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’.
Loving these organic candles and soap for mother and baby from Baby Bear Shop. Handmade 'Baby bird soap' with organic oils of palm, coconut, aloe vera and lavender, US$8; and recycled glass soy wax candle, made with organic oils, US$24. UPDATE: SPECIAL OFFER. Buy one glass soy wax candle and get one free. Just enter this promo code: weebirdyblog.
Oh, how I wish I was in London right now. I've got loads of things to tell you since arriving back in Sydney (I'm just starting to thaw out after Britain's coldest winter in 30 years), but right now I've got my eye on – where else? – lovely, lovely Liberty. Right on the back of the rather clever Liberty for Target collection comes the sublime limited edition Merci Liberty collection for spring.
Designed by Parisian concept store Merci's creative director, Marie France Cohen, the super-pretty collection features a bouquet of Liberty's most iconic floral prints. With an emphasis on what Merci does best (homewares and children's ware), stand-out pieces include the old-school mini suitcase covered in Liberty print, long print aprons, as well as reasonably priced cushions from £20.
Stationery nerds will rejoice in the sublime range of printed tapes, notebooks and assorted papery delights (I really love the old-school brown envelopes with a posy of Liberty florals peeking out from the lining).
Tell me – have you picked up anything from the Liberty for Target collection? Have you had a peek at the new Merci collection? Go on, give me my London fix.
p.s. I snuck in a wee trip to Paris (and a visit to Merci) during my last week in London, so a shop tour will be coming soon!
I don't think I have an especially over-developed sense of smell, but I'm particularly adverse to the kind of shop (usually of the super-feminine gift variety) which assaults the senses with a cacophony of scented candles, perfume diffusers and oil burners. And don't even get me started on the overwhelming pong
that makes my brain ache every time I walk within 10 yards of a Lush
store.
So the curious aroma of wooden clothes pegs, beeswax candles and tarred jute twine creates a rather unusual but instantly comforting atmosphere of a timeless general store at London's legendary Labour and Wait.
Classic and functional design marries vintage aesthetic, with a rather excellent selection of enamel cookware, Breton striped tops and wooden bristle brushes. Keep an eye out for the excellent stash of vintage linen, giant balls of twine and enamel pendant lampshades, as well as the extensive range of high quality tools, gloves and packets of
seeds.
* Please bear with me – I'm flying back to my Sydney nest so I'm digging into the Wee Birdy archives for a couple of weeks. Normal posting (and ace new London shops) will resume shortly. xx
It’s easy to feel intimidated walking into Dover Street Market,
arguably London’s number one cutting-edge shopping destination. When I
first arrived in London last year, I wasn’t really sure what to expect,
but gathered it was something along the lines of Colette in Paris. So far, so (very) good.
But
with "market" in the title, I was initially thinking on a linear level,
as opposed to an uber-department store with six floors dedicated to
fashion, design and art. And with terms like "avant-garde",
"groundbreaking" and "edgy" bandied about in the press over the past
three years, I was half-excited and half-scared, fearing six floors of
pretension and a f***-off attitude to boot.
Emerging
from the lift onto the fourth floor, I was immediately struck by a few
things. Firstly, a vintage anatomy plaster model of a foetus in utero,
the kind of thing you’d find in a university science lab from the
fifties; secondly, my beloved Labour and Wait’s
counter of traditional homewares (think balls of twine, sturdy
gardening tools and French stripey tops); and finally, a rack of Commes
des Garcon’s PLAY line, mixed in with designers such as Commuun, Toga Archives, and Veronique Branquinho.**
All this and the comforting homely aroma of freshly baked scones
pervading from the Rose Bakery in the corner of the room (more on this
in another post). It’s kinda crazy and cool and I love it.
But
let’s turn down the “crazy” dial for the moment, after all, there is
serious fashion to consider. Dover Street Market is the brainchild of
Commes des Garcon’s Rei Kawakubo, and it features well over 50
designers, with numerous exclusive collaborations and all 14 CdG lines.
Kawakubo
challenges traditional concepts of merchandising by mixing top
designers such as Dior, Galliano and Alaïa, with lesser-known labels
sourced from all over the world. Menswear merges with womenswear, and
unexpected suprises (like the voodoo-vibed World Archives stall and Emma Hawkins’ Victorian
collection of taxidermy, animal skeletons and vintage plaster anatomy
models) keep shoppers engaged and excited. And by inviting the various
designers to curate and regularly update their own space, Kawakubo
breathes new life into fashion retail.
Personal highlights include Very Lustre’s ultra-modern diamond jewellery; Boudicca’s velvet-draped birdcage dressing room, complete with mirror and bell; Parisien Didier Ludot’s
ultimate LBD range, and Cameron Silver’s “Decades” stall (a little
piece of Melrose in Mayfair, where I spied heart-stopping premium
vintage pieces by Azzedine Alaïa, Missoni and YSL couture). I was also
enamoured by Japanese label Sacai’s simple and relaxed knitwear, as
well as Sacai Luck’s ultra-femme lingerie line featuring pretty
camisoles and shorts in cashmere and silk.
On each visit to DSM, I've found it increasingly difficult to walk past the range of Pierre Hardy
shoes without drooling all over the wares, and it was nice to see
Australian designer Michelle Jank’s eclectic one-off neckpieces. And
the one-off creations by London’s premier milliner Stephen Jones for DSM are always fun and fanciable (I loved the adorable A/W 2007
"Chic!" berets). I could go on and on … each 'stall' is worthy of an
individual post, so you can expect additional posts and updates on DSM
in the future.
**NB: this post was originally written in January 2008 so some of the installations and designers I've described have changed since then.
* Please bear with me – I'm flying back to my Sydney nest so I'm digging into the Wee Birdy archives for a couple of weeks. Normal posting (and ace new London shops) will resume shortly. xx
