Author Archives: topbird

1. London’s Christmas lights and windows

   November 10, 2009 10:20 pm 16 Comments

   

   London was all a-glitter tonight with Carnaby revealing a super-retro Christmas lights display, but first up was Liberty and its brilliant Christmas windows.

   

    

   It was a bit of a creature-feature with a giant birdy in one window (complete with a raft of bird boxes) and Mr and Mrs Foxy (and baby Foxy) sitting down to Christmas dinner in another, but I particularly love the Coronation/Rule Brittania set-up, which features the most incredible collection of royal memorabilia.

   

    

   The next window transported us to a rather nostalgic suburban scene with the Quality Street scattered under the sofa, fruitcake piled up on the occasional table, and kitsch toys under the tree. Aaaah…so cosy.

   

   

   The British heritage obsession combined with all the witty foxy-hunting-lodge references is of course a nod to Luella Bartley, who has stepped in to ‘guest-edit’ Liberty’s Christmas collection this year.

   

   It’s celebrated in Luella’s Christmas Grotto (on the Carnaby Street side of the store), and it’s really difficult not to love all of her special picks, from the badger egg cups and goldfish hankies to the Shepherd’s diaries and Liberty-print hair bows. All of the Rubbish finger puppets are there, too. You can look at Luella's picks online here. Such a genius idea.

   

   

   

   And then just outside Luella’s Grotto awaits Carnaby Street and its kitsch-tastic super-sized pink deers and lights…

   

   It's beginning to look a lot like a (very retro) Christmas…

2. Birdy pick of the week

   November 9, 2009 11:26 am 5 Comments

   

   Upcycled mustard vintage train case, with birdy design, US$69.95, from Get Ready, Set, Go's Etsy shop.

3. Shopping in London: Broadway Market

   November 6, 2009 7:00 am 18 Comments

   

   

   I finally paid Broadway Market a long overdue visit recently to re-discover some old favourites (Violet has some of the best cupcakery in London), as well as stumble across some exciting new finds. Since we moved to South-East London it's a bigger effort to 'make the trip' to what was once my little local market. It's more of an event than just nipping out to stock up on veg (and uh, cake) for the week. Can't wait til they open up the new rail line next year…

   But first, I need to indulge my Violet obsession with a pic of their incredible chocolate devil's food cupcake with marshmallow icing (no wonder this stall was one of the first things I blogged about when I first started Wee Birdy)…

   

   And I loved the look of these apples sitting in the sun…

   

   But it was Karin Andreasson's jewellery that caught my eye this time: a mapgie's nest of vintage-style hairpieces, pendants and jewels. She's a local East Londoner and I love how she's used old ballerina jewellery boxes and mannequin busts to display her wares. It all adds up to a rather charming little stall…

   

   

   

   

   I really love the '20s-style single-feather hair pins embellished with antique lace and vintage diamantes, which are perfect for tucking into a bun or chignon for a special occasion. And if you like quirky pendants, keep an eye out for Karin's re-purposed watch-faces, miniature hand-mirrors, keys and crocheted-edged charms. 

   (You can also pick up some of Karin's gorgeous pieces online from Wee Birdy sponsor Cerise.)

   Broadway Market, every Saturday
   Hackney, London, E8
   Nearest rail: London Fields
   Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

   Click here for more Wee Birdy reviews of stalls and shops on Broadway Market.

4. Wee find: Claudette cards

   November 5, 2009 4:00 pm 4 Comments

    

   

   

   Loving the retro simplicity and the eco credentials of The Claudettes postcards, which are printed on 100 per cent recycled, uncoated board. I've already received one as a baby thank-you note, but they would also be perfect for party invitations or birth announcements. Or any occasion, really.

   They're from wonderful Wee Birdy sponsor The Green Apple. Have a look for more fresh and fun eco-friendly and ethically-sourced gifts of the non-hair shirt variety. (Don't forget that you get 10 per cent discount with the code 'weebirdy'!)

5. Tatty Devine update: new Covent Garden shop

   November 4, 2009 10:29 pm 7 Comments

   

   This just in: Tatty Devine Soho is moving to Covent Garden and will officially open for business on Saturday 7 November. Sounds like a great move to me – as much as I loved the Soho store, it did feel a little removed from the bustle of neighbouring shops. I think they'll have a much stronger presence in their new Monmouth Street premises. 

   
   Along with the full Tatty Devine collections, the new shop will showcase an ace selection of products by the likes of Eley Kishimoto (keep an eye out for their flash print purses and hosiery), Mimi (luxe leather bags), Alexander Wang and Jeremy Scott (cool sunglasses). There will also be a collection of pieces designed especially for Tatty Devine by Rob Ryan (hurrah!)

   
   And in true Tatty style, the girls have organised a raft of activities to celebrate the grand opening, including a "carnival-style parade" on the evening of Thursday 19 November, with a line up of performers, artists, fans and friends making a procession from the Soho shop to the new Covent Garden space. Customers will also be treated to some surprises and treats on Saturday 21 November, where every visitor will be entered into a competition to win a limited edition White Tiger Necklace.

   Tatty Devine
   44 Monmouth Street
   London WC2 9EP
   Tel. 0207 836 2685
   Nearest tube: Covent Garden
   Click here for a Wee Birdy map.
   
   All jewellery featured here is from the new Tatty Devine 'Button Up' collection.

6. Sneak Peek: Diamond Tears necklace

   7:00 am 5 Comments

   
    
   This Brother's Grimm-esque necklace is the result of the latest Tatty Devine collaboration with artist Verena Paloma Jabs, and will be released on November 13. How lovely are the shiny black hand-strung beads? It’s not surprising that Verena is fascinated by the juxtaposition of dark fairytale narratives with idyllic imagery.

   

   Verena's work combines modern technology such as laser-cut acrylic frames with more traditional techniques such as paper cuts and woodcutting. Catch her ‘Diamond Tears’ exhibition at the Tatty Devine Brick Lane shop from 13 November. In the meantime, you might like to check out Verena’s portfolio here. 

   ** News just in from Tatty Devine: their brand new Covent Garden store will be opening very shortly – maybe even this weekend! I'll keep you updated with the latest news.**

   Diamond Tears by Verena Paloma Jabs
   13 November 2009 to 31 January 2009
   Tatty Devine
   236 Brick Lane
   London E2 7EB
   Tel. 020 7739 9191
   Nearest tube: Liverpool Street
   Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

   Opening hours:
   Tuesday to Sunday 11am-6pm

   Click here for more shops in East London.

7. Shopping in London: Ryantown goes B&W

   November 3, 2009 11:12 pm 7 Comments

   

   Everything's in black and white at Rob Ryan's shop Ryantoon at the moment, with all stock – from cushions and prints to tiles and decorative packing tape – rendered in a monochrome palette. Genius idea. Check it out while it lasts – until November 15.

   

   
   
   Ryantown
   126 Columbia Road
   London E2 7RG
   Nearest tubes: Liverpool Street and Bethnal Green
   Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

   Opening hours:
   Saturday 1pm-4pm
   Sunday 9am-4pm

   For more shops in East London, click here. 

   All images courtesy of Rob Ryan.

8. Wee find: Baubles at the Shop Floor Project

   9:18 am 3 Comments

   

   The Shop Floor Project is one of my favourite UK-based online destinations for design, jewellery, fashion and all things gorgeous, and they have just revealed this year’s grand line-up of limited-edition artisan Christmas baubles.

   And what a beautifully curated collection it is, with leaping horses and acrobats, hand-carved Polish birds and hand-beaded hot-air balloons. Here are my top picks:

   Prices start at £10, from The Shop Floor Project.

   1. Ye Olde Bauble Game by Samantha Allan, featuring a boxed set of five hand-signed decoupaged baubles and tree-side game instructions, £55 per box.
   2. Hand-beaded hot air balloon by Clara Francis, from £85.
   3. Flying Acrobat by Daniel Heath, screen-printed wood, £28.
   4. Jumping Horse by Daniel Heath, screen-printed wood, £28.
   5. Hand-carved chattering birds by Zosienka Coombes , £10 each.

9. Wee find: Erdem for Smythson diaries

   November 2, 2009 2:18 pm 6 Comments

   

   They’re here …  Erdem’s stunning new diaries for Smythson have arrived in-store and online today. His signature hyper-real floral prints are evident in the ‘butterfly’ and ‘garden print’ leather-bound styles (starting at £115 for a classic Panama diary), while his familiar bell-skirted frock is celebrated in his Erdem Girl design. 

   
   Both diaries feature two pages of his designs on Smythson’s iconic 'featherweight blue' paper. (If you are heading to the Bond Street store for a peek, make sure you check out the mini-museum out the back. It also provides an excellent excuse to stride purposely through the store when you couldn't possibly consider spending £115 on a diary, Erdem-designed or not. Or you could always stop and buy a £7 silver pencil…)

   In the meantime, you may like to swoon over Erdem’s latest spring/summer 2010 collection, showcasing a bounty of blooms and a bevy of feminine silhouettes. Although I’m still loving the digital blur of blooms he produced for autumn/winter … but more on that in a later post.

   

   

   Smythson
   40 New Bond Street
   London W1S 2DE
   Tel. 020 7629 8558        
   Nearest Tube: Bond Street
   Click here for a Wee Birdy map.
   

   Opening Hours:
   Monday to Wednesday, 9.30am-6pm
   Thursday 10am-7pm
   Friday 9.30am-6pm
   Saturday 10am-6pm
   

   Images courtesy of Smythson and Style.com.

10. Birdy pick of the week

    November 1, 2009 10:17 pm 5 Comments

    

    Take a look at these glass bead beauties by London-based jeweller, Clara Francis. Small beaded hummingbird necklace in vintage green, left, £60; and large beaded hummingbird necklace in vintage pink, right, £140.

11. Happy Halloween!

    October 30, 2009 6:46 pm 8 Comments

    
    Spooky skull Halloween headband for Blythe, US$4, by Cupcake Cozy.
    

    Good to see that Blythe is getting suitably frocked up for Halloween on Etsy. There are all manner of spooky-themed accessories and outfits available for my favourite retro doll, with itty bitty details like scaled-down prints, tiny striped stockings and wee ric-rac. It's all a bit mad, really, but I can't help loving it.

    And for those of you who think that Blythe is just plain spooky in the first instance, well … Happy Halloween!

    
    Halloween retro print dress for Blythe, US$25, by Devout Dolls.

    
    Halloween spider dress with bib for Blythe, US$25, by Devout Dolls.

    
    Halloween skirt and top set for Blythe, $32, by Devout Dolls.
    
    Skull hair pin for Blythe, US$3, by Crispipop.

12. Wee find: Laura Laura mini collection

    7:01 am 1 Comment

    

    Here's a sneak peek at the new mini-collection by London-based designer LauraLaura, whose recycled sweaters I blogged about a couple of months ago.

    

    Entitled 'Who Goes There', the collection consists of four one-off bright pieces for winter, which has been illustrated by the very talented Beth Davis.

    

    Click here to go to LauraLaura's online shop and see the pieces 'in the flesh'. Playful details like blanket-stitched edging, embroidered tromple l'oeil buttons and frilled collars keep things fresh and original. Prices start at £50.

13. Wee find: Andrea Garland’s natural balms

    October 29, 2009 7:00 am 8 Comments

    

    A few months ago I was mooching around Greenwich market and stumbled across Andrea Garland’s range of natural balms in vintage tins, compacts and pill boxes.

    

    

    I really like her organic lip balm made with sweet almond oil, cocoa butter, beeswax and vitamin E, but she also does a terrific sore muscle rub and a body balm. The best bit is that she does refills at a fraction of the original price – so you get to keep the original pretty tin.

    These days you can find her at Brick Lane’s Upmarket and Liberty in London, but she’s also got an online store here.