With Mother’s Day coming up, I thought I’d give you all a chance to win something every mother needs: a third arm.
I know what you’re thinking: “Wow, it would be so great to have a third arm! Also, that’s a little creepy. I hope I win!”
Sadly, the government program in charge of the production of third arms sent me an extra set of hips instead, and I know you all don’t want a pair of those.
Fortunately, my friend Amanda Smearman is an independent consultant with Thirty-One, a company that sells a fabulous line of bags and accessories.
She said she had a bag that was like a third arm for moms. She’d send me one to review if I’d like.
If I’d like?
I had heard of Thirty-One bags and I knew those bags and I have a lot in common. We’re both bright, cheery, versatile, and, well, no longer twenty-nine.
Of course I’d like.
I ordered a third arm, I mean, a Large Utility Tote. It comes in a variety of patterns, but I loved the bright colors of the Island Damask. It screamed SUMMER! to me, and since I live in the Pacific Northwet, I knew that pattern was about as close to summer as I was going to get until sometime in mid-August.
As soon as it arrived in the mail, I loaded it up with some picnic trimmings and headed to the beach.
Here we are, soaking up some rare sunshine.
I fell in love the first time I tried it out.
This tote can hold a ton. Beach towels, water bottles, sporting goods, and every pretty rock or shell five kids can find on a sandy shore. It’s made of durable, wipeable cloth and collapses completely so it’s always ready in the car for a trip to the store (I can fit the entire thing in my grocery cart so when I’m done shopping, I can just grab it an go).
Like a third arm, you won’t know how you lived without it. The metal rim stays rigid so you can toss stuff in even if it’s kicking and screaming.
I’m telling you, a mom can think of a million uses for one of these babies.
Not that I would know.
Of course, not every woman needs a third arm. I’ve seen some mamas on Pinterest, and man, do they have it all together.
That’s okay. Thirty-One has great stuff for the less-frazzled among us. Check this out: they even have reversible bags.
This is the Inside-Out Bag in Woodcut Floral. But if you turn it inside out, you have teeny, tiny polka-dots!
Polka-dots are so in.
But if I wear them, I look like a giant Minnie Mouse. So this is better.
I love the versatility of this bag. I’m a low-maintenance kinda girl, so changing purses is just about the last thing I’m inclined to do when I’m heading out the door (except I’m trying, really, to be cuter, so sometimes I have been known to wear a coordinating purse with nothing in it just to be darling).
Here I am, on a backyard photo shoot to demonstrate the adorableness of this bag.
Cue: wind
A little too much wind…
Alright, already!
Act like it never happened:
The main point of this incredibly vain photo montage is that the bag looks great in the Woodblock floral print…
…or the polka-dots!
Also, it’s totally okay to wear fair-trade jewelry with a dress from Walmart. But that’s another post.
Meanwhile, back to this giveaway. Amanda has generously offered to give one lucky winner a third arm! I mean, a $35 shopping spree at her Thirty-One shop!
https://www.mythirtyone.com/AmandaSmearman
Hop over to her site, take a look at all the fabulous products, then tell us which one is your favorite when you enter through the Rafflecopter below.
But wait! Before you choose, you might also like to know that this month, you can get any thermal product for 1/2 off with any $31 purchase! So, you can get that child-shipping tote AND a thermal for a smokin’ hot price. That means, when you send the kid to Argentina, you can send a few snacks along too. LOVE!
Wanna win???? All you have to do is enter below!
Also, if you’re looking for a home-based business, you might want to talk to Amanda about the business options you have with Thirty-One. Her contact info is on her website! She’d love to help you get started!
Legal stuff: The views expressed in this piece are my own (like anyone else would come up with them?) and do not represent the views of Thirty-One.
Thanks for entering!
casey says
Large utility Tote, for sure!
laura knisely says
I would love to have the organizing utility tote-so great for all the junk I carry everywhere! 🙂
Melida says
Your post was the last one I clicked on tonight on FB. I’m supposed to be going to bed but love the opportunity to win a 31 tote 🙂 I really like the Organizing Shoulder Bag. Can I add that you are a hoot. You had me laughing, albeit silently, because everyone in my house is asleep. Thanks for the before bed giggles !
Kaitlin Boles says
Double Thermal Organizer!
dawn marie says
I have 2 large totes, an organizing tote,a mini organizer,a backpack,a wristlet,and a lunch thermal. I’d love to get the new office file organizer.
Debra G says
Shared on Facebook
Tracy says
I shared this giveaway post on FB.
Faith says
I shared on FB (Faith Dawn)
Debra G says
I really like the Inside Out Bag in Black Floral Brushstrokes and Pink Cross Pop. Thanks so much for modeling it. I like the longer straps and I can see from your photos that it has that. It’s really hard to tell what it looks like from the website.
Faith says
I want to get the Casual Cargo Purse to use for a diaper bag for baby #5! I can’t afford it now but with a little h elp I sure would get one!!!
Heather H says
I love the ‘black happy dot!’
Michelle says
I’d also love a large utility tote, and I’d use it for my Bountiful Baskets trips.
Lexi Losch says
I LOVE the crossbody bags! I’m also scooping up my kid or needing two arms and hands for EVERYTHING, so I love wearing crossbody bags because they rarely get in the way. I’d use the money for that definitely.
Julie Crosse says
Ooh, I love those bags! One of the new utility bags would be a great way to carry my Pampered Chef items to parties. You make a wonderful model Kristie!!
Amy says
I would get the inside outbag in black floral!
Tracy says
I shared this giveaway on FB.
Tracy says
I like the Skirt Purse in brown.
Amanda says
I would get the coupon clutch or the easy breezy tote 🙂 I really enjoyed the hilarious blog post!!
Deb says
They all look great, but I would try the thermal tote.
Kathy M. says
I’d love to get the Large Utility Tote, especially now that I know I can get it with a LONGHORN on the side! Hook Em!
tonya says
I would get myself a large utility tote
tonya says
tonyamcrain [at] aol.com
Mikki says
I love Thirty-One. I have gone to several parties and even get invited to “catalog” parties, but *sigh* I have never ordered anything. I just feel guilty about getting myself such a treat and only give hints to the hubby that I like this bag or that; hoping he would say, “Get it!”. Ha! Never has said those words. My MOM did get me an organizer tot, though. This bag is as important as the kitchen table!; it’s in continuous use EVERY day. It sits in a corner of our living room with diapers, wipes, diaper creams, and nose sucker for my 18m & 2 1/2 year old girls. Instead of walking up the stairs to their room to change them I keep a supply neatly in my super, über cute Thirty-One bag :). If I could get something from this recent catalog, it would be that inside-out bag <3. Crossing my fingers…
Maureen says
If I won, I would probably get a large utility tote or an easy breezy tote! Those bags look perfect for me!
Maureen
maureen.tenney@gmail.com
Allesha says
I think I’d get an inside-out bag in the bestbuds and navy color. I think it could double as a diaper bag too 🙂
Shannon says
I love the way you turn an ordinary giveaway announcement into an sweet, humorous, delightful story, complete with illustrations. I tend to live out of bags (practice bag, lunch bag, teaching bag, etc.) so this company interests me. After browsing the 31 site, the skirt purse looks like cute. I’m sure I could find more if I spent longer there.
Patricia Huebschman says
The Weekender bag is lovely but I also like the Hostess Party bag. They look great on you 🙂
In the Hammock says
the super organizing tote! thanks!
Ericka says
Love the super organization tote!
Erin Sheffield says
I love the super organizing tote!
Lois says
I would have to choose between the Organista Crossbody or the Inside-Out tote! Both look great!
Cindy S. says
Have been wanting a tote with the lid. Don’t have one of those yet. Love, love, love Thirty One products for home, work and travel.
Danita says
I would go for either the large utility tote or the large organizer. So excited!!
Rebekah Shaver says
I would have to choose between the Best Buds and Navy Cross Pop Inside Out Bag and the Skirt Purse. Can you tell I am in DESPERATE need of a purse! 😉 I washed my Vera Bradley Tote that I have been using for almost 5 years, and though it came out nice and clean it did NOT mend the frays. Imagine that! Haha
Karen says
I would like a large utility tote. It looks so handy!
Kristen says
I love that large utility tote!
Jody McComas says
I would also like a third arm, I mean new bag. And I love the dress. So cute on you!
Jackalyn says
I would totally love the large utility tote. It just looks amazing.
Kacie says
I am intrigued by this! I am NOT a purse person. Or a bag person. I tend to leave the diaper bag in the van, and if we need it, we go get that thing we need.
And usually, I try to wear pants with pockets so I can carry my wallet, keys and phone.
But sometimes, it is more convenient to have a purse, or a bag of some kind. So I’d love to win the chance to experiment with being a bag lady!
Kacie says
Oh and lame, I forgot to answer the question. I’d buy a third-arm bag, too! I think it would be good for organizing clutter in that ol van of ours.
rosie_kate says
My requirement for a third arm is that it also be like the Tardis– bigger on the inside. I’ve been in search of a diaper bag like that for a long time… I’m wondering if the Retro Metro bag might just fit the bill. But then, maybe a giant utility tote is the way to go.
Rachel Rusticus says
Retro Metro Bag or Shoulder Bag
Jamie says
I have been wanting the Keep it Caddy to carry my Bible Study stuff!
Christina says
I love Thirty-One bags! My sister-in-law gave me one of the large utility totes, and we use it as a toy box in our living room. I would love to try out some of their other products, like the picnic thermal.
Elaine Dieball says
The inside out bag looks great! I love all these cheerful prints! 🙂
allison ford says
woodblock inside out bag
Nikki says
I was gifted one of the 31 utility totes and I love it!! It is like a third arm and is especially good for swim outings. Would love to have more 31 goodies 🙂
Heather Mason says
I want a third arm! I don’t have any 31, but I do have 9 children and need a third arm! and a fourth 🙂
Rachel @ reprezent98201 says
I love 31 stuff but have to save up my allowance for a few months before I can buy any. So…if I were to win this giveaway, I’d be able to get the double thermal and still be able to use my allowance toward something else! Like a chai! 🙂
gail says
Best buds and navy inside out bag does the trick!
Julie Ghrist says
large utility tote all the way! love Pink Pop Medallion or island damask
clenington says
The large utility tote looks great.
lindsay says
I would get a large utility tote.
Symanntha Renn says
PS This post was hilarious and you looked very beautiful!
Symanntha Renn says
I have been wanting a large utility tote form Thirty-One for a while!! I would love to have it in ‘best buds’ or ‘lots dots’.
chanta says
Love reading this. I really liked the large utility or the thermal tote!
Laura Gehris says
That large utility tote looks A-mazing!! Plus, my boys are smaller, I might be able to ship two to Argentina! 😉
Sarah C says
I would love the large utility tote!
Barbie Harwell says
I feel the need for a new Retro Metro! They are invaluable!
Miriam says
I’d love to win. 🙂 I have stayed away from Thirty-One parties just because I can’t afford it on our current budget.
Susie at ProsperityStuff says
I love the one bag I have from Thirty-One … I think it’s the Organizing Utility Tote, but I love the hugeness of the big one you posted about, too. So, it would probably be something big and handy like that … Thanks for a chance at a fun giveaway.
Angela says
I have been wanting a large utility tote for awhile now. Hope I win!! 🙂
Karie P. says
I have a large utility tote and LOVE it! Really need a purse/diaper bag/child-snack-bar bag now though.
Jessica Henrichsen says
I love the big tote; it’s perfect for the lake!!!
Steph says
Love the huge tote!
Christy says
I love everything I have, including my large tote. But I’m hankering for a new diaper bag these days, so maybe one of the organizing totes? So hard to choose . . .
Sarah says
I would love the big tote; but also the thermals… since I work at night; taking lunches to work is crucial– because what is open at 3 am?
Also, summer days out with the kiddos! They are beautiful!
Ashley says
Beautiful!
Jackie says
I really like the Inside out bag, but I also LOVE the Cindy tote. I could definitely use a fancy schmancy diaper bag with enough room to put stuff for two kiddos.
R Binder says
I like the inside out bag!
Jamie pease says
I would love this tote. I love 31 gifts! And ps. You crack me up Kristen!
Rachel says
A third arm would be REALLY nice!
Beth Stratton says
I can always use a third arm….I could use another large tote!
Karen says
Great post! I need a third (and sometimes fourth) arm sometimes too! Like Dara, I really like these bags but budget priorities are elsewhere. Hoping to win, that would be awesome!
dara says
ohh I posted before adding I’d get the inside out bag.. or large utility tote. tough decisions!
erinsl@gmail.com says
Posted on fb! 🙂
Shawna says
LOVE thirty one!
Marcella Cook says
Do I have to limit it to one item? Because we go to the Houston VA a lot, I think I would LOVE to get one of those third arms, I mean Large Utility Bag!
Anne Lashuay says
You need to ship Paul to Grandma’s house, not Argentina!!! It’s much cheaper! 🙂
Tracy Carr says
I want the third arm! It’s perfect! 🙂
Krystle says
I love the large utility tote and I love that kitty! Btw, Kristen, you look like one happy lady!
Yasmin says
I would definitely get the big tote! It would come in so handy! 🙂
Sheila Laurence says
I love the large utility tote that you showed. However, if I told my kids about it, I know one daughter especially would choose the lunch break thermal. Very nice stuff there!
dara says
ohhhhh you are hilarious. and gorgeous. and I would love a third arm. I’ve drooled over 31 bags for a while, but haven’t quite been able to have leftover budget money :-/ But one day. Maybe at the end of this drawing????
erinsl@gmail.com says
I’d love a retro metro weekender!