Columbia Road Christmas Wednesdays
Apologies for my absence this week - I’ve just emerged from a tangle of ribbons, wrapping paper and sticky gold stars. Those things get everywhere, don’t they? It was only on Wednesday night that I discovered I’d been walking around London all day with a gold star stuck to my bottom. At least my arse had something festive to say. Season’s greetings, Londoners!
Sartorial misfortune dealt with, I made my way to Columbia Road for their late night Christmas shopping event. I love walking around this part of East London in December. The Victorian lamps and cobbled lanes offer a rare glimpse into what it would have looked like 150 years ago. And the makeshift bonfire-in-a-bin blazing at the end of Ezra Street offered local kids the chance to do their very best impressions of street urchins looking for trouble.
Fortunately, the glow from the flames conveniently led to a stand selling Bloody Mary oyster shots, instantly providing the perfect antidote to the cold and frosty evening. (As did the complimentary vodka shots at Ryantown; mulled wine and mince pies at Treacle; and a large glass of red wine from a rather generous barman at the Royal Oak.)
Columbia Road’s little shops looked extra inviting with fairy lights and flickering candles, offering frozen shoppers a warm and cosy retreat from the cold darkness outside.
Suck and Chew - shop tour coming soon!
Illuminated bunnies and mushrooms at Bob & Blossom.
It was my first chance to check out Buddug Humphries and Jessie Chorley’s new shop, upstairs from Marcos and Trump at number 146, which was packed with whimsical-kooky bird accessories and vintage-style jewellery. Perched at the top of a narrow, rickety staircase, it resembled a slightly shambolic Victorian girl’s bedroom. Too tiny and tightly packed to take any pics!
I also dug the paper-cut Christmas decorations at Ryantown (check out the giant safety pin), as well as Rob’s new line of Christmas stockings and hand-signed cards (affordable art at £5).
Before I made a beeline for Kingsland Road and its fantastic Vietnamese restaurants, I picked up a bunch of fresh mistletoe, which proved to be an amusing prop for the rest of the evening’s entertainment.
Apparently there's been a bumper crop of mistletoe this year, so there's plenty around. Head down to Columbia Road flower market on Sunday for the freshest and cheapest bunches in London.
Columbia Road's shops are also opening all day on Saturday 20th December from 10am to 4pm.
Who did you kiss? xx
Posted by: the likkle girl who wurves pwetty things | December 20, 2008 at 06:22 AM
Why Mr Top Bird, of course! xx
Posted by: Top Bird | December 20, 2008 at 09:53 AM
I am very jealous but this is only because of the excellent report! This looks like so much fun!
Posted by: Fionnuala | December 20, 2008 at 10:51 AM
I love strolling down Columbia Road, they have the most amazing plant and flower collection and the shops are cool too. I had no idea that they had a Xmas event, I will check it out next time. You are right the shops do look nice and cosy. Great pics.
Posted by: Ondo Lady | December 20, 2008 at 02:32 PM
TROPPO BELLO! Beautiful and full of Xmas sweet athmosphere mood :)
Ciao
Posted by: Fabio | December 21, 2008 at 01:51 PM