Christmas Secret Tea Parties

It occurred to me the other day that The Secret Tea Party wasn't just for summer and hen parties..because in fact they make unusual and affordable Christmas parties too. So I am launching my special Christmas Secret Tea Party service this week, with dainty turkey sandwiches and slices of fruit cake all served up on vintage china. The price will be from £16.50 per head for catering and china so if you or your friends or your office is interested in a posh party rather than cheap paper hats and a rubber roast, get in touch secretteaparty@mrsstokes.com. OOO I'm dreaming of a White Cakey Christmas...

The Secret Christmas Tea Party Package

2 rounds of the following sandwiches: Turkey and Cranberry Mayo, Blue Cheese, Pear and Chutney, Ham and Honey mustard, Egg and Cress or Cucumber and Cream Cheese or Cheddar and Chutney

Fruit Scone with butter

One choice Orange Chocolate Fudge Slice, Cherry and Almond Slice, Victoria Sponge slice, Lemon Iced Gingerbread slice, Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese filling

Iced rich fruit slice

Mini Christmas Iced cookie (choice of Golden Ginger, Citrus or Chocolate)

Glass of bubbly per person

Full china hire

Bottomless tea with milk and sugar

Minimum 6 people. Discounts for large parties (over 20)

Please email secretteaparty@mrsstokes.com for more details

A Secret Tea Party on the farm

I spent a wonderful afternoon down on the farm today - running a Secret Tea Party for a group of hens who were staying in Bathampton near Bath. They'd booked holiday cottages at New Leaf Farm which is just before Bathampton Mill and the toll bridge or just after depending on where you're coming from - either way you probably have to go over it at least once when you stay there. I nearly missed it on the drive there as the sign is quiet small but now I know where it is it seems simple to find.

There was a cute three-legged black cat there when I got out of my van and the owner Steve told me that  it doesn't belong to the farm but to someone down by the post office. It's a very friendly cat - and black - and what with its colour and lack of a leg I think that must be a good omen. I took a pic of it rolling on the ground - it looks like it's brown but it's black - promise.

The cottages are all converted Georgian farm buildings renovated to a modern standard and seem perfect for a group. Today's party was for nine and they managed to just about squash round the kitchen table in the cottage called "The Stables"

The hens didn't really know each other, so after a morning at the spa, the tea was the next chance to get to know each other. They ordered "Package A - The Audrey" - a classic menu of egg and cress dainty sandwiches, chicken and rocket finger sandwiches, lemon polenta cake, chocolate brownies, scones with jam and cream plus Victoria sponge fingers, all prepared this morning and served on vintage china from Mrs Stokes Vintage China. Plus they had unlimited tea and had also asked for a glass (or two in some cases) of bubbly each.

They seemed to bond during the afternoon. To start, they played a quiz all about the bride that the chief-bridesmaid had devised and after they'd feasted on the sugary fancies, they decorated cupcakes using cakes and decorations they brought themselves while I washed up. And by the end of the afternoon it felt like the group were well on their way to forming friendships that are going to last them well beyond the wedding. I like to think it was the chocolate brownie that did it...but I suspect the Prosecco helped!

Charleston and Cake - the film

Mr Stokes made this film of what happened on the 4th June at the last Secret Tea Party! Have a look to see what they are all about and sign up the mailing list to be kept up-to-date about all the future events. Don't forget I can arrange private parties too...Love Mrs Stokes (that's me in the turquoise and pink dress)

Charleston and Cake! 4th June 2011

NEXT PARTY JUNE 4TH 2011 AT A SECRET LOCATION IN CENTRAL BATH

Location revealed on booking


Tickets still available. Buy online and your ticket will be held on the door. The location will be revealed by email!

Afternoon tea on vintage china with extra entertainment, hair and make-up and fashion

*For group discounts of 25% for parties of 4 or more click here

Will you be dressed like this on 4th June?

PRICE INCLUDES:

*Complimentary bubbly from Bath's best-loved vintage fashion store, Vintage to Vogue, 28 Milsom Street


*Full afternoon tea served on vintage china from Mrs Stokes in a top secret, glamorous location in central Bath


* One raffle ticket per person for gorgeous prizes including a Mrs Stokes teaset and a fashion gift from Vintage to Vogue


*Charleston performances from dance duo Hoppin' Mad with optional workshop


*free vintage fashion consultation with Vintage to Vogue




Raffle Prizes include
*Vintage to Vogue voucher
*Lunch for two at Green Park Brasserie
* A gift from Mrs Stokes Vintage China
* A feather boa and matching fan x 2 from Fairyglass

Plus


*Vintage china and homewares on sale from Mrs Stokes Vintage China


*Vintage fashion accessories and consultations from Vintage to Vogue


*Vintage makeovers from the Pop Up Parlour. Payable to them on day from £8

£25 a head. Tickets from Vintage to Vogue, 28 Milsom Street, Bath or by clicking here.

Tearoom Takeover at The "It's darling!" Fair - 26th March

Very exciting news...The Secret Tea Party is taking over the tearoom at The "It's darling!" Fair on 26th March at The Friend's Meeting House in Bath. It won't be a usual STP ie a ticketed event, but instead an all-day cafe with vintage china, vintage soundtrack, cakes, sandwiches and of course, The Pop Up Parlour stylists, Inma and Lou who will be bringing their gorgeous dressing table of goodies to make you over, either vintage-style or cocktail party - just in time for Saturday night. "It's darling!" is a free event with over 20 stalls selling vintage and handmade delights so there's no excuse not to pop it in your diary and drop by. If you want to come along and pre-book styling, please email secretteaparty@mrsstokes.com - prices are £8 for hair or make-up and £15 for both.

The Second Secret Tea Party January 29th 2011

At 12pm yesterday, Rosie turned up at the Stage Door of the Theatre Royal, Bath. She'd come all the way from Swansea to spend a day in Bath as part of a surprise birthday present for her friend Charlotte - and part of that gift was a ticket to The Secret Tea Party - hosted by Mrs Stokes Vintage China (me). Unfortunately Rosie was a bit early and I was running late so Rosie took Charlotte round the shops for another hour.
And in that sixty minutes I manically laid up the tables in the 1805 rooms above the theatre with vintage linens, vintage mirrors and candlesticks and of course, my vintage china, helped by Jason who is the theatre's restaurant manager. I used the sets I've decided to keep for these events and also for hire. By 1pm people were arriving, but as The Pop Up Parlour stylists, Inma and Lou had been delayed in traffic in Bristol, they were just putting the finishing touches to my hair and make-up as the excited ladies started streaming in. But what a gorgeous bunch they were....and by the time Inma and Lou had finished with them they were even more beautiful and stylish. Sadly for me, my camera didn't work so I'm relying on the guests to supply the pics (and I borrowed Rosie from Swansea's camera at one point which was generous of her, although I think I was pretty unartistic about it all). But to start with click here to see one lovely lady's (Ceriselle's) snaps.

Book now for the next Secret Tea Party - 29th January 2011! 1.30pm-4.30pm

Book now for the next Secret Tea Party on 29 January 2011! It's in a secret location in the centre of Bath, in a location not normally associated with afternoon tea - although it should be! There'll be a glass of bubbly on arrival and a full afternoon tea - cakes, sandwiches, tea and scones and tea (of course). Plus, there'll be plenty of vintage china to eat and drink from and buy if you choose and our vintage stylists, Inma and Lou from The Pop-Up Parlour will be on hand to style you for a small extra fee (£8 hair, £8 make-up, £3 eyelashes and £15 for a full makeover, payable on the day). The event costs £15 per head payable in advance (use the links on this page to buy tickets or click here) - you will receive email confirmation of your purchase if you buy online, or come and see me at my stall at Green Park Station in Bath on Saturday 22nd to buy direct and avoid the admin costs.

The first Secret Tea Party!

The first ever Secret Tea Party organised by Mrs Stokes Vintage China was at the Nineteenth House in Bath. Gemma Lye, who runs the fabulous burlesque evening, Coco Boudoir gave a demo on vintage hair-styling, The Pop-Up Parlour primped and preened everyone to perfection and Mrs Stokes made sure everyone loved drinking from their china cups in a beautifully vintage setting. 

Cakes by Bath Cake Company

Mrs Stokes' vintage make-over

Beautiful china from www.mrsstokes.com

Flowers by The Painted Flower at Green Park Station Market

Life tastes better with tea and cake

The Pop-Up Parlour gets to work

Gorgeous

The vintage restaurant at The Nineteenth House

Gemma Lye from Coco Boudoir/The House of Go Disco

Click here to find out what one of our guests, "Crinoline Robot" thought...