An afternoon of Vogue @100....

With London Fashion week in full swing, one of the must exhibits to see between shows is the celebration of Vogues 100th birthday at the National Portrait Gallery.
Vogue launched its first magazine in the UK in 1916 and has continued to be the most aspirational, and fashion leading magazine.  US Vogue's Anna Wintour is still one of the most influential women in fashion and most models & celebrities see the pinnacle of their career when they grace the front cover of Vogue . This exhibit showcases some of their iconic covers to its absolute best.
The exhibition is staged over several rooms, with each room having its own purpose or decade.
On entering the exhibition you are met by library stripes of vogue covers in glorious technicolour, seeing how the pencil drawn fashion covers evolved to the leading styled images of today.

Vogue 100: A Century of Style features work by many of the leading photographers, including Cecil Beaton, Lee Miller, Irving Penn and Snowdon. 

More recent pictures by celebrated photographers David Bailey, Corinne Day, Patrick Demarchelier, Nick Knight, Herb Ritts, Mario Testino, Tim Walker and Albert Watson are also included.

Some of my favourites include a fab image of the fab 4 The Beetles commissioned by Diane Vreeland and photographed by Peter Laurie in 1964.

Multiple images of Kae Moss feature including the iconic Brit Pop knicker flashing image by Mario Testino in 2008.

My favourite room was the 1990's and the fabulous Supermodel shoot whch featured 4 models that are still in great demand today: Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Cambell and Christy Turlington.

A Vogue exhibition would not be complete without an image of the late Princess Diana who graced vogues cover on at least 4 occasions; shot predominately by Patrick Demarchelier the image is stunning.

I thoroughly enjoyed this exhibition and is a must for fans of fashion, photography, styling and British  history. My afternoon was complete with another British institution of cream tea in the cafe crypt at the Gallery.

Tea & treats at Harvey Nicks

Last Saturday I spent a fun afternoon with friends having fun, shopping and a spot of afternoon tea.

The venue was Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge and was a belated birthday treat from my friend C.
 Due to my friends ill health in the 2nd half of last year it hadn't been possible for us to get there, so decided on January when we could coordinate diaries.

On previous visits the restaurant at Harvey Nicks has been located away from the 5th floor food court in a lovely area. I was a little disappointed to see when we arrived that it has been relocated to an area adjacent to Yo Sushi and the Bar. The space is quite small and the tables are very near each other; not somewhere that lends itself to a leisurely ladies that lunch or afternoon tea. HN's have a small balcony seating area and we asked to be-seated there as we thought it would be a little quieter and relaxing. The only downside to this was that it is a smoking area, but we were quite fortunate that we were only bothered by this at the beginning of our tea as the large young male party that were drinking left before our tea arrived.

We opted for the classic afternoon tea, sandwiches, scones & pastries, also include were some mini quiches, which were delicious, and a sweet pineapple baba type dessert.
The tea was nice, my favourites being the quiche and the scones. The sandwiches and pastries were nice, but think Nicks is trying to be too adventurous with what should be a classic tea.
The service was excellent and the team couldn't have been more attentive. Seated under a heater, it was still a little chilly and the only thing that was lacking was the option of a blanket/throw to place on your lap / shoulders.
We still enjoyed is and we laughed lots and it was lovely to catchup.

An Autumnal walk along the River...

Last week saw the Autumn equinox begin and by far this is my favourite season.

Determined to enjoy the glorious weather that descended upon us last weekend along with spending some time at the Rugby I opted to walk to Twickenham along the river on the Thames path.
This was a first for me and had been on my "to do" list for sometime.
The day was glorious and this was reflected in the number of people taking advantage of the late summer sunshine on the banks of the river at Richmond.

Along with boats, canoes, and kayaks on the water, there were lots of rowing clubs in action for the afternoon. It was fascinating to see how local people utilise the banks of the river for their personal use for 2 legs & furry 4 legs!
 Lots of 'keep fit' activities  running and cycling and even a spot of yoga.
Half way along the trail to Twickenham I detoured slightly to visit Petersham nurseries, which along with selling the most glorious array of plants, houses within a suite of vintage greenhouse structures a cafe and teahouse. The perfect place to stop for a spot of tea and cake!
I opted for wholemeal apple cake which was amazing.

The nursery gardens were in abundant with glorious autumnal blooms, my favourite being the beds of Dhalias.
One of my favourite flowers which are making a huge revival over the past year. My Gramps would have loved these, he always had a huge bed of these at the end of the garden in amongst the rose bushes.




Leaving the glorious gardens behind I headed back out on the trail towards Twickenham.
Instead of walking down further along the trail I opted to cross the river by the small ferry boat which you call from a small deck on the river bank.

I had lots of fun walking along a part of Thames that I had not explore before.
A very lovely way to get to the Rugby and enjoy the autumnal sunshine.

There are a number of trails along this pathway and next year I am going to explore a few further.

Birthday Tea at The Ham Yard Hotel

Autumn last year The Ham Yard Hotel in the midst of Soho started getting a name for itself as the "it" hotel of the season. It's fair to say the that this hotel was soon added to my "London Loves List".

Nestled in a courtyard, this hotel alongside, bars and outdoor dining create the Ham yard village. It's hard to believe that you are a stone's throw away from Piccadilly Circus and the heart of Mayfair as the courtyard space creates a complete urban village feel.

The courtyard consists of a tree filled garden, with a stunning bronze sculpture as its centrepiece. The hotel itself blends itself into the surrounding features in a cacophony of glass and steel, inside the hotel you are greeted with a rainbow of colours, textures and styles. The Ham Yard features many unique experiences including a very funky bar, a fabulous 50's retro bowling alley, theatre/cinema along with a spa, roof terrace and gym.

I had afternoon tea booked and was escorted through the bar and restaurant into the drawing room space and was seated alongside the conservatory. The space is beautifully lit from the natural skylights of the conservatory and was a gorgeous space to just relax and unwind.

The Ham Yard's tea package is really good value and allows you the option to add signature plates to the menu as you wish. I opted for the standard tea (menu changes weekly) which is a selection of afternoon savouries, cakes & scones with clotted cream & jam. All were presented on a beautiful glass cake stand which complemented the tea set perfectly.

Service and food were great, attentive when required but discreet enough to truly relax and enjoy both the environment and food.
As with Claridges I was surprised with a birthday plate complete with cute cupcake, candle and strawberries, the lovely diners surrounding me all stopped and sung happy birthday which was equally as embarrassing as it was lovely.

Alongside where I was sitting I watched the team set up the room for a private afternoon tea party, the room looked stunning when finished, The tea table looked stunning along with a beautiful fruit/flower decorated naked cake, perfect for the baby shower which was later hosted in the room.

There was so many areas of The Ham Yard that I loved, however think my absolute favourite area was the beautiful library lounge… 

I could easily have lost myself in this space for a couple of hours. Kit Kemp has done an amazing job on the interior of this hotel which sits under the Firmdale Hotels umbrella and hope to visit again later this year. The New York equivalent has been added to my "New York Musts List" It has firmly been added to me London Loves list and one that I look forward to re-visiting.

Chelsea Flower Show - flowers & fauna

Part two of my afternoon adventures at Chelsea Flower Show concentrates on the big white tent otherwise known as the Great Pavilion.
The Great Pavilion is 11,775 square metres,(2.9 metres) and big enough to park 500 London buses!
In previous visits I have often been a little overwhelmed in the great pavilion due to the volume of people, however this year it was much easier to walk around and view the exhibits.
There was so many exhibits and I took lots of photo's, here are some of my favourite's;

As previously blogged from the show gardens, vintage and old flowers had a huge revival at this years chelsea and I definitely swayed towards these this year. They evoke so many memories both visually and through their scents of so many fabulous moments in my Gramps's garden and allotment.
The greenhouse showcasing the vintage flask, and gardening tools bought a big lump to the throat and tear to eye as this could have been lifted from my nan and granddads house, especially filled with the scent of tomatoes ... The clematis along the shed and trellis was just gorgeous and my nan would have adored it.

Roses are a huge draw for me, and no-one does roses quite like David Austin, however roses were used showcased across many stands and the beautiful display in amongst the ruins of an old building reminded me of the lovely abbey gardens in Bury St Edmunds.
Another area of the Pavilion that I loved was the Best Hotel Floristry exhibit, the mix of roses, teacups and books was a huge hit for me, however my favourite was the gold medal winner from the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel. showcasing a traditional afternoon tea alongside stunning tea roses in hues of tea, cream and red...
Interflora took the whole tea theme to a completely different level with giant teapot, cups, cupcakes and huge jammie dodgers!!
Delicious x

Whilst walking around the pavilion I spotted Carol Klein filming a segway for that evenings BBC show against the backdrop of a bed of beautiful irises and a gorgeous artists studio.
The marks and spencer's stand showcased all types of flowers in hues of pinks and meaves. The wall of sweet williams and the peonies in teacups was delightful.
Another little garden space I adored was the cute little hut in a garden of lupins, and irises, a real cottage garden feel.
This really was a Chelsea Flower show that ticked all my boxes and one that my nan & gramps would have loved.
Thank-you to all the exhibitors and the hard work and dedication that went into staging such a beautiful show. Congratulations to all the winners, much deserved.
... Looking forward to next year.

Afternoon Tea ~ Mr Selfridge style

Last Friday I took 2 special older ladies for a spot of afternoon tea Mr Selfridge style followed by an evening at the theatre.
Tea was hosted in the beautiful Corner restaurant at Selfridges.
The Corner is a restaurant situated on the 2nd floor tucked in the corner overlooking Oxford Street. It has an old school art deco glamour feel about it, and is perfect for lunch, afternoon tea or dinner.

Menu for tea includes:

• Freshly prepared finger sandwiches: Egg and mustard cress, Coronation chicken, Cucumber and cream cheese.
• Pulled salt beef, potato bread and sauce gribiche, Rye and pumpernickel crisp bread, whipped  goats cheese and beetroot and Smoked salmon blini, lobster and caper mayonnaise.
• Freshly baked scone topped with Cornish clotted cream, raspberry jam and lemon curd
• Black Forest top hat,  Raspberry and rose water éclair, Toasted banana and coconut bread with caramelised banana.
• A pot of Selfridges Selection tea. (Champagne optional extra)

The Tea was gorgeous, perfect homage to some Selfridge favourites; salt beef, and the lemon curd along with the banana bread were my favourites. The service was great and the perfect unwind for a Friday afternoon. Highly recommended, and the perfect  precursor to an evening at the theatre.

Wednesday Words ~ September

After a summer hiatus I am back with the reads that have been keeping me entertained throughout my commute under London and lazing in the park under a tree!

• Lucy Diamond ~ One Night in Italy - 3 women's lives collide when they meet at an Italian evening class; Anna who leads a relatively dull life, with a relatively dull boyfriend accidently discovers that her father may be Italian.... this embarks Anna on embracing her 'Italian' heritage whilst she seeks to find him. Sophie has spent the last decade travelling the globe. Whilst serving gelato in Italy she gets a call to say that her father is seriously ill, and its time for her to head home. Catherine finds herself home alone, when the kids fly the nest to Uni and husband shacks up with mistress!.... An Italian evening class brings the 3 together where they discover new friendships, secrets and a love of Italian!.... thoroughly enjoyed this book and the characters in it. I laughed lots as I shared the journey that these 3 ladies took. It also got me researching weekend adventures in Italy!...'magnifico!'
• Katie Fforde ~ A French Affair - Gina and Sally are sisters that inherit a stall in an antiques centre called The French House from their Aunt Rainey. Aunt Rainey is a little eccentric and sets some rules to the inheritance, which will be over seen by the owner Matthew. Matthew is a little staid in thinking and the girls embark on a journey to generate business and get Matthew thinking a little different. This book was an easy read, no great surprises, but a fun delve into the world of vintage treasures.. a great gift for anyone who is obsessed with antiquing daytime TV shows!
• Karen Swan ~ The Summer without you - Rowena and Matt have been together for years, before finally embarking on marriage & kids  Matt chooses to take 6 months out and travel through Asia. Rowena who is a professional photographer embarks on her own journey where she finds herself in The Hamptons in a house share ... a huge change from her cottage in the suburbs of London after a chance encounter at a wedding. Here she finds her own adventure along with questioning her longevity of her relationship with Matt.  I loved this book, Karen Swan is becoming one of my favourite authors. The supporting characters are just as great as Rowena and their summer in the Hamptons. As with Karen's previous books it made me lust as much about the setting as the characters.... actively researching a stay in the Hamptons!
• The Best Thing that never happened to me ~ Laura Tait & Jimmy Rice - Debut novel written by 2 friends, sharing one story from 2 perspectives ... Alex and Holly have been friends since they were 11, sharing love, laughter, and friendship through their teens... the book flips between the 2 spanning from present day back to 1999. Having lost touch when Holly moves to London from Yorkshire, they find themselves again when Alex moves to London as a teacher. Reminiscent to David Nicholls One Day this book is a gorgeous story of First Loves, Second Chances and lots of cross wires!.... loved both characters and really didn't want it to end.
• The Teashop on the Corner ~ Milly Johnson - the teashop on the corner run by Leni becomes a impromptu meeting point for Carla, Molly and Will... Carla discovers her husbands secrets on the day of his funeral, Molly's ex-husband re-appears trying to make amends for his wrongs and Will's wife walks out on him when his business goes bust... all find themselves looking for comfort, friendship and support in a place they least expect. I really enjoyed this book the main characters along with the supporting cast are lovely. Every corner should have a Tea shop like the one run by Leni... who along with the others has her own heartbreak and surprises.
• The Silkworm ~ Robert Galbraith - another gripping mystery for Comoran Strike from JK Rowling. Cormoron is asked to investigate the disappearance of an author from his long suffering wife. Quine has been known to go off for a few days, however when he is found brutally murdered, the publishing world is awash with rumours of slanderous manuscripts, who has silenced the author? ... Loved this book JK sucks you into a world of darkness, murder and mystery at every chapter. This book is dark, compulsive and a complete page turner. Always amazes me where JK's imagination goes to write the stories that she does... graphically descriptive, compulsive storyline and a wounded hero that you just love. Assisted by Robin his temporary assistant  Cormoran embarks on the 2nd biggest investigation of his career. It takes you from the glamour of Bloomsbury to the seedy streets of Soho. This is a fabulous thriller from start to finish. I cannot wait for the next instalment. Robert Galbraith is the pseudonym of JK Rowling, and any editor that passed up the first book The Cuckoo's calling must be kicking themselves.. Her narrative is as descriptive as any HP novel and she has created a character that will make the adult population rooting and willing him to succeed in the same way that every child did with Harry.... Bravo JK.

As you can see I've read a an eclectic mix this month and enjoyed them all. Here are my previous Wednesday words posts of books read this year. I am thrilled that I will be meeting 2 of the authors favoured in todays post at a book event later this month; Karen Swan and Lucy Diamond along with Jane Green. Pop back  at the end of next week when I share my evening of literary fun with Karen, Lucy & Jane. 

World Cup Widows....

Its seems that football fever has taken over the UK and over the coming 5 weeks the World Cup will cause more arguments, influence peoples lives and be the main topic of conversation in offices, by water coolers and in pubs across the nation.
 .... it seems that the only conversation in the office is of a footballing nature and my daily job is to update the wall planner as the final whistle blows!...

 

So, this got me thinking of all the benefits that the world cup has to offer us ladies!.. here's a few of my suggestions

• Chick Flick Cinema ~ plan your visit to coincide with a popular game, the road's are empty and 2 hours of uninterrupted bliss watching a great movie or chick flick, here's what's grabbed my attention in the releases over the world cup period:
• Jersey Boys - this is one of the best theatre musicals in the west end, and pleased to see it hit the big screen, a fascinating story, and one you will know all the songs to!
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• Devils Knot - This gripping film is based on the true story of the murder of three young boys in West Memphis, Ark.Three young boys playing in the nearby woods never come home for dinner. starring Colin Firth & Reece Witherspoon... a gripping viewing.
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• The Fault in Our Stars - this heartbreaking film is based on an award winning novel Hazel and Gus are two teenagers.Their relationship is all the more miraculous given that Hazel's other constant companion is an oxygen tank, Gus jokes about his prosthetic leg, and they met and fell in love at a cancer support group.
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• and finally one that will have the nation as divided as the football!... Walking on Sunshine is like Mamma Mia meets the 80's. Set in southern Italy, after a whirlwind romance, Maddie is preparing to marry gorgeous Italian Raf, and has invited her sister Taylor to the wedding. Unbeknownst to Maddie, however, Raf is Taylor's ex-holiday flame, and the love of her life..
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• Afternoon Tea ~ especially for those afternoon games, for something a little different  in London check out these Pimms Cocktail Chocolate , Wimbledon Afternoon Tea, or from the Shard viewing the Landscape of London
• Beauty Hall Treats ~ check out your local department store, lot's are hosting beauty event evenings during the tournament.
• Theatre ~ lot's of theatres are offering discount tickets, some London theatres from £10 a ticket..
• Shop the Sales ~ most retailers have gone into sale early to compete... check
• Grab a good book or visit the library,curl up with a coffee, chocolate & a book... mmm heaven .If you can't bet them then join them with a footballing romp of a read.
• I am the Secret Wag - behind the scenes of life as a footballers wife... which England football player's wag has written this?  
• Wags at the World Cup -  this is the very funny, very silly tale of Tracie Martin - Wag extraordinaire - who gets herself into the most astonishing amount of trouble in Brazil while following her husband - a coach to the England team - in the 2014 tournament
• The Beautiful Game -  there's a lot more to being a WAG than holidays, heels, hair extensions and handbags. In the cut-throat world of Premiership football, it's not just a game of two halves - it's survival of the fittest. And some will go to any lengths to stay at the top... 
• Blog hop.... follow 10 new blogs that you find hopping during the football... we all know how we can loose hours whilst blogging!
• Grab a picnic and escape to the park to lay in the sunshine, drink Pimms and relax.
• Alternatively if all these fail, grab a box set and loose yourself for a few hours in escapism I am planning on revisiting Greys Anatomy from the beginning, as Dr McDreamy can brighten any dull evening for me... how delicious is he!!
  
  
  
  
  
   

Grosvenor House ChocolateTea

Juggling lots of project work during May at work has meant that downtime has been limited. With this in mind I pre-planned a couple of things away from my desk to ease the stress and aid relaxation. One of the treats booked was a late Friday afternoon tea at the Grosvenor House hotel. Famed for its ballroom, this was my first visit to this legendary location along Park Lane.

As blogged many times, afternoon tea is a luxurious treat that I try to do often.
Tea is served in the Park Room overlooking Park Lane and Hyde Park. With a choice of tables I opted to sit adjacent to the windows where I could enjoy views both inside and out. The Park room is a relaxed space, with tables set against sofa & armchair like seating, styled in a way that you don't feel on top of each other.
At the time of my visit Grosvenor |House had collaborated with artisan chocolatier Paul A Young to host a chocolate afternoon tea.

Comprising of:

MENU

Selection of Delicate Finger Sandwiches;

Cucumber and Venezuelan Chocolate Sandwich

 Loch Fyne Smoked Scottish Salmon with Cream Cheese

and Dill Chopped Ham with Somerset Cheddar Mustard Mayonnaise,

 Clarence Court Free Range Eggs with Mayonnaise and Cress

Coldwater Prawns with Marie Rose Sauce

Roast Scottish Beef with Creamed Horseradish

Smoked Chicken with Tarragon 
Home Made Scones with Devonshire Clotted Cream

& Paul A Young’s Award Winning Sea Salted Caramel 
Assortment of Tantalising Afternoon Tea Pastries

 Cocoa Shortcake Biscuit with Madagascan Chocolate Ganache Scented with English Rose and Raspberries

 Earl Grey Tea Chocolate Tart with Salted Lemon Truffle Orange,

English Honey and Geranium Ganache Battenburg

Pistachio and Raspberry Slice 
Speciality Tea Blend  Madagascan Cocoa Nib Tea 
Paul A. Young’s Chocolate Truffles Sea Salted Caramel

 Passion Fruit Curd

85% Classic Ecuadorian Truffle 

The tea was lovely, the pistachio and raspberry slice was gorgeous. The sea salted caramel sauce and scones were melt in the mouth delicious.

 As with all afternoon teas, service is incredibly important part of the experience. Unfortunately GH service let me down on this day. It was an amalgamation of lots of things which culminated in me having to find someone to take my payment. I am usually someone who never complains, chalking up poor experiences as one of life's lessons. I have only ever complained once about poor service and that was in writing to Fortnum's & Mason after a poor tea experience during the jubilee. As I was leaving GH I bumped into the manager, who could see I was a little unhappy. He was fantastic, refunding my bill immediately whilst listening to my experience of tea. He has also invited me back to experience a tea at another time, which I will do later this year, as I would like to believe that this was a one off for a hotel as prestigious as Grosvenor House.
TCakes Afternoon Tea stars:
Tea ****
Ambience ****
Service **

Afternoon Tea ~ London Style

This weeks London loves follow my New York loves last week. Afternoon Tea is synonymous with London and its hotels. Its one of my favourite ways to escape from the hustle and bustle of London life and the stresses of work. There is nothing as lovely than sitting down for tea, cakes & sandwiches in a relaxing environment, chatting with friends or chilling with a good book.

I have since I worked in London sipped Afternoon tea in many sumptuous locations. Here are 5 of my favourites.

Claridges
Claridges Afternoon tea is utterly divine, from the moment the doorman sweeps you into the grand foyer you are transported into a world where your every whim is catered for. The tea served on Claridges iconic teal stripe china is gorgeous. Here is a post from my visit, when I was taken for a birthday treat and had a fabulous time.
One Aldwych
This very modern & funky hotel was a new venue for me last year and a pleasant surprise. I visited for their Charlie & Chocolate factory inspired tea. The service, ambience and tea were delightful. The tea is clever, inspirational and so much fun, thoroughly recommend for anyone who is either a Roald Dahl fan or a chocolate fan.
The Berkeley
This is an old established hotel in Kensington which serves the perfect tea for any fashionista The Berkeley launched its Pret-a-Portea  a few years ago and its a huge hit with the ladies. Sited in the Caramel rooms in the Berkeley and served on bright funky china. This seasons tea features miu miu, Victoria Beckham & Christian Louboutin. I have visited this hotel twice for tea and loved both times.

Peggy Porschen Parlour
This parlour in a Belgravia side street is a treat and perfect for a spot of tea & cake. Peggy's doesn't serve the full afternoon tea, but it does serve fabulous tea & cake, perfect for a detour when shopping in the city. Here is a post from a previous visit.
The Savoy
One of my favourites, I have been many times and never been disappointed. One of the most iconic and established hotels in London, as you sweep through the revolving doors you are transported into a time and world filled with glamour, decadence and luxury. Had a fabulous time and tea here in November celebrating a 70th birthday.
As with previous posts I have plotted a little map of where these are in London... I hope that you sip, savour and enjoy. x

My tea list is always growing, on my wish list for this year are The Goring, The Connaught Hotel, The Shard, Balthazar and The Wolseley..............What are your favourites or recommendations.

Afternoon Tea - New York Style

Today's New York loves features Tea. It's not the first thing that you think of doing on a visit to New York, as coffee is much more favoured. There are some great places and its becoming a much sort after way to stop & relax for an hour in the city that doesn't sleep. I have picked a mix of venues as it would be easy to list 5 hotels, however on my travels I have stumbles across some fun & quirky venues.

Most of the big hotels offer Afternoon tea, or High tea as it is often called in the city. My favourites of these is of course The Plaza. Twenty years ago on my first visit to NY I stayed in this fabulous hotel prior to it becoming private apartments and suites. The Palm Court where tea is served is sumptuous, decadent and very 'old school' New York and was completely wasted on a girl in her early 20's!... I am looking forward to returning this year for tea when I visit in December.
There are a few Tea shops which have popped up over the city in the last few years. Tea & Sympathy is a cute little tea shop and store in the heart of Greenwich Village. It sells everything British, which I am sure the ex-pats living in New York must love, and serves a great cup of tea, cake & cucumber sandwich. Its straight out of a 40's style tuck shop and a huge hit with new Yorkers who love a slice of Britain.
My next Tea stop is Sanctuary T Restaurant which is located in Soho on the corner of Grand and Broadway. This restaurants menu is styled around Tea and offers a huge range of Teas from across the world. With is minimal styling, it really is a Tea sanctuary. Perfect place to stop, sit and savour a relaxing cup of tea whilst pounding the streets of the city. With great brunch & dinner menu's is not just an afternoon tea stop.
Alice's Tea Cup has a 3 venues across the city. If Alice in Wonderland could have created a tea shop then this would have been it. Its like a curiosity shop filled with gorgeous scones & fabulous tea.
Here are my thoughts from a previous visit. Perfect little curiosity shop for afternoon tea, for big and little girls.

Finally my tea room of choice, is the gorgeous 7th floor restaurant in Bergdorf & Goodman, also known as BG's. Situated on 5th avenue and with fabulous views across Central Park, its a perfect place to stop and refresh if you are a lady that lunches or shops!
I have mapped my tea venues in New York, some of these may need to be booked in advance. Pop back in a fortnight and I will share my coffee loves of the city.

Cats & Cake!

In the last month a fab little cafe has opened in East London and last week I got to spend a couple of hours there with two of my favourite things; Cats & Cake!  Lady Dinahs Cat Emporium is located a stones throw from Brick Lane on the Bethnal Green Road. It is a 2 story cafe, which is a huge cat toy, all spaces have been created with the welfare of the cats in mind. It houses 11 rescue cats, details of all can be found here which are adorable, who spend the day playing in a huge cat house.
Such has been the enthusiasm for this emporium that all slots are fully booked until July.

It's very well organised, with 2 hour slots available for creams teas, savouries and cake. Access to the parlour is through a secure room where the 'kitty' rules are briefed along with hand washing and sanitisation. Food is prepared in a separate area, which ensures that both the welfare of the customers and the cats are met.

My cream tea was lovely, plenty of jam & cream and a tea pot big enough for 2 good cups of tea, great value and lots of fun with the cats.  The cats have lounge posts in the window, where they bask in the sunshine and draw lots of crowds from passers by. its a fun place which looks like its going to be a huge success.
The team are both helpful and knowledgable of both the menu and the cats. It's a fun place which looks like its going to be a huge success.

Goodbye 2013... hello 2014.

As 2013 draws to a close its time for me to look back on my favourite moments. Its this point of the year when I look back that I realise how much I have done, what places I have been and the fab times that I have spent with loved ones.
All I can say is thankyou for blogging as my memory definitely isnt what it used to be!....
Here are 13 of my favourite things from 2013...

• Afternoon Tea at Claridges  last Christmas I received Afternoon Tea at Claridges at a gift. In March we went and had a lovely time. The venue, service and tea were fabulous... a perfect gift!
• Rugby Masterclass  Back in April  Jonny Wilkinson pulled on his Rugby shorts for the last time at Twickenham and I was there, front row to witness such delights!... a masterclass of perfection in so many ways!!! 
• Hollywood & Dames This year I was lucky enough to meet the lovely blue-eyed Paul Hollywood at a Bread masterclass and in the same evening watch one of Theatres Dames on stage - the fabulous Judi Dench.
• A day of Chocolate  one of the most inventive and fun afternoon teas that I have had along with an evening at the theatre with Charlie & Chocolate factory... a delicious treat for all senses.
• Summer theatre in the Park  Regents park became a firm favourite during the summer ... an evening watching To Kill a Mockingbird and Pride & Prejudice were two of my highlights on a summers evening.
• An evening with the Buble  a fab evening with friends old & new watching the supreme showman Michael Buble. An absolute joy ....
• Tea at the House  a behind the scenes tour a tea in the Houses of Parliament were fun, informative and a history lesson al in one go.
• Birthday with Bestie  co-ordinated diaries allowed for me to spend a fun day in London with Bestie, we laughed (lots) walked, gossiped, oogled and pretended we were both 14 again instead of 4*!!... 
• Pride & Prejudice and 2 kittens!... Fitzwilliam & Darcy came to live with me in July, 2 mischievous and naughty Kittens... so not like their namesake Mr Darcy!... 200 years after Jane Austen wrote the classic!
•  Hadley at the Hall  girl crushes don't abate even in you 40's!... Tony Hadley at the Albert hall was pure class, he crooned, rocked & balleted through the classics & 80's!
• The Savoy & a Songstress  a fabulous afternoon tea at The Savoy with two 70 year old ladies who have more energy than myself, followed by an evening watching a songstress Beverley Knight in The Bodyguard was pure class throughout.
• Thanksgiving with Friends  a new tradition for Teresa... Thanksgiving dinner with special friends... thankful for all. wishing them happier and healthier 2014 as December prooved to be worrying and unwell ... much love xx
• Christmas in Paris  A day in Paris during Christmastime was delightful, filled with sweet treats, lights and fun.

2013 has been fun, I got out and about lots, I loved exploring London in the sunshine (yes we did have a summer!) relaxing in the park with a good book, spending time with loved ones.  The Uk had Royal baby fever, we saw a Brit win Wimbledon for the 1st time in 60 years, and the Lions bet the Southern Hemisphere in the rugby.I look forward to seeing what 2014 will bring.
Looking forward to 2014....

• I would like to be more organised with life, blogging, and home.
• I hope to blog more (hoping my new wireless keyboard will assist with blogging on an ipad) and bring a little structure to my monthly posts. (more to come of this)
• Spend quality time with loved ones.... simple works for me as well as special treats... 
• A decade on from loosing a very special lady in my life I hope to mark this anniversary with love, memories and laughter across the pond.

A day of treats pt 3.....

After feasting on a fabulous tea it was time to spend a couple of hours at the theatre. M & M have wanted ever since it came to the stage to see the Bodyguard. Fortunately I managed to get 3 tickets in the stalls for half price. The best thing about the booking was that Beverley Knight has recently taken over the lead role in the musical which was an added bonus. She to me has never got the credit deserved for one of Britain's best female soul singers.
The trailer details just how much of Whitneys back catalogue is showcased in this musical... BK is phenomenal

The musical sticks to the premise of the film, with Tristam Gamble playing Frank Farmer the
Bodyguard as eloquently as Kevin Costner ...however the young actor who plays Fletcher the son nearly steals the show on a couple of occasions.

This musical bought back so many memories for me. The film hit the cinema right at the height of my greatest love affair and the soundtrack was never far from my CD player!... It was one of my Nans favourite films and she would have loved the stage show, but would have been delighted that I went with 2 such special ladies. My closest friends will understand the irony of it all, and not one that I can share on here!!!!... We had a fab night which finished with us rocking in the aisles to I wanna dance with somebody.

A day of treats....pt2

The Savoy is one of the nicest and glamorous hotels in London. It has become one of my most favourite over the years which is why when we started discussing where to celebrate Mary's 70th birthday this was at the top of my list.
The Savoy mixes that old school glamour of the Hollywood years and British class.
On arrival you can't help be swept away by the beautiful art deco surroundings, the perfectly tailored doormen and the luxury cars and taxis sweeping up the drive. Even with the drizzle of rain we couldn't help but be swept away by it all.

As we entered the revolving doors you are swept into a different world, away from the hustle & bustle of London to a world of glamour, peace, and made to feel very special.
Tea is served in the Thames foyer, under a stunning Art Deco glass domed ceiling, complete with winter gazebo, serenaded by a pianist and a baby grand piano. Even with the hotel being busy, there is a feeling of calm and peace. A credit to the staff & team who deliver amazing service and make you feel very special.

The tea has many servings... Sandwiches, Scones, pastries and sliced cake, all complimented by a huge pot of tea!... The sandwiches were a selection of smoked & poached salmon, cucumber & tomato, coronation chicken, ham, and egg & Japanese caviar. The scones which just melt in the mouth were complimented with thick Cornish cream, raspberry jam & lemon curd.
The pastry tray was a feast for the senses, I chose pineapple cheesecake, chocolate torte and a raspberry & earl grey macaron.

We passed on the cake trolley as we were all stuffed, but all looked delicious. Prior to the pastry tray The waitress had picked up that we were celebrating a birthday and presented her with a little birthday plate, complete with candle!
We all had a fabulous afternoon a perfect treat, service and surroundings were delightful.

Halloween tea...

As most of you know I am partial to an afternoon tea and on Halloween I decided to treat myself to a little trick of a tea for Halloween. A number of hotels hosted Halloween tea this year and I chose the tea rooms at The Royal Horseguards . The hotel is tucked away between Whitehall & Embankment and is a gorgeous old fashioned hotel.
The tea came with the usual sandwiches & scones, along with mini tuna melts & savoury stuffed profiteroles, Halloween cakes, cake pops & candy floss.  The tea was fun and perfect or us big kids who can't 'trick or treat'. My only disappointment was service wasn't great.

I would visit the hotel again as he huge sofas by the fireplace would be a perfect retreat after a bracing walk along the river in winter, complete with a large hot chocolate.

Tea at the House

During the summer when everyone is on their holidays a number of venues in London open their doors for us to visit. The last couple of years my venue of choice has been Buckingham palace. This year I chose to go to the Houses of Parliament, Palace of Westminster, especially after I saw they were doing a trip which included afternoon tea in one of the rooms overlooking the Thames.
I haven't even been inside as was a little fascinated to see what it would be like. All visits are timed which allows a guide to take a manageable number of people around in an orderly way, as even though the MP's are on holiday the rest of the workforce are still going about their daily routine.
The building is beautiful with all its ornate carvings and is a work of art. Designed by Charles Barry the building is now Grade 1 listed. ( for those interested in reading some more here is some history on this iconic building) After going through a number of security checks I was granted access into the grounds leading into the Great Westminster Hall. This is one of the few places that you can take photo's, the stain glass windows were beautiful and very big!..

The tour takes you through St Stephens Hall, into the Central Lobby, Robing room, Royal Gallery and House of Lords before crossing back through the Central Lobby to the Commons Corridor, Members lobby and House of Commons Chamber. The tour was fascinating, wall to wall history throughout, stunning artwork and architecture.

3 things fascinated me, how small the House of Commons and the House of Lords are. That when watching PM questions, the MPs aren't always leaning back in their seats asleep, speakers are built in the backs of the seats so that they can hear everything!! And the different and various commemorations in the great hall are honoured as brass plaques on the floor, including Guy Fawkes, Nelson Mandela receiving and replying to the state, the Queens 3 jubilee commemorations, Queen Mum and Winston Churchill lying in State.
After the tour I was taken to the Pugin room, through the library for some afternoon tea. The room overlooked the Thames and was named after the interior designer who decorated a number of rooms through the Palace.

The tea was lovely, a mixture of sandwiches, mini deserts and scones complete with cream &
jam. The sandwiches were small in size (each one was slightly bigger than a canape) but they were sufficient. The sandwiches were: Ham with chilli jam; smoked salmon 
and cream cheese; and chicken, with peppers and avocade guacamole.  The sweets consisted of sultana scones with jam and clotted cream; valrhona chocolate delice and a lemon meringue shot. Although it did not look like a lot of food, it was beautifully  presented and actually very filling. The Pugin Room itself is stunning as were the views from the window. Tea was topped up frequently and the service was superb.
I thoroughly recommend the tour & the tea... Quintessentially British.