Stacey Smith has been an Assistant Buyer for House of Fraser for 3 whole years, based in Baker Street, she basically gets to shop for a living. Free clothes for fun! Can we have her job please? She also has a website on the side crummbs.co.uk and describes food as her big passion. Sounds like our kind of gal! Read what Stacey had to say when we pinned her down for a quick chat…
US: So Stacey Smith how long have you been in London?
SS: I’ve been in London for 3 years, before that lived in Kent but I can’t imagine living ANYWHERE else now. I wouldn’t move for love nor money. Well, maybe for a million pounds or something. I live in Hackney with 3 boys and another girl in a big old Victorian house. It’s the best house in the whole of London.
US: The best house in London, when can we move in? What makes it so good then?
SS: Wowee, where do I start! Hackney has such a great mix of people and I’m surrounded by my favourite things! Broadway Market is on my doorstep which is the best start to a weekend, the Picturehouse cinema, Pub on the Park…I’m sure when Johnson said “when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life” he was talking about Hackney.
US: We agree, we agree! So tell us about your day job, you must be surrounded by Fashion? What are your top tips for shoppers in the city?
SS: Sure am, I’m surrounded by clothes on a day to day basis and we’re an (almost) all girl office! It’s a great atmosphere, we’re always trying new stuff on and dressing each other up. I could think of worse ways to pay the bills. Working in Fashion also means I get the chance to get involved with LFW, an exciting time of year, spent running across town in heels. Literally. My Top tips for visitors and dwellers would be to look out for sample sales, the music rooms are good – you can pick up some real bargains if you know how and don’t knock vintage until you’ve tried it! Yes it smells of your gran, but nothing a hot wash won’t fix.
US: That’s our top tip for life – don’t knock it until you’ve tried it! Where do you shop in the city, any secrets we should know about?
SS: I gotta say House of Fraser here right? Other then that I’m a big fan of Vintage on the Green in Willesden Green, she’ll ring you up to let you know when new bits come in that she thinks you’ll like – how lovely! Most vintage shops will if you’re a friendly regular! Shopping vintage feels like winning the lottery when you find “the one”. High street-wise I love Urban Outfitters and good old Topshop. Food wise it’s got to be La Fromagerie for cheese. I am obsessed with cheese. Pretty sure I was a mouse in a past life.
US: We must check out Vintage on The Green – sounds ACE. And when you’re not shopping where do you hang?
SS: I go out about 5 nights a week, I figure I’m 24 and living in London – it’s probably a law or something. You’ll generally find me East but at the moment I’m all over for crummbs.co.uk London has got the most exciting restaurant scene at the moment, it’s hard to keep up! I don’t like going anywhere twice as a rule, too many new places to try out. I really don’t know where to start, I could write a book about all my must-eats/drinks! Twitter is really connecting everyone & making it easier to keep your finger on the pulse. Best all round night lately was Forza Winter, run by absolute dudes! It’s a big communal affair, eating fondue on a roof near Bethnal Green, followed up with a band. What’s not to love?
US: Sounds like you’re a busy, busy bee! We like that. So what would your perfect day in London be?
SS: I’d drag the housemates over to Railroad for bacon on sourdough bread with homemade tomato chutney and flat whites all round. Walk on over to Broadway Market, or Columbia Flower market and get bits together for a picnic in London Fields. Nothing beats a cold cider in the park! Or in winter a Sunday roast at The Owl & the Pussycat. The guys there are the best, I once said I liked the music and they posted me an MP3 of all the songs that were playing that night. Pub on the Park has the best outdoor area to carry on the night and I’d be super smiley with an impromptu performance from a local band, totally in love with anyone playing a guitar. Josh Flowers & the Wild are my band of choice right now, look em up!
Sounds like your a busy, busy lady so thanks for sparing us 15 minutes to chat. If you’d like to read more on Stacey stalk her out on her very own website crummbs.
Tara!