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.
The sassy bag!! SO cute, but not TOO cute! :)
The sling bag! So cute!
Do you ever have a phrase that keeps popping into your head? Lately, “lawsy” pops up, like it did when I looked through this catalog. My grandfather used to say it, but I never have. I think I would choose either the resort tote, or the Get a Grip. Maybe. And I love Dewdrop and Charleston fabrics.
market tote or resort tote or a travel accessory, all so cute!
I would choose the Market Tote or the Sassy bag. Decisions…Decisions…
We would be thrilled to get one of the resort bags for our pool visits! Thanks for the opportunity to hear about this company.
The resort tote would be Great!!!
I am a new mom, so the diaper purse would be perfect!
So mant great choices. I love the resort tote.
The resort bag in pink.
I would love the coastal tote in chocolate!!
I want it all, I would probably get a resort tote though.
I love a good bag! I’m a bit of a bag-a-holic.
I would love a resort tote to use both for the beach in the summer, but for my dance clothes and shoes during the rest of the year!
It’s all the fun fabrics that do me in. I need them all!
Big shopper bag would be perfect to take my work stuff back and forth.
oh my! thank you for such a sweet giveaway!
my eye was immediately caught by the “big shopper” in that lovely pink stripe.
and there are so many adorable and yet functional items!
thanks so much for letting us know about the cuteness and quality.
i love the insulated lunch bags and the large totes for the beach/summer!
Anything in Dew Drop!
I would be thrilled with the resort tote! For that matter I would love just about any of their great bags!
ooooohhhhhhh….I really like the chocolate diamond resort tote!!! very cute!!
I love the “Diaper Backpack”. It would be perfect for my little Henry!
The shopper in moda – really cute and great fresh pattern!
I would love the Traveler in black diamond – so cute! But I do like the Resort Tote as well. Thanks for the great giveaway!
The Sassy Bags are super cute. And the magnet pockets for the fridge are genius.
So much cute stuff, but I think I’d go for a sassybag
The Resort Tote you spoke of sounds great. I also liked the clutter buster and all the organizational stuff. And my girl would like on of those bags just for kids. Too many choices!
I covet that picnic tote. Picnics at the park time, yay! And those magnetic pockets, I NEED those.
I would use the coastal tote as a diaper bag for my baby girl who will be arriving this summer. :)
I would love the Resort Tote…esp with Summer on the way! Thanks so much for the giveaway.
Love the Bloom Resort Collection!
LOVING the sassybag! seriously with the flower pouf…doesn’t get much cuter than that!!!
Love the Resort Tote!
I LOVE the SassyBag (the yellow one…I couldn’t read the fine print.) So cute!
I love the Big Shopper and the Resort Tote!!
I would choose the Get a Grip plus the E-Reader case with my monogram, of course!
So much to choose from. Love the Modern Woman Bag as well as the Sassybag.
I think the Coastal Tote should have my name on it!
I loved the Traveler set. I might need a new overnight bag. Or the 180 bag (the big’un). Thanks for doing a review and a give-away!
The resort tote in Blooma is calling out to me – “Please take me to the beach with you in May!”
Everything was gorgeous! I loved the sassybags, the resort tote, and OH. MY. the organizational supplies.
Oooo…Market Tote please! Love it.
Everyone else sees a resort tote. I see a teacher bag :)
How would I ever choose? I want to buy them all…monogrammed of course!
The coastal tote is super cute!
Love it all…bag and orginazation supplies are my favorites!! I think I would pick the Sassybag 180 or the toiletry case first!
I would love a resort tote. I could find sooooo many uses for it.
Oh I love the It’s a cinch bag in poppy. So cute. I wish I had the money to buy it right now.
Wow So many items. I like several of the bags. I think I’d likely pick something that had various places for craft and art supplies1
I can’t decide between the sling bag or the resort tote.
I would love pretty much anything in the Dewdrop pattern but the resort tote would definitely useful for many summer days at the beach. Thanks! Terah722@aol.com
I would love to get the Sports Duffle
Coastal Tote!! Too cute!
The SassyBag — definitely! Love it! Thanks for introducing me to this company. Could spell trouble — self control needed!!!
I think a resort tote would be lovely :) or maybe some baby things for a new mommy in our congregation
I would love the adorable sun hat w/ monogram, or one of e-reader cases! So many cute items, hard to choose just one!
Wow! Not sure I can choose just one item! I’d love to have any of the items in the Home Organization section. And of course, the resort tote!
:)
I would love the resort tote…thanks!!
Love this! I’ve never heard of this company before. I’d go with a Resort Tote – need a large, durable bag to get our gear to and from the beach this summer! Thanks for the giveaway
Love the Market Tote in the brown and white – I need a new work bag. The free recyclable grocery bag is getting a little tacky! Love that company!
Anyone going to the beach needs the wide-brimmed hat!
I love the Sassy Bag Large. It would make an awesome bible tote, and it’s big enough for all the stuff my son and husband give me to hold or carry at church. I love this stuff!
Love the resort bag! So cute in all the colors!!
I like the Big Bin in red.
The purse w/ 2 sashes! DUH.
The resort tote would be perfect for our upcoming vacation. So cute and functional!
So many totes….how is a girl to choose?!?!? I liked a lot of them. One in particular was the “Get a Grip” in either of the striped patterns. I need a little organization help!!!
I love the Sassy Bag! And so many fabric choices. What fun!
It’s so hard to choose just one! I think my favorite would have to be the 180 Medium bag in Blooma!
Oh I love the Sling Bag in songbird. Soooooo cute!!!
oh I love so many items. But i would get the resort tote first.
Resort tote!
Hey girlfriend! I actually like the toiletries bag. It’s that type that is great to hang up in a hotel bathroom, etc. and evah thang is right there where you need it. :)
You’re the best!
Love, GJ
One thing? That’s it? Who can decide?
I adore the Coastal bag but a close second is the Modern Woman collection (given I’m a huge faux croc fan so it started with an edge).
Thanks for turning me on to this site! I see a lot of monogrammed gift giving in my future!
I just love the cinch-mums the word product number 2P-67E… Wow so cute
I would get the sling bag for my daughter….or maybe the cooler tote!
I would love the Lunch Lady in Pink Stripe :)
I love the Sassy 180 Bag in Dewdrop or Mad for Plaid. So Cute!
“Get a Grip,” because I love its name!
I like the Sassy 180 bag Large.
Well really… I want it all. But I would love a resort tote!
I love the resort tote…plenty of room for all my “stuff”!
EEK ! As a southern girl, you had me at monogrammed anything ! I have been on the lookout for THE perfect beach tote…. and haven’t found it until today .. I would love to have the same tote you chose only different color ( and with my initials, not yours heehee). This is my first comment to a blog EVER !! Thanks !
I’m thinking I need the sling bag…
I lovee the market tote! it would be the perfect bag for everything I drag with me to work!
For sure the e-reader case!
Ooh. I love this give-a-way! All my bags currently in rotation are from Initials Inc. I have my eye on a Sassybag in the pink songbird color. :)
Love the flapper! Would work perfect for some trips I’m taking this summer.
Thanks,
Lacey
I love the medium Sassy Bag. It is just too cute and anything with “sassy” in the title has to be great.
I like the modern woman faux croc green tote. How cool!
Get a Grip in Charleston. Fun! Fun!
I would buy one of the “Its a Cinch” bags in ‘Poppy!’ Beautiful!
sassybag … love it!!!
the medium sassybag 180 in dewdrop with the hot pink sash :)
I desperately need a new toiletries bag and they have adorable options!
I can’t read the name of the bag, but it’s on page 28&29 – in the red print – LOVE IT!!!
(now to find my other glasses, so I can read the name of the bag…..)
I would love the e-reader for my daughter … and I would sure love a darling Lunch Tote – might make packing my lunch for work more enjoyable!!!
In LOVE with the Sassybags! How can you not love a bag called sassy!
Stephanie
The travel tote or the resort tote.
I love the bag you reviewed but I think I’d have to get the insulated tote. No idea how I would ever pick a fabric for it though..they have so many cute choices.
I’m in love with the Sling Bag!
I have a weakness for totes, so any of them would suit me fine!