When most people style an outfit, they probably start with the base: The dress. The skirt. The cigarette pant. They build from the foundation and find shoes and accessories to match. Now, while I’ve been known to be inspired by a dress a time or two, more often than not, I start with the perfect handbag…
There is nothing more important than self-care. After the kind of semester I’ve just had (and let’s face it, the kind of 2 years we’ve all just had), I’m looking for it more than ever. And self care can take a variety of forms: either spending some time to yourself getting lost in a good book, heading to the beach for a girl’s weekend, or a splurge on the cutest new handbag range from Vendula London.
I’m sure we all have our favorite seasons – wrapping a scarf on your neck during snowy white winters or the feeling of an ice cold beer on a sweltering summers. But, mine has always been late autumn. That crisp in the air that brings out the light layers and inspires cuddling under down comforters at night. Hats and gloves are not out of place, but you still feel at home on an afternoon stroll, without Jack Frost beckoning you inside.
A lot of my skirt designs have been based off of true vintage pieces that are so swoon-worthy, yet so elusive, I couldn’t wait another minute before making it mine. Occasionally, I will come up with an original design – sparked from my everyday wanderings, an inability to find just what I’m looking for, or based off of some crazy desire for a skirt that lights up. But this latest creation came from an off hand comment from a lovely friend and one of my very favorite handbag companies…
The changing of the seasons is always such an interesting time of year. Here in NC, it’s almost like a constant stop and start. Ohhh, yay, it’s Autumn! Nope, just kidding, Summer…. Hello Fall! Well, that was a nice hour, but let’s go back to a sweltering 90 degrees. As crazy as the to and fro can be, I’ve decided to just roll with the punches and revel in the fact that my summer sundresses get another few weeks of freedom. I mean, if NC wants to be in bloom in October, who am I to argue?
Truth be told, hats and I have always had a tricky relationship. We’ll eye each other up across the room, but it’s rare that we ever make a good match. While my sister seems to be able to wear just about any chapeau dropped upon her head, I can never seem to find the right one (save for a select few). I’ve always just considered it a category of fashion that my closet is a little lean on. But, trust Vendula London to swoop in and prove that all the things I think about myself were really just marking time…
I think we’re all trying to get more versatility out of our wardrobe – to figure out new ways to mix and match what we have and make it look new again. This isn’t always the easiest task when you’re as into bright colors, bold prints, and novelty handbags as I am – it’s kind of obvious when you wear those things several times. But enter the latest range of handbags from Vendula London…
I have and will forever be enamored with novelty bags. Although some people like their neutrals. Their satchels and holdalls. I sail right past those bags to the ones shaped like a piece of fruit or woodland creature. Which is why I squirm like an eager puppy every time Vendula London comes out with their latest range. If you haven’t heard of them before, Vendula is known for making amazing vegan-friendly novelty bags of all shapes and sizes.
You are all very well aware of my love for novelty handbags. The cuter and more ornate the better. So, it’s no surprise that I instantly fell in love with Vendula London when I reviewed their Chocolatier Grab Bag last year. I get more excited every season to see their latest releases, as they are definitely a company with no shortage of ideas. The instant this Circus Box Bag came across my retinas, I was ready to run away with the circus…
Ladies, I have something crazy to confess: I’m really not all that fussed about chocolate. It’s not that I dislike it, but I can kind of take it or leave it. In the interest of full disclosure, I’m the girl who can eat 3 M&M’s. Who shrugs in the face of brownies. Who manages to make her Christmas chocolate last for months (you may all hate me now). However, despite my lack of sweet tooth, I was sweetly defeated the moment this Chocolatier Grab Bag from Vendula London came across my radar…