Wee Birdy

Birdy pick of the week

Frerk Muller's Mugs, £12 each, from Shelf.

Shelf
40 Cheshire Street
London E2 6EH
Tel. 020 7739 9444
Nearest tube: Liverpool Street
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Friday afternoon by appointment only
Saturday 1pm-6pm
Sunday 11am-6pm

For more shops on Cheshire Street, click here.

Wee find: Shelf opens up online shop

Thoroughly cheered by the news that my beloved Shelf on Cheshire Street has just launched an online shop, showcasing such goodies as their signature vintage-style letters, exclusive designer collaborations, Scandi and Japanese ceramics and bags of vintage ephemera.

The brainchild of jewellery designer Katy Hackney and costume designer Jane Petrie, the shop has been a bit of hit with the fashion and design crowd, with the likes of Peter Jensen name-checking it as one of his all-time favourite London shops. Here are my top picks for Christmas:

From top to bottom: Vintage aspirin tin, £4; Christmas stationery pack, £15; 'Noel' plaster letters, £20; Shinzi Katoh shopping tray, £22; Frerk Muller raven tea towel, £19; Polite Notice by Shelf and Rob Ryan enamel plaque, £250.

Click here to read my original Shelf shop tour.
Click here for more Wee Birdy shop recommendations on Cheshire Street.

Wee find: 2010 diaries at Shelf

Those clever people over at Shelf in East London seek out the best stuff from around the world, and I've always been particularly enthusiastic about their range of stationery. Their 2010 Japanese and Korean diaries have just arrived in store, so now is a good time to pay their Cheshire Street shop a visit. Prices start at £7.

Shelf
40 Cheshire Street
London E2 6EH
Tel. 020 7739 9444
Nearest tube: Liverpool Street
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Friday afternoon by appointment only
Saturday 1pm-6pm
Sunday 11am-6pm

Shopping in London: Mimi

Whilst I’ve posted about London-based designer Mimi Berry’s glorious leather purses in the past, her Cheshire Street shop deserves a full Wee Birdy tour. After all, this is the only place that houses the Central Saint Martins graduate’s entire collection, ranging from the perforated leather Maude coin purse to the luxe gold Frankie bag.

Offering an alternative to flashy trend-led “It bags”, the typical Mimi bag manages to appear simultaneously modern and retro. This is due both to Berry’s use of butter-soft Italian leather hide in a range of vibrant colours and her classic, timeless designs.

 

This modern/vintage aesthetic is played out in her East London shop, with her jewel-toned purses displayed on top of old-fashioned glass counters. But it’s her collection of sturdy, functional satchels that are getting all the attention right now, including the roomy oilskin Baggins (currently reduced from £177 to £150) and the smaller leather Elsie (£200). I’m also loving the Charlie bag with its smart brass chain straps.

Most recently, Berry collaborated with London artist Kim Jenkins on a range of leather passport covers. And while it’s true that nobody needs a leather passport cover, it’s very hard to resist Jenkins’ retro jetset-inspired foil stamped designs.

Which leads us to the extremely good timing of the Mimi sale – in store and online now. A perfectly good excuse to buy British, don't you think?

Mimi
40 Cheshire Street
London E2 6EH
Tel. 0207 729 6699
Nearest Tube: Liverpool Street
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Tuesday to Sunday 10am – 6pm
Sunday 11am – 6pm

For more shops on Cheshire Street, click here.

Wee find: Loyal Loot Log Bowls

I love the glossy vibrant interiors of these wonderfully quirky Loyal Loot Log Bowls, which are handmade in Edmondton, Canada, using ethically-sourced reclaimed local wood. I'd love a group of three in different sizes and colours.
They're in-store now at Shelf in East London, with prices starting at £50.

Shelf
40 Cheshire Street
London E2 6EH
Tel. 020 7739 9444

Nearest Tube: Liverpool Street
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.
Click here for more shop reviews on Cheshire Street.