Columbia Road Flower Market

This morning we went to the Columbia Road Flower Market, a spectacular market in Shoreditch near Brick Lane. We had heard a lot about it and saw beautiful pictures, and it was just what we expected. What a treat! The flowers were beautiful, and the street was lined with great shops and cafes. Columbia Road was packed with people as they made their way through the rainbow of colors, looking for the best deal from vendors who were shouting the prices of their various pots and stems. We also had a great brunch at Campania, which was delicious. I can't wait to go back!

Portobello Road

This morning I went to Portobello Road for the Saturday market. I got up bright and early and headed out solo while Andrew stayed at the apartment with Lois. I'm happy I went, but I'm not sure this market would be on the top of my list if I were just visiting for a few days. I've been once before a few years ago, but I didn't remember it being like it was today.

It was quite the tourist trap. At least a third of the street market consisted of new cheap goods, like vendors with knock-off Prada bags, and vendors with lots of tourist trinkets like little red plastic London double-decker buses. I got there pretty early, so it wasn't until about 10:30 when I was leaving that the masses of people became too much for me. I don't think I've ever seen so many fanny packs and cameras in one place! I admit I was one of those tourists (with camera, no fanny pack, just a big purse filled with random baby stuff). As I headed in the opposite direction back to the train station, it was like invasion of the fanny pack zombies, all rushing towards me, and I actually couldn't wait to escape!

The neighborhood is really nice, though, and I'd prefer to go any day other than Saturday and just browse in the shops and walk the pretty streets of Notting Hill. Having been to a handful of the antique markets now, I'd definitely choose Camden Passage Market over Portobello Road. Still, it was fun to have alone time and see the tourist madness that was Portobello Road. And it was a spectacular day. Blue sky, cool breeze, sun. Can't beat that. Here are a few pictures from the old side of Portobello Road.





I wonder how many times these Portobello Road row houses have had their picture taken. Lots.

Labour and Wait

As any chef, gardener, housekeeper, or DIY aficionado knows, good things come to those who wait, and even better things to those who labour and wait. Earlier this week I dropped into another great shop that I read about in The Traditional Shops and Restaurants of London: Labour and Wait. The shop has a clean, minimal feel and is stocked with practical tools for household tasks and general everyday life such as shaving sets, enamel measuring jugs, and metal watering cans. They also carry the infinitely useful ball of twine and twine stand. Labour and Wait left me daydreaming of a cottage kitchen with little a garden out back, both filled with functional, beautiful tools. Maybe it will do the same for you.
















Labour and Wait
18 Cheshire Street
London, E2 6EH
Saturday: 1.00pm to 5.00pm
Sunday: 10.00am to 5.00pm
Wednesday, Friday: 11.00am to 5.00pm

Camden Passage Market

Yesterday morning, before going to the umbrella shop later in the day, I went to the Camden Passage Market. I was close to experiencing antique overload, if that's even possible, but I think I was close. The street market was great, but it was all the little cozy shops that made my eyes start to hurt from over-stimulation. It was like a little fake town at Disney, Antique Town, but it was real! Tiny shops packed with silver, china, books, tools, vintage clothes, and a whole lot more random old stuff. I'll have to go back again with Andrew because most of the shops were too small and packed to stroll Lois in with me, so I just peeked my head into most of them, but here are a few snippets from the market. Tomorrow I might get another dose of antique overload when I go to Portobello Road. I should get some rest.

Rain, Rain Don't Go Away

Today I went to James Smith & Sons umbrella shop. It was a rainy day--perfect for visiting a beautiful umbrella shop. I loved seeing this girl in front of the umbrella shop, with her rosy pink umbrella. Like me, she was admiring the shop and taking pictures, and just from the sidewalk I understood why. It's one of the many great specialty shops I've read about in my favorite book lately: The Traditional Shops and Restaurants of London by Eugenia Bell (published by The Little Bookroom, publishers one of my other favorite books: Paris Made by Hand). James Smith & Sons specializes in custom umbrellas and walking sticks. I was especially interested in the umbrellas, and the designs and fabrics were diverse and beautiful. While I was in the shop I saw the proprietor repairing an umbrella with care. Umbrella repair is not something I've ever thought of and it reminded me that things weren't always disposable. These umbrellas remind me of a time when people really took care of what they had instead of just throwing it away when it broke. I would love to have one of their umbrellas, but I will have to go back with Andrew to pick one out. He will like them a lot too.