Reader Review Friday: Vera Bradley Attache

This review comes from one of our favorite readers: Molly!!

 

 

 

First off, thanks to Sarah and Kameron for having me as a guest
reviewer on their blog! I have always been curious about the Attache,
and decided to take the plunge and purchase it when there was a 50%
off Watercolor sale. Watercolor is such a pretty pattern with soft
greens, gray, lavender, purple, and slate blue. I use this bag to
carry my laptop to and from work, and have received many compliments
on it! What people seem to notice the most is the shape of the bag,
as it is more structured and rigid like a box, as opposed to the soft,
more flexible Veras that we are all more apt to seeing. The Attache
has two front slip pockets, a front zipper across the length of the
bag, one inner smaller zipper, and a magnetic slip pocket on the back
side. I love this organization! The magnetic closure on the back is
perfect for papers and such, and I feel secure with the magnet that
they won't fall out :>. I don't think that I have seen these in my
local Vera store lately, but they are still available on
verabradley.com. What does everyone think? Do you like the structure
of this bag?
I would recommend it :>.

 

 

Vera Bradley inscribed on the clasp - very classy

 

 

Attachment mechanism

 

 

 Magnet on back is where top finger sits.
In this slip pocket, I put papers in here, as previously described.

 

 

Handle - could be used to carry with, but I
prefer to use this bag crossbody.

 

 

Shoulder strap - keeps it pretty comfortable.

 

 

View of the bag when opened

 

 

My hand inside the smaller back inner pocket

 

 

 One of the front slip pockets. These appear to
be the same size.

 

 

 Front zipper pocket

 

 

What can fit inside: medium cosmetic in
Watercolor, 14" laptop, laptop cord, and wristlet in Tea Garden, all
in the main compartment of the bag. Please note: my larger 15 some
inch work laptop also fits with the same items inside.

 

 

 

What the bag looks like when closed. I was able
to fit it all, although it was kind of tight!

 

Big thanks to Molly for her awesome review of her Attache. (Now I really want something in Water Color)

 

 

More Patterns to add to the retired list...

As far as retirements go, I'm relaying the information to you guys as I'm getting it, so that's why there are so many posts dedicated to this.  I've just gotten word that 5 more patterns will be retired before the end of the year.  Look for the sale to begin shortly after Christmas.

 

 



Rosy Posies

I think I might want to add something in this pattern to my collection.

 

Rhythm and Blues

 

Floral Nightingale

 

Mocha Rouge

I love this pattern, and I'm bittersweet to see it go.  I guess I better grab a few things before it's gone.

 

Very Berry Paisley

My all time favorite pattern. This one has been around so long, it's going to be hard to imagine not seeing this beauty in stores anymore.

 

 

 

My Retirement Sale Shopping List

 

Get Carried Away

 I've been dying to get this bag, and I'm going to pick it up in Mocha Rouge.

 

Mailbag

I've debated getting this bag since its release, and I think picking it up on sale is completely justifiable.

 

 

Super Smart Wristlet

I'm getting this just because I want to. ;-)

 

 

What will you be picking up at the next sale?

 



 

 

 

 

Wear Vera Bradley...on your nails!!



Every woman likes to coordinate her nail polish with her outfit, and ever since I became OBSESSED with Vera Bradley, I love to match my polish to my favorite patterns.  Inside Stitch dedicated a post to polish, so I decided to show you how you can use the nail polish you already have to create a perfect match.  (I did not have to buy any polish for this post, every bottle is already in my collection)  I've also included a few pictures of patterns I've attempted to paint, and the rest are future projects.

Canyon

 

 



The hardest part is waiting long enough for the design to dry before you apply the top coat.

 

 

Folkloric

 

 

Indigo Pop

 

The dots were actually fairly easy.  I used the tip of a ball point pen to apply each dot.

 

 

Happy Snails

 

 

Summer Cottage

 

Flowers are always tricky, and the center was the hardest part.  I smudged the yellow when applying the top coat, but all in all, I think it came out pretty good.

 

Jazzy Blooms

 

This pattern has so many colors you could pair almost anything with it.

 

Provencal

 

I could not even decide on what kind of design to do for this pattern, so I opted for a solid polish.

 

 

Do you have the perfect nail polish to match your Vera?

 

 

 



Breaking News!! More styles to be retired...

I was given some very valuable information the other day, and I wanted to share it with you all!!  Before the end of the year, several more styles will be retired, and some of them are shockers.

 Campus Tote

I don't think anyone was shocked about this retirement, but I think they're more surprised about how long it took this bag to go into retirement.  Remember, this bag made its debut in Fall 2012!!  That's it, one season.  This bag was released in Ribbons, but it will not be made in Dogwood, or English Rose.  I think Vera missed the mark on this one when they decided to use a magnet instead of a zipper.  Most ladies on, "campus," like the security of a zipper closure.

 

Lunch Date

With the number of different lunch bags, it was only a matter of time before Vera decided to retire one.  I'm sure a new lunch bag will be released next Fall, just in time for the new school year.

 

 

 



Laptop Backpack

I think this was the most shocking retirement.  Many ladies, of all ages love this bag, and I hear they are very popular with the college crowd.  I think when Vera retires something as loved as this item, they are probably revamping it for an upcoming release.

 

Backpack

Again, Vera has a number of backpacks on the market, and I think this smaller version is probably less popular.  I think it is so cute, and I've always wanted one, I just have no use for it.  Maybe now I can think of something!!

 

Gallery Wallet

To be honest, I've never given this wallet a second look.  I usually am not interested in any wallet with a checkbook slot, but this wallet has places for pictures, and that's intriguing.  Anyone own this wallet?

 

East West Tote

I have to say I was surprised by this one.  I love my East West Tote, and I know a lot of people that do too.  I can actually fit more in here than the standard tote.  Hopefully they are just re-doing this one!!

 

Chain Bag

I have never, not once seen anyone in public carrying this bag.  It's very cute, but it does not seem functional for everyday use.  It's also been brought to my attention that this bag does not have a hard base, so when you put anything in here the bag begins to sag. 

 

Chain Lanyard

I really want a lanyard, but with this chain you can hardly see any of the pattern!!

 

What were you most surprised by with these new additions to the retirement home?

 

 

UPDATED 9-27-2012

It looks like the hatbox cosmetic will also be retired before the end of the year!!

 



 





Awesome contest on Instagram

Even if you aren't on Instagram, it's not too late to join and participate in this great contest.  All you have to do is take a picture with your Vera collection and tag it to @Veraobsessed.  The winner will be announced on October 1.  Good luck!!

 

 

This is a great example of what we're looking for!! 

 

Follow us on Instagram @averyveraworld and follow @veraobsessed



Vera Bradley Abby Review

Abby has always been a bag that I really wanted but I didn't know what I would do with it, and I didn't know what print to get it in.  When Provencal was released, I loved it so much I thought, "why not give Abby a try?"  I really do love this print, and Abby looks so adorable in Provencal, I've gotten countless compliments on this bag.  There are a few improvements I would like to see but here's what Abby has to offer.

Abby in Provencal

This is a beautiful bag you can carry all year long.  The structured handle lets you carry this handheld or on your wrist.

 

Abby has 4 slip pockets on the outside of the bag and they are deep.  I can easily fit my phone inside and it's completely secure, I usually throw my keys in another pocket.  The pockets are so big I don't know what all to put in there!!  I love these pockets, I think it's a great feature on this bag.

 

 

 

 

Abby has a zipper closure, and I love zippers!! 

 

 

Inside view of the Abby

I was very surprised by how spacious the inside of this bag is. 

 

On one side there is large zipper pocket.  I use this for personal items or headphones.

 

The other side has 3 slip pockets.  I usually have lotion, gum, and hand sanitizer in these pockets.  Again, I was surprised at how big these slip pockets are.

 

I can easily fit my Kindle keyboard, turn lock wallet, and the medium bag from the cosmetic trio in this bag, along with everything I mentioned above in the slip pockets.

 

This bag is perfect for a night on the town, or dinner with friends, but I can not use this bag everyday.  That really broke my heart because this bag is so beautiful and I want to use it all the time.  Perhaps if Vera could make a removable strap, that could go across your body or even over your shoulder, that might make this bag a little more functional for day to day.

 

What are your thoughts?  Comment below and sound off!!