How To Style your Alicia Satchel with the Rosalilium Blog

If you’re looking for some inspiration on how to style your new Alicia satchel, then, look no further than the lovely Rosalilium blog, who demonstrates exactly how to break that age old fashion rule of wearing black with brown.

Teaming her tan Alicia satchel with black tights, ankle boots, a pretty blue tea dress and heritage feeling grey jacket, it’s a look that we very much want to test out!

Read her full review over on her blog, and why not show us how you’re styling your own Alicia satchels by tagging your photos @Nica_Handbags on Twitter or @nicahandbags on Instagram.

Culture Vulture: Alternative Ideas for New Year’s Eve

From cosy seaside cottages to the enchanting northern lights, NICA have an array of New Year’s Eve ideas which are ideal for culture vultures or anyone with the desire to venture off the beaten track and experience unique, fun adventures this NYE. Whether you want to end the year gazing at the stars in Norway or sipping gin at a ruin bar in Budapest, read on!

Ruin Bars and Outdoor Spas in Budapest
Partying in Europe’s largest outdoor spa in sub-zero temperatures might not sound like a likely NYE scenario, but Budapest is utterly unique. You can drink and dance to future disco in a thermal (77°C) outdoor pool during the bitter cold month of December! 
Constructed over 100 years ago, the Széchenyi bath is steeped in history and statues of dolphins and water Gods surround the outdoor pools making this a stunning setting to see the New Year in.

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If you’re on a budget, you’ll be pleased to hear that Budapest won't pull too hard upon the purse strings. With beer and spirit prices coming in at around £1 per serving and quirky hostels aplenty, those seeking a budget will be in their creative element. 

Head to Szimpla Kert, the city’s most hotly tipped ruin pub and the world’s third best bar as voted by Lonely Planet. Ruin pubs are unique to Budapest and feature the most remarkable, off-the-wall interiors coupled with an infectious ambience; Szimpla Kert for example has an open air cinema, and an innumerable amount of houseplants and mismatched lampshades while another ruin pub nearby boasts furniture hanging from the ceiling.

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For a new year brimming with culture and energy, head to the Hungarian capital of Budapest.

Top tip: Stay at Lavender Circus Hostel for quirky, gorgeously furnished accommodation in the old town. Doubles with ensuite start at just £9 per night with free coffee and wine included!

See the Northern Lights in Tromsø

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If it’s been a long-time dream of yours to see the northern lights, New Year 2013 could be the best time to try. According to NASA, the best light show in a decade is forecast for this December. In NASA’s recent report, Tromsø – the ‘Paris of the north’ is expected to be the best spot for Norwegian northern light sightings. 

Indulge in a voyage aboard a traditional steamer ship to try and catch a glimpse of the amazing lights along a fjord or chase the lights on an unconventional bus tour in the nearby village of Erfsfijorden.

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Whilst in Tromsø check out The Polar Museum – a museum centered on North Pole explorers which is full of fascinating artefacts and exhibits. For those unfazed by heights, the Fjellheisen Cable Car is a must too as visitors are treated to panoramic views over the city at 420 metres above sea level, wow!

Coastal cottages and beautiful beaches in West Wales

If you've set your sights closer to home this New Year’s Eve and are in the mood for a spot of peace and quiet, the coast of West Wales is a really lovely place to getaway to for a few days. Explore an ample selection of sandy beaches, visit the vibrant seaside resort of Tenby and embark on a boat trip to Caldey Island – a tiny island inhabited by monks with a chocolate, shortbread and perfume shop all of which are homemade on site.

As for New Year’s Eve itself, The Druidstone Hotel in Pembrokeshire is situated overlooking a cliff with views over the beautiful Druidstone Haven beach. This off-the-wall hotel is bursting with character, always full to the brim. and holds regular feast nights with live music! The ideal seaside spot for those seeking a fun, casual-cool NYE vibe with like-minded people.

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*This ‘Teletubby’ house can be viewed from Druidstone Haven and is a real talking point around the area as people are usually amazed by the design.

Are you off anywhere exciting this NYE? Let us know by tweeting us @Nica_Handbags. 

Discover Nica's Favourite Places

by Nica Kim

As you know, I do spend a lot of my free time searching for new design inspiration but believe it or not, I do like to grab a few non work related minutes and relax. And that often includes eating out at delicious restaurants, so, I thought that I’d share a few of my favourite places with you.

Last Saturday, after visiting the British Museum, I stopped by the Japanese noodle café Koya. It’s one of my favourite places to eat, as it’s so nice and cosy, and in all honesty, it reminds me a little bit of home.

It only serves traditional udon noodles. Just look at the delicious dish that I enjoyed. One of my favourites!

If you’re a coffee lover, then, you’ll adore one of my favourite coffee houses, All Press Espresso. It’s the perfect place to rewind and relax after a stroll around Colombia Road market on a Sunday morning. 

Do you have a favourite place to dine or enjoy a coffee in London? Share it with me @Nica_Handbags on twitter, and I might just try it out! 

#NicaDesignAPrint Contest: Our Ten Finalists

This year, we've been working extra closely with the Clothes Show and running our #NicaDesignAPrint contest. We've been asking you to submit your very own nature influenced prints from which we will choose a winner who’ll get their pattern transformed into one of our beautiful satchels!

We were overwhelmed with amazing entries, so, it was quite the task to whittle down our finalists… But we finally did, and we want to say a massive congratulations to all of our top ten finalists! Take a look at their entries below (in no particular order), and let us know what you think.

Rose Tucker 

Shannon Robinson

Alice Lorraine 

Charlotte Potter 

Sarah Ridgewell

Shonagh Gibson 

Amy Foster 

Christy Purcell 

Lili Price 

Lottie Irving 

So, what do you think of our finalists? Share your favourites with us on Facebook, @Nica_Handbags on Twitter or @nicahandbags on Instagram. 

Thrifty London: Vintage Shopping in the UK’s Capital

Bargain hunters and vintage lovers unite, it’s time to get thrifty! Join NICA on a whirlwind tour of London’s best vintage shops as we venture from East to West in pursuit of an irresistible deal. 

Beyond Retro

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With 3 London stores located in Dalston, Brick Lane and Soho, Beyond Retro is something of a staple in the UK capital. For the largest quantity of second hand clothing and accessories in London, head to Beyond Retro’s gigantic vintage warehouse in Brick Lane. Here you’ll find rails upon rails of colour co-ordinated plaid shirts, velvet bodysuits and distressed denim jackets.

Beyond Retro’s accessories department doesn’t disappoint either, shoppers can select from an expansive collection of hair scrunchies, patterned neck scarves and waist cinching belts with prices ranging from very reasonable to moderate.

Seek & Revive Kilo Sale

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If you've never ventured to a vintage kilo sale before, the concept is simple: shoppers are given a carrier bag on arrival which they can fill to their hearts' content, then, at the end of the shop their items are weighed and they pay by the kilo. For reference a kilo is around four to five items of clothing – at £15 per kilo this is an amazing deal!

Kilo sale events are common and occur all across London, eager to see what the fuss was all about we ventured to the Seek & Revive sale in Shoreditch during the month of July. Paying £1 on entry, we proceeded to navigate around the huge warehouse space where clothing and accessories were arranged by category. 

This shopping event is certainly one for the patient, keen eyed bargain hunter -it took us over 2 hours to sift through the vast array of items on offer! Be it a psychedelic printed bathing costume or a 1980’s bomber jacket, expect to find a vast array of one-off pieces.

East End Thrift Store

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One of London’s best kept secrets, the East End Thrift Store is a go-to destination for great value vintage. The décor is minimalist and, as with all vintage treasure, shoppers should come prepared to rummage in exchange for designer labels at steal-worthy prices. From genuine shearling jackets to tartan trousers and vintage fedora hats, you’re unlikely to come away empty handed.

Vintage shops in London are ten a penny, but there are plenty of gems to explore. Do you have a must-visit second-hand shop on your radar? Send us your suggestions via twitter @Nica_Handbags.