Every year, as the days draw closer to Christmas, I anticipate a visit to the magnificent Queen Victoria Market, a food market situated close to the heart of Melbourne. And before stepping inside to join the busy throng, I usually stop at Ambiance, a little giftware shop near the market’s front entrance. Ambiance adds glittery Christmas themes to their December display, but I am more interested in the arrangement of ostentatious Venetian masks. 
Ambiance, 509 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, Australia
ALMOST ITALIAN 
What an engaging display, it evokes all sorts of head movies. Just stunning photos Francesca!
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Thanks Peter, I love that shop window- these were from last year. Hope to get down there next week, and tear myself away from Brunswick.
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Stunning!
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Thanks Liz
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I will try and find it next time we are in Melbourne, though I know the Christmas display will not be there. We love going to markets and never miss Victoria Mkt when visiting Melbourne. My holiday table would collapse under the weight if I had all that choice! Lovely photos Francesca. I made your diabolical biscotti yesterday. I should have made a double batch. SO good. I do have to watch my intake of almonds (life is so cruel sometimes!) though, so probably just as well I didn’t. Have a great week.
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That’s great news about the biscotti but also a little sad too. when I do a totally almond, and therefore GF, post, I always think ‘Oh Ardys might like these’/ Yes life is rather cruel. Now about to make another batch for the ‘export ‘ market.
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I sometimes can use hazelnut meal instead of almond meal to switch things up a bit and I’ll bet it would work beautifully in the biscotti recipe. xx
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I looked at the hazelnut meal with similar thoughts yesterday but so much more expensive than almond. I’m just about to make a batch for the freezer… after we sample a few… more.
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And when I shopped for it this week I can no longer find it in the stores 😦
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No, that is so annoying Ardys.
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Ardys, Dale made a batch using LSA mixture, to make up the difference in weight. Now that sounds interesting and healthy too.
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Hazlenut meal is twice the price. I make all these almond things as the big Bas Store in Brunswick sells freshly ground almonds, they grind in the factory next door, for $15 a kilo. So a batch works out at around $3, plus a handful of extra bits…
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I’ve not noticed that shop but doesn’t surprise me as I don’t really look at shops! They are beautiful, I can hear the rustle of ball gowns as they dance the night away!
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It’s the only one I make a point of checking out each year around Christmas time. I love their masks. So exotic.
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What a gorgeous and sparkly display! Have a wonderful and peaceful Chrissy Francesca.
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Thankyou, and you also Lisa. we are enjoying your cardamom shortbread. Another batch is needed.
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Lovely ♡ The window display in the ‘department’ store in town is so dated & uninspiring. I can’t imagine it would entice anyone who wasn’t already going in. Ambiance would no doubt tempt me.
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To tell you the truth, I have never been inside Ambiance. I just go there to photograph the Venetian Masks. Country store windows do need a little shake up.
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How I would love a visit to the market .. that would mean I could be with my family for Christmas! Lovely pics dear Francesca 😃
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