Wednesday, February 3, 2010

I can’t even come up with an adequate word…

I’m not usually one to keep up with trends.

I don’t have any real interest in Pandora bracelets (though I think my friend Marybeth has great taste in her beads and looks like a million bucks in her baubles).

I’ve never purchased a Coach purse, though…well, the aforementioned Marybeth gifted me with a sweet little Coach wristlet as a bridesmaid gift a few years ago.  Note: Mr. Clean Magic Eraser will actually get ink out of cream-colored leather.  Don’t ask me how I know that.

Even Vera Bradley – which is HUGE down here in Tennessee – wasn’t on my radar, until I was given an awesome weekender bag as a Christmas/going-away gift from my boss last December.  That bag has seen more miles in the last 13 months than any other bag I’ve owned.

That said, the point of this post isn’t to applaud the style of my friends and coworkers.  It’s to tell you that I’m about to fall victim to the temptation that is trendy, adorable, probably-overpriced gear for my unborn, nameless baby girl.

Interpeeps, meet the Vera Bradley Baby Bag.

diaper bag

Isn’t she a vision of loveliness in her Raspberry Fizz print?  It is pink and orange, people!  Nameless Unborn Baby Girl is going to live in a room that is pink and orange!  And she needs this bag!!!

Now, the catch is, I would never – no matter how much I loved it – pay $97 for a diaper bag. Even though it makes more sense to pay $100 for a bag that you use ‘round-the-clock than to pay $200 for a bedding set that you really only purchase to look cute, not function well.  (Not that I did that or anything.)

But still…$97 for a bag?  I can’t do it.

But something about the fact that this particular print is on sale for $65 makes it so much more reasonable, in my opinion.  (Right?  Tell me you agree.)

After all, I have been doing some research on diaper bags, since Seth’s was used to death.  RIP sleek black messenger bag.  You served us well.  Anyway, the bags I’ve kept coming back to average about $50 a pop anyways.  So……

What would you guys do?  Settle for a BRU bag, or (kinda) splurge on the Vera one?  Help?!

32 comments:

crystal theresa said...

now i normally wouldn't say this.. but i say... SPLURGE! :D

just make up for it by cloth diapering for a while or making her a homemade something-something instead of buying it.

i'm sure there are all sorts of ways we can rationalize this purchase.

or maybe think about if you can see yourself carrying this bag around everyday and how much you care about coordinating outfits (i don't :P) with it.

mandie lane said...

Get the bag. The bag has "Monica" written all over it. I see not one reason not to get the bag, and you of all people, deserve to splurge on yourself for all you've had on your plate lately.

If you need rationalization ... hmm ... you've got a HALF birthday coming up! Looks like a perfect half birthday present to me if there ever was one.

I expect to see photos of you with the bag very soon. tia!

Anonymous said...

You may not want to ask me because I splurged on a Coach diaper bag (thank God we are having another girl so I can use it again)...but I must say, I think you get what you pay for and I am a big believer in buying nice bags (especially if you use them everyday). Mine still looks great and is 2 years old. That bag is adorable and you should definitely get it!!!

Stacy D said...

Get it :)

I have a Very Bradley diaper bag, too :)

Sarah said...

Get it! Don't look back! You'll love it!

Christy and Jessica got me the VB Garden of Hope print diaper bag this time last year and I absolutely LOVE the bag! It is soft, washes well and because it doesn't look like a diaper bag, I'm planning on using it well after I need to as a carry on, weekend bag, etc.

Go get it...NOW!

House of Collinsworth said...

I think it's very cute! Have you thought about looking on etsy.com for one? They have such cute bags on there!

like how about this one...$24.00

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39783134&ref=sr_gallery_2&&ga_search_query=orange+DIAPER+BAG&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

or for $35.00...

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39429750&ref=sr_gallery_15&&ga_search_query=PINK+ORANGE+DIAPER+BAG&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=2&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

or this one...$42.00

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28119042&ref=sr_gallery_19&&ga_search_query=PINK+ORANGE+DIAPER+BAG&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=3&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

or for just $12.00...

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28235970&ref=sr_gallery_19&&ga_search_query=PINK+ORANGE+DIAPER+BAG&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=4&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

Christy said...

Splurge sister, splurge!!! While I don't have any diaper bags, I do have a couple of the tote bags and LOVE them!

You will love it, I just know you will!

Kimberly said...

I would totally splurge on the Vera Bradley bag! Jenn bought a Tic Tac Tote for Ayva's diaper bag and 2 years later it still looks new.

Mom to 2 Angels said...

The Vera one :)

Unknown said...

Plurge on the Vera OF COURSE!!

NoVaIrish said...

SPLURGE!

Never mind how much you deserve a special treat, and how perfect it is for baby girl, etc etc...

I have a VB bag and it is a great bag. Big, lots of pockets and machine washable. Seriously, you wouldn't believe how many times I've dumped everything out of M's bag and thrown it in the wash though I hope for your sake BG doesn't have Michael's habit of putting half chewed snacks in the bottom of his diaper bag or collecting treasures (aka trash) while out and about.

Get the bag - but hide your eyes from the matching accessories. Oh the matching accessories...

Angela said...

It's hard for me to say what I would do if I were having a girl. I think I would most likely splurge. But, alas, I'm having my third boy. So there just isn't the urge to go out and buy something super cute.

And besides, what's worked the best for me so far is to buy each boy their own Pottery Barn Kids monogrammed backpack. That way I can carry it when I need free hands (which I most certainly will now), it has plenty of room for two (or three? We shall see...) boys' things so I don't have to pack multiple bags. Plus, I can leave each boy their own identifiable (sp?) bag in the church nursery.
These are the ones we have for Andrew and Benjamin (the smaller of the two options are what we have, and they're still plenty big): http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/boys-fairfax-backpacks/?pkey=dshop-all-backpacks

But if Thomas (in utero) had turned out to be a Katherine, I would have gotten her one of these: http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/girls-fairfax-backpacks/?pkey=dshop-all-backpacks

Sigh....maybe one day I'll get my Katherine!!!

slt said...

SPLURGE! I am doing it too...once we find out the gender! DO IT!

Valerie said...

I also vote to splurge! I almost bought that bag in the exact same pattern, but I bought a big tote bag from Lands End instead. It's just not as pretty....

Amy V said...

I say go for it! Especially if you can get it on sale! And if you love it that much, why not?!

Amy said...

Splurge! We bought a BRU cheapie and it lasted about 6 months. Then we splurged on a Skip Hop and it doesn't have a mark or a tear in it 13 months later. I have owned 2 Vera Bradley bags and both have worn remarkably well with lots of use and abuse. Go for it!

Mrs. Frogster said...

GEt it, definitely! I always end up not using the cheaper bags because I don't like them as much.
Just think, there's at least two years of every day use going into that baby! Totally worth it!

Kate said...

Splurge. I got a pricier bag with #2 and I have not regretted it once. Plus, after a complicated pregnancy--you deserve it!!!

Jennie Henry said...

Vera Bradley products are great quality. Splurge!!

They are also a great company.. headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana. They have a BIG outlet sale here every year at the end of April- beginning of May. It is crazy, but you can get many of their items for great prices!

Enjoy!

Kendra said...

Monica as I read this post I have a bid in on ebay for a petunia pickle bottom diaper bag that I want so much I can taste.

They retail for $167.

No, there is nothing wrong with your computer, nor vision. I did actually type $167 just now.

I can not bring myself to pay that much for a diaper bag! Even though, like you said, it will get PLENTY of use over the next year...or more.

So, I have resorted to checking Craigslist and Ebay, and bidding to the limit my heart will let me...which is to stay out of the triple digits. (Even if I brush so close to them in the doubles that I can SMELL the triples...). Justifying to myself that I will have gotten a great deal, and that it's something I really, really, REALLY want...and that I don't buy expensive purses either (I usually buy 2 $25-or-so purses in about an 18 month time span). AND that I will have gotten a deal.

So my friend, you have my blessing. In fact, you have my pressure. The deal is too good to be true!! And what's $15 difference between that and a BRU bag????

Kelly said...

Buy it!!

Kelly @ Sufficient Grace Ministries said...

Splurge...the Vera bag is adorable!

Holly said...

I have a Vera Bradley diaper bag in the Botanica print. I bought it 50% off because it was a retiring print. Look into those!! I really love my bag!

Sara said...

Vera Bradley - absolutely!

I have a Coach diaper bag and it is worth every penny. :)

The Patterson Family said...

LOVED my Vera diaper bag...splurge!

The Patterson Family said...

LOVED my Vera diaper bag...splurge!

Jenn said...

Looks like I agree with everyone else. I have a couple VB bags and love them. That one's adorable! Have fun!

lalalady said...

Ummmmm....hello, woman, $97 is a STEAL for a bag you love!!! Even though MIL got me my Coach diaper bag, I would have gladly forked over the $300. [[evil grin]]] Do it! You will be so happy, and BG NEEDS IT. ;)

Rhonda said...

Hey, go for it! I have a couple Vera Bradley purses and love them both. In fact, I just got a mini catalog for the new spring line and love the new designs! They are so tempting to buy and they're not even a diaper bag. The diaper bag can also be use as a travel bag or small over night bag once you don't need it anymore for the purpose of a diaper bag. Since they're washable you'll have it for forever and so you'll definitely get you're monies worth out of it. So, definitely get it!!

Rachel said...

I have to keep this unanimous. That bag is perfect. I hope you're able to snag it.

Anonymous said...

It's on SALE!!!!!
Baby Bag in Raspberry Fizz on SALE for $65 at verabradley.com

nursegirl said...

"I" would say get it...but...what does your hubby say? My hubby would never touch that bag let alone carry it anywhere because it is distinctly girly. :) Are you willing to go through the hassle of maintaining two diaper bags if need be?