Why I can't wait for Spring: Marimekko

When the Swedes meet the Finns, I'm a very, very happy birdy.
As regular readers may already have guessed, I really love my prints. So I'm just about beside myself with anticipation for H&M's Marimekko collection for Spring 2008. If you haven’t already heard, Swedish company H&M have created a 50-piece collection using Marimekko’s patterns from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s.

Apparently we can look forward to the Finnish brand’s distinctive graphic prints in “summer favourites” such as wide ‘70s dresses, tunics, skirts and shorts for women. And there will also be a few pieces for men and kids, all at ultra-affordable price points. The collection will be hitting H&M stores worldwide in April. Roll around Spring, printy please.

Marimekko prints for H&M, illustration by Moa Lindqvist Bartling.

But to satiate my immediate fix for Finnish graphic prints, I’ve been dreaming about Marimekko’s Spring 2008 womenswear line-up. Some really gorgeous pieces here, birdies.

And this season’s Marimekko kids’ range couldn’t be sweeter. Red apple and giraffe prints = too, too cute little girls' frocks.



Marimekko
www.marimekko.com
16-17 St Christopher's Place
London W1U 1NZ
Tel: 020 7486 6454

Nearest tube: Bond Street
Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

London shopping: Mrs Kibble’s Olde Sweet Shoppe

If you’ve ever read a Harry Potter book (you have? smart bird!), you’ll be familiar with Honeydukes, the ever-popular sweet shop in Hogsmeade that sells everything from Acid Pops and Cockroach Clusters to Whizzing Fizzbees.

Now while Mrs Kibble’s Olde Sweet Shoppe in Soho doesn’t sell sweets that make you levitate or (thankfully) burn a hole through your tongue, it does capture the magic of an old-fashioned store packed with curios and unusual sweets.



Dozens of glass jars line the windows and walls, and you can pick and mix from an impressive line-up of sweets such as sherbet lemons (95p/100g), clove rock (£1.55/100g), watermelon sticks (50p), liquorice root (50p) and Pontefract cakes (95p/100g). There is also a range of ultra-versatile coloured sherbet crystals, which you can sprinkle on ice-cream, rim cocktail glasses, or dip with a lollipop.


A cabinet of truffles and ganaches also entices, with delectable fillings like William pear ganache, rose creams and violet creams (£3.75/100g). And the chocolate heels (£4.99) make a nice gift for your favourite sartorially-minded friend.

But the best gift award has to go to the very handsome Nostalgic Sweet Jar, which for £15.99 makes a wonderful treat for those with a sweet tooth and a fondness for retro. It’s packed with the goodies you gobbled throughout your childhood, like Flying Saucers, Parma Violets and Anglo Bubbly. For an extra service fee, you can also have the label personalised with a message to your friend. Sweet.



Mrs Kibble’s Olde Sweet Shoppe
57a Brewer Street
London W1F9UL
Tel: 020 7734 6633
Email: mrskibblesoldesweetshoppe@hotmail.co.uk

Opening hours:
Monday-Wednesday 10am-6pm
Thursday-Friday 10am-7pm
Saturday 11am-7pm
Sunday 12noon-4pm

Tube: Piccadilly Circus

Look out for the new shop opening in St Christopher’s Place in a couple of months.

Edit: The new St Christopher's Place address is:

4 St Christopher's Place
London W1U

Click here for a Wee Birdy map.
For more shops in W1, click here.