Jo Malone Afternoon Tea' At Harvey Nichols Manchester, England

To celebrate the launch of Plum Blossom, the new Jo Malone limited edition fragrance, Harvey Nichols (Manchester) second Floor Restaurant will serve an Afternoon Tea inspired by the scent.

Each guest who enjoys the Afternoon Tea will be invited to receive a complimentary hand and arm massage at the Jo Malone Boutique throughout the month. Jo Malone will also be hosting special discovery sessions on Thursdays and Sundays at 2pm throughout May.

Rejoicing in one of nature’s most dramatic yet delicate displays, the cerise splashes of plum blossom herald the promise of warmer days and is a fresh, sweet and fruity-floral scent.

This afternoon tea is only available throughout May 

call or drop in to the Jo Malone Boutique, Harvey Nichols Manchester, to book your appointment.

The Afternoon Tea and Champagne Afternoon Tea are priced at £14.50 and £22.50 per person respectively.

Call 0161 828 8898 to book your table or email secondfloor.reservations@harveynichols.com

The afternoon tea and champagne afternoon tea are priced at, £14.50 and £22.50 per person.

Call 0161 828 8898 to book your table or email secondfloor.reservations@harveynichols.com

Second Floor Manchester

Patisserie Valerie, London

I first discovered the Patisserie Valerie chain in late March (2012). Chelsie and I had stayed over in London, and rather then stick to the more conventional breakfast provided at the hotel instead decided to explore some of London's Cafe's...

Patisserie Valerie is easy to spot with its brown store and cream cafe name painted across the top. The  cafe has a laid back yet sophisticated feel to it, with contemporary international art dotted around the walls. The cafe origins are Belgium based with the intention of introducing tastes of the continent to us Brits! Patisserie Valerie is reasonably priced, with the option of takeaway and sit down available to guests. From peering into the patisseries windows you will see a visual treat of goodies, but these are only a small handful of what is on offer, as the patisserie also includes Italian Gelato (made exclusively by Patisserie Valerie), confectionary (truffles, marzipan), cakes, tarts, delicate pastries and even wedding cakes! 

This patisserie has also got celebrity approval with the following celebrities being fans  Barbara Windsor (actress) and Ronnie Corbett (comedian). 

Kate and I visited one of the cafes in Covent Garden (15 Bedford Street), outside the door peering into the window we spent some time lusting over each patisserie as each one looked so incredibly delicious. Eventually we made a decision and headed inside towards a table, the service was prompt with a smile and in no time at all breakfast was served! The cafe has a relaxed atmposhere, which enabled us to enjoy our food in our lesiure and gossip away.  

Chelsie and I were delighted to find two pasteries that satisfied out taste buds accordingly; for me a cherry laced pastry and Chelsie a very cute apple tart with apples, sultanas and cinnamon. The taste was incredibly fresh and flavoursome yet at the same time filling which we were particularly saddened by as we could have easily enjoyed another one! We did however have a solution, due to the fact the cakes looked to divine to miss out on we would select some cakes to take home. The cakes were delicately placed in a box, tied with a bow and placed in another delicate handle ready for the train journey home! 

Left: Strawberry Tart, Right: Mille-Feuille

DID YOU KNOW? 

Patisserie Valerie Cafe's are opening soon in the following locations: Colchester, Leicestershire and Reading 

Website: http://www.patisserie-valerie.co.uk

Lolas cupcakes, London

Special occasion? Someone need cheering up? Or just any reason to celebrate? Oh what the hell, when you need a cupcake you need a cupcake!!

For some time we have undergone a voyage to discover the very best cupcakes around, and by this we mean ones that taste as good as they look rather then simply just a visual treat. On this voyage we discovered Lola's Cupcakes.

Lola's cupcake's are freshly baked and iced to perfection, and are unmissable! The cupcakes come in an array of intense flavours including peanut butter, rocky road and banana to name just a few! Trust me, with each cupcake looking so gorgeous, indulgently covered in sprinkles, glitter and delicious buttercream (depended on the cupcake flavour) and each so flavoursome its near on impossible to name a favourite.

Alongside this Lola's cupcakes are very in tune with current events, and it is very common to find the store selling cupcakes inspired by such as Halloween, Christmas, Easter 

Sometimes people can find the sweetness a little too overwhelming with Lola's standard cupcakes, but fear not Lola's have the remedy with there compact mini cupcakes that still lock in the intense taste but are bite sized! 

Lola's flagship store can be found in Mayfair, London on Berkeley Square but there are also concessions in Harrods (London, Knightsbridge) , Selfridges (London, Oxford Street) and Topshop (London, Oxford Circus). We regularly stop for a cupcake when we are shopping in either Harrods or Selfridges which can be a delicious tactical break when indulging in retail therapy. 

Lola's Cupcakes tick every box, and I would say are amongst the best cupcakes to be found in England. 

Lolas, Selfidges

www.lolas-kitchen.co.uk

Fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier gives Diet Coke a makeover

Jean Paul Gaultier & Diet Coke 

If you can Get yourself to Harvey Nichols tomorrow..

The Jean Paul Gaultier & Diet Coke bottles have been unveiled! Both iconic designs are available exclusively at Harvey Nichols nationwide Monday 16 April!Jean Paul Gaultier is the new creative director of Diet Coke in Europe. His first order of business? Decorating the iconic bottles with corsets to make them look more like his signature torso-shaped perfume bottles.

Jean Paul Gaultier has designed two new bottles for Diet Coke, named ‘Day’ and ‘Night.’ The designs feature a black corset and his signature Breton stripes. The stylish bottles will be available for sale in Harvey Nichols stores across Britain starting on April 16.A third bottle, ‘Tattoo,’ will be released later in 2012. Gaultier joins the ranks of other fashion designers who have renewed the Diet Coke bottle, including Karl Lagerfeld, Matthew Williamson and Roberto Cavalli.

Can't Wait to get my hands on these !

http://www.harveynichols.com

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Royal Opera House, London

Chelsie: Kate and I are huge Alice In Wonderland fans, so unsurprisingly when we heard about the Alice In Wonderland Ballet production we jumped at the opportunity! Despite the extensive ticket que, we got our hands on two tickets, and my goodness the ballet was phenomenal.

The Ballet: The Royal Ballet's Alice was created in 2011, and was an immediate hit. The ballet we believe is to be praised for its faultless combination of captivating dancing and larger then life props. Christopher Wheeldon is the mastermind choreographer who interjects the enchanting story into every character's move; the energetic dances performed in particular by Alice, the white rabbit, the mad hatter and the queen of hearts are something to behold. The props really pull the audience into Alice's Wonderland with illusions, which include a shrinking alice and a larger then life Cheshire Cat. 

'Alice' begins in an upper-class Oxford garden party, held by Alice's parents. The kitchen staff are busy in preparation to make sure each dish is ready for the impending guests, it is here Alice plays with her siblings. From this early scene we see the main antagonists at the party transform into there Wonderland counterparts: Lewis Carroll becomes the white rabbit, the gardening boy Jack becomes the Knave of Hearts and Alice's mother transforms to the hot headed Queen of Hearts.Kate: My favourite part of the ballet was Alice's descent into Wonderland. The entire audience is treated to a never ending array of visual tricks. My favourite scene (and from our research critically acclaimed scene) is when Alice is faced with numerous doors in her bid to enter Wonderland. Alice chases doors, which are all unfortunately out of her reach and with every jump of frustration her footwork is both something to marvel at, and faultless. For those of our viewers that are more interested in the technical aspects of the ballet, beyond the obvious visual pleasure we have included some links to read there reviews.

Diamond Jubilee-inspired afternoon tea at the Berkeley

                  

PRÊT-À-PORTEA – THE ROYAL COLLECTION

In honour of the Queen’s 60th year on the throne, The Berkeley hotel in London are overhauling their classic Pret-a-Portea afternoon tea menu...

‘Pret-a-Portea – The Royal Collection’ launches on 29 May in honour of the anniversary of the Queen’s 60th year on the throne, and will feature (in the long-running Berkeley tradition) afternoon tea staples created to look like a selection of fashion items. Dishes directly inspired by some of the Queen’s finest sartorial moments range from a Victoria sponge cake with peach-coloured icing in the shape of a Launer London handbag to a pink lady apple fruit cake baked to look like a hat she wore on a royal visit to Canada (one of more than 5,000 that she’s believed to have worn since 1952), while other royal-inspired titbits include a praline-filled profiterole – a hat-tip, so to speak, to Princess Beatrice’s controversial Philip Treacy Royal Wedding fascinator.

                                                                                                                                                ‘Prêt-à-Portea – The Royal Collection’ will be served in The Caramel Room at The Berkeley from 1-6pm from 29th May to 9th June 2012,

£39 per person.(£49 including a glass of Laurent Perrier champagne, or alternatively for the fashion conscious, £55 per person including a glass of couture champagne). 

ReservationsFor Prêt-à-Portea reservations and delivery service , please call +44 (0)20 7107 8866. Please place your order minimum 3 days in advance.

We are delighted to accommodate nut or gluten free alternatives with 24 hours notice.  Please mention any dietary requirements at time of reservation.

BOOK A TABLE ONLINE 

See more information on our Prêt-à-Portea afternoon tea

Where? The Caramel Room at The Berkeley  When? From 1-6pm from 29 May to 9 June

Easter Afternoon Tea - Hyatt Regency London The Churchill

Celebrate Easter with an Afternoon tea 

Easter Afternoon Tea - Hyatt Regency London The Churchill

Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill is the ideal venue for a traditional Afternoon Tea. A member of the prestigious ‘Tea Guild', this five star hotel was awarded for the second year an ‘Award of Excellence' for 2011.

Easter Afternoon Tea - Hyatt Regency London The Churchill

You can celebrate Easter in fine style Hyatt Regency London The Churchill with their Easter Afternoon Tea Menu that they will be running over the Easter period. 

The Montagu Easter Afternoon Tea

Selection of traditionally British thinly sliced finger sandwiches on a mix of white, brown and flavoured breads.

Home made Hot Cross Buns and warm plain and fruit scones served with generous portions of strawberry jam and Cornish clotted cream.

Our patissier's selection includes Frosted Carrot Cupcake, Easter Egg Cake Pops, Chocolate Butter Cake with Mini Eggs, Shortbread Fruit Tartlet and Bitter Lemon Macaroons.

The Montagu Easter Afternoon Tea is served with a choice of tea or coffee.

£28.00 Per Person

...with a glass of Pommery Brut Royal Champagne: £35.00 per person

Read more on Afternoon Tea at Hyatt Regency London The Churchill