Sniffa in London

Greetings from London, y’all!

We all arrived on Sunday, which dictated that we fly on the 4th.  Yeah, like that.  Pile little kids on airplanes on top of just the normal European flights, and it was really sleepy by the time my plane got into London at 8:30 in the morning.  After a long wait for the bus to the hotel, we all got here, reinvigorated with coffee.

But we are talking about perfume/shopping ladies, so that would be a lazy day if we stopped there.  After a quick lunch of fish and chips, we had to investigate Harrod’s, which is in the middle of their summer sale.  I have never in my life seen perfumes and cosmetics on sale at 40 and 50% off. Not all of them, but a goodly amount.  The place was packed, and the bargains were amazing.  Some, but not all, Amouages at 50% off.  Diptyques at 50% off. Some Piguets at 50% off.  But!  It was wall to wall people. You could not even move half the time.  Okay, I’m going back later this week to try it with fewer people.

Then it was off to meet Sylvia and Nicola at Wolesley’s (sp) for afternoon tea.  It’s next to the Ritz on Picadilly, and is the most charming place.  I knew Sylvia and Nicola would be lovely since I’ve chatted them both up via comments and mail, but they are both truly delightful companions.  We chatted about everything, compared perfumes, Nicola pulled out some vintage Magie Noire Sylvia had given her.  Of course there was spritzing!\

Update for Monday: This is going to be short.   Long day, lots of perfumes, mostly centered around Boadicea (sp) the Victorious, which they have at Selfridges and Harrod’s (Selfridge’s was putting on the presentation). This is the line that Michelle Obama bought three of when she was on London for the G20.  Okay, there are 28 perfumes in a line that is 7 months old.  Color me overwhelemed. I’m still sorting them out in my head and will be talking more about them on Thursday or later, as I get time to spend with them.  It’s an interesting line, but I haven’t made up my mind on them yet.  28?!?!?

So far, this has been a great trip.  Wonderful people, perfectly organized by the Karens, and just a blast.  If my internet would behave in my room, I’d write more, but since I’m in the basement of this lovely hotel typing on an inadequate keyboard AND I’ve had three glasses of wine, this is as far as I get for the night. More later, mwah, xoxo!