Laduree: Since 1862, Best Macarons in Paris

Okay so I have not been blogging for a while, with holiday distractions, jet lag, and a general awkwardness in getting back to my daily life in Australia made blogging the last thing on my mind, but I thought I would get back into the swing of things by sharing my Laduree experience with you.

I have never had macarons before I went to Paris, but am now so addicted that I have even tried to master the art of it myself (I havn't yet, just turned the first batch in the oven and half of them look like little mountains) but after trying these I am hooked.

This is their very fancy building on the Champs Elysee.

Laduree have been going since 1862 and still has a shop at the original bakery at 16 rue Royale in Paris. They are said to have some of the worlds best macarons, but I also tried some by Pierre Herme which are also pretty famous, Pierre had a better caramel as enjoyed the whipped center but overall I preferred Laduree on all points: variety flavours, decor and choice of other yummy things.

I had the good fortune to try their limited edition guava macaron and it was my favourite, light as air and so tasty. The vanilla was also pretty good. I really loved the presentation and the pretty boxes and bags.

This strawberry cake is just a work of art. Its made of a very airy sponge and strawberry moose and is utter heaven. I have no idea what the coating is but it looks very cool and was impressed to get ours across Paris back to the apartment totally undamaged.

Another highlight was the best vanilla ice cream I have eaten in my whole life. Each one had a matching macaroon shell on top and I couldn't get enough of these. I really wish I lived next to a Laduree shop.

but maybe a bad idea as here is me stuffing my face outside their St Germain Shop.

and again at another biscuit shop near the Sacre Coeur. See a running theme here? No wonder I have got a little pudgy and probably a good idea I cocked up my batch of macarons.

However for those of you that fancy making some macarons I found some great sites with recipes and advice but its back to the troubleshooting page for me.

Bake it Off a great review of Spanish, Italian and French methods with various tips.

Not So Humble Pie which has a fantastic troubleshooting page.

Now I found heaps of exciting things, especially when back home, and since been back but I feel very unmotivated. I think that the excitement of being home, knowing where I want to be, and aiming to be back there fairly soon to open my shop I sort of want to keep some of the exciting things as a surprise when I open my official website, however I have 4 big name British designers from the 60s among them!

I have added one little find that I picked up last week now back in Australia, I very cute little 'porthole' hand carved wooden money box.

Rabbit Money Box

I hope you all have had a great month, and more posts from my holidays coming soon!

My British Bargains and Back Garden!

I am finally home again! Its summertime and all the little stone houses are covered in roses, and the supermarkets are full of yummy berries so everything feels very English and I love it. Although this is not technically my back garden, it is as close as possible. The back wall of our actual garden is a big cliff that forms into the back wall of Blenheim Palace, which means as residents we get access to palace grounds whenever we want so its about a 2 minute walk for me to be enjoying this not only sprawling but old and beautiful park-I am planning on getting more photos of the stunning trees they have here for my next posts.

So this is the little crop of huge copperbeech trees just as I come into the park.

....and that is the view of the main palace is, just had a huge game fair on so lots of cute little medieval style tents dotted around. The main palace started to be built in 1704 (I think-I should probably check this stuff but been there a million times and sure I'm close enough!) because John Churchill (familiar name?) whooped the French at the Spanish Succession-bit better than a medal! He became the first Duke of Marlborough, and currently up to number 11. Winston Churchill was born here and they are all buried in the little church across from our house. So much history!!!

This is my favourite part of Blenheim Palace, this bridge is HUGE it looks small in the picture but its not. You can see a couple of doorways on each side and these 2 'apartments' are where the young royals used to hold parties, especially in the Summer.

 and this is all the wrong way round because we walk from the back, but this is the main entrance that leads to the cute little historic town of Woodstock, which is where I will be walking to send off my ebay goodies when I do move back

The little sign reads 'Views and Postcard of Blenheim', very picturesque.

This is the famous pub 'The Bear' and you can see why the Aussie pubs just dont match up-Sorry!

Now for my finds of the week! I headed off to a little carboot this morning, and struck gold which I honestly did not expect after seeing the 20 car boot sellers in a little grassy field but these caught my eye instantly.

Punch Magazine 1945-1956

 I was told there was about 50 (actually 88) of these and they had been sitting at their parents house for years. £5 for the lot and includes heaps of special editions and all in really good condition.

 Its so funny to read the old adverts, especially for brands that are still around that I know so well!

 You get some pretty good ones....

 ...Really? I thought it was always a dull and uninspired option when you don't even know what sort of choccy or wine someone likes....

Bulmers cider, apparently it 'suits all the family', not a phrase I would commonly associate with alcoholic beverages but then us Brits are famed for a drinking culture for a reason-we start young.

1930s Plum Silk Velvet Dress

 Here are a couple of pieces from my collection I have back here, its been fun going through all the pieces and been cleaning some others ready to photograph but this is one of my favourites as such a pretty colour, fabric and fit!

1930s Pink Silk Velvet Cut Glass Button Dress

I am obsessed with these buttons and has the most amazing cut and back ruffle. The colour is almost neon, which I find nice in such an old piece because darker tones seem to be much more common.

Collar Work on 30s Velvet Dress

As black never photos well just took a picture of the collar on this beauty, the pearl and rhinestone work are stunning and the dress keeps up with the standard pretty well.

More Car Boot Finds

Cute little picture with frame-I can buy house stuff now as don't have to worry about bring it home-I AM HOME!

Cookie Cutter Sets

 £1 for the lot- its like someone knew I just forked out £20 on squeeze bottles, edible glitter, pearl dust and fancy colours for icing and was gagging to play with my new found cookie skills.

Silver belt with sea creatures AND a mini watering can (can you ever have too many watering cans how ever impractical the size?) all for 50p and below, for 10p, thus getting myself a whole 2 pence of the original purchase price-tailors chalk! It looks unused too.

Now my final items for the day which was pretty chuffed with, these 2 seal presses-which I was advised would make lovely doorstops-£1.50 for the 2 and weigh a ton. I have already e-mailed someong to try and get some replacement text blocks with my logo on-I love the classic font they used on it!

Next blog will be my from my trips to Paris and Amsterdam-my wallet hopes that I don't have too much to show you but not sure I can hold myself back-first proper holiday in 5 years and its Paris-I want EVERYTHING in that place.

If you like you flea market finds remember to drop by:

Sophie @ Her Library Adventures on Flea Market Sunday
Erica @ Fashion Recycled on Thrifty Friday
MissieLizzie @ Me and My Shadow on Magpie Monday
See you there and thanks for stopping by!

Postcards from Paris

So this week I don't think I have bought a single thing, been to busy getting my pretimed ebay items ready to list, packing and continuing to perfect my baking skills so nothing to show you. However a week on Monday will be heading off for a month back home in Oxford and have trips to Paris and Amsterdam planned so if you would like a postcard from my travels send your address to:

JeTaimeVintage@hotmail.com

and in the meantime my latest cookies.

Blue Rabbit Cookies

I always thought I was a bit rubbish at this sort of thing, and I am still pretty messy with it all but didn't expect to master cookie icing so quickly, but have ordered some really interesting cookie cutters and lots of techy decorating stuff so when back from my holidays (if I can wait that long to play with them) will be going all out!

Hope you all had a great week and found lots of goodies and wont be giving up blogging while on holiday, I have been getting all my internet finds sent back home over the last 6 months so have a huge stash of goodies, plus will be blogging about my travels so keep in touch and thanks for everyone who reads/follows/writes on my blog, been so much fun over the past year getting to meet some fantastic people-may it continue!

Finds BEFORE My Blog Days!

So I had a shit week. Everything was going well, all on top of my work, looking forward to joining in the new listy thing on Mondays but then....my hard drive dies. Beware those of you with automatic updates as I am not alone-it over loaded hard drive and ended up costing a fortune. I hate Microsoft so much right now. I know hating is not a good word to use but feel its very justified here. So I didn't manage to get much time to go out hunting, I found a few treasures but thought I would also share with you 5 of my best finds before my blogging days.

Vintage 80s Chanel Dress

I was so close to really crapping myself when I saw this dress. It does not fit me, I am far too broad for something so pretty and dainty but tried to photograph all the little features on it! It just feel nice to own one, for now!

30s Navy Crepe Lace Trim Maxi Dress

I don't like using the word Maxi to describe such a nice old piece, it feels too trendy. At the same time what are you supposed to say? Full Length? I don't feel that does this justice either, sounds too stuffy. I love this dress and apart from the tiniest tear on the lace collar its in perfect condition!

Fabric has a nice heaviness to it so drapes very well, a really beautiful fit with all the gathers!

Vintage 40s Stud Smocked Novelty Print Dress

Check out all the stunning details on this beauty! Very unusual little round studs allover bodice, with quirkiest print and really nice original knotted belt...

The wide shaped waistband again fits like only 40s dresses do and these photos do not do it justice!

Vintage 40s 50s? Miami Robes Dress

This piece is a real stunner. I have never got around to repairing the zipper but at some point I will as frozen up and so cant try it on-which is VERY annoying but this one cant be a rush job-its worth much more time invested to try and save current zipper or find a perfect replacement!

Vintage 50s Hawaiian Playsuit

This was and insane bargain and looks unworn, totally mint condition. I wish I could tell you how much these cost but its at the risk of you all hating me and you wont come and visit my blog anymore which would suck.

Now onto my bargains for the week...

60s Floral Embroidered Pink Dress

How cute is this! Love the bright psychedelic flower embroidery, very 60s! The perfect party dress I think!

70s Sheepskin Coat

This is my best find in a while and its all mine. I hate the cold so this thick fully lined coat will keep me warm all winter long and will probably be so conditioned to Australian temperatures that will end up wearing it in Summer back home in England.

Vintage 80s Neon Garden Jumper

Just couldn't say no to this because its just super loud and colourful and warm. I like colourful things!

50s Roulette Bag

Okay so its a little bit tatty, but its so darn cool. It has little pearl counters and rhinestone studs as counters and the fabric looks quite old-must be 40s or 50s. I always appreciate if anyone else knowledge about these things or can correct my dating skills!

Vintage 70s Green Leather Bag

Well its just so disco, I love bright green too! If I happen to go to a 70s disco BBQ I can also take these along....

Vintage 1976 Meat Tenderiser and Seasoner Set

Not sure how much meat will be left after giving it pound with this one but they look cool don't they!

Old Sewing Needles

I say needles like I have more than one in there, I don't-which is a bummer but the packet is still aesthetically pleasing.
And next the reason why I don't like to model clothes over winter??

Vintage 80s Vivian Chan Shaw Jumper

Its just so warm and I cant take it off! I love oversized jumpers, especially in cold weather!

As I enjoy the wonders of not having lost my entire years worth of computer stuff I can now get to see everyone else finds (touch wood) at the weekly blogs of:

Sophie @ Her Library Adventures on Flea Market Sunday
Erica @ Fashion Recycled on Thrifty Friday
MissieLizzie @ Me and My Shadow on Magpie Monday
See you there and thanks for stopping by!

Vintage Deadstock for Winter

I am sure I was missing out on something this weekend, my early morning outings are usually pretty quite, maybe will see another car or 2, but today I was in a traffic queue! I couldn't believe it! I hope it was not too exciting-was asking everyone and not a clue!

Vintage 60s Mod Wool Dress NEW with TAGS

Perfect for winter! A cute little retro wool dress with its original labels!!!! I love a good bit of vintage deadstock, and although its not a terribly upmarket label-its so cute, and wool, and of course in mint condition! Future treasure I am sure!

1930s Beaded Coin Purse

This is a really cute little purse from original owner! Its from the 30s and in really good condition other than slight tarnishing but all beading in place and love the ruching on the inside!

1940s Canns Crepe Dress and 90s Tartan Dress

My bargain of the week, a pretty 40s dress from Canns. Pretty good condition and cost only $15! I love this tartan dress, I think this is a keeper for my wardrobe just because I need new things myself now and again, and I not only keep so little now, but also shrinking the things I actually consider mine to keep too, getting ready for the inevitable move!

POM POM Knit Poncho and New Zealand Jumper

Getting winter things-love this knitted poncho with all the bobbles AND A HOOD. I like stuff with hoods-full outside protection which I am very wimpy over, I cant handle the cold, and I do get a little worried about returning to the UK. Thankfully have an armory of wools, furs and heaps of heavy coats to help me battle through colder days and refined my dressing skills in the last 5 years. The New Zealand jumper just made me laugh, I'm so childish.

Vintage 60s Rainbow Embroidered Rodeo Shirt

Really cool vintage shirt that was being eyed up by lots of the band folk up for Blues Fest but was too small for everyone-sorry boys! I guess its a given considering my obsession with cowboy boots, I love the whole Rodeo thing, I wanted to be Annie Oakley when I was little. I took up riding lessons but gave up as got bored of going round in circles, and realising there was little call in the modern day for catching bandits on horse back and the like.

I can only hope you really do have past lives as I think in the 1800 I was a pirate, in early 1900s I was an explorer late ones a rodeo cowgirl then I could have been the giant woman in the 1920s circus acts, but that would make my current life rather dull.

Vintage Zip Fixer Kit

I don't know if could ever use these which is stupid because for me they are pretty useful, and wish I knew about a modern equivalent but I just love the packaging!

Old Mini Soap Box Cupboard

Nice little dusty old soap box....
.....one day I will put stuff in it.

Rabbit School

So this little set was believed to be long gone. My mum made this for my granny when she was pregnant with me, and made it because my granny used to have a little toy school with rabbits when she was a little girl. Mum found out she had it last time she visited and the only fault is a broken table leg-apparently my fault when I was playing with it. Its all hand made felt animals with so many accessories!

Hope you all had a good weekend and found some goodies of your own! Head over to Sophies site to join in the fun and thanks so much for visiting!