Fortnum & Mason

Back to London today!

And Fortum & Mason located at 181 Picadilly - quite a unique department store focused mainly on gourmet foods.

I was enroute to the #14 bus back to Chelsea one evening stopped dead in my tracks by these amazing windows at F & M.

I love the giant, glitzy Champagne glasses bigger than the actual Champagne bottles.

Lots of mini bottles of champers for one celebratory person.

A glorious fountain of candies...

It doesn't have to be Xmas to bring out the candy canes. Who knew?

Another fountain full of tea tins and teapots - this was spinning...

With a teapot topper...

Stacks of cookies supports this teapot's lid!

A plethora of perfumes...

The ever British 'brolly' with the ever British teapot dangling down + a tassel. Who thunk this one up..?

Deco girls, girls, girls...

Simply too divine...

Stacks and stacks of exquisite fine china teacups...

Tea Time at Fornum Mason, watercolor, 9" x 11"

I want to paint them all.

Cupid shows up on the scene - very 'Vickie'...

And stacks of JAM jars bien sur. Ode to jam.

These charmant, mysterious boxes were so enticing I went back to buy some the next day. They were all in the window display. Only a few remained on the floor.

What's up with that F and M?

"Manners for Women" - what makes them think we need that? Still, forgivable since the window is adorable.

Fortnum Masons windows are worth the trip to London alone. Do go by all means!

BONJOUR FORTNUM MASON!

Hello London!

There is pink in London, on this dental surgeons doorway -gum pink that is

Ah the London underground.

I walked from South Ken station to the club Chelsea is always beautiful. I saw a London boy... I saw a London Girl... I saw Londoners having a pint, whilst on the way to the club...I passed dangerously close to Rococo Chocolates on Kings Road... Typically British is it not?

A 'Made In Britain' decor shop nearby...

As are many decorating shops in Chelsea

My favorite art shop is Green & Stone.

It's been on Kings Road for ages.

They sell antique watercolorboxes too.
My first cuppa.

Somewhat waxen it was

HELLO LONDON!

London Bookshops

Tea it is!

Thank you PBers for all your dynamite suggestions of what to do in London. I'll have to go to at least 3 - 5 afternoon teas per day to keep up. I'll be drowning in tea! You reminded me how much I love to paint teacups. And of my former addiction as a serious cup-aholic. I may soon need a cup intervention. Am I headed for the Recovery Project again? Word out is avoid The London Ritz like the plague.
Brit Chris said, "Do not bother with tea at the Ritz, expensive and sandwiches so pre-prepared and cold they make your teeth ache."
Advice taken. I'll stick with The Paris Ritz svp.
What goes better with tea than books? Show me a London bookshop and I'm happy as a clam. Bear is always dragging me off to W.H.Smith in Paris.
I'll be dragging Bear off to Hatchards in Piccadilly. They have the BEST, newest art books in the world. I've blown many $ at Waterstone's - with every how-to watercolor book under the sun...though I probably could write my own by now. Nevermind. Just a hop and a skip from the Chelsea Arts Club too.

La Seine Miniatures reminded me...One of my favourite places is "Books for Cooks" in Notting Hill (books and cookery classes).

4 Blenheim Crescent, Notting Hill, London, W11 1NN

It's been ages since I've visited. The V&A museum bookshop
is not-to-be-missed.
Did I miss any of your favorite London bookshops?

Do tell svp.

BONJOUR MONDAY!

The Thief of Bergdorfs...

No, I did not go back and nick any Chanel perfume bottles at Bergdorfs! I'm not that insane!

Though the scent of 31, RUE CAMBON still lingers on my left wrist 2 days later. I had to skip WaterGym at the pool. Chlorine and fragrance don't mix. But I did go again to the 7th floor

and steal shots in the adorable vintage china shop at Bergdorf's.

i.e. the blurry photo...

My name is Carol and I am a repeat offender. Who could resist?
One of a kind cups and saucers. So pretty and brimfull of memories...
I saw this one on the last stolen visit.

I wonder who drank out of these dainty china cups? Scarlett of Tara perhaps..?
It makes you want to have a tea party doesn't it? And the slight nip in the Fall air says you should!

Did you notice Paris Breakfasts has had a face lift?
It's been on the drawing board waiting to happen and long overdue.
I've always been mad for French labels.
Especially confiture labels.
Thanks to collaboration with graphic designer Pamela Fenwick
I got my new banner just the way I wanted it.

And with some overseas surgery (all the rage now)

Di of Designers Block installed the banner and even got me over to

NEW BLOGGER Hope you like it.

Let me know between sips of tea :)