Are the days of the dodgy family photo card behind us now? I certainly hope so, and these exceptionally charming cards from the Rifle Paper Co prove that you can still go to town with your annual family portrait Christmas card - just with a lot less cheese. Featuring hand-painted portraits in your likeness and lettering by Anna Bond, you can expect a one to two week turnaround for your card.
Some of my favourite wee finds for blokes, including some good blokey present cliches, like socks (but look, they're Happy Socks!), chocolate (but look, it's shaped like a penknife!) and shaving stuff (but look, it's beautiful old school English stuff!). How did I do?
I can't help missing London right now, with all the sparkling Christmas lights, glowing department store windows, mulled wine in little shops, and a sprinkling of snow. I'll especially miss the little traditions I started over three years, like my annual Christmas shop at Fortnum & Mason, where I stocked up on pretty tins of biscuits, Fortnum's potted stilton and special Christmas tea.
So my Advent Calendar pick this year is a very special Fortnum's one, depicting the beautiful facade complete with festive windows and the famous Christmas trees lining the awning. An unfilled calendar is £95, but you can refill it every year with your own treats, like homemade sweets and chocolates. The filled calendar is £125, and is filled with Fortnum's treats including sugar mice, chocolate coins, jelly beans, truffles and Fortnum's chocolates. Pricey for an advent calendar (and I still have a soft spot for the humble cardboard nativity version) but it's a lovely keepsake and souvenir of London.
You might want to 'like' it if you want to stay up to date with my pick of the best sample sales in London and Australia, as well as extra pics and bits of news from me. See you there...
I loved putting together this crafty gift guide - and it's an extra big one because there was so much GOODNESS out there. You'll notice that there's a mix of some of the best Aussie and British designers - some old favourites (can you guess who?), and some new ones, too. What takes your fancy?
5 CommentsUPDATE: This shop has now closed, but the Bird Textile website is still going strong. The shop is now home to Follow Store.
Read my review here.
In the first of my Sydney shop reviews, I decided to head back to my old stomping ground of Surry Hills, where we lived for three happy years before we moved to London. It’s changed a wee bit since then – most significantly, we can’t afford to live there any more. And like Shoreditch in London, this inner-city suburb has not only ushered in a new class of residents, but a new direction in retail with the likes of posh grocers and upmarket butchers lining Crown Street.
But head down to Cleveland Street and you’ll find a bit of the grit from days gone by, even if the retail scene has vastly improved. In fact, the line-up of unique and eclectic shops, cafes and restaurants call themselves The Cleveland Cluster, and include the likes of David Met Nicole (review coming soon), Dinosaur Designs Extinct and Garden Life.
I couldn’t go past Bird Textile Emporium for my very first Sydney shop review (not with a name like that, anyway). The brainchild of creative director Rachel Bending, Bird produces a range of hand-printed organic fabrics, which have been developed into over fifty product ranges spanning fashion, homewares and craft. The whole business has solid eco credentials with a commitment to sustainable design.
Housed in a heritage-listed former pharmacy dating from the 1890s, the shop is a delightful space and rare example of Sydney’s retail history, featuring old Australian tiles, the original cabinetry and fittings. It’s a fitting platform for Bird’s range of retro-inspired textiles, which are influenced by mid-century Scandinavian and Japanese design.
Fabric is sold by the metre in three different weights, and there is also an in-house upholstery and curtain-making service. The fashion range has been recently pared down to a tidy capsule collection of five classic designs, which are available in a host of fabrics.
But it’s the homewares and crafty ranges that are the main attraction, with made-to-order lampshades (starting at AU$220) amongst the store’s best-sellers. Equally popular is the chook doorstop (AU$75), packets of buttons and fabric remnants at $25 each.
Crafty girls can pick up an organic patchwork kit for $30, and a DIY chook doorstep kit for $35 . Don’t miss the sales catalogue online for updated reductions in fabric, homewares and fashion.
UPDATE: This shop has now closed, but the Bird Textile website is still going strong. The shop is now home to Follow Store. Read my review here.Bird Textile Emporium380 Cleveland StreetSurry Hills NSW 2010Tel. 02 8399 0230Opening hours:Tuesday to Friday 10am-6pmSaturday 10.30am-5.30pmRefuel at Tea ParlourTake tea and nibble on dainty scones and sandwiches. Prices are very reasonable, too.
579 Elizabeth St
Redfern NSW 2016
Open Thursday to Sunday 1pm-8pm
Tel. 0414 335 224
Photography by Lucas Boyd Photography.
Click here to view the full gallery.
The new YSL book, a luxe but affordable Manolo Blahnik shoe horn, the perfect Vivienne Westwood party dress and beautifully constructed silk-satin Marni undies ... all manner of marvellous presents for lovers of fashion.
1. Bloch yellow patent ballerina flats, £105, from Net-a-porter (this links to the UK store, so be sure to select your own country before purchasing).
Thought I’d kick things off with the first in a series of present ideas for Christmas. But rather than just another bloody Christmas gift guide (yep, I can just about hear the multitude of groans), it’s really my way of catching up on Wee Finds, which I’ve been feverishly collecting over the past six months.
You’ll find that a lot of the stuff I like is UK-based, but my goal is to make Wee Birdy more global going forward. And as time goes by, I’ll endeavour to slip in more Australian products and designers.
Anyway, let me know what you think. Has anyone finished their Christmas shopping yet?
1. Sparrow pegs, designed in Australia, AU$15, from Design Dispensary (ships internationally).
I’m back. No really and truly, I am. I didn’t mean to take such a looong break without warning, but stuff* kinda happened, things got complicated, and then I decided I wanted to redesign and relaunch the site, so that took a bit of time … and now I’m here. I’m really sorry. But gee, it’s nice to back!
So how have things been for you?
Thanks to everyone who’s been writing in and checking up on me – it means so much to have such a lively and supportive community of readers out there. I hope you’ve all been well and happy!
*In case you’re wondering, here’s a bit of what I’ve been up to over the last six months:
Renewed my addiction to Golden Gaytimes and Weiss Fruito icecream bars. As well as Frankie magazine, and loads of other Australian sweets and treats. Oh, and I went to the beach as well…
Moved into our temporary ‘holiday house’ on Sydney’s northern beaches (just a bit of a major sea change from South East London!). Felt very, very lucky and grateful for generous and kind family.
Gazed at the dazzling views every day. Here’s the view from my ‘desk’...
Bought our very first flat. It’s in Sydney’s inner west and we move in next week, so the view is about to change (to that of our next door neighbour’s brick wall. Viva la Sydney real estate!).
Spent months looking to buy a house. Wept a wee bit. Sydney, you really do suck when it comes to real estate.
Painted walls, ripped out cupboards, hired a flotilla of tradespeople to do stuff I didn’t really understand …Yep, I’m renovating.
Started driving again (after a 14 year break). In a ute. It’s true, I drove a ute in my thigh-high Marni boots.
Met and instantly liked Likkle Girl, who’s been a long-distance bloggy friend since I started Wee Birdy four years ago. She has good hair, too.
Drove over the Harbour Bridge on my own for the first time.
Bought our very first car. At least I managed to significantly reduce my carbon footprint for the first 36 years of my life.
Had a double winter (although compared to London’s coldest winter in something like 18 years, Sydney’s eight weeks of mild chilliness doesn’t really count, I guess).
Forgot what honest-to-goodness thundering-down-sub-tropical rain was like. And thunder storms! So different to the ongoing drizzle in London.
Realised that some pieces of my European wardrobe don’t translate in Sydney. Like walking down Pitt Street mall in thigh-high Marni boots.
Redesigned and relaunched Wee Birdy. What do you think? More on the new look in the next post…
Got sick, recovered, and got sick again. Health has not been my strong point over the past 12 months. Spent months in bed. Couldn’t leave the house, couldn’t get in the car, and heaved and sobbed into Mr Bucket on a regular basis. Became somewhat of a recluse. Ended up in hospital. But now? I’m feeling fine. Better than fine, actually, because…
I’m having a baby! Baby Wee Birdy due 8 March, 2011. It’s a boy!
So tell me, what have you been up to? What have I missed?
Comments Off on Some nice things people have said about Wee Birdy
‘50 of the world's best design blogs’ by Lynne Robinson Times Online (December 16, 2009, UK)
“Incredibly cohesive: London shopping and birds-inspired design, authored by an Australian magazine writer living in London.”
‘London shopping blogs’ by Jessica Holland The London Paper (August 26, 2009, UK)
“Wee Birdy is another great, stylish, well-informed blog that brings you the best of the shops and craft fairs so when you do get a chance to nip out, you know exactly what you’re looking for.”
‘Very useful: Wee Birdy’ Luxe City Guides Mobile: London (iPhone application)
“Dish the dirt. Fab and fun designy under-the-radar blog”
‘A Guide to the 100 Best Blogs’ by Brian Appleyard The Sunday Times (February 2, 2009, UK)
“www.weebirdy.com Sometimes it takes outsider eyes to refocus your surroundings for you. Here is a native of Sydney whose blog registers all things good/unknown about her new home, London. Wee Birdy pokes around the back streets of the city for the best shops and sights, so you don’t have to.”
The Australian (April 4-5, 2009, Australia)
“www.weebirdy.com A Sydneysider’s blog registers all things good or unknown about her new home, London.”
““Great fashion and imagery finds from one Australian journalist’s endearingly shiny view of London.”
Girlfriend magazine (April 2008, Australia)
“This beautifully written (and totally addictive) London style blog is like a wee trip to the coolest shops in the UK (minus the Qantas airfare).” - Sarah Oakes, former editor.
‘Fashion blogs to read now’ Shop til You Drop magazine (March 2008, Australia)
Featured as the “One to watch”.
‘Cleo’s next top blogger: Meet me at Mike’s’ Cleo magazine
Winner Pip Lincolne of Meet me at Mike’s mentions that Wee Birdy is one of her “all time favourite blogs”.
‘Wee Birdy’ India Knight’s Posterous (13 October, 2009)
“This is one of my favourite blogs of all time - essential reading if you like lovely things; I only wish she'd blog every ten minutes. (We're going for a coffee next week - I think she may be slightly taken aback by the extent of my love). Her most recent entry is about Nathalie Lete, who it turns out is the genius that designed the Anthropologie (10 days til it opens on Regent Street, pant pant < with excitement, not as in knickers) plates I wrote about the other week. Have a look at her blog right now - it's total heaven from start to finish.” - India Knight, Posterous
‘Aussie Writers in London’ Girl with a Satchel (21 August, 2007)
“If you’re stuck in your chair at work and fancy a bit of armchair travelling when you’re not glued to Facebook, or are planning a trip to London, I suggest you visit this fresh-for-the-picking blog – exquisite in words and pictures. Former Sydney magazine editor, and current freelance journalist, Rebecca Lowrey Boyd and her partner are sharing a flat in London, from which she produces weebirdy.com, a blog primarily about shopping, style and beauty. The layout is gorgeous and each post is a visual treat. Rebecca’s writing is exciting, succinct and cute. Her latest post on Mrs Kibble’s Olde Sweet Shoppe gave me sugar cravings. Daily Candy, eat your heart out...” - Erica Bartle, Girl with a Satchel
‘Wee Birdy’ Brockley Central (21 January, 2010)
“1. Find a subject you care about. 2. Do not ramble, though. 3. Keep it simple. 4. Have the guts to cut. 5. Sound like yourself. 6. Say what you mean to say. 7. Pity the readers. - Kurt Vonnegut With our singular focus, we don't often mention other blogs we like, but we're happy to have an opportunity to put that right in one case. Wee Birdy is an excellent design, craft and shopping blog written by the deputy shopping and style editor at Time Out London magazine, who also happens to live in Brockley. Her work has recently been celebrated by the Times, who selected it for its list of the 50 best design blogs in the world. Check it out.” - Brockley Nick, Brockley Central
“I just came across weebirdy.com, a brilliant blog written by a former magazine editor from Sydney, who now lives in London and writes about her favorite shops and restaurants and finds in her new town....”
‘I love Weebirdy.com’ by Lara Crisp, Editor Allison & Busby’s blog (17 September, 2009)
“Today I’d like to share my favourite blog with you. It’s called Weebirdy.com. If you think London’s a grey place to be, think again. Weebirdy introduces you to the cool and the quirky, the colourful and the mad. I’m in love. I could try to sum it all up in wordy fashion but I think the site tweets for itself. You an also follow the Top Bird behind Weebirdy on Twitter here.” - Lara Crisp, Editor, Allison & Busby
‘Site of the Month: Weebirdy.com’ Granny Look
“Weebirdy is not specifically a Christmas website, but it is so lovely I couldn’t wait to share it any longer! Weebirdy is based in London and is all about everything women love: fashion, beauty, design, food, people, travel and more. One of the things that make this blogsite so special is the gorgeous photography in each entry. Look at London snowed in, visit indie shops and drool over the color and variety of the offerings. See unique handmade treasures of all kinds. Find links to places to see and things to do and read reviews of related books. It’s really a lovely read and well worth your time. Go to the site, www.weebirdy.com and type in Handmade Christmas Part 1 to see some extraordinary holiday baking ideas. Beautiful!”
‘Wee Birdy’ by Frances Keith Notcot.org: for your ideas + aesthetics + amusement
“Wee Birdy is a great guide to London UK. With snippets about where to shop, secret places, and cool things blogged daily. Lots of nice little boutique design places, crafty things, and cool events.” - Frances Keith
‘Wee Birdy’ Tracey Neuls’ Blog
“Have a look at this website for the latest on interesting little boutiques (yes, including us) around London. A brilliant source for style mavens and curious folk alike!” - Tracey Neuls, Owner and designer, Tracey Neuls shoes
‘Best Blogs: Wee Birdy’ Every Little Thing (9 September, 2007)
“Wee Birdy is a blog devoted to ‘shopping, style, beauty and more’. The blogger is an Australian-born freelance journalist, now living in London — and seems to know what she’s talking about when it comes to fashion. There are some great posts (and photos) on her recent trip to Paris — where she does a nice round-up of all the best places to shop.The blog looks to be relatively new but I reckon it’s going to be a winner.” - Every Little Thing
‘Introducing Wee Birdy’ Glam Press: At Home with Kim Vallee
“I want to start the week peacefully. So this is a feel good post. I discovered a couple weeks ago this fabulous field guide to the good stuff in London, UK. An Australian-born freelance journalist writes Wee Birdy. Her blog is filled with local food places and indie shops.” - Kim Vallee, At Home with Kim Vallee
The 2009 Bloggies
Wee Birdy was nominated as a finalist for ‘Best Kept Secret Weblog’.
