Wee Birdy

Wee find: Merci Liberty collection

Oh, how I wish I was in London right now. I've got loads of things to tell you since arriving back in Sydney (I'm just starting to thaw out after Britain's coldest winter in 30 years), but right now I've got my eye on - where else? - lovely, lovely Liberty. Right on the back of the rather clever Liberty for Target collection comes the sublime limited edition Merci Liberty collection for spring.

Designed by Parisian concept store Merci's creative director, Marie France Cohen, the super-pretty collection features a bouquet of Liberty's most iconic floral prints. With an emphasis on what Merci does best (homewares and children's ware), stand-out pieces include the old-school mini suitcase covered in Liberty print, long print aprons, as well as reasonably priced cushions from £20. 

Stationery nerds will rejoice in the sublime range of printed tapes, notebooks and assorted papery delights (I really love the old-school brown envelopes with a posy of Liberty florals peeking out from the lining).

Tell me - have you picked up anything from the Liberty for Target collection? Have you had a peek at the new Merci collection? Go on, give me my London fix.

p.s. I snuck in a wee trip to Paris (and a visit to Merci) during my last week in London, so a shop tour will be coming soon!

Liberty
Great Marlborough Street
London W1B 5AH
Tel. 0207 734 1234
Nearest tube: Oxford Circus
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Wee find: COS SS10

It’s no secret that my beloved COS, the elder (and more sophisticated) sister of H&M, is my favourite high street shop in London. The fabrics, prints and cuts are superior to anything you’d find in Hennes, but the prices are still extremely reasonable (around £30 for a top or cardie).

The line-up for SS10 is particularly fresh and feminine with a palette of neutral beiges, dove greys, palest blues and pinky-nudes, which softens the more utilitarian and sharply tailored pieces.

It's the unexpected details (likes assymetrical tucks, twists and ruffles) that make COS at once unique, non-high street and totally wearable, and I especially love the ‘craftiness’ of the apron detailing and oversized pockets in this season's collection, alongside the sportier acid bright neoprene pieces.

The children’s collections are always particularly well done, with A.P.C.-esque smocks, neutral basics and the most wonderful abstract prints, like this skirt below.

COS
222 Regent Street
London, W1
Tel. 0207 4780 400
Nearest tube: Oxford Circus
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Monday to Wednesday 10am-8pm
Thursday 10am-9pm
Friday to Saturday 10am-8pm
Sunday Noon-6pm

All images courtesy of COS.

Sneak Peek: Tracey Neuls + Sanderson shoes

Chintz has never looked so chic since London shoe designer Tracey Neuls got her hands on Sanderson's reissued vintage textiles.

This somewhat surprising collaboration between the British heritage wallpaper company, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, and one of London's more avant-garde shoe designers will coincide with London Fashion Week next month.

Neuls' gallery-like Marylebone Lane shop (read my shop tour here) will be transformed into an eccentric English tea party, complete with a large-scale installation by sculptor Nina Saunders. And apparently birds will be involved - I await with baited breath!

Admittedly, I've got a soft spot for Neuls' rubber-soled shoes, as her mid-height heels are about as high as I can go with my rotten old arthritic toes. It hasn't been easy finding anything attractive I can actually wear, with season after season of increasingly vertiginous heels. So I can't wait to see what she's done with Sanderson's prints - her signature sculptural silhouettes combined with her penchant for dramatic contrast piping will give the chintzy florals a quirky edge. 

'Most Curious'
Footwear from Tracey Neuls
Sculptural installation from Nina Saunders
To celebrate Sanderson's 150th Anniversary
From 17 February 2010 to 30 June 2010
Tracey Neuls
29 Marylebone Lane
London W1U 2NQ
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Click here for more Wee Birdy shop reviews on Marylebone Lane.

Wee find: Lazy Oaf Christmas jumpers

Secretly loving Lazy Oaf's slightly mad Christmas jumpers this season, the type your gran (or Ron Weasley's mum) might have lovingly laboured over for months. I think I need one because I've never actually been a lucky recipient of the classic reindeers-and-snowflakes version. It's limited edition and has been hand screen-printed in red and blue. £39, from Lazy Oaf.

Wee find: Nathalie Lete puppet theatre

 

Here's the latest in French artist Nathalie Lete's painterly goodness: a children's puppet theatre from Benjamin Pollock's Toyshop. I'm just re-discovering this marvellous Covent Garden-based independent toy boutique, which also has a brilliant new online shop and blog.

It's so easy to forget about some Londons' speciality shops, particularly if they're located in the touristy part of town. Pollock's is a real little gem, with all sorts of traditional toys for kids and puppet theatres for less than a tenner. Nice antidote to all the mass-produced, high street tat around.

I'm also a little bit in love with this miniature puppet theatre (below), which at £6.50 is a very good buy AND (wonders of all wonders) it fits in the palm of your hand! Super-sweet.

Benjamin Pollock's Toyshop
44 The Market
Covent Garden
London WC2E 8RF
Tel. 020 73797866
Nearest tube: Covent Garden
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening Hours:
Monday to Saturday 10.30-6pm
Sunday 11am-4pm