We’ve talked about this phenomenon before, I know, but I never cease to be amazed that Southern women will monogram anything. And I get that people in other parts of the country also enjoy monogramming, of course, but in the South we’re a little obsessive about it. I thought maybe we’d reached the end of our Things That Can Be Monogrammed list when I started seeing monogrammed rear window decals in carpool line, but just this past Saturday I saw a girl at Starbucks with a monogrammed clear laptop sleeve on her Mac.
It made me wonder if there will be a time when people will engrave the back of their iPads with their intitials – sort of like our mamas did with their silver trays.
(Oh. Never mind. I just consulted the Google and discovered that there’s already a company that engraves iPads. However, I can’t tell if they engrave big, swirly monograms or not. But if they don’t, they should.)
Several years ago I found out about a company called Initials, inc., and if you like monogrammed stuff, then Initials, inc. is pretty much your dream come true. They have wonderful, durable, products – I have a couple of their totes, a monogrammed vinyl cooler (OH, IT IS ADORABLE), and a great laptop bag – and what I love the most about their stuff is that it’s functional and fun at the same time.
See what I mean?
A few weeks ago the Initials, inc. people emailed me to see if I’d be interested in doing a review / giveaway for one of their resort totes, and even though I don’t typically do reviews, I immediately said yes because I knew in advance that I’d be crazy about it. The resort totes are big but not unwieldy, with super-comfortable straps and a handy cell phone pocket on the inside (along with an additional pocket where I usually put my iPod). There are also snaps on the sides if you need to make the bag a little smaller. I have a polka-dot resort tote that I’ve taken to the beach and the pool for the last couple of years – sometimes with four beach towels, sunscreen, goggles, books, keys, swim shirts, etc. – and whether I’m carrying a lot or a little, it’s always my perfect pool bag.
Since the resort tote is made from microfiber, it dries quickly and doesn’t look one bit worse for the wear if it is the unintended victim of some enthusiastic splashing or diving. It’s also fantastic for travel, and when I go on long trips, my resort tote is my go-to carry-on bag. It has a magnetic closure, so everything stays put, but since it doesn’t zip, it’s super easy to tuck it under a seat and then reach down and grab whatever you need to get out of it.
(Can you tell I’m a fan?)
(I am such a fan.)
Last month I received a new resort tote from Initials, inc. (full disclosure: they sent it to me for review, so I didn’t pay for it), and I was thrilled when I opened the package. I don’t typically pick out super-girly things for myself, but I am crazy about the hot pink pattern and the dark brown monogram. My new bag will be going to the beach with me in a couple of weeks, and I can’t wait to introduce it to the white sand and the salt water. I think we’re going to be really happy together.
(Sorry. A little blurry.)
(Maybe this close-up will give you a better idea.)
Since they’re all sorts of awesome, the people at Initials, inc. are going to give one of you a $50 gift card. If you’d like to enter the giveaway (open until Wednesday, March 21st, at which point I’ll draw for a winner using random.org), here’s what you need to do:
1. Click over to the Initials, inc. catalog.
2. Look around.
3. Come back here and tell me one thing you’d like to buy with your gift card.
4. Only one comment per person, por favor.
5. Please make sure you type your email address correctly.
Just a few things to remember: Initials, inc. doesn’t ship outside of the United States. The gift card can be applied to your order total (which includes order and shipping), and as always, personalization is free.
And if you’re interested in earning some free merchandise by having an Initials, inc. party at your house? You can find information about that right here.
Happy Giveaway, y’all!
This giveaway is now closed.
I love love love the e-reader case! What fun!
I’d love a resort tote of my very own!
How to choose just one? I would get the Get a Grip or the Office Organizer.
I like the market tote – super cute! My city recently banned plastic bags – so I am trying to build a collection of shopping bags (and then trying to remember to actually bring them into the store!)
I so need the Resort Tote to take as a carryon on my cruises!
Would love The Scoop in Mum’s the Word.
I would go with the Resort Tote. I need a nice big bag and this looks perfect!
I want the e-reader case! It is super cute!
Those sling bags are really cute!
I love the sling bags. I have been looking for a cute one for a while now.
Oh I want a Resort Tote. Perfect for going to Germany this summer.
I love the toiletry case. perfect for my travels this summer
I love the get a grip bag in the stripes. Nothing quite like the perfect bag…I can live with two pair of shoes but LOVE to have many bags to chose from! Thanks!
I love the sassy bag. It’d be hard to pick a pattern, they are all beautiful!
To choose just one– Oh my goodness, how do I do that?! I think I’d go with “The Sling” in Mum’s the Word. Total cuteness overload!
I love the “traveler” bag. I couldn’t decide on a pattern, either. All are great!
I also love the resort tote in the hot pink pattern, with the traveler coming in a close second!
In spite of being a “Northerner”, I adore all things monogrammed!! I do believe there was at least one thing on just about every single page of that catalog that made me drool. However, I do believe that resort tote is calling my name louder than all the others.
If I had to choose one thing it would be the SassyBag! So many cute things!
I so love the resort bag!!! Perfect for the pool and beach!!
How could I possibly choose???? I love the monogram heaven this site is :)
Too many pretty things to choose from! The Sassy Bag, the Party Bin and your bag up there are all gorgeous.
How can I choose just one thing??? I would love the Traveler! I need something for some upcoming girls’ weekend getaways!
I love the resort tote!
I love the resort tote.
Hands down…the dewdrop resort tote…with pink personalization!
I would buy the traveler bag. I love so many things!!!
I totally love the “lunch lady” or the insulated tote…I couldn’t decide!
I love the resort tote or the market tote… everything is so cute! I would really just love anything!
I like the sling bags – so many cute patterns!
The Love Me Knot is really cute in Blooma.
Okay, I’d probably pick either the cinch bag or an organizer if I really HAD to choose only one…most likely I’d end up picking just about one of everything…super cute!!
I would get the Diaper Backpack. So cute!
Ohhh. I NEED the resort tote!! I bought the pool bag of my dreams last summer only to find out it has no pockets! There is no where to put my phone or keys so they won’t get wet!! My girls love the pool and I would love a bag that not only looks cute (like my other one) but is actually functional!!
I would love anything in the gray print!!!! Either a Resort Tote or a Big Shopper!!!!
I like the all weather blanket!! Perfect picnics!!
I would have to buy 2 magnetic organizers
Oh my goodness so many lovely choices! I loved the sports and travel duffels and of course the totes. Loved the clutch bags too. I could spend an entire evening just browsing the catalog and circling each and everything thing I loved.
Oh, I would choose the TAKE ALONG CADDY and/or THE PARTY BIN (small)….so much wonderful stuff!
I’d go with the resort tote and give it to my daughter for her honeymoon trip to the beach!
Obviously I’d want my very own resort tote!
I would like to get the sassy bag or take along caddy.
Oh, I would like that big shopper bag! I always need a good bag with good handles! Great giveaway! Thanks!
I found three things I really like, no make that four:
Take Along Caddy
Sort It All Out
Desk Organizer
E-reader
Oh dear. Well, thank you. Now I have a long wish list. I can’t choose just one. I do love the toiletry case, and the Medium Sassy Bag. Oh I pretty much want it all.
I would want a resort tote or the all weather blanket… Love it all
I like the shopper in the blue floral or dewdrop- very fun!!
I would probably get the ereader cover and the lunch tote…the former for my 15 year-old voracious reader and the latter for my 23 year-old college graduate with her first ‘real’ job. But I also love the Big Bin…thinking it might make a cute hamper. And I don’t know if you are familiar with Thirty-One Bags, but it is VERY similar…same kind of catalog type sales based on Proverbs 31.
Oh.My.Stars at the cuteness !!
I’d go for the resort bag in pink!
MarketTote – Dew Drop
SO cute!!!
Resort tote for the lake this summer!
The resort tote it is!
A resort tote would be perfect!
I would love to have a resort tote as well for our beach trip! It looks perfect!
I like the market tote but I really want those zebra print shoes the model is wearing on page 16;-)
Oh…so many choices….For a starter, I think I need a sling bag or two.
The flat iron tote is a neat idea!
I love the sassy bag!
I really liked the coastal tote.
That Sling bag!! I would use that all the live long day in the summer.
Thanks!
I love the sling bag and the Modern woman! It would be so hard to choose!
The Traveler in Mums the Word. Darlin’!
The resort tote would be perfect for the pool and beach!
I love the resort tote Blooma!
The “get a grip” bag would be great for having in the car on long trips. I could position it between the two kids; fill it with toys, books, and snacks; and let them have at it.
I love the Big Shopper and the Scoop! Well…and all the rest too!
It’s all so cute and hard to choose! I think I would choose a couple of accessories though – the tech wallet and clip it cases are super functional and cute!
All of their stuff is so cute. I love their Sling Bag! It seems like the perfect size.
I really like their insulated tote. Really handy.
An insulated tote would certainly make my life a lot easier these days!!
I loved so many things! I like the resort tote or the get a grip for our upcoming beach vacation in July. With a 2 year old, ya need to pack a lot of gear! Oh, and I’d totally add a flower for some flair :)
I love the Get a Grip or the Resort Tote. There was lots of things I liked! Thanks!
The comany is about 10 miles from my house. I don’t have to look. I would like to have a new wallet to replace the one I have just about WORN OUT. The zipper is in good condition and the fabric is still good but tired.
I can already imagine the endless possibilities for the resort tote!
LOVE the duffles on page 55. So pretty!
I’d get the sling bag, maybe in pink?
SASSY Bag 180. So sassy.
I agree the tote looks fantastic! Probably either the gray or brown pattern would get my vote. Fun!
I would love the sassybag with a sassysash or seven. :-)
The Modern Woman tote in red is adorable!
I love the magnetic pockets! I love to organize and these are so cute.
Market Tote Love it
Blame it on the fact that I am not from the south (unless you ask Southern Living or the SEC) but I have never heard of this company. It is so cute! Love the traveler in plaid and the modern woman in green. Oh goodness. The resort tote is also adorbs.
I like their wallets! Their fabrics are so pretty.
clarksrfun at gmail dot com
I love the Modern Woman in green.
The resort tote! Perfect for our daily trips to the neighborhood pool this summer. Thanks Boo Mama!!
I like the insulated tote! :) Thanks! tarakluth at gmail dot com
The Get A Grip in gray damask
The Sort It All Out
The E-reader
Flops
I could make a long list here!
um, yes please. i LOVE me a good summer bag. oh forget it…i love me a good anytime bag. and monogrammed? icing.
I love their “Mum’s The Word” pattern, so probably the “The Scoop” bag in that pattern… too cute!
I love the travel duffel!
I’m torn between the resort tote and the Sassy Bag
My two daughters have outgrown their “little girl” lunch boxes, so I would purchase two insulated lunch totes, one for each girl, to take to school, of course in girly pink, so they would be eating in style.
That is a lot to choose from! I’m leaning towards the Sassysash bag.
And Liza Minelli turning off a lamp cracked me up yesterday!
I love the all-weather blanket. We have a trip to disney planned and it would be great to take this along for the parades and fireworks!!
oooo….they’re all so cute!! I love the “mums the word” fabric and so wish the resort tote came in that :( I think with a $50 gift cert, I’d buy 2 lunch lady bags….one for me (I’m starting a new job and a sassy lunch tote would make me so happy) and one for my daughter (she’s starting middle school next year and we all know how much difference a cute bag makes!)
I like the Resort Tote! :)
I love the tote but ADORE the Modern Woman three piece set at the back of the catalog!!
The Taveler or the Resort Tote have my vote! Thanks for the giveaway!
I love the Sassy Bag 180 medium!