The Golden Afternoon Tea Room

A Big Top Tea Room.

2010-07-03T08:06:00.000+01:00

On the 10th of July do come along to the Lewisham People's Day and you will find the Golden Afternoon Tea Company doing what we do best in the Big Top Tea Room. As part of Lewisham borough's biggest festival, we will be serving delish homemade cakes and tea in our vintage teacups to the crowds.

There will be jiving,tangoing, ukeleleying and allsorts going on in the tea room big top, with Spitfire Bounce taking care of the 1940's swing dancing, the Brockley ukelele orchestra and I can't wait to see The Cockney Awkestra , they have human coconut shys and mass knees up to Mother Brown. Seriously just how much fun can there be under one tent?

We'll be there in our retro aprons, teapots at the ready, there will even be a couple of Nippies, as if they've come straight out of a Lyons Tea House!

Come along and say hello, there will be so much to do with 3 other stages and a flashmob dance to
Walking on Sunshine with Katrina and the Waves. And if that doesn't deserve a slice of cake, I don't know what does!

Have a look here for all the info about how to find it plus it's absolutely free!

peonies and patriotism

2010-06-24T00:06:00.000+01:00

Can you believe I bought these gorgeous peonies in Ikea? You never would, would you?

There were sulks round Farley Mansions as I had so far managed to have gone peonie-less in the very short peony season but hurrah, on a trip to Ikea to stock up on bottles for elderflower cordial, there they were.. and reduced to 50p a bunch. Most were overblown or rotten but with eagle eyes I found four bunches of gorgeousness. Bargain? I think so.. They were called Blomma which I imagine in Ikea language means bloom!

Did you watch the match? We had a world cup tea of cheese and chive muffins and cake for second half, no sucking oranges at half time though, just a couple of g and t's to steady the nerves.

I couldn't take the strain, so had busied myself making England football world cupcakes- and what is the best suited to the team colours- Red Velvet of course, patriotic eh?

Seemed to do the trick anyway, may the football madness continue a pace. Shall I send a care package to South Africa?

Elderflowers and confusion at the chemists.

2010-06-21T22:02:00.001+01:00

Have you noticed that there is a whole ton of elderflower blossom everywhere? I have been longing to concoct some cordial and finally got round to it last week.

Our local park has been brimming with the starry white flowers and I went to do some 'pruning'.

Returning home with armfuls, it was only then I checked the recipe and read it called for citric acid. So warning to you all, before you pick - get some in. You can buy citric acid online or try your local chemists as I did...
However what I thought would be a simple purchase turned into rather a mission as the first chemist had just run out apparently and refused to tell me when they were going to get some more in. Odd, I thought. Trekking on to the second chemist, they too were devoid of the stuff. I was exasperated and cried 'oh no where can I find some,i've been all over' (ever the drama queen) .The lady asked me what it was for and I explained to which she replied 'oh well you seem genuine' and reached under the counter and brought out a box! It would seem that it is used for nefarious doings which made me think how could the first chemist obviously assumed that's what I would do. What a cheek..

I guess I do live the wrong side of the tracks, where they might not be used to Tom and Barbara Good Life behaviour!

There are lots of recipes on the internet, but as I couldn't really work out how much elderflower I had.. I just winged it, but mainly based on this one.
So if you have a large bowlful of elderflowers- say an armful when picked, this should work.

To make the sugar syrup bring 1 and 1/2 litres of water to the boil with 1 kg of caster or granulated sugar, stir to check all the sugar has dissolved.
Whilst this bubbles away, clean the flower heads by shaking any bugs off and removing any sign of brown flowers, I also gave them a quick dunk in a bowl of water.
I got a great tip through twitter from Easton Walled Gardens to pick the heads when they are fabulously fragrant and heavy with pollen! Don't you love it?

Pare two unwaxed lemons with a veggie peeler and then slice up the fruit and place with the rind in a the bowl of elderflowers.

Pour over the sugar syrup and stir in 50g of citric acid. Simples.

Cover and leave to stand for at least 24 hours, some recipes advise 48 hours, which is what I did as I had also forgotten to get any bottles.

The house was wonderfully scented with lemony fragrance.
Strain through muslin or a new jay cloth and pour in to sterilised glass bottles. Wash and rinse the bottles and place in a warm oven for 15 minutes. Using a jug and a funnel pour into the hot sterilised bottles. Or pour the cordial into plastic bottles and freeze for future use.

Elderflower cordial is such a delicious tipple,dilute with still or fizzy water and garnish with sliced lemon and mint. A summer's day could be magnificent with a cool glass of cordial in your hand, use it with icing sugar to ice lemon cupcakes or try it poured on ice cream.
Or mix up a cheeky cocktail with a shot of vodka, cordial, lemon juice and soda water, shake it all up in your cocktail shaker and serve with lots of ice. Doesn't that make your mouth water?

Beach Huts and Picnics

2010-06-18T12:17:00.002+01:00

So following on from our previous adventures, the Chap and I hotfooted it up to Yorkshire and to our dear friend's birthday celebrations in Whitby. Mrs Lee not only has a fabulous blog full of inspiring finds and mouthwatering recipes but the lucky lady is a proud owner of a scarlet red beach hut called Queenie.

As you can see it was the most glorious day -we were so lucky!
British seasides in the sun just can't be beat and what do you need for that perfect day on the seaside- why a picnic, of course.
All laid out on a tartan woolie rug,just the right side of scratchy, wicker baskets full of lemonade and ginger beer, and a huge plastic chiller box filled with goodies.. egg and cress sandwiches wrapped in greaseproof paper, sausage rolls, a homemade pork pie if you're feeling adventurous, rolls filled with coronation chicken or ham. Loading melamine plates high and trying to avoid the sand from getting everywhere but of course it always does.
A flask of tea to warm you up after a quick dip in the freezing water, do you remember the Lift Lemon tea? oo that was the taste of seaside picnics for me. Shortbread biscuits, punnets of strawberries preferably bought from a roadside table and a dash to the ice cream van returning with 99's and cornettos for all the family. Now isn't that heaven?

Wouldn't you love to be a bathing beauty on one of these cossies?

The Golden Afternoon Tea Company's vintage seaside picnic is one of our most favourite things to do, we have a number of rugs, vintage deckchairs,vintage hampers and picnic sets to hire, all set with our unique china or melamine for the real retro flavour and packed full with deliciousness, sandwiches, cakes and cordials, there's even a little bottle with the sunshine in. Perfect for a day trip to the seaside.

If you're like me and you adore all these vintage beach pictures, the flickr retro beach group is fab for inspiration and you must look through the Beach Bygones blog for lots of gorgeous pictures and interesting finds. You can even buy your own 1950's costume through her online shop, there are some fantastic styles there, just what you need for lounging on the dunes.

Happy picnicking

We would love to hear some of your favourite seaside picnic memories, what reminds you of sunny seaside days?

adventures of a tea maid

2010-06-14T00:19:00.000+01:00

Well am I glad to be back..

Goodness me, what a couple of weeks, roller-coasting around I can tell you! The bad news was our computer was most vexing and troublesome, threatening to lose all our lovely pics and more importantly silly videos from our karaoke party, not to mention throwing me into cyber limbo. But much more importantly, the chap and I have had some lovely adventures, travelling up and down the country, visiting friends and being involved in a simply terrific family wedding which was glam and elegant and full of glee and insaniteee.The wedding of the chap's brother and his stunning bride.

For those of you addicted to weddings, do take a peek at these fabulous pictures by Kerry Morgan.

Lovely bride asked me if I would make her bouquet and those of the bridesmaids, she chose vintage style roses in shades of ballet slipper pink and the bridesmaids had contrasting rich purple hydrangeas.

It was a magnificently well dressed wedding, at last an excuse to wear a darling little vintage cocktail dress in bubblegum pink I picked up in an aladdin's cave vintage shop in Devon. The chap looked everso dashing also.

Close up of the sparkly beading on the dress!

The wild birds nest hair was tamed as never before by Miss Betty of the fantabulous retro rock n roll hairdresser called It's Something Hell's in Carnaby Street London. Of course it was pouring with rain
when I left- oh for a plastic hair thingummy bob to tie under my chin! I was, however introduced to the invisible hairnet, brill,wore it round Top Shop and everything. I was indeed set snug, just like this..

The day after the wedding we went for a wander through Kensington Gardens en famille via the carousel where we had to take a spin( I had to ride side saddle!) and we ended up in The Orangery for afternoon tea... now I wonder whose idea that was, don't you?

It was such a delight to walk into this beautiful light and airy Georgian building, the tea was absolutely scrumptious, made even more delicious by feeling one had earnt it through wild dancing the previous night. Tea comes from the only English tea plantation Tregothnan.
Would love to take a visit down to their estate in Cornwall.You can purchase their tea online too.

We couldn't resist ordering extra portions of cake just to share for the table.

Any place that describes afternoon tea as 'the most special part of the day' is going to get my approval.

Will be back soon with part two of our adventures, beach huts tea dances and smiley babies!

have a cuppa tea

2010-05-20T23:27:00.001+01:00

Have a cup of tea with The Kinks.

One to warm the cockles that's for sure.

Granny's always ravin' and rantin'
And she's always puffin' and pantin',
And she's always screaming and shouting,
And she's always brewing up tea.

Grandpappy's never late for his dinner,
Cos he loves his leg of beef
And he washes it down with a brandy,
And a fresh made cup of tea.

Chorus:
Have a cuppa tea, have a cuppa tea,
have a cuppa tea, have a cuppa tea,
Halleluja, halleluja, halleluja, Rosie Lea
Halleluja, halleluja, halleluja Rosie Lea.

If you feel a bit under the weather,
If you feel a little bit peeved,
Take granny's stand-by potion
For any old cough or wheeze.
It's a cure for hepatitis it's a cure for chronic insomnia,
It's a cure for tonsilitis and for water on the knee.

Chorus

Tea in the morning, tea in the evening, tea at supper
time,
You get tea when it's raining, tea when it's snowing.
Tea when the weather's fine,
You get tea as a mid-day stimulant
You get tea with your afternoon tea
For any old ailment or disease
For Christ sake have a cuppa tea.

Chorus,

Whatever the situation whatever the race or creed,
Tea knows no segregation, no class nor pedigree
It knows no motivations, no sect or organisation,
It knows no one religion,
Nor political belief.

Chorus.

Hallelujah indeed!

of cabbages, kings and lots of pretty things

2010-05-14T01:34:00.000+01:00

Whilst tripping through the charming streets of Stoke Newington in North London last Sunday, what should I see but a sign for arts and craft fair- well a girl doesn't need asking twice and we snuck in smartish.
Organised by the owners of a shop called Of Cabbages and Kings, they host a monthly market at Abney Hall, Stoke Newington Church street, showcasing everything from vintage style knickers made from silk scarves, fabulously eccentric illustrations, little birds made from London clay, children's picture books to jewelry and decorative things essential to a pretty home.

Amongst my favourite spots were canvas bags by Doje especially the one with this print on it. I think Lina and I could be eligible for the Victoria Park tea ladies society, don't you? You can also buy their bags and prints here. Love the clever use of pen and ink illustration with a twist!

The chap and I were particularly tickled by this bag, the invented Hackney Guild of Taxidermists, compete with motto and emblematic zebras and owls!

At the next table were some great birdy items from Eskil Design, chopping boards, trays and also cute weather brooches, like this thunderstruck one- very 70's weather map!

She has an online shop too.
My wish list was growing with every step- a gorgeous hand painted bird box from London Clay Birds, and one of the smooth little birdies,made as the name suggests from that heavy clay found in all of London gardens, to perch on my windowsill. How about that for giving someone a piece of London? Have a peek at their folksy shop

More tweeting objects were oohed over at Heart Zeena's very pretty table. Supersweet textiles and illustrations with a folk art feel.
Teatowel too pretty to use and fab screen printed cushions found on etsy and folksy

An apple a day and this one is a cushion called fred!

There were lampshades covered in vintage fabric by Midnight-Bell and the cutest sleeping sets from Sannapanda complete with fuzzy feltie hot water bottles, closed eye sleep masks and, something I have been searching for, ear plugs with tassles! Just like in Breakfast at Tiffany! Have a peek here.

And By Louise was one of my most favourite stands as she creates brooches, rings and pendants from pieces of vintage china, you can imagine how much I loved that. I was very taken with a bee design but had not a penny to rub together having cleared my purse out at the boot fair that morning.
(picture taken from Louise's flickr set)
And have a look at Trompe L'oeil on facebook for pictures of the silk shorts/knickers I was coveting. Made from vintage scarves, totally pin up and perfect for posing in!

You can see who else was there on the Of Cabbages and Kings website.

The next market will be on 10th and 11th of June, highly recommended and there are tons of vintage clothes shops and delish cafes nearby to keep you happy.

Tootle pip!

Tea Love

2010-05-11T20:49:00.004+01:00

As tea lovers I’m imagining that most of us have can extol the virtues of that perfect cuppa, and no doubt we all have our little ways to go about making tea perfection. But if you have yet (shock horror) to whet your palette with the warm, feel-good inducing properties of tea, then take a look at George Orwell’s tea making rules……

A Nice Cup of Tea
By George Orwell (Evening Standard, 12 January 1946.)

If you look up 'tea' in the first cookery book that comes to hand you will probably find that it is unmentioned; or at most you will find a few lines of sketchy instructions which give no ruling on several of the most important points.

This is curious, not only because tea is one of the main stays of civilization in this country, as well as in Eire, Australia and New Zealand, but because the best manner of making it is the subject of violent disputes.

When I look through my own recipe for the perfect cup of tea, I find no fewer than eleven outstanding points. On perhaps two of them there would be pretty general agreement, but at least four others are acutely controversial. Here are my own eleven rules, every one of which I regard as golden:

• First of all, one should use Indian or Ceylonese tea. China tea has virtues which are not to be despised nowadays — it is economical, and one can drink it without milk — but there is not much stimulation in it. One does not feel wiser, braver or more optimistic after drinking it. Anyone who has used that comforting phrase 'a nice cup of tea' invariably means Indian tea.

• Secondly, tea should be made in small quantities — that is, in a teapot. Tea out of an urn is always tasteless, while army tea, made in a cauldron, tastes of grease and whitewash. The teapot should be made of china or earthenware. Silver or Britanniaware teapots produce inferior tea and enamel pots are worse; though curiously enough a pewter teapot (a rarity nowadays) is not so bad.

• Thirdly, the pot should be warmed beforehand. This is better done by placing it on the hob than by the usual method of swilling it out with hot water.

• Fourthly, the tea should be strong. For a pot holding a quart, if you are going to fill it nearly to the brim, six heaped teaspoons would be about right. In a time of rationing, this is not an idea that can be realized on every day of the week, but I maintain that one strong cup of tea is better than twenty weak ones. All true tea lovers not only like their tea strong, but like it a little stronger with each year that passes — a fact which is recognized in the extra ration issued to old-age pensioners.

• Fifthly, the tea should be put straight into the pot. No strainers, muslin bags or other devices to imprison the tea. In some countries teapots are fitted with little dangling baskets under the spout to catch the stray leaves, which are supposed to be harmful. Actually one can swallow tea-leaves in considerable quantities without ill effect, and if the tea is not loose in the pot it never infuses properly.

• Sixthly, one should take the teapot to the kettle and not the other way about. The water should be actually boiling at the moment of impact, which means that one should keep it on the flame while one pours. Some people add that one should only use water that has been freshly brought to the boil, but I have never noticed that it makes any difference.

• Seventhly, after making the tea, one should stir it, or better, give the pot a good shake, afterwards allowing the leaves to settle.

• Eighthly, one should drink out of a good breakfast cup — that is, the cylindrical type of cup, not the flat, shallow type. The breakfast cup holds more, and with the other kind one's tea is always half cold before one has well started on it.

• Ninthly, one should pour the cream off the milk before using it for tea. Milk that is too creamy always gives tea a sickly taste.

• Tenthly, one should pour tea into the cup first. This is one of the most controversial points of all; indeed in every family in Britain there are probably two schools of thought on the subject. The milk-first school can bring forward some fairly strong arguments, but I maintain that my own argument is unanswerable. This is that, by putting the tea in first and stirring as one pours, one can exactly regulate the amount of milk whereas one is liable to put in too much milk if one does it the other way round.

• Lastly, tea — unless one is drinking it in the Russian style — should be drunk without sugar. I know very well that I am in a minority here. But still, how can you call yourself a true tealover if you destroy the flavour of your tea by putting sugar in it? It would be equally reasonable to put in pepper or salt. Tea is meant to be bitter, just as beer is meant to be bitter. If you sweeten it, you are no longer tasting the tea, you are merely tasting the sugar; you could make a very similar drink by dissolving sugar in plain hot water.

Some people would answer that they don't like tea in itself, that they only drink it in order to be warmed and stimulated, and they need sugar to take the taste away. To those misguided people I would say: Try drinking tea without sugar for, say, a fortnight and it is very unlikely that you will ever want to ruin your tea by sweetening it again.

These are not the only controversial points to arise in connexion with tea drinking, but they are sufficient to show how subtilized the whole business has become. There is also the mysterious social etiquette surrounding the teapot (why is it considered vulgar to drink out of your saucer, for instance?) and much might be written about the subsidiary uses of tealeaves, such as telling fortunes, predicting the arrival of visitors, feeding rabbits, healing burns and sweeping the carpet. It is worth paying attention to such details as warming the pot and using water that is really boiling, so as to make quite sure of wringing out of one's ration the twenty good, strong cups of that two ounces, properly handled, ought to represent.

Sounds like my ideal brew down to a tea - but always curious to know, how do you take yours?

(image from weheartit)

One fine day

2010-05-09T17:06:00.000+01:00

Haven't you been in raptures with the burst of pink cherry blossom lining the street this last week? Clouds of pink and the breeze carrying confetti.
A few days ago I discovered a perfect spot for a cherry blossom tea party under an arbour of three trees whose branches filled the sky and we have some gorgeous photos to share with you very soon. It was gasp-makingly beautiful!

I thought I would dig out some of my favourite vintage cherry blossom finds.
This vintage tea set is by JG Meakin and is decorated with pink blossom and birds, mountains and bridges.

The design is called One Fine Day, after the aria from Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly, which was set in Japan and written when the obsession with Japanese and Exoticism was at it's height. Have a listen, it's such a romantic pieces of music.

This influence is apparent in the design and dates from the 1950's, the curved cherry blossom branches sweep gracefully round the curve of the plates and saucers, and the oval sandwich plate and shape of the milk jug are so distinctive.

There are even two birds inside the cup and swooping off the edge. Love a teacup with birds, don't you?

I've been filling pots and window boxes with these pretty violas, and they are the perfect size for popping on cupcakes!

This Cherry blossom watercolour is one of my favourite finds, found at a car boot fair a couple of years ago, it still has the date it was framed on the back- 1945 in a printing shop in Dartford.

Enjoy the blossom, our wedding present cherry tree is fading fast. In a few days all we'll have left is the pink petal snow.

Votes and tea

2010-05-06T19:28:00.002+01:00

It's been a beautiful day in London town, gloriously sunny and warm and as I'm sure you all know there's hopefully been a whole lot of voting going on. Regardless of which colour you prefer, it's so important for a girl to vote, you know. An awful lot went on to bring us to this point and don't you think many many cups of tea were drunk during those suffrage meetings?
Maybe they would have had a teapot like this..

A spirited poster from 1909

Even Kellog's Cornflakes did their part. The cereal of suffrage!

Here's a stamp designed in 1968 commissioned to mark the fiftieth anniversary of votes for women. Unfortunately the stamp was never made, would have been lovely to collect that one.

So don't forget now! You can even sing along to this wonderful song from Mary Poppins as you go..
' Though we adore men individually, we agree that as a group they're rather stuuupid' T'riffic!

A bit of a do..

2010-05-03T23:21:00.001+01:00

Love this wedding picture from the 20's, the pool of tulle and snazzy hair-dos, and those wonderful giant bouquets that are bigger than the bridesmaids!
Must have been a marvellous affair. Now do remember to cross those ankles neatly!

Discovered on this fabby site victoriana , lots of inspiration for vintage weddings, including pictures of dresses from museums such as this oozing silk delight and a Norman Hartnell from the V and A collection

Pictures of Bugsy, baby!

2010-04-30T00:00:00.001+01:00

Evernybody loves that man....Bugsy Mal-oohone.

Well we did it and it was such a joy, I haven't stopped singing for weeks!

Our very first Sunday Afternoon Musical was a triumph, we had a rip-roaring time at the Bethnal Green Working Men's Club a couple of Sundays ago. We danced,we sang, we shook our Jazz Hands with aplomb and we sipped ice cool gin in teacups- they went down faaar too easily!

And the cakes.. our gin and tonic cupcakes were a smash, and our famous heart shaped victoria sponge was snaffled up quicker than you could say 'get babyface'.

Here we are behind Bethnal Green WMC's lovely cake-tail bar.

Our musical maestro Peter led us in a spifferoonie singalong, warming everyone up with zzzzings and jazz hands .

And we were introduced to the Blousey Brown break! Unfortunately, poor Blousey Brown was not blessed with the best songs so that was the cue to go to the bar or buy cakes!

So a thousand thanks to you wonderful chaps and dolls that helped serve cake, played piano, danced and sang and to all who came along and made it such a memorable day! We were thrilled!
As the songs goes 'Give a little love and it all comes back to you'
Look out for the next one soon!

(thanks to Jenny May Logan for the pics, see more here)

Pop the Question with a Proposal Picnic

2010-04-11T18:25:00.008+01:00

photo from livingtheswelllife

Photo from oncewed.com

Aren't these photo's gorgeous? If you are planning on popping the question in the near future, then how about a romantic picnic to set the scene? And the Golden Afternoon Tea Company could be of service with our ‘Proposal Picnics’.

Perfect for those looking to whisk their intended off into a wonderland of romance, the Golden Afternoon proposal picnic comes jam packed with all the goodies you would expect to make any picnic ideal, from heart shaped cucumber sandwiches to strawberries and cream.

The Golden Afternoon Teas Maids can also be on hand as picnic pixies to decorate your chosen spot so it befits the momentous occasion, and also have the picnic ready and waiting for you to stumble upon…….

And for those who think they may falter over the all important question………we even have the perfect plate to do the asking for you!

And if you've already wed the woman of your dreams, not to worry, a surprise picnic is a wonderful birthday or anniversary treat too.

Photo from nibsblog

Fingers crossed the summer treats us to lots of glorious days so we can all enjoy some alfresco indulgence x

Pink Camelias, blue skies and tea..

2010-04-10T14:10:00.001+01:00

Isn't it fabulous? The skies are blue and the light is gloriously clear. And it must be spring because I've just had to rescue the first bumble bee that has found it's way inside.

Soon I'll be heading off to enjoy afternoon tea at Beas Of Bloomsbury and despite the chap being missing on stag weekend action, how can you resist the joys of spring to lift your heart?

Finally the world has some colour again and have just been watching a robin build it's nest in our teeny tiny garden.

I picked these camelias from my Granny's garden, and found the duck egg blue vase when from a flea market in Totnes, I love the Art Deco shape. It's by the Candy Pottery studios apparently.

The frills are so perfect!

Right must fly!

Have a glorious weekend,my dears, full of colour and light!

Bugsy Malone ticket giveaway!

2010-04-08T13:38:00.001+01:00

We are dusting off feather boas and sequined headbands in eager anticipation of our first Sunday Afternoon Musical on the 18th of April! Next weekend!

We would love it if you could join us at the Bethnal Green Working Men's Club for an afternoon filled with song, cake and that fabulous film, Bugsy Malone.

And to get the splurging started we are offering some lucky person 2 free tickets to come along and enjoy the show. All you have to do is leave a comment and tell us your favourite musical/ childhood film and by next Wednesday we will randomly select a winner!

If you're not in London or if you know the perfect person that would love this event,

please help us spread the word.

Tickets can also be bought here .

The event is being organised to raise money for a very good cause,the Jeremiah Duggan Memorial Fund so hopefully we will get lots of gangsters and their molls to support us.

Anybody who's anybody will will soon walk through that door..

Hope to see you there!

Do you tweet?

2010-04-07T12:28:00.000+01:00

The Golden Afternoon Tea Company has just joined the twitter tea party!

I'm Lula_loves_tea and at the moment am somewhat bamboozled by it (this is the girl who took years even to get an email address) so not quite sure what I'm doing or who to follow,

and what level of minutae is really appropriate!

Would love some vintage and tea loving fans.

Have already been most pleased to find the queen of quips, Dorothy Parker alive and biting on twitter! I love this latest one;

'If I didn't care for fun and such, I'd probably amount to much.

But I shall stay the way I am, Because I do not give a damn.'

Ain't it the truth!

So if you are a regular twitterer, do pop over and add me or send me your link so I can follow you and we can twitter whilst we sip our tea.

Chin-chin!

Sunday Afternoon Musicals.

2010-04-05T19:15:00.002+01:00

Finally I have found a way of combining my two most favourite things in the whole world...afternoon tea and musicals! Since a wee young thing, I have been obsessed with musicals, showtunes,MGM, Fred and Ginger, Judy, and Gene...There really is nothing that cheers the heart as much as spending a Sunday with a wonderful film and a scrumptious tea!

So on the 18th of April, The Golden Afternoon Tea Company will be organising our very first Sunday Afternoon Musical, and we thought we'd debut with a splurge, the well loved and fun filled,

splurge-tastic Bugsy Malone!

And as well as watching the film, we will be having a sing-song around the piano to get us in the mood. There will be charleston dancing, a 1920's ' Watch the Birdie' photobooth, cocktails in teacups and of course the most delicious cakes and scones. Too good to miss don't you think?!

So if you fancy some frolics at Fat Sam's Grand Slam Speakeasy, or the Bethnal Green Working Men's Club do pop down on the 18th of April, we would love to see you!

Hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend.

The chap and I filled it with flowers, a trip to the flower market(the car broke down, was taken pity on and given a free chocolate bar by a local)then Columbia road flower market on Sunday, traipsed around many vintage clothes shops and stuffed ourselves silly with tons of chocs and cake. Bliss..

My friend, Mrs Lee sent me this most gorgeous vintage Easter card, isn't the picture darling? I bought armfuls of these English grown Narcissi, and with the palest pink hyacinths and snow white lilac the house has been filled with the sweetest perfume.

Best wishes for a sweet and fragrant spring for you all.

The Mad Hatter tea party

2010-03-31T15:38:00.002+01:00

Hello my dears, gosh I have missed our teatimes.

Have been journeying up and down the country in miserable weather to rather grim places. The one thing that has kept me going is the thought of all those charty shops to ransack and did I find some treats! There should be a way of describing that little skip of the heart when you spy
a charity shop bargain..a bargain beat? a chazza hic?

I shall post some pics of my finds at a later date, suffice to say I arrived home a lot more laden then I left and was rather concerned about how I was going to sneak the boxes of teasets in without the Chap noticing (I didn't).

Anyhoo, whizzing on- here are some pictures from our recent trip down the rabbit hole, otherwise known as the Mad Hats and Moustaches party organized by Mad Hatter Events to raise money for Prostrate Cancer Research..

'Pologies for the pics not being brill, my camera battery deceived me when it said how much was left, so this was all we managed to snap. It was a simply triumphant night, the girls really did outdo themselves with amazing decorations and huge mad hatter and tweedledee and dum photobooths. Hopefully there will be some more official pictures to share later.

Here I am, queen of the jam tart and teacup..

Can you spy the dormouse in the teapot!! Well it was really more of a hedgehog!

Lula Talks Tea!

2010-03-25T14:19:00.000Z

Not content with our TV debut last week, Lula has become a one band publicity super woman…….on Saturday she spoke to Vanessa Feltz on Radio London, discussing alternative hen party ideas and how a vintage afternoon tea is the refined antidote for those averse to ‘L’ plates and too many tequila shots.

There’s still a chance to listen again.... (about 36 minutes in)

So if you have found your way to The Golden Afternoon Tea Company from Lula’s conversation with Vanessa, welcome to the Tea Room!

Tune in tonight!

2010-03-16T10:14:00.000Z

Don't forget to tune your television sets to the Good Food channel this evening!

Market Kitchen- 7pm for our very exciting teacup and teapot tv debut.

Terribly exciting, though it may very well be a blink and you'll miss it moment- who knows? But we will be sitting on the edge of our seats, hoping for a glimpse! I'm bound to get emotional!

Wish us luck and we must all celebrate with fizz in a teacup..

Tootle pip!

(flickr pic)

A very mad afternoon tea..

2010-03-15T22:56:00.000Z

Last week, Lina and I had the wonderful pleasure of treating ourselves to an Alice in Wonderland afternoon. What joy! After a madcap farce of broken phones,mistimed trains and wrong bookings finally we met in London's busy West End and headed for the Sanderson Hotel and their specially devised Mad Hatter's Afternoon Tea and what magic awaited us..

We sat in a covered courtyard with palms and a little stream trickling away and tucked into a breathtaking array of goodies - when they brought out the vintage mismatched cakestands - it was almost too cute and quirky to touch. But hunger soon won out!

With hot to cold pineapple lollipops and rainbow finger sandwiches- we were certainly through the looking glass! Each mouthful was accompanied by oohs and mmmms, with practically all of it devoured. Those scones were delectable.

I kept the crackle cupcake and the White Rabbit's chocolate clock for the chap so he didn't feel left out!

Afterwards we headed to the Alice in Wonderland pop up shop in Selfridges and drooled over the counters full of Alice inspired jewelry, hats, knick-knacks and other assorted goodies.

And if you are anywhere near Selfridges, make sure you seek out the Mad Hatter Tea Party windows- absolutely wonderful and fabulous inspiration for the tea party we will be creating for the Mad Hats and Moustaches party on Saturday.

And we rounded off the day by watching the film which despite having heard less than favourable reports from certain people( stuck my fingers in my ears!) was FABULOUS!! It didn't disappoint at all. As our pal said, it was such a shame we had to re-enter the world of London when it was over.

We could have stayed in Wonderland forever!

Our teacups coming to a Television near you

2010-03-05T02:53:00.001Z

Exciting times at Golden Afternoon Tea Company hq, in a couple of weeks our vintage china will soon be making make it's television debut!

Yesterday we were super excited to be asked to provide an Agatha Christie style afternoon tea for Kitchen Market, a foodie magazine tv programme on the digital channel, Good Food.
After a very quick turnaround for cucumber sandwiches and fruit scones, I packed up a selection of tea sets, tablecloths, two teapots and the silver tiered stand and off we headed to the television studios in North London. Even the pooches came along for the ride- moral support, of course! It was great fun selecting the teacups and plates to give the perfect look, such a thrill to see the gorgeous china put to good use. Out of the teasets I brought, the producers liked an art deco shaped yellow floral pattern, and matched it with pink gilded plates. It looked delightful. The cake stand was laden with cucumber sandwiches, fruit tartlets and rose fairycakes. Perfectly fit for Miss Marple.

The programme will be all about the intriguing connection between food and crime. Maybe it's Jack the Ripper's favourite sandwich filling or the best grub to fill up on before a bank heist- who knows? You will have to tune in to find out!

The afternoon tea we created set the scene for a discussion with the prolific crime writer, Martina Cole on Miss Marple and Agatha Christie. As quintessentially English as the afternoon tea tradition, Miss Marple,in tweed, always unravels the murder as she sips from her china teacup.
Love this clip- two scenes of tea drinking within nine minutes! And not to mention the sherry...

Kitchen Market will be aired at 7pm on March 16th on the digital channel Good Food, do tune in to see our afternoon tea hit the airwaves!
We may even have a celebratory tea party, put the fizz on ice!

And if you would like to have an Agatha Christie/ Miss Marple afternoon tea party, here's a helpful guide or contact us to provide it all. Although we can't guarantee any helpful detection work if anything goes wrong!

Don’t be late, win an important date!

2010-03-03T13:07:00.002Z

If you're just a smidgen obsessed with Alice in Wonderland (like our good selves!) then be sure to enter this Miss Selfridge competition, which gives you the chance to win afternoon tea, a shopping spree and more, but best of all you and your friends will get your own private screening of Alice in Wonderland!

Good luck x

A week of Alice- The very Beginning

2010-03-01T15:11:00.002Z

If you have read this blog for more than ..ummm.. one post!! you will realise that Alice in Wonderland is an absolutely huge inspiration for us and in celebration of the film coming out this weekend,
we couldn't resist planning lots of Alice posts.

As the song goes; let's start at the very beginning, and I will tell you how Alice in Wonderland has been a constant all the way through my life and the inspiration for our company.
As a little girl I used to listen to cassettes of the story with Jane Asher playing Alice in terribly twee tones and be whisked off to Wonderland from my little bedroom. I still have my very first Alice book from the early 80's although it has been well thumbed and stained.. and lots of the pages are falling out. But I still take it out to have a read frequently.

So when we were planning our wedding invitations, we wanted them to reflect our love of vintage childrens books and pen and ink illustrations and my Alice in Wonderland was the first book I turned to. And there it was, the opening line to the prefacing poem,
"All in the Golden Afternoon"

It was perfect, our invites would resemble a story with chapters and lots of quotes from Alice, to tell the tale of our garden tea party wedding.
We adapted the lines for the front of the invite
"All in the golden afternoon,
In such an hour,
Beneath such dreamy weather"

There I am getting ready!

The tale of our wedding I will keep for another day.

When the time came to choose a name for our Vintage Tea Party company, that opening line leapt out and so we excitedly decided upon The Golden Afternoon Tea Company.

And a dream came true.

Here is the poem in full, it evokes such wonderful imagery of Lewis Carrol entertaining the Liddell girls with his magical conjouring on a balmy summer's day.

All in the golden afternoon
Full leisurely we glide;
For both our oars, with little skill,
By little arms are plied,
While little hands make vain pretense
Our wanderings to guide.

Ah, cruel Three! In such an hour,
Beneath such dreamy weather,
To beg a tale of breath too weak
To stir the tiniest feather!
Yet what can one poor voice avail
Against three tongues together?

Imperious Prima flashes forth
Her edict to "begin it"--
In gentler tones Secunda hopes
"There will be nonsense in it"--
While Tertia interrupts the tale
Not more than once a minute.

Anon, to sudden silence won,
In fancy they pursue
The dream-child moving through a land
Of wonders wild and new,
In friendly chat with bird or beast--
And half believe it true.

And ever, as the story drained
The wells of fancy dry,
And faintly strove that weary one
To put the subject by,
"The rest next time"--"It is next time!"
The happy voices cry.

Thus grew the tale of Wonderland:
Thus slowly, one by one,
Its quaint events were hammered out--
And now the tale is done,
And home we steer, a merry crew,
Beneath the setting sun.

Alice! a childish story take,
And with a gentle hand
Lay it where Childhood's dreams are twined
In Memory's mystic band,
Like pilgrim's withered wreath of flowers
Plucked in a far-off land.

illustration by

Michelle Wiggins

wedding pictures by the super talented Fjona Weiling

an enchanted table

2010-02-27T00:15:00.002Z

Isn't this simply heaven?

candlelight like stars, a vintage fabric backdrop, exuberant flowers,

and the table laden with cakes and sweets fit for a banquet.

And everything rising out of a cloud of delicate gypsophilia.

It must have been made by fairies.

or maybe the photos were taken by Daniela Picoral.

See more from this wedding here.

via ruffled and this powderpuff post on gypsophilia

Mad Hats and Moustaches

2010-02-25T22:10:00.002Z

The Alice in Wonderland countdown begins!

The Royal Premiere(oooo) is happening right this instant, even as I type, with Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter et al tripping down the red carpet to the odeon in London's Leicester Square.
Harumph, my invite must have got lost in the post.

Invite or not, I was fairly tempted to head down there and brighten up this grim and miserable day with some celeb spotting, maybe hand out some Golden Afternoon Tea Company cupcakes, but even a teamaid has her limits and you would have to be mad as a hatter to stand for hours in this hideous rain!

But in just a few weeks time we get to be part of a real live Mad Hatter's Tea Party. Yes you read that right, Lina and I will be creating a scene fit for Alice at the Mad Hatter's Tea Party- Mad Hats and Moustaches.

Taking place on the 20th of March at Jamm in Brixton,we are delighted to be part of this club night that promises to be a tiptop night out.

As well as fantabulous bands and entertaining comedians, there will be actors dressed up as characters from the book and the Golden Afternoon Tea Company will be creating and serving 'eat me' cupcakes and the Queen of Heart's Jam tarts along with cups of Earl Grey tea-tinis to sip.

The Mad Hatter himself will be entertaining the guests at our specially created tea party table.

And the best thing of all about the evening is that it all goes towards raising money for the Prostrate Cancer Charity as part of prostrate cancer awareness month.

The charity raises money for research into the causes, prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.

So you get to eat cake, drink tea-tinis, dance, wear silly hats and raise money for a fantastic cause, get your ticket from Mad Hats and Moustaches- a mere £7.

Do come along!

Next week, we shall be having a week of Alice inspired posts(so much to choose from) to get us in the mood for the film's release on March 6th.

Oh.. we heart Helena, despite what they say she can do no wrong in my eyes!

Here she is with that clever Tim Burton earlier at the premiere.

Have a peek at this clip from BBC news, interviews from the red carpet with Johnny Depp, Helena and Anne Hathaway who reveals she based the White Queen on Nigella Lawson!

Oh ok- here's Johnny.... now that's what I call yummy. Where's the spoon...

for all the tea in China

2010-02-22T01:34:00.001Z

Driving through London town today, I caught a tantalising glimpse of the celebrations for the Chinese New Year, the year of the tiger. Today was the culmination of the fifteen days of celebration to mark the new year, and the streets of Soho and Chinatown were filled with colour. It reminded me of the vintage stylised illustrations used in Chinese packaging from the early 20th Century.
Here are some vividly bright examples...

Tea has had just as much if not more importance in the culture and history of China than in ours.

This quote seems to capture what we all mean when, in troubled times, we say 'I'll put the kettle on'!

“Tea induces lightness of spirit, clarity of mind and freedom from all sense of constriction,

whether mental of physical; and it promotes such serenity that mundane cares fall away

so that whatever is strident of exacerbating in daily life can be put out of mind for a while.”

The Emperor Song Hui Zong

So if you're partial to jasmine or oolong,

here's wishing you a delicately flavoured and purifying new year!

pictures from here,here and here

Treacle Pudding

2010-02-19T13:57:00.002Z

Our life has been turned upside down recently, as my husband and I have fallen head over heels in love with the new addition to our family…….our black Labrador pup called Treacle Pudding! Living up to her name she is deliciously sweet, heart warming and just a little naughty. Just how a puppy (and pudding) should be!

So in honour of Treacle Pudding, here’s a recipe to make your own edible (dessert not puppy) version.

Ingredients

115g softened butter
Butter for greasing basin
10 tablespoons golden syrup
115g caster sugar
1 lemon, finely grated and juiced
1 orange, finely grated and juiced
2 medium eggs
115g self-raising flour, sifted

Method

Using the top of an 850ml pudding basin as a template, cut out a greaseproof paper lid. Liberally butter the inside of the basin and measure 4 tablespoons syrup into the bottom. Set aside.

Beat together the butter, sugar and citrus zest until pale and fluffy, then gradually beat in the eggs. Add half the orange juice and half the lemon juice. Finally, fold in the flour and spoon evenly into the pudding basin. Gently press the greaseproof paper onto the sponge mix before pleating a sheet of foil and tightly covering the bowl.

Place in a large saucepan and add enough boiling water to come halfway up its sides. Cover and return to the boil. Continue to boil over a moderate heat for 2 hours, replenishing the water regularly so that it never becomes too low. The pudding is ready when well risen and firm to touch.

Remove from the pan and leave to rest for a minute or two. Meanwhile put 6 tablespoons golden syrup with the remaining lemon and orange juice in a small saucepan. Gently heat, mixing all the ingredients together.

Loosen the pudding with a palette knife, before turning it out onto a warm dish. Serve with the hot sauce.

And a picture of little Miss Pudding for all you dog lovers

vintage wedding inspiration

2010-02-17T14:11:00.002Z

I am head over heels in love with this photo shoot by Jessica Claire of a dreamy vintage, sepia and ruby inspired wedding day.

It has everything that sends Lina and me into Golden Afternoon Tea Company swoonage;
A delicate flower strewn vintage dress from Unique Vintage,lace and pearls, wild and naturalistic flowers in vintage vases, beautiful tables with mismatched china, cherries and pomegranates and festooned with paper hearts.

What's not to love? Pour yourself a cup of orange pekoe and prepare to be whisked away..
The richly coloured tables remind me of 18th century dutch paintings, overflowing with juicy fruit and flowers in jewel shades...

Paper hearts on the backs of chairs, easily made from wallpaper samples or off cuts of fabric.

See the entire shoot in all it's glory here via green wedding shoes.

Lots of vintage inspiration to keep us happy plus the sun is shining outside, finally!

pancakes,cupcakes and teaspoons

2010-02-16T14:56:00.001Z

Happy flippin' pancake day!

There was always much excitement in the Lula house when I was a nipper; coming home from school to find Mother Dearest up to her elbows in floury batter,whisking up a storm.

The flipping would start (I always lived in hope that one would stick to the ceiling) and we would pile them high soaked with lemon juice and crunchy with sugar. Yum yum yum!

As with most things in life, when it comes to the simple things- turn to Delia.

By the way- have you caught any of her Delia through the Decades on the television?

Amazing what a powerhouse of cooking influence she has been, whilst sporting an array of

pudding bowl haircuts!

And the pancake recipe is such a breeze to follow

110g/4oz plain flour, sifted
pinch of salt
2 eggs
200ml/7fl oz milk mixed with 75ml/3fl oz water
50g/2oz butter

This makes 12-14 pancakes.

Sift the flour and salt together into a large bowl,

slowly add in the milk and water mixture whisking all the time to obtain a smooth batter.

Scrape down any floury mixture from the sides and soon the lumps will disappear so it is nice and creamy.

(If you have a mixer this can be made even easier by ditching the whisk)

Melt 50g/2oz of butter and whisk 2 tablespoons into the mixture, the rest use for greasing the pan.

Lightly grease a hot frying pan and using a ladle spoon the mixture into the pan.

Tip the pan so it is completely covered, wait till the underside comes away easily with a flat knife

and then the fun really begins..start flipping!

Traditionalists stick with lemon and sugar, but for those more adventurous-

the world is your pancake.

Nutella,stewed apple and icecream, golden syrup or honey..

As I'm sure you know, Pancake day or Shrove Tuesday was the day people used up the rich ingredients, butter, milk and eggs before eating plainer food during Lent.
And sticking with this idea, I have been polishing off the cupcakes leftover from Sunday's Valentine Cinema day like a hoover- oh my poor waistline!
It was another triumph and luckily most of the cakes were snapped up, these were some we forgot to put out,The Chap was meant to take them into work..
Quelle dommage.

I picked up this set of teaspoons at the weekend, couldn't resist the gorgeous art deco design.

Might make a cup of darjeeling to give them a whirl and a stir!

(pancake pic from flickr)

A Valentine Encounter

2010-02-13T01:24:00.003Z

If you find yourself at a loose end this Valentine's Eve and fancy a trip back in time, come join us for tea and cake and an evening watching a terribly,terribly romantic film; a tale of unrequited love, station tea rooms, stolen glances and copious amounts of tea - Brief Encounter of course darling!

We will be providing the tea and cakes for the first Hither Green Cinema event of 2010 taking place at The Station Pub, Hither Green in South East London and we are so very busy preparing lots of scrumptious goodies. Loveheart cupcakes and our devilishly delish Choc and raspberry cupcakes and lots of heart - shaped cakes will no doubt be making an appearance.

The last event was a rip-roaring success- we were practially knocked down in the stampede for the cakes!

A classic weepie, Brief Encounter was made in 1945 directed by David Lean and stars Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard, falling in love but unable to leave their respective marriages and humdrum lives.. it is the most perfect film to watch whilst nibbling on cakes and sipping tea, as the scenes where they meet and then when they part take place in the Station tea room.

Brief Encounter was filmed in Carnforth Station Lancashire and the tea room where it was filmed has recently been reopened and restored so it looks just as it did in the film. You can go and be part of your own Brief Encounter.. just don't be getting anything in your eye!

And it is all so terribly English, I hope we shall all be speaking in cut glass tones by the end of it.

Or at least like this wonderful Victoria Wood parody.. what a hoot!

And if you're going to propose..

2010-02-09T12:50:00.001Z

on St Valentine's day-

do it with a dish towel in the words of Mr Darcy, how could you go wrong?

That's the way to help with the washing up!

From Etsy seller Brookish

Or sip your coffee from these fab mugs

For literary lovers, decorate with Pride and Prejudice bunting

from Nellie and Elsie

All the items they have for sale are so charming.

I would be most delighted if the postman bought me one of these cards. With words from Midsummer's Night Dream and the vintage wedding picture

it couldn't be any sweeter.

Have a peek at her blog for more whimsical and wordy things.

That last picture has set off a song in my head- ever have that?

Occasionally the chap and I quite like to listen to the music of today, it's not all Noel Coward and Musicals, you know...

We have been known to dance around the kitchen to this one, by The Drums singing our lungs out.
Most tricky not to hyperventilate with the

Hahahaha- Heart bit.

cup of love

2010-02-08T15:24:00.003Z

Fill your heart with love and tea.

Valentine's Day tea time to pour love for those you love,

with tea made from rosebuds in a clear glass teapot.

Sweetly fragrant and so romantic.

Rosebud tea is also packed with vitamin C so good for fighting off those February sniffles.

We adore it at the Golden Afternoon Tea Company, you can't help but be filled with joy and love as you sip!

Have you tried

Pukka's Love Tea

a sumptous blend of rose,chamomile and lavender.

Described as

'Roses and lavender the fragrant symbols of love

with Elderflowers, marigolds, limeflowers and chamomile to relax your emotional heart'

Gosh, I feel more relaxed just reading that!

Served in a rose painted vintage teacup, that's how to spoil yourself this Valentine's Day.

Oh and your best beloved too!

May all your kisses be rose flavoured.

Tootle pip

Lula

Teacup Tuesday

2010-02-02T15:23:00.000Z

Light up your life with this clever use of a teacup and light bulb- Eureka!

Available from

Radiance Lighting

and designed by Victoria Robinson,

she gets her inspiration from charity shops and carboot sales.. she sounds like our kind of gal!

And if you fancy having a go at making a teacup lamp yourself,

get yourself a powerdrill and give it a go with these instructions.

So many teacups are wonderfully translucent, the china glows like starlight.

Or stack teapots and cups for a no-drill required(phew) lamp base.

or if you're feeling adventurous how about creating this?

or maybe just leave it to the clever people at domestic construction!

That's what I call a lightbulb moment.

February promises and prizes.

2010-02-01T23:34:00.001Z

So the dark days of January drift away and here we are, the first of February a shimmering day and already so much to look forward to. Soon the snowdrops and daffodils will come bringing colour and signs of spring. I couldn't resist some gorgeous lilac, and forsythia at the flower market to summon spring, flowers in faded antique colours, a tinge of pink with feathery acacia and a sunburst of yellow.

Sunday was the day of our tea party give- away draw;

it was highly exciting.

Pooch number one wanted to help so we numbered all the 46 lovely people who entered.

And popped them into a very fetching pink and velvet vintage hat and with the pooch

overseeing procedures we pulled out...

number 33!

So many congratulations to

Kirsty Sullivan,

a Golden Afternoon Tea Party will be our gift to you.

We hope you enjoy it!

(the pooch can come too)

Vintage Wedding Ideas.....

2010-01-29T18:59:00.013Z

I'm sure I must have mentioned before, and if not, you may have caught wind of the fact that Lula and I are both wedding obsessed! (And is one of the reasons why we set up the Golden Afternoon Tea Company!) We love hearing about all the little details that make a wedding unique to the couple, from the proposal to each little decision made along the way, to the big day itself.

And as an 'old married' who hasn't quite shaken off the wedding bug I thought I should share my favourite places to seek out wedding ideas and indulge in some wedding porn......

So if you're taking the plunge, tying the knot, getting hitched or spliced be sure to take a peek at these sites for some wonderful wedding ideas and inspiration.

Snippet & Ink should be a daily port of call for any bride to be, a beautiful Stateside blog jam packed with real-life weddings and fantastic moodboards. Perfect for getting inspiration on themes, colours and so much more......

An Alice in Wonderland Themed Snippet & Ink Moodboard

A perfect wedding picnic?

Do you love retro? Are you planning on a wedding with a difference? Then pop along to Rock'nRoll Bride for a veritable feast of individual ideas to ensure your wedding celebrates you!

One of the original cheerleaders of weddings with a difference, Offbeat Bride is brimful with tantalising wedding porn!!!

Ruffled celebrates the savvy chic indie bride with a collection of real weddingss and clever ideas to inspire your individual style

See more of this wonderful real-life wedding

Happy wedding planning..............

we love a sale!

2010-01-29T00:31:00.002Z

There really is only one place to be this weekend..

The Vivien of Holloway sale!

If you're a lover of authentically styled 50's frocks and 40's tea dresses, you probably are well aware of the doyenne of swishy petticoats VOH but did you know they are holding the very first sale this weekend at the brand new shop appropriately enough on the Holloway Road, North London.

And not only will there apparently be huge reductions on the dresses, Vivien is selling of some of her own vintage clothes! What are we waiting for? Anyone fancy a stampede?

The dresses are perfect for a 50's style wedding for the bride and ever so cute for bridesmaids.

And heart shaped for lurve..

Uh-oh can the credit card take it?! See the website for plenty more temptation.
Any of these would be perfect for an Golden Afternoon Tea party!

The last time I was there, purchasing the outfit I wore for the wedding fair(see this post), there was a trio of excited bridesmaids trying on polka dot dresses and super cute they looked too!

And if you can't make the sale, thank heavens for online shopping!

all pictures from the Viven of Holloway website.

Our first wedding fair!

2010-01-25T21:23:00.001Z

Twas indeed a very exciting weekend at the Golden Afternoon Tea headquarters.

We took our cakes and teacups, tablecloths and teapots to our very first wedding exhibition organised by Best Brides and plyed our wares to the good people of Kent.

Our wagon of tea was fairly loaded down but off we trundled to the famous Brands Hatch race track and in a room high above the track, we set up our Golden Afternoon Tea Company stand, complete with a fabric covered screen cleverly knocked up by the chap- he has his uses! It was oodles of fun.

The chap took some polaroid pictures before the doors opened, here we are.. fresh

faced and ready to face the crowds. The Tea Maids- Lula and Lina at your service!

We filled the table with scones, cupcakes, a few cucumber sandwiches and a gorgeous heart shaped victoria sponge that drew lots of mouth watering attention. It was a great day and we loved chatting away about tea parties. We met some lovely brides and grooms, as well as mothers,fathers, sisters, friends and loved telling them how perfect our afternoon tea catering with vintage china and styling would be for their wedding, hen party or bridal shower. So many people said such sweet things about our stand, wonderful to receive such compliments..We came away tired but very happy!

(Isn't that napkin adorable?)

We were also giving away a free tea party for up to ten people and will be doing the draw very soon!

So if you were at the fair but didn't manage to give your details to us, please send us an email via our website with your name and we'll put you into the hat!

And when we got home, that victoria sponge was calling us- oooo it was scrum diddly- umptious..
The chap and I demolished a couple of huge slices with a strong mug of tea.. Nothing like eating cake after a hard day!!

And if you have found your way to our blog from the wedding fair, welcome!

Please add yourselves to our follower list to keep up with our adventures.

Tea and love,

Lula

Blue Monday and Comfort Cookies..

2010-01-19T00:43:00.000Z

Well, apparently January 18th is meant to be the day of glums and boohoos and misery..

For why, I ask you lovely readers, is this day specifically singled out to be a day of sadness?

Let's not be dragged down.. The promise of spring is wafting it's way to us, yesterday we almost had a whole sunshiney walk with the pooches. And what is really cheery is to come home take off the muddy wellies and snuggle on the sofa with a mug of hot chocolate and a toasted crumpet with butter all oozing through it... Some serious mmmms.

I must give this recipe a go from Hugh Fearnly-Whatsit, as he says if you're tired of British teatime, you're tired of life and who are we to disagree!

If only we had an open fire.. that's the only way to toast a crumpet- sitting near to the fire as possible, toasting fork in hand. Keeping warm with your loved one as the night draws in.

Another favourite recipe that has been putting a smile our faces is this delicious oat and raisin cookies recipe from the marvy Smitten Kitchen website. It's the best we've tried as they are just the right texture of chew, I can't resist tweaking and throw in whatever I have in my dried fruit and nut cupboard. Our favourite muesli even goes in the mix, it's called Rude Health! See, the cookies must be good for you if they have prunes,apricots,oats and nuts in.

The tip about refrigerating the cookie dough before baking is a winner as the results never last long. The chap blames the pooch but I know they prefer chocolate chip..

Oh look Blue Monday is practically over, let's raise our teacups to a terrific Tuesday!

Delicious cupcakes for a lovely twosome

2010-01-18T00:09:00.001Z

A few weeks ago we were delighted to be providing the wedding cupcakes and flowers for two very lovely lovebirds. A long awaited wedding of International variety as reflected in their preference for cupcakes. .. she requested Lavender, and he being a very very tall man of Dutch persuasion didn't mind as long as it was orange! So scrumptiously moist Choccy Orange cupcakes were the match.

We couldn't resist popping in some Vanilla ones with pale pink icing to complement the colours of the flowers.

The flowers were delicate pink spray roses, white tulips, pink avalanche roses and for a splash of that Dutch orange, Cherry Brandy roses. This is a glorious sunset of a rose, the outer petals fading to a gentler shade so it's almost two tone.. we loved it,no kia-ora orange here!

The reception was held in a community hall that was transformed into a winter magic land of wedding with acres of parachute silk and fairy lights and the most giantest big balloon you've ever seen.. apparently one of the relatives blew it up the night before- imagine! must have had lungs of steel.

If you need a space transforming in the London area, drop us a line and we can put you in touch with the clever chap.

It was all go, but made even more fun by the chance to don my feathery chapeau and my red dancing shoes.

Time for Tea?

2010-01-14T14:19:00.006Z

Not one to rabbit on........ but as our winter wonderland melts away before our eyes on a grey, dismal day surely the best remedy for bringing a Cheshire cat style smile onto your face (besides tea and cake!) is the prospect that Spring is about to grace us with her presence - I'm thinking of those first crocus blooms and the golden trumpets of the beloved daffodils..........

But also with the arrival of spring this year, comes Tim Burton's adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, which in an earlier post I alluded to being, in anticipation of its release, as Mad as a Hatter with excitement - eeek!

And today, through my letterbox did fall the National Trust Magazine, with the Mad Hatter the cover star and a lovely article about the filming that took place in and around Antony, a National Trust property in Cornwall.

And for those not content with just seeing the film, head to Antony between March and October to see the house, garden and estate transformed into Wonderland! With lots of fantastic events taking place you can enjoy tea parties, walk through scenes from the dream-like stories of Alice, and even meet the Mad Hatter!

What better way to spend a Golden Afternoon.......

Snowflakes that fall on my nose and eyelashes

2010-01-08T20:22:00.004Z

Isn't it the most glorious thing to wake up and find the world transformed by a blanket of snow? So magical, through the War Drobe in Spare Oom and we find ourselves in Narnia!

The light becomes brilliantly bright and the humdrum sounds of the city are replaced with a heavenly stillness.
From our house in the trees, the view across the park is like peering over clouds and being surrounded by vistas of sparkly white fills me with inspiration for winter tea party ideas, full of snow white flowers and snowflakes.
Not so much a Golden Afternoon but a dreamy Silvery one instead!

An all white palette; refreshing,simple and elegant.
Glass candlesticks, mercury silvered glass, flickering light and vintage lace tablecloths, linen napkins and lots of flowers!
Delicious.

country living of course!

You can use flowers and foliage to create a magical setting so effectively,

like paper thin Honesty seed heads, very seasonal too!

We had tables of pure white roses and silvery eucalyptus for a Christmas tea party .. I couldn't resist some fluffy pussy willow at the flower market and pounced on it like the cat that got the cream!

Am such a fan of Gypsophilia used in large bunches. Otherwise known as baby's breath,

try to find the one that has the larger flower heads for a better effect..

It really does look like falling snow in this picture.

here

A simple way to decorate your place setting, a single snowflake shaped chrysanthemum, would look sweet in a teacup.

Or hang vintage chandelier pendants from sprayed branches to catch the light

And for a really opulent party these glittery crystal trees would put a twinkle in your eye..

here and here

For a more vintage snowflake look, I adore these ideas with lace doilies and placemats.

They are plentiful in charity shops and good ol' ebay and look fab with mismatched teacups and china.

They can be used to create snowflake patterns as a table runner.

good housekeeping

And you must remember happily snipping away to create paper snowflakes when you were little? Hours of fun and what a good way of occupying the troops on a 'snow day' when they tire of tobogganing.. with a mug of steaming hot choccy, what a lovely way to while away the afternoon!

You can find a fantastic tutorial to create a snowflake curtain by Lupin on her blog Bugs and Fishes

Or use your fabric ones to create a curtain, they often need a good soak in bleach to restore their brightness and then starched. See here for the how to.

Or use this idea and stitch to red velvet ribbon to create snowflake bunting and suspend across doorways or above your party table.

And wouldn't these be the most perfect invitations to send out for your snowy day? From the masters of delicate paper designs, Chartula. Oh they take my frosty breath away!

Right off for that hot chocolate to warm me up!

Tootle pip!

Lula x

Sparkly wishes

2010-01-02T00:01:00.000Z

With much love from Lula and Lina, we send you this glass of fizz and our best wishes for a delicious 2010!

May your champagne saucer always be brimming,your cakes always rise and your teacup never go unfilled.

Like the champers we are brimming and bubbling with excitement about the coming year and sharing all our prospective adventures into the land of tea parties and vintage passions with you,

and who knows what else the year ahead may hold!

As long as it's filled with tea parties, laughter with good friends and loved ones, sunny days and golden afternoons,we will be sugar sweet happy.

Happy New Year!

Holy Moly! I can barely contain myself...........

2009-12-03T17:37:00.004Z

Eeekkk!!

The marvel that is Tim Burton has taken the marvellous Alice in Wonderland and created a film that is sure to be a veritable feast for the eyes!

Quick quick take a look-see

Alice in Wonderland Trailer

I won't be late for this very important date!

Va-va voom- Vintage dress delight!

2009-12-02T15:56:00.001Z

It is one of my biggest disappointments not to have lived in the era of swishy starched petticoats and nipped in waists, all those fabulous dresses and elegant styles influenced by Christian Dior's New Look. Oh I can see it now- a divine floral frock, an elegant gloved hand and a long black cigarette holder as I took my seat in a Lyon's Tea Room. Wouldn't that be heaven?
Unfortunately I was born too late for the age of glamour and whilst I know there are distinct advantages to this day and age (having all my fave songs on one teeny tiny rectangle is a marvel!) if a time machine were to suddenly appear in the back garden; I know where I would be headed, waving my raspberry velvet hat as I went.
One of my absolute favourite things is discovering a new vintage clothing website, sighing over all the jewels that lie within, I dream about which ones I would snap up and where one could wear them . I was overwhelmed with all the stunners found on Vava Vintage , she certainly has found some beauties!

Isn't this one a dream? Adore the wonderful blousy roses print and the sage green cummerband sash. Even more splendid by seeing the original adverts.. Oh to be a Lady of the Rosebuds.

Would make a perfect wedding dress for an 50/ 60's style garden wedding. In this original picture you can see that distinctive shape of the skirt.. along with the model's doe-eyed expression- it's so 60's isn't it!
Top of the wish list, please!
Would love to waft around sipping tea in this frilly number also.. so many beautiful dresses- so little time.

The print is just so charming and summery

Golly, a girl would need a team of husbands to wear all these super cute numbers.

And not to mention all the fabby party dresses, where did I put my chequebook..

Would it be greedy to want them all?

All found on Va Va Vintage- go feast your eyes and tell me your favourite.
And if you happen to purchase one- do let me know so I can drool over the lovely dress with you.

thanks for cake and tea!

2009-11-26T19:08:00.002Z

Well yes I know at the Golden Afternoon Tea Company, we are the epitome of all things delightful and English tea and crumpets, of course we are! But we couldn't not wish all our friends across the pond and those far from home over here now a very happy thanksgiving now, could we?

And if we didn't have those yankee- doodles to thank, we wouldn't have such wonderful things as

MGM musicals, Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire, amazingly stylish 50's cars, rock n roll, red velvet cakes and cupcakes(would we still be calling them fairy cakes?!) and oo so many things to make life more fun,glamorous and cooooool!

So in honor of that ( lookee I even spelled it the American way for the occasion!) here is the recipe for Pumpkin and Walnut cupcakes, I promised in this post.

It comes from Lola's Cupcakes via Marie Claire,

and is something truly to be thankful for!

Have a great day y'all.

Ingredients:

450g of plain flour
3 eggs
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice or ginger
2/3 cup chopped walnuts
400g of caster sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons pure vanilla
400g shredded fresh pumpkin
100g of white chocolate curls

For the cream cheese icing:

250g of unsalted butter
1000g of icing sugar
2 teaspoons of pure vanilla paste
500g Philadelphia Cream Cheese

Method:

Slice open the pumpkin, remove the seeds and chop the pumpkin into smaller chunks. Then grate 400g of pumpkin chunks.

Sift together the plain flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and allspice. Add the walnuts now too as this will stop them sinking to the bottom of the cupcake.

Measure the sugar, oil and vanilla into a large size bowl and stir to combine. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking after each addition. This is the wet mixture.

Add the majority of the dry mixture to the wet and stir until just combined. Add the remaining dry mixture very slowly until all incorporated. This will result in a very thick batter. Do not overbeat!

Fold the pumpkin and white chocolate curls into the batter with a large wooden spoon.

Pipe or spoon the mixture into cupcake cases about 3/4 full.

Bake at 350 degrees, until the cupcakes are golden and a toothpick comes out clean, which should take between 20 and 25 minutes.

Finish the cooled cupcakes with generous helpings of cream cheese icing, dusted with cocoa powder and decorated with chocolate shreds

(original recipe found here)

teacup tuesday

2009-11-24T07:50:00.001Z

Somebody pass the smelling salts, I may pass out with the excitement...

Over on Etsy, the superbly named Trixiedelicious creates these fabulous teacups and plates, vintage china enscribed with insults, flirtatious messages, or just random words to make you chuckle .

Vandalized Vintage she calls it.

Just feast your peepers at her other creations,

uh-oh... some more things to add to my ever increasing Christmas list!

I'm late, I'm late!

2009-11-21T13:31:00.001Z

Have a look at this darling White Rabbit necklace that the very clever Janine has created and is giving away over on her blog Cherished Trinkets, pop over and leave your comment and it could be yours. Isn't that a wonderful way to start the weekend?

Adorable, non?

And would look perfect with a waistcoat and jaunty hat- one could gaze admiringly at it in until you get a proper pocket watch.. Oh no! I have a sudden compulsion for one of those as well!

I am almost as bad as the White Rabbit when it comes to timekeeping, it just seems to slip away from me like a melting Dali Clock.. perhaps this would make all the difference!

(pic)

And what excuse would I need to don an outfit like this I wonder..

The necklace would go perfectly!

Love it! From Look Book.

Tick tock- a whole site devoted to the pocket watch.

Well before I get too distracted by watches and top hats too much, where were we.. oh yes..

Janine's site is such a dreamy place to while away the time , we share a love of vintage bobbins, Alice and pygmy hedgehogs!! I am so green- she's getting a pygmy hedgehog!! I have been asking The Chap if we can get one for months now..maybe Santa will bring me one in my stocking! Look at this snuffly little thing. I would call it Mrs Tiggywinkle. She's already in a teacup, ready for me!

(pic)

Have a peek at her other gorgeous Alice inspired necklaces, an afternoon tea bracelet- just the thing to jangle against your vintage teacup whilst you sip and these tea and cake earrings

(oo can I put in a request for those please, thank you, please.)

Cherished Trinkets can also be found on Etsy and lovely pictures of her work on flickr

Hurrah- we love pretty things.

Am brimming with excitement as work starts on the Golden Afternoon Tea Company website this week, much as I love our holding page - can't wait to create some magical graphics with my super talented designers. Inspiration will be helped with lots of tea and cake, no doubt!

I also have a mammoth bake-athon ahead of me. Will be made even more fun by my current obsession with this band and renewing my love for this smooth fella..

Do you find music whilst you bake helps the cakes? I think it fills them with all the good things.

Hope your weekend's full of singing love and blue skies.

Tootle pip!

Recipe: Lemon & Poppy Seed Cupcakes

2009-11-15T21:56:00.008Z

(click on image for ingredients)

Get baking...

Makes 12

Preheat oven to 180°/Gas 4
Beat together eggs and sugar
Melt the butter, pour in the milk and add to egg mixture
Mix together the flour, salt and baking powder, fold into mixture
Add lemon juice, zest and poppy seeds
Spoon mixture into muffin cases
Bake in middle of oven for 15 minutes
Leave to cool
Make the frosting by mixing the butter, cream cheese, icing sugar, lemon juice and zest until creamy
Smooth frosting over cupcakes and sprinkle with poppy seeds and lemon zest

Enjoy.........

Vote For Us!

2009-11-13T14:34:00.004Z

Vote for us, and others at the Dorset Cereals Little Blog Awards.......

At the end of every month, the blog that has received the most votes wins a lovely Dorset Cereals goodie bag and a coveted Little Blog Awards egg cup.

Plus everyone who votes is entered into a monthly FREE prize draw to win a case of Dorset Cereals - Scrum-diddly-yumtious!

Put a smile on our faces and click on the egg cup to vote

Thank you

L&L

Having your tea and drinking it

2009-11-11T20:42:00.012Z

Ideally a cake should both look and taste a treat and when applying this to tea you can really not go amiss with tea from teapigs which are beautifully packaged and absolutely delicious. Both Lula and I love their peppermint tea, and I am tempted to taste their chocolate flake tea and perhaps even the chilli chai.

Calling tea lovers! Join teapigs drink real tea mission by signing their petition

I also love tick tock teas, whose boxes look as though they been dusted down after hiding in a pantry for the last 50 years...

And of course once you’re ready for a brew, what better way to serve it than in a vintage china teacup

A WW2 teacup tuesday

2009-11-10T23:18:00.003Z

Last sunday was Memorial Sunday, a day when we remember the huge sacrifice made by so many so that those who would come after could live lives of freedom and liberty. And it was not just the soldiers fighting on the front that we remember but those that stayed behind and whose day to day life would be full of small sacrifices in order to keep the spirit strong.

As seen in this American poster, showing how holding onto your chipped teacups was even patriotic and had the 'nation's welfare at heart'!

( Do click on it to read the text, I can't seem to size it properly!)

I guess we could learn a little something from these words in our thrifty times and besides, I know that this Tea Maid has cupboards of imperfect bowls and plates I can't bear to throw out! My Chap can't understand it but now I shall just say I'm following the example of the 'Patriotic Mrs Jones' as I add another slightly chipped saucer to the collection!

Pic from here

A cup of tea...

2009-11-07T13:28:00.000Z

Makes everything better...

Whatever the weather, shake those blues away with a cheery cup of sunshine in a pretty flowery teacup and life seems so much brighter. Tra- la-la!

And if we get a little raucous and start dancing on the cupcakes,

well who could blame us..

Kick up your heels and dance on tables!

Now doesn't that put a flounce in your petticoats ?

Tootle pip..

Have a lovely weekend filled with tea and dancing(table not necessarily required!)

pics from here

Tea o' Clock

2009-11-05T23:32:00.003Z

So following on from Ingrid's question after this post, it set me pondering on what time is the correct and proper time to partake of a cup of tea, a cucmber sandwich and a slice of cake..

As the Golden Afternoon Tea Company prize ourselves on being proper in the most English of ways we had to find out,and donning our best Sherlock Holmes deerstalker hat and popping a musty pipe in between our pearlie whites we went off to investigate....

The 7th Duchess of Bedford, Anna Marie Stanhope is credited with inventing the ritual of Afternoon Tea in the early 19th century, 1841 to be precise, in order to avoid that 'sinking feeling' in the late afternoon! The peckish Duchess summoned her butler to bring her tea and light refreshments to her boudoir and soon was gathering all the other Duchesses and Marquises and Ladies to join her in a nibble, and la-dee -daa, the Afternoon Tea was born!

Etiquette suggests that tea should be served between 4 o'clock and 5, but I am really of the same opinion as the Mad Hatter who believes it's always tea time.

A bright idea came into Alice's head. `Is that the reason so many tea-things are put out here?' she asked.

`Yes, that's it,' said the Hatter with a sigh: `it's always tea-time, and we've no time to wash the things between whiles.'

And as Henry James put it:
'There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.'

teacup tuesday

2009-11-03T08:01:00.000Z

How fantastic is this DIY teacup candelabra..

A breeze to make too- all your pals will be gasping with amazement, even better! Would be perfect for the centrepiece for an afternoon tea.

Dig out your some lovely teacups, maybe the one with the saucer you dropped, or the lonesome saucerless one you couldn't resist at the boot sale.

Blow the dust of that old candelabra, then with some

ceramic glue fix the base of the cup to the candle bit of the candelabra. Et Voila!

Fill with flowers, little plants, cupcakes,candle and you could decorate with ribbons, twist ivy or clematis foliage around the arms, or drape with sparkling beads.

from portovert

late pumpkin post, vintage style!

2009-11-01T22:17:00.002Z

Well Halloween has spooked it's way back into the night and it was all so quiet round our way..hardly a ghoul or a ghost to terrify us in exchange for some sweet treats and goodies, well we did have an adorable black cat and a what looked like a squished tomato! But the pumpkins were finely turned out on the doorstep casting their ooky glow, and I made some darn fine cupcakes with their insides.

Recipe to follow later

Even the pooch was admiring the pumpkins.

So even though we're a bit late for this years halloween decorations, I have been all a buzz thinking of vintage style decorations with a few pumpkins and gourds.

Lina and I were at a wedding yesterday, a bright and clear Saturday, and they were filled with russet and rich red berries and flowers.

Looking for inspiration turned up these..

Am loving these ones covered in gold leaf...

fabulous finishes

And these vintage tins perfect for a rustic style.

from wishpot

And a soft and elegant look.

from the knot

from Brides

embellish

And always Martha turns up the goods, how gorgeous is this filagree style, would take a lot of patience though!

Would be perfect for our The Golden Afternoon Tea Company Autumn menus.

That reminds me, my pumpkins really should come in now shouldn't they?

*sigh*

Till next year my pretties!

Getting to Know You........

2009-11-01T19:25:00.008Z

Well I guess it's high time I introduced myself! I'll just pour myself a cup of tea and then we can sit down for a little natter.....

I'm Lina, a good friend of the lovely Lula and her partner in, well cake mixture! But we share a love of so many things from pretty vintage nik-naks found at car boot sales, to reams of pastel pink polka-dotted fabrics and a penchant for dressing up and dancing!

With my first wedding anniversary just passed, and amidst a tide of weddings and engagement announcements, it seems appropriate to tell the story of mine and Lula's meeting, whilst we were both ensconced in our own wedding plans. For those of you who are married or on the wedding path and have experienced the creative flow of wedding flavoured juices will know a friend or two, to bounce off the hundreds of ideas are worth their weight in gold. And Lula was a true find, sharing the excitement, the highs and the lows plus having the most jaw-droppingly beautiful vintage afternoon tea wedding garden party this side of 1950, for inspiration mid-way through my planning.

Picture perfect: A shot from Lula's wedding afternoon tea

And now that our weddings have long since passed, well the joy and finger tapping excitement that the words 'wedding planning' bring us is still as strong, but we can now share in our friends’ happiness, as they make their journey towards wedded bliss and look back on fond memories and the friendship our weddings forged.

marbellous cupcakes

2009-10-30T23:27:00.002Z

Some marvellous Marbled cupcakes, a dollop of vanilla cake a

and a dollop of chocolate- delish.

Rippled buttercream frosting, to give a whirl of choccy and vanilla icing.

That's the way we like 'em!

Perfect as a decadent treat.

Mrs Lina and her Beau

2009-10-27T18:50:00.000Z

Congratulations to Mrs Lina and her chap celebrating 365 days of wedded bliss this past weekend!

What a wonderful wedding it was... she, resplendent in a vintage wedding dress and veil and he in a tailored tweed waistcoat and suit- spiffing!

All in a creaky and characterful English manor house that they took over for the weekend,

it was a perfectly tip top do!

Isn't this such a fab shot.

Congrats honeys, may your hearts be full of light always!

Teacup Tuesday

2009-10-27T00:00:00.001Z

Three teacups filled with Violas.

Sweet scented miniature pansies brightening up the day.

All aboard

2009-10-24T00:26:00.004+01:00

Jump aboard for a hot cup of tea.

Have a peek at these clever people at Free Tea Party, they drive a tea bus around America and serve free cups of tea bringing good cheer to the people of California, making the world a better place through drinking tea and building a spirit of community and wellbeing. Wonderfully hippy!

Of course, we at the GATC are already aware that tea parties make everyone happy and bright, now we just need a bus and the road trips could begin!

Golden Afternoon Tea Company Saves Cinemas

2009-10-22T16:14:00.001+01:00

On Sunday we were thrilled to be providing Afternoon Tea for a fantastic pop up cinema event in

Hither Green, South East London. The day of films was organised by the Hither Green Community Hall and Arts Society which was formed to save the historic cinema building of Hither Green and to raise awareness of the need for a cinema and community hall in the area.

We adore a lovely film so how could we resist..

An empty warehouse was transformed as if by magic for the day and the crowds thronged to see the first cinema event in the area since 1957!

The first film was that wonderful classic and one of my absolute favourites, My Fair Lady.
Is there no finer musical? Rex Harrison, Audrey Hepburn... Colonel Pickering!!
Cecil Beaton's incredible costumes in the Ascot scene and ahh, Audrey's frock that she wears to the ball- good golly makes me weak at the knees! Not to mention the heavenly songs, there was lots of silent singing behind the tea tables!

And of course, what could be more perfect than to tuck into Afternoon Tea as we tapped our feet and sang along.

Although there was not much chance to catch our breath, we were rushed off our feet with queues tailing far far back, phewie.
We couldn't pour the tea fast enough.

We even had to recruit the lovely Matt as an honorary Tea Maid!

We had a scrummy selection of cakes and we were rather carried away with the My Fair Lady theme

Luverly lemon drizzle with crystalized flowers and an enormous chocolate and violet heart shaped cake.
We had lots of apple cakes, thanks to a bountiful amount of cooking apples from a Kent orchard,
an apple and vanilla sponge, apple raisin and walnut cupcakes and a gooey and gorgeous apple and blackberry cake.

Lina made her fabulous lemon and poppyseed cupcakes and don't forget the scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam.
It was all demolished before we even had a chance to take some pics to show.
So here are the best we could get, most of the cakes had been snaffled up!

How perfectly civilized for a Sunday afternoon!
People kept coming back for more and one was even overheard saying this was the most delicious cake he had eaten in his whole life.. We like that lots.

Thanks to everyone who came and the team who worked so hard and organised such a fantastic day, let's hope it's the first of many!

Our theme tune.

2009-10-15T23:43:00.000+01:00

Without doubt, this is it..
The theme song for the Golden Afternoon Tea Company and of course it comes from, where else but Alice in Wonderland! The book and the glorious Disney film has to be one of our biggest loves in the whole wide world, as you will soon realise.. Not only the inspiration for our little company of Tea but this is the sweetest song - if only all the flowers could sing like this!

Introductions- The Tea Maids

2009-10-15T22:47:00.000+01:00

How rude of me.. of course, you're probably wondering who we are.

I am Lula, the founder of The Golden Afternoon Tea Company and my darling partner in cake,
Lina, will be along in just a while to introduce herself.
Together we are the Tea Maids and we spend our time dreaming of tea and cake, flowers and birds, floral dresses and mad hats. We love creating magical tea parties under blue skies, or even slightly cloudy skies, for birthdays,weddings, bridal showers, in fact all kinds of special celebrations or just because tea tastes so much better in a china teacup.

Creating cakes and arranging flowers in teapots are just a couple of my favourite things. We're sure to be filling the Golden Afternoon Tea Room with musings on scrumptious recipes, discoveries of vintage finds, ponderings on fabulous dresses and of course all our adventures as we bring a touch of Wonderland to some fantastical tea parties.

An early Lula and Lina tea party!
(here for picture)

Well, one lump or two..

2009-10-15T21:51:00.000+01:00

Ah there you are..welcome to the Golden Afternoon Tea Room, now sit yourself down
and I'll pour you a cup.. slice of lemon or sugar lumps for you?

I hope you'll stay for a refill and follow our tales of vintage teacups and delicious cakes. This is the place to share our love of all this and more.
With stories about The Golden Afternoon Tea Company and our love of afternoon tea,
it really is the finest time of day.

Now where did I put the cake slice..