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Author Archives: topbird

Shopping in London: Suck and Chew
June 24, 2009 6:00 am 13 Comments

I’m a real sucker for nostalgic sweet shops, and Suck and Chew on Columbia Road is no exception. Look out for the pillar-box red shopfront if you’re visiting on flower market Sundays and you’ll be treated to old-retro favourites like Rhubarb and Custards, Cola Cubes and Rosy Apples.

There’s also a delectable selection of handmade organic chocolate truffles from Norfolk (I love the champagne and strawberry) as well as some unique retro-inspired gifts, like Beano and Dandy tea-towels (£7.99) and blackboard mugs (£4.50).

Keep an eye out for the vintage cards, Ladybird books and chocolate tins (from £5), as well as the adorable Topsy and Tim badges (£1.50). Fans of the area should also seek out the ‘I heart Columbia Road’ badges (75p).

Suck and Chew
130 Columbia Road
London E2 7RG
Tel. 020 8983 3504
Nearest tube: Liverpool Street
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Saturday 1pm to 4.30pm
Sunday 9am to 4.30pm

Click here for more shops on Columbia Road.
Wee find: Peter Jensen Resort 2010
June 23, 2009 1:27 pm 9 Comments

It's no secret that I’m a wee bit in love with Peter Jensen’s Scandi/folkie/girlie aesthetic, and his latest bunny-tastic collection (Resort 2010) just confirmed my crush. Showcased in London last week in a set designed and illustrated by Charlotte Mann, Jensen’s line-up included a recurring bunny print, which popped up on an adorable grey swimsuit (with long white ‘ears’ as straps) and some fabulously kooky bunny glasses, courtesy of Tatty Devine.

Twee bunny fun aside, I love the print shift dress and the sparkly blue cardie – but I’m really dying to get my hands on a pair of the printed and be-ribboned ballet flats.

All images courtesy of Style.com.
Birdy pick of the week
June 22, 2009 12:52 am 7 Comments

Tine K hand-painted birdies, £14.95, are designed in Denmark and ethically produced in Taiwan. They're available at Bohemia in Edinburgh.
Passion for Fashion auction
June 18, 2009 8:19 am 11 Comments

I'm kicking myself for not getting this post up earlier, but I've been a bit crook with the non-pig-flu flu this week. So things have started to slide. Anyway, the Passion for Fashion auction actually took place in London yesterday, but I thought you might be interested to see some of the vintage goodies that went under the hammer.

The auction included an astounding range of museum-worthy fashion, including dresses from 19th century gowns and rare examples from Yves Saint Laurent's Russian Collection, as well as Poiret, Schiaparelli, Lanvin, Balmain (see the exquisite embroidered black satin cocktail gown from AW 1959, above) and Gres. Not so very long ago I would have done something terrible for a Madame Gres pleated gown. Check out this fine example of her extraordinary talent and skill which was on offer yesterday:

I was also surprised to discover a pair of Queen Victoria's fine linen knickers up for auction, which are described as "vast drawers" and embroidered with VR and a "queenly crown".

And then there's a pair of her knitted silk stockings (also embroidered with her initials):

Also included in the line-up were some beautifully structured Courrèges tunics, mini skirts and wool dresses (circa 1968-70):

Check out the full catalogue online here.

All images courtesy of Kerry Taylor Auctions.
Wee find: Half-pint tees for Father’s Day
7:29 am 4 Comments

I spotted these pint and half-pint tees for adults and kids in Fabrications recently, and thought they were would make fun gifts for Father's Day. I'm usually wary of matching slogan tees for parent and child, but these are actually quite clever and rather adorable, and are available in a range of colours. They're made by quirky London-based company Twisted Twee, and you can buy direct from them online. Otherwise pop into Fabrications on Broadway Market on Saturday, and you'll have Father's Day sorted for Sunday.

Fabrications
7 Broadway Market
London E8 FPH
Tel. 0207 275 8043
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Tuesday-Saturday 12noon-5pm
Or call for appointment.
Nearest tube: Bethnal Green Station
Nearest train: London Fields BR
Crafty happenings in London
June 16, 2009 8:50 pm 2 Comments

Check out some of the mid-summer crafty happenings coming soon to a London church hall (or pub) near you …

1. Craftaholics
Head to Islington for an afternoon of handmade and ethical products, including Bobby Dazzler’s soft toys and characters, Emma Ferguson’s embroidered goodies (see 'Hello' brooch above), Anima's ultra-girlie cupcakes, Seif Alhasani’s prints and sketchbooks and Louise Graham’s ceramics.

Craftaholics
Saturday 27 June
12pm-5pm
The Old Queen's Head
44 Essex Road
London N1 8LN
Free admission

2. Button Willow Bazaar
A summer fete with a line-up of old-school favourites like tombola, guess the weight of the cake and a celebrity vegetable competition. There will also be handmade and vintage stalls along with tea, cake and a “nice glass of sherry”. Sounds delightful!

Button Willow Bazaar
Saturday 20 June
12pm-7pm
St Aloysius Church Hall
20 Phoenix Road
London NW1 1TA
Free admission

3. Sample and seconds sale
Pick up some hand-crafted bargains by the likes of Poppy Treffry (embroidered home textiles), Daisy Dunlop (resin jewellery) and The Black Rabbit (quirky knitted gifts) at a sample and seconds sale. There’s also free tea and cake.

Samples and seconds sale
Friday 19 and Saturday 20 June
10am-6pm.
St James the Less church hall
Vauxhall Bridge Road
London SW1V 2PS

All images courtesy of the artists.
Birdy pick of the week
June 15, 2009 7:22 pm 1 Comment

Sterling silver brooch, $US90; ring, US$81; and necklace, US$88 from Shere Design's Etsy shop.
All images courtesy of Shere Design.
Coutts London Jewellery Week: Tina Lilienthal
June 13, 2009 9:44 am 8 Comments

London-based jewellery designer Tina Lilienthal is also exhibiting at Treasure in Covent Garden this weekend. Her juicy cherry necklaces are just ripe for picking, but I'm also loving her collection of white resin skull pieces. And her resin bone hair clips are pretty awesome in a Flintstones kinda way. But if you're in a gloomier frame of mind, her surgical scissors and love heart necklace (inspired by a recent break-up) might just tickle your (dark) fancy.

Treasure
The Flower Cellars
4-6 Russell Street
Covent Garden WC2E 7PR
Friday 12 June: Noon to 8pm
Saturday 13 June:10am to 6pm
Sunday 14 June:10am to 6pm
Admission £5

All images courtesy of Tina Lilenthal
Coutts London Jewellery Week: Lua Lua
June 11, 2009 6:21 pm 4 Comments

I'm really captivated by these vibrant pieces by Lua Lua, which will also be on show at Treasure on the weekend. Like tiny shards of light from the colour spectrum, the necklaces and earrings are fun, ultra-wearable and would make perfect statement pieces.

Treasure
The Flower Cellars
4-6 Russell Street
Covent Garden WC2E 7PR
Friday 12 June: Noon to 8pm
Saturday 13 June:10am to 6pm
Sunday 14 June:10am to 6pm
Admission £5

All images courtesy of Lua Lua.
Coutts London Jewellery Week: Saloukee
12:03 am 5 Comments

While it’s very possible that there might be just TOO much good stuff on in London this weekend (Swinging Carnaby, Beachcombing on the banks of the Thames, Art Car Boot Sale in Brick Lane, Marylebone Village Summer Fayre, Open Squares weekend … just for starters, mind), one event I definitely won’t be missing is Treasure on Saturday morning.

As part of the official Coutts London Jewellery week schedule, Treasure showcases some of Britain’s hottest talent in contemporary jewellery design. Running over three days (starting Friday) in Covent Garden, the designers will be on hand to discuss – and sell! – their work, with many pieces starting at just £20. I’ll be posting some of my favourite picks over the next few days.

Pictured in this post is the amazingly sculptural necklaces and bracelets by jewellery designer Saloukee. Departing from the traditional use of precious metals and stones, each piece is entirely made from laser-cut paper. I'm really loving the idea of a contemporary Tudor ruff, which appears at once modern and antique. You can find Saloukee blogging about her work here.

Treasure
The Flower Cellars
4-6 Russell Street
Covent Garden WC2E 7PR
Friday 12 June: Noon to 8pm
Saturday 13 June:10am to 6pm
Sunday 14 June:10am to 6pm
Admission £5

All images courtesy of Saloukee.
Coutts London Jewellery Week: Alex Monroe
June 8, 2009 10:45 pm 4 Comments

More woodland-inspired loveliness by London-based jeweller Alex Monroe. These latest bunny and twig-gy pieces are from an exclusive collection of handmade one-offs for Coutts London Jewellery Week, which runs until the 14th of June. Check out his extraordinary work (including some adorable birdy jewellery) this week at Little 15, Harrods, Liberty and EC One. www.alexmonroe.com

Click her for Alex's Secret London address book.
Birdy pick of the week
June 7, 2009 8:42 pm 7 Comments

Daydream wallpaper, US$105, by Hygge & West.
source: Décor8.
Wee find: Rob Ryan umbrella
June 4, 2009 1:32 am 15 Comments

In my eyes, the man can do no wrong. Rob Ryan's latest collaboration, with Japanese homewares company Afternoon Tea, features a range of delightful rainy day motifs (including – gasp! – a wee birdy holding an umbrella) and the words "Walkin' in the rain" splashed across a collection of wet weather gear. I bags the umbrella.

Images courtesy of Rob Ryan and Afternoon Tea.

Author Archives: topbird

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