Wee Birdy

What to take home: Martin Grover bus stop prints

I'm loving the new prints and tiles by London-based artist Martin Grover: London iconography, pathos and an irreverent sense of humour rolled into one. Most excellent. They're available now from Rob Ryan's shop Ryantown on Columbia Road.

Birdy pick of the week

I went to the opening of Bev Alvarez's new shop on Columbia Road last Thursday, where she is currently exhibiting the work of UK artist Mark Rowney.

I was beguiled by his ornate hand-carved leather work, particularly these wallets featuring hand-painted blue tits, goldfinches and woodpeckers emerging from nest boxes - from both the front and back. From £110, at 158 Columbia Road.

Shopping in London: Lapin & Me

For those who may have missed my story in Time Out, here are some more pics from my latest fave shop in London, Lapin & Me. The newest arrival to the independent shopping haven that is Columbia Road (well, it's actually just around the corner on Ezra Street, but near enough), Lapin & Me stocks a fanciful and French-y range of limited-edition dolls, design-led products, stationery, homewares and children's clothes.

Wee Birdy is also super-chuffed to have served a tiny role in the creation of the real bricks-n-mortar shop. Apparently owner Madeleine James was inspired by the Columbia Road Christmas Wednesdays post last year, and started looking around the area for the perfect premises.

On my shopping wishlist is the hand-stitched "one-eyed" doll (see top pic, £36), Nathalie Lete's illustrated "Parisian shopper", and a Fatina doll brooch (£21). There are also glass jars on the main counter brimming with the most delightful pocket-money goodies, like Alain Gree labels (£3.50), vintage stork & baby sets (£2) and Tooth Mouse boxes (£3.50).

Don't fret if you're out of London - you can dig into this whimsical treasure trove online at www.lapinandme.co.uk.

Lapin & Me
14 Ezra St
London E2 7RG
Nearest tube: Liverpool Street
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Friday 11am-2.30pm
Saturday 11am-3.30pm
Sunday 9am-3pm

Click here for more shops in East London.

Time Out London: Lapin & Me

Check out this week's Time Out London for my review of Columbia Road's newest shop opening, Lapin & Me.

Birdy pick of the week

Bird drawing, from £92 and paintings, from £188, by Rob Clarke, from Elphick's.

Elphick's
160 Columbia Road
London E2
Tel. 020 7033 7891
Opening hours:
Sunday 9am-4pm.
By appointment Monday-Friday.
Nearest tube: Liverpool Street
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Click here for more shops on Columbia Road.