Christmas looks very traditional this year, that’s handy!
November 29, 2011
Can’t help noticing how many traditional retro Christmas items there are this year, Harrods, Fortnums, Selfridges and M&S all had yesteryear packaging for very trad baubles and food. Gingerbread houses are everywhere. White, red and natural tones are the favourite colourways and even roller skates are back in a big way.
Bring on the nostalgia, works a treat for a recession and allows us all to dig out the bits of Christmas past from the attic!
Very traditional packaging at Fortnum and Mason for Xmas tree baubles this year
Harrods own traditional Christmas bauble, guess its a great tourist gift!
Super traditional tin of biscuits from Selfridges for Xmas 2011
Traditional sweet treats for stockings from Hope and Greenwood for Xmas 2011
Red trad Christmas bears by Steiff for Xmas 2011
Laduree fantastic Christmas cake in bauble shape for Xmas 2011
Cool retro roller skates at John Lewis for Christmas 2011
Giant chocolate coins from Sainsbury for Xmas 2011
All photos by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved
All posts copyright to Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction Nov 2009 – 2012
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
Halloween New York style, gruesome homes and giant pumpkins
October 31, 2011
October is the perfect time to be in NYC, I escaped the sudden snowstorm of the past weekend just by a few hours so saw the city at its best with comfortable temperatures and getting ready for Halloween.
From gruesome decorations on the Upper East side to gingerbread houses in Grand Central Station there were bits of Halloween popping up all over Manhatten.
Not as much individual house decoration as I had expected, I suspect Manhattanites are too cool for that, mostly subtle uncut pumpkins popped in amongst other foliage but those that did, did it in spooktacular style!
Truly Spooktacular Halloween decorations on this Upper East side Manhattan house.
Gruesome line up of spiked heads in Manhattan's Upper East side for Halloween 2011
Subtler Halloween decorations at another Upper East side Manhattan residence
Loving the decorated pumpkins at this Midtown Manhattan hair salon
Great cobweb and spider Halloween decoration on a Lower West side street in Manhattan
Huge pumpkin displays on 34th St West side, I am amazed nobody takes them home.
Pumpkins and straw at Herald Square look more Harvest Festival than Halloween
Back on the Upper East side, one of the classier Halloween Manhattan houses.
Bat decorated tree in a Manhattan street for Halloween 2011
The gingerbread house is not just for Christmas, decorated Halloween house in New York's Grand Central station
Halloween cupcakes in New York, could be fatal if you eat too many!
All photos by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved
All posts copyright to Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction Nov 2009 – 2011
Simply Chocolate, goodies from the new Danish chocolate label in Illum store, Copenhagen.
August 8, 2011
While I sort through all my pictures from Copenhagen Fashion week a quick look at a new branded store in the most stylish dept store of Copenhagen, Illum, which intrigued me on a visit during a wet Sunday morning.
Simply Chocolate is a new launch this year and has an organic and health conscious approach to high end chocolates packaged with a good deal of humour.
I loved the ‘ Forget Johnny Depp’ and ‘ Yes you can buy Love ‘ slogans and the packaging looks pretty cool too. At the moment the range is being kept fairly exclusive but I wouldn’t be surprised if an international roll out isn’t on the cards soon.
Simply Chocolate in Illum store Copenhagen, Denmark
Simply Chocolate, Forget Johnny Depp boxes
Simply Chocolate, organic credentials and no lacquer or wax coating!
Simply Chocolate, Yes you can buy Love
Simply Chocolate flavours and quirky slogans from Copenhagen's new chocolate shop
Simply Chocolate, an inviting entrance to the shop in Illum, Copenhagen
Simply Chocolate, great graphic packaging for this new chocolate brand
All photos by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved
All posts copyright to Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction Nov 2009-2011
Cox Cookies and Cake, amazing cake images from their new book by Patrick Llewelyn- Davies
July 28, 2011
Not that I will be attempting to make any of these fabulous concoctions but I thought you might enjoy seeing these amazing food images from the newly published Cox Cookies and Cake recipe book which certainly are not the conventional style of images.
Patrick Llewelyn-Davis uses a Light revolution technique which makes objects appear to glow and applies it to food to produce a striking set of images which compliment the striking decor of the radical cake store perfectly.
Mad cupcakes from Cox Cookies and Cake
Loving the 'Royal' cupcake here from Cox Cookies and Cake
Lucious cakes from Cox Cookies and Cake the book!
Rich goodies from Cox Cookies and Cake
Cox Cookies and Cake from the new book published early July by Octopus Books
Cox Cookies and Cake book £16.99, look out for the foreward from Sir Elton John!!
All photos by Patrick Lleweleyn-Davis – all rights reserved
All posts copyright to Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction Nov 2009-2011
So many Christmas things have I seen in the past few weeks that I am almost surprised when I wake up and see the sun is shining and remember its still only July!
Some of my favourite things here today and the rest I will post nearer to the season, I love it all so its hard to choose but these are my stand outs from the season so far.
The main themes are still the red/white Scandi retro styling and winter whites are popular too. Ornate purple and gold is the runner up theme with other jewel colours and a surprise hit of turquoise now and then.
The best Christmas tree was this tree of soft toys at John Lewis for Xmas 2011
The best Christmas cakes were the selection from the Biscuiteers with their recipe book too
The most OTT gift by Mauro Peruccheti "Theory of evolution" Swarovski pet dog and kennel from Harrods
The best simple kitsch, flying reindeer from Heals for Xmas 2011
The best vintage christmas tree decorations from Designers Guild, sourced from Russia and Poland.
The best Advent Calender was one for mum actually, by L'Oreal at Selfridges, wouldn't you love to get this!
The best paper chains are by Belle and Boo who have a great new character bunting out too for Xmas 2011
The most unusual string of lights are the London buses from The Transport Museum, they have the iconic red telephone box too for Christmas 2011
The sweetest crackers and so stylish from Carluccio's for Xmas 2011
All photos by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved
All posts copyright to Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction Nov 2009-2011
Stepping into the James Bond style interior of a penthouse suite in London’s West End for the Hotel Chocolat Xmas preview was a spectacular experience.
The cool white interior worked perfectly as a counterpoint to all the dark chocolate goodies on display. Not only were the new Christmas items there, which this year included a standing version of the chocolate slab Christmas tree, some cute boxes of penguins, a special Christmas at Santa’s house set, angels and robots for kiddie stockings but also a display from the Boucan restaurant and bar , the restaurant of Hotel Chocolat from the Rabot estate in Saint Lucia and special dishes using some of the savoury chocolate sauces and recipes developed by the company.
Also new was a Christmas wreath in chocolate and fruit to slice and share and mini crackers with a chocolate treat inside and a space to write a name for place settings. The chocolate is of the highest quality and the prices on the smaller treats seem very reasonable for seasonal offerings. Look out for the amazing gold plated Pirate mask for Halloween too!
Loved the James Bond penthouse setting for Hotel Chocolate Xmas preview 2011
Stand up chocolate Christmas tree from Hotel Chocolat for Xmas 2011
Advent calenders are in both milk and dark versions from Hotel Chocolat for Xmas 2011
Christmas at Santa's house and caramel filled tiddly penguins for Xmas 2011 at Hotel Chocolat
Christmas wreaths with nut and fruit decoration from Hotel Chocolat for Xmas 2011
Halloween specials include an amazing gold decorated Pirate mask at Hotel Chocolat for winter 2011
A selection of the purist range from Hotel Chocolat including their own Rabot estate specials for winter 2011
All photos by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved
All posts copyright to Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction Nov 2009-2011
Marks and Spencer have a Merry Xmas preview for Dec 2011 with Marcel Wanders Christmas inspired goodies
July 11, 2011
Much merriment at the Marks and Spencer Christmas 2011 fashion and food preview last week partly due to the rather delicious Elderflower liqueur cocktails it has to be said which will be instore for the festive season.
The red and white Nordic theme is well represented again this Christmas and is done well here but is something I have seen at every Xmas preview so far. The grey/silver combination shown for the interiors looks fresher but still has the Scandi spirit.
A new collaboration with Marcel Wanders has produced some very interesting items, I liked the red/white patterned Teddy bear and the chocolate alternative Christmas cake.
I loved the little owl lights too, even though owl emblems have also been around a while but sometimes these trends stay with us a while and to be honest, the Nordic pattern chic is a classic look that I would personally prefer anytime over the gold/purple/red opulance that seems to be the alternative.
Simple white ceramic decorations for Xmas 2011 from Marks and Spencer
Sweet owl lights for Christmas 2011 from Marks and Spencer
Simple ceramic Nativity scene from Marks and Spencer for Christmas 2011
Cute children's decorations for Xmas 2011 from Marks and Spencer
Nativity Advent Christmas crackers, something new from Marks and Spencer for Xmas 2011
Channeling Prada in Mum's big sequin party dress
Sequins for girls too with zig zag patterned skirt and decorated blouse
Marcel Wanders wrapping paper for Xmas 2011 at Marks and Spencer
Marcel Wanders festive Teddy Bear for Marks and Spencers Xmas 2011
Marcel Wanders Christmas tree cake for Marks and Spencers Xmas 2011
Cool Nordic silver grey and white interiors for Xmas 2011 from Marks and Spencer
Matryoshka Russian dolls are a popular symbol for Christmas 2011, here for a biscuit tin.
Red and white Nordic style for interiors at Marks and Spencer Xmas 2011 preview
Living Christmas trees come gift wrapped at Marks and Spencer for Xmas 2011
All photos by Smudgetikka – all rights reserved
All posts copyright to Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction Nov 2009-2011
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
And while we are talking food….Love these Easter goodies the best, Hotel Chocolat eggs and soldiers and quails eggs.
April 22, 2011
My pick of the Easter goodies around this year, cute and clever, the eggs and soldiers are a great alternative to the standard egg and for adults I have to say the Quails eggs with soft centre’s are just divine.
Both reasonably priced too compared to one of the other Hotel Chocolat offerings, the Ostrich egg at £65!
Hotel Chocolat, egg halves and soldiers or quails eggs for a different Easter egg
smudgetikka 