Wee Birdy

“My Secret London” with Jane Ellis from KJ’s Laundry

In the latest instalment of “My Secret London”, Jane Ellis from Marylebone’s award-winning independent fashion boutique, KJ’s Laundry, spills the secret London addresses from her little black book.

Best for a bargain? Brick Lane, East London.

Best for vintage? Hammersmith Vintage Fair.

Best for fashion? Shop at Bluebird.

Best for jewellery? Kabiri.

Best for interiors and gifts? Mint.

Best for beauty and skincare? Liberty beauty hall.

Best for kids? Blossom.

Best for stationery? Smythson.

Any other favourites? Chapel Market.

Your number one London shopping secret? La Fromagerie in Marylebone.

Best London souvenir? A retro poster from the Transport Museum.

Favourite place to eat? Yauatcha.

Click here for a Wee Birdy map of Jane’s secret London addresses.
Check out the latest collections online at KJ’s Laundry.

Huge thanks and wee birdy kisses to Jane for her generous tips and advice.

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

London shopping: Content Beauty/Wellbeing

Oh Marylebone, how I do love thee? Let me count the ways.* Actually, I’ve already waxed lyrical several times over some of the ways – via some of the best independent shops in London that call Marylebone home. And here’s another one to add to that list: Content Beauty/Wellbeing (quite a timely addition being Organic Fortnight and all, making a visit to Imelda Burke’s luxury eco beauty boutique all the more relevant).

Content Beauty/Wellbeing is the first of its kind in London, with a carefully edited selection of certified organic skincare and make-up gracing its certified sustainable wooden shelves. You can rest assured there’s not a smidgen of synthetic nasties in here, with Imelda paying more than lipservice to her ecological commitment. Not only does she choose each brand for their superior organic properties, but she also thoroughly investigates their eco-credentials through each stage of production.

It’s impressive stuff, and so is the boutique itself, with cupboard doors made from recycled vending machine coffee cups, and vintage powder compacts serving as door handles. It’s a curiously inviting modern space, where the minimalist sexy black walls (organic paint, natch) merge with a collage of found objects, old-fashioned botanical illustrations, Victorian postcards and pressed flowers. I also love the collection of Imelda’s vintage hand mirrors from the 20s and 50s, which are hung on the wall next to the Jane Iredale make-up counter. Such a lovely way to admire your new look.

 

Then there’s the 1920s photo album/sketch book which Imelda found at a market and uses as the store’s mailing list book. Flick through the pages of customers’ details and you’ll find the odd page with an endearing drawing or painting by the original owner.
 

As for the products themselves, well, they’re the heroes standing in all their premium organic glory. Here you’ll find niche British organic skincare brands like ila (the Face Oil for Glowing Radiance has a cult following), Laidbare and Inlight joining international brands such as Dr Hauschka, Suki, and Dr Alkaitis. Top picks include Saaf Organic Pure Face Cleanser (£24.99) Dr Alkaitis Organic Soothing Gel (£36), and Organic Apoteke Rasayana Rejuvenating Serum (£49.95). More credit-crunch friendly picks include Laidbare’s Grapefruit Seed Body Wash (£12), Henry Tianus Pore Purifier (£8.50) and Butter London’s formaldehyde-free nail varnishes (£10).

 
Check out the website for online shopping and more info about the treatment room downstairs which offers excellent Dr Alkaitis facials (as Jess G. from Cult Beauty said, it’s the only place in London to get them).

* With apologies to Elizabeth Barrett Browning, who is actually a former resident of Marylebone (at 50 Wimpole Street) and married Robert Browning at St Marylebone Parish Church.

Content Beauty/Wellbeing
14 Bulstrode Street
London W1U 2JG
Tel. 020 3075 1006

Nearest tube: Bond Street
Click here for a Wee Birdy map

Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday 10.30am - 6pm

Click here for more shops in Marylebone.