Hand foil-stamped birdy plant labels, 40p each, by London designer Kim Jenkins at Broadway Market. Non-Londoners can also buy them online here.
Cheep Cheep
October 19, 2008
October 14, 2008
Birdy on a budget
So now that birdy is on a budget, I'll be keeping an eagle eye out for clever buys, thrifty shopping and lower price points. And even though I love a great bargain, this doesn't mean that I'll be reporting from Primark every week. I'll still be scouring the streets of London (and the interwebs) for new shopping gems, but I'll be flagging any particularly good buys, as well as solid and innovative design and quality craftmanship. In fact, it's more important than ever to support your local independent shops and designers.
I'm also embracing Make Do and Mend's concept of 'slow fashion' - consuming slower, turning away from fast, disposable fashion, and looking for investment purchases that will last longer than a couple of spin cycles in the washing machine. Mixed in with carefully considered high-street purchases, they can go a long way to extending the life of your wardrobe.
In the meantime, let me know if there's anything in particular you'd like me to cover.
October 09, 2008
Make like a magpie: Top Bird’s top picks
When H&M announced its upcoming collaboration with Commes des
Garcons, the fashion world’s jaws collectively dropped. What was Rei
Kawakubo thinking? How is she going to pull it off? And um, when can we
get our freakin’ hands on it? (that would be moi.) Well, the wait is
almost over as the launch date draws near, and I’m wondering if I should be furtively planning my own little tent city outside Regent
Street’s H&M. Better still, I’m hoping to get tickets to Vogue’s
exclusive preview evening on Wednesday 12th November. Preview and buy
from the entire collection the day before it goes on sale worldwide? 25
per cent off all other H&M ranges on the night? I’m (hopefully)
there. Apply for your two tickets now.
Opening tonight at Nelly Duff is UK artist Patrick Thomas’ first-ever UK solo show. Be quick if you want to snap up some previously unseen limited edition screenprints and original artworks, as the show is only open for three days.
Patrick Thomas - SOLO
Nelly Duff
9-11 October, 2008
156 Columbia Road
London E2 7RG
Thursday 9th October: 6pm to 9pm
Friday 10th and Saturday 11th October:12-7pm
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.
It’s Meet the Experts month at Selfridges right now, with an impressive line-up of launches and experts from some of the top beauty brands. Check out the full schedule and book early if you want to participate in any of the events. Here are my top picks:
Friday October 10th
Lancôme: National Makeup Artist Benjamin Rousseau will be in store for Lancôme showing you the metallic colours of the season. To place a booking call 0207 318 3739.
Saturday October 11th
Nars: Update your look with NARS National Stylist Benoit Dumond and discover the hottest trends for Autumn Winter.
Marian Newman: America’s cult favourite Marian Newman Nails launches exclusively at Selfridges with a PA from the creator herself.
Wednesday October 15th
NARS: Book in for a colour match consultation and receive your complimentary trial sample of Nars’ new Firming Foundation.
Thursday October 16th
Sisley: Expert Make up Artist Armand Beasley will be in store advising customers on this season’s must have looks. A £25 booking fee will secure your booking and is redeemable against any Sisley product purchased at the store on the day. Armand is visiting the counter on Thursday 16th and Friday 17th October. Phone: 0207 318 3475
Friday October 17th
Dr Sebagh: Let yourself go by experiencing the launch of new face serum, Supreme Maintenance, treat yourself to a personal one on one session with Dr Sebagh himself who will be in store in Personal Shopping from 10.am till 7.pm.
Monday October 20th
Giorgio Armani Cosmetics: Razzle Dazzle your eyes, visit the Giorgio Armani Eye Master class and learn how to create the iconic smoky eye.
Cheep cheep! Be prepared for a mega shit fight at 10am tomorrow, when Diesel celebrates its ‘dirty thirty’ birthday with the global release of £30 limited edition jeans – for one day only. If you want to get your hands on one of the 30,000 female (Matic) or male (Heeven) pairs of jeans, get your elbows out and head to one of the following Diesel stores below. (Non-Londoners: click here for your participating Diesel store).
23/24 Carnaby Street
Tel: 02074 343 113
38a High Street Kensington
Tel: 0207 3761 785
43 Earlham St
Tel. 02074 975 543
72 Kings Road, Chelsea
Tel. 0207 225 3225
September 18, 2008
Shopping online: Fifi Lapin
Just in time for London Fashion Week, Ms Fifi Lapin - the most fashion-forward bunny in the city - has launched her very own website and online shop. There's a brand new t-shirt as well as an excellent range of drawings and limited edition prints. Prices start at US$30 for a print, and US$45 for the t-shirt.
August 28, 2008
Wee finds at TK Maxx
I can count on one hand the amount of times I've set foot inside a TK Maxx store.
When I first arrived in the UK, I made a beeline for this shop. It was, apparently, where "savvy shoppers" head to unearth a designer gem. Heck, I thought, I'm a savvy shopper. So off I toddled, dedicating a decent amount of time to digging around in a bid to bag a designer bargain [note to self: go easy on the alliteration]. But after a few visits yielded zero startling finds, I gave it up as the stuff of legend.
But there I was this afternoon, back at my local Lewisham branch, trawling the racks in desperation for a bikini. I know. It's the end of the season. I've missed the boat. BUT, I'm flying off to Sardinia next month and I have a bad habit of leaving bikini buying 'til the last minute. That's because it's a demon task from hell. Still, I thought I had nothing to lose and dutifully made my way around the shop floor.
Not surprisingly, there was zilch in the way of swimsuits BUT, I did end up in the scarf section (yep, miles away from bikinis) and found a rather choice selection including a See by Chloe cotton print scarf (£19), a striking orange and black silk McQ by Alexander McQueen scarf (£99 - down from £500), a dancing Olivia red silk Moschino scarf (£15) and a woolen tan and cream scarf by Michael Kors (£19). I also discovered a bunch of pretty Calvin Klein and Elle McPherson bras for around £6 over in lingerie. Cheep cheep!
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