Review: Gigi Hill Purses

Happy Wednesday, people!! Today in the mail I got the most fantastic review- a bag from Gigi Hill.  This new company was founded by two moms at a soccer game, and I've gotta say, they did a good job! I selected the "Ingrid" bag in Athena Bronze for myself (and for a lucky winner, too!! Details on that at the end of the post!):

When the bag came, I was actually shocked by its size! it's much bigger than it looks online, which is FANTASTIC for me! I can fit my laptop (it's a Mac Book Pro), several school books, and a couple of snacks in this sucker, and since we're always on the go- that's exactly what I need.  I'm not an authority on accessories, though, so I had to call in PwcGrandma on this one.  She was a stay at home mother to me and my brother for our entire childhoods and sacrificed a lot to be able to be home.  That meant that after she went back to work, she swore with God as her witness that she would never go without matching shoes and purses again, and is now busily filling our childhood bedrooms with accessory walls that would make Tim Gunn jealous.

I love her.

Anyway- PwcGrandma loves this purse, and she's an authority.  Here's why:

First- they laminated the inside of the bag.  Brilliant!  When your lipgloss leaks or your child's cup tips over, your bag will not be ruined.  She brings up a good point because I actually had that happen to the only leather purse I've ever owned. 

Second- pockets, pockets, pockets!  PwcGrandma is one of these people:

So it's really important that everything has a place to go so that it can be IN ITS PLACE WHERE IT BELONGS!! This bag has got pockets like you wouldn't believe.  One front and one back section, with the middle section including 2 built in pen or lipgloss holders, three clear pockets, and a zippered pocket.  Organizational chart optional. ;) 

Finally, there's the details.  From a key holder so that your keys don't sink to the bottom of your bag to a locking front clasp so that you don't have your purse popping open when you don't want it to, the details on this bag are adorable! Even the zipper pulls are heart-shaped.  The quote on the pocket is a nice touch, too. 

  Moment of honesty- it took me 20 minutes to figure out how to get this sucker open.  I turned the key and turned the key and tried pushing and pulling, and then my daughter walked in and pulled the button down.  She's 4.  She got the grandma accessorizing gene, though. 

Details on the upcoming Gigi Hill Event follow.  Giveaway details are under that!  

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Gigi Hill® Is Coming to Virginia to Find Fashion’s Next Great Sales Stars

The Direct Sales Company Invites Dumfries and Surrounding Communities to Meet the Founders, Hear Their Inspirational Story, See the Fabulous Fashions and Learn About Entrepreneurial Opportunities

Gigi Hill®, a designer line of fashionable and functional totes, handbags and accessories sold through home parties nationwide, is coming to the Holiday Inn Quantico Center in Dumfries, Va., Monday, Oct. 1 from 7 to 9 p.m. The company will introduce its fabulous handbag and accessories collection to women interested in new career opportunities. Currently with more than 1,000 stylists – or saleswomen – nationwide, Gigi Hill is looking for innovative, smart and fabulous women to join its team.

Headlining the events are Gigi Hill founders Gabrielle DeSantis-Cummings and Monica Hillman. The two women met on the sidelines of their daughters’ soccer field and became friends talking about how there had to be a better bag for a mom’s everyday life. They joined forces, designed their first bag, tested and perfected it with real women, and then started Gigi Hill in 2006. Those entrepreneurial roots went nationwide in 2009 and the company has continued to grow at astronomical rates ever since. 

To meet the growing demand for the company’s dazzling bag and accessory line, Gigi Hill is hosting this Roadshow event so interested women and current stylists can learn more about the company and meet the founders themselves. At each event, DeSantis-Cummings and Hillman will show off the new Iconic Collection as well as some of their first drawings and designs. The fabulous women will also share their own inspirational story, talk about the boundless entrepreneur opportunities with Gigi Hill, and provide personal tips for success and work-life balance.

The event will also include training advice from Gigi Hill vice president of sales and marketing, Adrienne Murphy, and managers of field development and training, Shelli Reichardt and Karen Goodman. With a ton of experience from both the field and corporate levels, current and potential new stylists will leave with easy, know-how tips to help maintain and build a successful business of their own.

The Gigi Hill Fall 2012 Roadshow event is open to the whole community and there is zero obligation or cost to attend. To register, visitwww.gigihill.eventleap.com/virginiaroadshow. Doors will open 30 minutes early for a meet and greet with DeSantis-Cummings and Hillman. For more information on Gigi Hill, to learn about opportunities to become a stylist, or to find parties in your area, visit www.gigihill.com. 

About Gigi Hill® 

Smart, stylish, and fun, Gigi Hill® is the evolution of style. With standout fabrics and bags made of the highest quality construction, it bridges the gap where fashion and function collide. The fall 2012 collection is loaded with beautiful blues, reds, animal prints, and statement-making black and whites in a range of fun fabrics. Open a Gigi Hill bag to find a fully lined interior with complementary fabric and the Gigi Hill Signature Pocket Design^TM that ensures there is a pocket for everything. Based in Southern California and founded in 2006, Gigi Hill is a direct sales party plan company that prides itself on designing all of its products in-house and testing them with real-life women. Learn more about Gigi Hill and its fabulous line of handbags, totes, and accessories at http://www.gigihill.com. Confident. Fashionable. Gigi Hill®.

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Giveaway Time!!

Win your own Ingrid Purse just like mine!! An $89 value, this great purse will keep your organized and stylish, and comes in a great neutral palette so that it can go with anything in your wardrobe! To enter, leave a comment on this post or email me with your favorite Gigi Hill print from the website.  

Your purse will still come in Athena Bronze, but it helps me to know what you guys like for future contests! This contest closes on September 30th so that you can head to the trunk show and choose your own bag if you're not the lucky winner ;) Prize is provided by Gigi Hill, and will ship directly from them.  Be sure you leave an email address!! Good luck!