Tales of the Traveling Tote, Welcome March
Welcome to Tales of the Traveling Tote March 2020!
Miss Coquille, Hello Gorgeous, and I have been homebodies this winter
It has been a rainy winter and the beach just wasn’t calling me…
Alabama winters are crazy, rainy and cold one day and sunny and mild the next
I met my fellow Alabama toters,
Emily and Ricki Jill,
for lunch one day when it was warm enough to dream of planting flowers
We had a delicious lunch at Olexa’s, a favorite ladies cafe
Hello Gorgeous loved it, she fit right in!
Right before lunch, I met Emily for a secret shopping mission at Christine’s
It’s the only store in Birmingham that carries MacKenzie-Childs
We picked out a wedding gift for Ricki Jill’s daughter
They wrapped it so beautifully!
We also recently attended a very special event
My incredible brother in law was inducted into the
USTA Alabama Tennis Association
HALL OF FAME!
We are sooo proud of him!
He has dedicated his career to junior tennis
and has mentored so many talented youths
and taught them both tennis and life lessons
Hello Gorgeous accompanied me to the event
and carried a celebratory bottle of wine to the after party at his house
I know many of you have asked about my daughter’s house…
the finish line is two weeks away 🎉
When the project first began, it was supposed to take 6 months,
but they ended up tearing the entire house down to the foundation
They basically built a whole new house
Right now they are working 7 days a week!
Handprints in the driveway
Almost done!
Rendering of finished house
Our Traveling Tote group had a very special holiday surprise,
All of us received a unique gift made especially for us by MacKenzie-Childs!
We were all beyond thrilled and although we weren’t able to all get together
we shared carousel rides all over the country to debut our new totes
MacKenzie-Childs was nice enough to give us an extra tote
to give away to one of our readers
Rhonda, one of my readers, was the lucky winner!
Rhonda wrote me the sweetest note, she said “I think I shall name her as well and for the moment, she looks like a “Miss Understated Elegence”, maybe Miss Ellie for short (also in honor of my great niece).”
She jumped right into the fun and named her tote!
Rhonda is delightful, we’re almost neighors…she lives in North Mississippi
When I emailed her to ask if it was okay to share her photo today,
she said Miss Ellie passed out from the excitement of it all 😂
☘️❤️🌷
We have the cutest Spring giveaway today
a MacKenzie-Childs Flower Market whisk
Please leave a comment below to be entered!
Some of the ladies in our group have had incredible adventures in the past few months
Click on the links below to see where they and their totes have traveled!
Patti, Miss Kenzie and Miss Tizzy @ Pandora’s Box
Debbie, Miss Aurora and Miss Tassie @ Mountain Breaths
Emily, Miss Courtney Childs and Miss Lulu @ The French Hutch
Jenna, Miss Coquille and Hello Gorgeous @The Painted Apron
Linda P, Miss Lola and Miss Gigi @ Life and Linda
Rita, Miss Luna and Miss Penny C @ Panoply
Sarah, Miss Merri Mac and Miss Poppy @ Hyacinths for the Soul
Jackie, Miss Madi K and Miss Pansy @ Purple Chocolat Home
Ricki Jill, Countess De Monet, Miss Square Peggy @ The Sketchy Reader
Cherry Kay, Carrie Ann Hall and Miss Waverly @ Entertaining Women
👜 👜 👜
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Meal Plan Monday Love Your Creativity What’s for Dinner?
Between Naps on the Porch, Make it Pretty Monday
Turn About Tuesday Celebrate Your Story, You’re the Star
All About Home/ Common Ground Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Tasty Tuesday Oh My Heartsie Girl Full Plate Thursday
Thursday Favorite Things Creatively Crafty Home Matters
Weekend Potluck Friday Features Over the Moon
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I loved the posts from ya’ll and adventures in Tales of the Traveling tote! I also Adore the new tote you posted in your travels! I hope You pick me!
Thank you Lisa, good luck!
I especially enjoyed your post this morning as it included a gorgeous pic of you! And it’s always exciting to here of your Traveling Tote adventures. I, too, am longing for warmer, brighter days of Spring. Northern Texas has been mild but dreary this winter! The RV is calling and I’m ready to travel! Hope I win the beautiful M-C whisk which will be put to good use! Think I’ll go plant something…
hi Charlotte, thanks for joining our fun today, I hope you get your RV on the road soon!
Jenna, Miss Coquille and Hello Gorgeous have probably enjoyed being home, so as not to be wet this winter. How fun that the three of you Alabama girls met for lunch at Olexa’s. I haven’t been there in quite a while, but I always enjoy. That is a great photo of you and BIL, and congrats to him. I can’t wait to see the finished house, I know they are excited. What a fun giveaway. Happy Sunday!
Thank you Pam, next time we get together maybe you can join us! Looks like a rainy week ahead ☔️
I love the traveling tote. I would love to purchase one to travel with me. Is there any way to purchase one? I’m a southern belle at heart and soul. Pamela
hi Pamela, unfortunately MKC retired our Courtly Check tote several years ago, they really should bring it back because we have so many readers that want one! You could check ebay possibly…I will tell you that you can’t go wrong with any of their current totes, they are so well made and durable…Mine still looks brand new and it gets a lot of use! Thanks so much for visiting and commenting!
Jenna, these are great local happenings! Love the honor bestowed on your bil, and the photo of you two is great. How I wish I was closer, as you are to Emily & RJ, to be able to have an occasional outing as fellow tribe mates. You are very fortunate. And so is your daughter and her family – the home looks wonderful!
Thanks Rita, our little Alabama tote chapter has so much fun on our outings, we are grateful we can do it so often! Nothing makes me happier than the little joys in life, friends and family!
Miss Coquille and Hello Gorgeous are full of life (and color), and are such fun traveling buddies. Glad they didn’t get wet! So great that you Alabama gals are meeting for lunch. Wonderful photo of you and your BIL, and congrats to him for having an impact on so many lives. Happy to hear that the house is almost finished, and your daughter and her family will get to enjoy their first spring in it. How far does she live from you?
Thanks Deb, watching my daughter’s house come together has been such a great experience for all of us, especially her children, they will soon have a home with plenty of space for them to grow up in and enjoy. Their house is only 15-20 minutes from me, very close!
I sure look forward to following your traveling tote adventures.
thank you Sandy!
I love reading about the totes and where they go! And that whisk would be so sweet in my kitchen. Thanks for a great giveaway!
Thanks, yes, I wish I had a chance to win this cute whisk!
This is so darling! Love the tote travels!
Thanks Virginia!
Jenna, I know you are always a busy gal so it’s good you remained in the city rather than heading to the beach, you are getting a lot done. Looks like you’ve had a lot of help from your tote girls helping with all the gift shopping and new house. Speaking of new house, I love what your daughter designed for their new home, the house is gorgeous. Always fun to leave those prints in the drive. So glad you were in town to attend the special award ceremony for your BIL. Beautiful photo of you both. I’m so happy we’ve been getting together and look forward to many more shopping and lunch excursions. Happy March Jenna…….
Oh, thank you Emily, I always look forward to our lunches so much! I can’t believe the house is almost finally finished…they are supposed to move in in 2 weeks, and with the rainy forecast this week I am worried, the yard was still mud yesterday, I don’t know how they will ever finish the landscaping! Come to Bham soon!!
What a lovely blog. My heart jumped when you said you it was warm enough to dream of plants….here I sit looking out at snow banks in Michigan!!! Love all the ‘tote’ stories…and would love to join you all! Have a great Sunday!
thank you Susan! We are blessed with mild winters in the South, it was 70 today, but tomorrow brings colder temps and rain, typical March!
What a fancy whisk! Maybe it will whisk up some fancy meals! 😁 it’s been a rainy, gloomy winter here in NC also. Can’t wait to head to Gulf Shores for the spring!
ha ha, that’s cute! It is a fancy whisk! Love Gulf Shores!
Your “Traveling Tote” series is such a cute idea! And, all the totes created for you ladies are simply beautiful! The whisk reminds me of spring, which is much needed here in Iowa!
-Niky from The House on Silverado
Thanks Niky, we have lots of fun with our totes! I think everyone is wishing for Spring!
What a darling story each tote has to tell. It gets me out of my little world to go on adventures and experience other things than what is in my world.
The whisk is beautiful. How fancy to help make foods from nearby or other places.
thanks Maureen!
I always enjoy the “traveling tote” series. It’s fun to read about the various adventures. Great little whisk and I would love for it to come to my kitchen.
Thank you for stopping by Judy, and good luck!
I love reading about your adventures Jenna. Looks like Hello Gorgeous has been having lots of fun. Your daughter’s house is beautiful!!
Thanks Patty Anne, our tote tribe has a lot of fun!
You’ve had a lot of excitement this winter, Jenna! And I want to thank you and Emily both for thinking of Shanley Belle. Y’all really warmed my heart: y’all are so sweet! Olexa’s is fun, and this fal we need to go back and have their pumpkin spice cloud 9. It’s the best! Your daughter’s home is going to be absolutely stunning when it’s finished. I can’t wait to see it!
Hello Gorgeous is one of my favorites. The ladies at M-C did an amazing job matching the fabric to your blog and personality!!! Congrats to your BIL! What an honor! BTW I’m happy that Rhonda won “Miss Ellie!” She’s too, too cute!
Thanks for hosting the giveaway for us!
xo,
RJ
Thanks Ricki Jill, and shopping for Shanley Belle was our pleasure! I still look at my tote in amazement that MKC made them for us! I hope you can stay cozy this very rainy week!
Jenna, it looks like you have bern having a most wonderful time! I love the flower market pattern. It is so pretty! I have a few of the green pieces. Your daughter’s new home is gorgeous! Happy Sunday, and enjoy your week ahead!!!
Thank you Shannon, we are supposed to have a very rainy week, luckily I can stay cozy at home!
Hello! came by to visit by way of Panoply …….
thanks CC
What fun to meet up with Emily and Ricki Jill, Jenna. Congratulations to your brother-in-law!! That is wonderful news and I loved seeing the picture of the both of you. Rhona looks too cute with her new Miss Ellie tote. Yay for your daughter’s house in counting down to the finish line. It looks so beautiful, and I know they’ll be so thankful to be in their new home.
Thank you Kitty! My adventures are tame but they make me happy!
Would love to win the travelling tote.
Marion
Thank you Marion, good luck!
Hi Jenna, I always enjoy seeing and reading about where you and your bags have traveled to. I know this spring and summer your bags will be at the beach with you. It’s so special that you all have the MC group and so nice to have a bag made up for each of you!
Thanks Julie, we have formed very special friendships with each other, and I am so lucky to have Emily and RJ close by, we have so much fun together 🙂
Jenna, I so enjoyed seeing your adventures. Lunch with friends is always a treat, and especially so with Emily and RJ. Congratulations to your brother-in-law. What an honor! Your daughter’s new home is going to be fabulous. Glad the date is only two weeks away. I wish I could say the same about our project. Happy spring to you and your girls!
Thank you Sarah, we are in a rainy pattern right now, I am happily staying cozy and busy at home this week 🙂
Jenna, I was wondering how your daughter’s house was coming along, I know they must be beyond ready to get settled and move in. Congrats to your BIL, what an honor! How fun for you ‘Bama toters to be able to get together. Happy March ♥
Thank you Mary, we have such a rainy forecast for the next 2 weeks, I hope their move doesn’t get pushed back again. The Bama chapter of the Traveling Totes has a lot of fun ☘️
Lovely post Jenna. Winter time, it is usually so cold, who wants to go out. So glad you and the Alabama gals could get together and enjoy a lovely lunch at Olexas. Your new tote, Miss Hello Gorgeous looks right at home at the cafe. Kudos to your brother-in-law. Miss Hello Gorgeous makes a fun traveling companion. Before you know it, spring will be here with warm weather.
Thank you Linda, nothing too exciting lately but I am loving our new totes!
I love following the adventures of your MC group! You know how to have fun!
thank you Ann!
Oh Jenna you have so much fun! The totes are fabulous! Congratulations to your brother! What a wonderful award to be proud of!
Your daughters house is going to be such a wonderful home!
Happy Week to you my friend!
Thanks Nancy!
This is my first traveling tote post since I starting following you. What a fun tradition–exciting places and beautiful totes! I am sure your daughter and her family will be thrilled to finally move in to their new home!
Thanks, we have been sharing tales for 5 years {I’ve only been in the group for 3} and some adventures are grand and some are everyday, but we have a lot of fun. The group is made up from ladies all over the country! Thanks for visiting 🙂
I would love to see that house when your daughter is finished! It already looks gorgeous. Thank you for the chance to win that beautiful spring looking whisk. It would certainly brighten up my kitchen. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thank you Patricia, I’m sure I will post finished pics for our June post, good luck!
Love to hear your tales of the traveling totes! Love the whisk Jana is giving away! 🥰
Thank you Rennie!
Oh wow, so excited for your daughter! I know the long long wait for the finish line, and then of course there is always much to do even after the “finish”. I just can’t get over the before – down to one wall – yikes, but it is just gorgeous! What an honor to get in the Hall of Fame, and what a career mentoring young people. That is just wonderful for your BIL! So adorable to see Rhonda with her coveted tote! One lucky lady. Hope the weather picks up and it is all sun from here on out!
Thanks Jacqueline, I’d much rather deal with rain than snow!
Congratuations to your daughter on the new house. And the great big kitchen. Thank you for doing the giveaway.
thank you Leslie!
I always look forward to your tales of the traveling tote. It is always so neat to see where you and the tote go. The house is absolutely gorgeous. I am sure your daughter is thrilled. Thank you for the giveaway and sharing your adventures.
Thank you and good luck!
The tales are such fun reads. You ladies all have amazing adventures.
Thanks for sharing.
thanks Chris 🙂
Thank You for the giveaway. I would love to be entered.
Joan
Of course, thanks Joan
Wow! You must be so proud of your brother in law!
thank you, yes I am!
The tote is lovely and I would like to win it. Enter me please.
Thank You
Marilyn
Sure Marilyn!
I have been having such a good time reading about everyone’s adventures. Those MC totes are absolutely to die for! I’d love to win one. Keep the adventures and art work coming!
Thank you Pattie!
Congrats to your brother. I must ask my tennis daughter and SIL if they know your brother. That is a fabulous picture of you and your brother.
I know the countdown to your daughter’s house being ready is exciting. I look forward to the final pictures.
Your lunch with the girlfriends sounds fun! I am so ready for spring and some outings.
Thank you Bonnie! Flip is actually my brother in law, I took tennis from him years ago before he ever met my husbands sister who is now his wife! I’m so lucky to have them living in Birmingham near me. I bet the flowers in Dothan are beautiful, our dogwoods started blooming up here this week!
I always love your tote posts and how this one item has bound you to so many friends across the country.You’ve been on the go, if not far, at least moving about! The gathering for RJ’s daughter sounds fun and that house! Oh, my! Cheers, too, to your BIL for his induction!
thank you so much Jeanie, I really am not much of a traveler, I am happiest close to home!
Your traveling tote posts are such fun! Please do enter me in your nice giveaway. Thanks!
Of course, thank you Joy!
Wow! The house makeover is amazing! How exciting for your family! ❤️ Great to see your adventures Jenna, you have so much fun! 😊
Thank you Jill! My adventures aren’t very exciting, but simple things make me happy!
What a nice surprise to get the special totes…I’m sure you will all put them to good use. The whisk is so cute and will add a bit of color to anyones kitchen…good luck to all of us. 😊
Yes, we were all quite thrilled! I hope the whisk is won by someone who loves to cook as you do!