Wee Birdy

Wee Christmas finds: Gifts for London lovers

Some nice gift ideas for the discerning lover of all things London (I want those Snowden Flood mugs!).

1. Set of six bone china River Mugs, £70, by Snowden Flood (ships to UK, EU countries, USA and Canada).

2. I love London lunch box, AU$9.95, from Lark (ships internationally). London readers can purchase the lunchbox, along with other products from the 'I love London' range, from Lapin & Me in East London.

3. Paumes Editions London Family Style, £20, from Lapin & Me. Australian readers can purchase the book from Lark for AU$38.

4. London tray, £25, from Liberty (ships internationally).

5. 'Have a Nice Day' print by Tokyo-based illustrator, Takashi Furuya, £15, from Shelf.

6. London Transport in a Bag, £5.95, from Muji.

7. St Nicolas London bus bauble, £8.50, from Selfridges (ships internationally).

8. Lizzie Allen Royal Guards Cushion, £79, from Liberty (ships internationally).

9. 'Love London' mug, £10, from The London Company (ships internationally).

10. London cotton/linen tea towel, £12.50, from Pedlars (ships internationally).

11. Underground Bottle Opener, £8.95, from Pedlars (ships internationally).

What to take home: London Street Speak shoppers

Here, dear reader, is me ambling along Columbia Road Flower Market on a recent wintry Sunday morning with my trusty market shopping bag.

I rather like it because it's big and sturdy, and features all manner of food-related London street signs, like Poultry, Bread Street and Ham Yard. And it's just £8 from The London Company.

In the meantime, if you're after a last minute Valentine's gift, consider the Great Ormond Street Hospital's Kiss it Better appeal. The London Company are donating £2 from every sale of their Street Speak "Love Lane" mug to the charity. From 20 January 20 until 20 May, you can visit www.thelondoncompany.net and enter code GOSH10 to receive free chocolates and guaranteed delivery of the mug.

For more information on Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Kiss it Better appeal, visit www.gosh.org/kissitbetter.

What to take home: Fortnum's Honey

Fortnum & Mason is one of my first stops if I’m looking for something quintessentially London to send to family and friends in Australia – whether it’s a canister of their iconic tea or a jar of Rose Petal Jelly.

 


Now I can add Fortnum’s honey to the list, which is actually harvested from the hives on top of the building in Piccadilly. I love the idea of bees getting busy high above the bustle of Piccadilly. The bees feast on pollen in the nearby gardens of Green Park, Hyde Park, and Buckingham Palace, and the honey is limited to just 400 jars. But apparently there has been a rush on pre-orders, so there are just 60 precious jars left.* Available now for £10.

Fortnum & Mason
181 Piccadilly
London W1A 1ER
Tel. 020 7734 8040
Nearest Tubes: Piccadilly and Green Park
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

* NB. I've just been informed by Fortnum's PR that there's been such a buzz (sorry, couldn't resist) about the honey, that stocks may in fact be depleted. Best to call customer services on 0845 300 1707 first. If they're out of stock you can put your name on the waiting list for the next harvest. Can you imagine? The bees have a freakin' waiting list!

What to take home: Pedlars British cushions

 

These new 'I love London' and UK map cushions have just arrived in-store at Pedlars. I'd love to scatter a great big clump of them on my sofa! Featuring felt appliqued designs and super-lovely blanket-stitched edges, they're priced from £94.95. 

Click here to read about my Pedlars shop tour.

Pedlars
128 Talbot Road
London W11 1JA
Tel. 7727 7799
Nearest tube: Ladbroke Grove
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday 10am-6pm
Saturday 9am-6pm
Sunday 11am-5pm

Wee find: Tatty Devine's Pearlies

Loving the Pearly pieces from Tatty Devine's AW09 collection, Button Up, which pay tribute to the East End's royal dynasty of Pearly Kings and Queens. Reflecting the hand-crafted and emblematic hallmarks of a traditional Pearlie's costume, there are hand-stitched buttons adorning heart brooches, anchor necklaces and bow earrings, starting at £18.

If you love all things Pearlie, then you might want to check out this incredible exhibition of Pearlie portraits (see top and below) by photographer Harry Dutton. It's currently on show in Tatty Devine's Brick Lane store. Just look at the detail in those costumes!

Tatty Devine are donating £1 from every sale of a Pearly King brooch or necklace to charity through the Pearly Kings and Queens Association. Gorgeous graphic jewellery - and a perfect London souvenir!

Tatty Devine
236 Brick Lane
London E2 7EB
Tel. 020 7739 9191
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Sunday 11am-6pm
Nearest tube: Liverpool Street

Click here for a Wee Birdy map.