Laduree - For The Love Of Macarons

I'm yet to find a person, nut allergies aside, who would turn down a Macaron. I'm a devotee hook, line and sinker so when my husband popped over to Sydney for work he was sent straight to Laduree with instructions to bring home the bacon and some Macarons!!. As usual my instructions were kind of lost in translation and the result was about $80 worth of Macarons (18 in total) - seriously I'm not joking - $80 worth of macrons, but I was thrilled to have sampled a box from the Sydney store and the additional lilac and green boxes were given away as thank you gifts.

Last year I posted about our visit to Laduree's first patisserie/cafe which opened 1862 in Madeline, Paris and it was a taste sensation, so when I heard there was new Sydney cafe, I had to sample the goods. I can't say it was the taste explosion I had remembered but it was worth trying and the packaging is certainly just as beautiful as I had remembered. In 2010 I bought the Laduree recipe book and it's filled with some gorgeous tips to making some of the worlds favorite French desserts, so this is definitely something I would recommend checking out, if you happen to pop by.

xx

The Tote Mumbai - Where Plantation Style Meets Danish Deluxe!!

My husband and I visited India in 2006 for about a month. From that visit we knew we would return again and The Tote, Mumbai will definitely be on my must see list. With a nod to Danish style and some amazing steel beam plantation style tree sculptures throughout, this resturant/bar set within the grounds of the Mumbai Racecourse, is one to see.

From unused colonial buildings Serie architects have transformed these spaces into contemporary stylish spaces capturing the essence of modern India - I am there!.

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A few cocktails would be just the ticket while gazing out into the garden setting

Cubeme

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Design Boom

Yatzer

 

Cubeme

Le Marais Paris - a delightful shopping experience vintage flea market and all!

In 2010 my husband and I packed our bags and went overseas. It was a spur of the moment thing within two weeks we decided to leave, booked the tickets and were London, Paris and Rome bound!. We had an absolute ball, cold snap and all, the weather ranged from 0-5 degrees, snowing during the day, freezing temps at night... in fact we would place a tub of yoghurt on the hotel balcony over night and it would be perfectly chilled and ready for breakfast on the go in the morning!.

Our Paris experience was of course wonderful... yes it was a very beautiful and romantic city but that is selling it short, it is much more... the cultural diversity, the gritty street life and the dedication to style were also stand out features for myself.

Le Marais should be on the to do list for everyone... its shopping heaven, falafel heaven and a direct window into cosmopolitan Paris!.

This was our accomodation in Paris - Hotel Gabrielle, Marais... I think the actual location of this Hotel is Republique or perhaps it's on the outer border of the Marais. We would walk down Rue Du Temple into the centre of the city each day which was lovely. 

Marche aux Puces - flea market Rue du Temple - I think it may be called Bretagne flea market 

This is where I purchased the vintage 'S' as featured in some of my posts... vintage shopping street side Paris - can you get any better!.

Still regret not buying any of these woodblocks!

Vintage Eames Chairs - love it!

Vintage industrial bar stools

Falafel mmm! This is considered the Chanel of the Parisian falafel eateries! 

The Tea Parlour Sydney - perfecting the art of vintage high tea revival

The Tea Parlour

Just stumbled across this Sydney based High Tea institution and had to share.... It's a modern day mash up of style and vintage revival. Not just tradition for tradition's sake Tea Parlour is a truly quirky and creative space created by Amelia Ruby.

Any vintage loving Sydney bound individuals should definitely consider a visit - high tea $15, sandwiches and or scones $6 and loose leaf teas $3...

A true up-cycler Amelia has transformed old books into menus and has collected gorgeous vintage china cups and cutlery once destined for the junk pile... love it!!

I adore High Tea.... think it's my Anglo Indian heritage.... combining foodie treasures sourced from India during the British Raj ie. Tea, Sugar and Cucumbers (where would the finger sandwiches, jam and hot beverages be with out them!). This delicious food experience is always a visual and gastronomic feast and Tea Parlour Redfern certainly takes the cake!.

Antique Shopping Portobello Road London

Vintage Porcelain Advertising Signs 

Too many cool things too little space in my suitcase!

Had my suitcase permitted I would have snapped up the top row of Globes, the B-O-A-C Bag and the wooden shield (against the far wall in the image above)... so cool, love it!

I'd dreamt of antique shopping on Portobello Road for so long and when I finally made it there it did not disappoint... except for the lady who tried to sell me a "100 year old" locket with the River Island tag attached!!! 

There is something there for everyone be it Mid Century, Hollywood Regency, Industrial or Traditional, making the joy of decorating so easy, budget permitting!. 

I recommend Alice's Antiques - great visuals, great merchandising... FYI you can't take pictures inside.

oh, and a cupcake break at The Hummingbird Bakery is also very nice!

The Hummingbird Bakery, Notting Hill

Vintage Tea Party DIY Garland & Langham Hotel High Tea London

 Tea Party Fun!

Antique China purchased at Auction

To complete the theme I created a Garland over head using beading, lanterns and heart shaped doilies

Langham Hotel 

High Tea, Palm Court London 2010

When looking for a traditional Afternoon or High Tea experience look no further than the Langham Hotel, London - said to be the birthplace of afternoon tea 140 years ago, this elegant establishment is the way to finish a days shopping!.

This is the signature Queen of Hearts Royal Doulton China used at the Langham... 

We had held our 2006 Wedding Reception at Melbourne's Langham Hotel so visiting the Langham in London for afternoon tea was a must... the teas, food and service were second to none!. 

The scones were a very different texture to the large fluffy clouds served in Australia which was interesting. 


Bijoux Afternoon Tea 
Sweet Treats

Palm Court Langham Hotel, London

The Langham Hotel London was the first purpose built luxury hotel in Europe, opened in 1865. 

Palm Court Langham Hotel London

Puppy Love...The Animal craze hits home!

Boutique in Marais, Paris

Footpath near the Arc de Triomphe

Taken on Portobello road ... gorgeous tapestry cushion covers

My lovely husband is allergic to all things pet related, we also live in a small space so our options are very limited. 

Thankfully for us, animal motifs are everywhere at the moment. I'm yet to find the perfect faux animal trophy and I didn't want to cart one home from Paris as seen above. 

I hope to be the proud owner of the ibride table below at some stage.... this shot was taken in a friends apartment on Boulevard Sebastopol Paris.

The Iconic Cafe Angelina, Paris, France

Cafe Angelina established in 1903 

226 Rue de Rivoli, Paris

Sugared Lilacs!

African Hot Chocolate, Mont Blanc and Raspberry Macaron 

It's no secret, Paris is, well, amazing.... On a trip in December 2010 I stopped in at Cafe Angelina, once frequented by Coco Chanel, located on Rue De Rivoli opposite the Tuileries Garden.

Their signature Hot Chocolate is simply delicious, more like silky Chocolate syrup or sauce, this rich and decadent drink is different to any hot chocolate I've experienced. Their equally famous Mont Blanc (as seen above) was enjoyable and the raspberry macron was, without doubt, the first time I'd ever REALLY eaten a Macron, a true Macron, everything else has just been a coloured almond meal biscuit!. 

We also visited Laduree in Madeline, a Flea Market (Marche aux Puces) just off Rue de Temple, Marais and the stylish apartment of an Actor and Writer couple near Notre Dame. Will post this and other Paris adventures soon. Paris is a vintage shoppers paradise!.