My Mulberry Collection November 2017

Ok, so I was rabbiting on about how I haven't been around much recently - at least on my blog. So here is a look right inside my wardrobe, at least into the section that holds my handbags. 

Well, those are just a few of them - want to see all of them? Here you go!

Making Me Blush

I'm not massively into pink. I'm really not. But in the course of the past few weeks I have found myself buying one and lusting over three further pink bags. Granted, they're not Barbie-pink and rather muted and flattering shades but still...

The one that I bought...

I had been after Mulberry Lily that's a bit more dressy than my PVT oak one for a while and completely fell for this one. It's plaster pink wrinkle patent leather with rose gold hardware. Doesn't exactly roll off the tongue but she is rather easy on the eye.

Those I'm swooning over...

This bag is the Maestra from SENREVE. I never even heard of SENREVE until fairly recently and this bag makes me want to justify its pricetag and customs fees I'd have to pay with "but it's also so practical!" because it actually holds a proper laptop! The texture and colour of this leather looks gorgeous and scrapes just on the right side of 'oh so pretty'. Though they are based in the US and the customs fees increase the price, they do let you prepay for everything, so ordering should be a doddle. 

Aspinal is a brand I keep coming back to. So far I have yet to buy a bag for myself though I had various small leather goods and bought my mum a rather gorgeous Brook Street bag. A few days ago I received their AW17 catalogue and this colour jumped off the page for me. I've been looking at ths tote for a few seasons now and this has got to be my favourite colour so far. (Oh, and check out their brilliant "View Size" feature. Just click at the image on the bottom of the product page and it lets you compare the bag to various items - you can even flip a Macbook and see how it would fit in.)

Last but not least: On a recent lunchbreak I flew through Mulberry in Manchester's Selfridges and stopped in my tracks when I saw this one. I know it's been around for a bit. The colour is just stunning in real life - I don't think it comes across online. 

So, what is it?! 

Are there just too many lovely 'pink' bags around at the moment or is middle agedness with muted tones catching up with me? And if I am buying one of the three above - which one???

Top tips for keeping your bag look fab

Maybe you've read my extended interview with Shian, owner of the legendary Naughtipidgin's Nest. Maybe you've read her guide on how to prep your bag for sale. Fact is: Shian knows a thing or two on how to keep designer bags beautiful, so here some more useful hints and tips! (And a couple of my favourite bag shots - just... because...)

Oh, and don't forget that the Nest has just re-opened after the looong summer break!

Exquisite, luxury handbags—the product of painstaking, sublime craftsmanship—deserve to be treated with the utmost care. Expensive handbags are an investment worth taking care of, and with the right care and maintenance they will stay immaculate for years to come.

It’s incredibly important to remember that if your luxury handbag is made from leather, it’s essentially an organic material and need to be treated as such.

Understand Your Bag’s Finish

• Most leather bags are vegetable tanned with tannin. Leather that is tanned this way can be susceptible to discolouration and may also be cosmetically damaged by water. 
• Chrome tanned skins are more water resistant and are referred to as being ‘wet blue’ due to their steely grey tinge. 
• Full grain is premium-grade hide that has not been buffed in order to showcase the skin’s natural texture and grain.
• Top-grain leather is thinner and has had its natural grain augmented by sanding. 
• Coveted exotics from non-cattle skin, such as alligator, crocodile, stingray, ostrich, snake, lizard and patent leather, achieve their high gloss finishes from oils and resin.

Care and Protect

• When not in use, store your bag in its dust cover (or a pillowcase) as this will protect it from fading, dusts and even moths. 
• Stuff lightly with tissue paper in order to retain its shape and prevent wrinkles, indents or creases. 
• To prevent mildew, store your bag in a dry, cool environment. 
• You may wish to invest in silica gel sachets to keep in your stored bags, in order to protect them from damp. 
• When you’re out and about, use a portable handbag hook so you don’t have to put your handbag on the dirty floor. They are carefully weighted and designed to hang from the edge of a desk or table and you can find some beautiful styles in lots of designs. 
• Lightly wipe your handbag after every use, with a soft, microfibre towel in order to get rid of any dampness, dirt or dust. 
• Leather may need a wax dressing and a suitable rain protector, such as Colonil, to keep it stain and watermark free. Wet leather should be wiped down carefully; however, this is not always practical, in which case the leather should be left to dry naturally away from any sources of heat. 
• Never use household cleaners or chemicals to clean leather.  Use cleaners that are designed especially for leather materials.  Purchase a high-quality leather cleaner and follow the directions exactly. 
• Remember to test any topical products on an inconspicuous area of the bag before applying it properly.  This way, you can be sure that it will not harm the material. 
• Use a zipped make-up bag to prevent cosmetics from spilling onto the lining of your luxury bag. 
• Be wary of carrying pens in your handbag, as they can break and cause ink to stain your expensive bag’s lining. Use retractable point pencils if you need a writing implement.

It’s important to look after your bag in order to ensure that it will look beautiful for years to

come, however, you mustn’t be afraid to enjoy using your bag. After all, luxurious handbags are made to be worn and shown off!

 
So there you go: protect it and use that beautiful bags you have stashed away in your wardrobe because you're worried that it might get wet! 

Thanks again for Independent Fashion Bloggers for selecting one of my posts for their Links a la Mode - for last week it was this one! Do check out some of the brilliant posts below!

• Attire Club: What Are the Different Types of Prints on Clothes
• Cat Eyes & Skinny Jeans: CHINA GLAZE GROUPIES 6-PIECE MINI SET SWATCHES + REVIEW
• Couture Crush: Couture Crushin: JumpFromPaper 2D Handbags
• Cover Mum: Back to School
• Distinguished Diva: A day in Rome: Sightseeing and Vintage shopping.
• Dressing with Class: meeting sara!
• Five Foot Nothing Shopping: 3 Tips for Wearing a White Tee and Jeans in Fall
• Glitter For Breakfast: Stilettos are back!
• Happy Pretty Sweet: Multimasking with L’Oreal Paris Pure-Clay Masks
• I’m a Norbyah: Working Mumma Blues
• Modavracha: 7 Ways To Wear A Choker Necklace
• Ms. FABulous: #NYFW: Nicholas K. Spring 2017 and a Bill Cunningham Tribute
• One Awesome Momma: Fall Must-Haves
• Proceed with style: Baseball Cap Fashion
• Smile is It: Kyboe! NYFW SS17 Watch Fashion Show
• So Versailles: EVERYONE HATES KANYE: YEEZY SEASON 4 REVIEW
• The Curious Portafoglio: L’OFFICIEL PARIS: BLACK BEAUTY MATTERS
• The Fashionista Momma: THE WEEKLY STYLE EDIT: ANKLE BOOTS
• We Are Ready Made: WANGSQUAD
• Wish and Wear: Top Tips for Keeping Your Bag Looking Fab

SPONSOR: Shopbop, KENDALL + KYLIE, Loeffler Randal Booties, Elizabeth and James Jewelry, The Laundress, Hilfiger Collection, Quartz Co., Black Jumpsuits, Winter Boots, Gold Earrings, Men's Velva Sheen

The Nest - Shian's Bag Spa

Ever wondered what you could do to make your bag look and feel as beautiful as possible when selling it? Shian of the legendary NaughtiPidgins Nest was kind of enough to share her secrets with us, so look no further! 

Shian, what are your top tips on preparing a bag for re-sale?

"I am often asked about care and maintenance of bags and tend to refer folks over to my Leather Guide, for information on particular leather types and finishes. However, I thought it might be useful to provide some guidance on how to prepare a bag for resale, whether you are thinking of selling at the Nest or anywhere else. 

When you buy a preloved bag, irrespective of how much wear its received, everyone wants it to be clean, tidy and odour free. There are just a few simple steps you can take when you a recycling your bag, to ensure that its in the best condition possible and your buyer is delighted.

Step one 
Gather your tools. You'll need 

• a stiff washing up brush
• a soft-bristle toothbrush
• some lanolin free leather cleaning wipes
• some baby wipes
• a duster
• cellotape
• a can of leather shine spray and
• a small pot of leather balm (I recommend Lord Sheraton)

Step two 
Whether your bag is suede lined, self lined or fabric lined, the interior need to to be brushed out. If it has a fabric lining and can be turned out, gently pull the lining out so you can brush, making sure to turn out the corners where all the dust and bits collect. Do the same with any zip or slip pockets and make sure any hairs and fluff that often get stuck between the stitching is removed. On unlined bags or ones where the inside stays 'in' the bag, turn it upside down and brush out gently, again making sure to get right into the corners, nooks and crannies. Don't forget any hidden areas, like the base of a Bayswaters flap, where it joins the bag, as spaces like this collect bits more than anywhere!


Step three  
After you've brushed, on to a really thorough cleaning of the seams and harder to reach places. For this, just wrap some cellotape, sticky side outwards, round your index finger and run it along the seams. It will pick up the last of the fluff and hairs and after renewing the cellotape several times, you'll be surprised how much debris you collect.


Step four 
For lined bags, you can then wipe the material with a moistened baby wipe to remove any light marks or stains. Don't scrub as you may damage the fabric but clean as best as possible and ensure its all dry before putting the bag away. For unlined or suede lined bags, you can use a lanolin free leather wipe but again, don't scrub as the pile will be damaged and possible look worse than the stain did!


Step five 
For the exterior of the bag, your cleaning technique will again be dictated by the finish. A lambskin or very fine nap leather bag will require a much gentler approach that something like Natural or Darwin and I'd always recommend using some light cotton gloves for the more delicate hides to prevent any oil or grease transfer from your hands. For quilted bags or those with intricate stitching, sequins or beads, use the soft-bristled toothbrush to gently dust the outside. Do the same with any chain and leather intertwined straps and around hardware and closures.


Step six 
Then, gently wipe over the exterior of the bag with the lanolin free cleaning wipes, taking care to sweep lightly over the surface so that no areas darken or 'soak' the moisture into the hide. Patent or demi-sheen finishes will require buffing to remove any residual smears and hardware can also be buffed, taking care to ensure there are no 'bits' on your cloth that will scratch the metalware.


Step seven 
For more used bags, you can sometimes improve on areas of wear and or dryness, by the use of moisturising products. Dependant on the nature of the leather and the severity of the wear, a light spritz with a Leather Shine spray and buff with a lint free cloth can bring back a lovely lustre to the hide, especially on smooth leather bags. Very dry areas such as corners, can benefit from a more intense application and a leather balm, warmed in your hands and then massaged evenly into the hide, which can help replenish some of the lost moisture and oils........ but please remember, if you are looking to 'restore' your bag prior to sale, then its best left to the professionals.
 
I am always happy to recommend some really good companies, so just get in touch as I'd be delighted to assist."

Toothbrush and cellotape - who would have thought?! 
Thanks for reading and happy cleaning!

This post was chosen by Independent Fashion Bloggers as one featured in their Links à la Mode for that week. Do have a look at the other brilliant posts below.

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• Distinguished Diva: African Festival Athens 2016
• Elements of Ellis: Acid Wash Dress
• Everyday Starlet: The Best & Worst Foundation Brushes
• Happy.Pretty.Sweet: Awesome Printed Leggings You Need Right Now
• I’m a Norbyah: Style Minute | Culottes
• Les Assorties’: MakeFashion | Wearable Technology Meets High Fashion
• Love.Laugh.Explore: How to Vegas {For the Party Animal}
• Minnie Muse: Peonies Please
• Mis Papelicos: 10 Things You Didn’t About True “Fashionistas”
• Modavracha: Tips to Create Your Own Fashion Brand
• Ms. FABulous: Fabric Printing in Rajasthan
• MySelf Expressed: Wishlist | Dries Van Noten Dress
• Oceanblue Style: Black and White
• We Are Ready Made: Postcard From Heaven
• Wish and Wear: The Nest | Shian’s Bag Spa

The Nest - Access All Areas

I hope you enjoyed part 1 and part 2 of my interviews with Shian - here is the conclusion!

Do you have any ideas how many bags you have sold?

That’s a good question and would take quite a lot of archive delving to find out! I do know that on an average (non promotional) day at the Nest, there are usually between 3 and 5 purchases which for one person is quite manageable. It gets a bit manic at Sale time, when I draft in hubby to help me, as purchases can spike up to 50 in a single day. Thankfully he’s now a dab hand at gift wrapping, knows his way to the Post Office in his sleep and best of all, he’s free!

What were highlights for you over the last 11 years?

Probably the launch of the website, 5 years ago. It was a bit of a leap of faith setting up on my own as having the massive audience of ebay for so long, it felt like the Nest might be forgotten or overlooked. Thankfully, my lovely and loyal rock bed of clients gave me so much support that within a few months it was obvious that it was the best thing I’ve ever done. Getting on to the first page of Google felt fabulous too as this brings in even more bag-loving folk and lots of people find the Nest via Google images, (the lamps in virtually every Mulberry Search you can do!).

 
Do you have a funny/interesting anecdote to share?
 

Two rather embarrassing incidents spring to mind…..The first one was many, many years ago when I was just starting out on ebay and didn’t have the reams and reams of tissue paper and bubblewrap that I do now. I was photographing a little Mulberry Tyler bag and the closest things to hand to stuff the bag with was from my underwear drawer. I selected some non-holey socks and began snapping away. Of course, when the bag sold and I posted it out I soon realised I’d posted all the socks out with it! The buyer was delighted with the bag and thankfully was in stitches about the socks. (I was just relieved they were some of my better pairs!)

The other incident was shamefully only a few years ago now. The Nest’s Re-use / Recycling policy basically works on the basis that, like me, most people don’t like packaging waste and are happy to receive pre-used cardboard boxes when they buy an item. Being very lucky that my local corner shop saves all their boxes for me, I rather obliviously posted a clients very lovely new LV out in one of these and looked forward to hearing from the her, (as it was a really stunning bag!). The next day she got in touch, absolutely thrilled to bits with her LV…..but…..did I realise the box was from ‘Tena Lady’. Oooops. After much effusive apologies I think my client saw the funny side! (I do now make a conscious check of the origin of the boxes I use now and make sure none of the ones from the Chemist sneak in!)

Do you have any plans for the Nest?  

Just carrying on as I’ve always done really. The last 11yrs has been amazing and I’d love to hope the next 11 will be even better. :) (I might retire then, but I doubt it!)

Well, even if our bank balances (or husbands/boyfriends...) wish you'd close up shop, we sure hope you carry on, Shian! 

Check back for some top tips from Shian on how to make your bag look its best!

Happy Birthday to the Nest!

Dear Shian,

Happy birthday to you and the Nest! A few of us wanted to show you our appreciation and how much we have enjoyed buying from or selling through you - so here is our virtual birthday card!

***

Thankyou Sian for being my Inspiration for setting up Papillonkia Ltd. You've always been there on the other end of the phone, encouraged me and once even talked me out of buying a bag from Mulberry for £5000..!! I just wanted to say you are a lovely person and although we have never met, you mean a lot. All the very best Aqila..xxxxx
Aqila Agha

***

Fab service fabulously packed very helpful in matching up to a scarf with a bag bought from the equally fabulous Agila xxx
Morag Atkinson

***

I  have always had a love of handbags my mother had several hundred which she had hidden away which I inherited and my obecession grew from there . We had enjoyed several family holidays to Italy so I had some knowledge of different leathers but after discovering Shian it was like finding the fairy god mother of designer handbags. As both a buyer and seller to shain Her vast and in depth knowledge has been invaluable to me as well her honest opinions over different leather/styles/designers I have recommended her to several friends who have brought from her and have always had a first class experience, always approachable and always reasonably priced .
Congratugulations on your anniversary and here is to many more 

Marianne Ellen Howart

  

***

I've made 5 purchases from Shian, 3 mulberry and 2 Balenciaga. What a pleasure to buy from this lovely lady. What a brilliant website she runs, great photos and descriptions, hope to buy again soon! Congratulations, Shian, on your anniversary and all good wishes for the future.
Lesley Sutherland

***

Shian has always been so friendly, helpful and professional when I've asked her about her lovely items. I've now bought two 'unicorns' from her and love them both...bit of a pinky theme going on! Also love looking through her website, even at the sold items! Congratulations on your success building your business over the years, you deserve it xxxx

Ellie Todd

***

I've had the pleasure of buying and selling with Shian for many years. What a lovely lady! Always ready to give advice and genuinely wants the buyer to love their new purchase so she would never push a sale. You can see that she is passionate about her business and deserves every bit of her success. Happy anniversary xx

Rachael Moles

***

I bought my beautiful Mulberry Rachel from NPN in 2013, to celebrate the end of a particularly awful year and a new start with a new job. Shian was knowledgeable and helpful, and made the experience very special. Her thoughtfulness and attention to detail, from the website to the packaging and truly exceptional customer service are second to none, and it's an absolute pleasure buying from her. The bag is, of course, absolutely stunning, and I still adore it.

Nikki Cheung

***

Shian is an excellent seller of beautiful bags and accessories. She is knowledgeable, patient (even when you''re asking a million questions!) and her communication is quick and kind. Delivery is also very quick! The bag I bought from Shian was beautifully wrapped in pink tissue paper and purple ribbon, and even came with a little chocolate bar! It was like a beautiful present to myself, and really did make my bag buying experience something else! It was my first Louis Vuitton, and when it came to buying my second I went to a Louis Vuitton store, but buying from Shian was so much nicer and easier. I would recommend NPN wholeheartedly, and wish it a very Happy Birthday!
Emma Binns

***

Huge congratulations Shian ....eleven years of fabulous bags ..here's to the next eleven! ...love Emma x
Emma Sainsbury
 

***

After buying the wrong kind of designer bag for myself, I had lost my self confidence and just didn't trust myself in picking the right one. Shian was amazing, answering question after question and holding my hand throughout the process. When my parcel arrived with the bag wrapped like a gift, I felt so happy - and couldn't quite find all the flaws she had described in her shop. 

I truly admire her for running such a successful business and am grateful for all the support she has given me and my blog over the past year. Here's to the next 11 years! 

Stef @ Wish & Wear