Time for Tea

I don’t know why I’m surprised. But here I am, completely astounded and gobsmacked by one particular revelation that arose from tonight’s rather brilliant first episode of Britain From Above, a new TV series on BBC1. (Missed it? Imagine a narrated UK-version of Koyaanisqatsi, minus the Philip Glass score.)

So what’s got my feathers in a flap? Well, there’s a precise moment, every day in Britain, when the nation’s energy supplies are so strained and pushed beyond capacity that, when necessary, the dude who keeps an eye on the national grid has to borrow extra energy from France.

Hmmm ... what could possibly be causing this weird phenomenon, which apparently is entirely unique to Britain?

Cue the rolling end credits and the theme-tune of EastEnders, when millions upon millions of Brits get up and switch on the kettle for a cup of tea.

It’s true! The national grid dude even has a telly in his office – which is thrown into one helluva commotion as soon as EastEnders is over. Just goes to show that the British are creatures of habit … and they love a good cuppa.

So Gloustershire-based Etsy seller, Lupin, is on to a good thing with her range of handstitched brooches for the tea-obsessed masses.

Tea Addict pin badge, US$14, from Lupin’s Etsy shop.

Little tea cup pin, US$15, from Lupin's Etsy shop.

Fabric tea cup brooch, US$28, from Lupin’s Etsy shop.

Etsy loves babies, too

Not done with the baby thing yet (sorry, will return to normal posting next week).

I've always loved handmade things for babies. You know, knitted booties with matching matinee jackets. So I've been keeping an eye on Etsy for a while, and have found some real gems for wee bebes. Here are my picks...

Four hand-embroidered sock dollies (can be personalised), US$54.40, from Chickabiddy Baby's Etsy shop.

The Manly Man Baby Sweater, (can be personalised with an initial) US$70, from Magnolia Rose’s Etsy shop.

Green Missoni knit pouch sling, US$65, from Bronwen Handcrafted's Etsy shop.

Little Parisian skirt, US$39, from Lucy’s Place's Etsy shop.

Handmade felt flower headband, US$13, from Lou and Lee's Etsy shop.

Antique daisy chain shoes, US$25 from Tiny Happy’s Etsy shop.

Remember that Etsy items are one-offs, so my links may sell-out quickly. However, they are often relisted by the seller, or you can always contact them with a request.

French label Bon-Ton loves Liberty for Little Girls...

BonTon Liberty print top, US$55, from Estella NYC.

BonTon Liberty print top, US$55, from Estella NYC.

BonTon Liberty print top, US$55, from Estella NYC.

Read about my visit to BonTon in Paris.
BonTon is also stocked at Petit Aime in Notting Hill...

Petit Aime
34 Ledbury Road
London W11 2AB
Tel. 020 7221 3123

Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Baby girls get to wear the best clothes

Here are two of my favourites I found on New York-based enfant-terrible's website. How amazing are the prints? I love the toile 'Versailles' print. I swear I'd wear 'em if they came in my size...

Dottie dress, US$52, from enfant-terrible.

Dottie bonnet, US$22, from enfant-terrible.

Versailles dress, US$52, from enfant-terrible.

New hatchlings

I'm still buzzing after my visit to Queen Charlotte's hospital last night to see my dear friend and her gorgeous brand-new baby daughter. Since I've been immersed in the world of babies over the past nine months, I've become acquainted with some ace baby boutiques - both in London and online.

So I'd thought I'd post a few of my favourites. And if babies aren't your thing right now, just admire the fabulous vintage-style Liberty prints - which as UK womens' mags would say are 'bang on trend' right now...


Couldn't resist buying this ultra-sweet smock and bloomer set for my friend's baby girl. It's from Marie Chantal in Notting Hill.

Marie Chantal
61A Ledbury Road
London W11 2AA
Tel. 020 7243 0220

and

148 Walton Street
London SW3 2JJ
United Kingdom
Tel o20 7838 1111

London shopping: Tracey Neuls

Today we’re heading back to Marylebone Lane and the bijou boutique at number 29 which is home to Tracey Neuls and her eponymous collection of shoes.


I’ve often walked past the window and marvelled at the Canadian designer’s unconventional approach to visual merchandising. Here, shoes are displayed like an installation, hanging in rows from the ceiling.


The artsy connection doesn’t end there. The shoes really are “pieces” and reflect the designer’s taste for the theatrical. Her premium Tracey Neuls label is beautifully hand-crafted in Italy with extraordinary attention to detail. But unlike a pretentious hands-off gallery, these elegant shoes are utterly wearable, with lots of low hand-carved conical wooden heels and flats (joyous news for this arthritic ol’ birdy!).


The current Tracey Neuls summer collection (on its way out and on sale with 30 per cent off) features lots of patent leather in ripe, juicy colours like apple green, sky blue and cherry, with distinctive girlish and vintage-inspired details including contrast piping, oversized buttons, duplicate buckles and peep-toes.







Her other label, TN_29, is made in Portugal and showcases a more muted, neutral palette with a less “produced” quality. I love the soft leather tie-front sandals in tan and black.




Apart from shoes, there’s a selection of tights and soft, slouchy leather bags in black, red and grey with covetable circular wooden handles. Neuls is also the only English stockist for German designer Girl and the Gorilla’s range of delicate crocheted headbands (£40), cotton crocheted gloves (£75) and wrist bands.


There’s also a changing line-up of artists taking residence on the shop’s walls, reinforcing the notion of shop-come-gallery.


Overseas readers will be pleased to hear they can purchase online, with the new Autumn/Winter collection hitting the website soon. Stay tuned…


Tracey Neuls
29 Marylebone Lane, London
United Kingdom, W1U 2NQ
Tel: 0207 935 0039

Nearest tube: Bond Street

Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday 11am – 6.30pm
Monday and Sunday 12 noon – 5pm

For more shops in Marylebone, click here.
For more shops in West London, click here.

Shopping online: Atelier WM candles at Colette

I'm currently crushing on these surreal hand candles from young Parisian collective Atelier WM, which are based on prints of real hands and are available in three different signs: West Coast, Hard Rock and Star Trek. They're now available instore and online at French store Colette. (My vote? Vulcan, all the way.)

Birdy pick of the week

'It's A Beautiful Day' tea towel by Mary Fellows, £9.99, from Pedlars.

London street style: Laura on Brick Lane

A wee birdy told me that Laura, 22, is wearing a men's t-shirt from H&M, skirt from a shop on Brick Lane, belt from Patricia Field's shop in NYC, and bag from Primark.

London shopping: Pedlars

Back in May, one of my favourite UK online shops, Pedlars, opened for business in Notting Hill. Situated just off Portobello Road and next door to Rough Trade, this London newbie offers a superb range of premium vintage homewares and unique British and European design-led products.


Pedlars hails from Banchory, Scotland, where it’s been trading for 11 years primarily as a mail-order company. Not surprisingly, the business really took off when they started trading online four years ago. And now it’s translated beautifully into a real bricks-and-mortar shop, with its nostalgic-meets-modern approach reflected in an eye-catching long orange front counter and over-sized pendant lamps.


One of Pedlars’ major drawcards is its collection of rare vintage Underground signs and iconic Routemaster destination blinds. The one-off pieces of London transport memorabilia are available as framed artworks (from £199 for a Routemaster destination blind) or as expertly-crafted lightboxes (from £285 for a number light box). There’s also an excellent range of framed vintage Underground signs (from £150) and carriage maps (from £225). Specific destinations can be sourced upon request.


Other unique gems include unused ‘60s Hovis bread tins (£28.50 – they make perfect herb planters), handmade wooden toy battleships (£3 – they’re from a 1940s English fairground attraction), industrial-style Welsh pendant lamps (from £42.50), and vintage Smiths Wall clocks (from £95). There’s also a range of typographical stock including large painted wooden letters (on sale now for £17.95) and vintage printers blocks (from £7.50), adding to the extensive selection of indoor and outdoor homewares, fashion, stationery, games, toys and music.


It’s one of the best new shops to open in London (surely a shoe-in for inclusion on future “best of” shopping lists?) and the place to head for a unique gift or an authentic vintage London souvenir.


Pedlars
128 Talbot Road
London W11 1JA
Tel: 0207 727 7799

Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday 10am-6pm
Saturday 9am-6pm
Sunday 11am-5pm

Nearest tube: Ladbroke Grove