Family Tree shop: Hilary Grant knitwear, Kate Sherridan and other good things

Family Tree shop on Exmouth Market, home of the perspex feather brooches I love so much (designed by Takako, the shop owner), also stocks some other great designer-makers.

I particularly like this Hilary Grant knitwear - designed, knitted and finished in Scotland, using wool from North East England. Her contemporary designs draw on the tradition of Scottish knitwear, and this season's colours are delicious coral and piccalilli, as well as more neutral brown-greys and blues. I follow Hilary on Instagram - her pictures from Orkney, where she lives, are a breath of fresh air in my London life.

Kate Sheridan iPad cases

love these Ally Capellino satchels and Veja bags (these are from France)

Veja tote bag - lovely bright red

Ally Capellino sale

I love this bright red colour (veg tanned leather from Ally Capellino) - the Lesley bag now on sale, but sadly no longer available in this colour.

But you could always try this one from Kate Sheridan - not quite such a glowing red, but an excellent tote bag nonetheless.

Birthday list: The Great Frog+ Ally Capellino + Bright Eyes

'You can't always get what you want, and if you try sometime you just might find you get what you need' (quote the Rolling Stones).

My grandmother, who predated the 60s by quite some decades, said more wisely: 'What you want is quality'. She was usually referring to a decent pair of trousers since she knew TopShop was total tat.  But right now I'm referring to birthday presents, for me. Forget all that nonsense that I am too old for birthday presents, and really I have enough stuff anyway; here are some *quality* things I would like. Please.

(Dearest ones, I know you are not reading this, so I shall hide my disappointment that you haven't bought what I really want and pretend that I never wrote this post.)

My first birthday wish is for an anchor and swallow necklace from The Great Frog, home of rock jewellery, made in London.

My second wish is for an Ally Capellino bag - this one in particular, the Kelly, made in London.

Ally Capellino shoulder bag

I know my grandmother would have approved of these.

My third wish is to feature in this video for Bright Eye's First Day of My Life - it reminds me of the time I live in the States, in 1991. The other me decided to stay at college there, and not return to the UK...and somehow end up sitting on that red sofa.

Ally Capellino

I love Ally Capellino bags - take a look at this pic from her retrospective last year, found via the most wonderful Spitalfields Life blog.

This is my kind of bag collection - one in every colour of the rainbow (bags were loaned by their owners).