Is anyone surprised that I am writing a post about Vera Bradley? I didn't think so!

A while back, Dane came up with a brilliant way to encourage me to run...this was after his attempt to "do dishes" while I was at the gym. (I came home to 2 dozen freshly baked cookies! More dishes and tempting treats...NOT HELPING!) Anyway, Dane decided that he would encourage me with Vera Bradley! For every mile I ran I earned a dollar towards some Vera of my choice! I just love him! (For many more reasons than this!)

 Last week I went and cashed in a few of my Vera dollars on this beauty!

 The little hipster is the perfect size (for a smaller purse) and I LOVE that it has a wallet compartment built in!

 I was torn between Jazzy Blooms and Plum Crazy, but I am so glad I went with this one! It matches everything!

 The real motivation for working out is being healthy, but it is also nice to have a goal to work towards. Knowing that I am only 5 miles away from a wallet or pair of Vera Bradley sunglasses makes it easy to get out and run! AND... I don't feel guilty when I buy something. After all, I earned it!

 What motivates you to stay active?

If you are anything like me, you probably have to clean your purse out on a very regular basis. It is a chore that I always dread doing, but makes me feel much better (and more organized) when it is done! So, I decided to tackle the job today. I ended up pulling out several receipts, expired coupons, and gum wrappers that managed to find a place in the bottom of my bag. I also found stray cash and change that were just tossed in when I was in a hurry. (It is always nice to find cash that you forgot about!) It seems like I clean the same items out every time. However, there are several items that stay with me at all times! 

Prayer Book: I always keep this little notebook in my purse. It helps me keep track of all of the things and people that I need to pray for. 

Lip Balm: I can't go anywhere without this! I gotta keep my lips soft and smooch-able for my hubby! (Sorry, that may have been an overshare.)

Shades: I love these cute sunglasses, but I am sure I won't have them long. I tend to go through shades quickly...probably because they just get tossed in my purse.

iPhone: I would be lost without my phone! 

Checkbook: For when I need to write a check...which is pretty rare! 

Nail Polish: Just in case I need to do a quick touch up! 

Earrings: Honestly, I don't really know why these stay in there. They get pretty heavy, and I usually take them off before I make it home. 

Wallet: I like to keep all of my cards, cash, and coupons in one place. This small Vera Bradley wallet is easy to grab for a quick trip into the store. 

(If you like my iPhone wallpaper you can find it here.)

What do you keep in your purse?