New Year resolution

I know we're zooming right into the end of January but it's never too late to list out my New Year resolution. Or should I say, my sartorial resolution.

1. I'm not a zebra.
Enough stripes already. I stopped counting after 10 so I won't scare myself silly. Those were just tops. I haven't even started on the sweaters.

2. No more flats.
I mean it. 1 pair of feet = 8 pairs of flats. The ones in the deep ravine of my wardrobe do not count. Oh okay, perhaps just a pair of leopard print ones. After all, I don't have any yet. I'm done with being a zebra. I'm into leopards these days. ROOOAR. I swear, that'll be my last pair. Cross my heart.

3. Overcome logo phobia.
I used to think those Fs sprayed all over Fendi bags stood for f***. I was deeply offended when hubby surprised me with one so I offload it on eBay. It has been 11 years and hubby is still insulted. Ooops. I guess the letters L and V seem pretty tame after those Fs.

4. Time to lose those love handles.
Those Yummie Tummie vests that kind of snap the extra layer of lard in place also managed to squeeze the life out of my intestines. I think I understand how Marie Antoinette must've felt in her whalebone corset.

5. Just because my Kelly 28 slouches
There's no excuse I should do the same. Posture, posture, posture. My physiotherapists, acupuncturist and beautician kept harping on about it. Stand up straight, suck that gut in, look up and s m i l e. A grimace is not a smile. Apparently, those High School boys I used to teach still have nightmares about me. Nearly 20 years later.

Natural Bodycare £10 and under

1. Bentley Organic Body Wash £3.49

2. Avalon Organics Bath Shower Gel £6.49  (US buyers: here)
3. Lavera Body Spa Coconut Dream Body Oil £7.95
4. Yes to Carrots C Through The Dry Spell Rich Body Butter £8.99
5. Caudalie Vinotherapie Peach Shower Gel £7.65
6. Weleda Lavender Creamy Body Wash £7.13
7. A'kin Jasmine Body Wash £9.50
8. Fushi Organic Body Hands Feet Massage Oil £10.05
9. Lovea Argan Protective Care Oil £7.99

1. JASON Natural Deodorant Stick £4.99

2. Green People Organic Base Deodorant £7.15

3. Green People Organic Children's Spearmint and Aloe Vera Toothpaste £3.50  (unavailable in the US)

4. Jason Sea Fresh All Natural Toothpaste £5.99 (contains fluoride)

5. AloeDent Triple Action Toothpaste £3.93

Before I launch into my zealous monologue about natural bodycare products, I want to thank Nelah of 52 New Days, Meggy of Haus of Gala and Lindsay of A Walk in the Closet for the awards. Wow, I'm still reeling from the shock of having 3 awards in a single week. What an honor. I'm humbled and touched by the support of fellow bloggers and readers. Thank you.

It was brought to my attention that a number of you wanted to order some of the products I've featured but having trouble locating them in your country. Since most of my readers are based in the US and Asia,  I've decided to only link the products to either online stores that offer free worldwide shipping or charge a minimal amount.

So far I've tried on a handful of products. I've purchased Bentley Organics hand-washing liquid and I'm pretty impressed by it so far. The consistency is more gel-liquid like but doesn't dry the skin, thanks to the lavender oil. I've used the Yes to Carrots body butter for a year and it is by far, the best and creamiest moisturizer I've tried. It absorbs into the skin quickly leaving no residue. My only problem with the Yes To range is that they continue to put sulfates in their shower gels.

I bought a no-brand bottle of organic Argan oil for Lil L a few months ago. Ever since I found out that both Moroccanoil and Macadamia Healing Oil contain silicone, I've switched to using a drop of the pure Argan oil on my hair. The result was exactly the same. Soft silky hair. It goes to show you really don't need all the extra chemicals. While the oil works a treat on Lil L's body (I'm a believer of not putting tons of products on a child's delicate skin), I still need to top up with a lotion. After hearing friends waxing lyrical about Ren products, I caved in and ordered Ren Neroli Body Duo (body wash and lotion) today. This is far more than I've ever spent on bodycare products so hopefully they live up to their reputation.

For the first time in my life, I'm not using a Colgate or Sensodyne toothpaste. I bought Lil L the Green People children's Mandarin toothpaste. She tried it for the first time and was utterly disgusted. I also purchased an additional tube of minty flavored Green People for hubby and I which she prefers to her own. My only regret is that with Lil L being 5 (soon to be 6 as she keeps reminding me), there's really no need to buy a separate toothpaste for her since the ingredients are all natural. I've been so used to a paste like consistency that it has taken me a few days to get used to the slightly more liquid-like consistency.

I'm still on a steep learning curve so please keep the recommendations and tips rolling in. I've learned so much from reading your comments.

Natural Skincare Under £20

1. A'Kin Pure Cleansing Gel £14.40

2. Butter London Nail Polish £9.60   (not technically skincare but I just had to add it in)

3. Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish £12.25

4. Caudalie Beauty Elixir 30ml £8.80

5. Burt's Bees Radiance Cleanser £8.99

6. Trilogy Organic Rosehip Oil £14.00

7. A'kin Rose de Mai Antioxidant Day creme £19.20

8. Sukin Moisture Restoring Night Cream £16.28

Thank you for all your suggestions. Please keep them coming as there's much I need to learn from all of you. I've been on a warpath to purge every toxic item from my bathroom. I just discovered that my favorite Eve Lom cleanser contains 5 different types of paraben. I guess one's not enough. Are you horrified yet? I am! Even Colgate toothpaste has sodium laureth sulfate. That gorgeous Phillip Kingsley elasticizer that makes my hair silky soft? Paraben and silicone. The "natural" Macadamia oil treatment my hairdresser recommended in place of Moroccanoil contains different types of silicone.

Since I've adopted a minimalist approach to my wardrobe, naturally I want to do the same with my skincare. These days, we're bombarded with advertisements and clever marketing everywhere we turn. It's little wonder why we end up with piles of skincare and cosmetics, not to mention bodycare. At one point, I had multiple sunscreen lotions along with day and night moisturizers as well as cleanser, toner, serum, eye cream, various masks and treatment oils. Whew! It was a pain slathering them all on in the morning and then the drudgery process began again at night. My skin was still dehydrated. A beautician I visited more than a year ago bluntly told me that my facial skin is 10 years older than my actual age. It has taken me this hefty kick to my rear end to change my skincare routine.

Thanks to my mom who introduced me to this little bottle of liquid gold - Trilogy Organic Rosehip Oil, I've done away with the rest of my skincare products. I blogged about it here last year. My fine lines are barely visible these days. For the first time, I can safely say my oily but equally dehydrated skin is now normal and luminous (never thought I'd say this!). All you need is 2 to 3 drops of the oil along with your favorite moisturizer (I'm using Sukin natural moisturizer, a gift from my mother) and massage it into your face. For those of you with kids, the rosehip oil is perfectly safe to use on babies too.

I might be in a minority but I really really hate having to use the toner. My friend, Lauraloo suggested I try Caudalie Beauty Elixir. I'm hooked! I travel a lot so this helps to hydrate my skin and adds a temporary glow. I've just ordered Burt's Bees Radiance cleanser to replace my current cleanser. *sob*...I'm so going to miss you, Eve Lom.

Ren Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask £30

Forgive me for sneaking one last product in. At £30 a bottle, Ren Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask doesn't meet my £20 and under criteria but I can't ignore the glowing reviews that I've read from various websites. This will be on my list of products to try. By the way, can anyone recommend your favorite websites that stock natural products in the US?

Non toxic Shampoos

1. Liz Earle Botanical Shine Shampoo £8

2. Louise Galvin Natural Locks Nourishing Shampoo £8.98

3. Sukin Moisture Restoring Shampoo £7.95

4. A'kin Unscented Shampoo for Sensitive Scalp £8.40

5. Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Shampoo £8

6. Weleda Calendula and Camomile Shampoo £6.95

Ever since I watched a TV documentary on the use preservatives in our food and their effects on children 6 years ago, I've been more vigilant checking the labels on the back of everything I purchase. I'm just gobsmacked at some of the ingredients of the pre-packaged food in the supermarket. I can barely pronounce nor comprehend the words which seem very similar to a science experiment.

Take sausages as an example. With the exception of organic sausages, most contain sodium nitrite, used as an additive to prevent bacteria growth and extend the shelf life of the food. If one digests a mere 4.6g of sodium nitrite, it will result in death. I know I'm giving the worst case scenario but it's an indication of how much additives we're exposed to these days.

Now that I've switched to fresh and more often than not, organic produce, it's time I do the same for my toiletries and skincare. Paraben, sulfate and silicone are three common ingredients used in shampoos, skincare, cosmetics and practically any kind of items you see in your bathroom. Paraben is sometimes known as E214, E216 and E218, along with sulfate have been linked with breast cancer although experts are quick to point out that the findings are inconclusive. I've got a child who needs me so I'm not taking my chances in having more dangerous chemicals leaking into my body. Thus, began my quest to find hair and bath products that are free of these 3 chemicals.

Sodium laureth sulfate or commonly known as SLES found in most soaps, showergels and shampoos is also used to dissolve grease on car engines. That's what we're rubbing into our skin everyday. It is absorbed into our skin and mimics the activity of oestrogen. In short, cancer. I.

I went around my bathroom recently and read the label of every product there. Sure enough, 8 out of 10 contains all 3 chemicals. Don't be fooled by the promises some of these purportedly "natural" companies make. Body Shop and Apivita are two companies that profess to be "natural" and in the case of the latter, "holistic" but both use paraben and sulfates in their products.  The same goes for a few companies that use the term "organic" which may only apply to a percentage of ingredients used. I would strongly suggest you check the label of every product before you purchase.

I've compiled a list of inexpensive products that do not contain paraben, sulfates and silicone.  I've broken the post into two parts with shower gels and skincare featuring in the next post.  I'd love to hear any recommendations that work for you.
 

Gong Xi Fa Cai (Happy New Year)

I took this photo of Lil L and her cousins in early 2011. They've grown so much since then. Looking at it makes me miss my family back in New Zealand even more. Thank God for Skpye! The 11 hour time difference is a pain but technology has allowed us to "see" each other more often than not.  The whole family gathered at my youngest brother's house to call us. Miss you all!

To all my readers who celebrate Chinese New Year - Xin Nian Kuai Le! It's the year of the Dragon and I'm surrounded by pregnant friends. I guess there will be plenty of dragon babies crawling about this year.

A big thank you to Nelah of 52 New Days for the lovely award! What a lovely thing to wake up to. By the way, you'll notice that I've only just started tweeting. I'm still light years from being proficient at it. Thank goodness for Kim of A Very Sweet Blog  who patiently talked me through it. I had no idea what all those hashtags # are for. Nor those puzzling and cryptic #FF tweets! So come on over and follow me on Twitter. Just click on the Twitter button on the right side of the blog.

Do hop over to Malou of 33 Avenue who'd interviewed me about my travels. It was fun reminiscing about my wild adventures in the past. I'm a lot saner these days. Well, at least my parents hope I am.

Capsule Wardrobe

While we're on the topic of the minimalist approach to editing a wardrobe, I decided to play around with Polyvore and create an entire capsule wardrobe from scratch. It took me a couple of weeks to do this without straying from these 5 rules (remember my last post?) - Figure, lifestyle, affordability, versatility and personality. This is a great exercise to see what I've got and the gaps I need to fill. Be warned, this is a very photo heavy post. I already own some of the pieces shown here and am hoping to pick up the rest over time.











I'm one of those individuals that can't operate without a list. Especially when it comes to shopping. It's that insect-like attention span that I have. That's why I love internet shopping. Looking for sweaters? No problem. Just look for that drop down box and click on knitwear and voila, a whole spectrum of sweaters in every shape, design and price. The first time I visited South Coast Plaza in California, I was so overwhelmed by the sheer number and size of the shops that I promptly parked my fanny on a comfy armchair at Barnes & Noble until closing time.











I've learned to figure out which designers or brands suit me best.  For jackets, I go to Banana Republic and Isabel Marant. Uniqlo for sweaters, denim and pants. Petit Bateau for basic tops. Zadig & Voltaire and Comptoir des Cotonniers for sweaters, dresses and fancier tops. Karen Walker for feminine dresses.  I'm not one to go through racks and try on multiple pieces. The only fitting room I like after 2 decades of shopping for myself is the one at Harvey Nichols. Spacious, queue free and perfect lighting. Who likes to be squeezed into a doll sized room with only one hook for your clothes and harsh lighting that shows every zit, pore and wrinkle?

Creating a wardrobe

Photo of Koko boutique in Paris. An example of a carefully edited collection which I hope I'll do the same with my closet.

It has taken 25 years of experimenting to understand my sartorial needs. After spending hours culling my biggish wardrobe 4 years ago, I have no desire to return to the enormous clutter that drove me crazy. I think I only ever wore no more than 25% of my wardrobe. Ditto for the handbags and shoes. What an absolute waste of money and closet space. I've come to the realization that I need to consider these 5 factors before I part with my cash. As I've said before, it only took me a quarter of a century to gain this teeny weeny bit of wisdom. Who knows what I can achieve in another 25 years at the rate I'm going?

1) Figure
I don't follow trends per se. I dress to the beat of my own drum. Or in this case, the shape of my body. I have an apple shaped figure.  Mid to high rise creates a smooth silhouette which also allows me to tuck in my jiggly bits. I've learned to hide the flaw by tucking a little of the hem of my tops into the waistband and letting the rest hang naturally.

Well, my only consolation for an apple figured person is that I have slim legs. However, I'm no spring chicken so there's no way I will wear super short mini dress. I've learned to raise my arm to see how far the hem goes up. I'd rather not get slapped with an indecent exposure charge by the police. Unless I look like Kate Moss. In that case, shorter, baby!

2) Lifestyle
I've made enough mistakes with buying clothes because they're 1) cheap  2) heavily discounted  3) gorgeous. I'm a work from home mom with nary a glamorous party invitation in sight. Fancy dresses with super high heels are not part of my lifestyle. So I invest (I use the word loosely because most clothes do not ever appreciate in price) in beautifully cut jackets and coats to jazz up my otherwise basic wardrobe of simple tees, sweaters and dresses. I deal with kids all day so my outfits have to be unfussy, comfortable, hopefully chic and easy to wash and dry.

3) Affordability
I have a budget which I stick to. I'd much rather have savings in my bank account than thousands of pounds in clothes and shoes. However, I would sooner have one good quality jacket than 6 badly fitted ones which I inevitably will chuck out. Unless it's a rare piece which will never ever go on sale, I stalk the item until hopefully, the price drops to a satisfactory digit.








4) Versatility
I detest clutter. I prefer to have a small wardrobe with clothes that I can easily mix and match without much effort. I'm a busy working mom. I don't have the luxury to try on infinite outfits before settling on one after the alarm bells go off. I have 5 minutes to put my clothes on. Each new item has to work with the existing wardrobe to create multiple outfits.

5. Personality
I can't be what I'm not. I've never been a girly girl. I mean this is a girl that HER male Taekwon-Do instructor had to give an hour long lesson on how to walk like a girl. Lesson two: A pat on the shoulder does not require force. So, yeah, I don't do florals very well. I feel most comfortable in pants. I've only started to wear dresses 3 years ago but anything that requires more than 2 minutes to slip on is considered a waste of time.

Etoile Isabel Marant Leopard Print tops

Etoile Isabel Marant Jemet Silk Shirt

Etoile Isabel Marant Warick Leopard Sweatshirt

 Photo credit: Net-a-porter.com

My dress sense can be pretty conservative. Every now and then I fall into a rut and wear the same thing over and over again. I decided to take it up a notch and just have a little bit of fun. After all, I'm not getting any younger......

Annnyway, I had my eye on two of Isabel Marant's leopard print tops for the past few months. The first is the Jemet, a silk shirt which I adore and the Warick, a sweatshirt that probably suit my casual lifestyle more. I stalked both items throughout the sale. Much as I love the Jemet, I'm of two minds about hand-washing the fabric and ironing. Does anyone hate ironing as much as I do? The deciding factor was when the sweatshirt was reduced by 70%.

Verdict
I'd ordered the Warick sweatshirt in medium which was loose enough to layer and hide the bulge but still maintain a nice and narrow fit so that I don't look like a puffer fish. The sleeves are cut slightly more narrow than the ordinary sweatshirt in the market. LOVE this feature. Far more flattering that the standard sweatshirt you get from the likes of Adidas or Nike etc etc.

The interior lining is thick enough for the colder months but it can be worn in spring as well, thanks to its 100% cotton material. The French just know how to turn the ordinary comfy but bleh sportswear into something really chic and edgy. Just look at what they'd done to the regular track pants. I've worn it out on numerous occasions now. I'm totally digging my newly acquired spots. Even hubby, a steadfast preppy kind of guy was impressed by it. That's saying a lot.

Hermessorize the Office outfit

Outfit: Isabel Marant Lexy jacket, Alexander Wang t-shirt, Karen Walker skirt, Salvatore Ferragamo heels (thrifted), Chanel Timeless clutch and Hermes Kelly Dog

After suffering in the name of vanity for a couple of decades, I've decided that looking good equates to feeling comfortable. I can't see why my current favorite t-shirt can't be worn to a more dressed up event or the office (well, that is if I pretend that I'm back working in a more corporate environment) if paired with a well fitted jacket and of course, a Hermes accessory as well as a Chanel clutch. I tend to invest in a few accessories to jazz up my outfits but I don't like to follow rules. A Hermes Kelly Dog bracelet is a more contemporary and edgy piece of costume jewelry. It adds a certain va-va-voom to the normally staid and tailored office wear.

Interview with Hermes Kelly 28

Out of all the bags I've ever owned, Kelly 28 holds a special place in my heart. She's not a stunning beauty but she has that special somethin' that grows on you and wham! Before you know it, you're in love. It took me a long time to find her. I was beyond thrilled when I saw her sitting there at a local consignment store 4.5 years ago. I could barely contain my excitement but my heart dropped when I saw the exorbitant price tag. It was crazy expensive. Well above retail. I was obsessed but not crazy so I handed Ms Kelly 28 back and slunked out of the store. A few weeks later, I called to check if Ms Kelly is still available. Whaddaya know, the owner was desperate to sell. How would you like it at 50% off? If they'd held a Grand Prix in Auckland, I would've won the race at the speed I drove to the store.


So, tell me about yourself?
I'm Ms Kelly 28cm. I'm made of togo. It's that fancy schmancy name Hermes calls baby calf. I'm scratchproof but not bulletproof and I smell better than Chanel No.5.


What's this about 28?
It just means that my ass measures 28cm. I don't have a big butt. You jealous?


In the world of supermodels, who do you think you look most similar to?
Kate Moss all the way. I'm smaller than others. I don't have those 4 corners sticking out like those Sellier ladies. Big show off all of them. I don't need Gisele's boobs to make it to the top of my profession. I've got a few veins, you humans call 'em wrinkles but perfect ain't beautiful.




What are those letters and numbers on your strap?
In my world, they're called tattoos. That letter F meant I was made in 2002 by artisan N20. He was such a hot dude. Man, you should've checked out his strong arms.








You're a spacious little thing, aren't you?
Just cos I'm small doesn't mean I can't do my job. That owner of mine sure carries around a whole load of junk. You should've seen the size of her wallet.






I read that togo is a soft leather. Is that true?
I slouch. Just like my owner even though ALL her physiotherapists have told her to stand up straight. It's our DNA, man. We just can't stand up straight.

Comfortable & Chic Wedges

Clockwise: Prada Leather & Cork wedges £517, Stuart Weitzman Exhale £251.65, Kork-ease Ava $135, Jimmy Choo Polaris Espadrille $385, Jimmy Choo Front Zip caged espadrille $625 and Christian Louboutin Carteron Wedges £520.54


Men are mystified by our obsession for shoes.  We have access to infinite styles in every shape and form unlike the options available to men. Pumps, peep toes, wedges, loafers, flats, sandals and the list goes on. It is futile to resist the temptation.

I've narrowed the list to these 6 which I'm dying to try out. My search for comfortable and chic wedges started 2 years ago. After purchasing a few duds last year, I now realize that
1) I still can't walk in heels higher than 2 inches
2) vertically challenged women should stick to shades closer to their skin color in order to create a leg-lengthening illusion
3) wedges that are too high push the foot forward and cause slippage of the back heel
4) wedges must have proper support with adequate straps.
5) cork is lighter than wood.

Iconic Chanel Quilted Reissue 227 Flap

This stunning iconic Chanel reissue flap just came in from a client. Oh, how I wish I can keep her if I didn't have to replace my dying camera. I think Chanel had another increase in December which takes the price of a brand new Reissue to approximately £3100. Anyone has the exact figure? This gorgeous lady is in near pristine condition without the price tag of a brand new one. Click here to see the listing on my eBay store. Price: £2250 plus shipping.












The price of the pink Hermes ostrich Kelly Dog has been reduced to £599 plus shipping. Click here to see more photos.

Petit Bateau Basic Nude Vest

I've been on the hunt for a plain cotton nude vest to wear under sheer tops. Bear with me while I list out my requirements. 1) inexpensive.  2) made of 100% cotton  3) thin and light material  4)low cut on either side so that it's not visible under tops or dresses. I don't think I'm asking a lot *wink* I've trawled through High St stores but the ones I've seen are uncomfortable or made of inferior quality which I'm pretty sure will fall apart after a few cycles in the washing machine.

Enter my favorite store - Petit Bateau. Lil L's entire wardrobe give or take a few items came from Petit Bateau. Well, including mine for that matter. The quality is incredible for the price you pay. I'd like to add that none of my Petit Bateau clothes nor Lil L's have shrunk in the dryer. I only shop during the sales which makes the clothes even more affordable. This nude vest ticks all the boxes. They're 40% off at the store which brings the price down to £12.

Petit Bateau Nude Vest £20

Hermessorize the Casual outfit

Outfit: Alexander Wang t-shirt, Uniqlo jeans and ankle boots

In the past, I collected inexpensive costume jewelry like a magpie and most laid languishing in whatever container I happened to shove them into. And then I bought my first Hermes piece - the Lena. My lovely Hermes sales associate in Hong Kong could see the desperation on this new mother's face. She scoured all the Hermes shops in the country to no avail. She persisted and trawled through the warehouse and found one last piece just before the store closed. I cried happy tears and gave her a hug. I know, I know, I was pretty hormonal at the time. She was such a sweetheart. I wished I had remembered her name and sent her a thank you card.

Add a leather jacket, Hermes Lift GM pendant, Hermes belt and Hermes Kelly Dog. I like to tuck a little of the hem into the belt while letting the rest hang haphazardly. It's my way of disguising the bulge while trying to look nonchalantly chic. In other words, I'm trying to channel Kate Moss :)  The sleeves of the leather jacket are pushed up to the elbow to give it a more current look.

Outfit: Alexander Wang t-shirt, Uniqlo jeans, ankle boots, Ted Baker leather jacket, Hermes Lift, Hermes belt and Hermes Kelly Dog.

I've learned to never second guess the weather in the UK. I almost always get it wrong so I'd much rather carry a Hermes shawl for those "just in case" moments.

Outfit: Alexander Wang t-shirt, Uniqlo jeans, ankle boots, Ted Baker leather jacket, Hermes Lift, Hermes belt, Hermes Kelly en Caleche cashmere shawl and Hermes Kelly Dog.



Over the years, I picked up bits and bobs from Hermes and duly discarded those that fell out of favor. While I don't have a huge stash of Hermes jewelry, I like to use what I've got. I like unfussy and comfortable clothes but I try to hermessorize the outfit at every opportunity. By the way, I figured "accessorizing with Hermes jewelry" is such a mouthful and a pain to type out so I decided to coin the term, hermessorize. How do you like it?

Isabel Marant Dicker Boots lookalike?

Back in September 2011, after months of mooning after a pair of these cult status Isabel Marant Dicker boots which I can't wear, thanks to my child-like sized feet, I had a pair custom made at Pretty Small Shoes. They were one of my best purchases last year. I've worn them to death and am thinking of stockpiling a few pairs, just in case the company stops making them. I'm afraid mine no longer look as pristine as the photo below.

While strolling around Mayfair area in London, I caught a glimpse of these Dicker boots in the window display of Russell & Bromley. Turned out these are copies. The quality is no better than my £139 custom made ones but at £275, I'd much rather buy the real deal which are only £55 more. While as a consumer, I'm pleased to have cheaper options but I don't think Ms Marant will be too happy to see these.

I can't resist including this shot of Roosevelt and Churchill having a chat, right on Bond St.

Inside Fortnum & Mason

I want to thank my readers for their kind and compassionate comments as well as support regarding my previous post.

After my altercation with Fortnum & Mason customer services a few days before Christmas, I refused to use their online services. I was devastated when they only delivered one of 2 boxes of fudge I'd ordered. Hell hath no fury like a woman without her much needed fudge. Let's just say that my refund was processed within 3 hours which is unheard of within Fortnum & Mason. Mwahahahaha..... Sorry. I couldn't resist.

The minute the train strike was over, I rushed to Fortnum & Mason store at Piccadilly Circus. It was an 1.5 hour journey which cost more than the actual fudge itself. There's alcohol addiction, drug addiction and now you have, fudge addiction. I believe hubby was tempted to enroll me into FA program (Fudge Anonymous). My name is Marlene. It has been 2 days since my last fudge and I'm dyiiiiiing.

Fortnum & Mason fudge is not only handmade, there are only 4 ingredients used - butter, sugar, syrup and milk. I wasn't sure if photography was allowed so I took hubby's nondescript Panasonic Lumix and hid it under my coat as if I'm on a cloak and dagger operation. There were more tourists than locals in the store. The boxes of fudge were piled sky high and largely ignored. Gosh, these guys just do not know what they're missing. I grabbed a few after much contemplation (do I want to add more of jiggly bits on my body?) and promptly dashed off to the counter. I was served by a smartly dressed but dour faced and constipated looking older "gentleman" who could barely tolerate the presence of customers. Who cares? It's all about the fudge.