I’m not really a big fan of shopping. Yes, I do like a museum gift shop but for the most part, when I’m holidays I restrict the hard-core shopping to a single afternoon. Given that my luggage was twice as heavy on my return journey as it was on the way, I obviously managed to pick up a few things…
5. Matilda the Musical London Cast Recording CD – we’ve had it on repeat ever since I got home. The kids have their favourite tracks and I have mine but quite frankly, the whole thing is just brilliant.
4. Jo Malone London Rain fragrances. Not many designers would take their inspiration from London’s relentless rain but I’m glad Jo Malone did. Rain & Angelica and Wisteria & Violet found their way home with me, just right for a Melbourne winter.
3. Some V&A Museum mementos – a Cilea cocktail ring in the shape of a flower and a print, Red Myrtle by Petra Börner – I love her designs – they’re bold and vibrant yet delicate and quite pretty at the same time. Can’t wait to get it on my wall.
2. Henry VIII Russian dolls – Oh. My. Goodness. We have had fun with these, be-heading the wives and such. Look at little Catherine Parr (so tiny I’m afraid we might lose her).
1. ALL THE SHOES at Russell & Bromley. Actually, my efforts in this one store were obscene. Ordinarily, I resist buying shoes – they never seem comfortable or quite right. At Russell & Bromley, every pair I tried on felt like slippers. Seize the day, I say. This winter I’ll be wearing Chelsea ankle boots, blue loafers in a colour so exquisite that the picture barely does them justice, and glittery ankle boots that are so fabulous I expect people will stop and ask where I found them. I also bought some ace tan elastic-sided boots in Berlin. And the elastic is blue.
