Yesterday I had the day off work, with nothing much planned, which was wonderful. I started off by ambling up to the J.W.Waterhouse exhibition at the Royal Academy, which was absolutely packed. I didn't much mind though as it's great to see his work getting so much publicity and attention. The paintings were fabulous, as you can imagine - the skin tones so luminous it looked as though there was a light shining from behind each painting.
After that I went to Fortnum & Masons on Piccadilly -- I'd never been to this old department store before but have often walked past and admired the fabulously creative window displays. Inside it's wonderfully plush and opulent, everything laid out wonderfully and the staff so polite. The bathrooms (sorry, "powder rooms") were a joy too, with lovely Molten Brown soaps and creams and real towels to dry your hands. After browsing for a little I wandered up to the first floor to the Parlour cafe for Earl Grey and scones with clotted cream and jam - such a treat!
After this I went to the upper floors to sample all the lovely perfumes and potions and lotions, and admire the beautiful hats, books, leather goods and hampers.
You just don't seem to get shops like this anymore - I felt as though I'd wondered back in time! It reminded me of the Simpsons store where the girls go to collect their horrible inherited furs in "I Capture The Castle", or Edyth's beauty salon in "Miss Pettigrew Lives for A Day", where shopping is meant to be an experience, a joy, just in itself. Bring back shops like this, I say!
After that I went to Fortnum & Masons on Piccadilly -- I'd never been to this old department store before but have often walked past and admired the fabulously creative window displays. Inside it's wonderfully plush and opulent, everything laid out wonderfully and the staff so polite. The bathrooms (sorry, "powder rooms") were a joy too, with lovely Molten Brown soaps and creams and real towels to dry your hands. After browsing for a little I wandered up to the first floor to the Parlour cafe for Earl Grey and scones with clotted cream and jam - such a treat!
After this I went to the upper floors to sample all the lovely perfumes and potions and lotions, and admire the beautiful hats, books, leather goods and hampers.
You just don't seem to get shops like this anymore - I felt as though I'd wondered back in time! It reminded me of the Simpsons store where the girls go to collect their horrible inherited furs in "I Capture The Castle", or Edyth's beauty salon in "Miss Pettigrew Lives for A Day", where shopping is meant to be an experience, a joy, just in itself. Bring back shops like this, I say!
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