Braving the hordes on Oxenforde Street

What a day it has been. I went, as the title suggests, forth to Oxford Street. On a Saturday. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone, and in fact, it should only be attempted if your shopper ranking is 'professional', and, like me, you have nerves of steel.

Instead of the prescribed Saturday activity of lounging around in pyjamas, watching repeats of Hollyoaks, and not really stirring from the sofa, I had to go out. I had to go and get a box of Charbonnel et Walker champagne truffles. The reasons for this will be explained later - patience, dear reader. Before I left, I had the good sense to check the internetto for stockists of said wares from said chocolatiers. Unless I fancied a jaunt to Mayfair, where there is a dedicated shop, I would have to brave Ox St. So, I gathered my wits about me, plus my handbag, and set off. Following a fruitless search in John Lewis, where, nonetheless, I found myself unable to leave without purchasing the following:

• Acacia blossom honey, one squeezy bottle of, at extortionate cost (but bottle is very pretty)
• Dark chocolate infused with chilli, one large bar of
• Rose petal salve, one very pretty, handbag-sized pot of,

I happened upon Selfridges foodhall. I say 'happened upon', but really I mean had to tramp through 'beauty', 'menswear', 'stationery' and the jewellery section, following all the signs - at one point I thought I had to walk through the back door of Theo Fennell to get the the food, in a kind of secret passage way type of deal, but then I saw the actual entrance. A little disappointed, but still determined, I headed for 'confectionery'. Immediately found the truffles I sought, purchased them and then spent a happy half hour wandering round and being offered free chocolates. 'Would madam like to try a Lindor?' Indeed she would. 'Would madam like to try some Godiva chocolates?' Why, thank you. If you ever are stranded in Oxford Street and start losing the will to live, I urge you to seek refuge in this food hall where the staff are nothing less than generous with luxury food stuff samples.

After that I was off, buying other things. I resisted the urge to buy yet more shoes, but that was really only because I bought some yesterday. The truffles? Oh yes, I said I would explain. I am raising money for the British Heart Foundation's Valentine appeal (in a kind of anti-valentine's stance, you understand), and the truffles are the top prize for an office sweepstake I am running. You can't expect people to just hand over cash without any incentive. Anyway, check the link on the right if you would like to know more about the lovely, selfless people over at the BHF.

Right, am off now to eat some chilli chocolate and apply some salve, somewhere. Until the next time.