How to Hit the January Sales like a Pro

For lots of us, the January sales are a big deal with many even pitching up outside of their favourite stores the night before to ensure that they snap up the best of bargains. If this story is all too familiar for you, then don't make the mistake of queueing up at 5am, shop savvy and follow our rules to prevent buyers’ regret!

1) Shop Online

Image Source 

Now, of course we’re firm advocates of shopping online but it really is the winning idea because you beat the stressful crowds and don't have to queue up outside in the freezing cold at silly O’ Clock -when you’re still recovering from your festive food and drink binge!

If you shop online, it also means that you can go straight for the items that you already have in mind without getting distracted by other deals scattered around the shelves. Plus, being online also gives you the added option of checking out comparison sites to hunt down the best of deals. 

2) Be in the Know

Image Source 

Sign up for the emails of your favourite brands and follow them on social media to be amongst the first to find out about when their sales launch, which also means you’ll be the first to snap up the very best deals. At least if you're planning on joining the street queues you'll get the right day, and being amongst the first does mean you can get in and find the best deals!

3) Don’t Impulse Buy 

It’s easy to get carried away when you know that you’re getting a bargain, but will you really wear that luminous bob hat?! Probably not, so shop a little more savvy and walk away from the stuff that you’re never going to wear, even if it’s only a few pounds! 

If you're ready to sale shop, discover our end of season sale here, and if you snap up a Nica bargain, why not take a picture and tag us @nicahandbags on Instagram as we'd love to see what you've been buying. 

New Year's Eve Crafty Décor Inspiration

If you’re sick of seeing your Christmas decorations by now, you don’t have to spend a fortune decking out your home just for your New Year’s Eve party as you can get crafty and make some of your own for a fraction of the price. So, with everybody’s expectations soaring, let us help you to make the perfect decorations. 

All That Glitters

Image Source 

If you can’t go crazy with the glitter at New Years, then when can you? Set the ambiance with DIY mason jars by covering the inside of some old jars with a scattering of festive glitter and pop in a candle. Scatter them around the room, but the higher out of the way the better, as to avoid any accidents after a few too many glasses of champers!

If you have any leftover sparkles, then apply a little glue to your champagne bottles and bling them up too! 

Image Source 

The Backdrop 

If you’re tight on space but still looking to create an impact, then why not create your own party backdrop. It doesn’t have to engulf your entire room but rather highlight just a part of it. A great place to add a backdrop is always behind the food table.

A great idea that we spied on Pinterest was a simple star backdrop. All’s you need are a few sheets of sparkly card to cut into star shapes then simply join together with some clear string. Try different lengths of stars to make for a more interesting look when hung next to each other across the wall.   

Image Source 

Finally, no party décor is complete without a great centre piece amongst your delicious party spread. Stay thrifty and create something from what you already have. Take your champagne glasses that you’ll inevitably need for the countdown and fill with some festive baubles from your Christmas tree. Then simply arrange the glasses around a cake stand, and feel free to sprinkle with as much or little glitter as you like! 

The Centre Piece 

Image Source 

Finally, no party décor is complete without a great centre piece amongst your delicious party spread. Stay thrifty and create something from what you already have. Take your champagne glasses that you’ll inevitably need for the countdown and fill with some festive baubles from your Christmas tree. Then simply arrange the glasses around a cake stand, and feel free to sprinkle with as much or little glitter as you like!

Will you be creating some of your own New Year’s Eve decorations? We’d love to see, so why not tag us in your photos @nicahandbags on Instagram. 

Festive Crafts for Thrifty Ladies

There’s no denying that here at Nica we love all things crafty and we also love Christmas time, so obviously when the festive season comes around, we have to combine the two things.

It’s a great way to save money and have fun in the process by making your own Christmas wrapping paper, cards and décor. Pinterest has lots of Christmas crafts to make, be it DIY Christmas decorations or DIY Christmas gifts, take a look at a few of our favourite finds that we can’t wait to try out. 

Christmas Snowflakes

Image Source 

One of the best things about finding crafts on Pinterest is that you can often stumble across a set of visual step by step instructions too and that’s exactly what we found for this fun snowflake here. All’s you need is a couple of sheets of paper depending upon how big you’d like your end star to be, a pair of scissors, and a stapler. It’s easy peasy to make and simple to hang from your ceiling to freshen up your festive décor. 

Tree Decorations

Image Source 

Making a few of your own decorations always infuses your tree with more of a personal touch. Who doesn't remember making these kinds of crafts at school? It’s a great way to keep children entertained, and it’s also really nice to keep something that they've made for Christmases to come. 

We've opted for this very simple Rudolph the reindeer decoration. Simply dry out a cone and glue on a pair of googly eyes, a red bell nose, a pair of felt ears, twig antlers and a cotton loop to make hanging it extra easy. 

Origami Labels  

Image Source 

For the dedicated crafters amongst us, why not turn your hand to a spot of origami? It’s an art that we’re really inspired by, and it’s even influenced the cat hardware upon of new Venice crossbody. We found this cute little Santa idea on Pinterest here that’d add a really kitsch touch to the gift tags on your presents.

Which easy Christmas crafts will you be trying out? Why not drop us a comment below or tweet us as Nica_Handbags. 

Christmas Party Outfit Inspiration

Don’t stress if you've not chosen your Christmas party outfits yet, we've got you covered with our special festive party edit. Read on to see how you can incorporate your #NicaHandbags into this season’s latest trends. 

Matching Co-ords

Images: Top, Bag, Shoe, Skirt 

Matching co-ords are still having their fashion moment even in winter but the key is to opt for sumptuous jewel tones or sparkling champagne hues, and of course there’s no better time to over embellish than at Christmas. So, go wild! Complement with Sarah Jessica Parker style statement heels and a go-to party season bag like our Venice clutch. 

Shimmering Statement 

Images: Dress, Bag, Shoe

Metallics are back again for AW 14, so think oversized sequins and swirling brocades to keep you on trend. The catwalks were dabbling with a range of colours but it’s always good to stick to classic Christmassy metallic tones like silver, champagne and midnight blues to infuse your outfits with a dash of opulence. 

Look less try hard by teaming with a pair of block heels, and finish with the cute little Venice crossbody bag to keep you hands-free whilst hitting the dance floor.  

The Little Black Dress 

Images: Dress, Purse, Shoes 

There’s no better fail-safe than the classic LBD at any time of the year. Inject a bit of edge with some on-trend block heels, and infuse with a burst of colour by carrying some bold arm candy. Our large Mira purse is the perfect size or carrying your bare essentials.

Which Nica bag will you be carrying to your Christmas party this year? Drop us a comment below or tweet us @Nica_Handbags. 

Winter Getaways: Europe's Coolest Up and Coming Destinations

From Cologne to Budapest there are plenty of Christmas market fuelled cheeky getaways to be had at this time of the year but how about testing out one of Europe’s cool up and coming destinations instead? Let us introduce you to a few of our faves. 

Copenhagen

Image Source 

When it comes to Scandinavia, Stockholm has long been many a tourists first choice but in recent years Copenhagen has been bubbling up and stealing its crown. Marvel at its architecture and harbour via a mini cruise where you can also catch a glimpse of its famous mermaid statue. 

Or forget your sea legs and explore one of its beautiful historical castles. Copenhagen is also a pastry lovers’ paradise and if you’re partial to a Danish, don’t forget to ask for a wienerbrød otherwise we’re pretty sure that they’ll have no clue what you’re ordering. 

Krakow

Image Source 

For the culture vulture inside of you, this polish getaway is awash with museums and photo worthy sites to fill up your Instagram feeds. One of our favourite spots is Ulica Józefa in the Kazimierz district where you can discover antique stores and offbeat boutiques with polish designers aplenty. For those of you who just can’t do a winter getaway without a festive market however, rest assured that you can sample traditional polish Christmas offerings around the city from the end of November to 26th December. 

Hamburg

Image Source

Nobody does Christmas markets like Germany and although cities like Berlin and Munich are typically the first port of call, Hamburg is now on the radar. Enjoy German favourites like Lebkuchen and Glühwein at traditional markets that are scattered all over the city. Or indulge with a spot of Nordic flair at the Scandinavian themed market in the Altona district. 

Where's your favourite winter getaway? Drop us a comment below or tweet us @Nica_Handbags. 

Nica's Christmas Gift Ideas

As the countdown to Christmas is officially on, it’s definitely time to start thinking about what you’ll be buying your friends and family for Christmas. From healthy cookbooks to sentimental crafts, take a look at our gift ideas.

Image Source 

Bake up a Storm
It’s that time of the year when everybody loves to cosy up at home and pull out the baking mitts but Christmassy baking shouldn't mean that your healthy eating plans go straight out of the window. There are plenty of just as delicious alternatives which are actually good for you. One of our favourite go-tos for inspiration has been the Deliciously Ella blog, and now she’s also releasing a great cookbook that promotes her amazingly healthy recipes. It’d make a great stocking filler! 

Image Source

Invest in a little piece of art
You know just how much we love quirky influences here are Nica from our prints to our hardware so, of course we love fun pieces of artwork. They’re the perfect way to infuse your décor with a playful twist and make a great gift for a loved one. Invest in a collector’s piece or hunt out a bargain at your local charity shop. 

Image Source 

Christmas Bags We believe that a girl can never have too many handbags, and our new season drop will have you covered. No matter your style preference, we’ve got the bag for you. From outfit staples to transcend the seasons to purses that make great little stocking fillers. Plus our social feeds are often filled with great outfit inspiration courtesy of some of our favourite bloggers too. Just like RosieGlow who’s been styling our Anica tote for fall

Image Source

Get Crafty
Sometimes nothings better received than a gift that’s been handcrafted by yourself as it shows that you’ve really put some thought into the present rather than just last minute panic bought. If you’re stuck for ideas regarding what to create, then a quick crafty search on Pinterest can yield a plethora of ideas. From Christmas decorations to thoughtful photo frames that’ll transcend the seasons, we’re hooked! 

Image Source

Now that we’ve inspired your Christmas shopping ideas, why not let us know which Nica bag is on your wish list this year? Simply drop us a comment below or tweet us @Nica_Handbags. 

Behind the Scenes at our SS15 Press Day

Just in case you missed our great S/S 15 press days last week, we thought that we’d fill you in with all of the exciting news. So get ready to go behind the scenes with Nica! 

Taking place over two days, we were showcasing our favourite new season designs. You can already shop some of the styles in our New In section here, whilst you’ll have to wait until next year to get your hands on others. 

Our mini Milly bowler is one of our key pieces for the season ahead. It’s both adorable yet practical, and is currently available in a range of fun colours including charcoal, lilac, raspberry and tan. Above we’re giving you a cheeky sneak peek of our charcoal zig zag colourway which will available early next year. 

It was great to be able to invite along some of our favourite bloggers who we’ve previously worked with, and we even had two special blogger take overs. Day one, saw the lovely Style Rawr blog run our Twitter and Instagram for the day, as she shot her favourite new season pieces and interviewed our senior designer Nica Kim. 

One of her favourites for next year is our pretty mini Nikki tote complete with a lovely raffia front finish. The perfect little accessory that you can also venture into summer with. 

Day two welcomed the lovely Honey Pop Kisses blog who we just adore  getting some Nica outfit inspiration from. Don't you just love this shot of her with Nica? 

One of her favourite picks from the collection was the Venice clutch. It's a great party piece that can be carried as a clutch or transformed into a crossbody, and our new cat hardware was a massive hit at our press day too!

Why not take a look at the full first drop of our collection here, and tweet us your favourites @Nica_Handbags. We'd love to find out! 

Nica Staffs Winter Playlist Picks

Are you tired of playing the same old records time and time again? Seek music inspiration from team Nica as we share our favourite winter songs.

Nikki McBridge, Graphic Designer: One Day by Paolo Nutini

Image Source

After a 5 year hiatus, Paolo Nutini is back with a bang. Following a summer filled with festival performances, the Scottish star is preparing for a hectic UK tour. Best known for his 2006 release of New Shoes, Nutini’s latest record Caustic Love has become the fastest selling album of 2014.

Boasting a rating of 79 on metacritic, the album has been well received by publications such as The Guardian and Clash Music and we love it. The mature, heartbroken vocals, the tender acoustic moments, the odd hip-hop instrumental thrown in for good measure…We just can’t get enough.

OneDay is Graphic Designer Nikki’s favourite song from the album. A slow burner, the sound is reminiscent of Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black. It’s full of soul.

Grace May, Assistant Product Manager: Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran

Image Source

It’s hard to think of many British singer-songwriters who have achieved the same levels of fame as Ed Sheeran has. Since releasing The A Team back in 2011, media moguls have been all over him like a rash, he’s sold out arena tours and Jamie Oliver has even offered to personally cook at his wedding.

With this in mind it should come as no surprise that here at Nica we’re also pretty fond of the Sheeran. Our Assistant Product Manager Grace adores his breezy love song, Thinking Out Loud. It’s all saccharine sweetness and cooing vocals, just in time for festive goodwill.

Nica Kim, Senior Designer: Elliot Smith – Waltz #2 XO

Image Source

From commercial superstars to lo-fi lovelies, we’re a well-rounded bunch here at Nica and our music tastes cover a wide palette. For Senior Designer and our brand's namesake Nica Kim, it’s the soothing sound of Elliot Smith that gets her whistling while she works.

Although she loves all of his music, Nica Kim is particularly enamoured with Smith’s 1998 album  From a Basement Over the Hill and her favourite song is Waltz #2(XO).

For those who are unfamiliar with the singer-songwriter, Elliot Smith was an American musician who released 7 beautiful albums in his lifetime. Unfortunately Smith died at just 36 years old, but his impossibly lovely music is still enjoyed by a large fan base today.

Samantha Robinson, Content and Social Media Executive: Two Bodies – Flight Facilities

Image Source

Breaking up the procession of singer-songwriter soloists is Samantha Robinson’s winter playlist pick. Our Content and Social Media Executive has fallen head over heels for electronic producers Flight Facilities and it’s easy to see why.

The Australian duo creates infectious retro-house tunes sprinkled with laid-back vocals which are perfect for mellow Sunday afternoons or office background music. Listen and daydream.

We’d love to know which tracks have been on your radar lately. Tweet your favourite sounds to @Nica_Handbags and we’ll add them to our ever-growing playlist.

Layer up in style: AW Fashion

The cold weather is well and truly here. Instead of mourning the loss of bare legs and sleeveless dresses, we’ve been busy scouring the shops for a new season wardrobe. Let the rain fall and the wind howl, we’ve got the AW style game covered. Read on to discover our favourite cold weather trends.

The Camel Coat

Image Source

Every year there’s that one covetable coat style which manages to become a showstopper. Past seasons have seen teddy coats and faux fur collared outerwear pinch the top spot but this year it’s all about looking cool in camel.

And for good reason too. Camel is an all-time classic; it’s versatile, it’s smart and it suits pretty much everyone. The neutral colour offers a number of versatile styling options. Pair your camel coat with all black everything, skinnies and ballerina flats or a fetching tartan scarf. The possibilities are endless.

As for choice of fit, we’re traditionalists in the sense we prefer the fitted silhouette to boyfriend and dressing gown styles. But it’s all a matter of personal preference.

The 60’s Mini Dress

Image Source

Winter is all about layering and that’s why we love the 60’s mini-dress trend. All the shops have fallen hook, line and sinker for shift dresses meaning we get to pick from colour block, brocade, paisley and embellished collar varieties which are all an absolute breeze to style. Simply add a faux-fur coat and tights with boots for a classy, night time look. Consider our Christmas party outfit in the bag.

The Formal Backpack

*Nica Amelia Backpack in Black

The formal backpack is this season’s must-have. Even the most loyal handbag enthusiast will be converted when they realise how great it feels to sling a backpack over the shoulder and go about the day hands-free. Trust us. Plus, you can fit food shopping into one of these babies without having to choose the corporate plastic bag option and look cool at the same time. It’s a win-win situation.

70’s Boots

Image Source

A/W ’13 was all about grungy tractor heels. Thick cut, chunky boots with a nod to the 90’s reigned supreme. Fast forward 12 months and 70’s style boots are leading the directional footwear pack. Platform style, block heels and over-the-knee suede fabric boots are all in high demand this season.

Style yours with olive green riding pants or skinny jeans for a smart daytime look.

Cigarette Trousers

Image Source

When bare legs won’t do, ankle grazers are the next best thing. Enter the cigarette trouser: super elegant, figure defining and easy to style, you’ll want to wear them everywhere. We’re in favour of mixing bold cigarette prints with classic fit tees, cropped jumpers and smart loafers. Whether for the office, the cocktail bar or the shops, cigarette trousers are an easy to style, AW staple.

That just about wraps up our favourite AW pieces. Have you checked out our new season handbag collection yet? Visit the NICA website to browse the full range. 

Our Pick of the New Collection

We’re really excited about our new season collection, and we hope that you’re going to love it just as much as us. For those of you who haven’t seen it yet, then let us introduce you to a few of our favourite things!

The Cat

It's the season of the cat! Here at Nica we love infusing our bags with a quirky twist and for our new collection our hardware has gone feline. Covering a selection of different styles, we'll hope you'll agree that it'll make the purrfect little addition to your handbag collection. Plus, did we mention that it's also been uniquely designed  by Nica?! 

The Grab

Our favourite grab of the season has to be our mini Milly bowler. Channel the winter pastels trend with our lilac Milly by teaming with a dark ensemble. Play it classic with black and tan or get ready for Christmas with our warm raspberry hue. Plus, if you tire of carrying as a clutch, then you can also transform it into a crossbody bag thanks to its detachable strap.

The Clutch 

If you’re looking for a statement making party season clutch, then look no further than our Venice crossbody. Yes, that’s right another handy Nica crossbody but when you remove its strap, it transforms into a really great clutch. It's fun cat hardware gives it a quirky twist yet the bag’s sleek form maintains an air of sophistication. Play it safe with our black version that can be paired with almost any outfit or create a fashionable statement with our bold blue tone.

Why not take a look at our new collection at nica.co.uk and let us know which ones are your favourites by dropping us a message below or tweeting us @Nica_Handbags on Twitter. 

Easy Nail Art Ideas

Image Source

As we cover up for the cold season, attention turns to the little details. Embellished collars, statement jewels and of course, painted nails. The beauty of winter is that we find time to do the things we were too busy for during the summer months. From getting stuck into the latest detective series to homemade arts and crafts, winter is for nesting.

And to that end we've been getting hooked on winter nail art here at Nica. Spending time perfecting nail designs is relaxing and fun- plus we get to have Instagram worthy talons without leaving the comfort of the sofa. It’s a win-win situation.

Beautify your claws with our easy to do nail art ideas. You’ll be the envy of all your friends.

The Monochrome Spot

Image Source

Winter nail colours don’t come much better than black and white. The monochrome combination complements everything and looks oh-so chic.

You’ll need:

-Black nail polish

-White nail polish

-Bobby pin

-Top coat

Method:

1) Paint your nails with 2 coats of black polish and leave to dry. Patience is key, otherwise you’ll end up with smudgy polka dots and nobody wants that.

2) Dip your bobby pin into the white polish and apply to nails. Aim to have around 5 polka dots on each nail. Leave to dry

3) Apply a top coat and hey presto, your autumn nail art is complete.

Festive Red

Red glitter is the epitome of festive nail art. The rich red colour of baubles and Santa’s cloak paired with tinsel glitter is a chic way to channel Christmas through your nails. And it’s so easy to perfect.

You’ll need:

-Red nail polish

-Pot of glitter

-Disposable paint brush

-Varnish top coat

Method:

1) Paint your nails with two coats of red varnish. Allow to dry.

2)  Dip the brush in the glitter and apply to the top half of your nails. Alternatively you could use a glitter polish taking care to apply light strokes to the nail.

3) Apply a top coat and leave to dry. 

4) Go out and show off your Christmas nail art!

Show off your winter nail designs by tweeting snaps of your handiwork to @Nica_Handbags. If you’ve got any tried and tasted tutorials you think we’d like, leave us a comment with your blog address. We’d love to check it out.

The Best Halloween Parties in London

Image Source

Carve up the pumpkins, dig out the dressing up box and load up the scary film stash, its Halloween time. Falling on a Friday for the first time in years, London’s venues have been quick to organise the fright night parties. With an exhaustive number of events taking place in every corner of the city, we’ve filtered through to find the very best. Where will you end up?

Halloween Grind House Party at CRATE Brewery, Hackney

Image Source

East London’s canal side CRATE Brewery is the brainchild of local Hackney artists. Clubbing together to create a hip, upcycled venue, the interior came together in 6 weeks and is a mishmash of old railway sleepers, ladders and moored boats. Specialising in hand-rolled artisan pizza, cask ale and international beer, CRATE is a hub for fun-loving creatives.

And there’s good news for scare seekers because the brewery will be providing more Halloween chills than just ice-cold beer this Friday. Their appropriately named ‘Grind-House’ party encourages dressing up in the form of ‘ghouls and good times’, with 3 impressive DJs. Tickets are £5.

Halloween Hot Tub Cinema, Shoreditch

Image Source

For those who require more adventure than their own front room but don’t want to party ‘til sunrise dressed as Frankenstein, hot tub Halloween is the perfect middle ground.  Round up 6 of your besties and head to the pop-up Shoreditch location for some scary screenings. If you’re reading this and questioning the writer’s sanity, fear not: hot tubs are heated at 40c so you’ll stay warm and toasty despite the cold night air.

With waiters standing by ready to fetch popcorn and refreshments at a moments notice, there’ll be little reason to move from your bubbly paradise. At the time of writing there are still tickets left to watch The Lost Boys, The Craft and 28 Days Later so grab yours quick for some laid-back frights.

Halloween Raveyard, South East London

Image Source

Waterloo doesn't sound like a likely location for a Halloween rave, but the vaults in the underground have been refashioned into a seriously spooky setting. The vaults are actually a place of legend because during the 19^th century they were used as a solution to London’s overcrowded graveyards. The ex-morgue turned Halloween Raveyard is therefore much more authentic than your standard themed club night.

Dance with zombies in the disco dance hall and experience chills and thrills in Dr Maynard’s Hideous Dissection Lab. Taking place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, scare seekers can cherry pick the best night to celebrate.

We’ve only just scratched the surface of the Halloween parties in London. Have you spotted any that have caught your eye? Let us know by tweeting us @Nica_Handbags or commenting below.