So the new year has arrived and after a very busy Christmas (in fact our busiest so far) we headed back to work. Not before I took a little trip to London with my mum to catch the tail end of what the shops had to offer in the way of festive goodies. There never seems to be time to indulge before the big day, as we are so busy making and packing orders. So although I was late to the party, it was a great chance to get some inspiration for next year (nuts I know) and maybe pick up a bargain.
Stuffed party animals window display at the Coach store, Regent Street, London, Jan 2019
Having arrived on Regent Street long before the shops even opened, it gave me a chance to do a bit of window shopping. The display in Coach was absolutely fantastic and comprised of stuffed animals and a huge T-Rex wearing a party hat and ruff! I particularly liked the frogs who had lots of personality.
Left: Liberty store front, London. Top Right: Doing Goods wool animal rugs as found in Liberty. Bottom Right: Mice lights as found in Liberty
We popped into Liberty (I say popped but we actually spent over an hour and a half in there!) and found some fantastic pieces including some little mice figurines holding lights, and faux animal rugs which would look fantastic in a kids room. I also love the haberdashery and the beautiful rug section that always reminds me of the pages of National Geographic magazine.
Paper sculptures in Anthropology shop window, Regent Street, London, Jan 2019
Next we visited Anthropologie, who always have something a little different to offer. Their windows were amazing, with a fantastic fox and badger paper collage sculptures on display. By this time I can see a trend emerging with animals constantly drawing my eye.
Mum & I discovered the brand Mackenzie-Child, in Fortnum & Mason, who we had never seen before, and now we both want to buy floral teapots with passementerie tassels. Not too practical but they looked stunning and would certainly brighten up the kitchen.
Left: Cheese fondue at Somerset House, London. Right: Enamel Teapot by Mackenzie-Childs as found in Fortnum & Mason
By this time lunch was definitely called for. We stopped at Somerset House and indulged in cheese fondue, with new potatoes, soda bread, lettuce and cornichons (little gherkins). It is something I had never eaten before, except for a not too tasty homemade attempt a few years ago, and I really wanted to try the real thing. It was fab apart from the little pickled gherkin things!
Left: Mirror balls and giant mistletoe at Covent Garden. Right: Inside Petersham Nurseries, Covent Garden
Lastly we had a wonder around Covent Garden under the mirror balls and mistletoe, and listened to the opera. Popping into Petersham Nurseries on the way back to the tube. All in all we had a fantastic day and I have returned with lots of inspiration. Now I just need to find time to execute all these new ideas!