TEA OF THE WEEK - RINGTONS CHINA GREEN SENCHA

The year of the Monkey is upon us all.

If this means eating lots of bananas and drinking green tea then hit me up.

A TEA LADY WEDDING - WILL YOU BE MY BRIDESMAID?

I had this one big question to ask a number of ladies last month. A very special question indeed.

'Will you be my bridesmaid?"

Not really knowing how to ask someone to be a bridesmaid as everyone has their own way, I was ready for this challenge. With my wedding being in another country, Portugal in fact,  I needed to make sure that these ladies were in it for the long haul.

Initially, I was not to have bridesmaids and have a few of my nearest and dearest to be part of my 'I Do Crew'. Not one for tradition I thought I would mix it up a little but after the tiniest bit of stressing out I thought it was best to put my ultimate trust in these girls as I knew they wouldn't ever let me down.

What better way than to bribe them altogether than an Afternoon Tea in one of my most favourite of places, Chilli Cake Deli.

Getting a group of girls together who basically stretch the length and breast of the country is always going to be hard. These girls are da bomb and all made a huge effort and give me a few hours of their time. 

I wanted this to be a chilled out affair where we could chat and brain storm some ideas for the big day. Stress free and calorie free. Yeah, right.

I laid out little brown boxes tied it up with twine with a special note for each of them.

We had Prosecco for toasting with and a good old bottle of port I brought back from the town I am getting married in to celebrate with as the wedding process goes on.

After some bridesmaid introductions and an exchanging of the tightest hugs, it was time to take our seats and fill out tummies up of course.

We have chosen our date to coincide with October half-term so that some of our guests who are teachers can make it as it just wouldn't be the same without them.

The girls opened their cards and boxes to show my favourite Portuguese sweet treat, Pastel de nata. These little delights will most definitely be making an appearance on my big day.

I keep saying big day and I'm sort of grossing myself out, so sorry about that. I am on a wedding organisation buzz so sorry for chucking this down your throats. We got some recipes coming up on the blog soon I promise. 

The answer to my question was three big fat yeses! Hurray! 

So here is a toast. A toast to getting married in one of my favourite seaside towns and a toast to my wonderful bridesmaids, Gemma, Rachel and Megan.

Big props to Megan who came to the rescue after my battery pack died on the old picture taking machine and let me use her new baby.

We chatted for hours munching down on the nicest deli sandwiches a girl could wish for. Ham & Piccalilli, Chicken with Chorizo and Rocket and a delish Cheese Flatbread.

These were washed down with copious amounts of tea and cocktails to get us ready for the scones and cakes that were just screaming to be eaten.

Oh my, just focus your peepers on this delight for a minute or two.

I want to say a huge thank you Chilli Cake Deli and the lovely Abbi for being an absolute treat and sharing some much needed advice to these novice wedding planners.

It is fair to say that I am really enjoying this wedding malarky.

Stay posted for more A Tea Lady Wedding posts, if you missed Choosing a Photographer go have a read of that one too.

 Hope you all have a great weekend.

Love Carli x

Instagram // Facebook // Twitter // Bloglovin' // Pinterest

'

AT WORK WITH - MATTHEW BURTON ILLUSTRATION

You know me. I love my town and what it has to offer. And I don't mean the 18 Greggs within a 5 mile radius of Middlesbrough but sometimes you really need a pasty to get you through the day.

I am a huge believer of supporting independent businesses even if they are within the same sector as your own as you never know what possibilities could head your way. I have some independent collaborations on your radar this year and I couldn't be any more excited about it.

THE TRUTH IS #1

HEY TRIFLE TRIFLE

Ay, Ay, Ay. Got to get me some trifle now and again.

This is standard in the McNaught household this time of year. Mama cracks a good old bowl of this out for Christmas, birthdays or even the little boy down the roads Bar Mitzvah. Ok, maybe that one was a joke. But there is no joke in how simple, quick and easy this little number is to whip up for your next come dine with me dinner party.

A TEA LADY WEDDING - CHOOSING A PHOTOGRAPHER

MY TOP BLOG POSTS OF YESTERYEAR

Well, Hello there! Have I got some exciting statistical news for you? 

I get all giddy over what you lovely lot have been reading here on The Tea Bee dot com and thought I would share it with you in case you have missed some absolute treats. Fancy a recap? Go on then.

Here are my Top Blog posts from 2015. What an interesting mix you got yourself going on.

SLEEPING BREW TEA - THE BREW

You may or may not be aware that towards the back end of last year it was announced that our little Tea House would be collaborating with the masterminds over at Cameron's Brewery. We would stick our heads together over a couple of initial meetings and brew up a tea infused ale.

BREAKFAST AT TOM'S

There is nothing like starting a new year off on the right foot. A good old fried brekkie fit for a king. 

Wow, let's start this post off on a negative and unmotivational way Carli! Apologies Tea Bees.

I just can't pretend that clean eating from now until the end of the day will last, never mind for the rest of the year. I will most definitely crash and burn and slam myself as a failure.

TEA LADY WEARS - HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR ONE AND ALL!

Nothing like welcoming in the New Year with a spot of man flu now is there?

One thing that got me extremely excited this year was the fact that I wanted to rock some glitter on NYE. Glitter makes everything better don't you think?

I thought I would share with you my New Years Eve outfit that I donned down at Tea House HQ.

Cute, Cute, Cute.