Vendula London Le Bicyclette De Vendula Box Bag Review*

*AD- This post features a bag I was sent in exchange for a review. As always, all words, thoughts and opinions are my own and have been written 100% honestly.

When it comes to fashion, I've always had a weakness for handbags. Some women adore shoes, others love diamonds, but for me, it's always been about the bags. I love all kinds of different styles, but, as I'm sure most of you will know by now, I have a particular fondness for novelty designs and anything colourful. The quirkier the better.

One brand I have long admired for their quirky bags and purses is Vendula London, the British brand known for their iconic shopfront bags, so when they recently got in touch and invited me to review a bag from their new season collections, I couldn't have been more excited. Of course I said 'yes!'

Vendula London sent me the beautiful La Bicyclette de Vendula Box Bag* from my short list of favourites, and when the bag arrived on my doorstep a couple of days later, I was instantly blown away by how stunning it was. It was even more beautiful than I had imagined it would be, and it unsurprisingly attracted much jealousy from my Mum and sister who both keep trying to steal it! I can't say I blame them, but they won't be prising this bag from my hands any time soon- I love it too much to let go!

The La Bicyclette de Vendula Box Bag is a beautiful sky blue and cream vegan-leather bag featuring one of Vendula London's brand new shopfront designs for 2019- a charming bicycle service and repair shop! I thought there couldn't possibly be any shops left for Vendula London to immortalise in to handbags, but they've gone and proved me wrong with this wonderfully unique design. A bicycle service and repair shop bag?! I really have seen everything now!

Like Vendula London's other iconic shopfront bags, whose handbag establishments include everything from post offices to pubs and chocolateries to toy shops, the bag has, obviously, been designed to look just like the front of a shop. The top of the bag has been made in to the shop's awning in scalloped stripes of blue and cream, but the pièce de résistance is the shop's window display which is filled with amazing detail that has to be seen to be believed. I notice something new every time I look at it.

If you peek in the shop's window, you'll be transported to the sweetest bicycle repair shop you ever did see. On the left, there are shelves filled with storage boxes, cans of oil, and a blue bicycle helmet hanging above a red applique air machine. To the right, is a work station with tools hung on the wall above a table with a pink bike helmet sitting on top, and a couple of stools and storage boxes sitting neatly underneath it. Best of all, hanging from the shop's ceiling in the centre is a cheerful yellow bicycle and a sky-blue penny farthing, both with black trim, complimenting the pink applique vegan-leather bicycle with a wicker basket full of greenery parked on the pavement in front of the shop. The colourful bikes are easily my favourite parts of the design- they're so darn cute!

The detail doesn't stop there; look closer still, and you'll see a sign for 'service & repairs' in the window, and find the shop walls are painted cream with a sea of cogs outlined in sky blue faintly embossing the lower half of the shop. If that wasn't enough, the arch of the window is framed with a garland of colourful flowers sewn on to the leather, and beside the bicycle on the cobbled-grey pavement is an embroidered pot plant with an applique pot.

To the right of the window, the black and cream door is filled with colourful signs advertising 'REPAIRS DONE WHILE YOU WAIT!', 'SAME DAY REPAIRS', 'BICYCLES FOR RENT', and 'FREE AIR & OIL.' And hanging from the wall above the door by two little black plastic chains, is a crimped circular sign proudly advertising the shop's name, La Bicyclette De Vendula, in black, white, and pink so you know where to go for all your bicycle maintenance needs. The amount of detail that has gone in to this bag is just incredible.  

If you thought the attention to detail was reserved for the front and outside of the bag, think again; Vendula London have given the back and inside of the bag just as much care and attention.

On the back of the bag, you'll find a bright yellow and black tandem bike parked in a bike rack, just waiting to be taken out for a spin, and there's also a small zipped pocket large enough to store your phone or keys safely away from pick-pocketers against your body.

The inside of the bag, in both the main compartment and the back pocket, has been lined with a fun London print, which is made up of iconic British paraphernalia like red telephone boxes, the Queen's guards, black cabs, post boxes, double decker buses, London Underground signs, penny farthings, and more on a cream cotton background. The print compliments the outer design perfectly, and if you're anything like me, you'll find yourself admiring it each time you reach in to the bag to grab something. It's almost as pretty as the outside!

You'll also find a zipped pocket for keeping valuables secure, and a generously-sized mobile phone pocket that should fit even the largest of today's smartphones sewn in to the lining in the main section of the bag. 

The bag itself has been handcrafted from high-quality vegan-leather which looks and feels just like thick, good-quality leather, but with one simple difference- no animals were harmed to make it, which is fantastic! I admit I do buy leather products from time to time, but as a big animal lover, I prefer buying cruelty-free alternatives as much as possible because I hate the thought of animals suffering for fashion. It's so unnecessary when there are amazing cruelty-free options to shop from, like this one, and it's just one reason why Vendula London's products appeal to me. 

Aside from the design and the quality, what I love about this bag is that it is the perfect size for every day use. It's neither too big or to small, and has more than enough room for the essentials. I can fit everything I need in it for a day on the go- including my chunky bridge camera and a book- with room to spare! I judge a good day bag on whether there's room for a paperback and my camera along with my other essentials, and the box bag definitely passes the test! It's the ideal size for everything from shopping trips to work, and sight-seeing to just doing the food shop in style.

Another detail which attracted me to the box bag is that it has an adjustable shoulder strap which can be worn on the shoulder and across the body, depending on your mood, outfit, and needs. I love having the option to sling a bag over my shoulder when my arms are tired, or I just need my hands free for other things.  The best part is the vegan-leather strap can be adjusted to seven different lengths, and it's long enough to wear comfortably. I'm 5'6" and if I wear it on the shortest notch on my shoulder and the longest notch across my body, the bag sits comfortably on my hip and top of my thigh respectively. Whether you're short or tall, slim or plus size, this bag should fit almost everybody comfortably, which is fantastic. There's are few things I hate more than finding a beautiful bag and then discovering the strap isn't long enough to be comfortable or practical. Well done, Vendula!

Now, it's unlikely that I will put this bag down long enough for it to gather dust, but if I do, I won't have to worry about it getting dusty because like all Vendula London bags, it comes with its own bright pink dust bag to keep it looking its best when its not in use. They really have thought of everything.

The Le Bicyclette de Vendula box bag retails for £78, which I personally think is really reasonable for a handcrafted bag of such high quality, especially with all that applique and embroidery detail which takes time and skill to create. I couldn't be more impressed with it; it's stunning, it's quirky, and fantastic quality, and I know I'm going to be using it for many years to come. You can find it on their website here or if you're in London, why not check it out in person in their Covent Garden store?

If the box bag isn't your style, the Le Bicyclette de Vendula design comes in a wide range of different styles, with another six bags and seven wallets and purses to choose from, all featuring this beautiful blue and cream bicycle repair shop. The collection includes Vendula London's coveted grab bag, an interchangeable backpack, and the loveliest little coin purse, with prices starting at just £19. You can shop the full collection here and of course, browse the rest of their fabulous designs on their website now. I promise you won't be disappointed.

What do you think of the design? Will you be buying anything from the collection this spring?

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Vendula London Russian Dolls Cross Body Bag Review

*AD- This post features a bag I was sent in exchange for a review. As always, all words, thoughts and opinions are my own and have been written 100% honestly.

Cut Make Trim Leather Satchels + Exclusive Discount Code

Leather satchels have become extremely popular over the last few years, coveted by fashionable men and women all over the world. No longer just a school staple, they have become the "it" bag that everybody wants a piece of. And who can blame us? Leather satchels are beautiful, chic, and versatile, and practical, too! They go with almost everything and are ideal for a variety of casual, formal, and professional situations. What's not to love?

In my opinion, everybody should have a good quality leather satchel in their wardrobe; I have three, and my favourite is a barrel bag from London-based satchel brand Cut Make Trim. 

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you may remember that I reviewed this beautiful Cut Make Trim barrel bag earlier in the year (here). I'm still in love with the quality, design, and craftsmanship of the satchel all these months later, and I highly recommend Cut Make Trim for their high-quality, beautifully made satchels.

I have an exclusive discount code to share with you in just a moment, but first I'd like to share a few reasons why I love Cut Make Trim and their satchels.

♥ The beautiful bags are all made by hand by a small team of skilled leather crafts-people in London.

♥ Cut Make Trim is an English brand, and I truly believe it's important to support our own independent businesses,.

♥ Each bag is made to order.

♥ All of Cut Make Trim's bags are made from high quality leathers and fastenings. The combination of quality materials and skill results in beautiful high quality satchels.

♥ No bag has been mass-produced..

♥ No CMT bag is made in a sweat shop, and nobody has been subjected to unethical working conditions while making them.. You can rest assured knowing that nobody has suffered for your fashion choices..

♥ Each bag comes in up to twenty-two colours, including classics, brights, neons, and pastels. No matter your colour preference or needs, there's sure to be a perfect CMT bag for you.

♥ You could use Cut Make Trim satchels for work, job interviews, school, college, uni, sight-seeing, shopping, and for a variety of other every day situations.

Now on to the good news...

Cut Make Trim are offering Polka Spots and Freckle Dots readers an exclusive 20% discount off their beautiful leather bags! All you need to do is enter the code: polkaspotsandfreckledots at the checkout at cutmaketrim.co. Fantastic, right?

It's the perfect excuse to treat yourself to a new bag this Autumn, or perhaps get started on your Christmas shopping! 

The satchels would make perfect gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, milestones, and a variety of celebrations, as well as pay day treats to yourself! 

The only difficult decision is deciding on which of the five bags and twenty-two colours to buy!

Will you be treating yourself to a Cut Make Trim leather bag this Autumn?

Zatchels Polka Dot Satchel Review

I'd like to introduce you to the newest addition to my bag collection, this rather gorgeous polka dot Zatchels satchel!

Isn't it a beauty? It was a birthday present from my older sister, which I convinced her to buy after I spotted it in the Zatchels sale back in June. It was just £31 instead of £110, which was a complete steal, and we both agreed it was too great a bargain to pass up. She paid for the bag, and I paid for shipping, (fair deal, I think!), and it finally arrived on my doorstep a couple of weeks ago after a very long six week wait.

While I was not at all happy about the very long wait- more on that in a minute- I'm pleased to say the satchel didn't disappoint. I've wanted a polka dot satchel for years, and this bag is far more perfect than I could have ever hoped for. It's absolutely beautiful in both design and craftsmanship.

Like all of Zatchels' bags, the satchel was handmade in Britain by a team of skilled crafts-people using high quality leather and fastenings. You can really see the skill used to make this satchel; the stitching is uniformly straight, and there's not a single stitch out of line. It's clear by how perfectly every piece has been put together that it was made carefully and with precision by highly-skilled people. I can also feel the quality of the materials used; the leather is wonderfully thick, and the nickel buckles are so sturdy. You really do get what you pay for with a Zatchels satchel and in this case that means quality!

The satchel features a large main compartment at the back of the bag, and a smaller pocket to the front, which is the perfect place to keep the items you want to grab quickly, like your phone or keys. This satchel is the 13", and while it looks like a big bag, it doesn't have a huge amount of space... but it does have enough room for the essentials. I can fit my purse, keys, phone, iPod, lip balm, Kindle, and some make up in it with a little room to spare. I can't carry around a heavy bag anymore, anyway, so it definitely meets my needs most days.

The bag is fastened by two straps at the front, which need to be buckled and unbuckled by hand. It can be slightly inconvenient when you're in a rush, but it doesn't take too long to do. If you don't like the idea of dealing with buckles whenever you want access to your belongings, Zatchels now offer the option of adding magnetic claps to their bags- although it wasn't an option when I purchased this one, or I probably would've added them.

The satchel also has an adjustable shoulder strap, which has a silver nickle buckle fastening and eleven notches so you can adjust it to the desired length. I love my bags long, and on the longest notch it sits on my upper thigh, or on the hip when worn across the body, which is perfect for me. It doesn't matter how short or tall you are, or what size you are, the shoulder straps on Zatchels satchels will adjust to accommodate most people's needs.

I absolutely adore this satchel, and I would recommend Zatchels satchels to anybody who loves high-quality leather satchels. This bag is my third Zatchels bag- I also have a classic red satchel and a red heart print barrel bag- and I've yet to find a fault with any of them.

However, I will say, I've not been impressed with the length of time I've had to wait for the two bags I purchased (during two different transactions a year apart). Last year, I had to wait a ridiculous ten weeks for my barrel bag to be delivered, and this year I was left waiting for this satchel for six long weeks. Not cool! I started getting annoyed after a month had passed. 

I ordered my satchel within the first half an hour of their sale, yet people who had placed their orders later were getting their bags before me. So frustrating! I personally think they need to be conscious of working on orders by date and not just by design, even if they feel it's more efficient to work from one leather at a time. Their service is extremely slow during sale time and I don't think I'll be in a hurry to shop with them online again, even for a beautiful bargain. I understand that they get flooded with orders during sales and they're only human, but I haven't got the patience for service that slow, even if their bags are so beautifully crafted.

This polka dot satchel was definitely worth the long wait, though, and I absolutely love it! Sadly this design is no longer available, but there are different colours to choose from here which are currently on sale. I think there's only one day left of their sale, so get in fast if you want to snag a bargain!

Do you own a Zatchels satchel?

Cut Make Trim Leather Satchels + Discount Code

If you've been following my blog for a while, you may remember that a little earlier in the year I had the pleasure of reviewing a beautiful handmade leather barrel bag from British satchel manufacturer Cut Make Trim. [Read the review here]. 

The bag is one of the most beautifully-crafted, high-quality bags I've ever owned and over the last few months, it's become one of my firm favourites. I've enjoyed using it time and time again, and I couldn't be happier or more impressed with it.

So, I'm pleased to be able to offer an exclusive Cut Make Trim discount code for Polka Spots and Freckle Dots readers today. (Coming up at the end of this post).

First, let me tell you a little bit about Cut Make Trim and the bags they make.

Cut Make Trim are a small team of experienced crafts people who make high-quality leather satchels by hand at their workshop in London using high quality leathers and fittings. At present, their collection is made up of five designs which come in up to twenty-two stunning colours including neutrals, brights, neons and pastels. There's sure to be a design for you no matter what your colour preference and handbag needs are.

The 11.5 Inch Satchel

Powder Pink // Pink // Fuscia // Purple

The 13 Inch Satchel

Powder Blue // Royal Blue // Patent Grey // Black

The 15 Inch Satchel

Tan // Ranger Cognac // Dark Tan // Chocolate

Cut Make Trim's beautiful handmade leather satchels come in three sizes, so whether you like to travel light or prefer to carry everything but the kitchen sink around with you, they've got you covered. Each size comes in 18 or more classic and fashionable colours, and feature brass buckles and adjustable straps. These classic satchels are stylish and will never go out of fashion, so they're a great investment for your handbag collection and capsule wardrobe. They're ideal bags to take to college, uni, and work, as well as for every day use, like going shopping or doing a spot of sight-seeing.

The Barrel Bag

Red // Fluorescent Orange // Green // Yellow

The barrel bag is a fantastic alternative to the classic satchel, and it's my personal favourite because it has much more room than the average satchel. It's the perfect bag for anybody who wants the charm of a classic satchel but needs something with a lot more space for all those essentials, and perhaps something a little bit different.

I have one in fuchsia and it's not only functional and practical but one of the most beautiful bags I've ever owned. I can fit so much in it, it's one coat stand away from becoming a Mary Poppins bag! I couldn't recommend this bag enough, and if fuchsia isn't your thing, it also comes in 20 other colours. If you'd like to read my full review of the Cut Make Trim barrel bag, you can do so here. 

The Saddle Bag

Fluorescent Yellow // Fluorescent Green // Fluorescent Orange // Fluorescent Pink

The saddle bag is a smaller but just as stylish alternative to the satchels and barrel bag. It comes in 22 gorgeous colours, so whether you love brights, pastels, or classic neutrals, there's sure to be a saddle bag for you! This design would go perfectly with jeans and a tee, or worn over a dress, cardi, and tights.

So, now I've shown you Cut Make Trim's beautiful leather bags, it's time for the good news:

Cut Make Trim are offering Polka Spots and Freckle Dots readers an exclusive discount of 15% off all Cut Make Trim bags at  www.cutmaketrim.co using the code: polkaspotsandfreckledots!

Fantastic, right?

This code is available to the first 50 customers who use it, and all you need to do is enter the code at the checkout at www.cutmaketrim.co once you're ready to pay for your order. It couldn't be easier.

Why not take advantage of this exclusive discount code and treat yourself to a beautiful new bag for Autumn or the new school term? I promise you won't be disappointed!

Will you be treating yourself to one of these lovely bags? Which one is your favourite?

*The exclusive discount code is available to the first 50 customers who use it, on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Cut Make Trim Leather Barrel Bag Review

When the lovely people from the London-based satchel manufacturer Cut Make Trim contacted me recently and offered me one of their beautiful bags for review, I didn't need to be asked twice. Well, you know how much I love handbags!

I was allowed to choose a bag to review in the colour of my choice, and I instantly fell in love with their barrel bag, which appealed to me as it was a little different to the average satchel. (More on that in a minute!) There were twenty-one lovely colours to choose from and believe me, choosing wasn't easy! (It took me over an hour!) I eventually decided to do something out of character and went with the fuscia; a colour I have very little of in my wardrobe. I'm not a 'pink' person at all, but the bold colour stood out to me on screen, and when it turned up on my doorstep a few days later, I wasn't disappointed. 

As you can see, the bag is absolutely beautiful! I may have squealed with happiness when I opened the box to find this beautifully crafted bag inside. I instantly loved everything about it.

This barrel bag is Cut Make Trim's fantastic alternative to the classic satchel. The reason I say that is because it's so much wider than the average satchel, which means it has lots more space for all those essentials- without compromising on that beautiful classic style we all know and love! It's the perfect satchel for anybody who likes to carry everything but the kitchen sink around with them in their handbag, but it's just as functional if you prefer to travel light. It's a good medium-sized bag, measuring approximately 31cm long x 19cm wide x 22cm deep (at the widest points).





I took my bag out to the cinema last week, and I was impressed by how much I was able to fit in it. I managed to fit all my essentials in with room to spare, even after the addition of a cardigan, Kindle, and a beverage! It was one step away from becoming a Mary Poppins bag; I was sure if I dug deep enough, a lamp or a coat stand was going to appear from its depths!

One of the qualities I look for in an every day bag is enough room to carry a book and a drink alongside all the usual essentials, and this barrel bag more than caters to my needs. It's not just stunning, but it's practical too. It's a fantastic bag for both work and play, and will instantly make any outfit look stylish!

Like all of Cut Make Trim's bags, this barrel bag has been hand crafted by a small team of experienced crafts people in a small workshop in London, using high quality leathers and fittings. I have to say, the quality of both the materials and the skills of the team really do shine through in this high quality bag!

The leather is of fantastic quality, which is obvious in the thickness of each piece, the good weight of the bag, the overall sturdiness, and the flawless, smooth texture. The leather is so smooth I can't stop myself from running my hands along it every time I pick it up. (Maybe I shouldn't admit to that?)

The barrel bag is secured by two metal buckles on the front, which need to be fastened by hand. It can be a little inconvenient when you're in a rush to grab your phone or your purse, but with a little patience, it doesn't take too long to buckle and unbuckle the straps. I've yet to see a vintage-style satchel with poppers or clasps underneath the straps, so the buckles are a common feature and add to the beauty of the design.

Each strap has four notches. I keep mine on the tightest notch, but the others will be invaluable if the leather slackens over time, or on those days I pack a little too much.

It features a handle on both the front and the back of the bag. This design doesn't have a handle on the top.

It also comes with a detachable shoulder strap, which can be adjusted to sit on the shoulder or across the body. It can be adjusted to seven different notches, which helps to cater to our different needs and preferences. I'm 5'6'' and the bag, fully extended, sits on my hip across the body, and at the top of my thigh on the shoulder. I'm pleased about that, because I prefer a longer length.

As for the colour, this shade is known as 'fuscia' and it's a stunning deep magenta, which I think looks stylish- and not tacky like some pink accessories can appear. I'm not much of a 'pink person', but I fell in love with it online, and I love it even more in person. The colour is so bold and cheerful, and it definitely advertises my love of colour! It makes a statement, that for sure, and I love how the fuscia adds a modern spin to a classic style of bag.

If pink isn't your thing, the barrel bag also comes in twenty other colours! From classic tan, black and navy, to colourful purple, green and yellow, fashionable neons and pretty Spring pastels, they've got the classics, the trends, and our colour preferences covered! 

The barrel bag currently retails at £84, which is fantastic considering it's a handmade leather bag, using leathers of higher quality than many of the leading satchel manufacturers. The price is affordable and cheaper than similar satchels I've seen by other companies. This is because Cut Make Trim bags are ordered direct from the makers, which means you aren't paying for the expensive adverts or the cost of running brick and mortar shops, so we are able to get their beautifully made products at a smaller price. They also offer free delivery on all of their products, which is brilliant!

Alongside the barrel bag, Cut Make Trim also make saddle bags, and satchels in three sizes (11.5", 13" and 15"), with prices starting at £44. All items can be bought via their website in a wide range of gorgeous colours. They are also available every Saturday and Sunday at the Jubilee Hall Craft Market in Covent Garden, London, where you can see all the designs in person.

I was provided with a special code so that I could 'purchase'* this bag from the website myself, in order to get a real feel for the full shopping experience. The website was very easy to shop from. I shopped, checked out, registered, and paid for my purchase within two minutes! The great thing is that you don't have to register before you add items to your basket; it can be done at the checkout, and only takes a minute. Unlike some websites, you aren't asked to fill in a million details to sign up. It was extremely easy!

The website was very easy to navigate. It's simple, clean, and uncluttered, and I had no problems finding what I was looking for. The information available is quite basic, and I would personally love to see  some advice for caring for the bags- such as what to clean the leather with if something is spilt on it and so on. Apart from that, it told me everything I needed to know, including a little about the brand, their London workshop and the designs themselves.

The delivery service was completely free, and I'm pleased to say my order arrived within three working days without a hitch.

The only thing I feel is missing from the design of the bag is an indication of who made it; there isn't a label inside proudly displaying the brand! It would also be useful to have a dust bag to protect it when its not in use; a leaflet or label provided with care advice; and perhaps a little information about where it came from!

However, the main factor is the product, and I'm extremely impressed with my beautiful barrel bag. It's wonderfully made, stunning, and practical, and I have a feeling this bag is going to stay with me for many years to come! I love this bag so much, I'm already thinking about saving up for the same bag in fluorescent orange!

I'm smitten with Cut Make Trim's striking designs and wonderful craftsmanship and I think we should expect good things from them in the future! 

If this review has interested you, why not pop on over to their website here where you can get a closer look at the full range of designs available!

Thanks for reading.

*The barrel bag was gifted to me by Cut Make Trim in exchange for a review. As always, all words, opinions, and photographs are my own.

Zatchels Classic Satchel Review

A couple of weeks ago, I became the proud owner of a beautiful Zatchels satchel after winning a Facebook competition. I enter giveaways on a fairly regular basis never believing I'll ever win, so to say I was surprised and elated to find out I'd won is an understatement! I still cannot quite believe I won such a wonderful prize, but I guess luck was just on my side that day.

Two days after I was notified by the competition holder, a large cardboard box appeared on my doorstep. I'd assumed (for some reason) it would be the smallest satchel in the range, but the satchel concealed within a black drawstring dust-bag looked enormous. I soon learnt I'd won this 14.5 inch Classic red satchel!

I thought I'd review the bag for you, since it's so beautiful, and also because I know some people aren't sure what to think of Zatchels after being disappointed by the length of time they had to wait for orders from their birthday sale back in April. I personally had to wait ten weeks to receive my heart print barrel bag, but I discovered it was worth the wait. And this one would have been, too. I should add, this is NOT a sponsored post or a condition of the competition; this is solely a review of a product I am pleased with.

Zatchels's Classic satchels have to be my favourite out of the eighteen collections they currently have to their name (closely followed by the Love Hearts and Polka Dots collections, naturally). I've been coveting a simple block-colour leather satchel for many years; there's just something so effortlessly stylish about this style of satchel. A simple, unspoiled design based on those from the past. It's the style many people would associate with school bags of days gone by, although sadly growing up in the eighties and nineties my school bags were never so chic.

My Classic red satchel is made of matte leather of the finest quality I've probably ever seen, which can really be felt when you pick it up or run a hand across it. It's a heavy weight, thick, and so sturdy. It's so perfectly put together, with the neatest stitching and not a single defect. I'm truly impressed by how beautifully made it is; especially knowing that it's been hand made! Zatchels make all of their bags by hand, using a small team of expert craftsmen, and I really believe that to be true. The satchel has been made with true skill, far superior to the quality of anything you find on the high street. It's a work of art!

If I had chosen the colour myself, I would have gone with either navy or red, so you can imagine how thrilled I am to own a satchel in a colour I've lusted after for years. The red is a beautiful deep dark red, darker than these photos suggest. The best comparison I can make is to liken it to the colour of a deep red apple. It's a very Autumnal shade; it's classic; it's professional... something I can imagine using for a job interview in the future.

The satchel features two silver nickel buckles which need to be unfastened and fastened by hand. This is in my opinion, a little inconvenient, but on the other hand, it helps to keep the contents of the bag secure from pick-pocketers.

Inside, the bag has two compartments, a large main section with tons of room for those daily essentials and

 wide enough to hold A4 items, and a smaller section at the front with plenty of room for keys, your phone, and other items you need to grab quickly. It's a large day bag, and great if you're like me and like to bring the kitchen sink with you when you're out for the day.

Something which I'm particular with when it comes to bags is the length of the strap. I like cross body bags to be long enough to sit on the hip, but they're often far shorter. This satchel, however, can sit beyond the hip on the longest notch, which I am thrilled about! It has a 150cm long strap which can be adjusted to several different lengths to cater to different needs and preferences. Perfect!

The Classic leather satchels come in five different sizes from 11.5 inch to 17.5 inch in width, starting at £86. I was given the medium size, 14.5 inch, which is £92 before adding in extras such as a handle, strap slider, and / or personalisation. My satchel was given a handle which would cost an additional £8, bringing this beauty to £100. I'm pleased it has a handle as I personally prefer the way it looks with one, and I like having the option of carrying it by hand. It's an extremely sturdy handle, and I can't imagine it losing shape over time. This bag also has a card holder on the front, which seems to be part of the basic design for satchels over 13 inches... although, I'm not sure if I'll ever make use of it.

So, I'm completely impressed and in love with my Zatchels satchel, and I've yet to find a fault in it. It's high quality, beautifully made, and has all the features a good day bag should have. I can see this satchel complimenting a variety of different outfits, and I'm especially looking forward to accessorising my Autumn outfits with it. I'd happily have paid good money for this satchel, and I'm likely to collect others in the future. I have my heart set on buying a violet pastel polka dot bag one day.

I'd recommend this satchel if you're thinking of purchasing a leather satchel, and to my knowledge, Zatchels currently have a pop up outlet shop at Bicester Village, and a factory shop in Leicester, if you're looking to grab a bargain!

Do you own a Zatchels satchel? What do you think about them?