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.
Oh my word! What cute stuff – I think I would get the build your own 180 bag with multiple sashes to change things up!
The resort tote looks perfect!
I like the Market Tote in Charleston
I like The Traveler – Black Diamonds!
I love the Coastal Tote in the chocolate/cream color. So pretty!!!! Everything in the book I like, it’s so hard to pick just one.
I’d love the resort tote AND the key fob. Thanks for hosting!
I like the Sling Bag in the Dewdrop color. There is so many pretty things to choose from.
I really like the Shopper in the Moda color. I also like the E-reader in the Dew Drop
color. Great giveaway.
I do believe I NEED that sling bag!
It would be a tough choice between the sassy bag and the resort tote… Maybe I will win and then it will be SUPER HARD for me to choose!! :-)
I would love a get a grip tote to help me get organized for a new baby.
i would get the portfolio wallet for sure. And I would still have some money left over to put towards something else!
Off-topic – I am totally in love with the fact that you hear the sound of pages turning when you “flip” through the catalog on their website.
The diaper purse in chocodots looks awesome :-)
I’d like the Resort Tote and/or the It’s a Cinch bag. Both would be super useful this summer.
I want it all! Does that count as “one thing”? I am definitely southern, through and through, and I do love a cute big bag with a monogram!
I think the party bin would be so useful in the car! I tend to have things that want to rattle and roll on the floor in the back seat, and yet I feel compelled to have my entire life with me just to go to the store, so this looks like a good solution.
Wish companies would make totes with longer handles so those of us who aren’t 80 pounds would be able to carry them on our shoulders!
I love The Big Shopper…My daughter in law and eight year old granddaughter are going on a mission trip to Costa Rica in June and I am sure it would come in handy for their travels…
The E Reader case for sure! I can’t ever go anywhere without mine, so that would be perfect.
Cute bags…probably the Get A Grip or Take Along Caddy.
I’m going to be a total copycat and say I would buy a Resort Tote in that fun pink like yours, BooMama.
I love the resort tote.
The resort totes are so cute. I love pink, so I would choose the Songbird pattern!
I like the Sassybag 180. :)
The Big Shopper
I would love to buy one of those sort it all out bins…so many uses!
I would love the Lunch Lady Tote in the gray damask and the E-Reader cover in the songbird. They would be great with my new job!
Probably the baby blanket. That thing is cool.
Oh my, but they have some cute stuff! I would love to have one of those insulated totes.
Love your new pink bag too!
Big problem here, I love it all! With three daughters, our closets are overflowing with bags, but I can honestly say, we need more!
since we live at the beach, the resort tote is a much needed :)
thanks for a great giveaway!!!!
The e-reader case is my fav!
I’ve been needing a toiletry case to organize my stuff when I travel. I think that would be my choice though it’s hard to pick just one thing!
I love the resort tote…what a perfect bag for the beach!