About a year ago, I discovered that London's famous Fortnum & Mason department store had just launched its own magazine. As a fan of a) London b) F&M and c) magazines, I soon subscribed. Every single issue has included articles on tea, so while I was delighted when the Summer 2009 issue arrived, I was quite sad to learn this is the last issue. I'm sure it was a purely economic decision just like so many other companies have had to make, but oh, I am going to miss this thrice-yearly arrival in my mailbox!
As a little girl, I was often told by my mother that I had "champagne taste and a beer pocketbook." Well, champagne taste was certainly what this magazine was all about! Why else would I open this new issue and immediately be lusting for a pair of F&M Hunter Boots in their signature blue-green "eau de nil" ("water of the Nile") color? (They'd be about $124, and where would I even wear them if I had them? To water the houseplants?)
Eau de nil is also featured on this Fortnum and Mason wedding cake, and isn't it lovely! If I were a British bride, I would want this very cake!
Eau de nil is the color of this tray in one of the food articles, which includes a feature on "Summer Ices" and a recipe for Green Tea with Earl Grey summer sorbet. I'd like to try it, but first I have to figure out what "liquid glucose" is (and it's not quite the same as our corn syrup, apparently).
Sugar is also the subject of this artwork next to a "books" column. Clever!
But of course it's the tea features I have enjoyed most, such as this article on British teacups and "biscuits" which features the "Royal Doulton 100 Years of Royal Albert Collection" of teacups and saucers.
The magazine also notes that a special exhibit of Herend porcelain was recently held at the store, including an exhibition of 301 handpainted teapots created just for F&M by Herend -- one for each year of the 301-year-old store's life!
I have very fond memories of taking tea in the St. James Restaurant, and it turns out the bone china used in the restaurant is now available for purchase -- for those with champagne taste *and* pocketbooks! Can you see why I'm going to miss this magazine?
Oh, wow what a beautiful store magazine. I can see why you would be so attached and hate giving it up.
ReplyDeleteLiquid glucose is a naturually occuring form of dextrose sweetener made from any of these- corn sugar, grape sugar, honey or vegetable sugars. It just does not crystalize like cornsyrup can, but You can use corn syrup in it's place.
Like you, I have champagne taste on a beer budget. I really hate to see the demise of another nice magazine.
ReplyDeleteThe green "eau de nil" trend is something new to me. It looked like that magazine did have some nice tea theme features. I would love to see all those Herend teapots.
Lovely magazine. It is always sad to see a good magazine close up shop.
ReplyDeleteOh Angela - what a beautiful magazine! It is 'just my style' and funny, my mom had the same expression for me! Well, it doesn't cost anything to look and to dream, does it? I feel very 'rich' when I read the beautifully done British magazines.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of...several newcomers to Newnan made their way to the store and I gave them copies of your magazine and told them of your blog site. Hopefully they will be coming your way!
Have a great weekend,
Joanie
Such eye candy! Sigh..........
ReplyDelete