Vera Bradley Giveaway - LAST chance!

One last reminder that my fabu Vera Bradley Giveaway ends today! Get those entries in by 5 o'clock (EDT) by clicking over here... hop to it! My goal is to get on here later tonight with the winner since tomorrow's going to be so crazy with our July 4th plans. Back soon!

I ain't no plastic bag.

On my weekly grocery marathon yesterday, I learned that Wal-mart is soon going to ditch the plastic bags altogether. Not sure if this is just Super Wal-mart we're talking about or all Wal-mart stores, but anyway - I was intrigued. In an effort to encourage the use of reusable shopping bags (and help their bottom line, no doubt), they will be getting rid of the plastic grocery bags and will only have paper ones available. But customers will only be allowed 3 bags before they start charging (per bag). Now keep in mind this info all comes via a convo overheard between my cashier and bag boy as they're examining my super cool reusable bags that I got at Pier 1. I have no reason to doubt this information though... my cashier was complaining about all the whining he expects to get from customers. And I wouldn't be surprised to see this start happening at other stores soon enough.

So if you're not already on the reusable bag bandwagon, it's time to hop on. I personally shop at like 4 different places. Kroger, Publix, and Wal-mart are pretty much a weekly hit. Costco gets hit up once or twice a month. So I feel the need to have generic bags... I know it's dumb, but I feel weird bagging Kroger groceries in my lime green Publix bags. It's like I'm having an affair with Publix and rubbing it in Kroger's face. Or is it the reverse? I'm sorry Publix, but Kroger had a better price on tomatoes this week! But hey - I'm all over your BOGO portabella mushrooms! Lucky for me, our grocery stores are all lined up - boom, boom, boom - along one street. So I really do run a grocery marathon on Sundays. But anyway - we're talking about the bags. If you need some super cool bags and like me, don't want grocery-specific ones, here are a few places to look for some cute but cheap ones...

- Trader Joe's - OK yes, I know this is technically a grocery but it doesn't count. I think of it more as a specialty store and besides, they have some uber cute bags - all different kinds - for really cheap (only $1 or $2).

- IKEA - You gotta do a little hunting (and also take a valium before going), but they have lots of good bags in all different sizes - and for stoopid cheap of course.

- Pier 1 - I found some super cute ones in here for $2 and $3.

- I can't vouch for this as I haven't been in a while, but another place worth looking would be Cost Plus World Market. I'm SURE they have some... totally sounds like something they'd carry, doesn't it?

What cool bags have y'all found? I totally have more than enough but I have a weird obsession with these bags! I just keep buying more!

Stylin' courtside.

One of my girlfriends sent me an email this morning in a desperate search for a "cute" tennis bag. I know I've seen these everywhere... even Vera Bradley makes them now. But she needed more than just a cute racquet cover. She wanted a big ole bag to carry two racquets, balls, shoes and whatnot. She has recently gotten into tennis and she's got the cute skirts and all, but needs a bag with some style. And I agreed... afterall, looking cute on the court should be the #1 goal right? I mean it's just a game... win or lose, looking cute while doing it is key. ;-)

I did a little digging and also consulted Christmas bride, who is quite the tennis cutie herself. I knew she'd know just where to find one. And she did - these bags from Ame & Lulu are so darn cute, they make me want to throw on a skirt and grab a racquet myself...

Super cute, huh? Just thought I'd pass those along in case anyone else was looking for some stylish gear. They also have other "active" accessories... cute yoga bags and also golf stuff too for you preppy golfin' gals. I love all the fabrics... so dreamy! Do y'all have any other sites with fun athletic accessories?

Hope y'all had a good weekend... ours was pretty low-key. We had a 30th birthday party Friday night - for kuntry bride's hubby. I swear that's all we do lately - celebrate people's 30th birthdays. It's all my crew though - we've all been taking the plunge over the last year. Hub's crew is well past it. Shoot, I'm already starting to think about his 40th! Hahahahha....

:: One year ago today ::