Fall Bag Trends

Fall may not officially be here BUT the kids are back to school and we know the cooler weather is coming, right?  Are you looking for a fashion refresh this fall? I’m definitely not a fashionista when it comes to clothes but I am grateful Thirty One keeps me on trend when it comes to my bags.  From trending colors and patterns to spotlight-stealing purse silhouettes, here are some top tips to update your look for the season.

Mandatory monograms: Long a staple of classic Southern style, embroidered monogramming has quickly taken hold in every region of the country as a sophisticated way to make stationery, totes, shirts and even front-door wreaths truly one-of-a-kind. Big or small, our embroidered initial and monogram designs are the perfect way to add a special touch to your look – or to create a treasured gift.

Get the look: Go big or go home with a Large Monogram on our Around Town® Tote, then embroider a sweet Rubie Mini to match! Choose a tone-on-tone shade for the ultimate in subtle sophistication, or coordinate perfectly with a single color that ties the two pieces together. Want a fool-proof tip? Play up a shade from one of our exclusive prints!

Mad for plaid I was never a fan of plaid, more the solid black kind of girl BUT I’m loving the new plaid patterns this year.  Playful patterns and creative color mixing are just some of the reasons we’re loving plaid this season. From designer couture and 2019 Fashion Week to top style influencers, you’ll be seeing chic checkered designs cropping up all season long. Admittedly, Thirty-One’s take on this hot trend is more “realway” than runway – which is great news for everyone looking to add a dash of gorgeous plaid to elevate their everyday look.

When it comes to plaid, black and white are anything but basic: Try a trend-right travel solution in Perfectly Plaid (shown above on our top-selling Away for the Weekender) or a handbag or crossbody style in Buffalo Check Pebble. And for a burst of seasonal color, accessorize with our new Charming Check Pebble in shades of navy, berry (shown below) and gold.

Berry in-demand:  Another trend right off the runway and poised to add polish to your look is Crushed Berry – a crave-worthy color super-saturated and super-versatile. Amp up your style quotient with the Diamond District handbag in this sophisticated shade, and make it mean even more with a petite and polished Embellished initial embroidered on the front pocket flap.

 

Want to go casual and conveniently hands-free for fall? This juicy hue looks fabulous on our best-selling Boutique Backpack and new Festival Mini Backpack. (Seriously, check out that Mini – it’s fun-sized!) You can also add a pop of Crushed Berry to jazz up your neutral handbag with a Rubie Mini, All About the Benjamins® wallet and new Fab Fob – all three of which you can personalize!

Exclusively yours: Let me help you get the girls together for an amazing time shopping Thirty-One, and you could earn our Hostess Exclusive All Weekend Tote for more than 60% off! It’s the perfect structured travel bag or carry-on with easy-care nylon and pebbled faux-leather details in this beautiful berry shade that’s just “ripe” for fall.

Clutch performance:  Trust us – this kind of glamour isn’t just for holiday parties anymore! (Although you will want to pick up this Forever Foldover Clutch in time for all those seasonal soirees.) Sparkle and shine with sequins or patent faux leather to dress up one of 2019’s hottest bag silhouettes: the party clutch.

Roomy but refined, Thirty One’s take on this style folds over and snaps down to make it easy to carry. And it wouldn’t be Thirty-One if we didn’t crank up the function factor: Side D-rings make this clutch easy to convert to a hands-free crossbody bag when you pick up a matching strap, while a zipper pocket and four credit card slots mean you can leave your wallet at home.

See all your Thirty-One must-haves for the season, plus amazing holiday gifts, in our fall Catalog.

Bonus tip: Love what you see, but would rather get it for half-price – or even earn it all for FREE? (And really, who wouldn’t?!) I can make it simple to Earn Rewards just for shopping and sharing the Thirty-One products you love with your friends and family!  We can do it online or in your home….

Have a blessed day!

Teacher Solution Sets

I can’t believe Summer is almost over.  It won’t be long (maybe a week or so) before many will be leaving the sunshine and sand while they head back to school.

Summer may be leaving BUT  it isn’t so bad when there’s so much fall fun to look forward to! Cozy sweaters, leaf piles and of course the hustle and bustle of back to school are right around the corner. I can see many moms doing the happy dance now.  LOL!

Who knows more than teachers about starting the school year off right? From classroom heroes to bus duty buddies, here are eight of  Thirty One’s top styles to create save-the-day solution sets for the ones who put the cool in school (or anyone else who needs to get organized)..

For taming the desk mess

From paperclips and pencils to staplers and snacks, teachers ask a lot of their desks. Make it more manageable with the desktop organizing combo of a Littles Carry-All Caddy (or two), Get Creative Slim Pouch and Get Creative Rectangle Pouch.

This durable, wipeable caddy is perfectly sized to fit a small box of tissues or extra coffee pods for your morning brew, while its exterior mesh pocket can stow paperclips, sticky notes and rubber bands at hand. Pop your markers, pens and pencils into the slim pouch, and use the rectangle pouch for large index cards or to keep loose bits and bobs in one place. Plus, both pouches are made of clear PVC, so you’ll always be able to see what’s stashed inside!

 

For manic mornings and laid-back lunches

One of a teacher’s many superpowers is getting up and ready before the sun, so make mornings a little brighter with a tote-ally perfect pairing that’ll pull double duty. The Crossbody Organizing Tote is one of our top styles for the season, and teachers know why! With all the pockets you could ask for and a spacious design, this tote is an organizing dream. Perfect for the ones who have to take their work home with them (we’re talking grading papers galore), plus the adjustable crossbody strap means hands-free organization, even on the go.

This functional work tote only gets better when paired with our tried-and-true Thermal Tote, its lunchtime partner in crime. Make lunch hour sweeter with an insulated tote in tons of fun prints, and add a personalized embroidered design for a thermal tote that’ll be the talk of the teachers’ lounge. Getting up early might be tough, but packing your lunch in the morning doesn’t have to be!

For classroom clutter

With kids comes mess, but that mess doesn’t have to equal stress. Meet your new all-star organizing team: the Large Utility Tote (our #1 style for the season!) and Double Duty Caddy. With its top handle and two side compartments, the Double Duty Caddy is just the structured sidekick teachers need to store cleaning supplies, art materials, papers or even plates, napkins and plastic utensils for classroom parties!

You already know there are a thousand uses for the LUT, so here are just a few ideas fit for the classroom. And don’t forget to add a custom embroidered message or design in Thirty-One’s personalization studio – just click the “personalize” button under Large Utility Tote to see your design come to life!

• Stash toys and stuffed animals for indoor recess
• Fill with books for a portable classroom library
• Stow pillows and cushions for story circle time
• Tote playground equipment to and from recess
• Organize craft supplies for art projects
• Make a portable lost-and-found!

For after-school fun

When the backpacks are packed and students are on the bus home, it’s time for teachers to take some time to unwind and focus on themselves. No matter the after-school destination, whether it’s a dinner out with the family, running to a yoga class or going out for drinks with the girls, the Boutique Backpack and Perfect Cents Wallet are your go-to duo.

Backpacks are perfect for the ones who are always on the go, and the Boutique Backpack’s faux leather finish elevates it to a statement piece that can also hold all your essentials with ease! And we can’t forget a coordinating wallet to keep your cash, cards and ID neat and organized.

For even more great back-to-school solutions, browse our hand-picked collection of school-ready gift ideas!

Have a blessed day!

Must Haves for Back to School

Some may already be back to school BUT for those in NJ, they still have some time to soak up the sun.  I honestly don’t know many who think back-to-school shopping is an exciting time of the year except those who graduated from crayons and glue sticks to a college campus!   I am sure many wish colleges and universities sent out a handy school supply shopping list like they did during the first 12 years of school.  This way we could put together the must-haves for those first time college students….

School in style

Good grades are important, but who said studying can’t be stylish, too? Whether you’re hitting the library, meeting a project group at a local coffee shop or running to class, there’s a Thirty-One bag for every student.

Are you a nothing-but-the-essentials kind of person? The Call Me Crossbody is the perfect size for your smartphone and a few cards when you’re on-the-go. If you need to pack a little more but still love the convenience of a hands-free bag, a Boutique Backpack can hold a few books, a water bottle, keys and more while also adding a chic pop to a casual outfit. And if you need to pack for a day’s worth of classes or need a work bag for your internship, the Around Town^® Tote is perfect for books, folders and your laptop.

Dorm organization hacks

Space is limited in a college dorm room, so maximize every inch by investing in utility products which are durable, functional and come in the cutest prints.

Stow a Large Utility Tote  (LUT) under your bed to hold shoes or seasonal clothes that could take up space in your closet. With tons of prints available, from staple neutrals to whimsical cacti, you can match your LUT to your bedding or wall art. A Stand Tall Bin is the perfect size for a hamper or laundry basket, plus it comes in handy during move-in and collapses for easy storage. Guess what?  The Stand Tall Bin is on SALE this month.  Get TWO with a $35 purchase!  Finally, organize your desk or study space with a  Fold N’ File^TM, Double Duty^® Caddy or Littles Carry-All^TM Caddy to hold documents, pens and office supplies.

Lunch break

You may not be packing PB&Js for the cafeteria anymore, but every busy college student needs to eat – and chances are you’ll be doing it on the go. Make snacking between classes a breeze with a lunch thermal that matches your personality. Choose a Thermal Tote in a bold, bright print or go for the Lunch Break Thermal Ltd. in elevated fabrics and finishes. With so many options, there’s a great lunch bag for every student.

Not your average backpack

You don’t have to leave your trusty backpack behind in grade school. In fact, when your classes and meetings are on opposite sides of campus, there’s no better way to stay organized and prepared than with a backpack for every occasion.

Heading over to the rec center for a quick workout? Grab a Cinch Sac or Sling-Back Bag to carry your water, headphones, deodorant and a change of clothes. Looking for something a little roomier for class? Go with the Adventures Backpack, complete with a thermal pocket for drinks and snacks, or the Crossbody Organizing Tote for organization on the go.

Weekend reset

After you’ve worked hard all week, it’s nice to have the weekend to relax, have fun and take some time for yourself. Whether it means staying on campus to hang out with your roommates or heading home to see your family for a few days, these stylish, versatile solutions will have you covered. Opt for an All About the Benjamins^® wallet for a lunch date with friends, or choose a Retro Metro^® Bag to bring along to the store or while running errands. If you like to spend your weekends at home, pack up an Away for the Weekender with all your overnight essentials.

What’s on your back to school shopping list? Can’t decide what bag will fit your needs, I’m happy to help you find the perfect solution for your organizing or back to school struggles.

Have a blessed day!

Thankful Thursday: 31 Mom Hacks

Are you ready for some tips, tricks and secrets veteran moms have sworn by for years?

Just a few household items, some creativity, and you can make those long summer parenting days just a little easier while keeping the kids happy, too!

Did you know according to a NEW Groupon survey, most parents are ready to send their kids BACK to school after 13 days of summer vacation?  Are you one of those parents?  I would have to disagree with this survey.  When Belinda was growing up, I loved summers.  It was a nice break from the craziness of school, sports, competitions and more.  When she was younger, she spend mid-week in Ocean Grove with family and weekends at home.  Once she got hooked on gymnastics – life changed but summers were fun.

These hacks may not change your life, but they might save your sanity – and give you more time for the things which really matter.

1. Save time in the morning by putting your children to bed in their school clothes. (Boy moms, especially, swear by this one!)  Would you do this?
2. Recycle used coffee creamer containers or use our Hide & Peek Pouch for on-the-go snacks. They fit perfectly in diaper bag bottle pockets and car cup holders.
3. Place two layers of fitted sheets and waterproof mattress pads over your little ones’ beds for easier cleanup of overnight accidents.  Genius!
4. Keep a portable, Cinch Sac or a Picnic Thermal Tote in your car for wet or soiled baby clothes.
5. Did you know the shoulder tabs on infant bodysuits are meant to help you pull a soiled outfit down instead of up over the baby’s head? Who would know this? LOL!
6. Save trips from the car to the house by keeping a Deluxe Utility Tote in your trunk for all of your shopping bags.
7. Use a makeup brush to apply diaper rash cream to help keep your hands clean.
8. Poke your ice pop’s stick through a cupcake liner to catch drippy messes and keep hands and clothes clean.
9. Cupcake liners are also an easy way to protect kids’ drinks from bugs during picnics. Just put one over a plastic cup and pop a straw through the top.
10. Make more room in your diaper bag by keeping an Essential Storage Tote, packed with an extra blanket, toys and a change of clothes, in the car.
11. Lay painter’s tape over your door locks to prevent toddlers from locking themselves in their room.
12. A pool noodle under the fitted sheet makes a great impromptu bedrail.
13. You can also cut a pool noodle in half lengthwise and wrap it around a door to prevent slammed fingers.
14. Line a collapsible Stand Tall Bin with a garbage bag to create an on-the-go trash can for camping trips.
15. Use a hanging shoe storage bag to organize blocks and other small toys.
16. Keep a sliced apple from browning before lunch by wrapping it in plastic wrap.
17. Detangle doll hair with a little dish soap and conditioner. OMG!  I wish I knew this before….
18. Use a pizza cutter to slice pancakes and waffles into bite-sized pieces for little fingers.
19. Make any footed PJs slip-proof with a little puffy paint on the soles of the feet.
20. Sunshine can be a surprisingly effective baby stain remover. Just leave the item of clothing outside to dry and watch the stain fade in just a few hours.

 

21. Fill a Double Duty Caddy with art supplies so it’s ready to go on rainy days.
22. You can machine wash your kids’ plastic building blocks and other toys in a mesh delicates bag. (Just don’t put them in the dryer!)
23. Hang bibs on the back of a highchair using removable hooks.
24. Free up space in your child’s lunch bag by using a frozen juice box as an ice pack.  Did you know lunch thermals were on sale this month????
25. In a pinch, you can quickly childproof cabinets with hair ties.
26. Store ice pops vertically in the freezer to make them easier to cut open.
27. An empty blow-up kiddie pool makes an impromptu play pen indoors or outdoors.
28. Pack kids’ outfits – tops, pants, socks and accessories – in individual bags or Zipper Pouches for easier travel.
29. Give each child his or her own Large Utility Tote to carry their laundry to the washer and back from the dryer.
30. Freeze homemade baby food in an ice cube tray for perfect portion sizes.
31. Create a giant dry erase mat with a dollar-store shower curtain.

What are some of YOUR favorite mom hacks? Share them with us….

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Tote-Ally Awesome Fall

 

I know there is a mixed batch of feelings this morning.  Some are jumping up and down celebrating the fact TODAY is the day kids go back to school.  Some mommas are crying to see their babies go off to school for the first time.  I used to always struggle with the first day “back to school” when Belinda was younger.  I was grateful for the routine her being in school brought but I missed the togetherness we had during the summer.

So, this is the perfect time for some “ME” time. I know, you are thinking… “I have NO time”. Money is tight –  school supplies and clothes cost a fortune!

What if I told you, you could earn some money to pay those school shopping credit card bills AND save some money to pay CASH for those holiday gifts?  What if you could earn money while chauffeuring the kids to activities (NO, I don’t mean an Uber driver) or sitting at the field while they practice?  What would you do with an extra $300? Or are you looking for some time away from the kids?  Maybe you just want to shop at a 40% discount and earn FREE products?  Yup, I have an answer to all of those questions….

First, there is the two options on the enrollment kit.  You can use it to kick off your business or you can do your holiday shopping in one easy step.  If you decide to kick off your business (of course I will help you); you can not only earn 25% commission BUT you can also earn FREE products or Disney Bucks or Visa Gift Cards.  I know, crazy, right???

If earning some money, gift cards or free product doesn’t sound good……….. you could be a  hostess and get some FREE and discounted products.  I know, still no time, right?

What if I said YOU could get some ME time AND some FREE products at the same time?  Say what???  How about you and 3 friends join me for coffee (my treat)? Or lunch at your favorite restaurant?  Working and can’t get away?  What if I parked my car in the parking lot and everyone came to check out my “trunk” to see all of the goodies on their lunch break?  Are you a social media junkie?  What if you just carried a catalog with you and sent all of your friends to an online Facebook party?

With Thirty One’s September Customer Special you (or your friends) can pick YOUR favorite product to get a discount on!  I have all THREE of these products and absolutely LOVE them.  No, I don’t have to say it because I am a consultant, I say it because I use all 3 of them!  The Colorblock Tote in Olive has become my everyday bag.  The Around Town Tote, I use when going to meetings along with my Super Swap it Pocket.  The All About the Benjamin Wallet is one of our top sellers over and over again.  Here is what you can earn in the month of September just by sharing your favorite products with friends and family: 

So whether you live near me or you just follow my blog or are Facebook friends, we can party together so YOU can get some FREE products.  Trust me, I have heard it all…. no one buys when I have a party, no one comes when I have a party…..Why?  Because they figure it is the same “sales pitch” all of the time.  What if you had a theme or I could show you some simple solutions to make your crazy life a little easier?  Think about it…. what could it hurt especially with a Facebook party.  You invite your friends and I do all of the work.    What do you say…

Okay, I know some of you just like to shop!  You have already gotten your fall catalog, circled what you want and are ready to place your order.   So, click the link and head to my website and place your order.  WHAT?  You don’t have a catalog to circle your favorite items in? Click the catalog on the right hand side to request your copy!  I’m going to squirrel for a moment… Do you remember getting the Sears (or Toys R Us) Christmas catalog and going through circling everything you wanted Santa to bring?  I know I am dating myself BUT you can do the same thing with your catalog.  Then give it your hubby, your significant other, your kids or whoever buys you gifts.  I will help to make sure YOU get the gift you want for your birthday, anniversary or the holidays.

So, whether you are interested in starting a business, getting free products or just do a little shopping…..I want to be your “bag lady”.  No job is too big or too small…..

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!