Happy Mail..............

A while back I got an email from Bath and Bodyworks and they were advertising a collab between themselves and Vera Bradley.  For those of you outside of North America, Vera Bradley is a brand that sells gorgeous quilted fabric bags, amongst other things.  I have loved Vera Bradley products for years and have had numerous bags from the brand.  So of course I was interested in what Bath and Bodyworks was selling.

I got another email I think a week or so ago and saw a couple of things that I thought I would buy, including a gift pack in a Vera Bradley tote bag they were selling.  So of course I ordered it, as I am not sure when we will be back in the States, and I can't get Vera Bradley here in Canada.

On Wednesday afternoon Purolator delivered this box:

Lots of fun info on the box.......great way to get their info out there.

And here it is the Vera Bradly tote bag, what a fun print.

Inside was this box.......I know what peach smells like, not sure what nectar smells like though?

Inside the box was body wash, body spray, foaming hand soap, body lotion and a three wick candle.  If you enjoy a fruity smell you will love this set.  You can see it here.

While browsing through the site, they also had a "picnic basket" gift set, which has since sold out and is no longer on the site.  The box was so cute.

Inside was a bumble bee wall flower holder, a fresh cut lilacs wallflower insert, a fresh cut lilacs 3 wick candle.  A fresh cut lilacs hand sanitizer, a picnic basket hand sanitizer holder, which is as cute as a button.  A gorgeous gingham body cream and body spray.  

I was so happy with it all and all are very useful items............

If you do a search on my blog, you will see numerous posts with Vera Bradley bags!

Latest bag I made..........

I finished a bag making class last week and am very pleased with the results.

It's called a Sublime Bag by Sew Sweetness.  If you click on the link you will see how other people have made theirs.  However when looking at theirs it's slightly different with the long handle option and the zipper ends sewn in?

 I made mine with the blue cork from MM Supply in BC and the William Morris fabric from Moda.

 The inside features a fully lined zippered pocket. You can also see my Vera Bradley wallet (purse) in the bag, I am a HUGE fan of Vera Bradley.

 There is an acordian style pocket also; which if I make another bag like this I will change up.

 I made the handles myself out of the cork.  One of the things I had a lot of trouble with was making the fabric zipper tabs/end.  I made these ones out of scrap cork and they work well.  

There is a lot of work in making a bag; more than what meets the eye, but I must admit I had fun making it.  When making something like this, make sure you use quality materials as they make all the difference.

Here, there and everywhere............

Had a day going here, there and everywhere.  Headed out first thing to a place called Millersburg.  This is a photo of what I am guessing was/is the town hall.

Honestly as it was Monday a lot of things were closed.  We asked a local where to get a good cup of coffee and she suggested Jitter's Coffee House.  Good move on my part asking a local and it was the best cup of tea I have had since arriving in the States.

Now that funny thing next to my cup is a Teaze Infuser and it is a neat thing.  So good infact for loose leaf tea I went and bought one, you can also brew coffee in it as well.

After that we went to a place called Roscoe Village near Coshocton.  Again half the stuff was closed, but I did manage to pick up a new Vera Bradley purse/wallet to match my new handbag, so all was not lost.  

We then headed into Coshocton and had lunch here:

Yes we found a Timmies!!!  Again all is right with the world.  They had Mac and Cheese on the menu, which we don't have in Canada.  You'll be pleased to know I won't be pushing for them to have it in Canada either!!  It's a boil in a bag product and you can tell.  

We then headed to Charm, by the scenic route............the map we have sucks, the numbering on the road sucks and dh's GPS sucks...........but we saw some lovely scenery.  Drove right through Charm, as it wasn't quite what we wanted to see.  Then headed to Sugarcreek and saw the huge Cuckoo Clock:

A word of warning to anyone wanting to come and visit Holmes County, Ohio; I would plan your visit to arrive on a Monday and leave on a Sunday.  Nearly everything is closed on a Sunday, we found a Subway in a gas station to have supper on Sunday night.  

We can all sleep easy tonight now................(photo heavy)

I have bought myself a new Vera Bradley handbag, so all is well with the world now...LOL  Would you believe it is the exact same one (different colour) as the one I am using now.

I also treat myself to a new case for my reading glasses.

We also had a couple of new experiences today.  I had a snickerdoodle cookie today for the first time.  Which turned out to be a sugar cookie with cinnamon and we had a hot dog with Coney sauce on it, along with cheese, onions and sauerkraut.  It was actually pretty tasty and made a change.

I had the snickerdoodle cookie at Der Bake Oven in Berlin, Ohio.  We sat and talked to the owner Ruth for a short while; a really nice lady.

Loved all the furnishings in the seating area.

There was a ribfest happening in Berlin also on Saturday.  There was also a parade which started at 6 pm.  However the weather was iffy (rain showers) and we were tired so only stayed there until mid-afternoon.  I took a couple of photos of the rib makers stands.  The people at the After Hours Barbeque only started competing last year.  They have full time jobs; so they do this as a hobby.

Took this photo as much for the sky as anything, it was overcast, muggy and eventually rainy.

Finally a couple of photos of some chairs in the hotel lobby, very modern and very leather!!!