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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GIRL, MISSING

I have been trying to make a little bit more time for myself over past few months. I am a sucker for feeling guilty if I do anything solely for myself. 

When I do want to take five I like to get stuck into a good book. I am a huge fan of crime thrillers as I like something that has more twists than a Curly Wurly. 

ARCANE ME UP

I am sooooo into interiors, like more than you could really ever imagine. Cake, interior, cake, interior.

I ooh and ahh over various amazing interior sites and forever dreaming of the perfect Pinterest layouts a girl could only dream of.

I would love to do a house tour but in all honestly my floordrobe pile and brimming washing basket just won't cut it.

HAPPY JULY FOURTH // PINK CHAMPAGNE CUPCAKES

Happy July Fourth mothercluckers!!

We love any good excuse to bake up some amazing treats down at Tea House HQ and this American holiday is no excuse.

A TEA LADY WEDDING // THE VENUE

Holy macaroni where has this past week gone? I wish it had gone whilst I was enjoying eating huge bowls of macaroni but alas it wasn't, it has dissapeared before my eyes while I have been whipping my life back in to shape.