Five years ago, Debbie @ Mountain Breaths and I received emails from Patti @ Pandora's Box alerting us to an amazing Courtly Check
tote listed in the MacKenzie-Childs clearance section.
We each jumped at the chance to own one of these roomy totes in our favorite "color" and decided it might be fun to blog about where
we traveled with our totes. As they say, "The rest is history!"
Tales of the Traveling Tote
Thanks to all my readers for following along on these adventures!
Miss Merri Mac and I love to travel and appreciate every one
for your interest and very thoughtful comments.
Our group is scattered across the US, literally from "sea to shining sea". Collectively, the Traveling Tote girls have traveled to 43 of the states in the US. Across the globe, the bags have traveled in France, Italy,
the United Kingdom, South Africa, Honduras, Mexico,
Grand Caymen, and cruised the Caribbean Islands.
In November, a huge box with a fabulous surprise arrived.
A Gift From MacKenzie-Childs
In recognition of the five year anniversary of the Traveling Totes,
MacKenzie-Chids generously surprised us with custom bags.
Each bags' fabrics were selected to represent the individuality of
each of us who are part of the Traveling Totes.
Ten "one-of-a-kind" bags!
Clockwise from top left:
Patti with Miss Tizzy@ Pandora's Box
Debbie with Miss Tassie @ Mountain Breaths
Sarah with Miss Poppy @ Hyacinths for the Soul
Rita with Miss Penny @ Panoply
Jenna with Miss Hello Gorgeous @ The Painted Apron
Cherry Kay with Miss Waverly @ Entertaining Women
Ricki Jill with Miss Square Peggy @The Sketchy Reader
Linda P with Miss Gigi @ Life and Linda
Jackie with Miss Pansy @ Purple Chocolat Home
Emily with Miss Lulu @ The French Hutch
I couldn't be more pleased with this very special tote.
It perfectly reflects my love of flowers and plaids
and pairs beautifully with much in my closet.
I chose to name my, one of a kind tote, Miss Poppy.
She definitely symbolizes the beauty, success, and lively imagination of my favorite company, MacKenzie-Childs.
Austin enacted a city ordinance in 2013 to ban the use of plastic bags.
While the ordinance was overturned in the summer of 2018,
most of us here in Austin are in the habit of taking our
own reusable bags when out shopping.
"We go together like milk and cookies!"
Miss Poppy makes the perfect shopping companion!
She is right by my side as we "pop" in and out of
my favorite places around town.
when I met my Stitch Club Austin friends for our
monthly gathering to stitch.
If you are a stitcher and want to find others
who enjoy the art of needlepoint,
look for a Stitch Club in you community. It's a movement across the country that started because of an Instragram account @millennial-needlepointer.
Word is stitch clubs are the new book club!
I ordered a cappuccino with a meringue topper drizzled
with ginger caramel and a side of gingerbread madeleines.
I won Best Order!
Four other stitchers went back andordered one of their own.
I'm eager to show Miss Poppy
more of our beautiful city!
Read on because MacKenzie-Childs has a
surprise for one of our readers!
One lucky reader has the chance to win a one-of-a-kind
MacKenzie-Childs tote of their own.
Visit each of the accounts below and leave a comment.
One lucky readers' name will be drawn 1/27/2020.
Good Luck!
Patti with Miss Tizzy@ Pandora's Box
Debbie with Miss Tassie @ Mountain Breaths
Sarah with Miss Poppy @ Hyacinths for the Soul
Rita with Miss Penny @ Panoply
Jenna with Miss Hello Gorgeous @ The Painted Apron
Cherry Kay with Miss Waverly @ Entertaining Women
Ricki Jill with Miss Square Peggy @The Sketchy Reader
Linda P with Miss Gigi @ Life and Linda
Jackie with Miss Pansy @ Purple Chocolat Home
Emily with Miss Lulu @ The French Hutch
MacKenzie-Childs!
Thank you,
I love you so much!
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Pretty Tote bag - I hope it takes you on lots of adventures!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patti. I definitely look forward to taking Miss Poppy on lots of adventures, starting with introducing her around Austin.
DeleteI’d love to enter !! And I’m crazy about all your posts... they really brighten my
DeleteDay!!
How wonderful that you each had a bag created just for you! I think yours is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit and kind words. I'm thrilled with my bag! I'll add your name to the list. Good luck!
DeleteOh boy, Sarah... your post this morning is a kaleidoscope of eye candy!!! My fave pic is of you in front of the milk and cookies. Too cute. And speaking of cute... Miss Poppy fits her darling name!! I hope you two make many beautiful memories together. Enjoy your week, sweet Sarah.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melinda! These bags are wonderful! I'm very appreciative that MKC has honored the Traveling Tote group in such a generous and creative way. I've always loved the name Poppy, and I do think it fits this bag perfectly!
DeleteOh, Sarah - what fun!!!!! I cannot even believe how awesome MC is for doing this for you wonderful adventures!! I have always enjoyed what a clever group and idea it was to do. Big congrats on 5 years doing so! WOW!!
ReplyDeleteI think having your own very special designed bag is beyond neat. Just another reason MC is respected - for their marketing team to care that much. That is so impressive!
I have always loved your CC umbrella and Wellies too. I have a CC tea kettle I just adore. Your poppies tote is so YOU, too!
Happy travel planning!!!! ♥
Thanks, Michelle. I agree on all accounts. How can it have been five years? MKC's personalized gift is amazing and I'm grateful for their generosity to each of us. Appreciate their special recognization of our group. MacKenzie-Childs is an amazing company. I've been passionate about their style since the beginning. Love my CC umbrella and Wellies, and I have needed them this week!
DeleteYour needlepoint is so gorgeous, Sarah! I used to needlepoint quite often; the fingers make that a little harder these days but I treasure the pillows, stocking and more I did in the past and that my mom did, too. I just grew up with it. Your new Miss Poppy is a perfect companion for your stitch club. She's beautiful and I love how they matched up their gifts to you with your own styles based on the blog. Very clever! I love the elegance of the giveaway tote too. I think we all find ourselves using totes more often as we try to stop plastic. Miss Poppy is a perfect name! Thanks for including us in the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jeanne. I've enjoyed our recent email chats. I agree. MKC did a fabulous job matching fabrics to our style. Miss Poppy is perfect!!!
DeleteI love that combination of plaid and flowers on your wonderful custom made tote! What a great job the designers did and what a privilege to have this beautiful one of a kind item. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan! I love the plaid and flower combination too, and the colors are perfect for me. I'm thrilled to have this one-of-a-kind tote and very appreciative for the generosity and thoughtfulness of MacKenzie-Childs. They are an amazing company!
DeleteDear Sarah, thank you for inviting me to join in with this little amazing group of tote adventurers. Love your bag and you wear it well! Love the pics of you, my favorite is the one with the breeze in your beautiful hair. Great how you matched your sweater to the tote and such a cutie pic with the milk and cookie. Look forward to future adventures and maybe one day Miss Poppy and Miss Lulu will get to meet, wouldn't that be great!
ReplyDeleteEmily, aren't we the luckiest girls? We get to enjoy our French antique pottery and our beautiful, whimsical, contemporary pieces from MacKenzie-Childs. I'm thrilled you joined the group. It is double the fun to go on adventures with each of the Tote Team. I hope Miss Lulu and Miss Poppy get to meet soon. Perhaps next fall in FL for the QCI meet.
DeleteHow nice of MC to send each of you such a wonderful heartfelt gift.Beautiful.I love how your sweater matches..You girls must have been giddy:)
ReplyDeleteLove it..and love what you are working on tucked into Miss Poppy:)
Monique, these bags are amazing! Yes, heartfelt, generous, and very individualized for each of us.
DeleteI'm in awe of generosity and thoughtfulness of MacKenzie-Childs. Just one more reason I feel so passionate about this brand.
The Santa tucked into Miss Poppy is a double sided Woodland Santa. It has been a work in progress for more years than I want to admit, but I'm determined to finish it in 2020.
Good morning, Sarah! Your Miss Poppy is perfect for you. I think it's so generous of MKC to create a unique tote for each of you special ladies, AND to send an extra tote to some lucky recipient!
ReplyDeletep.s. Your cappuccino and madeleines are calling my name!
Kitty, yes, it is such a generous, thoughtful gift. I'm in awe of this company!!! The extra tote looks gorgeous! Good luck!
DeleteCome to Austin and I'll treat to cappuccinos and madeleines!
What a great tote to travel with. Something to keep the special items needed at hand. What a great way to celebrate a special anniversary.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting and leaving a thoughtful comment. Good luck in the draw.
DeleteYes, this is such an awesome, generous gift from MacKenzie-Childs. We are most appreciative!
Sarah I was surprised that it has already been 5 years!! Your tote is wonderful, as is your taste in hobbies and food.
ReplyDeleteChris, I'm surprised too! Where does time go? Thanks for the kind comment. Good luck in the draw.
DeleteDearest Sarah, I feel so privileged to be part of this special group, and this experience has been so magical!! I still can't believe that the ladies at MKC took time to get to know us and design a one of a kind touch for each of us! I think they all are so amazing, and just like our original totes, they are so great for carrying purse items, gifts, laptops, and needlepoint! I haven't heard of stitch clubs, I will have to check and see if there is one near me...Hello Gorgeous is currently full of yarn from my crocheting projects :) I always love seeing your cute and creative photos of you with your tote! The flowers on yours remind me of your love of the garden, and Miss Poppy is the perfect name!
ReplyDeleteJenna
Jenna, I feel the same! It is so special to be a part of this group. I hope we can all meet up in the next year or so. I'm eager to meet you and Ricki Jill, Rita, and Jackie. We need a reunion to celebrate our 5th anniversary! Hope you find a local stitch club, but if not, start one!
DeleteDearest Sarah,
ReplyDeleteCongrats with that generous gift from MacKenzie-Childs!
That is very thoughtful for actually taking the time for designing a personalized version for each of you.
With some imagination yours could resemble the Oriental Poppy indeed.
A lot of new adventures might be awaiting your Miss Poppy but still love your entire outfit shown in the final photo!
Hugs,
Mariette
Thank you, Mariette! I think you are right about the florals resembling the Oriental Poppy. Thanks for the compliment. Happy New Year!
DeleteDear Sarah, Miss Poppy is is so pretty and perfect for you. Your love of flowers is definitely showing through. One of your outings, even your sweater coordinates beautifully. How cute this poses are, so creative and special. Miss Poppy looks fabulous in every pose. Mackenzie Child's designers perfectly matched your personality. Have fun on your travel adventures/
ReplyDeleteLinda, Miss Poppy is truly a beautiful bag and one I'm proud to carry. This has been so special and fun. I think MKC perfectly matched your bag to your personality. They did an awesome job all around!
DeleteMiss Poppy may be my favorite! Love the print as it reminds me of my bridesmaid dresses once upon a time. I am visiting from my friend Debbie's blog and will take some time to look around.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit, Suzy! Hope you'll come back again. I absolutely love my new tote! The fabrics are gorgeous, and it goes with most of what is in my closet! Good luck!
DeleteSarah, I am so happy to meet Miss Poppy! What a cutie! I love the fabrics they chose for yours....Yours is one of my favorites! And I love all the photos in your post, too. Your needlepoint projects look so cute! Miss Poppy is the perfect assistant for such projects!
ReplyDeleteI wish you could order drinks for me. I can see why you won the prize! Such a cute post, Sarah. I look forward to even more adventures of you and Miss Poppy in the future!
Happy New Year!
Ricki Jill
Ricki Jill, I wish you could join me for one of these drinks. You could use one after all the wedding preparations.
DeleteWow Sarah, how amazing that they would give all of you a custom bag!! I’ve loved all Mackenzie Child’s products since they first came out and met her at a tea and talk she did at Neiman Marcus in the 90s, when we lived near Philadelphia. She was delightful.
ReplyDeleteRhondi, I agree! I'm in awe of MacKenzie-Childs for this generous gift! How special that you met Victoria MacKenzie-Childs. I hope to meet her someday. She and her husband Richard are true artists! Good luck!
DeleteLove this! Love her name! and would love to have one of my own to travel with!!! I follow Jackie @ Purple Chocolate Home. matt621hew@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Cindy. I'm glad you stopped by to visit and hope you will come again. This bag will definitely make a great travel companion. Good luck!
DeleteHow wonderful to have these totes designed specifically for each of you. They're all beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWishing you wonderful travels with your new totes.
Cindy
Thank you, Cindy, and good luck in the draw!
DeleteSarah, y'all do match like milk and cookies. Love the colors in Miss Poppy and it fits your personality so well! Thanks for the chance to have one of my own.
ReplyDeleteRhonda, I do think we go together like milk and cookies! Good luck in the draw!
DeleteMiss Poppy is definitely a suitable name for your special tote. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marge! I thought the name was perfect for this darling bag! Plus, I've always loved that name!
DeleteWow what a pretty bag! Love that they were designed for each of you personally! They chose the patterns well for you too! Love the name you chose!
ReplyDeleteLiz, I appreciate your visit and thoughtful comment. Good luck!
DeleteI knew MacKenzie Child’s was a special company but I’m blown away by their generosity to you, their loyal customers and friends and to us as well. Thank you for this amazing opportunity.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne, yes, I totally agree about MacKenzie-Childs. They are a very generous company. I've been a loyal customer since the early years. I'm passionate about the brand. Good luck!
DeleteThat is very special for them to make each of you a special bag !!! wow
ReplyDeleteI love seeing all your travels with your bag
and especially when you went to New York to the sale at the farm wow again
I even liked the paper bag I would display that in my studio
Janice, thanks for visiting and taking a look at some of my other posts. My trip to the farm in Aurora is a highlight in my life. And yes, the paper bags are gorgeous. I never throw out one of their boxes or bags. Too pretty!!! Good luck!
DeleteThey are all so pretty and so individualized. I just love them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting and commenting. Good luck!
DeleteSarah, you are a class act with Miss Poppy (and Miss Merri Mac), just like MacKenzie-Childs. I love your plaid and floral combination. Oh, and that cappuccino with meringue!
ReplyDeleteRita, come visit and I'll take you to Fluff Meringue!!!
DeleteWhat a beautiful tote.
ReplyDeleteJoanEC128[at[aol[dot]com
Joan, thanks for visiting. Good luck!
DeleteMiss Poppy and you need to be on a magazine cover! I’m so impressed with each tote and the fabric that was lovingly chosen to reflect our individual tastes and personalities. I know Miss Poppy is in good company and there will be many outings together. Happy five year anniversary to us! P.S. I want that dessert :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy 5th Anniversary to you! This group has truly been great fun, and the best part is friendships with darling friends like you!
DeleteSarah, Miss Poppy was made for you! How generous and exciting MKC created a tote for each of you girls. I know you all must have been ecstatic to receive an original and such a thoughtful creation. I can't believe it's been 5 years and enjoy being an armchair traveler, especially when you take me and Miss Merri Mac to Round Top! Wishing you lots of adventures and safe travels in 2020 ♥
ReplyDeleteI agree, Mary! Miss Poppy is a perfect bag for my wardrobe, and I'm most appreciative of MacKenzie-Childs' generosity. Amazing how quickly the years buzz by. Good luck in the draw!
DeleteMiss Poppy will be a wonderful companion for all your fun travels! I really enjoyed your blog post and pictures!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anita. I appreciate your kind comment. Good luck!
DeleteMiss Poppy is perfect for you Sarah! What wonderful gifts from MKC for all of you ladies. The cappuccino with meringue looks divine and I love your photo in front of the milk and cookies!
ReplyDeletePam, thanks for the kind comments. Good luck!
DeleteSarah I love your Mackenzie-Childs one of a kind bag - Miss Poppy. As you know I adore Mackenzie-Childs and would cherish a one of a kind bag too. I would use my tote for many of the fun events we have in New Orleans like Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, shopping in the French Quarter and for my next visit to the Mackenzie-Childs Barn Sale Add New Orleans to the list of fun places to visit. It was so special of Mackenzie-Childs to honor you and the ladies with such a personalized gift. Geaux MC. Geaux Sarah.
ReplyDeleteCynthia, yes, I know you would have fun with one of these totes. You'd no doubt keep it busy with all the fuun things you do in New Orleans. I most definitely feel honored and very appreciative that MacKenzie-Childs generously created and gave us these individual totes. Good luck with the draw!!!
DeleteHello Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI LOVE those Travelling-Totes, they are gorgeous!
Thank you for all the wonderful pictures!
Wishing you a lovely rest of the week!
Love and hugs, Claudia xo
Claudia, these bags are gorgeous. I'm awe that MacKenzie-Childs created one for each of us and another to offer to a lucky reader. Good luck!
DeleteHow nice for each of you to receive a tote from MKC.
ReplyDeleteThanks to you all for the give-away.
Sheila
Sheila, the thanks goes to MacKenzie-Childs. This company amazes me with their generouus and creative spirit. Good luck!
DeleteCongrats on being in the TTT group for 5 years. I love your pretty bag that MC made up for you. I look forward to reading more about you and your bags travels!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julie. These bags are truly special!
DeleteHow exciting, Sarah! I love Miss Poppy! That is so interesting about the plastic bags in Austin. It is a needed ordinance everywhere.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe y'all are celebrating five years. The years keep passing too quickly.
How exciting to be going on an Alaskan cruise. I look forward to you posting about your trip.
You TT girls are great MC ambassadors. They were most generous and creative with this anniversary celebration.
Thanks, sweet friend! I agree about the plastic bags. We take any plastic bags we do get back to the grocery store for recycling. All the grocery stores have recycle bins especially for plastic bags.
DeleteIt is amazing that we have had the TT group going for five years. Such a fun group of women!
So much fun, Sarah! I’ve been following Jackie from purplechocolathome since the beginning, I did realize you were in the same group of gals! It’s been fun to see all the travels! I’d love to win a bag!! What an awesome giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
Thanks, Betsy. This is such a fun group. It's been wonderful to make these friends, and nice to meet you. Good luck with the drawing!
DeleteSuch a wonderful post! Just LOVE the bag! You are all so deserving with all your creativity. With me also having one of the “original” totes...no blog...but try to get THE tote out and about...I think one of the best things to have had happened with having this tote was the opportunity to get to know you over this world wide internet....and to finally meet you in person...
ReplyDeleteWas so happy for that to have happened! I am so very happy for all of you with your wonderful gifts!
Tami, I was just as hapy and excited to meet you! I felt so honored that you made a special trip to Aurora to have dinner together. I will be back to upstate NY! It is one of my favorite places. You live in a beautiful part of the country! Good luck on the draw!
DeleteI’ve got to say, your tote out of all really speaks to me! Adore and would love to win the tote!
ReplyDeleteI love the fabric in my tote. It is truly gorgeous! I'll add your name! Good luck!
DeleteMiss Poppy is such a special gift and so pretty! I've love to win the "giveaway" tote. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteJoy, I'll add your name. Good luck!
DeleteI am sure Miss Poppy will have many exciting adventures to share with us.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Judy. Yes, we are already buzzing about town. Fun!
DeleteSarah, I just loved seeing Miss Poppy up close. The florals and plaids are so perfect for you! You take the cutest pictures, and I loved seeing many of them in this fun post. I especially love the "I love MC" picture. You are great at bringing your bags everywhere to reuse. I absolutely adore your "Best Order" photo! Looks like a fabulous treat and a winner to me.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jackie, and welcome home! I hope our bags can go on an adventure together sometime. Any chance you are coming to TX to visit your sister?
DeleteI think each of the bags are so special. I love my fabrics!!!
Beautiful bags, I can’t wait to see what adventure you take it on
ReplyDeleteThanks, Andrea. Stay tuned. This new bag is going places!!! Good luck!
DeleteMiss Poppy is beautiful! I love the colors and I just know that you'll make great traveling partners!
ReplyDeleteCarol, thanks for the visit and kind comment. Good luck!
DeleteBeautiful Bag, Sarah. Enjoy it in good health. It is similar to one of my own MC bags -- flowers with plaid (lining).
ReplyDeleteI’d love to enter ... hope I didn’t post 2 times!!
ReplyDeletePlease continue your posts... they really brighten my
Days...
From McKenzie to food to flowers ... just lovely
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI just love Miss Poppy tote and such a lovely surprise. Congratulations, you are my feature on Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop. Hope you stop by. https://www.eclecticredbarn.com/2020/01/wonderful-wednesday-blog-hop_28.html
Hugs,
Bev