London shopping: traditional Christmas decorations

If you love traditional European folk art decorations, make a beeline to East London right now.

Head to Shelf on Cheshire Street for their endearing range of hand-carved Christmas decorations from the Erzgebirg region in Germany. These traditional wooden folk art decorations, otherwise known as Erzgebirgische Volkskunst, are highly collectable and come in a variety of scenes and figures. I love the wooden spinners, which are generated by lit candles, as well as the ornately carved trees and the tiny wooden figurines. Best to get in now because Shelf has reduced the price on these decorations by 40 per cent.







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

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

Nearby on Shoreditch High Street, you can pick up some adorable traditional Swedish decorations from art supply store Cowling & Wilcox, starting at 75p for a mini red horse. The store’s owners have Swedish roots, and the handmade decorations are all based on traditional folklore.

The decorations are also available in their Soho and South London stores. If your tree is already full (although, there’s always room for one more, yes?), tie on a wee Swedish star or angel to your Christmas parcels. Brown wrapping paper with red ribbon would look ace.

Traditional Swedish Christmas decoration, £2.25, from Cowling & Wilcox.

Cowling & Wilcox
West London:
26-28 Broadwick Street
Soho, London W1F 8HX
Tel: 020 7734 9556
Opening hours:
Monday-Friday 9.30am-6.30pm
Saturday 10am-6pm

South London:
8-12 Orpheus Street
Camberwell, London SE5 8RR
Opening times:
Monday-Friday 9.30am-6.30pm
Saturday 10am-6pm
Sunday 12pm-5pm

East London:
112 Shoreditch High Street
Shoreditch London E1 6JN
Tel: 020 7033 3685
Opening times:
Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm
Sunday 12pm-5pm

Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Cripes it’s cold. Where’s me cashmere?

Have you noticed that there’s a buzz about cashmere this season? (Apologies to Southern Hemisphere readers who are currently sweltering in the heat and this topic is about as welcome as a festering heat rash.)


Cashmere is one of the softest, and most luxurious wools around, and it comes from the underbelly of goats in Mongolia, China and Tibet (impress your co-workers with that fun fact for the day, folks).


Traditionally regarded as an exclusive luxury item and an investment purchase, this Autumn/Winter sees cashmere moving into the High Street, where London retailers ranging from Primark to Pringle are giving punters the chance to grab a piece for themselves.

But is the cheaper stuff actually much chop? Generally speaking, you really do get what you pay for, but there are still quality everyday cashmere options around for quite reasonable prices.

Just don’t be misled by a label that states 100% cashmere, as it comes in different grades and is made using varying levels of refinement. Good quality cashmere shouldn’t feel scratchy or prickly, and the higher quality pieces are less likely to pill.

A cashmere addition to your wardrobe will be a treasured piece for many years to come, especially if you look after it. It also travels particularly well, and is perfect for achieving that “effortless chic” look.

So I was especially interested to hear that French luxury cashmere brand, Eric Bompard, has recently launched its British online store at www.eric-bompard.com. And it's fair to say that I was excited at the prospect of having a closer look at the brand when I was approached to review it as part of a new viral marketing initiative through London fashion/style blogs. Good idea, non?

I scored a matching Bompard hat and gloves set, in a particularly fetching shade of turquoise. C’est magnifique! The cashmere was soft and luxurious, and even survived a Christmas shopping expedition to Oxford Street on Saturday. Mad, moi? Despite being pushed and shoved in the mosh pit of festive shoppers, I felt smug snug and cosy in my new hat and gloves.

I’m also enamoured by Bompard’s current Autumn/Winter “So cashmere, so French” collection, accompanied by a gorgeous Nordic-style snowy shoot. Here are my fave looks:






Cute, huh? These pieces are equally lovely for lounging and escaping outdoors, and I really love the tartan cashmere scarf, which is bang on trend. The website is currently offering 20% off scarves, stoles and hats until 24 December, with all orders shipped to the UK at no cost. Very handy for last-minute presents (oh, you didn't?). They also ship worldwide – just check online for details.


Caring for your cashmere
Eric Bompard recommends you machine wash using the wool cycle, as it will help the garment maintain its shape. But always check the care label first. Alternatively, send it to the dry cleaners, or hand-wash it with a wool detergent, or a cashmere shampoo, like Brora's. Dry your cashmere by carefully rolling it in a clean, dry towel, and then arrange into shape to dry on a flat surface.

Wreath-ink it

The ancient Celts took a fancy to holly for its magical protective powers, whilst the pagans worshipped the evergreen during winter solstice celebrations. Fast forward 2000 years and what’s your spin on the Christmas wreath going to be? Take your pick from this lot:

Signature orange wreath featuring magic roses, hydrangea, poppy heads, hypericum berries and ivy, from £60, from The Original Wreath.

Forever Green wreath featuring holly, hypericum berries, eryngium, rosemary, pittosporum, blue spruce and eucalyptus, from £45, from The Original Wreath.

Traditional fresh Christmas wreath featuring ivy, dogwood, apples, chillies and cranberries, by Snapdragon, £32, from Not On the High Street.

Beaded wreath, £3 for three, from Woolworths.

Pop-up wreath decoration, US$29.95, from MoMA.

Crystal and berry wreath, £31.49 for two, from VVRouleaux.

Traditional wreath, £7, from Woolworths.

Sequinned Christmas wreath, £29.95, from The Conran Shop. Tel. 020 7589 7401

Driftwood Christmas wreath by Devon Driftwood Designs, £185, from Not on the High Street.

Recycled wreath, £25, from Biome Lifestyle. The wreath is made from recycled materials by a small co-operative in Africa.

Because everyone needs a Christmas pickle...

"The Christmas Pickle" felt ornament, US$10, from Peachpop's Etsy store.

MoMAmia!

I love this year's Christmas line-up from the Museum of Modern Art. The 3D-design cards are as clever and cool as usual, and the jewel-coloured baubles are oh-so-pretty. Best of all, you can shop online and they deliver worldwide. Here's my pick of the bunch:

Holiday glow card, US$17.95, for a set of eight, from MoMA.

Snowflake cards, US$17.95 for a set of eight, from MoMA.

Nesting dolls cards, US$17.95 for a set of eight, from MoMA.

Tinsel town cards, US$15.95 for a set of eight, from MoMA.

Fancy drop ornament, US$22, from MoMA.

Skaters snow globe ornament, US$18, from MoMA.

Pop ornaments, US$38 for a set of nine, from MoMA.

Christmas tree glass ornament, US$22, from MoMA.

More festive faves

It's not too late for readers in the UK and Western Europe to buy up from Belle and Boo's endearing Etsy shop in time for Christmas. I especially adore her ever-petulant Little Madam Angel dolls.

Little Madam Angel, US$19, from BelleandBoo's Etsy shop.

Christmas Boo Tags, US$30 for 30 tags, from BelleandBoo's Etsy shop.

Under the Mistletoe print from an original illustration, US$20, from BelleandBoo's Etsy shop.

Pick of the mangers

When we spied artist/writer/musician Massimo Giacon's version of the Nativity for Alessi, it ticked all the right boxes for the Italian company's knack for producing innovative design with a fun aesthetic. The porcelain modular manger comes complete with a wee ox, donkey, Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus (sporting quite a spiffy quiff).

Massimo Giacon & Alessi's Nativity, US$105, from A+R store.

Alternative Christmas baubles

Want a different spin on your Christmas decos this year? Just take a look at these little beauties. Yule love 'em (sorry, couldn't resist):

Christmas biscuit baubles tin, £38.50, from Biscuiteers. These delightful biscuit baubles are made using Biscuiteer’s own Christmas spice recipe, and come ready for you to hang on the tree. Or send your sweet-toothed mate a special edible biscuit card, for £8.50. Photos courtesy of www.bigfish.co.uk.

“All I Want For Christmas is a Grade II Listed Country Residence” decoupaged bauble, signed and numbered, £10 per bauble, by Samantha Allan for The Shop Floor Project.

“Chimera” bauble, £16.50 each, by Reiko Kaneko for The Shop Floor Project.


Fabric Christmas baubles by Gorgeous, £5 each, from Not on the High Street.

And for a very nerdy Christmas...

Atari-Ouch-Joystick (original hand-sewn felt ornament), US$10, from Peachpop’s Etsy store*.


Star Wars felt ornaments, US$60 for a set of 12, from Blackrose1151’s Etsy shop*.

*Please note that Etsy's items are often one-offs, but always contact the shop's owner if they are not currently in stock.

Late night Christmas shopping in London

With Christmas just 20 sleeps away, there are a host of late night shopping events coming up for London readers.

I took a friend along to “Sparkling Thursdays” night at Selfridges a couple of weeks ago, and we had a rollicking good time scoffing Lindt balls, downing free glasses of champagne whilst checking out all the limited edition holiday ranges (I love Dior’s shimmering new eye palette) and having makeovers. We also scored some cool freebies from Korres. Too much fun. The next Sparkling Thursdays night is on Thursday 6 December and Thursday 13 December at the Oxford Street store from 4pm to 9pm. Click here for more information.


Selfridges
400 Oxford St
London
W1A 2LR
Nearest tube: Bond Street.

Otherwise, head to East London for two of the coolest street shopping nights.

Columbia Road’s shops are normally only open on Sundays for the Flower Market, but they're opening for special late shopping nights on Wednesday 12 December and Wednesday 19 December, from 5pm to 9pm. There will be carols, mulled wine, Santa and mince pies.

While you're there, keep an eye out for my fave Columbia Road shops like Treacle (at no. 110-112) for the sweetest and sparkliest cupcakes, Vintage Heaven (at no. 148) for fabulous vintage finds, Supernice Limited (at no.106) for Blik wall decals, Openhouse (at no. 152) for furniture and accessories for the house and garden, Angela Flanders Perfumes (at no. 96) for bespoke fragrance, Bob and Blossom (at no. 14) for gorgeous children’s toys and clothing and Fred Bare (at no. 118) for cool hats.

Got to www.columbiaroad.co.uk for more information.
Nearest tube: Old Street, Liverpool Street and Bethnal Green.


And nearby on Cheshire Street (just off Brick Lane), the stores are getting festive tomorrow night, Thursday 6 December from 6pm to 9pm. Read all about my fave Cheshire Street stores here. Head to Dragana Perisic for some festive mulled wine, as well as 20 per cent off all full-priced items.
Go to www.cheshirestreet.co.uk for more information.
Nearest tube: Liverpool Street.