I’m sure we all have our favorite seasons – wrapping a scarf on your neck during snowy white winters or the feeling of an ice cold beer on a sweltering summers. But, mine has always been late autumn. That crisp in the air that brings out the light layers and inspires cuddling under down comforters at night. Hats and gloves are not out of place, but you still feel at home on an afternoon stroll, without Jack Frost beckoning you inside.
It also means outdoor dining and people watching is still very much on the menu. Because Mr. Dressed and I are still taking all possible precautions against COVID-19 (and its latest variants), we’re still only visiting our favorite restaurants if they have an outdoor seating option. Luckily, many in Wilmington do, with plenty of options to don our autumnal finest and people watch with the best of ’em.
So, when my favorite handbag company Vendula London contacted me about giving their latest range a whirl – complete with a Bistro de Vendula style – I couldn’t imagine a better bag to have on my arm while sampling the latest cuisine and greeting my favorite season.
I‘m a longtime fan of Vendula – the details, the way their art imitates life, the textural details – they all speak to my heart. Now, in general, I tend to be a gal who has her favorites and stays pretty loyal to them, so their grab bags are usually my jam. But, I decided to give a new bag shape a whirl this time around. I went for the Bistro De Vendula Speedy Bowler (with matching large ziparound wallet, natch). I loved the boxy shape, large enough to hold what I needed but not so large that I would be tempted to carry my life around with me (I am a smallish handbag girl for exactly that reason).
If you’re new to the Vendula London brand, prepare to be transported to a world of charm and whimsy and vegan leather. The Speedy Bowler definitely didn’t disappoint. Made of lush wintery colors of gold, forest green, and cherry accents in PU leather, it looks like a perfect Parisian Bistro for the discerning outdoor diner. At 20cm (H) x 24.5cm (W) x 8cm (D), it perfectly fits the matching large ziparound wallet, with 3 extra pockets inside (1 zipped and 2 open) to keep everything organized. I personally like to hook handbags over my arm, but this bag comes with a detachable and adjustable vegan leather shoulder strap.
Functionality is certainly important to me, but it has to be said: I may come for the functionality, but I stay for the details. The reason I come back to Vendula London over and over again is their attention to detail. From the European-printed lining the interior, to the perforated PU leather along the top, to the zillion 3D details that you almost can’t take in all at once: checkered tablecloths and menu boards and front doors that really open to give you a window to the diners inside.
The wallet is no less detailed or fabulous, with a gold interior and a matching bistro facade. It’s 0.5cm (H) x 19cm (W) x 2.5cm (D), with 4 interior compartments, including a zipped coin pocket and 8 slots for credit cards. I love that this one zips closed – while I limit what goes into my handbags, for some reason I feel the need to carry ALL the things with me in my wallet (you never know when you might need that random spare credit card you opened in college or the library card from your hometown, right??)
Vendula London is all about the extra and I am here for it – especially now, when we all could use a bit of extra joy in our lives from the little things.
The Bistro de Vendula Speedy Bowler retails for $155 and the Large Ziparound Wallet for $68, both available from the Vendula London website. They also offer this same style in a range of other shapes and sizes if a crossbody or a tote is more your bag (see what I did there??). You can also sign up for their newsletter to stay in loop on new discounts and offers, and they offer a loyalty program where you can collect points and get rewards. I mean, if the rewards get me more cute handbags – sign me up!
Vendula also ship worldwide and have free delivery options to USA, Canada, & Australia for orders over $170. As someone who lives…well, not in London…I will say their shipping is fantastic. My order came beautifully packaged in a striped pink Vendula box, complete with dust bag to protect my new perfect handbag. I am one who always appreciates care and attention to detail, and even that part of the process did not disappoint.
Speaking of attention to detail, this Professor needs to grab her bag and get to work, because final exams don’t write themselves. Though I may stop at a bistro on the way home…
xoxo
Outfit Details:
Dress: Soiree Vintage (similar modern or vintage here, here & here)
Necklace: Stranded Treasures
Beret: gift (similar)
Bistro de Vendula Speedy Bowler: c/o Vendula London
Bistro de Vendula Large Ziparound Wallet: c/o Vendula London
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell (similar here & here)
Lip Color: Retrofuturist
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Any items marked with a “c/o” (courtesy of) a retailer mean I was provided with an item for free in exchange for a review and/or feature on my blog. I always provide my honest opinion of any item I’m reviewing, regardless of whether it was sent to me as a courtesy item or if I purchased it myself. In addition, this post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click and/or make a purchase through certain links or ads on this site, I may make a commission from that click and/or purchase at no cost to you, which helps with the day-to-day running costs of my blog.