Country Fairy Tale

California + Harveys + Disneyland + Family = FUN!!

2011-10-13T21:20:00.000-04:00

Last month a dear friend and I made the trip out to the west coast. We had plans to attend the Fall Limited Release of Harveys bags. However, my family and Disneyland were the best for me. I mean, come on. Mom , Dad, Mickey, Minnie!! Right?

Well I did pick up a new bag while we were there. The Madison Hobo. I LOVE IT!! I am going to post all about that bag next week, so tune in.

Here are some pics from our trip.

I brought bags for my nieces.

My parents and I at Disneyland.

Mom and Dad having fun. Dad bumps!!

Amy and I with the Mouse.

Me with Minnie.

The FAB Christopher and I.

Melanie and I.

The Family, best part of the trip. <3

Sweet tooth

2011-08-28T18:20:00.000-04:00

This year I became a substitute teacher. Now from my business classes I know that I need to market myself since there are a lot of substitute teachers and the schools have their pick from the flock of us. So I did a few things right away to try and get a head start on the "competition". I ordered myself some business cards. I made a copy of the card before it went to print and saved it as a picture on my computer. I them emailed EVERY teacher, secretary, principle, and assistant principle that had their school email listed on their school website. I introduced myself, a little background info, and attached a copy of my "Virtual" business card for any future jobs.

Then I realized I needed to make official introductions in person. That is my plan for this week. But I do know that a good way for a person to remember you, and in my case pick me, is to remain in the front of their minds. What better way to do that than have something from me on their desk. That way they will call ME when they need a sub. It is marketing myself.

I came up with these little candy jars.

Proverbs 10:9

2011-08-19T13:23:00.000-04:00

Dictionary.com defines integrity as adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.

The antonym or opposite is listed as dishonest.

Sir Winston Churchill once said ~

Every man does what he must - in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles, dangers and pressures -and that is the basis of all human morality.

Often times in life there are opportunities that will present themselves where you can be forced to make a decision to do the unpopular thing or let the situation slide. After all, who is it really hurting. But Sir Issac Newton's third law of physics can be applied to life as well. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

So although keeping one's integrity might mean making the unpopular decision, it is worth it. Trust me, I know. When you get to Heaven you will not be asked how many friends you had but what right you did.

Harveys Hump Day - Quest for....

2011-08-17T15:23:00.000-04:00

I have this CRAZY AMAZING GREAT FRIEND!!! She has come into my life as if she was always there. She helps with my homework, we visit each other, she is great with my boys. Payton cannot say Amy so he calls her Mayme. (FYI Amy, he is asking where you are.) She has even brought a few of my most prized bags into my collection. She is just all around great. So when she FINALLY found "the one" I knew she needed to share.

(Left to right Top Me and Amy. Bottom Payton and Preston)

Hi, my name is Amy and I am addicted to Harveys. I am also a HUGE enabler, but I can’t help myself. I love Harveys, and I want everyone to love them as much as I do. I am also a self confessed purse hoarder. Actually, I am a hoarder of many things…books, shoes, books, books, oh and did I mention books? But right now, my “hoarding” attentions are focused on those fabulously chic, made in America bags – HARVEYS!

Of all my Harvey’s friends, my husband, Charles, has to be my biggest enabler. “I bought this one,” I’d say…and he would say, “How come you didn’t buy 2?” My two dogs seriously believe that my Harveys bags are made of dog treats, because I keep them locked up, where they are inaccessible by the dogs. “Seriously, Mommy, if they taste so good that you have to hide them behind a locked door, why can’t you just share?!?”

MY QUEST FOR COPPER

It was like a magical, bigger than life, honest to goodness treasure hunt.

At some point in my young Harveys life, I had seen a Copper Convertible Tote for sale on the Harveys Web site. “I have to have one!” I said, “but not right now…I have to have “that” and “that, and “that!” In my mind, copper could wait.

Unfortunately, copper couldn’t wait. As soon as they became scarce as hen’s teeth, of course – I HAD TO HAVE ONE. No, a Large Tote won’t do, I have to have the glorious CT. The copper CT very quickly became one of my “grail bags.” I knew there was one out there for me, but patience is not one of my virtues.

Point of Interest – A grail bag is loosely defined as “a bag so scare that it will be nearly impossible to find someone who is willing to give theirs up, or will be so exorbitantly expensive when you do find it, you will seriously contemplate selling an organ to afford it. Or one of your children/spouse/animals/etc.”

I had a few other “grail bags” on my most-wanted list. But copper was the first and foremost. Every time the question went out about “your most sought after bag” – I was always there waving my hand, screaming COPPER! My wonderful group of Harveys friends calmly accepted the fact that I was seriously deranged, and had to have this bag. They were so nice, that every time a copper bag went up for sale, they would send me a note to let me know. So sweet, and so enabling….and I love them for it.

A very good friend of mine, who is also a serious Harveys fan, actually questioned my sanity in my pursuit of the elusive copper CT….did a copper CT really exist? Or was I hallucinating? “Sigh…no, I really saw it…I did! Honest!”

One Sunday night, not too long ago, I got a private message on Facebook from another Harveys fan, informing me that a copper CT had just shown up for sale on eBay. “Isn’t this the one you are looking for?” I immediately logged onto my eBay account and found my precious copper CT sitting right there with a BIN. Holy crap! My hands shook while I logged into PayPal to pay for it, thinking someone might snipe it out from under me before I could complete the transaction….whew! I was able to pay for the little beauty and start dreaming about its arrival. I couldn’t wait to get it my grubby little paws on it.

When it arrived, and I opened the box, I swear I heard a chorus of angels in the distance. And, there she was, in all her delicious copper glory! Wow. I was shocked. I loved her instantly. Pictures were posted almost immediately, but not before I dressed her up with a large topaz rosette, which I bought a loooooong time ago, specifically for my yet-to-be-found copper CT. One of my very good Harveys friends says I go for “statement bags,” and there is no louder statement than copper!

Even my husband loves her, although when he first saw her, he said, “she is pretty but she’s not Caddie.” Caddie is his all time favorite Harveys bag. Ever.

Now that I have her, I look back on some of my prior Harveys purchases and realize that I have bought a few bags that I thought would substitute for copper, but did not quite fill that void…TreeCycle Carriage Satchel, which has no copper in the pattern, but does have a copper rosette affixed to the front; Herring Bone Carriage Satchel, which is really crazy because it isn’t even a “metal” color; and, a bunch of others that were not the right color and/or size. All because I was searching for a substitute for the bag of my dreams and was being wholly unfulfilled by these substitutes.

My treasure hunt or this elusive bag is over. Right now, I’m not “grailing” for any bags, but I’m sure something will catch my eye, from a previous season, and I will begin my quest over again…I hope to one day have a closet full of Harveys, and a bunch of statement bags, but my copper CT will always be nearest and dearest to my heart.

Yay!!! She found it. It is like a fairy tale story with its happy ending. I cannot wait to hit So Cal with Amy next month. We will be at the Harveys release of the Fall LTD (in So Cal) on September 24th, with BELLS ON!!! Getting to see my fam and Disneyland are just AWESOME perks!! LOVE YOU AMY!!!

Harveys Hump Day Purse Dump Day

2011-08-03T12:47:00.000-04:00

So, I love people and the different things that make us. I also love Harveys. That happens to be one thing that has drawn many different women into my life. I am thrilled to be able to say that I consider these many different women my friends. A new friend in my life.....

Mandy Silman Herbert from Eagle, Idaho

“My name is Mandy Silman Herbert and for the last eleven years I have lived in Idaho. For the first thirty years of my life I lived 45 minutes from Disneyland which is the result of my lifelong obsession with anything Mouse House related. I first became aware of Harveys when browsing through a Disney blog online I saw the amazing Disney Messenger. I ran screaming through the house for my husband who having been married to me for 14 years was able to remain calm. Because I am married to an amazing man who also values peace he called the Disney Ears number the next day and my new bag was on its way. He mentally patted himself on the back and thought it was over. Sometimes he forgets who he is married to :) Obsessed with my new bag I had to find out more. And so it began.

I was already a purseaholic when I found my way to the Harveys page. It felt like coming home. Since our only child is a boy I thought my bags were safe. They were until the little boy discovered Scully. He luffs "his" Scully so much and I often have to comb the house to find his latest hiding place. I don’t have the heart to not share with him.

Then there are our nine four legged children. Two barkers and seven meowers. There is no way to get a picture of them all together without a trip to the ER. Because the sides of the bags are hard the cats spend hours rubbing their little faces against them. I don’t have the heart to not share with them either but because they have all their claws I watch them very carefully.

I was never a football fan but you can’t live in Idaho and not love our Boise Broncos. They won their first major championship when I was eight months pregnant and I got so excited I thought I went into labor. I was beyond excited when Harveys released the Mandarin line. Besides the fact that it is a gorgeous bright orange it is a perfect Broncos color. My hubby found blue ribbon and put in together for me and now we just need a patch and some bling and you have the perfect Broncos bag.

Here is my current bag, the incredible MCKY boat tote. This is my favorite design of all the Harveys bags but I have a small obsession with the cherries too. I always need a bigger bag because apart from my stuff I usually get handed my hubby’s keys and wallet and whatever the little boy cannot live without at that time. He tends to store toys on there as do our cats who have "killed" a toy and then "buried" it in my purse as a gift. I have been known to pull out a catnip mouse or squeaky toy at a register while try to pay. It’s my version of a clown car.

After I dumped my purse and finished screaming because I thought the cat feathers were a dead animal (which has happened before) I realized I also have a small lip balm and gloss obsession. Also in my makeup case are my summer perfumes, sunscreen wipe, mascara, and blotting stuff. My minnie holds my eyeglass wipes and eye drops. My phone, Rowans toys and crayons, my non Harveys wallet ( I'm getting there ok ) one of my current books, Xanax for panic attacks, Harvey cards of course, a notebook and pen for lists, my datebook to keep track of my dad’s Dr appts. Hand lotion and sanitizer. I keep a separate bag in the car with extra clothes for Rowan and a first aid kit. I can’t carry it because Rowan will keep coming up with new boo boos until he has used all the band aids.

It’s not all about Harveys though. It started with Harveys, and Harveys will always be the biggest part of it but there is another side to it. Their fans. Harveys has the most amazing fans called sisters. A group of women spread all over the country, they are sweet and sassy and the most horrid enablers ever. They support each other, trade and help find bags, and send gifts to those who are sick or need cheering up. Most of us have not met and despite this it’s them I go to when celebrating a new bag or a need to vent. I wonder if Harveys ever dreamed that their company would be the start of something so amazing.

Before I leave you I want to say thank you to Mindy Harris for letting me be this week’s dump girl and for writing this terrific blog. I also want to say thank you to the Harveys for their incredible bags. You have created an amazing world.”

Thank You Mandy!! I was thrilled when you said yes to be our dumper this week and even more thrilled by your own excitement!!

Next month I will be making a pilgrimage (of sorts) to California. I will be in town for the Fall LTD release in Santa Ana. I will have the HUGE privilege of meeting some of my fellow sisters. Many of my other sisters will be in Omaha, NE for a special Release at Material Girl.

You can find your own Harveys Bag on their website or by finding a store near you where they are sold. Have a great week!!

Harveys Hump Day

2011-07-27T10:56:00.000-04:00

We all have our little niche, something we like to do, enjoy doing, and are kind of good at. I like to think I am kind of good at taking photos of my family. I have tried the creativity thing a few times with crafts. I am not too bad but I will leave it to the experts.

I have the great pleasure of knowing some ladies that have amazing talents.

Sarah Sandusky Ferrie is from Tucson, AZ

She has an Associate's Degree in Digital Art, a Bachelor' Degrees in Graphic Information Technology, and is currently taking classes towards a Master's in Graphic Information Technology and Technical Writing.

Whew, this is one smart chica!! Not to mention the talent.

Earlier this year a group of wonderful ladies I know were holding a contest "Design Your Own LTD." There were a lot of GREAT bags. But there could only be one winner. The contest caught the attention of the Harveys as well. After all the voting was finished we had a winner!!!

This was the bag that Sarah designed and won first place with. Great right? It got better. Dana Harvey donated the winning prize!!! Ok, it gets better. Sarah won a bag that had been made as a prototype but never put into production!!! You can check out the Harveys Blog to see their post about this winning bag.

She still amazes me with he skills and creativity.

"I was introduced to Harvey's in 2004, by a classmate in one of my Graphic Design classes. I loved the idea of using seatbelts in various colors to create something that was usable AND cute. I love that they are DIFFERENT. They're not the same old bag you see everyone carrying, and are guaranteed to get tons of compliments."

Thanks for sharing your creativity with the world Sarah. We never know where we might see some of your designs. The Harveys' Themselves seem to have taken some notice.

Check out http://www.seatbeltbags.com/ to find your own. Do you have any of your own ideas for a new bag?

I Spy Harveys

2011-07-21T16:39:00.001-04:00

Do you get excited when you see another person with a Harveys Bag? I would, but then I live far away from the center of that universe. After a recent conversation I had with Christopher Montes from Harveys, I have decided to try out an "I Spy" game of our own.

Here is how it is going to work. You are tasked with keeping a watchful eye out for others in your area who have their own Harveys Bag, take a picture, and sent it to me. Then I will post them and everyone will vote on the best "Spy" and the winner will win a surprise.

Now there are going to be a few rules and guidelines:

-Must be a real Harveys Bag

- No using your own bag

-Must be someone you don't already know. Posed or just a quick candid shot as they pass by.

-Must be a new picture now one taken before this post.

-Photo must be clear enough to see the bag.

-Not a picture from or in a Harveys Store (I am refering to the only two offical Harveys Stores in Ca).

-Email all photos to mlharris32@gmail.com

-Entries will be accepted starting today through August 4, 2011. That is two weeks. Photos will be posted the following week and voting details will be posted then.

-Please include where and when the picture was taken. Also include your email and name.

Please check back here often for any updates or changes that may better this game of "I Spy."

I know there are those of you who think you never see any others with bags. Keep your eyes open. But there will be another game next month that will be open to more opportunities. No worries.

Ready, Set, GOOOO!!!!

Harveys DAY!!!

2011-07-20T14:33:00.001-04:00

Let me start out by saying "Yes, I am still alive." I really appreciate how many of you were questioning last week's dissaperance. I am glad to know that there are many of you out there that share my love and appreciation of Harveys Seatbelt Bags. With that being said...... Onto a new home where Harveys is loved.

Alandra "AJ" Galusha from Eugene, Oregon

I remember when I saw my first Harveys, it was a red large tote, while I was working at a make up counter about 7 years ago. I loved it but I did not follow up right away it would be another 2 years before I found the Seatbeltbags web site. Once I found they had so many colors and styles to choose from I was sold. My addiction started slowly I only had a handful of bags for the first few years. But then I found I was not alone in my appreciation, and that is when the enabling began. I will go more in to that soon. My collection is ever changing, but I would like to share a few of the special ones.

This is my One of a kind, Studly, I won him at the patchwork auction event to raise money for R.U.F.F. Harveys are known for their events.

There is funny story behind this must have bag. The day before the event I was at the store with one of the lovely woman I had met off their Facebook Page (Miss Erin Lane) and we were talking to Erin (the Harveys employee) about making a studded bag out of the feet, and like magic there it was at Patchwork) I took that as a sign I had to have this bag.

Shag Bag

Harveys has also worked with the Grand Central Art center with some very limited bags. I was lucky enough to snag one of 5 bags done with the Artist Shag. I was new to the artist but really like a lot of his work. Harveys has done multiple collaborations with other local artist, these are some of my all time favorite bags including my all time bag that may carry my ashes after die.

Death or Glory Bag

You are starting to get an idea of the variety offered by Harveys but what you may not understand is how this simple handbag as brought so many people together. I am a stay at home of one fantastic little boy (Cade) and follow my husband around the west coast for work. This leaves a lot of time on my hands. I met a lot of women with the same application of Harveys that I have on the Harveys Facebook page and was surprised by the almost cult following Harveys have. I would check in with from time to time but now it is always on my computer and I can't walk by my computer with out checking in on my new friends. These women are some of the most supportive, loyal and over all fantastic people I have met. We were brought together by an appreciation of bags but we talk about everything and often lean on each other for support. Of course we talk and trade bags but it has grown to be much more than that.

First time meeting Sisters (what we call others who share our love)

Thanks AJ for hooking us up this week. I have to say that I have the special opportunity of meeting new friends through this specail community of Harveys Fans. I have high hopes for meeting many more later this year when I attemd the Fall LTD even at the Santa Ana Store.

If you are not near a store you can always shop online at www.seatbeltbags.com

Are You Awesome?

2011-07-19T23:27:00.000-04:00

Often times we forget to be true to who we are through our daily grinds and forget that we are a creation of God. So keep this in mind and use it as your daily reminder of just what you should be doing.....

Harveys Hump Day Purse Dump Day

2011-07-06T05:00:00.005-04:00

Its a family thing.....

This is my friend Stephanie Edington-Shearer and her two daughters, Taylor and Dallas.

They reside in Miller, Missouri.

I recently asked Stephanie to be my guest dumper and to have her daughters join in. How cool to have something you love and can share with your daughters. (Ok, I might be a little jealous since I only have boys and if their dad caught them with a purse. Let's just say not pretty.)

"I bought my first Harvey's SBB in Oct 2006 from a store in Columbia, MO. My sister's friend owned the boutique, and had actually given my sister, Tiffany her first SBB the Christmas before. She told Tiffany that she had just gotten a new shipment in and would be putting them out that weekend. That Friday I saw pink and brown Rugby...it was love at first sight. And thisclose to ending my marriage. My husband was with me when I bought the bag, and NOT HAPPY about me spending $168 "on a purse". He still isn't happy when I buy a new one, but my marriage and Rugby, are still intact and going strong!

This was also the bag that my girls fell in love with, and started their love affair with Harvey's. I talked my husband into letting me buy Taylor, the oldest, a black and white MM (mini messenger) for her birthday the following January. Then, that September, we bought her sister, Dallas, a Stardust baguette for her birthday. Since then, all of our collections have grown. We have added bags, minnies, wallets (full and clutch), rosettes, lanyards, click-n-go wristlettes, change purses, checkbook covers and make-up bags.

Dallas and I did a bag dump. (Taylor is working 2 jobs, so we don't see her very much.) I have actually been using 3 bags the past 2 days, so i had to dump all three: storm MM, Rugby and Lavender boxy. Dallas uses Stella constantly, so she just dumped one. It's amazing how much a bag will hold!

Both girls have received bags for Christmas last year.

Taylor got a Purple Haze boxy!!

Dallas got a much coveted large Stella. Dallas was just a little surprised!

It has been wonderful to pass my love of Harvey's and Seatbelt Bags on to the girls. Taylor will be starting college this fall, and Purple Haze will be accompanying her on this new chapter in her life."

And from the looks of things it will be a new chapter of bags as she grows. The girls are beautiful Stephanie!! Thank you for sharing with us this week. It is always great to see a tradition in progress.

The Harvyes website is a great place to find your own bag or one as a gift. This last First Friday there were Picnic and a bike basket. Very cute!!

My Dad..... Going under for God. An answer to prayer.

2011-06-30T07:10:00.001-04:00

My mom and dad were both raised in the church. They met in church. There were circumstances that drew them away from church, but not necessarily away from God. My brother and I were not raised going to church on a regular basis but were raised to understand and believe in God.

For a long time, due to a lot of life circumstances, my dad discounted his worth to God. My mom prayed. Many prayed.

Recently, there were answers. My dad accepted the Lord as his Savior. And.....

I love you dad....

Harveys Hump Day Purse Dump Day

2011-06-29T14:16:00.001-04:00

Have you ever bought a Harveys bag for a friend or family member? I have given my mom at least two, my sister in law one, and my three year old son has a back pack. We use as his go bag since we are potty training and I will not buy any more diapers.

He even picked out the ribbon to decorate the bag with and make it his own.

I find it a lot of fun to give Harveys bags, sometimes almost as fun as getting a bag. But kids with their bags are the best. They are so cute. I hope to get my niece one for her birthday later this year.

But I have another "little diva" to share with you today.

Melodie from Arizona!!

D.I.V.A.

"Hi!! My name is Melodie or you can call me Moo since everyone else does! I will be 12 in July but Mommy says I'm going to be 3. I get to show you my purses, aren't they pretty?

"Mommy has lots and lots!!! She's a little bit crazy about them, and decided that my diaper bag wasn't enough. I AM a Princess..didn't you know (and Princesses need purses)? So she searched ebay, and found me my very first pink purse when I was about 20 months!! It has gone everywhere with me ever since. To the doctors, the zoob (yes its called the zoob according to me), shopping with Auntie Erin, EVERYWHERE.

And I get lots of compliments, especially when I make Daddy carry it for me.

Since then Mommy and Daddy got me two more purses for Christmas last year from a pretty lady named Sandie (I cant wait to paint your nails again Sandie). I love those too! And now I have purses to match almost every outfit!

I have lots of important vital things in my purse that I cant live without. Because you absolutely never know when you might need 4 pairs of sunglasses. A girls gotta have options right?!?! I also have my perfume, brothers Towmater truck that I "borrowed" from him. (DON'T TELL MOMMY). Three necklaces, a brush, a monkey block for my VTech train, a green heart bracelet, a Kero Kero Kerropi watch, a tiara hair clip. And my special minnie.

I went to my first Harveys event in March, so Mommy could get a Blackberry bag. I met Dana and Melanie. They were very nice, but I liked the cheesecake bites more. Melanie carried my brother, because he was being a pest and she was being helpful. Aren't all brothers like that? Daddy promised me that if I was good he would buy me something. I don't think he thought I would remember but when I saw the pretty purses I reminded him! So he let me pick out my pretty orange minnie!! I love my Daddy! Not sure where Mommy was, I think she was going crazy with all the other crazy purse ladies.

Well I better go, Tangled is on and I need to watch it again! Thanks Mrs. Mindy for letting me do show and tell! Oh and did I tell you my Birthday is in July? I can't wait for my birthday party!"

Such a cutie, excuse me, diva/princess!! Thanks Moo and mom for sharing with us. I hope I can get my hands on a cute bag so, too. Or maybe we can convince Harveys to make them again (HINT).

Check back next week for another bag and another dump. Don't forget this Friday is also FIRST FRIDAY!!! That's right, new bags!!! Be sure to check out Harveys on their website or their facebook page.

Missing.....

2011-06-28T21:43:00.000-04:00

A few things this week are missing. My laptop has gone off to Dell to be repaired and I feel lost without it. I was able to take a short leave of absence from school whit it is gone. My Sanity has been on an extended vacation. I am not sure when it left or if it will come back for the next...um Payton is 3..... 15 years. What was not missing today was TJ. It was his day off and we had a lot to get done. His was mostly outside and with the tractor. Here are a few pictures from this afternoon, my family at its best.

This week holds more challenges in Potty Training. It has been "ok" but could be better.

We saw Cars 2. Way too much for the little ones to understand and follow, but cute.

Preston finished up Cub Scouts summer camp.

TJ is waiting to get the final ok for his new job.

I jouned Weight Watchers and am walking 3 miles in the mornings.

Whew, that is just another day in my Country Fairy Tale....

Harveys Hump Day Dump Day

2011-06-22T03:00:00.005-04:00

Last week I told you I have a special treat for you all. This week is super exciting for me and I am sure you will recognize our featured dumper.

If you have ever visited or even called the Harveys Santa Ana store you could have encountered this person. Do you follow the Harveys Blog? I have seen HIS face there too!! That's right. You asked and I delivered. We are going to see a Black Label Wallet (maybe more), but from WHO??

Ladies and Gentleman, I introduce you to Christopher Montes.

"Hello! I'm Christopher Montes, Customer Service Manager at Harveys. I started my career at Harveys back in 2006, but my first introduction to the company was in 2004 by a former coworker from Allstate that carried a Harveys Classic Red Large Tote. The first day she brought her Seatbeltbag to work changed my life forever! It’s as if by magic the steps that followed to get me exactly where I am today. I am thankful each day I work because I love the Harveys, I love everyone on Team Harveys and I enjoy working in the exciting environment Harveys Industries provides. At Harveys, I’m celebrated for my strengths as well as my quirks, and personally, what I find most important is I get to be myself, every single day!

I was stoked when Mindy asked me to participate and be a featured “Dumper” on her blog, and I’m more than willing to celebrate hump day with you by giving a sneak peek inside some of my very own personal Harveys pieces.

First up is my Black Label Wallet in Black. Each piece I own represents a Harveys career moment in time for me. This reminds me of being promoted to Store Manager in 2009 and being gifted a wallet. When it comes to what goes in my pocket, I try and keep it simple! In the wallet you’ll find my Driver License, debit card, AAA card, Target card, Disneyland Annual Passport, personal Harveys business card, cash and Harveys Website cards for the impromptu moments in life when someone asks me, “Where did you get your Seatbeltbag?!?”

Sometimes, a guy’s got to stash away his phone! When I go to an event like a concert, I use a Minnie Wristlet to carry all the same items I’d normally house in my Black Label Wallet in addition to my iPhone! Before my bike was stolen last summer, I’d throw a Minnie Wristlet around the handle bars and I’d be set for an adventure!

My Executive Laptop bag in Army reminds me of my first week at Harveys. I was allowed to pick out any bag of my choice and I knew right away the silhouette for me and I’ve used that bag almost every day since December of 2006. It’s never been sent to our Bag Spa and it’s never needed a repair. Oh the stories my bag could tell if it could talk…

Inside I carry my 15” Gateway Laptop, laptop charger, iPhone charger, iPhone, Lady GaGa Heartbeats headphones, Hot Pink Dr. Grip Pen that a sweet customer gave me (hey Jane, hey!), Harveys Classic Clutch in Violet (same size as convertible clutch where I store all my unmentionables), “I Am A Seatbeltbag” SeatbeltStrap Tote (Dana gave me this for helping with a project and I use it for spontaneous shopping trips I justify to myself by being “green”), the keys to my life, Harveys folder for my current work projects, upcoming look books and a Sharpie.

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing a lil’ bit of my collection! Thanks for thinking of me for this opportunity, Mindy! I wish to all of you Harveys Original Seatbeltbag “toters” that your collections bring many years of friendly compliments to come. Keep on bloggin’, Mindy!

XOXO,

Christopher at Harveys"

WOW!! This blog was SO much fun for me, and Christopher is the one who did all the work. My deepest thanks to Christopher for sharing with us and making it so much fun!! Next time I am in So Cal I will be making a special trip to the store. For those of you have never been, like myself, there is a Harveys Museum on the third floor of the Santa Ana store that is well worth the trip. That's right, thre are THREE floors of Harveys goodness. But let's be real, the bags and employees are more than worth the trip as well.

There is also a Harveys store in Chino Hills. This is the only store I have ever had the opportunity to visit and the service I have always encountered has been extremly plesent and helpful. After all, they understand my crazy love.

Don't forget to stop buy the Harveys website and find your own love.

I HEART John Deere

2011-06-18T22:31:00.000-04:00

My husband has always been a man's man. His PawPaw passed on an old John Deere to him and TJ used it and worked on it all the time. Unfortunately, we had to leave it with friends in California (to hopefully return and get it sooner rather than later). This week we sold a trailer we had. With the money we got from that sale, TJ got another one. I guess we need one, right?

There she is. John Deere 50. Like I know what that means, lol. After a few HOURS of working in it TJ finally got it right and ready to run.

So home we headed. 10 miles per hour!! It took us an hour to get home. I followed TJ in the truck to be sure everything was ok and just in case I needed to pull him home.

When we got home TJ went right to work bedding part of our field next to the house so we could plant more this coming week. Hopefully we will get some rain.

I <3 John Deere.

Simple Friday

2011-06-17T21:22:00.000-04:00

This week is the first week Preston is out of school. And if this week is any indication of what the summer holds, it is going to be a long one. Preston does go to cub scout camp this week though.

This week we went to a local dive to get some ice cream.

Best in town.

Payton with his Strawberry Ice Cream

Preston said no pictures but he got Strawberry with sprinkles.

We went to the park this morning. Payton likes the big slide.

Preston was working out an attitude problem and again said no pictures.

HA!! Mom got one anyways!! We put a movie in and they both fell asleep.

Payton with the thumb and blanket.

Few points:

I am trying to get rid of a migraine.

TJ is getting a tractor tomorrow.

Never watch Man vs. Food when trying to diet.

Buy American when possible.

I have not cleaned poop out of Payton's pants in three days. A few pee accidents but we are doing good.

I will try to catch up on the potty training this weekend.

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Harveys Hump Day Purse Dump Day

2011-06-15T06:00:00.008-04:00

This is my dear friend Erin Lane from Tucson, AZ (and her mom) with Melanie at the Mother's Day Event in Chino Hills, Ca.

When I asked her to do this week's Harveys bag dump I knew it would be hard for her to pick which bag she would use. I have watched her collection grow leaps and bounds this past 6 months. She recently acquired one of her "dream bags."

"My first bag was left by the infamous jolly guy himself, Santa Claus, on December 25, 2005. Her name is Big Red. A red large tote. One word sums her up…Gorgeous. Yes, she is still mine, the bag that turned my best friend Michelle on to Harveys, and the bag that will never leave me. Since 2005, my collection has grown from one bag to a wonderful twenty-five with numerous accessories. I highly doubt that number will get any smaller. With all of the surprises Harveys have up their sleeves, I will be building a hut out of my bags, just to have a roof over my head."

Alas, she was able to decide on a bag, her Paint By Numbers 1 AND 2!! Yep, she thought it was so nice she bought it twice!! Ok, my sad attempt at humor.

"P.B.N. is an abbreviation that is music to my ears. Paint By Numbers Large Satchel, the answer to my dreams. This is a bag that I have waited years and years to have in my collection. Love at first sight is the only way to describe it. To me, this bag is perfection. It is a little piece of multiple Harveys all wrapped up in one. What makes it better, she has a sister. Paint By Numbers II. Taking those colors that pop most, adding a little pattern and you have that beauty. These two bags are to me what Rene Zellweger was to Tom Cruise in the movie Jerry McGuire. Completion, they complete me."

PBN Enjoying a ride!!

"If we take a look inside one of my bags on a daily basis, this is what you will find:

My keys, complete with a Harveys Click-n-go Wristlet, in the amazing red color

Harveys Lucky Minnie Wristlet, (which holds anything from Jolly Ranchers, to my camera and iPod, to other needed things)

Harveys Red Full Wallet

Endless supply of Chapstick

Inhaler

Body spray and hand lotion

Writing pens galore

Harveys handout cards

Nail file

Cell phone

and….. a Sharpie. My purse will usually have a Sharpie (you never know when you will run into a celebrity or need to draw a mustache on a poster of a gorgeous man or woman…kidding).

Depending on what day it is and what I am doing, this bag can sneak snacks into a movie theater, carry a bottle of water or three and all the other randoms that I get handed throughout the day."

"Harveys Seatbelt Bags are leaving their mark in my family and with my friends. Within the last year, I have turned my sister in law, my mother, co-workers, fellow students, and friends into lovers.

My five year old niece is the most recent to receive a bag from me. Yes, I said five. She begged, even snagged one of my minnie wristlets, to be like her Auntie Erin. Her birthday just passed, and the smile on her face when she saw her bag, priceless. It was almost as wonderful as the smile she had walking down Main Street in Disneyland for the first time. Almost. My father is going to be the next lucky person to be wowed by Harveys. He’s lucky enough to have a present on his way for Father’s Day. They don’t understand my love completely yet, but they are trying.

It doesn’t matter how you look at it, I am in love. I am a Harveys fan, I am a seatbelt bag."

Thanks Erin for sharing with us. I am a fellow PBN lover. And your niece is SO STINKIN" CUTE!!

Don't worry, I understand your love. So do many others.

As always you can find your own Harveys Bag on their website. There is sure to be one that fits you best. Have a great week everyone and check back next week for our next featured dumper.

This one is going to be good!! I have some treats up my sleeve!!

Potty Training Boot Camp

2011-06-12T20:40:00.001-04:00

I have two of the most SPIRITED children in the world. I use the word spitired because the word stubborn might offend, lol. My oldest, Preston, was not too hard to potty train. He was in daycare at the time and his teacher was amazing. Now we have Payton who just turned three. He was doing so well. Then it is like he woke up one morning and decided "Na, I don't want to go on the potty. I want my mommy to clean out my pants." He is in regular underwear now. No diapers and pull ups.

Well this mommy has had enough. After many attempts and searching for "what works" I have setteled (and even PAID MONEY) for what I hope will be the means to the end of my poop and pee pants days.

I purchased the "3 Day Potty Training Method" ebook by Lora Jensen. I have read the book and it even describes what to do with older and stubborn, oops SPIRITED children. I basically have to be in the house chained to Payton for three whole days. Yep, I am going to lose it. But if by the end of the three days we are any closer than we are now, I will be happy.

We are going to start Wensday this week. There is actually some preperation tho this method. I have to be totally focused on this task. So I have more underpants, need to preplan means, and have the house in order. It is a good thing I am out of class for the next week. So I will be blogging my regular bag dump this week, but I am going to be blogging ALL about our adventures. Stay tuned and hope for success.

Saturday Morning Snapshot

2011-06-11T13:20:00.001-04:00

This Saturday morning Preston is off to Busch Gardens with a friend and Payton is already trying my potty training skills. So I decided to venture into town. I had to go to the post office anyways. I decided to head downtown to the local farmer's market. And it was a good thing I did not stop at the bank first. I wanted one of everything.

There were such beautiful flowers.

Fresh and locally grown fruit and vegetables. I came home with blueberries.

And I fell in LOVE with this dish.

Then I went over the my favorite place in all of Downtown Elizabeth City, The Cupcakery!!!

They are located at 200 S. Poindexter St.

My children love going here for a special treat. But this morning it was all me.

They have THE BEST CUPCAKES in a huge variety. But this morning I resisted temptation and got a Pretzel Bagel, YUM!!

They even offer workshops, parties, and play dates. Payton has his third birthday here and they made Mickey Mouse Cupcakes!! Ms. Sharon Hundley was so great with the kids.

This is Ms. Heather Fletcher, a wonderful, gorgeous and amazingly talented woman. She and her mother Sharon run this family bakery of yummy goodness.

I highly recommend that if you are ever in town, you stop by to satisfy your sweet tooth. You can check out their website or their facebook where they post regular specials.

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

Harveys Hump Day Purse Dump Day

2011-06-08T07:34:00.000-04:00

It is that time of week again where I introduce you to a different Harveys Seatbelt Bag from a different home across America. This week we have April Millikan from Norwalk, California. She recently celebrated her birthday so I would like to send her some Happy Birthday Love!!!

April brings us a bag I have not had the opportunity to try out. And yet the more I see one I think I need to find myself one.

April Millikan and her Medium Scully Bag

"Let me introduce Scully. He is not my first and he is not my last, but he is one of my favorites. BTW, I did say he. He is the only male bag surrounded by a harem of female bags in my collection. Not sure why we label them he or she, but to us they are like a guy naming their cars, usually with female names. Plus it doesn’t feel right saying “it”.

My collection started in 2004 with the infamous Jean Genie. Since then I have never owned any other bag besides Harveys and my collection grows and grows every day. Scully was a bag that as soon as I saw him, I knew I had a bag emergency and had to buy him that day. Lucky for me, the Santa Ana Harveys store is close to work; I bought Scully during my lunch hour. There are two Scully bags, a Large Boat Tote and a Medium Boat Tote. This Scully is a Medium Boat Tote and is perfect for everyday use. In fact, he even went with me on the set of Bones, the Fox TV show. I was hired as a sign language consultant and he was the only bag that was fitting to go.

Now for the inside…

The Medium Boat Tote is a really good size. On average I carry three Harveys Minnies. They hold all my little goodies to I can easily switch from one bag to another. I have my Caddy Minnie to hold my mints, Aleve, nail files, Carmex and other small items. My Disney Minnie holds my camera. It is the perfect fit! My Treecycle Minnie holds my iPod, headphones and of course the Harveys cards. One of the best thing Harveys does is put their cards in all their products. Talk about smart advertising!!! Then I have my Forever Blue Jeans Clutch Wallet (she’s awesome!). A water bottle. Harveys pencil pouch in Champagne. I always have pens, pencils, sharpies, flash drive and a flash light handy. Cell phone. Inhaler. Wisp, amazing little one time use toothbrush, breath freshener thingys. Work keys on a Harveys click n go in Champagne. Car keys and house keys on Harveys click n go wristlet in Topaz. Hand sanitizer. Lotion. And the best accessory, black sparkly Clipa!!!! Did I forget anything? Do you see the kitchen sink?

I love my Harveys bags. They are unique, fun, durable, come in great colors and they are American made!!! I have been called a walking advertisement for Harveys, get asked if I work for the company, or if I make commission on anything. I do not, I just love these bags. Any one that knows me knows I am a Harveys girl for life!!

Thanks Mindy for this great honor. Hope you all enjoy my bag dump."

April XOXO

Ok, I am in love with him!! Yes, Him. I think a lot of us have bags that take on their own persona. They have such personality. Thank you so much April for being the featured dumper this week.

As always, you can find these amazing bags on their website HERE!! Don't forget to check back each First Friday of every month. So many bags go so very fast.

Check back for a new dump next week.

Farmer John

2011-06-07T19:09:00.000-04:00

So I have shared with you all in the past that we have a garden, of sorts.

The rain in this region is LACKING!! But we do have a little corn, cantaloupe, tomatoes, red and green peppers and strawberries. Today I added a row of corn so we can keep corn coming in for a while. Here are a few pictures of what I have planted.

Corn and Cantaloupe

Cantaloupe. Kids will love it.

Tomatoes. First of the season. Honestly, I only want the tomatoes so I can make fresh salsa.

And this is how the corn starts out. We purchase our corn at the local growers store. It is red because it is covered with stuff to keep it healthy and the bugs off. Other than that it is dried up corn.

The area Farmer's plant a lot of corn, soy beans, cabbage, potatoes, and wheat which it being harvested now. After the fields are worked over, the beans will go in.

Here's hoping we get some good rain soon!! We need it!!

Try shopping at your local farmer's market for fresh grown fruits and veggies.

Fun Foto Finish Friday

2011-06-03T14:10:00.000-04:00

So today if Foto Friday!! It is also a personal day, and kids need a personal day sometimes, too. So I let Preston play hookie from school and had a little fun planned. We were river bound.

Yep, we drove ten minutes from the house over to a friend's place so the kids could play in the river. They needed a little break.

The kids had a good time. I took Payton home for a nap and Preston stayed with his friends for a while longer. I need Payton to take a nap (hopefully) so he wont be cranky at the National Truck Pull tonight!!!

Check back later for more of the day's and night's events.

Happy Friday Everyone!!

We rounded the night out at the oull and here are a few pictures.

Have a great weekend everybody!!

Harveys Hump Day Purse Dump Day

2011-06-01T07:02:00.000-04:00

Last week's blog about my own purse dump and my Harveys handbag was warmly accepted and liked. I decided to take things a step further. There are so many bags Harveys has made and many friendships I have made in connection to Harveys. So why not feature a different bag from another Harveys Lover from across the US, EACH WEEK!!

That's right. Each week a different Harveys bag, from a different person, in a different location. This week I have asked my friend Heather Michelle Passmore from Indianapolis, Indiana to be our feature dumper. Heather and I met through our love of Harvyes and I am excited to introduce her and her

Harveys Cupcake LTD released in 2008

"This is the bag that started it all...my Limited Edition Cupcake Medium Tote (2008). To this day, this is still my favorite Harveys, and probably always will be. Not only was this my first Harveys, but it was my first Limited Edition, and it was given to me by my husband (boyfriend at the time) for our one-year anniversary. I love the color combo of Aqua, Rose, and Mauve, and the Cupcake interior is adorable! I was once offered $400 to sell her, but had to say no because I'm far too emotionally attached to her. Yes, her. She even has a name: Zoe. Out of my small bag collection of 5 bags, she has definitely been carried the most and when I feel like I need a small boost of luck, she is my go-to bag.

Now...for all that she holds on a day to day basis:

Tough Love Minnie, which is my travel first aid kit. I have awful allergies and am quite accident prone, so allergy meds, eye drops, and bandaid are essential for me.

Something Blue Minnie ( wedding rings on the inside liner) holds my iPod Touch and earbuds.
Checkbook with breast cancer awareness cover.
Pepper spray, pen, lotion, gum, business card holder (full of Harveys cards)

Keys with black Harveys click-n-go wristlet

Pink Hope Clipa

Pomegranate Passion anti-bac gel in blingified holder.
Oh...and my wallet I got off Etsy with matching Cupcake interior!

There are so many great things to love about Harveys. The bags are made in the USA, they're afforable, and they're unique! I love when I'm out in public and someone I don't know comes up and asks me about my bag. I get excited to tell others about them and am always armed with a Harveys card to hand out.

Thanks for giving me a chance to brag about my bag on your blog, Mindy :o)"

Thanks Heather for being my feature dumper of the week. Love your Cupcake LTD and great find on the wallet!! Now on to find her next love, a Tough Love Clutch Wallet, good luck!!

Check back next week for another Harveys bag dump. And as always, you can find your own love of Harveys on their website!!

Super Simple Kisses (and Reese's) Cookies

2011-05-30T13:34:00.000-04:00

Today was about making cookies. The boys were not much into the jam but I thought this was more up their train of thought. So we made Super Simple Kisses Cookies. And for the Reese's loves, some of those, too.

Here is what we used.

This was simple and something the boys could help with.

After I sprayed the muffin pans, the boys broke apart the cookies and places one square in each muffin place. Our one package made 24.

Place cookies in the oven and bake as directed cutting of about 2 minutes of cooking time.

While the cookies were baking I divided up the candy we were using so both boys had their own.

Quickly after pulling the cookies out I used a rounded end kitchen tool to lightly compress the center of each cookie.

Then, being very careful not to touch the hot pan, the boys placed one piece of candy in each cookie. I decided to place the cookies back in the oven for another minute to melt the candy a bit more.

So with help from the boys we have our Super Simple Kisses or Reese's Cookies!!

Homemade Strawberry Freezer Jam

2011-05-29T19:21:00.000-04:00

Today I decided to try my had at making some strawberry jam. The kids eat a lot of PB & J and we all love toast so it seemed like a good fit. Here is what I did.

I needed:

1/4 cup of lemon juice

1 cup of light karo syrup

1 box of pectin

4 cups of sugar

3 1/4 cups of pureed strawberries

Wash and trim the strawberries

Purees the strawberries 1 cup at a time leaving some chuncks

Pour the strawberries and lemon juice into a pot.

Gadually stir in 1 box of pectin and set aside for 30 minutes stirring every 5 minutes.

Then stir in karo syrup.

I bought new jars since today was the first time I have tried something like this. I got the 1 pint wide mouth jars. You can save jars throughout the year and not have to buy any.

Be sure to wash the jars and lids before use.

Cook the strawberry mix on low stirring in the sugar gradually, constantly stirring. Cook for 2-3 minutes. do not let the mix get too hot.

Pour into glass jars leaving 1/2 inch for freezer expansion. After 5 minutes put the lids on and clean of the jars from any sticky mess. Every 3-4 hours turn the jars to prevent the strawberries from setting in one place.

After about 24 hours (time allowed for jam to set) put the jars in the freezer. Jam can remain in the freezer for up to two years!! If you are ready to use on, just take it out of the freezer and defrost in the fridge.

Here's hoping my Jam turns out well. I doubled my recipe so it made 8 pints.

Happy Sunday!!