Hello, readers! Today's post is a very special edition of the Tales of the Traveling Tote, celebrating our tribe's 5th anniversary of travels! We are also celebrating a very special anniversary giveaway that will allow one lucky reader to have a unique connection to our anniversary, and it is sponsored by the team at MacKenzie-Childs! Please read further for the details on how to enter. I promise you it's very simple! Now, allow me to introduce to you to my latest tote.....Miss Penny!
The Traveling Totes Tribe is offering one lucky reader a very special giveaway. Our giveaway sponsor this time is MacKenzie-Childs, in recognition of our tribe's five years of loyalty and travel adventures. Leave a comment, telling me one way in which you might use the tote pictured below. Up to ten readers who do so will randomly have their names thrown into the hat (with our other tribe members' random ten draws for comments left on their posts) for an opportunity to win this gorgeous MacKenzie-Childs tote made expressly for our anniversary! The winner will be chosen January 27th and will be notified by email soon after. This post will be updated once the winner is announced. Be sure to leave your email (either in the comment or by emailing me directly at Panoply) so we may contact you if you're chosen. Good luck!
You may increase your chances of winning by leaving a comment on each of my tribe members' blog posts below. Good luck!
The team at MacKenzie-Childs created tote bags for each of us traveling tote members in celebration of our five years of loyalty and travel adventures! The news of the gift coming was a total surprise to us, but enthusiastically received. The sewing team found insight as to each of our personalities through our respective blogs, and came up with unique designs for each of us. We all had a lot of fun communicating with each other as we received our totes, trying to guess whose was whose. Patti received photos of each of them from us individually, and ultimately sent out the collage photo below, asking us if we guessed correctly. It took me four tries to name them correctly! Here's a collage of each of our bags:
These bags are so easy to carry! Lightweight, yet roomy enough for a weekend stay. Mine made its first trip in early December to take in holiday festivities for a weekend away. I can't wait to take it with me in the years to come!
Cherry Kay created a poem for us to share with you, our readers, as a teaser to our very special giveaway surprise. Be sure to continue reading!
NOW, ONTO THE GIVEAWAY!
Debbie with Miss Tassie @ Mountain Breaths
Emily with Miss Lulu @ The French Hutch
Patti with Miss Tizzy @ Pandora's Box
Jenna with Miss Hello Gorgeous @ The Painted Apron
Linda P with Miss Gigi @ Life and Linda
Rita with Miss Penny @ Panoply (you are here!)
Sarah with Miss Poppy @ Hyacinths for the Soul
Jackie with Miss Pansy @ Purple Chocolat Home
Ricki Jill with Miss Square Peggy @The Sketchy Reader
Cherry Kay with Miss Waverly @ Entertaining Women
Just as a testament of our varied travels so far, here's a graphic of where our original Courtly Check totes have collectively visited in the past five years, in the United States alone! Only seven more states (MI, WI, MN, ND, MT, NB, CO), and we have the entire US and Puerto Rico covered!Emily with Miss Lulu @ The French Hutch
Patti with Miss Tizzy @ Pandora's Box
Jenna with Miss Hello Gorgeous @ The Painted Apron
Linda P with Miss Gigi @ Life and Linda
Rita with Miss Penny @ Panoply (you are here!)
Sarah with Miss Poppy @ Hyacinths for the Soul
Jackie with Miss Pansy @ Purple Chocolat Home
Ricki Jill with Miss Square Peggy @The Sketchy Reader
Cherry Kay with Miss Waverly @ Entertaining Women
POST UPDATE January 27, 2020: The winner of our MacKenzie-Childs serendipity tote bag giveaway was announced on Patti's blog at Pandora's Box. The winner is Rhonda, who left her comment on Jenna's blog at the Painted Apron. Thank you to all who entered, and congratulations, Rhonda!
Here are the countries to which the totes have collectively traveled the past five years. They include the US, France, Italy, England, South Africa, St. Kitts, Neves, Grand Cayman, Honduras, Mexico, Belize, Bahamas, Canada, and St. Thomas:
As you can see, there's plenty of adventure left to cover. We're coming for you, world!
Thank you so much to all my readers for following along with the Traveling Tote Tribe. We'll see you again on March 1!
Rita C. at Panoply
Sharing: Pieced Pastimes, Best of the Month, Happiness is Homemade, Love Your Creativity, BNOTP, All About Home Common Ground, All About Home Follow the Yellow Brick Home, Inspire Me, Tuesday Turn About, Make it Pretty, Zucchini Sisters' Celebrate Your Story,French Ethereal SYS, Delightsome Life H&G, Katherine's Corner TFT, Grace at Home, Vintage Charm
Good morning, Rita... I absolutely love your little video!! MC is such a wonderful company to show their love. Hope you have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Wasn't it great for them to show the love?!
DeleteLOVE your little video!! Clever! Enjoy your new tote!
ReplyDeleteThis is SO COOL. And your tote is perfect for you. The giveaway tote is just gorgeous, too. I love how they work together but they are all unique and what thoughtfulness for MKC to design for each of you based on the personalities conveyed in your blogs. Very cool. (And that photo of you is darling!)
ReplyDeleteNow, a bit of a beef. I look at this map and see no travels in Michigan! To which I say, "C'mon up and bring 'the girls.'" We'll fill both those totes and summer at the lake is a good time to kick around an antique! Just sayin'...!
DeleteAgreed! Great Lakes is a must! Fly into Columbus, Ohio and I will pick you all up, and then rent a car and go north to Michigan!
C'mon Rita, let's all go to Michigan!
DeleteAgree, Jeanie and Michele, we need to go to Michigan!
DeleteI think that is one of the absolute coolest things I have ever heard a company doing!
ReplyDeleteI have always enjoyed the cute idea of you wonderful gals and your gorgeous travelling totes - wow, has it really been five years already? Time sure flies.
I hope you and your fun "tribe" have many more happy and safe travels...and just WOW to having MC design one for each of you specially. Doesn't get much better.
Happy New Year and happy March 1st travel planning! ♥
That is so nice of them to honor your commitment to them by doing this and I loved your video. I can't wait to see where you'll take Miss Penny!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christine! I'm especially happy they gave us the chance to share one with our readers.
DeleteMiss Penny is perfect for you, Rita! I think it is so generous of MKC to create a special tote for each of you, AND to send one for a lucky recipient.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more, Kitty! Good luck for the drawing.
DeleteWhat a grand intro for your beautiful new tote, Miss Penny, I love that. Enjoyed your pics, I know Miss Penny will love traveling with you. Can't wait to follow along.......
ReplyDeleteI love your video Rita, very dramatic!! I still can't believe MKC designed totes for each of us and they are all so beautiful!! It looks like you have been keeping Miss Penny busy already, the Christmas photos are beautiful! I look forward to lots of tote fun in the future, Cheers to Tales of the Traveling Tote adventures in 2020 🍾 💕 Jenna
ReplyDeleteMiss Penny is so perfect. This tote will share many adventures and be a real treasure for many more years.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Chris! Good luck for the giveaway!
DeleteCute video. Boy they got your special bag right on! I only know you, Linda and Ricki Jill and I think all of your special bags are perfect for each of you. I always look forward to your travels.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kris
Thank you, Kris. So special that MacKenzie-Childs is giving us the opportunity to give one away to readers, too.
DeleteWhat a wonderful surprise for your group! I love Miss Penny. I am visiting from my friend Debbie's blog and will take some time to look around!
ReplyDeleteSo sweet of my friend Suzy to visit!
DeleteThank you for stopping by, Suzy, and good luck!
DeleteRita, love your video...quite dramatic. MKC was very generous in creating unique totes for,each of you ladies. I love Miss Penny and they did a great job matching you up! Can you believe I have never purchased anything MKC, and I don’t know why because I love all the dishware. I would use the tote for travels that are planned this year. I will be looking forward to your March edition.
ReplyDeletePam, thank you. MacKenzie-Childs was especially kind to let us share with our readers. Good luck in the drawing. This would be an excellent start to a new collection. ;)
DeleteRita, the video is darling. Miss Penny is so perfect for you. We are so fortunate to belong to this fabulous group of ladies. Love your Christmas photos. Enjoy your travel Rita, whether it's near or far. Miss Penny has been busy and I am sure there is more to come.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun video! I'm giddy with excitement to share this wonderful gift. MacKenzie-Childs is an amazing company! I feel so honored that they would take the time and effort to recognize us with these special one-of-a-kind bags. Cheers to more adventures! Love your photos! You and Miss Penny look fabulous!
ReplyDeleteOMG, RIta, your video is totally adorbs! LOVE it! I think Miss Penny is so cute! Don't you love our Serendipity bags? We are all so fortunate. I look forward to reading about y'all's adventures in the future. I know Miss Penny is all ready to go! I can tell, with a personality like hers, in movies already and everything! ;P
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Ricki Jill
Love this! Love the video! Love her name! and would love to have my own to enjoy traveling with!! I follow Jackie @ Purple Chocolate home . matt621hew@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteCindy, so happy you stopped by, and good luck!
DeleteI would love to have a tote, please enter me in the give-away
ReplyDeleteannrue@frontier.com
Thank you for stopping by and entering. Best of luck!
DeleteLove your tote, Rita and your video. I look forward to reading about your new and fun adventures.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandra! Good luck in the drawing!
DeleteYour little video made me chuckle! Congratulations on getting a tote from the company. rush88888 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteHehe, thanks, Fonda. Hope this finds you doing well. Good luck in the drawing.
DeleteCongratulations on five years. How special!
ReplyDeleteLove all the individual totes. That was extremely generous from MKC and I know you are all excited.
Your video and Cherry Kay's poem is so cute.
I just wanted to say hi. I've won several giveaways so don't put my name in the pot.
Visiting almost all the states and many countries by the group members is amazing!
Bonnie, thank you for your gracious comments. MacKenzie-Childs was truly generous in their appreciation for our brand loyalty, and we each appreciate the gesture.
DeleteRita, Love the idea of specialized totes for each of you and how nice of MC to do that for y'all. I can see your personalities in each of them!! Always enjoy reading of the many adventures of the Traveling Totes and thank you for the opportunity to participate!! Cant wait to hear more from you and your travels in 2020!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rhonda. We were all thrilled with the gifts, like kids at Christmas. Good luck int he drawing!
DeleteWhat a great addition Miss Penny makes to your travels. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marge! Good luck on the giveaway!
DeleteWow what a pretty bag! Love that they were designed for each of you personally! They chose the patterns well for you too!
ReplyDeleteAren't they great, Liz? Thanks for leaving your comment, and good luck!
DeleteThis is such an amazing giveaway and an equally amazing story! How special to have a tote designed especially for you by the Mackenzie-Childs designers. I'm sure Miss Penny will enjoy her travels with you.
ReplyDeleteThank you! We were all a bit overwhelmed. Good luck in the drawing!
DeleteSuch a grand introduction to the reveal of Miss Penny. Oh those doors and that room....very swish. You girls certainly have fun seeing the world accompanied by your beautiful tote bags. Oh, the stories each pretty bag could tell!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kim! Wouldn't it be amazing for a tote to travel, downunder?! Good luck!
DeleteI have been reading about these special bags and I think it's over the top wonderful !!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm just envious of you all to tell the truth
I would be satisfied with the paper shopping bag LOL
I hat that years ago I missed out on getting one of the traveling totes
Thank you, Janice! Cheers to the new year, and best wishes in the drawing!
DeleteWhat fun travels you've all had!
ReplyDeleteWe have! And we've made some lasting friendships along the way. Best wishes for the opportunity to win the tote. Thanks for visiting ans participating.
DeleteI loved seeing the grand welcome for Miss Penny. I’m so impressed with each tote and the fabric that was chosen to reflect our individual tastes and personalities. I know Miss Penny is in good company and there are will be many outings together. Happy and healthy travels to you Rita!
ReplyDeleteI got a kick out of your video Rita :) I know you girls must have BEYOND thrilled to have a tote designed for each of you...how generous of MKC, Miss Penny is your perfect match! If I had to guess I would have to say you were responsible for logging a lot of those miles with your 2016 GART and contributing to your tribe’s travel...love your graphics. What fun MKC designed a tote for a giveaway too. If I should be so lucky I would use it for my camera bag insert. Here’s hoping you travel the last seven states in 2020. ♥
ReplyDeleteI definitely logged a LOT of miles on that trip, Mary! We drove through NE but I didn't count it because we didn't stop. :) Good luck in the giveaway!
DeleteThat is so cool for each of you to get a unique tote. I think Miss Penny is a good match for you too. Have fun on your 2020 travels.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marti! Best wishes for a chance at the tote giveaway!
DeleteEnjoyed your video! This is such a special story from all you being together for 5 years to MKC's wonderful gift! My daughter gave me a MKC tea kettle for Christmas this year and I couldn't have been more excited! Enjoy your travels with your wonderful tote.
ReplyDeleteAhh, careful, now that you have the tea kettle (a true classic!) chances are you now may become hooked! Good luck in the drawing!
DeleteI LOVE those Travelling-Totes, they are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a lovely rest of the week!
Love and hugs, Claudia xo
Thank you, Claudia, and good luck in the giveaway!
DeleteGeaux figure - Mackenzie-Childs and the Tales of the Traveling totes a perfect match! What a wonderful fifth year anniversary gift. Love your video. I'm a big Mackenzie-Childs fan. I'd love to have my very own one of a kind tote to have adventures and travels like you. And, it sure would come in handy during Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest and shopping during the Mackenzie-Childs Barn Sale or just meeting your tribe of fun ladies. Maybe Miss Penny will have an opportunity to meet "Miss Jazzy." Lol. Celebrate you. Celebrate loyalty. Celebrate friendship. Celebrate travel. Celebrate Mackenzie-Childs. ❤🏁❤👜❤🏁
ReplyDeleteThe totes LOVE going to parties! Best wishes for an opportunity in the giveaway! Thank you for visiting and leaving your comment!
DeleteCongrats on being in the TTT group for 5 years. How exciting to receive the beautiful bag made up for each one of you. I look forward to reading about more travels with the bags.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julie!
DeleteI look forward to reading about your travels
ReplyDeletesamnan26@msn.com
Thank you, and good luck!
DeleteWhat an adorable video and tote! Congrats on 5 years of fun with your group! I would use the tote to take everything I need to visit with my college friends. We all met in 1973 because we ended up next to each other in the dorm. We clicked...and all these years later we still do. We get together as often as we can..sometimes just for lunch and shopping, sometimes a sleepover at someone's home, sometimes a girls getaway (all great uses for the tote!). There have always been six of us...and sadly we lost one of our friends in November. But she is with us in spirit when we get together...and we will be friends forever. Thanks - and have a great time - enjoy your travels! agyjay@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteAnn, love the connection you shared, and my condolences to the loss of one of your friends. May her spirit soar among you. Thank you for sharing that, and best of luck in the giveaway!
DeleteJust loving reading all your post and seeing the beautiful totes! I also have one of the “original” totes— thanks to Mountains Breath Debbie - and make sure “she”goes with me everywhere... you all have such creative eyes for the settings of your tote .. looking forward to seeing where all these new beauties visit!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tami, for popping in to share your comment. Should you win this great tote, you'll find how easy it is to handle and use. Good luck!
DeleteI’m in love with the tote! Enter me please!
ReplyDeleteCount yourself in, and good luck!
DeleteThose custom totes are so pretty! And I'd love to win one of my own.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joy! Count yourself among the entrants, and good luck!
DeleteWhat a grand introduction to Miss Penny - I just loved her video! It was so fun to receive it around Christmas - made it seem even more special. Miss Penny is going to have so much fun with you!
ReplyDeleteHow fun! Thanks for sharing your adventure and introducing Miss Penny at Vintage Charm!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cecilia!
DeleteRita, You must come up to the beautiful state of Michigan, especially in the summer or fall and see Lake Michigan or go to Mackinac Island. I live in Grand Rapids, but only 30 minutes from Grand Haven which is right on Lake Michigan. I'd love to show all of you around in any of the great ports along Lake Michigan!
ReplyDeleteCarol, you make the 3rd blogger that has invited us to MI! No excuses now! Good luck in the drawing.
Delete