Christmas shopping trip’s 1 & 2

A few weeks ago, back in November, I was lucky enough to go along with my lovely sister to the Country Living Fair’s Gala Evening. I was invited by the wonderful Stéphanie who writes a blog called My Sweet Fairy and has a shop where you can buy all of her wonderful creations. It was really great meeting Stéphanie and seeing her stall set up. Jo-Jo and I went back about three times in total and finally made up our minds on what we would buy. I opted for the four sleeping fairies on macaroons that you can see here. This creation of Stéphanie’s has two things that I look for when purchasing something – fairies & macaroons, both of which are very welcome in my home at Christmastime.

Look at this little one sleeping. Stéphanie, thank you so much for inviting me along and bless you for having such wonderful things to buy, for goodness sake!! It is always really good and refreshing to wander around places such as the Country Living Fair as you get to see what is out there and what is new and exciting. I also like to see people forging ahead in business using their passions, skills and courage. It was a lovely evening!

Robert & I also took some time to do a little Christmas shopping together last Friday. He had a day’s holiday that he had to take and we wanted to spend it together. We set off very early for London and boarded a train before the sun had even thought about getting up. It could clearly learn a thing or two from Robert and I, although I think the chap on the platform wondered why I was taking a picture of his back and the dark!

Once we had ‘landed’ in town we went down below to ride the tube and popped back up again in Piccadilly Circus. Just as we raised our heads above the parapet we were greeted by a whole …what is the collective noun for horses??…..bunch, that’ll do, a whole bunch of horses. Glorious sound that they make and it was lovely to see London doing what it does to get ready for the day.

Robert and I arrived so early as we wanted to have breakfast at The Wolseley. If you ever visit London on a special trip or occasion I would advise anybody to have breakfast at this lovely place. It reminds me somewhat of Demel’s in Vienna only it’s larger. There was a beautiful lady sitting in a corner table drinking black coffee and talking with a friend. She had flame red hair which was tied back in a tight bun and wore a black turtle neck sweater with huge big bauble pearls hanging from her neck. It was very ‘movie like’ but I think you get that alot at The Wolseley. I have no photographic evidence I’m afraid as you are not allowed to take pictures.

As we wandered down towards the smell of freshly squeezed carrot juice and a fine herb omelet we passed Fortnum & Mason. The windows this year are beautiful and depict variations on a theme of blue. Icy, cold, snow queen blue. But quite possibly the most beautiful blue I have ever seen.

When I was small and would visit the library I would always pick The Snow Queen as the book that I wanted to take out. I’m not sure why I was so fascinated with it but it took me elsewhere and I loved the journey. Fortnum’s have done a super job and finally I feel like the windows in London at Christmastime are on a par with various other cities that I have visited at this time of year. London at Christmas has this sort of Peter Pan feeling in the air. A delicious old fashioned, whimsical taste that gives one a feeling of wanting to go and buy a rocking horse for a nursery that doesn’t even exist.
Not one for cynicism at this time of year I’m afraid.

We continued to shop, and shop and shop and finally even Robert, who is not a huge fan of coffee, said “I need a ‘bucks” Those words were music to my ears as I was flagging and it wasn’t even time for lunch. Triple shot soy latte for me and regular latte for LBH and we were good to go again. It really was a marathon session and we flopped on to the train that night to head home and Robert promptly fell asleep.

I did manage to sneak a small reminder of our latest breakfast at The Wolseley home. I only hope it has a recipe for my omelet inside……

It’s now cold in England, colder than I’ve known it at this time of year for years actually. November has been seemingly mild for so long that to feel an icy wind on my face at the correct time of year is something that makes me happy, although it does nothing for my complexion, but I know how I’d rather have it. This weather also makes a fire as intense and as hot as this one entirely welcome. It thaws out your digits before having to brave the shops again.
Next time!