// Christmas on Columbia Road

Had a lovely evening last night on Columbia Road with my best pals. It was the second of their late nights and as usual there were carol singers, pretty lights and lots of christmassy smells wafting around. If you haven't been yet then you should definitely go and see whats going on, its open late nights on Wednesdays until Christmas. It is definitely worth the 15min trek in the cold from the tube. 

We went for mulled wine at the famous and very popular Royal Oak (busy busy as usual) before heading round the shops to see what was on offer. My first stop was Nelly Duff (No.156), my favourite favourite print shop and a must for a Columbia Road first timer. With its fab 50's style lightbulb signage beckoning you in off the street, to the man dressed as Fantastic Mr Fox sewing whilst sat in the upstairs windowsill of the house next door, it never fails to disappoint.  

I am already eyeing up my my next purchase. I have fallen in love with Dan Hillier's work, especially his piece, father & son - bronzage. His illustrations combine 'Victorian  sensibilities with a fascination for animal attributes... He often depicts realistic poses of late-1800s people who have been altered by having animal elements added... His art looks like diagrams from ancient textbooks but reveal a world that doesn’t exist yet…' Nelly Duff

{hoarse}

{in the townhouse}

{the way}

{mother}

My boyfriend loved this print from Pablo Delgado, free runner midday. His miniature street art is adorable. Have put it on a list of potential pressies...

After buying some some flying saucers, barratts prawns & jelly beans from Suck and Chew (old school style sweet shop at No.30) we wandered down the road hopping into shops as we went. There are far too many favourite shops to list them all, but here are a few of the ones I think are worth a visit: 

The Future Mapping Company  (No.148a) who stock brightly coloured maps that are more pieces of art than a boring old map.

The Powder Room, a 50's style salon full of powders and beauty potions and a menu as long as your arm of of manicures hairstyling and make up. All the girls are dressed in their trademark 1950's pink uniforms.

The Laird of Glencairn (No.128) which is a must for any hat wearer. They stock a variety of Fedoras, Trilbys, Homburgs, Bowlers and a few Tops all in contemporary cloths.

Vintage Heaven who stock the most beautiful vintage ceramic ware all separated into colours to make it easy peezy to find the perfect plate, cup, bowl or cake stand in your colour of choice. I fell in love with all their gold section with intricately decorated plates and cups all in shimmery gold patterns. 

Ben Southgate who stocks furniture from the 1900-50's. Always some unusual vintage furniture finds in here. 

And finally, if you get hungry after all that shopping head to...

Campania Gastronomia (No. 95) who serve delicious Italian food cooked by Emma and Benito (the owners) who live on Columbia Road and are from the Campanian region in Italy. Typical dishes include Coniglio alla Cacciatore (Spicy Hunter's Rabbit), San Michele Lasagna (Traditional mountain peasant Lasagna  and home made Neapolitan pizza.