LONDON PART 2 - FORTNUM & MASON

How cliche' and yet not complaining because the ambiance is worth every chilled drop.....

London in the rain on the steps of St. Martin-in-the-Fields.

Hello Everyone! I have emerged from my work cave to post again. I've missed blogging regularly, but have had some neat opportunities that have translated into much work lately. So, while very thankful, I am at the same time a bit behind and meant to share these photos of our trip to London sooner.

Well, better late than ever, I guess. We had a wonderful time and one of the highlights was hitting up the famed Fortnum & Mason, which prides itself on its long-standing royal warrant.  All departments and floors were great, but the basement full of groceries, many unique to England, was my favorite. Looking for "Kentish Cobnuts"? they have 'em! (above)

This stuff fascinates me.

 Talk about eye candy. They have presentation mastered.

A little something for everyone......surf, turf or.......

fowl

Feel dizzy yet? It's called "out-of-focus". I wasn't sure how the management felt about Americans snapping photos, so I didn't have much time to make sure everything was clear. 

We had a delightful lunch in the Parlor. Attention to detail and British charm won the day. The staff at the store has politeness and civility mastered. They give British propriety a good name.

The counter at the Parlor @ Fortnum & Mason

The tabletops feature beautiful illustrations of auriculas and scroll-y details.

Loved the retro chairs with pale chartreuse upholstery and the huge sash windows overlooking Regent Street.

My husband ordered a milkshake and it came on this silver tray.

I had the Welsh Rarebit with tomato marmalade. It was delicious and perfect for a mid-day repast on a cold day in London.

Loved this charming ornament in the Christmas department.

It seems that the British are quite liberal in their use of the term "proper". We kept seeing it on labels, including these potato chips.

I did see some very proper and gorgeous tea pots and accoutrements. 

My favorite thing in the store was this intricately detailed boat model with aqua trimmed upholstery. 

Very cool. I'd need to sell a few more paintings before I could justify shelling out major $$$ for it, though.

Tea lover that I am, I came away with a trademark tin of house Assam. 

The F & W signature color is a very pretty one. I am a sucker for great packaging. (ignore tacky plastic seal - function over form - gotta keep it fresh for a while)

It's impossible to catalogue all the good things I saw here. I can only say that I strongly suggest you make it a priority to visit if you haven't yet been. There's something so refreshing and comforting about a truly old-fashioned department store with multiple floors, restaurants, professional staff and truly unique items. These places remind me of my childhood and are sadly a dead and dying breed in the U.S.

I hope that you enjoy your Monday and that your week gets off to a great start.

More soon!