My Vera Bradley Collection

Since the 2012 Vera Bradley Outlet Sale starts today and I'll be there tomorrow to add to my collection, I thought I'd do a little show and tell today. Of course you know I'm a big Vera Bradley fan, but just how big is my collection? Let me show you!

First up is the Vera Bradley items I carry on a daily basis. My usual purse is currently a Stephanie in Totally Turq. I bought it last year at the outlet sale and I've been using it ever since. My wallet is a Turn Lock Wallet in Paprika. I got that at the Outlet Sale in 2010. I use a Brush and Pencil in Twirly Birds Pink for my lip glosses and pens. I got that last year at the Outlet Sale. I have a Coin Purse in Petal Pink for my change. I can't remember where I picked that up, maybe an Outlet Sale. I carry my camera in a Tech Case in Night Owl. I bought that at the Outlet Sale in 2010. It was actually discarded along the way to the check out and I grabbed it, so keep your eye out if you're at the Outlet Sale. And finally, I use a Kiss Lock Coin Purse in Mediterranean Blue to hold my gift cards. That was the free gift with purchase at the 2010 sale.

This is a Weekender in Yellow Bird. I bought it from the Vera Bradley website when they were having a sale a few years ago. I use it whenever we take trips to Chicago and I probably start using it as a carry-on after our honeymoon flight fiasco.

Yes, this is a Vera! This is a Zoe in Silk Paisley. It was part of a special collection of dressier purses they used to do every year. I bought this at my very first Outlet Sale. I mostly use it for dressier events where I pair it with a basic black dress.

This was my first Hipster. It's Petal Pink which was at one time "my" pattern. I bought this one on ebay. I like to use hipsters when traveling or shopping at the flea market or the Outlet Sale.

Zip Around Wallet in Yellow Bird - I believe I got this for a birthday present from my mom.

Stephanie in Yellow Bird - Bought this at the 2010 Outlet Sale (Yikes, looks like I need to wash it!)

Bucket Tote in Yellow Bird - I got this at the 2009 Outlet Sale.

Euro Wallet in Yellow Bird - Bought this at the 2010 Outlet Sale

Celebrations Book in Yellow Bird - I think I got this at TJ Maxx a few years ago. It's a book to write the dates of special days in and it holds cards.

Hipster in Totally Turq - I bought this at the 2011 Outlet Sale. If you're at this year's sale for the 11:00 Thursday session, you'll spot me wearing this one.

Large Bow Cosmetic in Petal Pink - Received as birthday present years ago. It's my cosmetic bag when I travel.

Small Bow Cosmetic in Petal Pink - I got this at TJ Maxx a few years ago. I use it to store my make up brushes.

Curling Iron Cover in Mod Floral Pink - I got this at a local Vera Bradley retailer using a store coupon. It was just after Mod Floral Pink came out.

Pocket Wallet in Yellow Bird - I bought this at the 2009 Outlet Sale

Here you can see that this Pocket Wallet actually came apart at the seam. I only used it a couple times, so it was probably just a quality control issue, but this is why I bought a Euro Wallet the next year. I like to use these smaller wallets with my Hipsters.

Laptop Sleeve in Floral Nightingale - I won this in a giveaway on the Vera Bradley blog. It's actually about an inch too small for my laptop so it doesn't zip all the way, but I still use it.

Curvy Tote in Java Blue - I got this at the 2009 Outlet Sale. I used it for wedding planning and now I use it to carry my laptop.

Vera in Yellow Bird - I bought this at either the 2009 or 2010 Outlet Sale. I use it for my teaching bag.

Vera in Pink Pansy - My very first piece of Vera Bradley! I bought this for my teaching bag when I started my student teaching. I have used it so much that it's actually faded.

Tech Case in Cambridge - I bought this at the 2009 Outlet Sale to store my GPS unit in.

??? in Classic Black - This was the free gift at the 2009 Outlet Sale. I use it for my jewelry when traveling. Anybody know it's called? It's a retired piece.

I have so much Vera Bradley, that I had a feeling I may have forgotten a couple things and I did. I also have a Planner in Paprika that I picked up at the 2009 Outlet Sale for $1 and a Lanyard in Hope Garden that I just got for my past birthday. I can't believe I forgot the Lanyard since I wear it at work all the time. I also have a Wristlet in Yellow Bird that I bought at one of the Outlet Sales to hold my Nintendo DS.

How big is your Vera Bradley collection?

Doctor Who's Day - Favorite Special Episode

Today's Doctor Who's Day topic is favorite special episode. Between the annual Christmas specials and David Tennant's fourth series of specials, there a plenty of specials to choose from. However, my favorite special episode is the first Christmas episode, The Christmas Invasion.

I like this special because it was David Tennant's first. And even though he spent much of it recovering from the regeneration, we did get to learn what kind of Doctor he was going to be. I was apprehensive at first about somebody else playing the Doctor. I liked Nine and his personality, so I was a bit worried that I wouldn't like Ten or his personality.

It turns out, I shouldn't have worried because I ended up loving Ten. As you know, he's my Doctor now. And I liked this special because it was a great introduction to him.

Here are some of my favorite bits:



Poor Doctor, he just wants to be ginger once.



I was so glad he was going to have a sense of humor!



What's your favorite Doctor Who Special Episode?

Pinterest Sunday

Time for my weekly Pinterest roundup! Every Sunday, I share with you a few of my top finds from the previous week.

Since today is Easter, I thought I'd share some of my Easter pins from this year. Maybe you'll get some ideas for today or next year.

First, some clever ways to decorate eggs. I haven't' decorated eggs since I was a child, but seeing these ideas makes me want to try them next year.

Source: bhg.com via Jenn on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Jenn on Pinterest

Source: shealynns-faerie-shoppe.blogspot.com via Jenn on Pinterest

Next, something I actually pinned and did!

Source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Jenn on Pinterest

If you follow the Argyle Love Facebook page, you know I posted some codes for free 8x10s from Walgreens. I used one of those codes to have this free subway art printed. It looks nice and cheerful in our living room.



If you're on Pinterest, leave a link in the comments and I'll check out your boards.

Fort Wayne Fun

With the Vera Bradley Outlet Sale in just one week, it's time to start thinking about the trip to Fort Wayne. For me, Fort Wayne is about a 90 minute drive. I've been there numerous times and it's not unheard of for us to make a day trip of it on a Saturday.

Vera Bradley has a post on their blog about some food and activities in Fort Wayne. Check it out for some ideas.

A few of my favorite places in Fort Wayne didn't make their list, so I thought I'd share them in case you're looking for something to do in town. I know some people travel from across the country, so the sale is a good excuse to take a vacation in the Fort Wayne area.

Fort Wayne Children's Zoo - The usual reason we take a trip to Fort Wayne, besides the Outlet Sale, is a trip to the zoo. Unfortunately, the zoo won't be open during the sale, but if you're ever in the area, check it out.

They both made the Vera Bradley list, but I do enjoy shopping at both Glenbrook Square Mall and Jefferson Pointe. There's a Vera Bradley store at Jefferson Pointe and the sale will have a bus that will take you there. It's a great shopping center.

How about some restaurants? Since we go to the 11:00 session, we like to go out for lunch afterwards. Fort Wayne is home to many national chain restaurants, but there are also some great local restaurants.

Casa Restaurants - Family owned Italian restaurants with several locations around Fort Wayne. There's even one right across the street from the Coliseum.

Wings Etc. - This chain of family friendly sports restaurants is located throughout Indiana and southern Michigan. They are obviously known for their buffalo wings, but the rest of their menu is great.

There are many other restaurants in Fort Wayne, but these are the ones I've had the most experience with.

If you're coming to Fort Wayne for the sale, I highly encourage you to check out the town and support some local businesses!