Wee Birdy

What to take home Wednesday: Smythson books

I’ve been harbouring a secret girl crush all year. Her name is Nancy and she’s a bag. Her last name is Smythson, maybe you’ve heard of her?

Just look at her sitting there in all her cute and quilted glory. And her large retro-style clasp is quite heavenly in a Jackie O kinda way. But at £750 for her small version, she doesn’t come cheap, so for now she will reluctantly remain on my crazy-dreamin’ wishlist.

But apart from being so damn good-looking, there’s so much more to like about young Nancy here, not least because of her fine pedigree.

Smythson is synonymous with stylish bespoke stationery and quality leather goods, and is steeped in a rich London heritage dating back to 1887, when Frank Smythson opened his first store at 133 New Bond Street.

The brand is also famous for its covetable leather diaries and notebooks in fashion-forward colours and tongue-in-cheek titles, like the Blondes, Brunettes, Redheads address book from the 1950s, and more recently, Me, Me, Me; Therapy Notes and Seduction Notes. Handsome and practical!

Trademark features of a Smythson book include “featherweight” pale blue watermarked pages; supple leather binding and gold or silver-stamped cover titles, which can be personalised for an extra fee.

The Beauty Bible, at £40, makes a stylish London souvenir. It's bound in soft grained lambskin leather and includes indexed sections for make-up, skincare and hair, diet, exercise and treatments.

Smythson
www.smythson.com

40 New Bond Street
London
W1S 2DE
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7629 8558

Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 9.30am-6pm
Thursday 10am-7pm
Saturday 10am-6pm

Nearest tube: Bond Street, Oxford Circus, Green Park

What to take home: Penhaligon's Bluebell Bath Oil

Penhaligons Bluebell Bath Oil 200ml, £35.

An oldie but a goodie. And heading into a dreary old October in London, this “essence of Spring” will do well to remind me of walking in the Devon countryside in April and stumbling upon a heavenly carpet of bluebells.

In Ruby Country, Devon. April, 2007.

The Bluebell bath oil is Penhaligon’s number one cult beauty product. For the ultimate bluebell experience, layer with the delicate floral eau de toilette. I love the old-fashioned glass bottle and matching wee ribbon.

Penhaligon's Bluebell Eau de Toilette Spray 50ml, £50.

Penhaligon’s has been around since 1891, and in this time it has earned itself a couple of royal warrants. One of its oldest fragrances is the citrus-y Blenheim Bouquet for blokes – apparently Winston Churchill was a fan.

Penhaligon’s Blenheim Eau de Toilette Spray, 50ml, £45.

For Penhaligon’s store locations, click here

Penhaligon's London stores:

Covent Garden
41 Wellington Street
London WC2

125 Regent Street
London W1

132 Kings Road
London SW3

16 Burlington Arcade
London W1

20A Brook Street
London W1

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