Dawn to dusk this group of nearly twenty women and one patient husband persevered, never letting exhaustion, hunger or fabric fatigue  dampen their will to enter just one more shop.

Dig, dig, dig, that’s what you have to do in these shops, said Fine to me, the obvious weak link in the pack. Always haggle! And of course, you should NOT get things made but I Do it as I can’t resist. Sometimes it works and it is fabulous.  Sometimes I cannot believe just how they screwed up!! I have a true love hate with the process. I think the key is to make pieces, have them in time before you leave so you can make alterations if necessary.

Like an archeologist on the scent of an old bone, this group of women – many working in the design world – somehow knew that under that pile of random materials, lay the perfect quilt, bedspread or tea cosy that they’d been hankering after for years.

It’s a textile frenzy, insanity but it’s worth it, said Fine, who has been to India over fifty times in the last 19 years.

While Fine may live between Dallas and Manhattan, her heart is firmly based in the exotic east, where she draws much inspiration for her covetable textile line.

Fine and the Texan athletes flaunted their purchasing prowess in Rajasthan’s shopping mecca Jaipur. We flew to Jaipur at the crack of dawn from lake-filled Udaipur and spent the day visiting several of Fine’s favorite haunts, never bothering to check in to our hotel, put our feet up, lie by the pool, sit. No, we had work to do.

 I always go to Anokhi, the Zara of India with blockprint designs at dirt cheap prices, said Fine. And I love the carmelized onion, Gorgonzola pizza, orange cake and fresh pomegranate juice for lunch at the Organic Cafe next door.

For the sheer quantity of choice and range of colors, Fine likes two Jaipur spots, blockprint nirvana Ridhi Sidhi

and antique fabric and vintage retailer Saurashtra Textiles. Below is Fine’s Dallas bedroom with a bedspread from Saurashtra Textiles. Her digging paid off. The paintings in her bedroom are by Sunita Kumar , a close friend and confidante of  Mother Teresa.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, for those who like small, less overwhelming places (ME!) Fine recommends Brigitte Singh where we saw blockprinting in action.

We spent the afternoon dazzled by jewels at the renown Gem Palace, Munnu and Gem Paradise – all within spitting distance of each other. I did quite well at Gem Paradise where I thought their prices beat the competition.

Time for a tea break? Hardly. Next shop til you drop was Hot Pink, where I bought some chic linen men’s shirts and a few oversized beach bags for my daughters.

In that same complex Fine pointed us to a new designer Ayush Kasliwal where I stocked up on original presents for the home- bronze shaped gheckos that double as bottle openers, wood carvings, pretty ceramics. We then went to buzzy Bar Palladio for a deserved cocktail

and what I foolishly thought would be the conclusion to our day. Hah!

Fine has the energy of a Labrador puppy. She  took the diehards to her favorite outdoor dining spot – the restaurant at Oberoi-owned Rajvilas, about half an hour outside of town. Remember we rose at 5am, took a flight and had not stopped touring, spending and yakking all day. I needed a vacation from my vacation.

That’s my favorite hotel. Mr Oberoi really gets it. It’s all very simple, cottons, made in India. It’s very luxurious, but sort of humble too. It’s not trying to be European, explained Fine.

And for lunch the next day we ate on the old style terrace of this two hundred year-old haven  Samode Haveli.

It’s charming and not over-designed, Fine said.

Note to gem enthusiasts: Lisa’s absolute favorite jewelry shop is in Delhi, not Jaipur.

If you want really fine things, my friends the Bharany’s are the best.  The father was a great antique textile designer. They have the best jewelry, the best.

While in Delhi Fine likes to visit the restored, sprawling  Bikaner House spread over eight acres in Lutyen’s Delhi and with interesting exhibitions.

You can see inside great mansions, how people actually lived. So many former maharajah places are government-owned and in disrepair, but not this one.

And for fashion she has her eye on up and coming Parisian designer Cecile Dascali. A final top tip from the chief:

I  think it is important to go some place rural. The main cities have grown so much and with the rise in tourism and the growing Indian middle class you really don’t see the traditional India as much in cities today. Go some place off the radar or difficult to get to. I recently went to Gwalior and Orcha.  After over 50 trips to India, that was as exciting as my first trip.

 January, 2018

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I have selected four one-off, unusual sales/shops to buy things for that choosey friend where a scarf from Harvey Nick’s, a hamper from Fortnum’s or a candle from Jo Malone just won’t do, the kind of friend where you must prove your devotion by the effort and originality you expend. These friends are demanding, but we’re, I mean, they’re worth it.

Top on my list is this jewellery sale tomorrow at 61 Victoria Road from 11am-6pm …

For those who don’t know Elie Top, he was accessories designer at Lanvin for 15 years, collaborating closely with Alber Elbaz. Inspired by 18th c. French and Italian Renaissance, Top, who launched his own label last year,  is known for his large metal pendants inlaid with precious stones and diamonds.

If, on the other hand, your discerning  friend is into funky town beads, Indonesian head dresses or pompoms sported by the flamboyant flamingoed Iris Apfel, then head to Peter Adler’s Pebble London Christmas sale this weekend where everything is 10% off.

Bead lovers need never despair again with Adler’s Cave of  hanging treasures. Fancy some Afghan tribal trinkets …

or perhaps something still vibrant but a tad more conventional …

…

Not feeling colourful? No problem …

Now if your someone special devours Pinterest, gets excited by tangerine roses in a bud vase, a new coloured moleskin journal, you know the type (Kate, Lauren, thinking of you), then interiors shop Pentreath & Hall on Lamb’s Conduit Street is just the ticket.

Recently featured in NYT’s T Magazine, the shop is owned by the multi-talented Ben Pentreath, who in addition to being decorator to William and Kate, is a skilled architect, interior designer and blogger. These alphabet pots above make organising fun – especially for you know who (Kate, Lauren, party time!)

Fuchsia hued Merino wool coasters will make your design-devotee pal blush …

while  decoupage plates and slick lacquered trays will send them to the moon.

What’s more, today only (Thursday, December 1st) from noon to 8pm all the quaint shops on both Lamb’s Conduit and Rugby Street are offering a 10% discount.

Final stop on Secret Santa’s mystery tour is for that friend who’d prefer  something on the wall to something on the bod.

Pop-up House of Voltaire on Cork Street

is selling a cornucopia of artist donated pieces. With over 150 artists and designer contributions including Carsten Holler, Simone Rocha, Phyllida Barlow, Michael Craig Martin, Chris Offili, Ed Ruscha and a host of others. From limited-edition prints by the likes of Belgian superstar Luc Tuymans …

and Trafalgar Square’s Forth Plinth artist David Shrigley

to a festive lambswool blanket by Jonas Wood …

or a  prison tray by London-based Argentine artist Pablo Bronstein (my personal fave),

there’s a lot to choose from for that certain visual someone.  House of Voltaire runs until December 18th. Money raised goes to the London-based arts charity Studio’s Voltaire gallery and education programs.

Happy Hunting!

December, 2016

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The new Curzon Bloomsbury is perfect date-night material. With its gold bar, sleek lounges, minimalist look, “The Canyon” curving corridor, documentary bar, your date will be impressed. Trust me. And don’t miss the gleaming white loos with their seductive pink lit cubicles.

A short stroll away is The School of Life on Marchmont Street with its life-enhancing lectures.

Better yet are its one-liners. Buy a box for that witty someone. I have a friend’s birthday this week (no, not the Queen of England, just the Queen of Chelsea), and think this box of aphorisms will really strike a chord.

Yes Melanie, I like having that special place in your heart.

Then, there’s the Gavin Turk & Project Beard. Tomorrow sees the opening of The Other Art Fair on Southampton Row where oddball selfie king and celebrated YBA artist Turk poses as Rodin, Morris, Cezanne, Matisse, Man Ray and Dali. Talk about a man with a split personality.

An edition of 250 posters of the selfie master will be exclusively available for £50 each at

Other must Bloomsbury-sees are charming Lamb’s Conduit and neighbouring Rugby Streets.

I love this playground pavilion across the road.

Shopping opportunities abound. I didn’t walk into Maggie Owen’s fun faux accessories shop with these ear rings. But I did leave with them. (Could double as nifty Christmas tree ornaments)

I was tempted some more by these Murano glass statement pieces but held back.

Next door is equally tempting…

Or next door again at…

 Can’t have too many aprons…

Craft lovers take note: Its Open Studio weekend May 8-10. Cockpit Arts (just around the corner) will be showcasing lots of textiles, jewellery, ceramics  from 170 talented makers as part of London Craft Week.

April, 2015

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And his treasure trove of a kitchen…

Adler is  terrific, a really funny and entertaining man, with so many stories about his colourful life that I hated to leave. He counts wildlife explorer David Attenborough , 97 year-old American fashion doyenne Iris Apfel and the late Alistair McAlpine as friends.

Adler started out as a musician and formed Ireland’s first R&B band, ‘Bluesville’ in the sixties. Modest Adler never mentioned that he’s the son of Larry Adler, widely acknowledged as one of the world’s top harmonica players. Adler’s love for tribal art started when he was on tour with Bluesville  and discovered American Indian craft. Since then he has gone global, collecting stunning pieces from India, Thailand, Indonesia, Bali, Afghanistan, Nepal, Africa and South America. He travels half the year scouring the planet for treasures. Don’t miss his annual Christmas party.

Or failing that,  drop in to his beautifully cluttered home Monday to Friday, 10am-6pm. However, I strongly recommend booking an appointment to ensure that you get to meet the talented man himself. Prices range from £15 to about £4,000. I loved this sliced shell neck piece from Bali so much that I bought it. Don’t know how I could have lived without it.

Adler’s philosophy of design is keep it simple, ‘let the materials breathe.’ He has worked with several of the truly great designers, such as Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, Issey Miyake, Mathew Williamson and countless others. Tory Burch loved this emerald green beetle-back necklace from northern Thailand.

Victoria’s Secret’s first-ever London fashion show takes place on December 2nd with Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Ed Sheeran. Pebble is providing headdresses, bangles and earrings. Maggie Smith and Judi Dench are wearing some Pebble’s pieces for the 2015 release of “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’. His gems have played a supporting role in ‘Game of Thrones’, ‘Harry Potter’, and ‘Star Wars’ to name a few.

I won’t be blogging for the next few week as I have to focus on work for my Masters, but I hope to be back with a bang after Christmas with a blog from (please) sunny Thailand. Have a great December.

November, 2014

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The New Craftsmen started out as a pop-up shop two years ago, and now has a real home in a light and airy Arts & Crafts building at 34 North Row.

North Mayfair, once the neglected Cinderella of Mayfair, is having a real renaissance with Selfridge’s massive £300mm makeover,  the stunning new Beaumont Hotel and come spring British designer Erdem is opening its flagship shop on South Audley Street. Landlord Grosvenor Estates has big plans for this forgotten section of swanky Mayfair.

Leading the trend is The New Craftsmen which works exclusively with British crafts makers (75 at the moment) showcasing objects that are intrinsically tied to culture and place.

I spoke with Catherine Lock, one of the shops three founders, who explained to me that after working at Habitat and Sainsbury’s she felt there was a growing desire for shops with more provenance, meeting the makers.

“People are willing to pay a little more to get a little more, ” said the inspiring redhead.

Works can be bought off the shelf, ordered bespoke or individually commissioned.

I love these lights –  a collaboration between glasswares artist Michael Ruh  and mixed media embroidery designer Aimee Betts.

This cushion by textile designer Rose de Borman is fab. Lock thought de Borman would be happy to make a customised whimsical cushion for someone’s beloved pet. I started imagining my pug Antoinette having a new embroidered life as a unicorn.

These autumnal throws are made by Catarina Riccabona in her south London studio.

The perfect Christmas pressie for the culinary at heart – Potter Silvia K  uses the simple beauty of agrarian vessels as her starting point.

The fair lasts one day only. See you there.

November, 2014

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