Wee Birdy: Shopping in London

Shopping in London

November 04, 2009

Sneak Peek: Diamond Tears necklace

6a00e553dd55ed88340120a6925981970c-800wi

This Brother's Grimm-esque necklace is the result of the latest Tatty Devine collaboration with artist Verena Paloma Jabs, and will be released on November 13. How lovely are the shiny black hand-strung beads? It’s not surprising that Verena is fascinated by the juxtaposition of dark fairytale narratives with idyllic imagery.

Verena's work combines modern technology such as laser-cut acrylic frames with more traditional techniques such as paper cuts and woodcutting. Catch her ‘Diamond Tears’ exhibition at the Tatty Devine Brick Lane shop from 13 November. In the meantime, you might like to check out Verena’s portfolio here.

** News just in from Tatty Devine: their brand new Covent Garden store will be opening very shortly - maybe even this weekend! I'll keep you updated with the latest news.**

Diamond Tears by Verena Paloma Jabs
13 November 2009 to 31 January 2009
Tatty Devine
236 Brick Lane
London E2 7EB
Tel. 020 7739 9191
Nearest tube: Liverpool Street
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Tuesday to Sunday 11am-6pm

Click here for more shops in East London.

4 Nov 2009 07:00:00 | British jewellery, London jewellery, Shopping in E2, Shopping in East London, Shopping in London, Wee finds

October 27, 2009

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!

27 Oct 2009 07:00:00 | Best of British, London food, London souvenirs, Shopping in London

October 23, 2009

Birdy picks of the week: the Anthropologie edition

Today's the day! I've been saving up this week's birdy pick to coincide with Anthropologie's grand opening today in London. And really, no other store does birds quite as well as Anthropologie.

Here are my top Anthro birdy picks from the London store (note that each Anthropologie store stocks slightly different stuff):
1. Gladiator bird, finch with key, £258.
2. Hasty hatchling necklace, £258.
3. Flight-Of-Swans dress, £258.
4. Bird hook, £20.
5. Gladiator bird, Quail, £218.
6. Tweeting tea party dishtowel, £22.
7. Birder dishtowel in blue, £16.

Click here to read my sneak peek inside London's Anthropologie earlier this week.

Anthropologie
158 Regent Street
London, W1B 5SW
Tel. 7529 9800
Nearest tube: Piccadilly
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Monday to Wednesday 10am-7pm
Thursday 10am-8pm
Friday to Saturday 10am-7pm
Sunday 12 noon-6pm

23 Oct 2009 07:00:00 | Birdies, London design, London fashion, London homewares, London jewellery, Shopping in London, Shopping in W1, Shopping on Regent Street

October 22, 2009

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

22 Oct 2009 08:22:30 | Best of British, London souvenirs, Shopping in London, Shopping in Notting Hill, Shopping in W11

October 21, 2009

Sneak Peek: Anthropologie London

Terribly exciting: I just had a sneak peek inside the new Anthropologie store, which opens its Regent Street doors to London on Friday. For the full story, see this week's Time Out magazine. In the meantime, enjoy some of my snaps...

This hanging teabag installation in the window (above) reminds me of the Rockefeller store Christmas windows I blogged about when I was in New York last year.

Birdy door-knobs, above, and beautifully-bound Penguin classics, below.

The enormous dressing rooms are surely the most spacious in London. The end cubicle (if you could even call it that) resembles a small office. You could seriously throw a party in there.

And finally, the magnificent afternoon tea spread complete with a never-ending supply of cakes, tarts and biscuits. I mastered the fine art of hovering over the strawberry tarts...