Not Just Another Macaroon

This is a late post as the macaroons that I will be talking about are far gone and in our tummy. I mean, macaroons as lovely as Pierre Herme can't remain in its box for long. We dropped by its concession in Selfridges' food hall one Thursday morning.

image from the web

I got a box with different flavors. 

The packaging is really nice.

Your teeth sinks into the crunchiness of the shell and into the moistness of the middle part and then the wonderful flavor hits you. It also preserves very well because a week after, I was delighted to find one last macaroon in the box and it tasted like the day I bought it. Still very crunchy and fresh. I am tempted to say Pierre Herme is lovelier than Laduree but no, I still prefer the taste of Laduree macaroons. Pierre Herme has a shop in Lowndes street but I have no idea if it is a cafe. The one in Selfridfes is just a concession.

What are you waiting for?

Also available online at www.pierreherme.com

Beauty Buy: Victoria Jackson Cosmetics

A couple of guys were selling these make up along Oxford street saying Victoria Jackson is going to be the next big thing. They are apparently promoting her in the UK so they are selling the make up for a discounted price. For £20, I get all these.

I thought I heard of her before but was not sure and then realized I read about her in Daphne Osena's blog.

This is the survival kit.

It has several compartments for eye make up,eyeliner, mascara, blusher and brushes.

This is the eye makeup and lipgloss kit.

Which opens up to this.

It came with four lipsticks.

Which came with a very innovative cap/cover. It has a built in mirror.

The packaging is really great. I haven't seen such packaging with the likes of Mac, Bobbi Brown and Nars. The big question though, is it any good? The quality for me is superb. The eye make up has beautiful shades and it stays on for the duration of the day I was out and the lipstick can definitely hold a candle to my Dior ones. Soft and creamy. It has unique packaging, good quality and a bargain at £20 for the whole lot. Now if I can only find those two guys.

A Visit To Althorp

My disappointment in not being able to get in to Buckingham Palace (tickets were sold out by four in the afternoon) to see the Duchess of Cornwall's wedding dress made me write this post. It led me to realize that two years on, I have not done any posts about it except for an album on Facebook.

We went there in the middle of summer in 2009. The Estate is every princess' paradise. Althorp house has been home to the Spencer family for nearly 500 years. Once inside, you will be amazed by the magnificent interiors, antiques and the floor to ceiling collection of books in the library. Unfortunately, photos are prohibited.

Included in the tour is the exhibition Diana: A Celebration which is a collection of items right from her childhood up to her wedding to Prince Charles and her life as a princess. It showcased her very famous wedding dress and her countless designer outfits that has graced the pages of magazines. Fortunately, I was able to discreetly take photos of these wonderful outfits and the wedding dress itself.

Below is the path going to the Round Oval or The Island in the middle of a lake where Princess Diana was laid to rest.

 The Island

the side of the house

The old stables which is now where the exhibit and the souvenir shops are.

 Lord Spencer (Diana's brother) was there and I was lucky enough to see him in the flesh. He looks just like the photos.

http://www.althorp.com

The Stables, Althorp, Northampton, NN7 4HQ