looks like the "punches" that made the holes weren't poked out all the way - I'd just pop 'em out. As for the handles, they look like many of my bbags. I just lube them up with some applecare. The bag is beautiful. Those things wouldn't bother me.
See, the "punches" don't come off...and I pull on it, the rest of the white strings will come out. The handles I think is definitely something I can't get over...it's so dry, it feels weird to even touch it.