Weddings & Anniversary 'Etiquette'

The idea of a theme for every year of marriage dates back to 1922 when Emily Post, an American writer, attempted to solve the issue of what gift to give on the occasion of an anniversary by drawing up lists of anniversary themes in a book titled “Etiquette”.  The idea has been revisited and a modern list curated with alternatives of colours and flowers for each wedded year.

Here's our fun edit (tenuous, and bending the rules just a little) but great gifts none the less...

The first Anniversary is paper, and all gifts need wrapping!  We wrap for free - all part of our famous customer service - see our google reviews here and maybe leave one yourself?  Your 2nd Anniversary is China - this quirky vase is from a selection from PiP Studio, The 3rd Anniversary is Glass, it's my third wedding anniversary this year and I'd love to receive this Water Decanter and Glass Set also by Pip Studio.  The 4th Anniversary is Silk - we have a gorgeous range of Silk tops and dresses by Gabrielle Parker.  5th is Wood, what better way to celebrate a wedding or an anniversary than with great pictures.  This Multi Frame with an 'Edge' from Umbra can also house little keepsakes and trinkets.  Jumping to 9th Anniversary - it's Leather!  Our good friend Harriet Wilde makes bespoke leather wedding shoes for your special day - or buy your loved one a Leather Wallet from our new range from Golunski Leather.  10th is Tin - we have a huge range of  Hand-decorated Tin Decorations and Mirrors from Mexico in store.  25 is the Silver Anniversary - just take a look at our range of Silver Jeweller, and finally if you make it all the way to Gold at 50 years - what better way to celebrate half a century together than with a Gold Cactus Vase? Perfect!

Time Out Love London Awards - we have been nominated AGAIN!

"Last year’s Love London Awards saw 16,000 nominations and 75,000 votes cast for 5,000 venues across the city. That, as Led Zeppelin once said, is a whole lotta love."

We are thrilled to have been nominated again!  Regulars to this blog (who have been paying attention) will know that we won this prestigious award 2 years running.  We'd love to make it 3 in a row! We're in great company!  We're up against 2 friends Deli Junction and Harriet Wilde.

There is still confusion surrounding the name or our area.  We are big fans of Archway, both it's name and nature, and we vehemently resist the temptation (mainly led by local Estate Agents) to rebrand our beloved Archway with a name change.  In fact, we think areas such as Highgate and Highbury should consider renaming themselves - Upper and Lower Archway........But in terms of postcodes Archway doesn't exist.  We are Upper Holloway as designated by the Post Office 100 years ago, and the Time Out Love London Award has taken these postcode areas rather than the name of our town centre!  Surely it can only be due to this confusion that there weren't enough venues nominated in the pubs & bars category for Time Out to open it up to the vote?  I think St john's Tavern & Charlotte Despard (both previous winners) can rightfully feel a little miffed again.

Rant over........It’s time for you to champion your favourite bits of Upper Holloway that everyone else who lives here knows as Archway. The polls are open! So click here to have a look at who has been nominated in Upper Holloway & get voting!

Voting is open until October 31 - you can vote in as many categories as you like, but remember that you can only vote for ONE venue per category,  Once you’re done, remember to jump on social media with the #LoveLondonAwards hashtag.

Tis the season to get married!

We are celebrating the season of love & marriage with a wedding inspired window courtesy of 2 of Archway's finest talents. Our brides shoes are designed and made by Harriet Wilde the luxury London footwear label, established in 2008 by designer, Ruth Shaw & our bride wears a vintage wedding dress on loan from Yuksel of Resurrection Boutique.

Ruth Shaw decided to create her own collection of wedding footwear after searching for the perfect pair to accompany her own original vintage wedding dress - she was looking for  something less ‘fluffy’, more stylish - named after her great grandmother, the Harriet Wilde collection offers brides a vintage-inspired aesthetic with a touch glamour, and superior European craftsmanship.  Her second collection was snapped up by Harrods and she is now the go to bridal brand of royalty and celebrities. Services include: a ready to wear collection, customization and a bespoke service. You can book an appointment to try the shoes from her London studio , or buy online, The London showroom is at:-

Studio 21C
Bickerton House
25-27 Bickerton Road
London N19 5JT
Tel: + 44 (0) 207 263 4147

Open from Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, with late evening available on Thursday's until 8pm Tel: + 44 (0)207 263 4147

Yuksel Karaagac owns Resurrection Boutique, tucked away in the heart of the Archway roundabout, is one of London's best-kept secrets for lovers of vintage clothes and quality tailoring and craftsmanship.  With 25 years' experience in high-end fashion, pattern-cutting, styling, alterations, repairs and made-to-measure tailoring, Yuksel specialises in working with you to meet your creative aspirations for a stylish, quality, designer wardrobe, that is still affordable.  She even inspires clients to take advantage of her popular sewing classes and learn how to work with fabric for themselves.  Resurrection Boutique is a one-stop shop, a unique creative London hub, for those with a passion for fashion.  Pop in for a chat!

Resurrection Boutique is at 3 Archway Close and Yuksel's opening hours are Monday to Friday 10:00 -18:00 Saturday 10:30 -18:00
Tel: 020 7263 2600

We have some great ideas for gifts for everyone - guests and the special couple themselves!  Our Carnival letter lights not only make a fantastic gift but can make a statement on the day itself!  Particularly if the wedding has a vintage theme.

Coasters & Placemats make great gifts and props too - some friends of Map Gift Shop sent us this brilliant picture from their wedding at St John's Tavern!

The totally cool new range from PiP Studio Royal 'white' makes a great Wedding Gift!  A timelessly stylish take on the blue 'willow pattern' - I love the placement of the imagery and the subtlety of this range! It sits perfectly as accent pieces alongside any set of white china!

Happily ever after - the Wedding Season is here!

 

We are celebrating the season of love & marriage with a wedding inspired window courtesy of 2 local talents.  Our brides shoes are designed and made by Harriet Wilde the luxury London footwear label, established in 2008 by designer, Ruth Shaw & our bride wears a vintage wedding dress on loan from Yuksel of Resurrection Boutique.

Ruth Shaw decided to create her own collection of wedding footwear after searching for the perfect pair to accompany her own original vintage wedding dress - she was looking for  something less ‘fluffy’, more stylish - named after her great grandmother, the Harriet Wilde collection offers brides a vintage-inspired aesthetic with a touch glamour, and superior European craftsmanship.

The London showroom is open from Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, with late evening available on Thursday's until 8pm Tel: + 44 (0)207 263 4147

Yuksel Karaagac studied at The London College of fashion and had a long career working in the industry for some acclaimed designers before setting up on her own at Resurrection Boutique on Archway Close (better known as Archway Island).  Her reputation as a tailoring luminary is radiating from her vintage sewing machine and her infectious enthusiasm for beautiful clothing is refreshing.  She recently became the subject of a mini film as part of "the makers of Archway" project - take a look here

Resurrection Boutique is at 3 Archway Close and Yuksel's opening hours are Monday to Friday 10:00 -18:00 Saturday 10:30 -18:00
Tel: 020 7263 2600

We have loads of great ideas for gifts for the happy couples!  Our Carnival letter lights not only make a fantastic gift but can make a statement on the day itself!  Particularly if the wedding has a vintage theme.

or how about these fun Coasters for the top table?

Cufflinks for the whole wedding party?

Frame up your memories!

Finish the wedding cake in style with this right 'Royal' tea set by PiP Studio!

and the day would not be complete without someone having to tidy up the confetti!

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! 

Here comes the Bride

Elizabeth Avey is an exciting London based bridal wear company, based in Archway in Bickerton House.  Elizabeth has kindly provided the centerpiece for our wedding inspired window! Specialising in fully restored beautiful couture vintage and antique wedding gowns from Edwardian to the 1970’s. A relaxed atmosphere, luxury surroundings and strong customer service ethos along with a well-earned reputation for the country’s most extensive and expertly selected collection of professionally restored vintage wedding dresses means they regularly attract brides from all over Britain and Europe.

Customers come seeking a rare and unique gown for their wedding day, a one-off find from the bygone decades of style and glamour so it is no surprise they have quickly attracted the attention of the fashion media. Elizabeth Avey pieces can regularly be seen on the front covers and fashion pages of the likes of Vogue, Porter, Brides, You and your Wedding, Homes and Antiques, Ok! , etc as well as in hard back reference and inspiration books not to mention many features on the hugely popular British and American wedding blogs such as Love my Dress, Rock n Roll bride and style me pretty.

 prices about £500 to £1000

Our dear friend Ruth is the talent and brains behind the bridal footwear brand Harriet Wilde and is also based in Bickerton House.  She has kindly provided the beautiful bridal shoes featured in our display!  Harriet Wilde designs exquisite designer wedding shoes, her bridal shoes are renowned for style and comfort.

Harriet Wilde offers a bespoke service too - matching colours and fabrics as well as heel trim options to bling those heels.

Click on the photos for links to her fabulous website.

So whether you are the Bride or the guest at a wedding this year - pop by and have a look at our new collection of wedding gifts, including exclusive ceramic vases by Mumhadoneofthose prices from £36

We have a beautiful range of duck egg resin photo frames by Gisela Graham from £11.50

This vintage multi heart photo frame is the perfect gift for precious memories £36.50.