Pastel Paradise

(Laduree boxes tied neatly with a ribbon)

There are so many images of Laduree- the famed French patissier- floating around the web and it seems the craze for the rainbow of their famed macarons has reached a fever pitch. It's easy to see why- the little treats are so pretty and ladylike and the packaging is to-die-for. Honestly, I was just as excited to bring home one of the beautiful pastel-colored boxes as I was to sample a few of the many flavors they offer.

I had it on my list to visit a shop while in London (there are four!) and we stopped by the Convent Garden location, where I bought a little box of six. What is so sweet is that they ask you what color package you'd like and you can select the ribbon you'd like. I chose their classic pale green box and a lavender ribbon.

I only snuck a few photos in before I was politely informed that no photos were allowed but I don't think I'll forget the loveliness of the place.

Among the ones we picked out where Almond and Marshmallow and Orange Blossom. We managed to savor them and I'm going to hang the pretty little ribbon in a special place to remind me of our wonderful trip.

(a pretty row of the luxurious little candles and perfumes they sell)

(The enchanting window display)

(We ate two of our treats before I remembered to get a photo!)

P.S. I also had a lovely little lunch for one at the salon in Harrods. It was a tucked away little place and a total treat.

What's in my bag: London edition!

Okay, so this certainly isn't everything that I was carrying around today, but here are the prettier elements from inside my handbag- all picked up from my trip to Harrods this afternoon.

Samples from the Bond No. 9 counter (Fire Island and Chinatown), mementos from my lovely lunch at Laduree, and a dark chocolate and Champagne truffle from the gorgeous Charbonnel et Walker chocolate display. I'm saving it for the flight home tomorrow!

Off we go!

We're heading to London tonight! I'm running around getting things done today, but here is a quick look at what I'm taking in my carry-on.

I plan to remove my makeup as soon as we take off, slather on some moisturizer and (hopefully) go right to sleep.

I stocked up on the Clinique Moisture Surge line, so I'm taking the facial spray, eye cream and moisturizer with me, along with a tiny bottle of the Avene facial mist (I'm big on hydrating!).

I've got my favorite eye drops (I stock up at Publix whenever I'm in Florida), makeup remover (Almay pre-loaded cotton swabs are genius) and a sleep mask.

For the morning, I've got a little Laura Mercier concealer pot and a few magazines to read should I get restless.

It'll be my first trip to London and though it's a quick trip, I hope we can strike a perfect balance of eating, drinking, shopping and touring.

Cheerio!