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.

London shopping: VVRouleaux

VVRouleaux is London’s legendary emporium of ribbons, trimmings and braids, and oh, so much more. It’s the kind of place that instantly makes you bug-eyed with excitement, recalling childhood days of coveting ribbons, buttons and other “fancy” bits and bobs to add to your most precious and treasured collection.


But it’s the grown-ups who flock to this beautiful bazaar of inspiration for specialist ribbons sourced from all over the world, like Japanese organdie and French wire-edged taffetas in every shade imaginable.



In fact the large light-filled entry-level room in the Marylebone store is literally a Pantone book come to life, with reels of ribbons in every size, pattern and colour. No wonder brides make a bee-line to the store for that exact shade of caramel to work their bridesmaids’ sashes back to the reception chair tie-backs.


Speaking of brides, there are double-sided velvet ribbons which make perfect belts and sashes, as well as double-sided Japanese satin ribbons. And downstairs, there’s a fabulous collection of vintage bridal accessories, including hand-made veils, headpieces, hats and birds (birds!) from the late 1950s.



Ribbons aside, there’s a glorious range of silk, organza and velvet roses in a myriad of fashion shades, as well as a vast collection of fancy feathers. Apparently the shop does a roaring trade in June and July during racing and wedding season.



Don’t miss the tables crammed with vintage pieces like hand-crocheted butterflies and clusters of velvet violets (I spied the same violets behind a glass cabinet at the Golden Age of Couture exhibition at the V&A). I particularly love the selection of vintage French earrings and hair combs as well as the double-sided velvet belts with vintage buckles (from £14.95), delicate feather brooches (from £12.95) and bird decorations (from £3.95).



Downstairs is haberdashery heaven, dedicated to heavier furnishings like acrylic and glass tassles in traditional and modern colours, as well as vintage braids, faux-fur trims, cotton lace trims, and leather and suede ribbons for fashion and furnishing. I found a bunch of Chanel-style braids that would make chic suit edging. There’s also an extensive range of wax cords in all shades, which was raided by the wardrobe department from Elizabeth: The Golden Age.




From October onwards, the store introduces its Christmas collection, with tree ornaments, wreaths, garlands and berries for decorating the home.

For more inspiration, buy a copy of owner/creative director Annabel Lewis’ new book, Ribbons & Trims, for £20.


VVRouleaux
www.vvrouleaux.com


LONDON
102 Marylebone Lane
London W1U 2QD
Tel: 020 7224 5179
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday (excluding Weds) 9.30am-6pm
Wednesday 10.30am-6pm
Nearest tube: Bond Street and Baker Street

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

54 Sloane Square
Cliveden Place
London
SW1W 8AX
Tel: 020 7730 3125
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday (excluding Weds) 9.30am-6pm
Wednesday 10.30am-6.30pm
Nearest tube: Sloan Square

For more shops in SW1, click here.

A wee birdy in a pear tree

Forgive me for indulging my passion for all things ornithological, but following a year where birds emerged as a major decorating trend, the interest hasn't let up for the festive season. So without further ado, here's a wee birdy or two for your tree. I've sourced these various feathered folk from London shops and my fave online stores. See the bottom of the post for stockist details.

Bird decorations, £29.95, for a set of eight, from Dotcomgiftshop.

Large tin bird, £13.58, from VVRouleaux.

Multi-coloured glass parrots hanging decorations, £8.95 for a set of three, from Dotcomgiftshop.

Swarovski owl decoration, £16.95, from The Conran Shop. Tel. 020 7589 7401

Robin Christmas tree decoration by Vivi, £7.75, from Not on the High Street.

Gold sequin bird, £3 for a set of three, from Woolworths.

Gold glitter wire bird, £2, from John Lewis.

Personalised handpainted fine china bauble in robin design, £9.95, from GettingPersonal.co.uk.

And I'll just sneak in a few fave birdy cards, as well:

Elle and the Snow Dove Postcards, US$16 for a set of 8, from BelleandBoo’s Etsy shop.

Pear Tree cards, US$10 for a set of four, from BlueSnailPaper’s Etsy shop.

Season’s Greetings cards, US$6 for a set of four, from EnfinLaVoila’s Etsy shop.

Top bird tip: if you click on the link to an Etsy product and it has sold out (they tend to do this quickly as they are one-offs), make sure you click on the link to the actual shop as they will often have the exact item listed again.

London stockists:

VVRouleaux
54 Sloane Square
Cliveden Place
London SW1W 8AX
Tel: 020 7730 3125

VVRouleaux
102 Marylebone Lane
London W1U 2QD
Tel: 020 7224 5179

The Conran Shop Chelsea
Michelin House
81 Fulham road
London SW3 6RD
Tel: 020 7589 7401

The Conran Shop Marylebone
55 Marylebone High Street
London W1U 5HS
Tel: 020 7723 2223

John Lewis
Oxford Street
London W1A 1EX

John Lewis
Brent Cross Shopping Centre
London
NW4 3FL