London: Tea Time in Wonderland

Shops will soon fill with tacky merchandising, showing colourful and bad quality portrait of the couple. A royal wedding, mind you, what an opportunity for tourists souvenirs, so much money to make out of it!

Fair enough – but I prefer more discreet and artistic touch such as Maria Holmer Dahlgren’s, found in one of the independant shops on columbia Road. Isn’t it sweet?

Maria Dahlgren “I Do”
Available at:
Keeping House
144 Columbia Rd
London E2 7RG

Or on line on Cloudberry Living

I don’t know why, I always imagine Sherlock Holmes walking out of this shop. The refinement, the quaintness, the meticulousity of each detail.

In the 19th century, umbrellas and canes completed the perfect gentleman’s uniform – most elegant and practical final touch. James Smith opens his store in 1830 on Fourbet street: he makes and repairs brollies of all kinds. His son takes over in1867 and opens up at this location.

Time has literally stopped. Both the façade and internal fittings are original and Grade II listed. So picturesque! Varnished wood, walking sticks with delicate sculpted handles, serious umbrellas or laced sunshades, aligned by theme or colour. Did Mary Poppins get hers here?

Only concession to the modern era, the fabric used is now nylon. The umbrellas are still mainly made on site, in the basement. I was lucky on several visits to see one of the crafters sitting near the counter with a brolly frame in his hand. Fascinating work, almost touching in this lovely old fashioned background…

Their motto is a pure gem of British humour:

Outside every silver lining is a big black cloud...

James Smith & Sons
Hazelwood House
53 New Oxford Street
London WC1A 1BL

I dedicate this week to chatting. Quick, let’s go to the pub and cheer the fast approaching week-end!

- Have you smiled in the tube this week? Let us know!

- Hey, the Naked Cowboy (yes, the famous new-York one!) is @ St Pancras today!

- Be zen…

- Discover a secret wine cellar…

- Add a few music notes to the day…

- Listen to Anne’s Boleyn love letter to Henry VIII…

- Have a starry dinner! Or go for a touch of exotism at the Westfield Malaysian market…

- Get yourself a nice piece of art…

- Book a Wizard of Oz afternoon tea…

- Tag your way through the City…

- How fashion are you?

- Listen a classic album in a pub…

Pssst, next week is rum party time @ Selfridge’s!

Julie of London Incognito knows London as well as I do. She has the most fantastic job, tayloring dreams days in London for visitors. Just give her a few kew words of what you like and she’ll advice the most wonderful stroll.

Some time ago, she had mentionned Vintage Emporium as the loveliest place in Shoreditch to enjoy a cup of tea. A threatening sky pushed me inside and what a change of scenery! On one side of the door, the grayness of the streets. On the other, a cosy lounge, dimmed lights, warm atmosphere, country like music, inviting armchairs…

The rain outside persisting, why not enjoy the moment fully: chai (with a lovely touch of honey)? Cherry pie? Banana or carrot cake?

Have a look on the shelves for the most amazing games… Believe me, you will forget the time completely.

Don’t leave before discovering the boutique downstairs – exquisite vintage finds, from the Victorian era to the 1960ioes. How delicate the lace is, how adorable the hats, how glamorous the negligés, how irresistible the boots, how formidable the top hats… Gorget resistting – you’d better try and find an occasion to wear them instead, ideal in such a town as London!

Vintage Emporium
14 Bacon street off Brick Lane
London E1 6LF

Love it? Try Drink, shop and do!

A stroll through Liberty’s always feel like spring has just arrived -  so colourful, so soft, so silky, blooming with minute flowers, exquisite designes inspired by nature like those amazing peacock feathers…

Whether you are skilled with your hands or just an admirer like me, don’t miss the haberdashery, blooming with ribbons, buttons, creations, cross-stitching marvels!

Liberty
Habberdashery – 3rd floor
Regent Street
London W1B 5AH

Pssst:This way to know the naval history of this shop!

And only a 5 minutes walk from the Eurostar!

Happy City had warmly recommanded it and her advice is always good as gold. Frozen by the winter air, hands threatening to turn blue, the idea of of defrosting around a cup of tea sounds irresistible.

The entrance opens on a lovely shop mixing designers creations and objects from the past. A puzzle of the Queen, elegant trios filled with wrapped tea, funny brooches… All those objects you probably would disregard as kitsch in  a charity shop but which, set in a more modern decoration just turn absolutely adorable. You havebarely walked in  and already you are in love with the place.

A few steps higher is a wide lounge – natural light from the glass roof (the building used to be a bathhouse in Victorian times), white walls, upcycled chairs from the 50ies-60ies, painted in bright colours (and on sale, yeheeee!). On the walls, more fun finds, as well as craft creations such as knitted messages… Simple but inventive. Cosy describes it best. Makes you wish to be a cat, settle on a chair and purr in happiness for the rest of the afternoon. everything invites you -  there are blankets and games in a corner. Look around: people are quick to Facebook/Tweet what a fab address this is but minutes after that, iphones are forgotten. Dominoes and Scrabbles are out.

A tea room, sayeth you? Not only, much better! Of course, treats and sweets are on the menu. But cocktails are too! Some have a childhood nostalgy note – one is served with a candy cane, another is sherbet based… order straight from the counter: soups, quiches, mountains of cakes. Yummy time ahead, my friends! My bowk of moroccan stew was served with two thick slices of bread. The cheesecake was light, cloud like, with just a sprinkle of sugar on top. Cups and spoons are of course deliciously vintage – I looked deses[erately for a price but those were not to be sold, damn!

Shop, tick. Drink, tick. Do? Well, you will have to come (back) evening time! You will knot, fold dinosaur-origamis or paper planes, create jewellery with sweets… very regressive, and very much fun too. Workshops are free or almost. Have a look on the program!

A find to treasure. Best place to spend a rainy day. Or to wait for your train – much more cheerful (and better warmed too!) than the chains @ St Pancras, which you can find elsewhere in London.Ideal (vital?)  if weather conditions delay or cancel your trip too!

Drink, shop & do
9 Caledonian Rd
London N1 9DX
Closed on Mondays but open till 21.00 Tuesdays to Saturdays and until 20.00 on Sundays

Pssst:
- Love vintage parties? Try the Vintage patisserie…
- Do you collect cute cups and trios? Go to Vintage Heaven!

Snow, feezing temperatures? Bring them on! No way you will feel the icy air with those scarf to be cut at the preferred length. 100% Scottish wool for maximum warmth.

Whether you want an XS or XXL, you’ll be ready to fight the cold!

Scarf on a roll
Selfridges
400 Oxford Street
London W1A 1A

The Wonder room @ Selfridge’s is like a magnet to me. I can never resist having a quick look. This is THE concept store, with ever surprising themes, fun ideas, the latest trends, excellence in the design… One often gasps in wonder, shrieks in excitement, and thoroughly empties their bank account.

Don’t miss the Christmas edition -  makes you forget the rest of the shop, really…

See – where else could you find a Barbie-foot table?

Or adorably cute Lego rings, to be modulated according to the day’s mood? A fab idea from Lisa Taylor (£16-22 for simple ones, £50 for more complex set. At that price, you might want to steal those bricks from your kids’ sets)

Or why not pretend for a minute you are Lady Gaga or Elton John with Peter Pilotto and Jeremy Scott’s creations? £240-£265.

How could you resist those monsters from Felt Mistress?

And don’t forget to step in the Kellydoscope - a giant version of the iconix Hermes bag: you will be projected in the mini-travel of a Kelly in the hands of an elegant woman, movements included…

A place to be followed closely!

Selfridges
Wonder Room
400 Oxford Street
London W1A 1A
Until Christmas 2010

Pssst: go and see the Royal Mail pop-up shop too, on the basement level!

Come on, grave that mulled wine of yours and follow me!

- Fab evening ahead @ Covent garden this Thursday: 20% off your shopping, live performance of Priscilla, Queen of the desert, cupcakes and even champagne!

- Are you a Tron fan? You have till tomorrow evening to discover the world of the new film!

- Drink a pint in front of a chimney fire…

- Have a look @ Leonardo da Vinci’s creations…

- Get yourself some Rob Ryan inspired biscuits…

- Taste Christmas!

- Oh wow! Galliano designed Claridge’s Xmas tree…

- Have you noticed the V&A’s magic lantern?

- Support Elton John’s fundation in a finger licking way with those adorable cupcakes…

- The queen of Hoxton opens its rooftop for a winter edition: glühwein, roasted chestnuts, warm cider and mince pies… Daily from 12noon – 10pm.

- Get all glamourous for this retro ball -  what a travel in time this will be!

- Yeeeah! Banksy’s back…

- Have a laugh with this… Christmas sushi. What next, hey?

- Try a Christmas market with a difference…

- Climb in a wooden carriage et get a wonderful scare in the Old Vic Tunnel…

- A steampunk brunch? Yes, please! They will even serve alcohol infused porridge…

- Customise your Converse @ Selfridge’s…

- And a bit of shopping of course with sample sales involving La Perla, Swarovsky, Issey Miyake, William Tempest…

- Celebrate Hannukkah and have a look at the giant menorah on Trafalgar square from Monday on…

Share your program with us!

Getting late on your Christmas shopping? Is your list getting longer by the day – family, friends, Secret Santa…? No idea what to get. Go British, you can never get wrong. Here are a few ideas to make your life easier:

1. Kids will love those wooden double decker buses and cabs. Light, easy to post, they are an ideal stocking filler.
Muji, London Transport in a bag , £5.95

2. Classical, but nobody can resist shortbreads!
Marks & Spencer, £7.39

3. To be served, of course, with the perfect cup of tea. Those are guaranteed to be a hit on the table.
Pedlars, tea bags, £9.50

4. Nostalgic? The London Transport Museum has a wide collection of posters with a retro touch. Humouristic, events, monuments… Take your pick! Most pictures also exist on mugs, notebooks…
London Transport Museum, posters, £9.95

5.  Little adventurers will no doubt dream with those beautiful illustrations. Very 70ies. There is a whole collection, covering most capitals.
Amazon UK, This is London / This is Britain, £10.99

6. Coffee time in front of a chimney fire, just bring lovely warm scones… You can go for the whole set: plates, teapot, tray, cake tin, picnic bag, tea towel…
Emma Bridgewater, Union Jack baby mug, £11.95

7. Propose a lovely trip through London with this gorgeous sketchbook. You will spend hours looking at the drawings..
Amazon UK, London Sketchbook: a City observed, £19.95

8. Enjoy rain -  let it fall on London, not on you!
Cath Kidston, London Tiny umbrella, £22

9. To be the most fashionable this Christmas…
Accessorize, Twilight tattoo rose clutch bag, £32

10. blow the budget with Jan Constantine’s creations… It is the perfect time of the year for a cosy home!
Jan Constantine, vintage rose cushion, £78

Any good shopping tips? Let us know!