My 10 favourite afternoon teas (2015)

Someone, somewhere in the universe has designated this week as it's national afternoon tea week (though I mean honestly, who needs more excuse to book and reminisce about afternoons of luxury?) It has almost become a blogger cliche, inviting the girls to a few hours of decorous luxury, but one that I rather adore. As I'm getting on in years (feel free to feel sorry for me...) I've swiftly come to the conclusion that I'd rather don a pretty dress to spend a little more on sandwiches and scones, than prop up a pub bar and feel very sorry for myself the next day.

Running this list last year in honour of National Afternoon Tea Week, and as I'm - surprisingly - often asked for recommendations (thank goodness my reputation is for afternoon tea and nothing more scurrilous) or for my favourite, it seemed that another top list was in order. I find the hardest aspect of recommending a tea is that everyone wants something different; some people want opulent luxury, some prefer quirky surrounds, some fancy value for money. #bloggerproblems

Personally, I love flavours that surprise and combinations that tickle the palate - at least a tier or two that showcases the personality of the chef and hotel, good but not oppressively attentive waiter service and fairly generous servings - Emma doesn't share. In fact I got so cross last year, it seemed a great idea to draft a post outlining my 'golden rules of afternoon tea'. After all we could simply pop along to the supermarket for a £1 ham sandwich and a plastic encased cheesecake slice if that's all we were after, but choose instead to open our wallets for something that we hope epitomises the finer side of London life.

Friday figments and photos: Time

We're all very guilty of wishing time away. Clock watching, second counting and minute grabbing. It seems to be human nature, but is it good?

That aside it's Saturday, Saturday, Saturday!!!

We've been giggling this week about the habits of British people and their Tea...

How to make the perfect cup of English Tea

*Disclaimer: This post is mostly for expats working in a British office environment and those who are curious to see how such fascinating microcosms operate...*

Step One:

You need to have your own mug. It usually has to have a clever remark about your personality, something quite witty and an imperviousness to being dropped.*

Step Two: 

Rise from your desk, sink back down to your desk to take that 20 minute phone call that won't wait, remember that certain dry feeling at the back of your throat, then take another step up. Weigh up the walk to the nearest coffeeshop (if so, carry out step three then skip to step ten).

A pinkie-raising Kensington Orangery Afternoon Tea

Step Three: Essential

Ask each person in the office who wants a cuppa. Write down the 6 teas with varying milk, 3 with 2.3 sweeteners, 1 rebel person who takes coffee and can stand office-grade instant, 1 weird herbal tea and the foodie who drinks hot water with fresh mint or lemon slices, but will end up making their own. Ignore the weird hippy in the corner who doesn't mainline caffeine. Mutter/laugh with your colleagues about crazy avant guarde Earl Grey lovers whilst simultaneously hiding your box in a desk drawer.

20 date ideas for Londoners

We all need to do this more. Grab your calendar and call someone you love - boy, girl, date, friend, Mom, co-worker - and plan something something slightly out of the ordinary. Make time to spend a few hours just hanging out and enjoying their company.

The Mister and I have been making an effort to do this lately, scheduling in a date night every fortnight where we just take a little time to catch up undisturbed by chores, try something new and laugh together. And yes, I put down the Twitter. Mostly...

Of course it became a blog post eventually... #bloglife. Our fun seemed to fall into 4 categories; in sunshine, out of the rain, quite foodie and a little bit boozy. I've also enlisted a few of my favourite suggestions from a few fellow blog addicts friends...

Travel Contrasts - The East and West Coasts of New Zealand - #travellinkup

We stood, transfixed as the waves tumbled from glass rumbles to lace froth. A lone seagull dipped and wove through eddies of unseen air currents. The sunshine shimmered through breathtaking blue skies. Winter seemed like a distant thought, rather than close on the heels of our New Zealand Autumn.

A day (or 30 hours later to be precise) we landed back in amongst the silver skyscrapers of London.

Living in New Zealand, no one is more than 3 hours drive from a beach, and it is one of the things I miss most about living in London. (And having to take wind breaks will always make me giggle, sorry British friends!) We managed to sneak in two beachy visits during our New Zealand whirlwind.