guest blog :)

One of my customers enjoyed their items so much they asked to blog about them! :)

I received my Thirty-One items yesterday and I am so excited about them, that I wanted to shout it to the world (or just the readers of Tamara’s blog…same thing) 

I have had my old beach bag for 5 years and it is time for it to go. It was my beach bag, school bag, overnight bag, etc. It got a lot of use, and it shows. The fabric on the straps is almost completely worn off, the toggle closure is broken and it’s cotton, which is usually not very nice to the things inside it when it gets wet… I’m not speaking from experience or anything *rolls eyes*. Needless to say, it was time for something new, especially with all of the beach trips I have planned for this summer.

 I talked to Tamara and she sent me a Thirty-One catalog to look through. I couldn’t believe all of the cute options they had for, not only beach bags, but organizing and every day bags. I spent a good week and a half trying to pick out the perfect bag, pattern and monogram. I’m pretty sure Tamara got annoyed with my constant questions and asking for her opinion on things, but she’ll never admit it (which is perfectly fine with me!) She helped me to finally decide on the Organizing Utility Tote in the Circle Spirals pattern with a hot pink monogram—exactly my style!

 I am going to Florida next week and this is the ideal bag for my day trips to the beaches. When I first ordered it, I was nervous that it might end up being too big. I have seen some of the totes people carry to the beach, and it looks like they’re carrying a hippo, which, in my opinion, is not a good look. I wanted something that was not too big or too small, that was just right (Goldilocks style). Yesterday I got home from work to find a Thirty-One box by my door. I raced in, tore the box open, and screamed. My bag was gorgeous!

The inside is the perfect size for a towel, magazine and my clothes. There are outside pockets that can hold my sunscreen and tanning oils, without getting my towel and clothes all greasy and gross. I can also put my iPod in one of the pockets while I’m laying out so it doesn’t overheat from the sun (which, fun fact, they do). The fabric is water resistant so if the tide comes in further than expected or I’m just plain clumsy, my belongings will be just fine. It will be very easy to clean out the sand from it, too. I can also use this bag to hold my toiletries for weekend trips (which is what I’m planning to do this weekend while I’m babysitting). The monogram lets everyone know that it’s mine. :)

Tamara also told me about the special that Thirty One was having for May and I could not pass it up! I was looking to get a personalized gift for a friend’s bachelorette party because I can’t make it to the actual celebration. With Tamara’s help, I decided to get her an All-In-One Organizer. She’s a teacher and I thought this would be a great bag she could use to organize papers to and from her classroom. After constantly bugging Tamara for her opinion, again, I finally decided on the Minty Chip pattern. I chose to personalize her bag with her new last name. My friend has been obsessed with changing her last name to his since I met her (Her and her fiancé were dating way before I met either of them) so I thought this would be a special treat for her. I am planning on filling it with fun, bachelorette-y type things for her to enjoy. Maybe Tamara will let me guest blog about that one after I give it to her. :)

I am extremely happy with my Thirty One items. I can’t believe I will finally have a bag that can withstand my use and abuse!