Parol

MANILA - I am not feeling very Christmassy. It never really feels like Christmas when the family isn't complete. And while everyone in London is complaining about the snow and all it's perils, I'd still love to be there. In all it's madness there is beauty and warmth.

Anyhoo, enough of my navel gazing. Trying to get into the spirit of things, I decided to make a paper parol. Every year I keep saying we must get a Capiz, or otherwise known as mother-of-peal shell, parol. Never getting around to it, it will have to be paper.








"Still waiting for the snow to fall, doesn't really feel like Christmas at all..." ~ Christmas Lights, Coldplay

PH

LONDON - One of my must tries in my trip was Pierre Hermé Macarons. I wasn't going to leave the country without trying it. Which tempted me not to try it all together! ;) Sorry, I digress. The last macarons I had were from PAUL three years ago, and I remember how lovely they tasted. So, to be told that there was something EVEN better, was impossible de croire.

I got a box of 7 for £14 to try that evening and a box of 12 for £22 to take back home with me. There I was that evening with two of my favourite people (plus my favourite tiny person asleep in the other room ;) ), with a glass of Monbazillac, ready to sink my teeth into these macarons. It had an ever so gentle bite on the outside, and the rest made me close my eyes and savour the subtle flavours playing in my mouth. It was sublimely decadent. Each flavour giving you a different experience for each macarons. My favourite among all had to be Huile D'Olive & Mandarine. Rather than it tasting sugary, it tasted so delicate with it's subtle sweet flavour. Sigh. Only the French.

Hawksmoor

I love this lamp!



LONDON - I've died and gone to Poirot paradise! The interior of this place is just exquisite. The entrance is very modern and has an exclusive nightclub sort of feel to it, but once you walk in, it's like being in a 1930's style bar. The right words to describe it's interior is -- handsome. It is, admittedly, rather masculine, but we were two women sitting at this bar this evening and it didn't feel intimidating at all. More importantly, my Campari soda was perfect! ;) I had initially asked for a Bellini, but they had run out of peach juice. But that was fine, I was very happy with my Campari.

Did I mention that I love their lamps?! :)