Build Big Ben!

There's a lot to be patriotic about this year. Between hosting the Olympics and Queen Elizabeth II celebrating her Diamond Jubilee, 2012 is sure to showcase the best of British.

So, it's fitting that on 1 June 2012, one of our countries most renowned and popular London landmarks, Big Ben will be the latest set to join the LEGO^® Architecture series.

The Clock Tower, which stands at the north-eastern corner of the Palace of Westminster was designed by Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin, after winning a competition to design the new parliament building after the old palace was destroyed in the Great Fire of London.

Neither designer lived to see their completed work, which took 16 years to complete! Hopefully, this generation's budding architects, designers and engineers won't take so long to bring their  LEGO^® Big Ben to life!

Tea with the Queen

The Queen celebrates her Diamond Jubilee this year, with 2012 marking 60 years on the throne.

We hope that the streets of Great Britain and all countries within the Commonwealth will be bringing out the bunting and her 'loyal subjects' will be waving plenty of Union Jacks in celebration.

We love these special edition Jubilee banners from Twisted Twee, which transform into tea towels to dry your teacups and saucers once the festivities are over. Made in London with organic ink and 100% cotton. Just keep them away from the corgis!

Lost Soles

After category four hurricane Ivan hit the Cayman Islands in 2004, causing $18 billion worth of damage in total, the amount of shoes washed up upon the shore of the islands increased dramatically.

Having met and fallen in love on Grand Cayman, a 'crazy about recycling' couple Wolfgang Brocklebank and his fiance, Giovanna Inselmini made it their mission to draw people's attention to the need for a solution for ocean debris.

One day, on one of their favourite beaches near Mortiz on the East End of the island, the couple collected a staggering 333 shoes - in just four hours on a small 200-meter stretch of beach.

No two shoes were a perfect pair.

The couple selected a dead tree on the South Sound road,  just south of Seven Mile Beach to ensure as many tourists and locals as possible would see it. They began tacking shoes to the tree, in order to make their statement.

Soon, other people began leaving more and more odd, discarded shoes by the tree. Wolfgang and Giovanna decided to place a metal box at the base of the tree, with nails and a hammer, letting people carry on the new tradition. And so the Cayman Shoe Tree was born.

Darling Buds

Bursting forth at Bubble London this June are some of the newest emerging labels for little ones. Don’t miss your opportunity to pick the best from the brightest bunch for spring/summer 2013, with over 40 collections making their Bubble London debut.

1. Eva-Koshka 2. Cofucu Baby 3. Monstres 4. Tom & Drew

5. Loud Apparel 6. Wild Honey 7. Derhy Kids 8. Elfie

To ensure your brand is part of this season’s show, visit bubblelondon.com and complete the online application.
 Register now to preview all the collections you need to see this season.

Shining Star

If you haven’t already visited Etoile, jump on a tube to Islington … NOW!

Located a few minutes' walk from our beloved Business Design Centre, the newly-opened store already carries some strong brands such as Bobo Choses, Bonton and April Showers.

And let's not forget Tamar Mogendorff's creations!

Etoile

41 Cross Street
London
N1 2BB