So I think by now you will have caught on that I have a love for supporting local & independent businesses.. So can you imagine my delight when a fantastic vintage tea shop opened up on my very own doorstep in Beeston, Nottingham! *Insert giddy squeal here
I had been hearing the odd thing about Time For Tea but despite wanting to, just hadn't got round to visiting for myself - until last weekend with my pal Jade - & I'm so happy to say that we blummin' loved it!
The pics I took pretty much speak for themselves but basically Time For Tea is a 1940s vintage tearoom with loose leaf tea and bone China tea cups - Just like the old days! (words taken from their very popular Facebook Page) They've only been open for a few months and they are already over 1.5k followers, you know that's when you're onto a good thing!
The service was relaxed & friendly - we both agreed that it was like visiting your grandma.
We went on a Saturday afternoon & reserved a table in advance - which I seriously recommend as people were being turned away due to being so busy!
The menus were in the style of old ration books & the food was very well priced - we had a pot of tea, a fish finger sandwich, cheese on toast and 2 scones - & I got change from £15!!
Put your feet up & take a pic at the pics I took on the day - I'll be going back asap!
Emma Smith & I - How fab are their uniforms?!
The lovely Sharon & Emma
Sorry for the close up pal, good job you're a beaut ;)
Right near the carpark for the council buildings - pretty handy hey!
I really hope that this post has inspired you to go & check this cute little (it really is teeny!) cafe out, it was the highlight of my day the other week & I can't wait to go back - I literally can't stop thinking about that beautiful warm scone!!
You can find this little gem at 17 Wilkinson Avenue, Beeston, Nottingham, NG9 2NL & below is a link to their facebook page & a couple more write ups about the place.
Ok so I think I need to dive right in and just clarify... I am not getting married!!
However, when I was asked if I was available to help out at the Save the Date wedding event last Sunday (21st February), I absolutely jumped at the chance. I'd already heard great things about the event - my friend has been to every single show since it began.
Plus, it was a great opportunity to get some practice at editing too, as at the bottom of this post is a link to a YouTube video from the day.
I was kind of under the impression that I needed to be a blushing bride to be, or at least a bridesmaid, to go to the event, but I was SO wrong. Ok, so that definitely was the majority of the clientele, but honestly, it's just such a lovely day out too.
I'm not sure if I should admit this, but I know I'm not on my own with this one, I kiiiiinda have a wedding board on pinterest, just.. you know.. incase ;) and it was basically like that scene in Mary Poppins where she jumps into the painting and everything comes to life - this event was literally my pinterest board in life form!
Sequin table tops, rose golds, quirky cakes and dresses with no poofy skirt in sight - now THIS is why it's called 'Save the Date - Wedding Event with a Difference'! I had a good chat with lots of the lovely creative people on stands there, I got to sample some delicious foods and even signed up for a calligraphy course! (here was me thinking I was there to work ;) )
I didn't get to take many photos whilst I was there as I decided to concentrate on getting video footage for you, (and eat the samples of chocolate) so I have used the lovely Rachel Connerton's work from Rachael Connerton Photography in this post, because her work is blummin' stunning and it was so great to see her in action taking shots of the bride (you can see that in the video too).
If you are a bride to be, groom, mother of the bride, bridesmaid... oooorrr none of the above, then I can't recommend getting yourself tickets for the next show in October enough - they happen twice a year - whether I get a ring on it or not - I'll be there! <3
I wanted to share a short and sweet post with you today about my love for stacking rings - those of you who follow my Instagram may have already picked up on this, but I just love wearing as many rings on my hand as possible - I literally feel naked without them!
There's so many different styles out there, whether you like a bit of bling or prefer something a little more simple.
The thing I particularly love about these rings is the arrow design, I'm going through a phase of liking anything with arrows on at the minute - jeeze, keep me away from a tattoo parlour! I also love the mixture of metals, you may have noticed by now but I love metallic, whether that be gold, silver or of course copper, and I love that these rings don't limit you to sticking to one colour.
#LFWxGemporia
I think they look so much more than £26 too - bonus! You can buy them here :)
If you want to know more about Gemporia - you can watch there latest advert below.
Notonthehighstreet.com has always been one of my personal favourite places to pick up something a little different, I used this site a lot whilst I was in Australia to send christmas and birthday presents to friends/family as I could always rely on it to deliver the goods without me having to check it first!
I've recently stumbled across this gorgeous jewellery brand called 'Shona Jewellery' on there, and although her prices are a little higher than the average stacking ring on the website (£155 each), it's easy to see why - they stand out a mile! These Tile Rings are a particular favourite of mine as they scream minimal but still have a quirky element to them with the mix of metals.
You can even have the gold tile set with a diamond - hello beautiful!
Ok, this is a weird one because I don't actually own any pieces of Daniella Draper jewellery, yet I feel a connection to it because my friend Lisa is literally adorned in her collection and I can't help but smile whenever I see an item of theirs.
Starting from a kitchen table in Cleethorpes, Daniella has gone from strength to strength and has recently opened her second store, a flagship in Lincoln - and her stacking rings are on my lust list!
If you're intrigued to know more about the brand I've included a little video that I've stumbled across on YouTube - don't get me started on how beautiful the family is too. Watching the video makes me want to go blonde, draw some freckles on and walk my dog (I don't even have one!) on the beach...
...but anyway, back to the jewellery!
TheseMidi Stack Party rings are too cute and not a bad price at all for £75 for 3 - especially when they are handmade. Love, love, love.
CLICK ON VIDEO TO WATCH
The fact that they've been seen on Natasha Khan from Bat for Lashes gives them obvious extra cool credentials!
There were far too many choices on the Gemporia site not to mention another set of stacking rings that caught my eye!
I'm a sucker for turquoise jewellery and as a kid was obsessed with layering as many turquoise gem necklaces I could - things have toned down slightly since then and I think the odd flash of it is plenty for now - that's until I go through the good old boho stage again that happens around June every year and I'll no doubt be digging it all out ;)
I actually can't believe these sterling silver rings are only £43! Mind you, they're on sale so I can't imagine them hanging round for long.
I hope you've enjoyed this post and it's inspired you in some way - or at least introduced you to a new brand or two.
I wanted to add something a little bit different to the blog today - I'll be honest when I first contacted Laura from 'Mario and Me Blog', it was because I really wanted to add content to my blog but was feeling very uninspired to do so! I was sat reading the lovely Laura's blog & all about her life since the birth of her beautiful son Mario & her journey through Judaism...
...and I had a lightbulb moment, maybe you guys would like to read all about it too??because I genuinely learn something overtime I read it!
So I contacted Laura & she kindly agreed to write her next blogpost especially for my little space on the internet.
I hope you enjoy reading it and get a chance to pop over to 'Mario and Me Blog' to read more about Laura's fascinating journey... Thank you Laura <3
Happy
Chanukah
Following on
from my last blog I thought it would be appropriate to write about Mario's
first Chanukah next!
After sharing
my journey with you about my conversion to Judaism you've probably guessed that
'Christmas' is now well and truly off the agenda! I found this really difficult
to accept and get my head around in the buld up to Christmas. It was so hard
when people kept asking me if Im going to celebrate or not. Of course I knew
that once I had converted fully, celebrating Christmas would be hypocritical.
But I hadn’t really put too much thought into it. I had forgotten how much I
actually do like Christmas! The bulid up is so magical, especially for
children. This picture below was taken of Russell and I at home about three
years ago. Before I converted I did put a tree up, I loved decorating the house
and having all the family over.
Chanukah is
probably one of the best known Jewish holidays. Not because of any great
religious significance, but because of its close proximity to Christmas. Many
non Jews and some modern day Jews refer to it as the Jewish Christmas! And some
even go as far as celebrating "Chrismukka"
The Jewish
festival of Chanukah is also known as the festival of light and it remembers
the rededication of the second Jewish temple in Jerusalem. It is Celebrated for
8 days in honour of the miracle oil that burnt for 8 days in the holy temple.
We light a candle each evening at sun set, give gifts to the children and eat
foods cooked in oil... Donuts are a tradition.
So... as we
had decided not to celebrate Christmas this year I wanted to make Chanukah
special. Each evening, Russell read the blessing whilst I lit the candles with
Mario. Afterwards we gave him a small gift to open and spent some time together
sitting as a family enjoying the candles, whilst Mario played with his new
toys.
The build up
to Christmas was difficult this year, but in the end the day it's self was
actually lovely. We spent it at home just the three of us, we had no presents
or cards... No tree, and no turkey! We treated it like a normal day, except I
made a nice roast dinner, we had a few glasses of bubbly and lots and lots of
chocolate treats! We watched junk on tv and just really chilled out.
So after much
deliberation and endless discussions I feel I've made the right decision to
give up Christmas in our home and put my all into celebrating Chanukah instead.
As Mario grows up we will be very open and honest with him about my conversion
and he will still see Christmas but he will understand the reasons why we don't
celebrate it like our non Jewish family & friends.
My next blog
will be coming up soon as we are about to celebrate Mario's half year birthday!
I'm going to review the last 6 months and all of his milestones!
Thanks for reading! Wishing you
all a very happy & prosperous 2016.
Thanks again Laura, I'm looking forward to reading about Mario's half birthday!
Don't forget to go and follow Laura at 'Mario and Me Blog' if you want to read more.
Also, are you interested in doing a guest blogpost for me? I'd love to hear from you if you are, pop me an email across to cordeliahearts@hotmail.com :) x
