Our next stop was to Jo Malone, parfumier par excellence. Her perfumes include the essence of Provence (among many others) in her French line, sophisticated, attractive scents to die for. I found my signature scent, through a process of mixed essences being rubbed into the skin of the hands. Visiting this elegant little boutique, which now has several branches in the U.S., I was entranced to learn that not too many years ago Jo Malone boiled up the first caldron of flower essence in her own small back kitchen. This lady has come a long, and sweet-smelling way!
In well-known Harrods, the Egyptian escalators and stairwells, with their columns decorated in hieroglyphics, in a venue of virtual pyramids, I found striking and most ecumenical. I was also delighted to find an affordable daisy-decorated raincoat for my granddaughter in that variegated, upscale store.

We stopped in at Shanghai Tang, a fashionable shop reminiscent of old Shanghai. Their "East meets West" fashions feature the fast tailoring service of China merchants.