London Calling: VIBAe Finds a Home at TOAST!

A Match Made in Design Heaven

Finding our shoes in TOAST's Notting Hill store (191 Westbourne Grove, for those taking notes!) felt like one of those 'everything just clicks' moments. Among their beautifully curated collection of sustainable, modern designs, our shoes looked right at home.

 There's something magical about TOAST - it's one of those rare places where everything you try on fits like a glove, and the store design itself makes you want to slow down and just... breathe and enjoy the beauty around. 

Coming from Finland's minus 10°C, we thought we'd find London positively tropical at +5°C. There's something unique about that British chill - the kind that wraps around your bones and comes with a side of face-slapping rain. By 5 PM, you could find us huddled in our rose-tinted B&B, cranking up the extra radiator like proper weather wimps. No regrets!

We did manage to tick off all the Notting Hill classics - Portobello Road markets and yes, THAT bookstore from the movie (we're romantics at heart, what can we say?). Our copywriter-turned-model Tara (because at VIBAe, we all wear multiple hats!) being British herself, made sure we experienced proper fish and chips. And by proper, we mean the extra-large portion that brought actual tears of joy to her eyes!

A Tale of Two Cities

If Paris taught us about pride, London showed us the power of curiosity. While we Finns might go five years without speaking to our neighbors (and yes, we really do peek through our peepholes to avoid them at all cost), Londoners will tell you their life story while you're browsing their store! The chatty, friendly vibe in Notting Hill's shops felt wonderfully familiar to us - it's exactly how we roll in our VIBAe stores. Walk in as a customer, leave as a friend who knows our entire backstory!

Three Things the Brits Taught Us

The Power of Banter: Even in biblical rain, a smile and some good old-fashioned banter can brighten anyone's day. It's like social warmth compensating for meteorological misery!

Curiosity Keeps You Young: In London, everyone has a story, and Londoners aren't shy about asking about yours. They say curiosity is a childlike trait that keeps you young - we couldn't agree more!

Trust Your Body's Weather Report: While one person is wrapped up in a puffer jacket, hat, mittens, and boots, another is strolling by in shorts and a t-shirt. London taught us that personal temperature regulation is truly a choose-your-own-adventure situation!

Seeing our shoes at TOAST feels like another piece of the VIBAe puzzle falling into place. From our Finnish-Californian design roots to Portuguese craftsmanship, and now finding homes all around the globe - we're building something special here. Something that, like a proper British cup of tea, feels both comforting and energizing at the same time.

So here's to new friends, British weather wisdom, and finding your people - even if they're wearing shorts in March! ☔️