What to take home: Keep calm and carry on

Keep Calm and Carry On poster, £10, V&A Museum.

Take home the classic British sentiment of retaining a stiff upper lip at all times with this World War II reproduction from the V&A Museum shop (incidentally, one of my favourite London shopping destinations).

The V&A Museum
Cromwell Road
London SW7
Tel: 020 7942 2000

Nearest tube: South Kensington

Street style: Claire on Broadway Market

A wee birdy told me that Claire, 22, wears a scarf from Zara, t-shirt from Cos, leggings from Topshop, vintage boots and Marc Jacobs bag.

London shopping: Beyond the Valley

Had your fill of high-street goodness at Oxford Circus’ Topshop? Want something cool and edgy to add to your ensemble? Then run, don’t walk, to Beyond the Valley, just a hop, skip and a jump away over on Newburgh Street, just behind Carnaby Street. This beyond-hip store is a London shopping highlight, with an energetic fusion of fashion, homewares, accessories, jewellery, books, zines and art. With a gallery space in one of the front rooms, the store holds regular exhibitions that showcase the work of young and upcoming designers and artists. In fact, the owners of Beyond the Valley are all Central St Martins graduates themselves, so they’re in a good position to foster and nurture new talent.

From the recent Fabrications exhibition.

The store features loads of fun and innovative wares, which come together in a dazzling display that gives you a massive shot of inspiration and product-lust. The Autumn/Winter fashion line-up includes Icelandic funky knitwear label Mundi Designs, as well as other indie labels including Makin Jan Mar, Starstyling, Vita Vass, Celia Sorenson and Alexandra Groover. Beyond the Valley regulars Yuko Yoshitake and Australian label Life with Bird are a welcome inclusion to the range, as well as their own house label which combines edgy and affordability, with prices starting at £35.


For those with a love for quirky-‘n’-cool jewellery, there’s Miss Bibi’s covetable (but pricey) tiny gold stiletto earrings (£208), chandelier necklace (£188) and ornate gold frame brooch (£144). At the other end of the price scale, there’s a delightful glazed porcelain thunder cloud brooch from Me Me Me for £28. Don’t miss Zoe Morgan’s playful perspex jewellery and Bow Belle’s adorable bow brooch and necklace.





But there are other surprises in stores, such as Lucy May Schofield's endearing notelet range, which includes old-school typewritten notes that take flirting and courtship to a whole new level. These tiny bound perforated notes feature phrases that are simple and sweet, without the Hallmark sap, such as “You make me handsomely happy”. Pop it in your partner’s lunchbox for a little extra non-SMS, non-Facebook sweetness. And flirt with ease with notes from the “Pulling” series, with phrases such as “I like your smile”. Genius.


Best buys include Beyond the Valley’s gorgeous laser-cut mirrors, including a unicorn (from £45) and magpie (from £28). The recycled leather slippers in beige and grey from Unu are also a good buy at £24. I’m also loving the excellent range of printed packaging tapes, with prices starting at £6 (brilliant on brown paper parcels!). Equally impressive is their line-up of original wallpapers, such as a gorgeous handprinted swallow paper for £140. And make sure you check out Matt Smith’s playful and elegant porcelain range, such as the rutting stag dishes (two for £25) and the deer cup and saucer for £50.





And I’ve got a big soft spot for this black cat tea cosy for £50:


Beyond the Valley
www.beyondthevalley.com



2 Newburgh Street
London W1
+44(0)207 4377338
info@beyondthevalley.com

Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Nearest tube: Oxford Circus

Opening hours:
Monday – Saturday 11.30am- 6.30pm
Sunday 12.30pm – 5pm

For more shops in W1, click here.

Glasgow street style: Jen at National Pop League

A wee birdy told me that Jen, 22, is wearing a vintage dress she bought on Ebay.

What to take home: Penhaligon's Bluebell Bath Oil

Penhaligons Bluebell Bath Oil 200ml, £35.

An oldie but a goodie. And heading into a dreary old October in London, this “essence of Spring” will do well to remind me of walking in the Devon countryside in April and stumbling upon a heavenly carpet of bluebells.

In Ruby Country, Devon. April, 2007.

The Bluebell bath oil is Penhaligon’s number one cult beauty product. For the ultimate bluebell experience, layer with the delicate floral eau de toilette. I love the old-fashioned glass bottle and matching wee ribbon.

Penhaligon's Bluebell Eau de Toilette Spray 50ml, £50.

Penhaligon’s has been around since 1891, and in this time it has earned itself a couple of royal warrants. One of its oldest fragrances is the citrus-y Blenheim Bouquet for blokes – apparently Winston Churchill was a fan.

Penhaligon’s Blenheim Eau de Toilette Spray, 50ml, £45.

For Penhaligon’s store locations, click here

Penhaligon's London stores:

Covent Garden
41 Wellington Street
London WC2

125 Regent Street
London W1

132 Kings Road
London SW3

16 Burlington Arcade
London W1

20A Brook Street
London W1

Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Street style: Lauren on Broadway Market

A wee birdy told me that Lauren, 24, wears top from H&M, skirt from Recyclo in Bristol, shoes from Office, bag from Warehouse, necklace from Accessorize and sunglasses from H&M.

What to take home: Paddington Bear

There's been a steady stream of visitors to my part of the world recently, and it's got me thinking about the perfect London souvenir.

Now, there's much debate about what makes the perfect souvenir. Of course, the issue is entirely subjective and whether you're after a whimsical snow-dome London Eye fridge magnet or a quality, locally-produced woollen scarf from a remote island in the outer Hebrides is mostly a matter of taste (and budget). And it's not really a debate I wish to enter (although I have been known to indulge in both types of souvenirs, which I think is all the more fun).

So over the course of this blog, I'm going to start posting about some stuff that takes my fancy. I'd like to think that all of them are locally-produced, using locally-sourced raw materials, but sometimes your eye catches stuff that's, well, not. It's a sorry sign of the world that even the most classic, traditional products from a destination aren't as "local" or "authentic" as you'd like them to be. (But hopefully, I'll find some products that tick both boxes!). And you just might spot the odd tea-towel.

Anyway, without further ado, step away from that high-street souvenir tat stall, and put down that khaki vinyl Harrods shoppper ... here's what to take home.

#1 Paddington Bear
I've seen quite few knock-offs of this lovely little marmalade-eating fellow, but you really can't beat the charm of the authentic version (ahem, official licensed product) from London's premier toy store, Hamleys.

Traditional Paddington Bear, £44.99, Hamleys.

Isn't he just the smartest wee chap in his duffle coat and shiny red wellies? I know, you can buy versions of (arguably) London's most famous resident all over the world now, but Hamleys do have an impressive line-up of Paddingtons, starting at £5.99 for a keychain or a clip-on. Alternatively, head to Paddington kiosk at Paddington station in London for more bear fun.

I love this Paddington's furry face and standing at a stately 46cm tall, he's just the thing for a nursery bookshelf.

Hamleys
www.hamleys.co.uk
188-96 Regent Street
London W1
Tel: 0870 333 2455

Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Nearest Tube:
Piccadilly Circus
Oxford Circus

Opening hours:
Monday-Friday 10am-8pm
Saturday 9am-8pm
Sunday 12noon-6pm

p.s. Want to know more about Paddington and his wonderful creator, Michael Bond? Check this out.

Street style: Kanako in Covent Garden

A wee birdy told me that Kanako, 26, wears navy coat from Urban Outfitters, beret from Accessorize, dress from Viva You in Japan, bag by Pigra and shoes from Office.

Street style: Jill on Broadway Market

A wee birdy told me that Jill, 25, is wearing a braided headband from Oasis, top from Public Beware, bag from Miss Selfridge, leggings from Marks & Spencer, and plimsols from a Navy surplus store.

London shopping: Fabrications

Carrying on from my raving craft post is this charming little shop in the heart of ever-hip Broadway Market in London’s East End, which if anything, supports my new motto, “Craft is Cool, OK”? (Maybe I should run up some screen-printed t-shirts in bold black type, Katharine Hamnett-style…)


Fabrications is alternately an artist-run gallery, shop and studio for in-house designer Barley Massey. It stocks an excellent range of unique, eco-friendly products and homewares that are hand-crafted by local artists and designers.

One wall of the shop features displays of quirky greeting cards, stationery and badges made by Hackney locals, accompanied by a profile on each artist. Keep an eye out for Lucy Jane Batchelor’s sweet retro-style range including tooth fairy envelope cards for children and her clever Missing Button badges.


The nice thing about Fabrications is that stock is constantly updated, so you’re likely to find new quirky gems all the time. I like the fabric pouffes bound by knotted rope using traditional sea-faring techniques (£150) and The Old Broad Bean (the Queen) Cockney jewellery, featuring faces of the royal family (and er, Dodi) on dried beans. Prices range from £3 for a badge to £30 for a necklace or cufflinks.


The other highlight of the shop is the wall of rainbow-coloured yarns (wools for winter and cottons for summer) and a small range of vintage yarn and hand-spun yarn with lanolin. There is also a wide variety of knitting and sewing supplies, including super-sized knitting needles.



Beginners can get fully kitted out here, with knitting packs complete with instructions and a pack of wool, as well as customised sewing kits for £2.50 with basic embroidery stitches. Or you could join one of the regular knitting classes.

When I visited, I found vintage knitting patterns for babywear and some gorgeous ‘80s pattern books including designs by Jean Paul Gaultier and Alaia. I also like the cute knitted goodies, from traditional Bakewell tarts and “I heart Hackney” purses (British souvenir alert!) to potted cactuses (bonus: not prickly at all!).

Don’t leave Fabrications without checking out in-house textile designer Barley Massey’s ingenious range of eco-friendly homewares. Barley recycles materials and waste such as bicycle inner tubes and vintage shirt ties to create beautiful and long-lasting cushions, pouffes, rugs, mats and runners. Amongst many of her commissions was the infamous Lost Vagueness tent at Glastonbury in 2003. Just imagine: your own piece of fabulous festival fun at home (minus the mud).




Fabrications
7 Broadway Market
London E8 FPH
Tel. 0207 275 8043

Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Tuesday-Saturday 12noon-5pm
Or call for appointment.

Nearest tube: Bethnal Green Station
Nearest train: London Fields BR

For more shops on Broadway Market, click here.
For more shops in East London, click here.