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?

I have always been a fan of planners. Don't get me wrong, I like my iPhone calendar...BUT I really enjoy writing my schedule down on paper. PLUS, I get to use cute writing, doodles, and highlighters! Yes, I am kind of a dork! Anyway...with my busy schedule, it is really important to have a planner that I love! Luckily, Vera Bradley has come up with the ultimate calendar, the 2014 Student Agenda! No, I am not a student, but this is still my planner of choice!







When my days are packed with photo shoots, editing, work, workouts, and blogging it is important to keep every minute organized. The Vera Bradley 2014 Student Agenda makes organizing my schedule a piece of cake. PLUS...it is super cute! Has Vera Bradley ever made anything that wasn't?!? NO!

 Here are a few things that I am loving about this planner:
Cute, Colorful Pockets: I am always tucking loose paper into my planners, but they used to slip out and get misplaced. That doesn't happen anymore! The pockets help keep my extra papers contained. AND they are great for storing some extra business cards.
Quick Glance Holiday Calendar: It is so nice to have quick access to a 2013-2014 calendar with all of the holidays highlighted! I cannot tell you how many time I have flipped to this page for scheduling.
Sturdy, Laminated Tabs: I have had planners in the past that have been flimsy and disappointing. I have had this planner for a couple months, and the tabs are still in perfect condition!
Schedule: (This would be a great feature if I were still in school!) There are 4 semesters worth of pages to keep your class schedule handy! It kind of makes me want to go back to school! ;)
Monthly and Weekly Calendars: I use both monthly and weekly calendars to keep my schedule organized! This feature is a must for any planner!
Fun Holidays: I would never know when Sea Monkey Day was (it is May 16)...think of all the holidays I was missing out on!

There are also stickers, a place for important numbers and notes, and a book mark...AND it goes from May 2013 to December 2014!

 What kind of planner do you use: digital, paper, no planner at all?

 All opinions are 100% my own. I was not compensated in any way for this post.

It is no surprise that I am in love with Vera Bradley...especially the new fall color, Indigo Pop. I love the deep colors combined with the bright lime green! I cannot wait to get my hand on some of these items! 

1. Silicone Phone Case: I am so excited that I can cover my phone with Vera Bradley! I have been hoping that they would make phone cases for a long time! 

2. Hipster: I have always loved the Vera Bradley Tote, but I already have a couple of those in Mocha Rouge and Island Blooms. I am really loving the hipster bag! 

3. eBook Cover: I don't like to go anywhere without my eBook...how cute would it be covered in this? 

These are officially on my want list. My birthday is in September...just in case you were wondering! I can't wait to add these vibrant pieces to my collection. 

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?