Rummaging on a grand scale

Those that know me know that I love a good rummage, but this is a rummage on a rather grand scale. Reminiscent of the recent sale held at our beloved Chatsworth, much of the late Dutch Queen Juliana's possessions are going under the hammer with Southerby's in Amsterdam this week.

Interested viewers from around the world have been found musing through a maze of oak tables, silver, threadbare armchairs, marble mantle clocks and giant chandeliers. Walls lined with oil and watercolor paintings with images of where once they were homed. And with much respect to the late Queen, even the paddles are orange.

I felt for one bidder, described as a collector and a royal fan, and was hoping to buy some antique porcelain he was quoted as saying

"I have the same problem as the royal household, where do I put it all?".

I know the feeling!

Catwalk Capsule

Would love to be wearing this today, grey and yellow hues with white accents - bring on the sunshine!

All images courtesy of Anthropologie

Wanting to go back soon...

Dehillerin is a national Parisian treasure and not one for the faint hearted. As a tourist you can very easily receive a sharp tongue, as a local, a furrowed brow, however if you show any form of cuisine professionalism and knowledge of the relevant equipment you are welcomed with a smile and open arms. I do therefore question why they have their door open to the public - perhaps a naughty game they like to play?
I have a healthy obsession with cooking and cookery shops and this very often extends to foreign supermarkets and food shops (there are worst obsessions I promise you!). So when I happened upon this wonderful establishment on my last trip to Paris, it was surprisingly by pure fate rather than detailed planning. It definitely didn't look as sharp as the image above, at first I thought it was shut - the windows were covered with cardboard and dusted with a fine layer of Parisian debris and grime as if someone had "sprinkled liberally" to give the finishing touches to the ultimate cook shop recipe.


Entering the grime coated doors I found I was in heaven - gleaming copper, paring knives that sat comfortably in the palm of your hand, roasting trays crying out for a wonderful of ribbed beef, baking tins to make any cook quiver with excitement and untold ranges of saucepans I would have given my left arm for (not my right mind you, otherwise I wouldn't be able to use them!). No wonder I sigh contently every time I think of this magical place.