A global field guide to design, (life)style and secret finds
est. 2007

Archive: Nov 2008

  2. You Ask, Birdy Answers: Horse pendant

    1 Comment

    Dear Top Bird,
    As Christmas is coming up and I want to be a wonderful sister, I was wondering if you knew where to get a horse pendant from? I noticed Alexa Chung wearing quite a fetching one some time back - any ideas?
    Many thanks and best regards
    Kay County

    Aa2yp3  Aa4tj7

    Hi Kay,
    Alexa certainly gave her rather lovely horse pendant a very good work-out this year, wearing it long on a satin ribbon and slightly shorter on a chain necklace. This is a girl who’s not afraid to customise: for instance, she swapped the strap on her Mulberry Roxanne with a vintage Tyrolean-style guitar strap. Likewise, her horse pendant is an example of a “found object” she fashioned into jewellery.

    Kellyo_and_alexac_at_the_south_bank

    5772428050212_sm So, thinking along the same lines, I found a similar silver galloping horse on a belt at Urban Outfitters (£26). It’s a good size to wear as a pendant (big and chunky) and you could give it to your sister along with a couple of coloured satin ribbons. I had a close look at the horse and it can easily be removed from the belt. Just tie the ends of the ribbon to the little hooks at the back of the horse.

    Image1xl Alternatively, Asos has an excellent horse pendant of a more stationary kind – a rather sweet rocking horse (and a bargain at £10, see left).

    And if you really like Alexa’s style, you might want to check out the skull pendant she designed for the fair-trade jewellery line, Made (£35).

    I’ve also found some horse necklaces on Etsy, but they’re of the smaller, finer variety. As they are more delicate, these necklaces look better worn around the neck:

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    Silver stallion necklace, US$19, from Leviticus' Etsy shop.

  3. Top Bird’s top London picks: Christmas shopping

    7 Comments

    The Christmas countdown has begun, and this year retailers are pulling out all stops to entice you to spend, spend, spend. But if you, like me, are looking for something a little special and unique, give the high street a miss and head to one of London's independent Christmas shopping nights. Here's my round-up of the very best...

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    1. The best for … checking off your present list
    C    hristmas on Cheshire Street
    Winning my vote for this year’s best Christmas shopping poster, featuring a rather charming Pearly King by East London illustrator Paul Bommer (above), Cheshire Street is off to a great start. But it’s the line-up of shops that are the main prize here, with some of London’s very best independent shopping on offer. Christmas present ideas range from luxe handmade leather bags (Mimi) to contemporary homewares (Ella Doran) with Wee Birdy favourites including Labour and Wait, Shelf, Dragana Perisic, and Mar Mar Co. There will be mulled wine, mince pies and special offers including 15 per cent discount off all purchases at Mimi.

    Christmas on Cheshire Street
    Thursday 4 and Friday 5 December 2008
    6pm - 9pm
    Cheshire Street, E2
    Nearest tube: Liverpool Street

    Columbia Road2. The best for … festive neighbourhood atmosphere
    Columbia Road Christmas Wednesdays

    By far my favourite Christmas shopping event last year, I revelled in the warm glow of Columbia Road’s shops which illuminated a particularly dark and foggy East London night. And with a glass of mulled wine in one hand and a sprig of fresh mistletoe in the other, I was merrily on my way. The live music and neighbourly atmosphere generated by this small community of independent retailers is a welcome point of difference from the anonymity of the high street, with mince pies and glasses of festive cheer on offer in all the shops. And Christmas present shopping is a cinch with 40 independent shops, including Ryantown, Supernice and Sharon Elphick offering everything from jewellery, hats, vintage clothes, antiques, toys, cakes, fragrance, sweets, chocolates, art and furniture.

    Columbia Road Christmas Wednesdays
    Columbia Road, E2
    Wednesdays 3, 10, and 17 December 2008
    5pm - 9pm
    Nearest Tube: Liverpool Street

    EastLondonDesignFair2 3. The best for … cool design gifts
    East London Design Show
    With an extensive line-up of products by British and international designers, you’re guaranteed to find some seriously good gift options at The East London Design Show. This annual event on the Shoreditch Town Hall calendar promises brand new talent from Mexico, Moscow, Holland and Italy. Christmas present ideas include jewellery, ceramics, furniture, children’s clothes and toys.

    East London Design Show
    Thursday 4 December to Sunday 7 December 2008
    Shoreditch Town Hall
    380 Old Street
    London EC1V9LT
    Admission: £4 Concessions: £2, children under 15 free.
    Nearest tube: Liverpool Street

    Craftacularlogo_london-sm 4. The best for … the coolest craft
    Bust Christmas Craftacular
    Hooray for BUST magazine’s decision to hold its very first London Christmas Craftacular (just ignore me while I crash to the floor in a dead faint). Craftacular is set to be huge with BUST cherry-picking over 25 British crafters for the event. Expect to find only the coolest local crafty talent around with rich pickings for one-of-a-kind Christmas presents. There will also be fun line-up of classes, live demonstrations, DJs, drinks and dancing.

    BUST Christmas Craftacular
    Saturday 6 December 2008
    12 noon – midnight
    St. Aloysius Social Club
    Phoenix Road, London NW1
    Admission: £2
    Nearest tube: Euston

    Thanks to Basil Exposition for the tip!

    DesignOvertime 5. The best for… wrapping it all up
    The Design Museum Sparkle the Dark Up

    With an excellent line-up of design-led products and books catering for all budgets, the Design Museum shop is a Wee Birdy favourite for unique gifts like gorgeous Suki stationery and Ed Carpenter’s pigeon light. Join in a workshop on the night and learn how to make "designer-style" gift wrapping, tags and cards. The museum will provide all the materials you need - fun! There will also be music and free wine for extra Christmas cheer.

    Design Museum Design Overtime
    Friday 5 December 2008
    Until 10pm (last admission 9.15pm)
    Shad Thames, London SE1
    Nearest tube: London Bridge

    DSC07724  6. The best for … late night shopping in central London:
    Marylebone Lane
    As many of you will know, Wee Birdy has a particular soft spot for Marylebone Lane and its line-up of fashion, shoes, interiors, beauty and accessories. Escape the crazy crowds on Oxford Street and take advantage of great discounts (including a 15 per cent discount at Content Beauty/Wellbeing and 30 per cent off all purchases at KJ's Laundry), festive food, drink and a brass brand. I’ll be checking out VV Rouleaux for some pretty ribbons to decorate my brown-paper Christmas parcels.

    Marylebone Lane Christmas shoppping night
    Thursday December 4 2008
    4pm - 8pm
    Marylebone Lane, W1
    Nearest tube: Bond Street

    RussDoll_anastasia_br_d 7. The best for … last minute shopping
    The Super Christmas Market at Somerset House
    If you’ve left your Christmas shopping 'til the last minute, resist the urge to high-tail it to the high street and head to Somerset House on the Strand instead. Here you’ll find 20 of Britain’s hottest young designers, including Martino Gamper, Tatty Devine, Lady Luck Rules OK and Gitta Gschwendter offering a host of ultra-affordable gifts, starting at just £5. Learn to make some stocking fillers with Kandy Diamond, or try your luck in the snowball-throwing competition and win some limited edition Lady Lucky Rules OK jewellery (see above).

    The Super Christmas Market
    Friday 19 December 2008, 6 – 9 pm
    Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 December 2008, 10am – 6pm
    Somerset House, Strand
    London, WC2R 1LA.
    Admission £2, which includes entrance to the ‘Wouldn’t it be nice…’ exhibition.
    Nearest tube: Holborn, Embankment, Temple

    Il_430xN.17259406 8. The best for … local and handmade
    We Make Christmas
    With all things crafty and handmade big news for Christmas, head to this Christmas market for unique and one-off items by local London designer-makers. Bringing the world of Etsy to life, you’ll find a range of gift including jewellery, fashion, art, toys and children’s clothing. There will also be food stalls, carol singing, craft competitions and demonstations. Look out for Miss Bunny's hand-painted shoes (see left), Bombus homewares and Littlechook’s vintage fabric cushions.

    We Make Christmas
    Saturday 6 December 2008
    11am – 5pm
    The American Church
    79a Tottenham Court Road
    London W1
    Nearest tube: Goodge Street

  5. You Ask, Birdy Answers: Baby announcements

    3 Comments

    She's here
    Custom letterpress birth announcement by Papered Together.

    Hi Top Bird,
    I'm about to be a mom and I’m looking for nice baby announcement cards. Since I really like your taste, do you have any suggestions for cards?
    Florianne (Amsterdam)

    Hi Florianne,

    Congratulations on the impending birth of your own wee birdy!

    What is it about babies (and come to think of it, weddings), that sends all sense of style zooming out the window when it comes to graphic design? I’ve searched high and low for decent cards for friends’ babies, only to be confronted by row upon row of boring, bad design in varying shades of puke and a catastrophic combination of pastels. I’m always left wondering: where’s the cool stuff?

    Invariably, the answer can be found online, at the websites of independent stationers and letterpress companies. Here you’ll find beautifully crafted cards with unique designs and gorgeous illustrations. 

    Here’s my round-up of the best birth announcements…

    Baby_02
    Letterpress birth announcement by Hello!Lucky.

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    ‘Animal Crackers’ baby announcement by Tiny Prints.

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    ‘Vintage rattle’ birth announcement, by Chick Print’s Etsy shop.

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    ‘Chick and dude’ birth announcement, by Chick Print’s Etsy shop.

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    ‘Airplane’ custom birth announcement, by Chick Print’s Etsy shop.

    Thea bianco
    Custom letterpress birth announcement by Papered Together.

    You might also like to check out the birth announcements at:

  7. I wish I looked this glam ice-skating

    9 Comments

    Article-1087225-028546E6000005DC-660_224x502_popup
    I don't normally do celeb style posts, but I couldn't help posting Emma Watson at the opening of Somerset House's ice rink on Tuesday night. Love her black eye make-up, festive red knotted scarf, and polka dot dress. Somerset House is my favourite ice rink in London - and it's always that wee bit more fun after a glass of spicy mulled wine!

  8. Christmas lights up London

    14 Comments

    DSC07728

    I went for a stroll around central London and Marylebone last night, and found that it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. My vote for the most charming Christmas window? The vintage decoration display in the window at Content Beauty/Wellbeing (above). I don't know how store owner, Imelda Burke, managed to colour-co-ordinate so many beautiful vintage glass decorations, but she did a mighy fine job. So pretty.

    DSC07731 DSC07733

    I also really liked the sculptural magazine "tree" in the window at KJ's Laundry...

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    In terms of sheer scale and magnificence, Selfridges have surpassed themselves with a rather anti-credit crunch theme of "the more the merrier", featuring Santa in 19 different window installations.

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    Santa at the cinema...

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    Santa gets a beard trim...

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    Santa takes the Tube...

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    Santa does his laundry...

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    Santa goes to the disco...

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    Santa has a bubblebath...

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    Santa takes tea...

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    Santa goes shopping...

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    Santa eats sushi...

    while Oxford Street goes twinkle, twinkle...
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    and St Christopher's Place goes sparkle, sparkle...
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    I LOVE this time of the year.

  9. Birdy pick of the week

    7 Comments

    BIRD-RINGL
    Birds & nest ring, £120, by Alex Monroe.

    I was at the British Museum on Saturday and stumbled upon a display case full of the most amazing English and European bird-themed jewellery from the mid-19th century. Those Romantics couldn’t get enough of nature!

    2birds-necklaceL  

    Two birds on a branch necklace, £120, by Alex Monroe.

    It reminded me of the latest collection by London jewellery designer Alex Monroe, whose work recalls the endeavours of the Romantic artists to reflect the fragility of nature through the use of delicate materials and precious gems.

    Alex's birdy necklaces with pearl “eggs” are irresistibly pretty and somehow manage to look simultaneously modern and vintage. And I love how Mr Bird is sheltering Mrs Bird as they perch on a wire - how romantic!

    Mr+Mrs-NecklaceL
    Mr & Mrs Bird necklace, £105, by Alex Monroe.

    If you’re in London, you might want to keep the 29th and 30th of November open as Alex will be hosting a special in-store event at Liberty to celebrate their Jewellery Month. There will be some exclusive, hand-made, one-off pieces for the show, and Alex and his team will be on hand for a chat and advise on styles.
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    Bird loop necklace with stone set flower, £135, by Alex Monroe.

  10. A final word on tea…

    2 Comments

    Il_fullxfull.42690724
    AWeekOfTea How could I resist bidding farewell to A Week of Tea without revisiting the wonderful tea-themed brooches by Gloustershire-based Etsy seller, Lupin. These 'I Love Tea' pink pins are US$12.50 from Lupin’s Etsy shop.

    I may also be revisiting A Week of Tea in future Wee Birdy posts - there are so many excellent tea destinations in London that it's been difficult to fit them into just one week of blogging. So please bear with me...

  12. Top London tea spots: Parlour at Sketch

    8 Comments
    Cardinalbest_sml

    With a reputation for displaying cakes “like jewels” (The Goddess Guide by Gisele Scanlon), it didn’t take long for me to sniff out The Parlour at Sketch when I first arrived in London.

    SketchThe Parlour 1_sml

    Located across the road from Vivienne Westwood on Conduit Street, it offers an avant-garde setting for taking tea. Think traditional private men’s club complete with dark-wood panelling meets edgy gallery with odd-matching furniture and a chandelier fashioned out of Angelpoise lamps. It’s the sort of place where a live bird in a Victorian wire cage is replaced by a mini LCD screen playing looping clips of the real thing. And the toilets? Let’s just say that Kubrick wouldn’t be disappointed.

    Parlour cake_sml

    I was delighted to discover that said cakes were, in fact, exquisitely displayed in a carefully lighted glass showcase, and considering the location and setting, a reasonably-priced menu. Here, a delicious cream tea (fruit scones served with jam and clotted cream with a choice of tea) is £7.75 per person, compared to £10.75 at Liberty. Afternoon tea is also competitively-priced at £18.50 for the traditional line-up of assorted finger sandwiches, fruit scones served with jam and clotted cream, a selection of pastries and choice of teas.

    The tea menu offers an excellent range catering for all tastes, with traditional blends and herbal infusions starting at £3. My pick is the deliciously-fragrant Jasmine Silver Fur for £4. There’s also a rather handy free Wi-Fi service, which I noticed quite a few people taking advantage of on both occasions I visited.

    Patisserie_sml

    Just keep in mind that despite the fabulous cakes and edgy gallery setting, the service is notoriously snail-paced. But what does that matter if you’ve got all the time in the world (or a few emails to write). And did I mention the toilets?

    AWeekOfTea Sketch
    9 Conduit Street
    London W1S 2XG
    Tel. 020 765 94500
    Nearest tube: Oxford Circus
    Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

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