DINNER // CHAOPHRAYA

 I'm letting you all in on a little secret. I used to work in a Thai restaurant when I was at college. This was not a great for my street cred but neither was my knitwear collection for a teenager, but, I have always been a grafter and a jobs a job and I put my blooming all into anything that I ever did and still do. I had to dress up in traditional Thai dress, tiny outfits that were way too tight for me with a flower in my hair and waddle around the restaurant trying not to trip up. I do remember crying in the cutlery cupboard a fair few times as I didn't know the difference between a Koong Choop Pang Tod and a Por Pia Pak. Oh, teenage life ey?

JESMOND DENE HOUSE // CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON TEA

'Do what makes you feel happy' is something that I have recently been told by someone very important to me. 

'Surround yourself with people and things that make you feel good' she said.

And so I did!

CINNAMON FRENCH TOAST

If I could date the meaning of brunch I would be first in line. I would speed date the shit out of it and never let it out of my sight.

There is something so ‘get in my face’ about it that really excites me.

HILTON GARDEN INN // AFTERNOON TEA

The last time I rocked up to Sunderland was on a good old Boro Bus where Middlesbrough smashed the Black Cats 2-1. Oi! Oi! Calm it Carli and reel in that inner hooligan. It was a brilliant day and lots of fun for all. I wish it had only stayed that brilliant as the evening rolled in but you can't have it all.

A LOCAL'S GUIDE TO MIDDLESBOROUGH

You may or may not have heard over on my social media channels, where if you don't post on there did it even happen?

Follow me! Follow me! Instagram / Twitter / Facebook.

Well, little old me was approached by the international airline Ryanair to write A Local's Guide to Middlesbrough to feature on their blog, Into the Blue. I was obviously over the flipping moon with this as I am so passionate about my town and what it has to offer. 

I thought I would pop it over here on my little space of the internet to show you why I love my town so much and why you should most definitely visit. 

Come do '24 Hours In Middlesbrough' and indulge, shop and drink in some of the best independents this end of the country has to offer.

THE ALCHEMIST // MANCHESTER // LS1

And then before you know it, it is the start of the week again. Monday to be in fact. Obviously because every week starts with a Monday. I think every week should start with a Sunday. Why? Because you get to smash one of these without batting an eyelid then falling into a food coma for the rest of the day. I thought I would help you out a little this morning, lets all just pretend it's Sunday and we have one of these delights in front of us.

THE TRUTH IS #2

BRUNCH // LE CHALET

I can't stop thinking about French blooming Toast.

It is known to me this as 'Eggy Bread' but French Toast is the correct term or so I am told. It is a slice or two of white bread, dipped in egg and slapped in the pan. Job done. Oh, no, not here my friends. Le Chalet in Leeds bring this to a whole new level. Give me this in a truck load and my life would be complete.

DINNER // CURING HOUSE

We all know how much I love a good tasty meal now don't we?

I took a little brunch trip to the newest foodie joint in town, The Curing House a few months back which you can read about by clicking the linky, link, link below.

 The Curing House - Support your Independents 

I have been back a few times since that trip to sample their evening treats which have not been a disappointment in any way shape or form. I was honoured to be invited to attend their first bloggers event last month to chow down on some delights and hear all about why this place is so special. I got to learn about their different cuts of meat, menu and to sip on their carefully selected drinks menu which is always a bonus for this crazed foodie over here.

But first I am going to tease you with this.

YOU GO GIRL!

NOTHING BUT // COCONUT ICED DOUGHNUTS

Right, that's it, I am doing it! I am going to bake up some doughnuts and eat every single one of them because life isn't fair sometimes and this girl needs all the doughnuts.

WHAT'S IN MY BAG

 

TEA LADY WEARS // OVER THE BORDER

I am going to let you all in on a little secret.

Are you ready?

Shhhhh......

Come closer....

I am opening a bar!

STRAW HAT // TOPSHOP // SALE - £10.00 // SIMILAR HERE

What with the tea house hitting a grand age of 6 years old, The Tea Bee heading in a direction that I only ever really dreamt about, I thought, hey, why not just open up a blooming bar.

I can sleep when I'm dead, right?

PAISLEY SHIRT // HAWES & CURTIS // £34.50

This venture is well on the way to being finished and let me tell you, it is looking pretty darn fine. Reclaimed pallet wood, raw concrete and working with the buildings original features has been an absolute pleasure.

Gin & ginger ales all summer long, craft ales getting you right through the winter. We have all your after work needs and weekends planned out for you.

Sound perfect right?

JESSICA CROPPED JEANS // DAHLIA // SALE - £10.00

Where is it you ask? Middlesbrough, obviously, because if I could marry a town I would have been a very young bride. My love for this little town just grows and grows and I could not be any prouder to be a Teessider through and through.

There is a little part of Middlesbrough that has always had a bit of a bad reputation, over the border territory or so it is known to us.

If you are not from Middlesbrough or surrounding areas let me sock this to you a little easier.

Middlehaven as it is now known was more of a haven for let's say, ladies of the night, a decade ago. It was the place to go when you needed/wanted a little pick me up from some late night entertainers, entertainers of the bedroom to be exact.

Houses have been knocked down over there to leave vast derelict land in the shadow of Middlesbrough's beauty, the Transporter Bridge. Possible investors had 'visions' but most of them were empty promises, but bit by bit smaller businesses starting taking risks and giving over the border a go.  I have to give it to them, it takes guts to really try and grab Teessides attention. Up popped a beautiful restaurant here, up popped a building of creative industries there, and up popped Middlesbrough College and Boho House.

JUNO GOLD SHOES // TOPSHOP // SALE - £20.00

I am somewhat obsessed with this area known as Boho/Middlehaven/Over the border and have always wanted to see something special grow over in the barren land. Without boring you too much on this 'opening a bar' over in this area of the town, we really are taking a risk. A little bit like this Paisley Shirt* from Hawes & Curtis. I have always been one for colour and pattern and this beauty is so sweet.  This little silk number is perfect for Summer meets Autumn when you want your arms covered but nothing to heavy. Cue the shirt.

I thought I would take a little wander around my new parts and see what it had to offer. Woah, there, Middlehaven, when did you become a bloggers paradise. Brick walls for miles in a bundle of shades, coloured garage doors to really off set that new outfit you got yourself there Carls!

I am super excited to get this little bar up and running. You can go give Hit The Bar a follow over on it's social channels below and let me know what you think.

TWITTER // FACEBOOK // INSTAGRAM

I am totally in love with the back end of summer and that darn golden hour.

Love Carli x

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// Photos by Jess Elliott \\

MAKING A HOUSE A HOME // DIY

As of recent I am having to make real adult life choices on something that I do not want to do.

This post was originally going to be a room tour but it just didn't seem to fit right because of what the near future holds, so a room tour has been put on the back burner. Cue new blog post with a few tweaks here and there and we are back on track.

TEA OF THE WEEK / SUMMER TEA

Summer is well and truly under way here in England. We have rain every other day, the heating at around 19 degrees and knitwear is all the rage. We all have a love/hate relationship with summer. We moan at the slightest bit of sticky weather ( I am currently sat here in my pants), and we look like lobsters if we sit out in the garden for 30 minutes. No matter how many times you get told to wear sun cream, we never do as we think the sun over here is not hot enough and then, wham, wonky tan lines that last forever. I am still rocking a brown dirty smudge like tan, which I disguise as 'cute' from May when I tanned my foot. A foot, not feet, one solitary foot. 

We moan about everything in England, come rain, come snow, here come the blooming moans. The UK was born to whinge, unless we are shut up with a cuppa and a biscuit or two. Absolute truth.

THE SHIP TAVERN // HOLBORN // WC2

There is nothing I like more than a good Sunday Roast. A Yorkshire Pudding can just top the weekend off and make Monday's seem like million miles away. I do like Monday's though, as they are my 'get shiz done' day but hey ho, grab a seat and lets get down to business.

BUNGA BUNGA // BATTERSEA // SW11

There was a time when I got my braces on in March that I never thought I would eat pizza again, well, for the next 6 months till these blasted little train tracks were taken off.

I really had a bad ass going of it to be honest at the start which resulted in a Facebook status, oh yes, I needed sympathy and plenty of it. I took to good old Facey B voicing my concerns while munching down on a salted caramel rice pudding which is so not like me. I did receive some tips which I am ever so grateful for, so a huge thank you to all that made me feel that little bit better.

A TEA LADY WEDDING // THE FINER DETAILS

Well wedding fever is in full swing in the McStanwick household. I am scrambling to try and get all my papers and details ready for when we head back out to Portugal in September to finalise all of our plans. Eeek!! Flights are booked and there is not stopping us now.

Let the countdown begin. T minus 3 months.

I mean, I still haven't got my dress yet but I am not really too worried, I think that the pressure of other people around you can really stress the planning of a wedding to be honest. I want it to be enjoyable and I want it to be relaxing for all involved. The last thing I want is to be hot and flustered and having to explain to strangers of strangers of strangers why I may choose a high street dress instead of a meringue gown. This is one of reasons why we have decided to get married abroad in my favourite town of Lagos, to escape unnecessary pressure. I mean running my own blog and business just isn't enough it seems.

TOUR DE LONDON

I love a good London trip now and again. There is something so special about the buzz the city gives off and gets this northern girl rather excitable.

This time my trip to London was crazy and super special as I was a guest on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch. I was showcasing a truck load of yummy iced teas to a panel of celebrities including the legend that is Bryan Adams.

 The way you can hop on a tube, hop on a bus, hop on a rent a bike to travel the city with the wind in your hair and take in our capitals most amazing is what life is all about.

I have a few more trips planned down in the big smoke and I am dying to cock my leg over a Boris Bike and sail through the parks that we have right on our doorstep. I don't think I am brave enough to  brave the big the roads of London as the traffic is crazy and I would most definitely fall off and crash into numerous cars, cabs and innocent pedestrians.

Up north there seems to be a fair amount of cycle paths kicking about so I do feel a touch safer. I really want to brave the big bad world on a bike next time I visit London this summer.

With the Tour De Yorkshire heading through my town in May and the Tour De France in full force as we speak I thought what better way than to grab a few snaps in a bike filled sunny London town to showcase my new favourite outfit.

This little number is from one of my go to stores, Dahlia, and is the most comfiest things to pop on and explore the capital. I teamed this babeing dress with a straw hat and my trusty tan saddle bag and a pair of sparkly gold flats.  

The cotton smock and jersey top let you swish around without getting too hot and sweaty.  The sleeves are to die for and Silvia* really will get a lot of wear in the next few months. Not to mention this style hides a good old food baby too.

If you want to join in my bike adventure and cycle round your beautiful surroundings this summer, get fit or even go on a Pokemon hunt then make sure you enter this Halfords competition to be in a chance to win a Boardman SLR bike of your own. Halfords are one of our most favourite sponsors here on The Tea Bee so go over and show them some love.

You know you want to.

Love Carli x

*This is a sponsored post but I really can't wait to get myself on a bike this season and go explore our  wonderful world.

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// Photos by Thumbelina Lillie \\

TAXI!!

FOOL PROOF GOOEY BROWNIES

I love chocolate as much as the next girl, but, I also love football as much as the next boy.

So last week I whipped up these naughty delights.

I was sent some delightful Belgian chocolates from Planete Chocolat* and thought what better way to celebrate the Euro Final and celebrations than to munch down on my favourites, with my favourite.

There is also free delivery, yes you heard that right, free delivery to the UK!!

I thought it was only fair to share these little treats with my friends by baking them up into these Fool Proof Gooey Brownies to make them last a little longer.

What you will need:

140g dark chocolate

110g plain flour

450g caster sugar

55g cocoa powder

225g butter

5 eggs

In a large pan pop in the chocolate, butter and I threw in some of those delightful Belgian chocolates form Planete Chocolat.

Heat this yummy chocolate pot on a low heat until it all melts in to a big gloopy pot of love.

In a separate bowl sift, sift, sift the flour and cocoa powder together.

Pour in all that sugar and crack in 10 eggs and give a huge mix all together

Add in the chocolate gloop and give it all another big mix.

Get your brownie tins ready and pour in this wonderful mixture.

Pop them in the oven for 25 minutes and then add your topping of choice. 

To pimp up my brownies I used the Euro 2016 with Chocolate Balls*, a mix of crunchy praline balls with hazelnuts coated in white, milk and dark chocolate.

And to sweeten the deal for my lady friends and a way to twist their arms to get them to watch football with me I popped in the Mixed Chocolate Heart* to make them real luxurious.

Put them back in the oven for 15 minutes then take them out to cool.

Putting your brownie toppings on near then means they won't burn for being the oven too long and they don't melt too much.

Sit back and relax with a brownie or two. A hot pot of tea and crank up that football.

I know I am a little late off the Euro's mark with this recipe but hey, my local football team smashed it last season and we have a fantastic year ahead of us. I am so proud to be Boro.

A recipe developed by Tea Lady Jess, developed by me. A key word here, develop, develop, develop.

What are your favourite brownies combinations? Make sure you get tagging us in your creations on the social links below.

Love Carli x

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