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Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Tried It Tuesday {New Teacher Bag}

As I am writing this week's Tried It Tuesday on Monday night, my voice is just about gone after fighting this cold and a day of teaching.  I wonder what tomorrow will bring!   

My Tried It:
New Teacher Bag!
Sorry, to the guys who are reading this but you may need to shop for someone, right?
Let me start by letting you know that I have no affiliation with Vera Bradley and was never contacted by them (I wish!).  I just really love my new bag and searched for what seemed like hours last month for a new bag to haul all my junk teacher stuff and laptop.
Since someone else might be looking for a new teacher bag, I wanted to share what I tried for this week's Tried It.  For the past two years, I used the Vera Bradley commuter bag in twirly bird pink (discontinued).
I loved this bag too but, over time, it collected more junk than I actually needed and the bag didn't stand upright.  I like a bag that stands upright when fully loaded.
I needed a new bag and having a spot for my laptop (15" MacBook) was a necessity.
I found this Vera Bradley large laptop tote and am in LOVE!  This color is paisley meets plaid and is currently sold out on the Vera site, but there are so many other colors.  I bought this as a "sale color" (always looking for a bargain) and it was $66 vs. the normal $88.  If you have ever owned a Vera bag, you know how well they are made.  Even though I load this baby up, it is super sturdy and the weight distribution with the strap length makes it surprisingly comfortable to wear.
 The top has a toggle closure which I wasn't sure that I would like but then I remembered that I rarely zipped everything up in my commuter bag anyway.  Usually, I am in such a rush to get out the door that I just tossed my stuff in the bag and carried it out without zipping.  When it is pouring rain, I walk in the school with my umbrella anyway.
 The laptop sleeve is in the center, so essentially there are three sections to divide binders, folder, and paper into.  I even put papers in the laptop section with my computer.  As you can see, there is room for an even larger laptop than my 15" MacBook.  The one thing I was worried about was how many papers I could fit in here.  I was so surprised that I found I can fit more papers in this bag than my old commuter bag!  I have brought home as many as five sets of 50 papers each in this bag with my computer in there too!  In addition, I always keep the purple folder in there with some essentials.  Binders fit in the bag easily too because it is wide enough.
There are three pockets on the inside of the bag along one side.  In there I keep meds, lotion, gum and things like that.  Sometimes I wish there were more pockets, but then I would just stuff them full of other junk and not be able to fit as many papers in there (thus my problem with the commuter bag).

On the outside of the bag, there is a pocket on the front center and back center.  One pocket is just a slip in pocket and the other side has a zippered pocket with also a slip in pocket.  

Here is a picture of me holding my bag.  Sorry, I am such a dork taking my picture in the mirror but when I was looking for a bag, I had a hard time visualizing how large the bag would be when I was holding it!  I like the drop length on the bag.  I can also lean over to pick up something without the bag flopping over my back and dumping out.  Some bags have a tendency to do that.  See my little Porter (Shih-tzu) in the picture?  He's getting big!  :)
So, when I was writing this post about my new bag that I love, I saw that Vera Bradley has now come out with the Laptop Carryall!!  Whoa!!  This one does have the option of zipping up and there are large pockets on the outside (water bottle?!?).  Oh man!  This is twice the price at $120 vs. my on sale large laptop tote, but I may just have to add this to my Christmas wish list!!  
What teacher bags do you love?  Share in the comments if you can because you never know what teacher may be looking for their next new bag!  Hey, I think having a nice bag makes me a much more effective teacher! :)

14 comments:

  1. Oh I've been looking for a new teacher bag for a while now! Tried a few, but nothing I've liked yet. My old one was a woven bag I found at a gift store, but it's falling apart - :( I know what I'm going to be shopping for next - I just hope they deliver to New Zealand!!
    Erin
    The E-Z Class

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  2. Love it! I like the laptop bag you pictured on there under the one you got for yourself. I change bags all the time, but I leave all the junk in them and move into another one, like a hermit crab :) I was just going to link up with the anchor charts I have been making to go with Nicole Shelby's interactive notebooks I have been trying this year! Guess I better get back to it :)

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  3. That looks like a great bag! I used to have a lot of Vera Bradley but have gone away from it recently. May have to check this one out though.

    Don't Let the Teacher Stay Up Late
    Follow me on Bloglovin!

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  4. I bought the same bag me was SO excited about it until I got it home and discovered my school issued laptop was too big :(

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  5. I have a similar Vera Bradley bag that I got as an end of the year gift. I was soooo excited. I don't think mine is the official laptop one, but it does stand upright. I even got a makeup tote, a lanyard holder, and a lipstick holder...all Vera Bradley! I have always been a Coach girl, but I'm slowly converting. I LOVE that you got a bargain and I am totally digging your colors. We should switch if we get tired of ours. LOL!
    Alison
    Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'

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  6. Love your bag. Who knows, maybe someone from Vera will read this and contact you- it was a really nice write up of a really cute bag. You can always wish, right!

    Polka Dots & Teaching Tots

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  7. That bag looks awesome! Maybe if I got one of those beauties I wouldn't lug my cart home every night-only bring home the necessities!
    I hope you feel better friend! xoxo
    Joanne
    Head Over Heels For Teaching

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  8. The teacher bag is oh-so important! I use a Land's End canvas bag and love it. So glad you found one that is just right for you. :)

    Catherine
    The Brown-Bag Teacher

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  9. I bought the Vera Bradley lunch tote this summer - Love! I got it in Indigo Pop! They make great bags!
    -Lisa
    Grade 4 Buzz

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  10. I had the Get Carried Away from Vera... I loved it but it was almost too big for what I needed. It did have nice deep pockets on the outside for my water bottle though! This year, I bought a Scout bag that has six outside pockets for my umbrella, water bottle, etc. and then roomy inside for binders and papers. It has a leather bottom but the rest is "water proof" almost like a Whole Foods grocery bag. It's great because it's durable and it stands on it own :)

    Amanda
    My Shoe String Life

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  11. Love your bag. I am currently sporting a....rolling cart. Not so chic : )
    Was thinking of a 31 bag but they are pricey too! Will just have bag envy for a while.

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    Replies
    1. I needed a new bag this year, too, as my Vera Bradley tote was wearing out after 5+ years. I found a great lap top bag at Wal-Mart and it only cost $20! I love it! It has a laptop section and a middle divider that separates two other sections. Amazing how much of a difference the right bag makes!

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  12. I used a Vera bag for years until it literally fell apart (which they NEVER do!). Now I've switched to a 31 bag (http://www.thirtyonegifts.com/), which is kind of funny since Vera Bradley was started in my town!

    Molly
    bookishadvantage.blogspot.com

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  13. You inspired me to get a new teacher bag this weekend! I was tired of carrying my old canvas totes from various vacations. I splurged and bought a leather bag at the banana republic outlet for 50% off - $49.99!!! I have gotten so many compliments in the past two days! love it!

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