handbags

Monday, July 17, 2023

A Secret Garden & Bostanten

This little photo shoot started out with just a raindrop or two.  By the time we got to this dress, you can plainly see the road has had a good soaking.  I'm only glad my hair doesn't look like a wet poodle by this point.  Truth be told though, I quite prefer a morning like this to any other.  Quiet, warm, just a little rainy, with all the perfect soothing sounds or a summer storm.  I don't know why, but of all the photoshoot mornings I've had, I remember these the best, almost like they're part of a dream.
Raindrops and dreams aside, I wanted to do an outfit with this lovely pink Bostanten Bag that is a little more coquettish than my casual cotton outfit from Tuesday's post.  As I was scouring my closet to find just the right girly-girl dress, I came across my Secret Garden dress from Selkie and knew it was meant to be.  You may remember my transformation of this dress in this post and my outfit pics from this post.  Words cannot do this dress justice, but I finally, finally have a purse that perfectly compliments it thanks to my collaboration with Bostanten!
I know it seems like a little thing, but owning a high quality Pink (the fact that it's pink is pretty important) leather bag is kind of a big deal to me.  Bags are the place I always play it pretty safe because I am not the kind of person who changes their purse on a daily basis.  I've tried it and ended up causing so much chaos that I quickly gave it up in favor of a neutral purse that goes with everything and that I carry until it falls apart in a very literal and occasionally embarrassing way.  I'm talking about the contents exploding onto the ground in a high traffic public place when the strap disintegrates.  Thankfully this bag has not only handles but a removable crossbody strap which you can see in my unboxing video.
That's right, I said it up there, I said neutrals.  The last whimsical bag I owned was by Disaster designs and while the style was amazing, the vegan leather started breaking down immediately.  The bag gave out in roughly six months to a year and the price did not justify such a short usage.  I'm willing to pay for quality things that will last for many years and I think Bostanten makes quality bags, so I'm excited to have this purse in my life for years to come.
So, stepping outside my comfort zone and into my dream zone, I jumped at the chance to mix things up with a quality bag that's going to last and fulfills all my girlish dreams.  In fact, I think I distinctly remember announcing to my friends that when I grew up I was going to have everything pink, including a pink purse.  Well, I may not have everything pink, but I did get the purse, so take that school friends who didn't believe in me!  I hope you're also freaking jealous of this dress, haha! 
Ok, fictional childhood rivalries aside, this bag is both practical and understated and yet it's so feminine.  I cannot wait to put together lots of great looks with it and they are sure to be on the way soon.  I am trying to get out and take as many photos as possible while the beautiful weather lasts!
Shopping Info: Abbott Prairie Dress in Secret Garden by Selkie, 
Pink Bag from Bostanten, Shoes from SheIn

Garden at Finisterre by Abbott Fuller Graves (1859-1936)

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

ChicWish + Bostanten = The Perfect Pairing

A few years ago when I first began the blog, I did all the photos in one room in my home that was totally blank and then added a background in so make it more interesting.  Because I could do these sorts of photos daily (always at 10 a.m. when the sun came through the windows) I was able to plan something different everyday and I could really take my time on the details of the outfit. 
Since we moved, I haven't had an indoor location and outdoor photo sessions require much more planning and hauling of things and racing against the sunrise, so I very often forget or am unable to include all the accessories that I want and wear with my outfits out in the real world.  Not today.  Today was the pairing of all my favorite things.
I love two piece sets like this Off-Shoulder Bow Knot Crop Top and Flare Skirt from ChicWish for the expanded outfit potential they create.  You can wear them together or mix and match and with this lovely floral print, there is no end to the possibilities on color combos.  I do have some promo links for you at the end, so keep reading to save a little on your shopping venture.
Today I chose red bow kitten heels and this lovely pink bag from Bostanten.  Bags are one of those things I rarely treat myself to.  I have some novelty bags for photos, but for the most part, I buy one purse and use it until it quite literally falls apart.  And I usually choose a neutral color like black or brown, so when Bostanten reached out about a collaboration I decided to treat myself to something girly and colorful, and since Bostanten uses top quality Italian cow-hide leather, I know this bag is going to stand the test of time.
Speaking of bows, this two piece set has loads of details, from the gathered tiers of the skirt to the puffy sleeves and the adorable bowknot back.  There is a lot to love and even though I went with pink and red today, this bright blue pops so much, I can already tell I'll wear this with a cerulean blue cardigan as soon as the weather gets chilly.
Everything about this outfit makes me happy.  It's everything summer should be:  the light and airy dress, the bright colors, and the chic bag to top it all off.  
In addition to being the nicest bag I have ever owned and being impossibly cute, this bag has some pretty great features if you'll scroll down:
What a perfect dual collaboration, it's so amazing when everything falls into place!  Of course, I will have a full YouTube of this bag and I dearly hope to work with both these brands again soon!

Monday, January 21, 2019

Winter's Warmth

A warm pot of stew bubbling in the kitchen, the crackling of wood on the hearth, steamy cup of tea in my hands as I look out the window and the frozen world.  Some days I hide in my little cabin and some days I wrap up in something warm and I just have to venture out.  Today I've left my stew to bubble on a while and the hearth to crackle without me so I can enjoy a few brief hours of sunshine and the warmth in winter before the clouds close in again.
Shopping Info:  Button Front Plaid Dress from SheIn, Red Heels from Modcloth
© Bleu Avenue. Made with love by The Dutch Lady Designs.