A Channel Dash for Chanel and other Must Haves

Having been unable to purchase this season's 'must have' nail varnish: Particuliere by Chanel, in the UK,  I was able to take advantage of a cheap cross-channel ferry deal to visit our French renovation project, meet up with friends and check out the 'parfumeries' in nearby Cherbourg.

And after a quick dash to Sephora where I snaffled their last bottle, it was then on to Douglas where I found another - hooray! BTW in both shops the chic assistants popped little perfume and face cream samples in the bag with my purchase, which rarely happens in the UK unless you buy several expensive items. We then drove on further down the coast to our ruin to check up on things, followed by a quick look round the local depot vent (where people leave things for sale and the owners take a commission - rather like a dress agency in the UK). Except that most depot vents sell anything and everything from domestic appliances to furniture, as well as second hand books, magazine collections, antiques and 'collectables'.) We managed to arrive at our friend's house where we were staying the night, in nice time for an aperitif before a hearty supper of chorizo and bean stew, with my speciality of walnut and Roquefort salad to follow. Our friend had been making meringues all afternoon but they were failing to cook properly inside due to her new oven playing up. So she just opened a tin of chestnut puree, added cream and whipped them together in a sort of melted Mont Blanc dessert. Oh so yummy! No pics of the meal due to the quality (and OK, quantity) of the wine consumed. But the next morning I took some photos of her charming and eclectic interior decoration.

Madonnas on the mantelpiece

No Hymns slated on the kitchen door - just supper

Where do these stairs lead?

The attic where this lady lives!

Now down again to...

Les toilettes!

A charming corner between the wine rack and...

The window - a perfect snapshot of French country life

As we left our dear friend's home to make for Cherbourg and the return crossing, the weather was surprisingly warm and sunny - quite spring-like in fact. So we decided to sit outside a sweet quayside cafe for a leisurely lunch before sailing.

Look at the choices on the 'dish of the day' menu. I was very tempted by the oysters (huitres) at 6 for 7 euros or 12 for the even bigger bargain of 13 euros. But with an 'r' in the month there was only one choice for us - moules frites! I chose Moules Creme and Mr EM chose the classic Mariniere.

And with two bottles of the precious Particuliere safely snaffled, I was able to show off my nails:

And let me tell you - Particuliere is NOT matt grey - it's a very nice and chic, glossy chocolate brown - a perfect foil for the neutrals and nude colours shown in the Spring/Summer 2010 fashion collections.

So what was the other 'must have' on this trip?

Patisserie - and not just any patisserie but the patisserie de nos jours - MACARONS!

12 flavours to choose from - so of course I had to have "chaque a une" - one of each!

- Fin -