I'M IN LOVE. You will recall that I recently fell in love with Stockholm. Whilst I was there I also fell in love with the most brilliant shop I have visited in a massive while. Cards & Things is a small but perfectly formed jewel of a stationery store run by the delightful Lena & her business partner Anna-Johanna. And as if that wasn't enough to swoon over Lena also has one of my dream dogs, a black boy poodle called Curre (pronounced Coo-re) who, I might add, has a...
For my latest Trade Show at Earls Court I was obviously channelling Lady Gaga's stock room. After much planning and two days setting up I was bowled over with how the stand finally took shape - especially as it was BigJon's first public outing since last years rebrand and everyone's hard work and good wishes (thank you all). A bit like being at the worlds weirdest shopping centre I can think of better ways to spend three days, but needs must, and all that. It's one of the few times you...
Even though it's been trading since 1870, I stumbled across Gardners in the East End of London for the first time just a few months ago. I was so taken with it I returned last week with camera in hand. Paul Gardner must be the nicest man in carrier bags, his unique 'paper' shop has been in the same family for almost 150 years. His great grandfather James originally opened the business which specialised in scale repairs, catering for market traders working in and around Spitalfields at the time.Four generations...
