handbag love at first sight.

so I must confess, I haven't gotten a new handbag since this little beauty came home with me back in August of 2009!  For those of you that know me, know that this is a miracle!  I love my handbags..before entering married world, I probably purchased a new bag once a month!  I can blame it on becoming a married lady, spending most of our disposable income on items for our 1st house, and mostly on the fact that there is NOWHERE to get designer handbags in our small-town, Alaska. 
During my freshman year of college, Vera Bradley hit my group of girlfriends as the "it" item..and well, let's just say that I probably could have kept Mrs. Vera earning a paycheck from my purchases alone!  Lately, I haven't really loved any of the new fabric choices or even style of bag.  My last Vera purchase was back in Easter of 2009!  But have you seen the new Spring/Summer collection?!?  My heart almost beat out of my chest when I saw the new patterns..and this Charleston tote.  can't. breathe.

Now if only I could pick which pattern I want?  They are so vastly different..maybe both??

During my visit home I was talking with my BFF {still haven't found anyone in AK to discuss these things with..more on that later} about how fashionable & chic bags with short handles AND shoulder straps are!  She just purchased the most adorable Guess Bag in this style and I was ahead of the game when I purchased that Coach bag last August. They really are the best of both worlds..if you don't have one yet, you must try the trend!

And this cha cha handbag..seriously?  ruffles. cute pattern. large enough for my purse belongs plus my packed lunch...perfection.  I need this for my school bag when I sub, right?  RIGHT!

I will forever believe the world would be a better place if there were more ruffles in it.

Typically, in the Lower 48, I would run to my nearest boutique that carries Vera and purchase these beauties, but living in the middle of dog-sledding, hunting & fishing country...there is only one place who actually carries Vera and I've yet to get up the nerve to go check out their selection.  My guess is that it's not so great...but I could be pleasantly surprised.  My little new-found secret to these beauties is Ebay!  I have found some new-with-tags Vera bags for the fraction of the price!  Who knew?!?  I'm pretty pumped about this discovery & will be participating soon!  I'll let ya know how the outcome is!

So let's hear it..are you a Vera fan?!?  My cousin who is a dire-hard fashionista absolutely HATES the bags.  She calls them quilted grandma bags!  I think you either love them or hate them..but when the right pattern comes along, I'm a fan!

{and my husband just made complete fun of me for doing an entire blog post about my love for the new Vera Bradley bags. Dear Laura Beth, hurry up to Alaska so I can rave about this kind of stuff with a real-life girly girl!} :)