Discover Nica’s Design Inspiration: Impressionist Garden

by Nica Kim

Through my last few blog entries, you may have come to realise that Nica Handbags' designs are often inspired by nature, which helps them to exude timeless elegance and femininity. And it's the plants and blossoms throughout London's glorious parks that can influence my designs more than anything else.

Looking around a sunshine filled Golders Hill Park last week, and seeing lovely scenery with people having a picnic and tea on the lawn or a child picking flowers, I felt as if I was in the centre of an Impressionist painting! 

Claude Monet, The Artist's Garden in Argenteuil (A Corner of the Garden with Dahlias), 1873

Claude Monet, Poppies 1873

There are several painters who have been famously known as Impressionists like Vincent Van Gogh, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley, and Paul Cezanne. I probably love Claude Monet’s garden series more than the others, which Monet depicted in Giverny, where he moved to in 1893 and lived out the rest of his days. 

Water lily at Golders Hill Garden

Claude Monet, Water Lilies, 1904

Claude Monet, Nymphéas bleus (Blue Water Lilies) 1919

I once heard that Monet grew water lilies in his own pond in his back garden, and these in hand with all the other plants surrounding his home became the artist's sole source of inspiration!

“Apart from painting and gardening, I am good for nothing. My greatest masterpiece is my garden."  -Claude Monet

Another Impressionist that inspires me is Frederick Frieseke, who was an american painter that mainly cultivated his artistic works in Paris. I am really intrigued by how he focused upon both the female figure in beautiful landscapes and also their fashion and lifestyle during the early 20th century. 

Frederick Carl Frieseke, The Yellow Room, ca. 1910

Frederick Frieseke, The Garden Parasol, c.1910

For me, whenever I see one of his paintings, its focal point is always upstaged by the vibrancy of the gardens with their swirling colours!

The artistic elegance of impressionism has always been one of the most important inspirations for the whimsical patterns used upon Nica handbags. I do hope that you are also inspired by these garden images and similarly love our Impressionist inspired Nica print handbags. Why not share your favourite ones with us on Twitter by tagging @Nica_Handbags or @nicahandbags on Instagram. 

Love,

Nica Kim

xxx

Discover Some of the Most Tempting Vintage Markets across the Globe

Whilst we’re partial to the occasional high street splurge, sometimes we love nothing more than a good old rummage. There’s nothing like the feeling of emerging from a market or car boot with a bag full of unique treasure! So, we've scoured the globe to find the world’s very best vintage markets. Enjoy! 

Best for Size: Brooklyn Flea Market

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Since its inception in 2008, Brooklyn flea market has become a vintage shopping Mecca and has even been described by the New York Times as “One of the great urban experiences in New York”. With over a hundred vendors to get around, you’ll want to put aside the best part of a morning for optimum rummaging time. 

What’s for Sale? Vinyl records, Asian hot dogs, classic spectacles, vintage handbags, bicycles and typewriters. 

Where? Check the website for the most up to date information.

How much? Prices vary from low to mid-range.

Best for Atmosphere: The Marrakech Souks

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You may think that you’ve seen it all, but a trip to the Marrakech souks will definitely present you with a few surprises. Motorcyclists speed through narrow crowded walkways where human teeth and pet tortoises dwell together on the same stall.  

The Marrakech Souks are a culmination of the bizarre and brilliant, as pyramids of spices are displayed for sale in addition to hand-crafted leather shoes and jewellery. Weaving in and out of the Souks past workshops and stalls, you can’t help but feel as though this must be one of the most vibrant places on earth - the sights, the smells, the sounds... Marrakech really does evoke every sense.

What’s for Sale? Every spice you could ever imagine, plus you’ll find the usually expensive Saffron spice available at a snip of UK prices. Argan oil, gemstone jewellery and intricate ceramics are also popular finds.

Where? Jama el Finar, Marrakech, Morocco.

How much? Prices may appear high but don’t forget to haggle – Marrakech traders thrive on bartering and are usually willing to drop their original price by up to 70%.

Best for a Bargain: Battersea Car Boot Sale

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Forget waking up at the crack of dawn to rifle through old tat, Battersea cat boot sale starts at midday and is known for selling high end goods at lemonade prices. This thriving car boot is well established and never fails to draw a large crowd. 

What’s for sale? Vintage designer clothes, second hand sewing machines, premium mountain bikes and miscellaneous bric-a-brac.

Where? Battersea Park School, Battersea Park Road, London, SW11 5AP.

Don’t Miss: London is also known for hosting its fair share of vintage kilo sales usually held in East End warehouses, buyers pay by the kilo (4-5 items of clothing) and prices typically range from £15 to £35 - an absolute steal! 

Have you visited a good vintage market that you’d like to share with us? Tag your vintage market photos @Nica_handbags on Twitter and @nicahandbags on Instagram with #NicaVintage 

Blogged: Discover how Tigerlilly Quinn is Styling the Alicia Satchel

We at Nica HQ just love seeing how you incorporate our handbags into your own individual styles. And each time we’re reminded of just how versatile our pieces are!

We were really inspired by Blogger Fritha Strickland of tigerlillyquinn, who flaunts an enviable quirky sense of self style and has fabulously styled our tan Alicia satchel into her outfit. You can check out her full review over on her blog here.

We've often seen the satchel styled up into a vintage infused look, so, it's extra exciting for us to see such a different take upon it. Opting for a bold yellow dress and orange belt, paired with grey tights and a striped top totally transforms the feel of the bag. 

What do you think of how she's styled the satchel? And remember, we love to see how you're individually styling our handbags, so, tag your stylish photos @Nica_Handbags on Twitter or @nicahandbags on Instagram with #MyNicaStyle. 

The Nica Team x x 

Inside Nica's Trip to Scotland

From the moment that I decided to pack my bag for a little weekend getaway to Scotland with all of its history and beautiful landscapes, I was as excited as a little kid! In particular, I was really looking forward to experiencing the highlands first hand. 

On the first day of my trip, I arrived in Oban, a fairytale-esque little town complete with a beautiful bay, which is part of the Sound of Kerrera. Actually, I am not much of a planner, as I like to enjoy some unexpected surprises and sights. And Oban was just the kind of place that I was looking for! Upon my first glimpse of this little town nestled beside the water with hilly mountains stretching off into the horizon, I said to the taxi driver “Wow! What a lovely view! I've picked out the perfect place to stay!” 

Unfortunately, as is often the case (or so I'm told), the weather deterred me from enjoying all of the wild nature of the highlands in its full glory. Autumn seemed to have already arrived there, and it was just so windy, cold, wet and fickle that it made me run for warmth and put on extra clothing. The Scottish nature in this gloomy weather did however look really serene and even otherworldly. It was almost as if its green-green surroundings healed my soul and revitalised me!

Scotland surprised and delighted me with its variety of amazing scenery and cultural attractions, including historical castles, enchanting lochs (complete with their own stories and legends!), fantastic wildlife, and also such friendly people! 

I was so taken with the highlands that I didn't have much time left for a city break in Edinburgh, which was a bit of a shame. This city was also spectacular! A truly unique place overflowing with history and culture, and guess what? I've already decided to go back! I hope that you enjoyed hearing about my little trip, and that I've encourage you to take a couple of days to explore some of the special places around this beautiful island too! :-)

Why not follow @Nica_Handbags on twitter or Instagram @nicahandbags and share your travel pictures with us? 

Love,

Nica Kim

xxx

Sale Picks: How To Style your Nica Handbag to your Personality

There’s no better way to express your personality than with your outfit, and that of course extends down to your choice of handbag. So, we’re going to show you how to incorporate our beautifully designed Nica handbags into your own personal styles. And luckily for you, all of our featured bags are currently on sale! 

The Vintage Lover

If vintage bags are your thing, a retro tea dress and pair of court shoes fit seamlessly with a satchel style handbag. Our Alicia satchel in bone is perfect for those of you who love quirky accessories but also need a versatile piece that’s equally as functional to take along to a festival but then also onto a party! If you catch our drift! 

Image Sources: Shoes, Dress

Trends with a Twist

If you love to keep up with the new trends each season yet still invest in a piece that sets you apart from the rest, opt for a classic with a twist. For instance, our Koper Shoulder bag in the seasonal on trend colour is quietly injected with a quirky edge with vintage lace laser cut and bow finishing, - design features that will set you apart from the rest of the Fash Pack! 

Image Sources: Trousers, Blazer, Necklace, Heels

Your Go-To Bag

If neither whole heartedly following mainstream trends nor vintage styles is for you, but you do love to mix up your look and covet just one handbag that you can team together with an array of outfits, then, opt for a classic style like our Lucia Doctors bag. Season upon season, the Doctors bag is a bag that appears in an array of forms, and linked with so many different kinds of looks. Plus, it’s the perfect size as to throw in all of your endless bits and bobs when you’re on the go. 

Image Sources: Dress, Boots

Remember, we always love to see how you're styling our handbags into your individual looks, so, share your photos with us by tagging your pics on twitter with @Nica_Handbags or on Instagram @NicaHandbags. 

The Nica Team x x