Seriously Sexy Secret Tea Party 29th September in Bath!

So much to do, so little time and yet it's all in the name of fun! I'm madly organising a vintage weekend in the heart of Bath at the moment called Milsom Place Vintage Weekend. It's in a chic shopping quarter that has Jamie Oliver's Fifteen, Carluccio's and Cath Kidston as some of its upmarket residents.

On Saturday 29th September I will be hosting a special sexy tea party in a converted chapel in Milsom Place between 5pm-8pm that includes the following:

*A high tea served on vintage china in The Octagon that can double as your early evening meal

*A complimentary swing dance lesson by Hoppin' Mad (an hour)

*A burlesque performance from Dulcie Demure

*A glass of bubbly per person

*Erotic but funny poetry performance from Muriel Lavender

Plus the Pop Up Parlour will be there to give you vintage makeovers before you go out (payable on the day) and there will be a cocktail bar to get your evening started in style!

Click here for tickets (£25 pp)

Don't miss out!!

New events! A busy Autumn ahead.I hope you can join me at some of them!

Burlesque at The Manor!

Today took me back in time – not to a bygone era, well not to one that was that has long since passed, but to about a year and a half ago when I threw my first private tea party for a group of lovely hens. They had hired a farmhouse near Frome and were very patient with me when I lost my way. I’m really grateful to them (Sandra, I mean you!) for having faith in me to provide their friend with a fabulous tea-party for her hen do.

Since then I have thrown so many private parties that I’ve needed help waitressing at lots of them, especially with large numbers. Today, however, the girl who was going to help me was ill, so I went by myself – and I loved it!

This party of hens had hired The Manor at Norton St Philip, about half an hour's drive from Bath – a grand period property with a large but comfortable lounge with wooden floor. I’m told the bedrooms are amazing too but I didn’t see them.

The girls didn’t answer when I arrived bedraggled by the drizzle, but the lovely landlady who lives next door popped her head out and let me in.

Inside it’s impressive – although for such a big house the kitchen is tiny, but this wasn’t a problem for tea-making purposes.

The group gradually appeared in small groups, helped me decorate the room and then, around 1.30pm they ushered in the hen– it was a surprise.

I hope they loved the Bette Davis menu – ham and grain mustard sandwiches, egg and rocket sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, mini-Victoria Sponges, Carrot Bites, Dark Chocolate Brownies, Peaches and Cream cupcakes and melt-in-the-mouth cookies dipped in chocolate. They certainly seemed full enough and made all the right appreciative noises.

During tea the girls surprised the hen with gifts – including a corset and net skirt. She went upstairs to change and in the meantime, burlesque expert Dulcie Demure appeared. All the other girls disappeared too, but then reappeared dressed in the most fabulous burlesque style outfits! Top hats, fishnets, sequin shorts, red basques, flouncy flirty skirts – they looked amazing! And when the hen came down, dressed in her finery she was touched they had all gone to such a lot of effort – although she was also confused about what was going on until Dulcie introduced herself.

The hen (front right) & Dulcie (front left) & henettes

I retreated to the kitchen to wash-up (the glamour) while the group whooped and shrieked, shimmied and danced there way through numerous moves and music. And when it was over, they asked us if it would be ok to go straight out into Bath wearing their outfits. As anyone who has been there knows, Saturday night in Bath is hen party heaven and you look odd if you’re not dressed up! So Dulcie and I left them contemplating their evening’s outfits and I left remembering what hard work it is to throw a tea party on your own – but also how really rewarding it is too.

The Secret Country House Tea & Cocktail Party! 1st September 2012

Long-time regulars of The Secret Tea Party will remember the early days when the tea party locations were always well, ...a secret! So on 1st September 2012, the afternoon tea extravaganza is returning to its roots and throwing a special party in a top-secret location, at Monkton Combe, just outside Bath.

The party will be split into two sections and guests are able to join one or both parts of the day. Organiser Mrs Stokes is referencing the classic country house parties that happened at the turn of the 20th century and throwing a tea party and cocktail party in one. Traditionally, September was the prime month for Country House parties and guests spent the morning shooting or riding (which we won't be doing) before having an indulgent afternoon tea (which we will be doing). The evening was spent dancing, talking, drinking and playing games, all with a slightly saucy undercurrent!

Here is what is planned for our Country House Party!

Country House Tea party

*Arrivals from 1pm with glass of welcome bubbly

*Play parlour and board games, explore the surroundings (pray for dry weather!)

*Have optional makeovers and peruse the cocktail bar

*2pm the tea party officially starts

*2.15pm Dance lesson in the dining room

*3.15pm Afternoon tea served on vintage china in the conservatory

*4.15pm Surprise entertainment

*6pm Best-Dressed Competition, tea party ends, cocktail party guests arrive

Country House Cocktail party

New guests are invited to join us and the evening will take on a slightlier naughtier side! All guests will receive a complimentary cocktail on arrival, be able to dance to music, listen to readings from this year's erotic smash hit Fifty Shades of Grey, watch a burlesque performance, have optional makeovers and imbide more cocktails (payable on the day) all in a beautiful, intimate country setting. A best dressed prize will be awarded.

Location

The venue is a small country house hotel 3 miles outside of Bath in the delightful village of Monkton Combe. There is free parking available. The location will be revealed after booking by email.

Transport

Mrs Stokes is happy to arrange transport to and from the venue for £6.50 per person. Please buy the appropriate ticket.

Accomodation

There are four suites  with a double bed available for any guests who would like to stay the nght. The cost per suite is £180 per suite Friday-Saturday and £140 Sunday to Thursday. Please emailsecretteaparty@mrsstokes.com for details of how to book.

The next party...26th May...'50's Jubilee Tea Party...Frock and Roll!

So, a lot has been happening at The Secret Tea Party H.Q since the last party. Vintage Sunday was amazing and we were so honoured to have Pearl Lowe there judging the Best Dressed Competition which was won by the gorgeous Gemma.

We've also been running lots and lots of hen parties every weekend which has been fabulous and we have  many more to come over the summer, but that doesn't mean we don't have room for more. So do email secretteaparty@mrsstokes.com if you would like information about private parties. Also, if you fancy buying or hiring any china or snapping up hen party fripperies, pop along to www.mrsstokes.com where Mr Stokes has started giving it a bit of a revamp and will be adding more and more treats and treasures as the months go by.

Finally, I want to tell you about three new parties, one on 30th June in the Bath Society Meeting Room and one in September which is a SECRET location just outside Bath. But the first is on the 26th May at the Bath Society Meeting Room which is a Fifties Jubilee special  - Frock and Roll. Starts 1pm for 1.30pm.

Here's what's included in your ticket price...

*Full afternoon tea on Mrs Stokes' Vintage China 

*Unlimited tea with milk and sugar

*Glass of bubbly per person

*Free Swing and Jive workshop by Hoppin' Mad

*Live music from Fifties combo, The Roadside Roosters (complete with double bass)

*One raffle ticket per person
*Cocktail Bar

And also available will be

*Exclusive, authentic Fifties clothes to buy from Cock-a-Doodle Vintage (pre-book to come and browse at 12.30 and buy your outfit by emailing secretteaparty@mrsstokes.com)

*Vintage hair and make-up from The Pop Up Parlour (£18pp including accessories)

*The chance to buy more tickets for the Right Royal Raffle - prizes include a bottle of bubbly from Green Park Brasserie, two tickets to the Burlesque Expo, a cake-stand from Fairyglass.co.uk and two tickets to the next Secret Tea Party (June 30th).

 Tickets are just £25pp 

Groups of 4+ please email secretteaparty@mrsstokes.com if you would like to reserve a table

March 17th's Secret Tea Party Dance Party!

I can't believe that it's MARCH already! And that our second tea party of the year is coming up fast - on Saturday in fact. As it's the day before Mother's Day there will be complimentary flowers for any lucky mum there, so if you are coming, please do email secretteaparty@mrsstokes.com to let me know so we can reserve a table for you both - or if you are in a group, such as a hen or birthday party, please also email me to set a table aside for you.

Here's a line-up of what we will be doing..

SATURDAY MARCH 17TH SECRET TEA PARTY DANCE PARTY

*Afternoon tea on Mrs Stokes vintage china

*Swing and Jive workshop by Must Dash Dance

*Optional makeovers (payable on the day) by The Pop Up Parlour

*Complimentary glass of bubbly per person

*Talk by blogger Maxine Jones life as part of The 1940's Family

*Complimentary flowers for mothers 

Of course, this party is not just mums and daughters, it's open to all and with our Wartime Glamour theme, we are looking forward to an afternoon of pretty dresses and tea and cake - without the powdered egg! We've got two new dance teachers this weekend - Must Dash Dance - who will be teaching a swing and jive routine and hopefully three jazz singers from Bristol too. The Pop Up Parlour makeover team will be there, so you can get your hair in Victory Rolls if you wish (payable on the day). And finally we have blogger Maxine Jones coming to talk about her blog, The 1940s Family, which should be fascinating. She's bringing her family too and will be telling us all about what it's like to live a 1940's lifestyle in the 21st Century. Here are a few pictures to whet your appetite and if you haven't already bought your ticket, buy them here.

Blogger Maxine

The 1940s Children

The 1940's Family take the train

Day out

Latest film from The Secret Tea Party

Ever wondered what happens at a Secret Tea Party? Here's the latest film of what happened in January 2012. If you fancy coming along we'd love to see you, click here for ticket information. And if you would like us to put on a private party for you, don't hesitate to email secretteaparty@mrsstokes.com. See you soon!

Pearl Lowe judging Best Dressed on April 1st!

OOo the most exciting news is that Pearl Lowe is juding the Best Dressed competition on April 1st at The Secret Tea Party that is part of Vintage Sunday. In case you don't know, Vintage Sunday is part of Bath in Fashion which is a week of fabulous style events in the city including a talk by Manolo Blahnik! On Vintage Sunday (April 1st) there will be a huge vintage fashion fair at Green Park station (the BathVA Vintage Fashion Fair) plus The Secret Tea Party above the Green Park Brasserie with Charleston dancing, Pearl Lowe's Best Dressed Competition and Scarlet Vintage, Bath's best-loved vintage boutique - giving a what-to-wear style clinic. If you fancy tickets they are on sale through this site for a special price of £25 until Feb 1st only after which time they will be available for £30 through the Bath in Fashion website www.bathinfashion.co.uk.


Watch Pearl Lowe talk about vintage in Bath and Vintage Sunday here. Film made by Bubblehead Media @bubbleheadmedia