VB bags on eBay. There seem to be some pretty good deals there.

So far, I'm leaning towards a Betsy in Nantucket Red.


Melissa
Mom to Maya http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/binky.gif & Dog Mom to Bubba http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/dog.gif

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