Design your own purse with Studio Thirty-One

Have you ever wished you could design your own purse when flipping through a catalog or shopping online? Well now you can! Right on the Thirty-One website with Studio Thirty-One. With all of the options available the possibilities are endless. And even after you've designed you're purse you aren't stuck with using it the way you order it because you can always go back and order more flaps, straps, and bodies! Ready to learn more? Then keep scrolling.......

You start of choosing either the classic or modern body style. Both have a full sized pocket that has a magnetic closure and a smaller pocket perfect for a cell phone or keys. And both have an interior zipper pocket and two flat pockets. Honestly the only difference is the size.

Classic body dimensions: 8.5" H x 12" L x 2.5" D
Modern body dimensions: 12.25" H x 12.5" L x 2" D

Once you've chosen your body style you'll need to pick out your flap (or flaps if you can't decided on just one to start with) and if you want personalization. The nice part about ordering online is that you can use the personalize tool to get a good idea of how your personalization will look on your flap before you order. It definitely helps with visualization for colors. I did a couple flaps with personalization and one without for variety. As you can hopefully see at the top of each flap is half of a zipper. The other half is on the purse body. That's how you connect and change out the flaps. Once attached the flaps also have magnets that keep them flat to the front of the purse so your belongings inside are secured.

And once you've finished up your flaps it's time to pick out straps. Honestly I never knew that would be so hard either. Not only do you have to pick colors you also have to decided if you want them to be crossbody or shoulder straps. Crossbody straps are 54" long whereas shoulder straps are only 23" long. So you have to decide how you plan to carry your purse. For me that depends on WHERE I'm carrying my purse. When I go certain places I like to carry my purse across my body because it makes me feel safer. So I usually go with the crossbody straps and just shorten them up if I want to use it as a shoulder strap. All straps have metal clasps at each end that allow you to clip them on and off of your purse body. They hold securely to the purse so you don't ever have to worry about them accidentally coming off.

It doesn't mater if you match your straps and flaps to your purse body or prefer to have them in contrasting colors Thirty-One has something that will fit your personal style. I got these before they added a bunch more excited colors to their line up. Now they have a black and coral body as well as many more flaps and straps to choose from. Guess that just means this gal needs to go shopping again!

And just in case you were wondering they even have wallets that match several of the purse flaps too!

If you ever have questions don't hesitate to reach out I will always do my best to answer anything I can, or find the answers if I don't know them.

This is a sponsored post on behalf of the above mentioned brand. I received product to share my honest and unbiased thoughts. However, all thoughts and opinions stated are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brand.

The Retro Metro is back and even better!

I have to say when I heard the Retro Metro was coming back this fall I was ecstatic. It was one of my favorite purses ever and I like many others was heartbroken when I saw it missing from my Thirty-One catalog. It's so roomy and even for the size lightweight to carry. As a mom I like having the extra space if I need it to toss in some snacks etc. and not have to worry I'm overloading my purse. Thankfully it's back and in some really stylish colors too.

And since I have one (okay a few more than one) of the previous versions of the Retro Metro I thought it would be nice to share with you what some of the differences are between them. The overall size didn't really seem to be much different, but right off you can tell that the quality is. It has a nice sturdy feel and lots of reinforced stitching. First thing I noticed was they removed the fringed trim around the top and added some nice reinforced bold colored stitching instead. I have to say I like this better, the fringe wasn't really one of my favorite attributes on the older version. Another thing they did that was very noticeable was removed the interior lobster claw clasp and placed it on the outside just above one of the end pockets. The jury is still out for me on this change though. I like having the outside clasp because it's very handy to use for my car keys to make them easy to grab quickly. However I really liked having a clasp on the inside to hang things from inside my purse too. Speaking of the side pockets - they are bigger which is quite nice. On the inside you'll still find the zippered pocket as well as the two flat pockets as the previous style had. I did think the updated version had nicer pockets though. And instead of the patch where you were supposed to write you name (but I don't think anyone ever did) you'll find a nice saying instead. Another really nice touch. On the overall I personally love the updates to the Retro Metro and am glad that even though it had to disappear for awhile it's back and even better!

And while I have your attention I also wanted to point out a few must have accessories for your Retro Metro. I'm one of those people that used to think everything had to match perfectly to a T. But after my trip to the Thirty-One conference a few months ago I have a whole new perspective when it comes to accessorizing. Sometimes mixing colors and/or patterns can actually turn out to be a really nice thing. Take for instance my combination of the Grey Geo Strip Retro Metro and the Lil' Scribble accessories. There wasn't any accessories to match exactly so I thought that it was the perfect time to test out my new perspective on things. And if I do say so myself I think they go together quite well.

In short you should always have an open mind when choosing colors/patterns to make a set, you never know what you might come up with!

Connect with Thirty-One: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of the above mentioned brand. I received product(s) in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts. All thoughts and opinions stated are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brands.

Mini-trips are my new thing! #thirtyone

If you've been following my blog long you've probably noticed we don't take big trips. For one we just don't have the finances for big trips every year, and two my husband doesn't have much vacation time. So as you've probably seen we like to do "mini-trips" as I like to call them. Whether it be a day trip to see a dinner show or an overnight trip to do some exploring a few hours from home they are really a lot of fun. My daughter actually mentioned to me on the one we took over spring break that she would like to do more of them this summer so she can see more of Indiana. One really nice part about taking mini-trips is that you don't have to pack a big huge suitcase. Everyone can have their own smaller individual bags that fit in the trunk with ease (especially if you put them all in a Deluxe Utility Tote) - and leave room for any treasure you might find along the way! Let me point out we had four different bags inside of the deluxe tote. Yet when it came time to move everything in and out of the car we only had one to carry (well that and my bag at the side too)! Oh and of course it gave me the chance to break out lots of my fun bright patterned Thirty-One bags too!

The first thing I broke out was my Double Duty Caddy. Normally it's sitting at home filled with crafting supplies but this time I filled it with all of the "necessary" goodies we would need for our trip. I'm one of those moms that packs heavy on the snacks because I don't like to stop just because one person is hungry. I don't do convenience store stops for candy bars and chips. I prepare ahead of time with crackers, granola bars and dried fruit. And what better way than in a handy tote we can also take inside the hotel with us.

On our recent overnight trip up north for spring break I took along more of my Thirty-One products than usual because I found new ways to use them. I always love finding multiple ways to use things, and love sharing so others might be able to use them too! This is a photo of their Swap-It-Pocket. It's supposed to be for your purse so you can keep it organized and switch from one to another with ease. I couldn't find my toiletry bag when packing for our trip and remembered I had just received this little gem. Check out how awesome everything fits inside! Two zippered pockets on the outside, two elastic pockets on the inside, and a center pocket. Plenty of space to fit all of my toiletries!

This super cool transformation is the Cool Clip Thermal Pouch. Yes it was thought of for snacks or other things you might take outside and on the go. However I transformed it into a wet bag for our swimsuits after we got done swimming. By putting them in this bag nothing else will get wet on the way home. After we got home I just wiped the bag out with a towel and it was good to go.

I also got to show off my fun new personalized Thirty-One stuff on our trip too. This was my first time using their new website tool to test out what personalization would look like before ordering products. Now if we are out somewhere like a pitch-in picnic no one can try to take my Deluxe Utility Tote because it has our last name on it. And my daughter won't be asking to use my Organizing Shoulder Bag on her school field trips because it has my initial not hers! Yes that has really happened before with another one of my crossbody totes. Just because she thought it was cute that meant she should be able to use it on a field trip. And of course when she brought it back it had a big ole stain on it because she had laid it down and someone spilled red juice on it. So this time I got one with my first initial to avoid her even asking, and keeping me from having to be the "mean mom" and telling her no. I will admit though it's a great bag to carry when your walking around a museum or a park and don't need all of the "extras" us ladies tend to tote around in our purses.

I don't know why, but I just love sharing this photo of my son. As a mom it really makes me proud when he takes care of me when we are out without his dad. All on his own he gathered up the bags and headed out of the hotel room.

With Mother's Day right around the corner it would be the perfect time to take that special mom in your life on a mini-trip...just saying I know I would love it! Of course if you don't have time for a trip you can still get her something special like a personalized gift.

Connect with Thirty-One: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram 

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of the above mentioned brand. I received product(s) in exchange for my honest and unbiased thoughts. All thoughts and opinions stated are my own and are in no way influenced by my partnership with mentioned brands.

HDE Women's Faux Leather Shoulder Bag

I'm what one might call a bit of a purse and tote bag fanatic. I have more than I could even count on two hands to be honest. And I'm not saying all together, I mean purses and tote bags separately. I have them in different shapes, sizes, and colors.  A girl has to have just the right bag for every occasion right? So of course when my new shoulder bag from HDE arrived you know I was all about checking it out inside and out.

Starting from the outside it's made of a nice faux leather material. It has a large opening at the top that also has a zipper to keep all your contents inside. It also has a cute little strap that goes across the top at the center you can slide through a loop for added charm. Inside the bag you will find a cute little coin purse with a zipper that's attached by a strap. I love this because that makes it so easy to pull up and out of the bag. You will also find two inner open pockets as well as a zippered pocket. Nice for stowing away your cell phone, credit cards, and of course all your miscellaneous stuff you don't want in the bottom of the bag. The interior of the bag has a vinyl liner like most bags that is easy to wipe out if you spill inside of it. It's actually very roomy inside and it can be used as an over-sized purse, or as a tote bag. On the overall I really like this bag and plan to use it to keep papers in for my essential oils classes that I attend. I can slip my pen, keys and extras inside the smaller zippered pocket and all of my papers in file folders in the main compartment.

Colors: Black, cream, Turquoise, hot pink, red, and yellow.

Size: 16.5" x 10.5" x 1.5"

Buy it: You can purchase the HDE Women's Faux Leather Shoulder Bag on Amazon.

At home and on the go with Thirty-One

As I'm sure you already know I've been a fan of Thirty-One for quite a long time. I love that it's a brand with style and a wide variety of products that I can use both at home and on the go. Speaking of style if you haven't checked out their Fashion Games purse yet I have to say you're missing out. It's super stylish and perfect for toting around all the necessities us ladies seem to need these days on the go. I love that it is super roomy inside so I can put all my stuff inside and not worry about stuffing it. Add on one of their Triple Slit Pockets that snaps inside and you even have plenty of places for cards, keys, your phone, and all those little things you don't want dropped down in the bottom.

Sometimes I don't want to take my entire purse with me when I'm just running a quick errand or over to my mom's house close to ours. But as you know you still need your ID and of course cash just to be safe. So pairing up the Fashion Games purse with the Double Up Crossbody is the perfect way to solve that problem. It has a removable strap so you can use it like a wallet in your purse or with the strap attached like a purse by itself. No having to switch from one purse to another for a quick trip out.

Remember the Double Duty Caddy from my previous post? (you can still read it here) I talked about various ways of using it for taking crafts on the go or use at home. Well here's one of the companion pieces (in the same pattern), the Essential Storage Tote. Let me tell you this photo doesn't do it any justice, it's so much bigger than it looks. The actual overall size is 14.5"H X 12"L X 9"D. It's so big I can fill it with all the stuff I need to help teach a craft at my daughter's Girl Scouts meeting with room to drop my Double Duty Caddy full of crafting supplies right in on top! The handles are perfect for tossing the bag right up on my shoulder too so it leaves me hands free going in from the car. And when I'm not using it to tote around crafts it folds down pretty flat so I can just tuck it away until I need it again....well that's if I actually put away everything in it that is.

And last but definitely not least is one of the signature (in my opinion) products from Thirty-One, the Large Utility Tote. Right now this tote is available in a whopping 20 different prints (they change some of the prints with each new catalog, and sometimes even have special limited time only patterns). I had gotten a one of those special prints that was only available in the fourth quarter last year for the holidays and have to say I'm still loving it. It's not one that screams Christmas so it's something I can use all winter long. This has always been one of my favorite Thirty-One products, and I will be honest probably the one I use the most. (I'm not going to tell you how many of them I have though...) Let's just say I have a few of them here and there and leave it at that. I actually have one of them with a Top-a-Tote Lid that I use for my Circuit machine and all my stuff I use with it. The tote is the perfect size for my machine to sit down into and leaves me enough space to add in my extras. Then it's all ready to go when I am heading to an all day scrapbooking event to take it with me. I just grab the tote by the handles (so to speak) and I'm ready to go. Plus while it's not being used at home it stays dust free with the lid on the tote.

If you haven't checked out Thirty-One in a while I encourage you to do so. Their spring/summer catalog just came out the first of February and it has some really hot new prints and products I know I'm dying to get my hands on!

You can find these and so many more great products for at home and on the go at the Thirty-One website.

Joanne Black Convertible Backpack #88Handbags

I am really enjoying my new Joanne Black Convertible Backpack from the 88 Handbag Line. I love bags that you can carry more than one way. This one you can sling over one shoulder or unzip the strap and carry it backpack style. I like this because it's the perfect bag for taking on field trips with my daughter's school class. I can toss it on my back and not have to worry about it slipping off my shoulder when we are walking around. It has pockets on the outside on each end that are perfect for my cell phone and camera making them quickly accessible. The main compartment can be accessed from either the backside or the top of the bag. I really like this feature because it makes getting to the stuff inside very easy. It's made from vegan leather so it's very nice quality and stylish to carry too!

Features:
• Crafted with the highest quality, environmentally-friendly vegan leathers
• Easily converts from sling strap to double strap backpack
• Top and back zipper entry to main compartment
• Two sizable side zip pockets for smartphone, keys and other storage

• 12"W x 13"H x 5"D, 21" shoulder drop

Charitable Contributions:
88 donates a % of every sale to a charity that assists in educating women around the world. They believe that educating women is the key to a better world. With women educated even to a primary school level child mortality rates come down, families become wealthier, diseases are more under control and each of these women has more of a choice over her fate and future. She can read about the world and not be dependent on a man to tell her what is and is not true.

The charity that they support is: http://www.careinternational.org.uk/fighting-poverty/empowering-women-and-girls/educating-girls

Giveaway CLOSED - The winner has been notified via email and confirmed.

Buy it: You can shop for the Joanne Black Convertible Backpack and many other great purses and bags at the 88 Handbags website. SAVE 10% OFF with coupon code: OUF5L45V (valid from 2/1- 2/14)

Connect with 88 Handbags:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Win it: One lucky reader will win a Joanne Black Convertible Backpack. This giveaway will end February 14th at 11:59 PM EST. The winner will have 24 hours to respond to my email. If no response, a new winner will be chosen.  Prize fulfillment will be made by the sponsor, I am not responsible for prize delivery or lost or stolen deliveries. Open to residents of the US.

Go out in style with coordinating pieces from Thirty-One

The Retro Metro Bag from Thirty-One is the perfect everyday bag. It can hold folders, notebooks, your wallet, accessories and more in the main compartment. All this while keeping your smaller items organized in the interior zippered pocket and the two credit card/cell phone pockets located on the inside back of the bag. Plus it has a really nice clip on the inside at one end that's perfect for keeping things you need often from being lost in the bottom of your bag. I like to use mine to hold my store rewards cards because I have them on a separate keychain. It also has two exterior pockets (one on each end) that are great for things like your car keys, cell phone, sunglasses and more! I like to keep one of my fold-up grocery totes in one of the outside pockets so I always have one with me no matter where I am. The pockets are nice and deep so I don't have to worry about anything falling out of them either.

Along with my Retro Metro Bag I also have a coordinating Perfect Cents Wallet. I love that it has 10 card slots making it convenient for me to carry and organize all of my various cards all in one place. I like to keep my driver's license in the open window slot so I don't have to even take it out when I need to show it to someone. There's multiple larger slots/pockets where you can sort your bills, discount cards, or coupons. I even keep a few bandages in one of them so they stay flat and are easy to find. There's even a place to put a pen in the center and it doesn't make the wallet extra bulky or anything either. With a zipper on the front and the back there's plenty of room for change and other small things you like to keep handy in your bag. And to wrap up the great features of the wallet it also features a D-ring where you can attach a wrist strap for those times when you just want to carry your wallet by itself.

Along with my bag and wallet I also received the awesome Bring-A-Bottle Thermal from Thirty-one. I like this item a lot because in the summer I like to always take a bottle of water with me when I head out. With this thermal I can take a bottle and actually keep it cold for a lot longer than just putting it in my car by itself. Plus with the handy drawstring top it keeps the moisture inside the thermal and keeps everything on the outside dry. That makes it great for toting it in my Retro Metro Bag. I don't have to worry about anything in my bag getting wet. It features a carabiner hook on the side so I can even attach it on the hook inside my bag too if I want to keep it up higher in the bag. I usually just put it in one of the outside pockets though so it's super easy to get in and out. I was able to put a 23.7oz tall bottle of water in mine with just the top sticking out (as shown in the photo). Perfect for running errands on a hot sunny day!

Buy it: You can purchase products from Thirty-One Gifts through a Thirty-One consultant. Each month they have new and exciting customer specials. They also have hostess specials giving you an added incentive to hold your own party so you can cash in on extra rewards! Or if you think Thirty-One just might be the place for you to earn a little extra cash while building your collection you can become a consultant yourself.

Make sure you enter my giveaway to win a Retro Metro Bag!

Direct Sales Saturday: Thirty-One = Fashion on the go!

Thirty-One was started just over 10 years ago by Cindy Monroe. She wanted to provide a way for women to own their own business while also allowing them the flexibility to be at home with their families. I personally love what she has done with the company over the years. She keeps up with the every changing fashions of today with new styles and patterns.

The photo above is of the All-Day Organizing Tote from Thirty-One in Bubble Bloom. I absolutely love this new pattern because it's so bright and cheerful. It's the perfect tote for carrying around anything you need on the go. I'm planning to use it to pack up towels and outdoor needs when we head out on the boat this summer. The inside pockets are perfect for sunglasses, sunscreen, and a little first aid kit. It zips shut on the top holding everything in, but doesn't zip tightly closed so if I put our damp towels inside I don't have to worry about them stinking by the time we get home. It would also be a great tote for a day out at the park with the kids. You could pack sand toys, snacks, an extra set of clothes for a little one, and still have room! I have had several pieces from Thirty-One for quite a few years and besides getting a little dirty from use you can't even tell that they aren't new. The quality is outstanding and the colors don't fade with use either. I can quite honestly say they are my favorite go-to place for fashionable totes and purses.

Another great thing I've learned about Thirty-One is that they care about others. And to show this they've even created a special owl embroidery option to celebrate the hard work nurses and teachers perform everyday. I received a Picnic Thermal with this cute personalization option on it and thought it was awesome. What a great way to show your children's teachers just how much you appreciate all of the hard work they do. Or the school nurse for all she does through out the year. The owl icon with personalization is just over 4" W x 4" H. I think it dresses up the Picnic Thermal very nicely. And this would be a great item for them to take their lunches to school in too!

Thirty-One will be offering the special owl embroidery through May 31. This embroidery is available with a predetermined phrase or including personalization for only $5 with the half off personalization special! Choose from the following styles: Large Utility Tote, Spirit Cinch Sac, Picnic Thermal Tote, Zip-Top Organizing Utility Tote in Spirit Colors.

Buy it: You can purchase products from Thirty-One Gifts through a Thirty-One consultant. Each month they have new and exciting customer specials. They also have hostess specials giving you an added incentive to hold your own party so you can cash in on extra rewards! Or if you think Thirty-One just might be the place for you to earn a little extra cash while building your collection you can become a consultant yourself.

April Customer Specials:
• JK by Thirty-One jewelry (discounts when you spend $35)
• Oh-Snap Bins and Oh-Snap Pockets are $5 each for up to three with any $35 purchase
• 50% off all personalization, including our adorable owl personalization for nurses and teachers ($5 personalization with discount)

April Hostess Specials:
• Three organizing cubes and bins with a lid for free with a $600 party of $10 with a $200+ party.

Thirty-One Skirt Purse vs. Miche Handbag

Which is the right purse for you?

First up is the Thirty-One Gifts Skirt Purse. 

As you can see in the above photo each Thirty-One Gifts Skirt Purse comes with an attached instruction tag.  Really it's a pretty simple process but just in case you have any problems they handy tag shows you step by step exactly how to attach your first skirt.  The second photo shows you how the purse unsnaps to reveal the clasps where you hook the skirt onto the purse. I think it's actually a pretty clever system, and when you're all done you can't even tell how it is attached.

Miche Bag & Shell #Giveaway 1-27

 

The Hope (red) Shell for Prima Bags has an edgy vibe while delivering an undeniable message of determination in the face of adversity. Faith, hope and love are beautifully defined in black and white on a smooth, red faux leather background. It's not just a Shell—it's a work of art. Catch the Spirit of Hope—a portion of every purchase of a Hope Shell goes directly to cancer research.

Show your support for the fight against cancer with our gorgeous Hope Charmer. Various-shaped beads in shades of pink, red and black complement two delightful silver-toned charms: one of a butterfly and one of the word “Hope.” A portion of every purchase of the Hope Charmer goes directly to cancer research.

My Take:
I received The Prima Base Bag with a Hope (red) Shell and Hope Charmer for my review from the Miche line. I have to say I am in love with this bag.  It far exceeded my expectations.  I had often seen advertisements and hear people talk about Miche bags, but until now I never knew just how great they were. These bags are very well made, and having the option to just change the shell is amazing.  I mean really how often does your purse completely wear out where you need a new one?  And if you're like me you like to do a different bag for different seasons to coordinate with your wardrobe.  Well, with Miche you can easily do that and not break the bank.  Just get one base bag and shells to fit whatever styles you're looking for. I chose the Hope Shell and Charmer to show my support to my aunt who was recently diagnosed with cancer.  Knowing a portion of the proceeds goes towards cancer research is a pretty big deal if you ask me. It's nice to know a company like Miche cars enough to support this disease.

Win it: One lucky reader will win a Miche Demi Base Bag and Shell of their choice. This giveaway will end January 28th at 12:01 AM EST. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email. If no response, a new winner will be chosen. Open to residents of the US.

Entry Method:  Please use Rafflecopter form to enter.