#NicaDIY: Get Crafty with Nica

We like to get a bit crafty from time to time here at Nica HQ, there’s just something so rewarding about creative projects and making things from scratch. Whether it’s a kitsch hipflask for festival drinks or a glittery hanger to proudly display your most prized possessions on, join Nica as we delve into the land of DIY.

Sequin Hangers

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Give your wardrobe a new lease of life this summer with these beautiful glittery hangers. If you’re strapped for cash they also make a lovely handmade gift idea. Let’s get cracking.

Materials:

·         Craft glue

·         Scissors

·         Wooden hanger

·         1 inch thick sequin elastic trim

Method:

Starting from the corner of the hanger, apply the craft glue to the back of the elastic trim and begin to wrap the trim around the hanger. Only apply glue to 3 inches of the trim at a time to save making a mess during the wrap process.

Keep wrapping until the hanger is completely covered and to finish secure the trim with extra glue. You could also use a needle and thread to secure this but it’s entirely up to you. And that’s it!

Design your Own Hipflask

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Hipflasks are a girl’s best friend at festivals; they come in handy for on-the-go drinks and look glorious with a floral or checked print design. As if we needed an excuse. This is how we created ours:

Materials:

• Hipflask
• Oilcloth fabric (Etsy)
• Multi-purpose glue
• Scissors

Method:

Cut a strip of oilcloth to fit around your flask, you’ll want the fabric to overlap slightly. Oilcloth is a great material to use for hipflasks as it is easy to clean so any splashes can be wiped away unlike cotton.

Once you’ve cut the oilcloth to fit around the hipflask, simply use a specific glue which adheres to metal to secure the oilcloth in place. It’s that simple!

Fabric Mouse Mat 

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Liven up your office space with this super quick fabric mouse mat tutorial. Pictured above is a cloud style,

but you could just as easily stick to a rectangular shape and cover with your chosen fabric, the choice is yours.

Materials:

• Fabric
• Iron-on webbing
• A mouse mat
• A hot iron 

Method:

Cut a piece of webbing to slightly overlap your mouse mat. Next, cut your fabric a little larger than the webbing and iron the webbing to your fabric. Leave to cool for 30 seconds before peeling off the paper backing.

Iron your chosen fabric to the mouse mat and trim any excess material. Easy peasy.

And there we have it, 3 summer craft tutorials which can be completed in the time it takes to make a cup of tea.

Are you a craft enthusiast? Share your favourite tutorials with us by tweeting us @Nica_Handbags. 

Nica's Design Inspirations: Explore My Favourite Vintage Influences

This week, I wanted to share with you one of my favourite vintage stores in London, The Shop in East London (3 Cheshire Street to be exact!). It’s one of my favourite ever places to snap up a great thrifty find, and believe it or not, it’s also acted as a source of inspiration for my own designs in the past too!  

It's filled with a selection of not only vintage clothing and accessories but also a great range of textiles too. One of my favourite finds there, was a beautiful silk scarf. It always has a great choice of scarves to choose from, and their prints have often inspired my own print designs too. 

I love to infuse my designs with a vintage feel and not just be driven by the mainstream trends, and although some of my designs may not look overtly vintage, some of them have been influenced by vintage elements without you even realising! On the other hand, clearly vintage inspired pieces such as my Darcia Doctor's bag remind me of my days spent rummaging around my favourite vintage hotspots.   

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Where's your favourite spot for picking up a great vintage find? Why not drop me a comment below or get in touch @Nica_Handbags on Twitter? I may even visit it for myself! 

Love Nica,

- x - 

How To Style the Floral Alicia Satchel with The Style Rawr Blog

Did you spot the fabulous The Style Rawr blog sporting our beautiful Alicia satchel in blue floral? Blooming with botanical inspirations, it's the perfect piece to enjoy spring with! It may be one very feminine feeling print but The Style Rawr proves that it can easily be incorporated into more of a masculine outfit too. Why not head over to her blog to find out more?

How would you style yours? Why not show us! Share your photos of how you're styling your own #NicaHandbags on Twitter or Instagram, and we'll share it too!  

Blogger Review: Sweet Monday Opts for our Missy Dropdown Purse

We’re used to seeing our favourite bloggers reviewing our beautiful bags but it’s not that often that we come across a blogger who wants to review one of our purses instead. So, we were super excited when the lovely Sweet Monday blog asked to review our charming Missy dropdown purse!

Firstly, we absolutely loved how our tan purse sat alongside her lovely outfit, - it was a match made in heaven with her leopard print dress! She explained that she always opts for a large purse, and that Missy fits the bill perfectly as there’s ‘plenty of room for coins and cards inside’.

You can read her full review over on the Sweet Mondayblog. What do you look for in your ideal purse? Get in touch and let us know @Nica_Handbags on Twitter, we’d love to know! 

NICA's Pick of London's Best Rooftop Bars

Did you see the sun poke its head through the clouds this weekend? We don’t know about you but we got a little over excited and started thinking about how we are going to spend those long summer nights in the city. At Nica, we love enjoying a cocktail in one of London’s rooftop bars. So, sit back and relax while taking in the stunning view of the sparkling skyline in one of our favourite spots:

Dalston Roof Park

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A short walk from Dalston Kingsland station, dozens of feet in the air above the Print House lies the Dalston Roof Park which opens its doors every summer. Kitsch and full of colour, this charming roof top garden really makes the use of the space. There is an edible garden which is harvested to be used in their yummy cocktails, and some of the best street food vendors are in this area for when you get a little peckish.

And don’t worry, you won’t get bored here – throughout the long summer months there are outdoor film screenings and unplugged sessions to listen too. So, grab your friends and plonk yourself down on the deckchairs amongst the Astroturf and giant flamingo to enjoy the summer setting sun.

Dalston Roof Park
Print House
18 Ashwin St
London E8 3DL

Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden

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You’d be forgiven for thinking that the entire Southbank area gets a little bonkers in the summer but if you are looking for an escape from the busy streets head up to the Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden. To find the garden simply follow the yellow brick road (well technically it is a bright yellow staircase, but you get the point).

In a different world above the urban jungle this real garden with allotments is an oasis away from the concrete of below.  Sit amongst the fruit trees and wild flowers while taking in the view of the river from the café bar that is located up here. Or if you’re on a budget bring your own picnic – it’s a public space, so, you’re allowed!

Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden at the Southbank Centre
Belvedere Road
London SE1 8XX

Queen of Hoxton

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If you are looking for a party this summer in the fashionable East End, then there is nowhere better than the Queen of Hoxton. Enjoy a burger on the BBQ, a dance to the beats of the DJ and if it gets a little chilly later on in the night keep warm in the huge (and heated) wigwam.

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Take advantage of the Queen’s spectrum of cinema, music and art events. There’s the regular Film Club as well as the annual Sports Day which you can join in with. It does get busy here so arrive early for the best seats.

Queen of Hoxton Rooftop 
1-5 Curtain Road
London EC2A 3JX

Aqua Spirit

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Last but not least is the classy yet cool Aqua Spirit set just off Regent Street. After a long day of shopping this is the perfect place to sit back and relax with a cocktail or two. There are stunning views to be had here over Soho, Mayfair and the Marble Arch, plus the roof top gardens are surprisingly quiet here despite their close proximity to Oxford Street.

Aqua Spirit

5th Floor, 30 Argyll Street
London W1F 7EB

We love discovering the hidden gems of the capital. Do you know of any other great rooftop bars in London? Tweet us @Nica_Handbags.