Shopping with the kids in New York, sweetie stores and robots while the locals go mad for Black Friday
November 25, 2011
Most Americans will be heading to the stores today for techie goods and fashion bargains for the famed Black Friday reductions, but where do you shop that entertains the kids as well?
Luckily in New York they know retail and they do it very well, even a sweetshop is turned into a magical emporium of multiple levels, witness Dylan’s Candy Bar which has just opened a Christmas special pop up shop in Bryant Park and whose Black Friday deal of 10% off is topped by the 20% off on Cyber Monday!
Or try Toys’R’Us whose 6 floors in Times Square feature an actual big wheel that turns in the atrium and you can ride in, and a life size animatronic dinosaur in the model section. Both Hershey’s and M&M whose stores face off against each other across the street have inbuilt displays that deserve more than a passing glance, even from the guy dressed as the Statue of Liberty who hangs on the other street corner. Soft toy lovers will appreciate the crowded cuddly ground floor at FAO Schwarz and look out for the dancing piano mat demonstration.
Teenagers however will prefer the quieter and low key Nintendo store where there is an actual Game Boy blown up in the Gulf War that still works in its 2nd floor Museum or the relaxed vibe in the village where Kidrobot shows how cool is really done. For those in the know Forbidden Planet gives away old copies of comics on a Thursday and is chock a full with toys and books from Japan.
Dylan's Candy Bar at 1011 3rd Avenue New York, right in with the upscale boutiques including Bloomingdales
Loving the gummy staircase at Dylan's Candy Store, New York
Do you have a favourite celebrity, do you want to know what their favourite sweets are? No, me neither but never mind!
Stop off for ice cream and cookies at the Wily Wonka style cafe at the top of Dylan's Candy store where the TV monitors show a selection of vintage confectionary ads.
A few sealed cabinets have vintage sweet packaging, and what we used to do before computer games at Dylan's Candy Bar, NYC
The amazing Big Wheel inside Toys R Us Times Square, NYC
Hershey's go for the Olde Worlde mad inventor look at their flagship NYC store
Whilst M&M's go for the slick modern vibe across the street in Times Square, New York
You are never far from a statue of Liberty in New York
The Nintendo store has loads of soon to be released games to check out on its monitors
Game Boy damaged in the Gulf War has pride of place in the Nintendo Museum in New York
Kidrobot's cool store in the Village, New York
Every variation of Kidrobot your teenage offspring could hope for in the store in the Village, NYC
Just when you think you've seen it all, up pop Angry Bird's Candy at Dylan's Candy Bar
Followed by the Angry Birds cuddly toy's at FAO Schwarz in New York
I ventured out to the Midcentury Modern fair at Dulwich last weekend on a very foggy day. Maybe it was the weather but I suddenly felt it all seemed a little dull, too much brown everywhere.
I have decided it was probably just the proximity of so much classic midcentury design all crammed in together, I think the individual pieces are beautiful still but need to be mixed in a modern setting, put against the dark brick walls and wood floors of the interior of Dulwich College and without the strong sunlight coming in it was all a little too much. The advantage of this is to see a huge range in a one stop shop of the midcentury design classics.
There was not much kids design on display with the exception of Molly Meg who had a cheery stall there, its a shame that the kids version has ended.
Quite a few visitors were carrying small goods away with them, notable stalls included in the new goods section upstairs were Thorsten Van Elten with small finds from his Theo website and Donna Wilson’s cushions, By Nord with a simple Christmas tree and their photo printed cushions, new name to me Eleonor Pritchard with her stunning wool blanket range and Mini Moderns with a great selection of their wallpapers and crockery.
The main hall at Midcentury Modern in Dulwich College
Molly Meg stand with lots of cute vintage kids chairs and Lucky Boy Sunday goods at Midcentury Modern Nov 2011
Molly Meg had sone great vintage toys including dolls from Japan at Midcentury Modern
Beautiful wool blankets by Eleonor Pritchard at Midcentury Modern Nov 2011
Great presents from Theo at Midcentury Modern
Mini Moderns had some good offers at the Midcentury Modern fair in Dulwich
Wallpaper and cushions by Siecle
It's good to look down on the exhibitors and get a different perspective on the furniture
All photos by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved
All posts copyright to Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction Nov 2009 – 2012
Brooklyn Flea market, great for vintage kids chairs and toy’s and some cute children’s fashion too.
November 4, 2011
Venturing over the river is not something many visitors to Manhattan do and with good reason as it can be hard to get a taxi back again and the trains can be a hairy ride but having taxied over to the Brooklyn Flea market at Kent and North 6th St I discovered a great way to get there.
The Flea market is situated on the banks of the East River with Manhattan views and is right next to the landing stage for the new NY Waterway Ferry service from East 34th St to Brooklyn. As well as the easiest journey you also get a fantastic view of the Manhattan skyline.
The Flea itself is fairly upmarket with vintage traders. lots of food stalls and new small traders making their own merchandise, great for vintage kids chairs, books and toys and also look out for re-worked vintage fabric kids clothes from Dolls and Robots , whacky T-shirts for kids and adults from Gnome Enterprises, and cute soft toys from Kate Durkin.
For those so inclined there is a good selection of animal trophy heads too! Another goos point, it doesn’t start till 10.00am so you don’t have to haul yourself up out of bed too early, in fact I was there at 10.30 and stall holders were still setting up.
Sunday 10am – 5pm Brooklyn Flea, Williamsburg east river water front (btw. N 6th and N 7th) Brooklyn, NY
1970's and 80's Star Wars figures at Brooklyn Flea market
Vintage kids tray and plates at Brooklyn Flea market
Vintage wooden rocking horse at Brooklyn Flea market
Rare Vintage toddler rocker at Brooklyn Flea market
Cute kids 50's / 60's retro seat at Brooklyn Flea market
Modernist kids chairs at Brooklyn Flea market
Vintage children's books for sale at Brooklyn Flea
Vintage block toys at Brooklyn Flea market
Children's fashion by Dolls and Robots, vintage and remade items at Brooklyn Flea
Dolls and Robots details of kids fashion at Brooklyn Flea
Kate Durkin soft kids toys, pillows,and artwork at Brooklyn Flea
Cool T-Shirts from Gnome Enterprises for kids and adults at Brooklyn Flea market
Brilliant views from the NY Waterway Ferry to 34th St pier of Manhattan
All photos by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved
All posts copyright to Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction Nov 2009 – 2011
Camper and the Volvo Round the World yacht race in Barcelona, what a cool city that is!
September 28, 2011
Having never been before I was delighted to visit Barcelona and catch up with the Camper yacht before it starts the Volvo Round the World race in Alicante in April.
The yacht is pure cool with fantastic graphic patterned sails by London design company Farrow and a dark red non slip deck and side to contrast with the mainly white sail. Its going to be the best looking boat out there. Crew uniforms and footwear of course are by Camper and the super bendy deck shoes have a lot of new technology put into them. Kids will have a version too next year.
Although the weather was grey my first day there it brightened up the next and I saw the well known Barcelona beach style in full glory, nothing beats a city by the sea!
It also gave me a chance to see some of the mad Antoni Gaudi buildings in real life, there seems to be a lot of restoration work on the cathedral and some others look well cared for but the apartments I thought needed a bit of a spring clean, see below.
I posted on the new Camper winter boots and shoes here for a quick check on the newest styles for kids this winter season and you can follow the yacht’s progress on their own blog here.
Even in the Barcelona dock on a grey day with the sails tucked away the Camper yacht looks pretty cool
Posters of the yacht in full sail adorn a Camper shoe store in Barcelona
That crazy Catalan architect Gaudi, the Casa Batlló built in 1906-8 has a facade that is meant to be dragon skin.
The La Pedrera apartments by Gaudi built in 1906 -10 look as if they need a good scrub down now.
Nearby Louis Vuitton shop display fits right into the craziness no problem!
A sneak visit to the new huge W hotel on Barcelona beach
How cool is this city, a paddle just a stone's throw away from the city centre at Barcelona
Camper deck shoe for kids spring 2012 in race yacht colours
All photos by Smudgetikka except shoe shot – all rights reserved
All posts copyright to Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction Nov 2009 – 2011
Happy 4th July to you all
July 4, 2011
USA costume - rider from the Antrim County fair, Michigan
Photo by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved
All posts copyright to Smudgetikka- permission must be asked for reproduction Nov 2009-2011
Festival of Britain exhibition and a stroll down the prom, The Southbank’s celebration is worth the visit.
June 7, 2011
I paid a visit to the 60th Anniversary of the Festival of Britain celebration on the Southbank having heard that the exhibition in the Festival Hall was pretty good and I can say for all lovers of the vintage it is well worth the visit.
Free to enter which is always a plus point, for me the stand out pieces were the amazing quilt made for the original exhibition with a square designed and crafted by hand to celebrate a major event in a certain year, the 50’s retro room sets and the selection of original festival souveniers.
Created by Wayne Hemingway who loves this era there are also some great vintage graphics and the original sketches of the festival emblem in various stages. His own site The Land of Lost Content contains a wonderful archive for students and academics of 20th Century popular culture.
As well there are different attractions on the Southbank Pier itself with a beach hut line up and bunting that makes it feel like a day at the seaside, a sandy beach pit strip full of toddlers digging away and the famous Mobile Seagull Appreciation Society van from the Folkestone Triennial Art Exhibition of 2008.
Overlooking Waterloo Bridge is a huge straw Fox perched on top of the BFI building which is worth the visit to see alone!
Jolly beach huts line up along the Southbank for Festival of Britain celebration
Amazing hand crafted patchwork from the original Festival of Britain fair in 1951
Detail from Festival of Britain quilt from the original fair in 1951
Original souveniers from The Festival of Britain celebration in 1951
Room set from the Festival of Britain exhibition at The Royal Festival Hall
Original Festival of Britain souvenir scarves
The original Mobile Seagull Appreciation Society trailer on the Thames Southbank
The huge straw fox sculpture on the Southbank
The start of the sandy beach area at the Southbank celebration for the Festival of Britain
Artists have filled some of the interiors of the beach huts on The Southbank
A traditional beach hut interior by artist Phill Jupitus created for the Festival of Britain celebration
All photos by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved
They had forecast heavy showers and cold weather but this afternoon the sun came out and celebrated the Royal Wedding with the rest of the country.
There were street parties a plenty, my goodness red,white and blue is a good combination for cheeriness. Thank goodness they were all allowed to go ahead, it was great fun and a day the kids will always remember.
My thanks to the residents of Mina Rd, Mayfield Rd, Cecil Rd and Effra Rd all in the Royal Borough of Wimbledon.
The replay is running on into the afternoon. Prince William and Catherine say yes!
The youngest dude at the Royal wedding celebrations
The red, white and blue cake proves popular at the street party
Hello Kitty got the red,white and blue too.
Prince Edward didn't get left out after all!
A cardboard castle to decorate was a hit activity with the kids at one Royal street party
Chinese lanterns joined flags as tree decorations
Jolly royal couple cupcakes in the cake competition
A princess in the making all dressed up in red, white and blue for the street party
Well used raggedy flags show a touch of class
Just love Lily's subtle face paint and do it yourself flag dress.
Busy,busy,busy, rocking street party with a PA playing Bruce Springsteen 'dancing in the streets'!
For me, the winner of the cake competition, a Victoria sponge of course!
I am loving that tie, wonder if its ever worn on a normal day?
Yummy, home made jam tarts and flag decorated cup cakes
End of the day, warmth and sunshine and time for the judging of the cake competition.
All photos by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved
Easter at Cannizaro Park
April 25, 2011
Its one of my favourite parts of London and at this time of year the blooms are out in full.
I love walking around Cannizaro Park and the weather this Easter has been perfect, rather than joining the motorway madness as the masses head for the beaches I just pop up here for an hour or two and it feels the same as a day in the countryside.
Friends Of Cannizaro is a non profit organisation that cares for the park throughout the year, they always welcome new members who appreciate the gardens to their fold.
The park is set on hillside and as you wander around there is everything from Pine trees at the top of the hill, through rhodedendron glades in the middle to primeval swamp ferns and huge green triffid style plants at the bottom.
Best of all its completely free. The attached Cannizaro Hotel does a great tea on the terrace too but there’s always an ice cream van out the front for those on a budget. I regard it as my own personal Stately Home from home, I know the grounds so well now!
There are masses of bluebells at Cannizaro, so beautiful.
The ferns are unfurling at Cannizaro Park
Wonderful vistas of colour upon colour on sloping ground at Cannizaro Park
Wafts of jasmine as you pass strange trees in the landscape from the towering bushes
The mighty rhodedendron bushes are blooming too
Beautiful washes of colour are throughout the park
Photos by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved
Enterprising local kids set up snowball shop in local park
December 2, 2010
Loving the enterprise!
In my local park a bunch of kids set up a snowball shop with these perfectly formed snowballs. Not that they managed to sell any when I was there but the thought is what counts!
Snowball shop Wimbledon Dec 2nd 2010
And here is Smudgetikka’s new winter look,
Smudgetikka winter Dec 2nd 2010
By the way, those perfect snowballs are made with one of these below, you can find them on Amazon and snow sports shops but be warned they pack the snow pretty tight and can hurt if thrown with force.
Snowball maker
Top 2 pics by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved
Studio Ghibli Museum Tokyo is like walking into a Ghibli film set.
November 15, 2010
Having loved the Studio Ghibli animated films for a long time it was amazing to be able to visit the Ghibli museum in Mitaka, a suburb of Tokyo.
Sadly it was raining as the museum is itself very green with lots of roof terraces and outside spaces but also in parkland which is very fitting.
The museum opened in 2001 and is a series of interlocking spaces which from the outside have a moulded adobe style appearance and inside resemble a castle with large staircases and huge wooden doors, they have the atmosphere of a Ghibli interior set, slightly turn of the century with Art Nouveau stained glass style windows and a huge domed central glass ceiling. There is a centrepiece spiral staircase which runs throughout the three floors as well as more conventional wooden stairs.
The museum begins with an explanation of animation and a wonderful zoetrope with 3 dimensional Totoro figures, there are rooms that show Hayao Miyazaki’s office style and working methods, how the backgrounds are built up in layers and best of all there is a giant shaggy fur Cat Bus that the under 12’s can clamber in and out and on top of. I would thoroughly recommend a visit here even if you are not aware of much of the Studio’s output as it is just great fun.
There is also a cinema that shows short animations made especially for the museum, every entry ticket includes one screening.
Its about a 30 minute ride out on the JR Chuo line from central Tokyo so fairly easy to visit, the prices all seemed reasonable for Tokyo and there is a shuttle bus from underneath the elevated station especially for museum visitors. The only proviso is if you can, book before you travel to Tokyo as there is a limit of 200 visitors per day and the museum can sell out. I managed to book tickets in London from an agency listed on the website about 2 weeks before we left and the allocation for some days had already been sold.
Entrance to the Ghibli museum in Tokyo with rain cover walkway
The Robot soldier on the roof of the Ghibli museum, Mitaka, Tokyo
The patio garden with a working well in the centre
Patio manhole cover - why don't all manhole covers look like this?
Giant soft Cat Bus and smoke balls in the Ghibli museum - photo by Yutaka Suzuki
One of the stained glass window panels
Another secret patio and roof terrace garden
One of our gift shop buys, a soft spinning Totoro
Another gift shop buy, a Totoro key ring at the Ghibli Museum Tokyo
One super stylish young Ghibli museum visitor in the cafe, Mitaka Tokyo
All photos except Cat Bus by Smudgetikka, Cat Bus photo by Yataka Suzuki – all rights reserved
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