I was a full-on theatre girl growing up (and why am I speaking in the past tense? I still am VERY much a theatre girl now). But, while these days my world is full of schedules and students and all of the science, I spent so much of my teen years and early 20’s on a stage. There is still something about the smell of a costume closet, or fresh paint and plywood, or the whooshing sound of a heavy velvet curtain that brings me right back. As strange as it may seem, I really found myself in the act of pretending to be someone else.
So, it should come as no surprise that I’ve been fully delighted by Vendula London’s latest offerings. If my heart is all aflutter by handbags mimicking storefronts and coffee trucks, you can imagine my unadulterated joy in seeing that they’ve also decided to bring us to fifth row center, with a range of bags that mimic some of Shakespeare’s greatest works, brought to life on a miniature theatre-meets-handbag.
When they contacted me asking if I wanted to check out the latest Shakespeare’s Theatre range, inspired by Much Ado About Nothing, I didn’t even hesitate. I mean, the lilac tone and appliqué roses were enough to slay me, but the secrets hiding behind door #2? As quickly as you could say Hero and Claudio, this cutie of a handbag was on her way to North Carolina…
If you’ve been following for awhile, you know I am a huge fan of Vendula London – their bags have been a main character in many of my outfits, and I get no end of compliments whenever I have one on my arm. But, if you’re new to the brand, they are a handbag company based in the UK and are best known for amazingly quirky and highly detailed works of art masquerading as clutches and crossbodies. If color and exuberance are your bag, read on….
Because it tends to be my favorite size and shape, I went with the Much Ado About Nothing Grab Bag – it looks most like an actual theatre to me, and I am nothing if not consistent in my love for accessories that are miniature versions of something. Vendula offer worldwide shipping and have free delivery options for USA orders. It arrived pretty quickly given the distance she needed to travel – beautifully packaged I might add – fully protected and even with its own red velvet dust bag.
The bag itself is 9″ high x 10.25″ width x 4″ deep in size. While it also comes with a detachable shoulder strap, I find it perfect as a hook-over-the-elbow style handbag. It’s got several pockets inside to fit all of life’s props (one zipped, two open; and I can confirm they both fit the latest iPhone), plus an external pocket that zips.
I think I first fell in love with the color – it’s a stunning pale lilac that isn’t like any other bag in my collection. Though you wouldn’t think to put these colors together, the lilac contrasts perfectly with the bright red 3D rosettes, which you can imagine an awed crowd has just tossed onstage during the curtain call. But, then I noticed the more minute details: the embossed vegan leather, gold stitching on the roof, hanging curtains that sway as you move. There is even a working set of doors, ready to swing open and reveal Hero and Claudio, whose love emerges triumphant, despite Don John’s best attempts to sow chaos.
Let me be that I am
and seek not to alter me.
-William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing
It looks like the Much Ado Grab bag is sold out at the moment, but be sure to keep an eye on the Vendula London website to see if it comes back in stock. They also have this same theme in a range of other handbag styles and wallets (and if another piece has come off stage left and captured your heart, you use the code DRESSEDAPP, to snag 12% off any full priced item!). If you’re not as into pastels, they also have a dark and stormy series of bags inspired by Shakespeare’s The Tempest (which might be coming to an outfit post near you…).
As you read this, Claudio, Hero, and the gang and I have just returned from my annual shark conference! In keeping with my resolve to not overburden myself too much for the rest of the year, this was the first time in eons I didn’t submit an abstract. It sounds minor, but this as a chronic overachiever, this was a bit triumph for me. But, because of this, for the first time in as long as I can remember, I simply got to feel excited. There was no scramble to finish my talk, no stress of collecting last minute data. With literally nothing to do but attend talks, I got to feel a relaxation that I can get used to. I’m definitely feeling the scramble now that I’m back, but it was pretty blissful for a minute there.
So, here’s wishing you all a week that is the perfect balance of relaxation, inspiration, and that bit of the magic that only opening night can bring. Adieu!
xoxo
Outfit Details:
Dress: Der Fuchs Vintage (similar modern and vintage here, here, and here)
Belt: Alannah Hill (similar)
Necklace: vintage (similar)
Much Ado About Nothing Grab Bag: c/o Vendula London
Shoes: Sophia Webster (similar here & here)
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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.