The Wicker Man

Way to sell an item - just there. 

Maybe it's because this is something that I have to say, I'm not that into.  I KNOW, RIGHT.  There is something (there are a lot of things, I'm sure, but don't put me on the spot and ask me what they are) that hasn't floated my boat last year or this year but I get so many messages asking about them that today - I am giving myself over to the wicker.  

Actually it's not entirely wicker - it's jute, straw, pretty much any sort of bag that screams SUMMER.

Baskets, bags and clutches.   

And it's not. entirely true that I don't really like them.  I rather love them (or at the very least don't mind them and acquiesce that they are useful) .  But I don't use them enough to justify buying them regularly.  I have one (all of one...!) that I have had for a couple of years now - a jute Smile bag from The Jacksons and that's enough for me.  We don't go on loads of sunny holidays (although I've just finished booking one for October so prepare yourself for an onslaught of panic summer sales shopping as everything beachy is now obviously sold out... ARGH) and so I am more than happy to use large leather totes for our UK stays away.

I am also going to fess up now and say that when it comes to Summer handbags - even in this country and abroad where people have been crushing on the round basket bags - I'm a leather bag girl.  I love the look on other people but it's up there with full on boho embroidery and espadrilles - I know what I'm comfortable in and I leave that to other ladies to rock, as rock it that do.

Thinking about though, I could so easily do a clutch.  An embroidered, full on holiday clutch?  Sign me up now.  

But starting with the classic straw basket.  These work as well on holiday as they do here in the Summer for day trips out. 

Straw Basket Bag £55 from The White Company

And then I'm going in with the ultimate that I would absolutely love to own.  As it would last for years and years and years and years. 

Monogram Long Leather Handle Basket from Rae Feather £170 (this site is the ultimate smorgasbord of all things basket related).


Pimp my basket in the sale at Avenue 32...

Straw Large Joana Pom Pom Tote was £185 now £92


And again..

Sensi Studio Multi Stripe and Polka Dot Dress was £200 now £100


Boxier shape again with 60% off.

Straw Large Maldives Hey Tote was £205 now £82


Big on the pom poms at La Redoute in the sale. 

Straw basket and pom poms in fuchsia was £29 now £23.20


ALL the tassels at River Island (I have to say, I am curiously drawn to this...). 

River Island Tassel Basket £35


Vintage vibe in the sale at ASOS. 

Vincent Pradier from ASOS was £105 now £46


Large rafia at Topshop, this time zig zag not stripes.

Rafia zigzag shopper bag £29



Woven again at La Redoute was £39 now £31.20


Getting smaller but still with pom poms. 

Polly Straw Bucket Bag from Topshop £24 


And another different shape at ASOS. 

South Beach Drawstring Shoulder Bag in Natural £25


Then there is a bag that I love and have in a different colour. 

C'est La Vie Tote Bag from The Jacksons at Anthropologie £88


A crochet bag is another option in neutral. 

Sardinia Crochet Beach Bag from Anthropologie £88 


Also available in the navy. 



Then the clutches.  Starting with a cunning plan - one that looks like it's straw but it's actually plastic.  No worrying about putting this down onto a table with a spilt drink on it (only me who does this all the time?) and ruining it. 

Pachuca Clutch from Anthropologie £58



Or the pink, orange and turquoise version again £58


Colourtastic again at ASOS. 

ASOS Beach Foldover Woven Clutch £15


Bargain of the day though has to be at La Redoute. 

Clutch style handbag from La Redoute was £25 now £10

And another in lighter colours from La Redoute was £23 now £18.40



Black tassel clutch now from AND/OR at John Lewis £55


Or the same in a cream and blue version £55



But my absolute favourite clutch is from AND/OR at John Lewis (and just in case anyone fancies it - they have THE most superb matching jacket..).

AND/OR Pom Pom Mirror Clutch Bag Cream £45


And then here I am today - catching the rays in sunny old England.  Before it absolutely pees down tomorrow... we have to make the most of it whilst we can (she says googling leather bags...!!) 


Dress - M&S

Sandals - What Frankie Did Next x Black & Sigi
Bag - The Jacksons
Hat - Zara Men

Tomorrow I am going to attempt to juggle meetings in London with the children and an event with them.  In the rain.  What could go wrong?  We may come home minus my sanity but apart from that, I'm sure it will go swimmingly well.... it just so happens it's a week when all my childcare options are on hols.  The husband is stepping into the breach in London and as I envisage it being car crash, I would say I need to make the most of it!  

I am also toying that fine line between wanting to make the most of all the absolute dregs of the sales and being swayed by all the new delicious stock that's around at the moment.  How about you?  All your Summer holiday shopping sorted?  Or are you like us and don't go away until October?  (I SO need to get on top of this now, don't I?!!)