2014 - 21 years young!

Another crazy Christmas under our belt and a chance to recharge our batteries for the exciting year ahead! 

I've really enjoyed reflecting on our highlights of the past year!

In January we resolved to be good to ourselves with some amazing Toiletry ranges which have continued to be well received, plus we introduced a stylish hip new boy range with Beardsley! 

We reflected on our 20th Birthday year and in February I showcased some of maps secrets and the hidden talents of  Ian Morris, we shared our love for Archway for Valentine's day with our exclusive I love archway range!

March brought Mother's day and a chance to feature the work of a friend from the beginning of my journey - Maxwell Dorsey

Spring - and we introduced another new range from Seedballs - for those who like a little guerilla style gardening!

I really enjoyed featuring the work of 2 more local designers Harriet Wide and Elizabeth Avery in our Wedding window, which also featured the work of our good friend from Mumhadoneofthose vintage ceramics.

Our most popular blog of the year was celebrating our 21st birthday in June with 21 things you probably never knew about us!

New branded bags and a loyalty card initiative over the summer.....

We lived the dream with Nina Dogmetchi in September....

Her amazing book the lazy leopard is available online and instore!

The ongoing Bleeding London project was really interesting.  One of our customers Jen Pedler - local resident and local historian has photographed every street in N19, read more about her and the project here.

One of the biggest highlights of our year came in Septmeber when we were nominated for a Time Out Love London award - we were absolutely overwhelmed by the tidal wave of support and were thrilled to find out in November that we had won best shop in N19!   Thanks again to everyone who voted for us - we really appreciated all your comments and support!

Ian became an Islington Face, we were named as one of londons leading specialist shops and finally in December we were really privileged to be asked to take part in the Metropolitan Police Christmas Tree Campaign.  You probably noticed the tree at Archway station decorated with tags asking for donations.....

Together with other local businesses Absolute Print & Pines & Needles we helped the Islington Met Police collect over 300 gifts to be given to children in care across the borough. 

We've had a fabulous year - thanks so much for your loyalty, support and friendship! 

Bleeding London - We're in are you?

The London Region of the Royal Photographic Society is inviting Londoners, and visitors to the capital to participate in one of the most ambitious photo projects that the capital has ever seen – to photograph every street in London.  Based on the Whitbread short-listed novel, Bleeding London by Geoff Nicholson ( the ultimate read for any London freak. Nicholson describes the enormousness and enormity of London with a mix of pleasure and disgust as the character Stuart  walks every street in the trusty A-Z, crossing them out as he goes along!)  The RPS are challenging Londoners and visitors to follow in the footsteps of Stuart London and cover the entire A to Z documenting their journey as they go! One of our customers Jen Pedler - local resident and local historian has risen to that challenge and has now succeeded in photographing every street in N19.  If that wasn't enough of a challenge she has been blogging about her journey with witty ramblings and musings about the streets she has walked.  Her posts are packed with amusing insights, local information and historical references (click here to see her blog in full)

"Archway town centre was decimated in the '60s by the creation of the gyratory. There was much protest but gyratories were in fashion then so it went ahead, with much demolition involved, including some early C19 almshouses just east of Archway Road.  What Philistines planners were in the '60s!

Now, 50 or so years later, it's going to be all change again. Much to everyone's relief, after years of campaigning, the hated gyratory is to be abolished. The sins of the fathers...? But then, abolishing gyratories is fashionable these days....."

Jen's blog features loads of interesting photographs - I'd never noticed this house - number 32 1/2 Bickerton Road! 

The genius positioning of McDonalds.

I also liked this one amusingly titled "Alcoholic Reflections" featuring our fellow traders Theatre of Wine.

Jen has now moved on to photographing N6 and is continuing her blog.  She has promised an instalment on Junction Road later in the series - we're really looking forward to it!

The Royal Photographic Society is hoping to have covered all the streets by the end of October, with a view to a major exhibition and book in 2015.

If you are interested in participating - another local photographer Gandha Key has been requesting help with the 180 odd streets of N7!  if you can help sign up with Bleeding London here!