The past few weeks have been crazier than usual with the semester winding down. But as of Tuesday night, final exams were graded (and panicked last minute attempts for extra credit were addressed). I uploaded grades and polished off the last few meetings of the semester. And with the flick of my crinoline and the last woosh of my computer announcing that last email was sent, this semester has officially come to a close.
And I awoke this morning and blinked into the sun, feeling as if I’ve been hiding under a rock. I’ve been so focused at the tasks at hand, that I barely noticed the changes that have taken place lately. The rain and gloom that has descended, announcing the start of winter. The telling nip that’s in the air, bringing with it the desperate need to find the as yet unpacked boxes that house my coats. And in the middle of it all, I nearly missed celebrating the arrival of the newest member of my closet. Let’s just say it’s been getting a bit Chili around here…
I first heard about Wicker Darling the way I hear about most things these days: on Instagram. I’ve been collecting vintage wicker handbags for years (cause in point here & here), and always veer on the side of whimsical. They were very popular in the 50’s – and came in all manner of shapes, from frogs to rabbits to monkeys. But, true vintage wicker handbags are becoming harder and harder to find (and harder to afford). Enter the most amazing creations, lovingly designed and made by owner Jasmine.
If you’ve never seen Jasmine’s shop Wicker Darling before, she is slowly building a line of custom-created wicker handbags, made with love and care and true attention to detail. Thus far, she’s created a flamingo (Chile), an ibis (Ita), and a rather cheeky unicorn (Viv), with new designs on the way. Each bag come with two handle options to choose from – wicker or leather – and is then handmade and flies all the way from Australia to your vintage-loving arms.
Almost immediately upon hearing of their creation, I preordered Chile and waited patiently through the creation process. Any time you’re a small business owner, there are ups and downs to contend with (including the US Postal Service), but Chili was absolutely worth the wait. He arrived lovingly packaged to perfection, with his bright pink plumage and roomy interior. I was smitten with the overall design – he has a black fabric-lined interior, complete with pocket, and easily holds a wallet, lip gloss, and cell phone (with room to spare), and came with his own dust bag for safe keeping. However, I must admit that Chile and I have had a discussion about said dust bag and he has informed me that someone as fabulous as he will never be hidden from the world. I agreed and on his off-duty days, he sits prominently on my shelf, resplendent in his all of his flamboyancy….
Needless to say, I am thrilled with Chili’s arrival and have been styling him to my heart’s content this week. The end of the semester definitely marks a need for a bit of extra fabulous, and my new wicker friend fits the bill perfectly. If you’re looking for your own fine wicker companion, Chili is unfortunately sold out at the moment – although Ita the Ibis is still available to order. I would also definitely keep an eye on Jasmine’s website and Instagram, to see what new wicker cuties she has in store.
In the meantime, Chili and I are flying off to warmer weather out west. We’ve had it with these cooler temps and are planning to spend the holidays in sunny San Diego with my husband’s family. Needless to say, from hurricanes to upended semesters, I couldn’t need a vacation any more if I tried.
Ohhh…and I hear there’s good vintage out west….
xoxo
Outfit Details:
Top: Unique Vintage, sold out (similar)
Skirt: Sartorial Matters (similar modern & vintage here, here & here)
Belt: Alannah Hill
Handbag: Wicker Darling
Shoes: Modcloth
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