Bermondsey Market, SE1

I admit I am obviously slow on the uptake as I knew nothing about how trendy Bermondsey is becoming. Why did no one tell me before! 

So when I took a trip simply to check out Bermondsey Market this Friday I was happily impressed by the casually hip area on Bermondsey Street. The newly opened White Cube Gallery is sure to bring other newbies, like myself, to this street packed full of classic architecture (that made me feel a bit Dickens-esque), independent shops (including the coolest pet shop) and sweet eateries (where I discovered Vietnamese baguettes - yum). 

And all that before I even got to the market...which was definitely a good sign. 

Bermondesy Market (officially New Caledonian Market) is a weekly antiques market placed right at the end of Bermondsey Street. The market opens at 5am for any early birds, but I headed for a more reasonable start and took a break from the rush hour to stroll up from London Bridge, which took about 15 mins. 

It boasts a great selection of antiques mainly Edwardian, Georgian and Victorian silverware, glassware, beautiful jewellery and various other fascinating pieces. Like this dainty vintage cash machine - who wouldn't want to open a cutesy little shop if you had one of these?

There were lots of real classic antiques finds at this market...

Plenty of vintage timepieces...

Fabulous crockery, ranging from the delicately designed...

To cool 70s plates...

There was even the occasional vintage robot thrown in for good measure!

I think I liked the frames and table itself more than these actual pictures...look at the colours...mmm

The last thing that really made this market for me was the location. Other than being perfectly placed at the end of one of my new fave streets, it is beautifully positioned in Bermondsey Square framed in old and new architecture. How lovely. Oh and the crisp autumnal morning may have helped a little...

The Peanut Vendor, N16

Every time I visit Stoke Newington I cannot help but gawp at the latest lovelies at The Peanut Vendor. I can however forget to put the pictures up online...therefore please excuse the historical (well a couple of week's old anyway) nature of the images, but I can assure you this shop never disappoints! 

The Peanut Vendor is a vintage furniture shop based on lovely Newington Green and with a very nice online shop too. Visit this shop for quality antiques - everything from utility storage and classic bakeware (as seen above with very cool vintage bunting)...

To brilliant 70s style bathroom accessories...
I simply have to get some of this lighting at home...


And start using these for my filing...
The beautifully styled shop always makes it a delight to visit.

And, when I went, there was even a nice bit of taxidermy! I implore you all to go...at the very least to keep my up to date with what's now in store...

                            

New Vintage, SW11

After getting my car booting fix this morning (I hadn't been for weeks - imagine!) I happened upon a sweet vintage shop that made it well worth getting out of my pyjamas on this lazy Sunday.

New Vintage is a shabby chic fest of revamped antiques furniture, china, accessories and some really lovely fabrics. Plus (I think it's fair to say) the most fabulous and extensive selection of lampshades. 

It has a quirky sense of fun with some sweet pieces like this cheeky gal (who wasn't actually for sale as the owner can't bear to give her up!)

I really liked the use of display in the shop with these overhauled dining chairs strung up artfully. 

There were some really good prices for china...

And other accessories to make a perfect afternoon tea.  

An added bonus is that New Vintage based in a part of Battersea I'm just getting to know at the moment, Battersea Park,  that also has a very nice sprinkling of charity shops to browse. Afternoon vintage shopping fun sorted.

Pimpernel & Partners, SW6

Say bonjour to beautiful French bargains...say hello to Pimpernel & Partners on the King's Road.

If I say 'French antiques' and 'the King's Road' in the same sentence, I'm sure like me you'll be thinking 'far too expensive' and 'the credit card bill'. But in a lovely chance stumble I happened across this fab store of French furniture and vintage accessories, that is very nicely within my budget. Bravo, indeed!

The products are all sourced from France directly by the owner - who I must applaud for having the most fabulous taste. Furniture is either available beautifully restored or reupholstered. While the accessories are picked from vintage markets.

As a child French holidays were the highlight of my summer. A couple of bronzing weeks spent living under canvas a short walk away from a sandy beach. Bliss. This shop takes me happily back to those heady days - there were so many items here that reminded me of then, lazing around in the sunshine and the markets Mum used to drag us to:

I'm sure a French camping neighbour must have had these...1960s garden chairs. I love them, the seaside stripe in the best colours on the deepest green metal frame. Want. Only £69 - amazing.

And I don't think I spent a summer holiday without smelling a whiff of the annual Pernod my dad insisted on. We never had such a lovely bottle though...

The pricepoints really got me for the King's Road. As I'm usually happy to just browse on this super posh, super snazzy shopping street. But it was this vintage set of sailing boat illustrated glasses and jug for just £22 that really got me hooked...

Here are some of my edited highlights (there's plenty more loveliness in store):

Vintage fabric lined storage, I like this kind of upcycling very muchly...

Lovely measuring jug...

How much cooler is this than those Unigate milk crate monstrosities?

More nice little French-y touches...

A vintage, panda rocking thingy, I need say no more...

Smart and cosy looking, tres bon...

Teatime. With lemon of course...

Love these - 50s coasters, jelly-mould style...

I am sold and sold again. I cannot wait for my Christmas shopping now (yes I am well aware it is still August) family and friends prepare for le gifts magnifique.

Birthday treats 2011

Happy birthday to me. I got me some treats...

The best tasting lemon drizzle cake ever, baked by my fabulous mother...

Best storage solution ever...I actually want to not finish my food now so I can use these...
Habitat tea set. So elegant...Fred Perry knits...
A retro alarm clock that is worth getting out of bed for...
A trip to Hampton Court...look at the colours of those flowers!
A little bit of Latitude...
Dinner treat at Morito on Exmouth Market...
A bit of Tatty Devine personalised marvellousness...
And a little pressie from me to myself from Our Shop.
Good haul.