We Make London

Monday, 2:00 pm, May 24th, 2010

There’s something about a mini-break that brings out the psycho in me. I wish I could be one of those spontaneous types who just books a flight and then finds accommodation/ bars/restaurants as they go. However, even the very thought of this brings on a sweat. Holidays for me involve serious planning and Excel spreadsheets. I’ll never forget the time we went on a girls’ trip to Copenhagen. My mate Mel [a fellow anal organiser] and I had spent hours compiling a list of the best places to eat / drink / shop / breathe and my sister [so horizontal it’s a wonder she can function] just left it behind on the plane. Mel and I took it in turns to deep breathe into the sick bags. I think I just don’t want to feel like I’m missing out on anything and I do like a nice place to stay so I can’t just rock up at any old b&b.

Tomorrow I’m off to Brittany – a whole new travel research experience for me. Normally I’m thrown into a whirlpool of options when it comes to boutique-style accommodation. However, the French seem to have ignored the fact that your average traveller now expects something a little slicker than OTT chintzy bedrooms with 1930s broken beds. Boutique hotels do not seem to have made it across the channel. I have scoured the charming gites sites and come up with some so-so places but nothing that really floats my boat. Of course every hotel on the shortlist was typed into Trip Advisor – there’s nothing like this website to get you really confused. You can read 20 great comments about a hotel and then all you need is one negative one to put you off it completely.

Anyway, with flights/hotels booked and restaurants/bars/shops starred and highlighted in the guide book, it’s onto stage 2 of holiday prep. Getting this stilton-esque body ready for exposure on the beach. It’s probably going to piss it down all week but in my head I will be surrounded by lithe, young French beauties in thongs who’ll leave me cowering under my towel behind some old grandmere’s windshield.

For a glimpse into what I’ve undergone this week, read Lauren’s article last week and times it by… well, lots of times as my body may well have to be ‘covered’ by nothing more than 2 tiny scraps of material. I am currently slathered in St Tropez fake tan – users of which may well be familiar with the unpleasant fruit cake odour and general fear of severe orange streaking. Plus it’s really hot so it’s starting to melt and the postman is due to deliver a parcel any minute. Do I explain that I have fake tan on or do I just leave him wondering why someone would be sweeping chimneys at the start of summer?

It’s exhausting being female at the best of times but holidays just bring on a whole new set of traumas. Over the years I must have bought so many fad beauty products that my inbox is now inundated with emails about the next best thing. So it was a relief to receive a press release about something a little more relaxing.

We Make London sounds like a fantastic event taking place on Saturday 26 June on the Kings Road. It was set up by a group of designers and showcases crafts and homemade bits ‘n’ bobs by some of the UK’s most up and coming designers. Here’s a list of the ones to look out for [told you I like lists]:

Zeena Shah is a textile designer who loves birds and hearts. She makes gorgeous cushions with screen-printed owl and bird designs. I love her little cards with Bob the bird on.

009 Textiles is a fabric design company who make the most beautiful handprinted fabrics. Vogue have singled them out as a name to watch so they must be cool. Loving the butterfly underwear which matches my fake tan-to-be.

Julia is a ceramic artist who makes beautiful bespoke tableware and framed fine art ceramics with a natural and typography theme. I love her little framed ceramic butterflies which are so delicate and quirky.

Charlotte is a textile designer in the Cotswolds. She uses an illustrative stitch style to get her unique look and is inspired by her surroundings. Love her ‘10 green bottles’ tea towel and handmade egg cosies.

Grab the lot while you can. Vivienne Ridley and Susannah Dowse jewellery has been snapped up by the Saatchi gallery and stockists like Ollie & Nic and Topshop. Their bestselling necklace is the Grace necklace with its simple yet stunning cloud and bird design. I also love the stag head and horses designs…in fact I want them all.

OMG. How cute is this store? Milk Two Bunnies was set up by a former lingerie designer who started making outfits for her daughters using Liberty prints and vintage laces. The handmade shoes made out of Liberty fabric are so pretty and I can just see my niece twirling around in the tutu knickers.

There are way too many designers to choose from so get yourself down there and grab yourself a homemade bargain before they get snapped up by Selfridges. The event runs from 11am to 5pm and is at Chelsea Town Hall, Kings Road, London, SW3 5EE [nearest tube: Sloan Square]

I won’t be writing next week as I’ll be cowering under an umbrella in Brittany but will fill you in on my chintzy hotels soon. Valerie x