Nothing Cheers Me Up More Than an Amazing Deal on a Coach Bag from the Coach Factory Online!

I have been a Coach customer for over 20 years.  I used to buy strictly leather Coach bags, but since the leather used in the handbags has changed noticeably over the years, I have slowly migrated away from their leather bags.

Something else that's changed slightly is the exclusivity of who can sell first quality Coach products, especially online.  You can find Coach bags on Amazon, Ebay, and other websites that you may have never heard of before.  All the sellers state that they are authorized dealers, but how can you be sure?  Although there are plenty of resources online that help you to discern a genuine coach bag from a replica, there is always that little bit of concern in the back of my mind.  Since a fellow fashion blogger told me about Coach Factory Online, the official online Coach Factory outlet, I no longer need to risk shopping for deals on Coach bags elsewhere online.  I still look to see what's on sale in the Coach department at Macy's when I'm there, but the selection is much larger at the online outlet.

All you need to do to start receiving invitations to the Coach Factory Online sales events is to register on their homepage or you can drop me a note with your email and I can send you an invitation since I'm an existing member.  It's completely free!  When I first registered, I was skeptical about how good the prices would really be, but just wanted to take a look for myself.  The website says that the invitations to each sale event are sent at random, suggesting that not everyone receives invitations to every event.  That may be true, but I receive quite a few regularly.  Also, the selection changes quite frequently, so you can always return the following week if you don't see something you love.

I was pretty thrilled to get the Coach Park Metro Signature Tote for $133.56 (Reg. $318) and the Coach Darcy Patent Leather Medium Skinny for $24.48 (Reg. $68).  On top of that, I got free shipping because my order totaled at least $150!  Don't get me wrong, I don't buy Coach bags on a regular basis, but I wanted to share this site with those of you who may be in the market for one.  When you see the one that is the perfect match for you at a huge discount . . . it's kismet!!!

Weekend Wishlist: BEARPAW Boots, Chalkboard Mugs, Girls Personalized Tutu Ballerina Tote Bag, and More!

 It's Friday!  That means I've been browsing the new sales on Zulily.  I love shopping on the weekends because I only pay shipping on my first order and get free shipping on everything else from Friday through midnight on Sunday.  I am torn between all the end-of-summer deals and all the sales on new fall items, so I have some of each on my wishlist today.  I'm mostly set for back-to-school, so now I am starting to think about fall, winter, and Holiday gift shopping.  Even though I already own the BEARPAW Hickory & Camel Suede Ashton Boot, I saw another pair of cuddly BEARPAW boots that I would love to own!  A girl can never have too many pairs of warm boots, right?

What's new on my Zulily wishlist today?

1.  Classic Chalk Talk Mug - Set of Four - $22.99 (Originally $32)

2.  White Heart 'Don't Wake Me Up' Pajamas - $9.99 (Originally $24)

3.  Toddler & Girls Fuchsia Poppy Boot - $23.99 (Originally $40)

4.  Jeanne Lottie Black Fold-Over Clutch - $39.99 (Originally $90)

5.  BEARPAW Hickory Suede Candice Boot - Women - $44.99 (Originally $90)

6.  KidKraft Backyard Sandbox - $139.99 (Originally $300)

7.  Bunnies and Bows Light Pink Personalized Tutu Tote - $29.99 (Originally $50)

8.  Teal Ruffle Peacoat - $69.99 (Originally $240)


If you haven't already, be sure to checkout my post "6 Tips for Shopping on Zulily"!  What's on your weekend wishlist from Zulily or somewhere else?

Review: Treat Mom (or Yourself) to a Gift From Vera Bradley

Having received my very first Vera Bradley bag four years ago for Mother's Day, I have always felt there was a special connection between the Vera Bradley brand and that special holiday.  Since then, because I enjoy receiving these beautiful handbags and accessories so much, I have made it a habit of giving Vera Bradley gifts for Mother's Day, birthdays, and Christmas.

Whether you are a casual or serious Vera Bradley collector, you probably try to stay on top of which prints are new for the season and which are being retired.  One of my favorite prints for Summer 2011 is Vera Bradley's Watercolor.  Right in tune with the trends this season of feminine florals and soft washed out colors, this print is one of the prettiest ever offered by Vera Bradley.

If you are trying to come up with the perfect Mother's Day gift this year, Vera Bradley offers great gift ideas to fit any budget.  One year, I picked up a Porcelain Mug with Cover for my children to give to their grandmother for just $12.00 and my mother was delighted.

Here are some more great gift ideas for mom . . .

The Get Carried Away Tote makes the perfect overnight bag or a diaper bag for families with multiple little ones.  A generous 18-1/4" x 15-1/2" x 7-1/2", this bag has four exterior pockets . . . one on each side and one on each end.  The interior walls each have 3 pockets plus two water-resistant vinyl lined pockets on each end.  Like a jacket, the top zipper can be left open or zipped up to protect the bag's contents.  This bag is roomy enough to fit everything you need to get away for a night or two and then some.  If mom is planning a vacation later this year or simply loves to travel in general, then this would be a thoughtful and functional gift.  This bag retails for $88 in the current prints and is available for 25% off in the retired prints.

The Travel Wallet by Vera Bradley is not just for travelling.  It is only about an inch in thickness, but has enough organizational pockets inside to hold your cash, cards, tickets, passport, driver's license, and more.

I love that this wallet has a hidden magnetic closure and looks like a slimline clutch.  If it had a wrist strap, it would be perfect for me to use every day.  This wallet is a new Vera Bradley item and is currently only available in the Spring/Summer 2011 prints for $42.00.

One item that I know would be an appreciated gift is a Vera Bradley Umbrella.  Not only do these umbrellas look like works of art when opened, they are functional as well.  Each measures 11" while closed and comes with a coordinating protective sleeve.

The reason why I love this umbrella so much is that there is one button to press to make the umbrella open and then close again.  No more pinched fingers!  My husband did not believe me when I told him about this function and made me demonstrate it for him.  It makes this umbrella well-worth the price of $32.00.  Currently this umbrella is available in a limited number of prints, but does include many of the new prints for this season.

As you can see, we are not lacking in rain around here.  I will be putting this umbrella to good use.  Now I just need to figure out how to manage a weekend getaway with my husband . . .

Visit your local Vera Bradley store, VeraBradley.com, and Vera Bradley on Facebook to learn more about the newest bags and accessories for Spring and Summer.


Thank you to Vera Bradley for providing complimentary product samples for us to base this review upon.

Giveaway: Dress Barn Straw Tote Promotion (2 Winners) [CLOSED]

Recently, I was invited to shop at my local DressBarn. Since it is located where I normally do not need to go to run errands, I have never visited before. I had no expectations about what I would find . . . well, aside from dresses. However, I was hoping to find one or two things I could wear during the BlogHer convention this year.

I was very pleasantly surprised when I walked into the store. All the women's fashions, both casual and dressy, had an elegance to them. Many of the pieces had embellishments on them, which really is not my style, but there were more than enough things that did suit my taste. I saw a lot of basic must-haves for the summer months, such as lightweight tees, bermuda-length shorts and capris, but I do think DressBarn is the place to go if you need to dress nicely for work or an evening out. I found a beautiful top that I cannot wait to show off at one of the BlogHer events in August. Oh, and did I mention they have shoes and purses too?

For a limited time, DressBarn is giving away one of these brightly colored roomy straw totes with each purchase of $100 or more . . .

This DressBarn Summer Tote promotion continues while supplies last. To help you out with your summer wardrobe, here is a printable coupon for 20% off one regularly priced item from DressBarn. Hurry! It expires 6/30/10.

(To print, click on image to enlarge. Then right-click and select print.)

To keep up to date on more promotions like these, sign up for the DressBarn mailing list, visit DressBarn on Facebook, and follow DressBarn on Twitter.

Thank you to DressBarn for sending me a sample tote free of charge and a gift card as a thank you for sharing this information with my readers and also for providing an additional two totes for our contest prizes.

What you can win:
Two lucky readers will each receive a Straw Summer Tote in their choice of color (green, blue, pink, or yellow). Subject to availability.

Limitations:

This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.

How to Gain Entries:

Leave a comment telling me where you will be toting your tote this summer, if you win this contest. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.

2)

For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3) For 10 extra entries, blog about this contest linking back to this post AND DressBarn.com . Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments with the link to your blog post.

4)

For 1 extra entry each, if you are a Friend of mine on Facebook and/or if you have "liked" the 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires Facebook page, then leave a separate comment here telling me so with the link to your Facebook profile.

5) For 1 extra entry, follow DressBarn on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

6)

Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

7)

Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

8)

Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

9)

Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

10)

Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

<br /> <a href="http://www.3garnets2sapphires.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd206/Busymonkeez/Graphics4Me/NEWBlogButton125x125.jpg" /></a><br /><br />

(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:

This contest will be closed on Monday, July 12th, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!

Shop 'n' Share: Matching Mother/Daughter Purses

Now that my daughter is 3-1/2, I've noticed that she is paying more attention to clothing and accessories. Since I did not really know what I had wanted for Mother's Day, I thought it would be a nice treat to find matching or coordinating mother/daughter bags.

Well I looked all over and did not find anything that I liked. I did find some cute bags at JCPenney that had a large and small version, but they were too much money. I just could not spend $40 on a bag for a 3yr old.

Then I stumbled across Tote-ally Bags on Etsy. Their "Toteally Together" collection consists of matching mother/daughter tote bags. This Etsy seller is amazing! I placed my custom order (with my fabric choice and customized handle length) a week before Mother's Day and received these bags in time to show off on Mother's Day.

After a very poor experience with another custom bag company, I was so thrilled with Tote-ally Bags! By the way, both totes only cost $36 plus shipping. The workmanship was excellent and I just really could not have been more pleased.

Can you guess who else was extremely pleased?

This article is based on my own personal shopping experience. No compensation was received for sharing this experience with my readers.