Life Story

Way back in December I was invited along to the opening of Life Story, a new concept lifestyle store situated where Broughton Street meets London Street, in Edinburgh. The interior is brilliant (worth a visit alone) and the stock is both covetable and surprisingly affordable...seriously, they should hand out baskets at the door. I want everything.
Fee and Adam Storey have drawn on their successful design experience in the world of fashion and commercial interiors and created a store with a difference. The couple believe that all too often the designers' tale is lost amidst the retailers' branding so have given the carefully selected objects a stage on which to tell their story.

Broughton Street is fast becoming my favourite street to shop in!

Last Minute Valentine

I've had my eye on this print from Seventy Tree for a while and it's now available from new Edinburgh concept store Life Story. Perfect if you haven't picked anything up for your Valentine yet...

OYOY

New Danish design company, OYOY, has launched and is flaunting their beautiful Autumn/Winter 2012 catalogue here.

 ...so tempted to paint my floors...

Weekend Treasure Hunt

On Saturday afternoon I had a few hours off. I love my family but sometimes a little 'me time' is a necessity. I took the opportunity to head over to a monthly flea market that I'd been trying to get to for a long time. The Drill Hall on Dalmeny Street, in Leith, is an awesome space with a ridiculous amount of natural light. It's home to Out of The Blue, an arts and education trust committed to community projects. There are offices and studios rented to creative businesses and a large space, perfect for markets, as well as shows, workshops and classes. There's a café too...for sustenance. On the last Saturday of every month the hall hosts the Out Of The Blue Flea Market from 10am till 3pm, and it's definitely worth a visit.
I picked up this vintage silk blouse for £1.50 and, the artist's mannequin, large wood bowl and awesome white and gold vase all came from the same seller, and were £2 a piece! So, I had a very fruitful and enjoyable afternoon which cost a total of £11.40, including £1.40 for the bus and £2.50 for the most tremendous flat white coffee from Artisan Roast on my wander home.

Did you find any treasure this weekend?

Sacked

I want all of these awesome storage sacks! Definitely one for all the baby's toys but I'm thinking bathroom storage too...and maybe even for the kitchen...and the bedroom...

available from here 

Sparrow & Co.

Being from Glasgow, I jump at the chance to showcase home-grown talent so, say hello to Sparrow & Co. who opened their online doors to the public yesterday.
With just one visit you'll be ready for winter; mustards and greys, textures, patterns and scents. Done.
It's just the beginning so bookmark it and keep popping back to see new arrivals...I will be...

Sparrow & Co. via @IgorJosif

Black & White

This monochrome combination is a classic. Here are a few bits and pieces to add to that Santa memo.  Unless, of course, you've been bad this year...

1. Marimekko for Converse 2. Lee Broom's stag to be auctioned for homeless charity Centrepoint 3. 'I Love The Shit Out Of You' print 4. La Sardinia camera Domino 5. Strap mirror 6. Herribone cushion 7. Arne Jacobsen cups 8. Tuxedo onesie 9. Anna Black carpet

I heard a rumour...

...that Edinburgh will soon have its very own Anthropologie...

Ovale

If there's one thing the Parisiennes can do well (apart from architecture, food, style, baking, etc etc) it's retail display. Whilst window shopping (much cheaper than real shopping) in St Germaine one evening (best time to see window displays) on our recent trip, we came across this baby shop full of sleeping polar bears...



photographs by me

Merci

One of the shops on my list for our trip was Merci, a favourite amongst bloggers and designers, so I couldn't have passed it up...
Merci is a charity shop with a difference; Designers donate peices to be sold and all proceeds go to help children, mainly in Madagascar. A concept put into practice by the founders, of childrens store, Bonpoint, Marie-France and Bernard Cohen.
It still puzzles me though. There were designers there assembling displays, staff, serving coffee and assisting shop and the property itself must have been extortionate!
Either way, what a place!
Jewellery, accessories (including a separate Mulberry bag 'zone') and a beautiful Annick Goutal, D-I-Y perfume bar greet you upon entering the bright, airy shop through the courtyard set back from the busy, Boulevard Beaumarchais. Then you make your way up a couple of steps to the stationery and baby merchandise, and through the huge furniture, clothing (designer & vintage) and homeware section. Then downstairs to lighting (see the Foscarini for Diesel pendants below) and kitchenware, complete with a restaurant and courtyard.
You end up with the irresistible option to exit through the 'used book café' where you can sit on an array of upcycled furniture, (all with price tags) and sip a café creme, whilst perusing the floor-to-ceiling book shelves...

all photography by me