Discover Nica's Favourite Places: Brunch in Richmond

I love to escape the hustle and bustle of London as often as time permits, and in the glorious pre-summer sunshine, there’s nowhere that I’d suggest you visit more than the wonderful Petersham Nurseries in Richmond.

Tucked away, this leafy wonderland is an internationally prized garden centre complete with delicious tea house, and gift shop where you can hunt antiques! 

For me, its botanical arrangements are a great source of inspiration for my designs, or simply the perfect location to gather a moment of calm from my hectic life in London.  

I've shopped many a piece for my own home here, and also the occasional bits and bobs for our campaign shoots too.

If you’re nearby and looking for some place to enjoy the gorgeous weather that we’re having this weekend, then, I highly recommend a visit here. I love to go for wander around here early on a Sunday morning, and then, pop into its café or Italian tearoom for a spot of brunch. Its menus are delightfully seasonal and influenced by yummy British and local produce. 

Where are you and your #NicaHandbags enjoying the sunshine this weekend? Why not send me your #NicaBagSelfie on Twitter or Instagram, - I'd love to see! 

Love Nica, 

- x - 

Summer Solstice Ideas: How to Celebrate the Summer Solstice in Style

Summer solstice is fast approaching, so, why not celebrate the longest day of the year by attending an overseas festival, worshipping the sun at Stonehenge or throwing a party of your own?

Attend Secret Solstice Festival in Iceland

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Visit Reykjavik in winter and you’ll experience complete darkness and bitter cold temperatures, but come summer it’s all light filled days and intense sunshine. This capital city boasts 24 hour sunlight during the summer solstice and the celebration has long been an important tradition amongst the Nordic population.

Taking all this into account, it’s hardly surprising that Iceland have decided to host what looks set to be an outstanding Summer Solstice festival located in the Reyjavik hot spring valley. Immerse yourself in one of the world’s most remarkable geo-thermal hot spots while music legends such as Massive Attack and Disclosure take to the stage.

Variety is the spice of life at Secret Solstice, the festival also offers a theme park, petting zoo, botanical garden and a behemoth swimming pool for adventure seeking revellers. Wowee!

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Head to Stonehenge for a 24 Hour Party 

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Celebrate with thousands of other sun worshippers this June as Summer Solstice pleasure seekers come together for an all-night party amongst the stones. Why Stonehenge? Well, Stonehenge is a national treasure, it’s one of the world’s most famous heritage sites and the stones are believed to have been erected as early as 3000BC. This is amazing when you consider that the area has retained its authenticity to the present day.

As a historical place of worship and celebration for hundreds of years, this is a sublime setting to mark the longest day of the year. Gather a group of pals, pack your thermals and run to the sun for what will surely be one of the most iconic Summer Solstice gatherings in the UK.

Throw your Own Summer Solstice Party

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Want to stay local but still take part in Summer Solstice celebrations? Make the most of the (hopefully) fine weather by throwing your own shindig at home.  Light and sunshine are the main themes surrounding the occasion, so why not host an outdoor feast complete with hanging fairy lights, LED balloons, glow pots, daisies and daffodils? Go mythical with the dress code and opt for ethereal head pieces, dreamy kaftans and pieces which evoke the natural mood of Summer Solstice.

Choose colourful food such as veggie crudités and rainbow salads mixed with substantial meaty goodness for good measure. Bring the sunshine to your front lawn this June.

We hope our summer solstice ideas have given you some food for thought. We’d love to know how you’ll be marking the occasion. Drop us a comment below or tweet us at @Nica_Handbags.

How To Style the aqua Alicia Satchel with the Victoria's Vintage Blog

If you love a pretty satchel just as much as we do, then, you’re going to love this week’s blogger’s review! We’ve teamed up with the wonderful Victoria’s Vintage blog, who has been styling our beautiful aqua Alicia satchel for summer.

Opting for an oh so pretty summer dress (which is most definitely giving us a dose of print envy) and a pair of wedges, it’s the perfect outfit to embrace the sunshine with!

For those of you who fancy emulating her gorgeous outfit with your very own Alicia satchel, we’ve also teamed up with her on an exciting Twitter competition giving you the chance to win one for yourself. Head over to Victoria’s Vintageto find out more. Or shop your own small Alicia satchel in aqua here!

Where are you taking your satchels this summer? We’d love for you to show us by sharing your photos with us #NicaHandbags on Twitter or Instagram. 

Blogger Lets Strike A Pose Creates Nica Nail Art

We love seeing how some of our favourite bloggers are styling our latest beautiful #NicaHandbags, and when the fabulous Lets Strike A Pose blog offered to transform Nica’s unique pink tulip watercolour print in the form of nail art, we were beyond excited to see the results!

Using her bag as a guide, several nail varnishes, and a few brushes, she makes re-creating our print upon the nails look like a complete doddle! Check out her video below. 

You can read more about her tutorial here. Why not try it out for yourself and share your photos with us on Twitter or Instagram? We'd love to see your great results. Or if our gorgeous Isla pink tulip crossbody has caught your eye, you can snap up your own right here. 

Nica’s S/S 14 Festival Fashion Forecast

Away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, festivals are breaking new ground. Secret Island parties in Croatia, forest shindigs in Hampshire, international headline bands gracing British soil, British bands playing Icelandic spring valleys- altogether, the festival scene is thriving.

Rain or shine, home or away, we’ll be seizing the opportunity to road test bold new looks at this year’s festivals. Stay ahead of the curve this S/S 14 by checking out our festival fashion guide. 

Image Source: Floral Mac, Yellow Mac, Transparent Mac, Metallic Mac

This one’s for all the ladies braving Glastonbury. High street collections have finally acknowledged that British festivals and rain go hand in hand and have come up with a sassy solution to all your partying-in-the-rain needs. It’s called the rain mac and will save your carefully chosen OOTD from morphing into drowned rat chic-amazing right?!

Make the days brighter with a flower infused raincoat, achieve a high impact with a metallic mac or let your outfit do the talking with a transparent, clear-plastic style. Rain mac or style saviour?

Image Source: Floral Crown, Mint Amy Satchel, Lilac Floppy Hat, Amy Satchel, Bright Bindi Pack

Accessories are every festival lover’s best friend. Turn up the volume with palma violet floppy hats, sunflower crowns and mint chocolate satchels. Accessories are the easiest way to add a splash of colour to an otherwise understated outfit and when it comes to festivals, more is more.

If you’re still searching for a little somethin’ somethin’ to jazz up your look, go all out with bindis and glitter. You could even add a pair of novelty sunglasses to the mix to really make an impression.

Image Source: Shorts, Sunglasses, Daisy Dress, Kimono, Cara Backpack

The print revolution has landed. Highlighter yellow sunflower shorts, blood orange florals, speckled wayfarer sunglasses…They’re lively, they’re loud and they’re coming to a festival arena near you. Hold on to your no-colour rule with a flowery twist on the classic LBD or embrace the chance to be daring with clashing prints and accessories.

Whether you opt for neon or Neapolitan prints, matchy-matchy co-ordinates or one key piece, let the colours run by embracing this summer’s most energetic trend. 

For more festival fashion tips follow our blog where we’ll be covering the most up-to-the-minute fashion trends this S/S 14.